"Master, Da Tou has nowhere left to retreat. Should we end this sparring?"
Elder Huang asked, noticing Qin Yi pressed up against the wall.
"Hmm… wait, something's happening!" Qin Xu had initially nodded in agreement, ready to end the sparring, but then he sensed something and quickly stopped Elder Huang.
Elder Huang paused, following his gaze to the two boys, and exclaimed in surprise: "This is…"
Qin Yi had been retreating, continuously blocking and deflecting Qin Wei's strikes. His body was exhausted, especially his hands, numb from gripping the sword. He was operating purely on instinct, struggling to maintain his defense.
Am I going to lose?
A surge of frustration rose within him. He couldn't lose to this arrogant brat!
Boom…
Suddenly, a lightning-like clarity struck his mind. A warm current flowed from his spine throughout his body, relieving his fatigue and numb hands.
But the greatest change wasn't physical—it was perception.
Qin Yi's awareness of his bronze sword transformed. It no longer felt like holding a weapon; it was an extension of his body.
When Qin Wei attacked again, Qin Yi instinctively knew how to use the sword itself to deflect force, not just his body.
With the sword aiding his deflections, his body carried far less burden. And as he deflected, the sword naturally stored energy.
By the third strike, Qin Yi had mastered this new deflection method. His eyes sharpened; the long suppression had ended, and he was ready to counterattack.
After blocking a fierce blow from Qin Wei, Qin Yi didn't wait for him to recover. His bronze sword lashed out like a venomous serpent, aiming straight for Qin Wei's chest.
Qin Wei jumped back in alarm, barely able to respond. The sword's tip pressed against his blade with seemingly little weight, but the force was immense, numbing his hands despite his postnatal qi compensating.
He attempted a counter, but Qin Yi's sword returned and struck again with blinding speed, this time targeting his eyes.
Qin Wei staggered back, desperately blocking. Each strike felt heavier, faster, more precise. Even with focus, he couldn't regain the upper hand.
Qin Yi's attacks grew faster, more flexible, and increasingly cunning, leaving Qin Wei spinning helplessly, his defense overextended.
Suddenly, Qin Wei felt the wall behind him—no retreat possible. Panic surged, and his movements faltered.
Found it! Qin Yi's eyes lit up.
He shifted his stance, strikes now sharper, faster, aimed at Qin Wei's brow.
Qin Wei realized too late; he couldn't block. With the wall behind him, defeat was inevitable.
Boom…
Qin Wei's sword ignited his martial aura. Dust swirled around him as his postnatal energy burst outward.
Facing Qin Wei's aura, Qin Yi's mind wavered; his body faltered like a drunken man, his sword slipping from his grasp.
Clang! The bronze sword hit the ground. Qin Yi's body softened, nearly collapsing. But Elder Huang appeared in an instant, catching him with one hand, snatching the fallen sword with the other, and retreating beside Qin Xu.
Out of the aura's influence, Qin Yi's mind cleared, strength returned, and he regained control. Elder Huang gently set him down. Qin Yi swayed, but steadied himself.
Eyes still burning with resentment, Qin Yi glanced at Qin Wei, retrieved his sword, touched the tip to the scabbard, and slowly sheathed it.
Qin Wei, now calm, mirrored him, silently sheathing his sword, and walked over.
Qin Xu smiled at Qin Wei: "That was an excellent spar. You must be tired after your journey."
Turning to Elder Huang: "Prepare the Jing'an Courtyard for Qin Wei's stay."
Then to Qin Wei: "Rest for tonight. We'll talk tomorrow."
"Yes, Uncle," Qin Wei said, casting a lingering glance at Qin Yi, who kept his head down, lost in thought, and followed Elder Huang.