"Master, I've practiced the Flowing Cloud Thirteen Techniques you taught me until I know them like the back of my hand... When can you teach me some more advanced swordsmanship?"
A young man of average height, with a round and slightly chubby face, smiled obsequiously at his master.
"Like the back of your hand? Then demonstrate it for me."
The green-robed man held a cup of Spirit Tea, and a chubby, round-headed Bear Beast lay at his feet.
"You got it!"
The round-faced youth's spirits lifted. He drew his Ink Bamboo Sword, assumed a stance, and launched a fierce, direct strike at a granite boulder ten zhang away.
He felt his master's almost tangible gaze fall upon his waist and realized that in his single-minded pursuit of speed, he had left a massive opening.
He hastily retracted the Sword Light, slashing back in front of himself to block an enemy that existed only in his imagination.
