Because they were unfamiliar with each other, the two sides adopted a random draw format in the following battles. The Wuya Sect lost more than they won. Before coming, the children were all like spirited fighting cocks, but when they left, they turned into frost-bitten eggplants.
Shen Qingmang's mood was not affected at all, and her expression was content. When she returned to Wuya Peak, she looked at the disciples and asked softly, "What did you learn today?"
Everyone looked at each other, and Si Rong spoke first: "I...my foundation is still not solid. I will practice hard."
"There's nothing shameful about losing to a natural sword bone," Shen Qingmang said. "Don't take it too seriously. But you still need to learn from experience. It's not that you lost because of the basics. You usually remember your sword moves very well. It's just that you can't use them in an emergency. You should adjust your mindset and not be afraid of difficulties."
In her opinion, Si Rong was like a student who had only learned one set of radio gymnastics. He usually blended into the crowd and completed each section meticulously. But one day, he was called to the flag-raising platform to lead the exercises in front of all the students in the school. He was so nervous that he lost his composure and could not remember the coherent order. He could only think of performing each section.
"Uh-huh!"
"I won, I have nothing to say." said Hao Xin.
Shen Qingmang raised his eyebrows and said nothing.
Lin Wei was the third to speak: "Sorry, I lost. But I think if the competition had been held at Wuya Peak, the outcome might have been different. The disciples of Wuxing Peak are accustomed to fighting on the Hidden Edge Stage. They are adept at utilizing the terrain and are also familiar with the feeling of having their cultivation controlled. Today, I was fighting against a disciple in the Foundation Establishment Stage, and my cultivation was immediately suppressed, making it difficult for me to fully display my abilities..."
He rambled on with a slew of excuses, glancing at Xiangling frequently as he spoke. Shen Qingmang noticed it all and listened patiently. He then asked, "How many of you share Lin Wei's opinion, thinking that the venue is holding you back? Raise your hands so I can see."
Some of the children who lost immediately raised their hands, while a few looked around, observing other people's reactions, and then paid attention to Shen Qingmang's expression, and slowly raised their hands.
"I'm glad you can express your thoughts so frankly." Shen Qingmang paused, then said, "But what I'm going to say next may not please you. Lin Wei, you listed a long list of unfavorable objective conditions, but why didn't you reflect on your own performance? Do you think your performance on stage was flawless?"
Lin Wei was stunned. "Teacher, I..."
"In the seventh move of your duel, you left a huge opening for your opponent. If that kid wasn't so inexperienced, the fight would have ended in ten moves. If that's the case, do you still have the nerve to blame Invisible Peak for having a home advantage?"
Sweat trickled down his forehead, and his voice was as soft as a mosquito's. "I... I didn't notice."
"And you..." Shen Qingmang commented on the disciples who raised their hands one by one, directly pointing out their shortcomings in the battle. Everyone showed ashamed expressions.
"I know Hao Xin's victory has given you great encouragement. I also know that our Wuya Sect is currently at the peak of its popularity within the Taichu Sect. However, does Hao Xin's victory equal yours? How long can this temporary surge of glory last? Have you ever calculated the overall win-loss ratio between our Wuya Sect and the Wuxing Sect in the sect competition? Who actually came in higher?"
"The Invisible Sect." Gu Sui Han said.
Shen Qingmang nodded. "The Wuxing Sect has always excelled in combat. It's only natural that we lost more than we won today. I'm not dissatisfied with this result. But your attitude is making me uneasy. You're complacent, unwilling to make progress, and stuck in your ways... I taught you confidence, but I never taught you arrogance. You, Hao Xin, was winning this easy? Do you think you don't need to learn anything after winning?"
Hao Xin was unconvinced and said, "What's there to learn from a defeated general?"
"Then let me ask you, what is the Sword of the Saint of the Invisible Sect?"
He shook his head.
Shen Qingmang sneered. "The one you're fighting today is the disciple who has the most profound understanding of the Sage's Sword among the younger generation. His sword intent is so profound that he can leapfrog levels and unleash the 'Invisible Great Dao'—the very move that nearly cost you your life."
"That's actually 'The Great Dao is Invisible'?" Hao Xin's eyes widened. "No wonder I felt restrained at the time."
"Since you're already feeling controlled, why do you still think the other party is a defeated opponent who's not worth mentioning?"
Hao Xin looked embarrassed.
"I've told you all this while, that we in the Wuya Sect must constantly improve through learning. The so-called 'Wuya' means 'cultivation reaches infinity, and the journey reaches boundlessness,' like water flowing across the four seas. Our swordsmanship and that of the Wuxing Sect share commonalities. When fighting, don't focus solely on the outcome, but rather learn from the opponent's strengths along the way. Even if you don't wield weapons like swords or blades, you can still gain experience; remember, sword spirit can be applied to more than just swords."
Shen Qingmang taught them a lot before letting the outer sect children go back to rest, leaving the three inner sect disciples alone.
"Master, you haven't scolded me enough, have you? You're leaving us here to continue scolding me?" Si Rong said with a bitter face, "I've been very positive from the beginning in admitting my mistakes. Can you please let me go first? I still need to write my summary."
Shen Qingmang chuckled. "Don't worry, I won't scold you this time. Sui Han, go fight Ah Xin with the swordsman's moves from the daytime."
"Okay." Without a word, Gu Suihan drew out the Qionglin Sword and attacked Hao Xin. Hao Xin quickly raised the Gou Yue Sword to block.
A year later, the two men fought again. This time, Gu Sui Han had recovered his health and quickly defeated Hao Xin.
Hao Xin panted heavily, holding the hilt of his sword with both hands for support. "Big Brother, you...how did you improve so quickly?"
"Big Brother is so amazing!" Si Rong exclaimed in amazement. "He can actually imitate the sword techniques of the Invisible Sect perfectly! I just thought it was a swordsman from the Invisible Peak standing in front of me. The sword light was so awe-inspiring, it was so scary!"
Gu Suihan remained silent, and Shen Qingmang spoke up, "This is the strength of your senior brother in his prime. Ah Xin, do you still think that just because you won first place, you're stronger than Suihan?"
"So you're trying to teach me a lesson for what I said... I accept it. Senior Brother, can you spare some time every day to spar with me?" Hao Xin's eyes were filled with excitement. "Fighting with you will definitely help me improve quickly. I'm available anytime, day or night!"
"No." Shen Qingmang and Si Rong spoke at the same time.
The master and disciple looked at each other and walked towards their respective partners.
"Fighting every day? You're so smart! If you're sweating all day, move away quickly and don't stink up my Nian Nian." Si Rong said, pulling Hao Xin's ear.
Shen Qingmang held Gu Suihan's hand. "You've worked hard, let's go home."
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