The next day, Qin Yi walked into the village west courtyard and saw Qin Wei practicing swordsmanship.
Qin Xu, as usual, sat on the soft couch, basking in the sun and sipping tea.
But something was different. Previously, he would watch Qin Wei in the afternoon, leaving the morning free if Qin Yi didn't disturb him. Now, it was only morning, and Qin Wei was already practicing—interrupting Qin Xu's rest.
What if Master's rest is affected? What if it harms his health?
Qin Yi scowled at Qin Wei in the courtyard.
Then he noticed something else. Qin Wei wasn't practicing the Hundred Battle Sword Technique, but a sword form Qin Yi had never seen.
This new form was light and fluid, like a gentle breeze swaying willow branches, clearly more advanced than the Hundred Battle Sword Technique.
Ah… no wonder Master said that the Hundred Battle Sword Technique, aside from the Basic Sword Technique, is the simplest sword form.
Qin Yi looked on with envy. Such a profound sword technique… when will I be able to learn such mastery?
Qin Xu glanced at Qin Yi, seemingly seeing through his thoughts, but merely shook his head.
Once Qin Wei finished the set, Qin Xu smiled and offered guidance:
"小 Wei, this Gentle Breeze Sword Technique suits your physique well, practiced admirably. But you've only captured the agility of the wind; you haven't yet mastered its pervasive subtlety, nor its boundless unpredictability. Watch me."
Qin Xu extended his right hand, and a bronze sword flew into it. His figure moved gracefully; each stroke mirrored Qin Wei's set, yet felt like a completely different form—clearly more refined and superior.
Seeing Qin Wei falter, Qin Yi clapped in admiration, exclaiming, "Master, majestic!"
Qin Xu rolled his eyes but didn't speak, letting the lesson continue. After demonstrating, he instructed Qin Wei, "Carefully compare our techniques and note the differences."
Having finished instructing Qin Wei, Qin Xu casually tossed the bronze sword aside—it disappeared into the house—and then turned to Qin Yi with a stern tone:
"Da Tou, since you've come, why aren't you studying? What are you doing here?"
Qin Yi hurriedly saluted and ran to the library.
The Book of Music isn't just one volume—it's a set of over thirty books. Yesterday, I read only eleven, less than a third… still plenty to go through.
Watching Qin Yi disappear into the library, Qin Wei's expression hardened. He recalled the information from Huang Lao yesterday—Qin Yi's aptitude for the Postnatal Way and the Martial Way. In just two years, he had already reached a broad knowledge stage in the Martial Way, and entered the Postnatal Way.
Qin Yi… truly a prodigy.
Although Huang Lao had said Qin Yi's innate bones were weak, the Postnatal Way had no such restrictions. With his talent in the Postnatal Way, he might surpass me in the future. And he is practicing the strongest martial path!
For the first time, Qin Wei felt pressure.
I must work harder.
He didn't rest after a single practice; instead, he immediately continued with the Gentle Breeze Sword Technique. His determination was evident, and Qin Xu noticed, but allowed the rivalry to proceed, understanding that mutual growth benefits both.
In the afternoon, Qin Yi resumed practice, this time focusing on the Meditative Secret Technique. Before returning home at dusk, he requested to continue practicing the technique at home. Since it didn't consume energy, Qin Xu agreed—breaking the rule of practicing outside the courtyard for the first time.
From then on, Qin Yi stopped visiting Wang Gensheng; at home, he trained in his room.
Within three days, he reached the normal training pace for the Meditative Secret Technique. Qin Xu couldn't help but marvel—Qin Yi's talent for cultivating the mind might even surpass his talent in swordsmanship.
"Good, Da Tou. You've completed the second level of the Meditative Secret Technique. There's one ultimate state in this stage: 'Constant Meditation.' Do you understand what that means?"
Qin Yi pondered, uncertain. "Does it mean maintaining meditation at all times in daily life?"
"Yes, but not just duration. Your behavior must be indistinguishable from someone not meditating. Achieving this is difficult; historically, few have done it. But I hope you can."
If others could, so could he. Qin Yi nodded firmly.
"Now, begin the third level—training from slow to fast."
"Do you remember the goal of your meditation training?" Qin Xu asked.
"Of course!" Qin Yi shot a glance at Qin Wei and answered loudly.
Qin Wei's initial surprise quickly turned to annoyance. He glared at Qin Yi, then, ignoring fatigue, trained even harder.
Qin Xu observed quietly. Then he explained, "In this stage, slow to fast, you must maintain meditation while fighting. Once you can sustain it for the duration of a battle, you will have mastered it."
Hearing this, Qin Yi's motivation surged. "Master, how should I do it?"
"Simple—practice swordsmanship while in meditation. Once you can maintain it throughout a full fight, you're done."
It was difficult, but his mastery of the Basic Sword Technique—already at instinctive, near-microscopic precision—allowed him to succeed, even if only for a moment.
And that moment was just the beginning…