Heavy Sword - 2

Yuan Yi practiced the martial art, but he could not reproduce the same kind of Heaviness, the way the entity could. Yuan Yi understood that he lacked something that was more profound than copying the entity's stance and motion. He lacked the pride and arrogance. The heart was very important in external martial arts. The intent added something to motion that was tangibly different from the norm.

Still, now that he unlocked the secret of Heaviness, his sword was heavy. It made a noise as it passed through the air. The sound wasn't airy or whistling, as might be expected from a light sword gliding through the air. It was deep, like the groaning of a bell scraping against the marble floor. It was like a bestial roar - albeit quiet. One had to strain their perception to hear it. But it was there.

The sword moved like a juggernaut, even accumulating a faint silver light. Sword Energy was impossible among Outer Disciples, but sometimes the qi would manifest in the Sword Intent. One had to cultivate to a profound level to be able to comprehend Sword Energy. It was a rule, in the Brilliant Sword Sect, that should one comprehend Sword Energy, they would be immediately allowed into the Inner Sect.

Yuan Yi was pleased with the result, although he did very little on his own. It was all thanks to the system. That automatic comprehension mode was a powerful tool. He could not deny that, effectively, the system has helped him get to this point. It restored his body, his cultivation, gave him profound techniques and even helped him comprehend Heaviness.

Those were undeniable facts.

Without the entity, Yuan Yi would be dead or crippled.

But the way it was done bothered Yuan Yi to no end. He did not understand the entity's motivations or even goals. He was naturally suspicious of this. The thing Yuan Yi feared the most was hope. He didn't want to begin his journey on the path of an immortal cultivator, only to be betrayed by the entity. He feared betrayal more than anything, and the hopelessness that followed.

He did not want to feel hopeless, like he did back then when he was dying in the forest. He did not want to give up on life again.

"Brother Yuan," Yuan Yi heard a female voice come from behind him. "Am I interrupting?"

He recognized that voice and his soul nearly left his body.

"Sister Lan," Yuan Yi replied, turning towards the girl.

Lan Xiaohui was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. No immortal princess could compare to her in his eyes. Her skin was pale and delicate, and her hair as black as the abyssal night. She had bright blue eyes and a cute little nose and lips. Her white robes were pristine, and her presence exuded a fragrance of autumn flowers.

"I was so worried," Lan Xiaohui said, sighing in relief. "I heard you were attacked by spirit beasts, and that you were dead."

Yuan Yi remained expressionless.

Lan Xiaohui laughed. "Then I heard that you took over the abandoned farm, and I could not believe it. But there you are, safe and sound. Are you injured?"

Yuan Yi lowered his sword, sheathing it at his side. "Sister Lan, as you can see, I am perfectly fine. There is not a hair missing from my head."

Lan Xiaohui smiled, nodding. There was something icy about her appearance, like she was made of winter and sun. Her elegant beauty was unmatched in the Brilliant Sword Sect and she was truly a fairy descended from the Heavens. Her talent was also unquestionable. The Lan clan was a prominent family in their Nine City States.

"But I was not attacked by spirit beasts," Yuan Yi explained. "The one who attacked me was most likely the one who told you that it was spirit beasts that nearly killed me, crippled me and left me for dead."

Lan Xiaohui blinked. "What do you mean, Brother Yuan? Brother Hou attacked you?"

Yuan Yi nodded. "And three others."

"Who?" Lan Xiahui asked.

"Mo Heng. The other two, I do not know."

"They must be from the Chen clan then, if they are not from our Squad. The Hou family is serving the Chen clan," Lan Xiaohui said. "This is not good, Brother Yuan. I told Brother Hou that I found out you were alive. If he tried to kill you..."

"Don't worry, Sister Lan," Yuan Yi said, smiling arrogantly. "It won't be the same result this time."

[ attainment level reached: 7]

So that is what it was. Confidence. That is what was missing.

"Brother Yuan, don't be so rash," Lan Xiaohui said. "Brother Hou has advanced his cultivation since then. He is on the verge of entering the Qi Refining realm. You are not a match for him anymore. Let me take care of this. I will return and tell them that I was wrong. I did not find Brother Yuan here."

But Yuan Yi was on a warpath now. There was no opportunity to return anymore. More than just simple revenge, there was another reason now. This new reason made revenge seem silly in comparison.

"Sister Lan, I appreciate your words and your worry. But I understand now. I must do this. It is for my Dao of the Sword," Yuan Yi explained.

"Revenge?" Lan Xiaohui asked.

Yuan Yi shook his head. "Not revenge. Confidence." Yuan Yi spoke the word in such a way that it left a strong impression on Lan Xiaohui. The word was filled with the Intent in his Sword, earlier. It was filled with Heaviness.

Lan Xiaohui who saw him practice the understood its overbearing and dominating pressure. She understood why Yuan Yi had to reclaim his confidence.

Slowly, she nodded. "I am sorry this happened to you, Brother Yuan," she said. "I won't interfere."

Lan Xiaohui turned around and began walking away. She glanced at Yuan Yi only once as she followed the dirt path that led back towards the Sect.

Only once was enough for Yuan Yi. He was surprised he could keep his calm in front of her. Usually, talking to Lan Xiaohui would feel like someone lit a fire under his feet. It was difficult to stand still. But not this time.

He wondered if his experience changed him as a person.