Bonus Chapter: Several Years
Several years have passed in the blink of an eye.
Today is the day of the sect's small competition at the Tianyan Sect's martial arts arena.
The atmosphere in the arena was lively, with the sounds of sword energy cutting through the air, spells colliding, and disciples cheering all mixed together.
However, the most eye-catching figure was the one standing tall and straight like a pine tree on the central main stage.
Lin Qingyu, the boy with the clear eyes and a hint of timidity back then, has now fully grown up.
Tall and slender with broad shoulders, he wore an ordinary blue robe for an inner disciple, yet it exuded an aura of composure as solid as a mountain.
His face has lost its childishness, his features have become clear and sharp, and the calmness between his brows remains unchanged, but he has gained a sense of composure and confidence that comes with experience.
His opponent was an elite disciple known for his fierce and domineering style, wielding a heavy hammer with great power and surging spiritual energy.
However, Lin Qingyu remained calm and composed, his swordplay flowing smoothly and seemingly gentle, yet always able to use skill to overcome force and defuse wave after wave of fierce attacks from his opponent.
His swordsmanship has deeply inherited the true teachings of his master Fang Li, which emphasizes "using softness to overcome hardness and letting the mind move with the will." What is even more remarkable is that at crucial moments, a unique sword move that suddenly bursts forth from the tip of his sword with a faint and ethereal chaotic intent instantly breaks through the opponent's defense and effortlessly forces the opponent out of the arena boundary.
"You flatter me." Lin Qingyu sheathed his sword, stood still, and bowed slightly to his opponent.
The audience fell silent for a moment, then erupted in cheers.
Lin Qingyu is no longer the novice who needed "special care" from several grandmasters. He is now recognized as a leader among the younger generation of Tianyan Sect and is the goal that many disciples look up to.
Ye Wuyang, seated high in the main seat of the viewing platform, remained as cold and unapproachable as ice.
But when Lin Qingyu unleashed his self-created sword technique, which contained the essence of chaos, he nodded slightly, a hint of approval flashing deep in his eyes.
This kid has finally gotten the hang of it.
Shen Yunzhou, standing in the shadows in the corner with his sword in hand, had his sharp gaze as ever, always focused on the arena.
When he saw Lin Qingyu calmly dodge the seemingly fatal blow with subtle footwork and instantly counterattack to win, his previously tense knuckles quietly relaxed a little.
It's fairly safe.
"Hahaha! Good! Good lad!" Ji Qianqiu's loud voice resounded throughout the venue. He slapped the shoulder of an elder next to him, making the elder grimace. "See that! Old Zhang! Our Qingyu! This swordsmanship! This demeanor! He didn't disgrace our Yixing Peak, did he! Hahaha!" His pride was evident in his tone.
Xie Chen, fanning himself with a jade fan, stood beside Fang Li, gazing at his disciple below the stage, whose brilliance was restrained yet whose composure was impeccable. He smiled gently and said to Fang Li in a low voice, "Li'er, this child has a stable temperament and a solid foundation. What's even more remarkable is that he has developed his own insights. Given time, he will surpass his master." His tone was filled with genuine satisfaction.
Fang Li's gaze remained fixed on her apprentice, her eyes revealing undisguised pride and satisfaction.
Seeing Qingyu grow from a naive boy into an outstanding disciple who can stand on his own, a smile unconsciously appeared on her lips, as if she were seeing a seedling she had carefully nurtured finally grow strong and stand tall against the wind.
Just then, a little girl, about five or six years old, with delicate features, came running out from the edge of the crowd like a happy butterfly. She nimbly avoided the others and ran all the way to the arena where the competition had just ended.
"Senior Brother Qingyu! You're so amazing!" Little Ling'er hugged Lin Qingyu's leg, tilting her rosy cheeks up with bright, adoring eyes. "It's even prettier than the ice blocks Daddy conjures! It sparkles!"
Lin Qingyu's cold and composed expression on the stage just moments before instantly melted away.
He bent down and easily picked up his junior sister, letting her sit in his arms. His eyes were gentle, and his tone was full of doting: "Ling'er has sneaked out again? Master and Grandmaster must be worried."
"Don't be afraid!" Ling'er hugged his neck and rubbed against him affectionately. "Mommy knows I came to see my senior brother! Senior brother, you promised that if you win the competition today, you'll teach me that little sword technique that lights up! You can't go back on your word!" She held out her little finger, insisting on making a pinky promise.
Lin Qingyu chuckled at her antics, hooking his little finger around her soft one, a mixture of helplessness and indulgence in his voice: "Okay, pinky promise. But you can only practice for a little while, otherwise Master... and all the other grandmasters will definitely blame me for tiring you out." As he spoke, he subconsciously glanced up at the direction of the viewing platform with a hint of trepidation.
In the distance, Fang Li watched her daughter clinging to her apprentice and acting coquettishly, shaking her head and chuckling, but she didn't say anything to stop her.
The four fathers on the viewing platform had different expressions.
Ye Wuyang remained expressionless, simply watching indifferently.
Shen Yunzhou's gaze fell on his daughter's bright smile, and his eyes softened unconsciously.
Ji Qianqiu grinned widely, clearly finding the scene quite pleasing to the eye.
Xie Chen, on the other hand, chuckled lightly while fanning himself, looking on with a leisurely air as if he were watching a good show.
After years of observation, they had seen Lin Qingyu's character, cultivation, and genuine care for Ling'er.
From then on, whenever Lin Qingyu practiced swordsmanship, there was always a small "shadow" behind him.
Ling'er would move a specially made little stool and sit obediently under a tree not far away, resting her chin on her hands and watching intently.
Lin Qingyu would deliberately slow down her movements, break down the complex sword moves, and patiently explain the key points.
Sometimes, he would use his exquisite sword energy to condense into several tiny light butterflies that shimmered with soft light, which would flutter around Ling'er, making her giggle.
Once, when Lin Qingyu wasn't looking, the mischievous Xiao Ling'er secretly climbed an old tree, but she slipped and fell down with a scream.
A green shadow swept past like the wind, and Lin Qingyu caught her steadily in his arms, landing without even stirring up a speck of dust.
He put on a stern face and scolded in a serious tone, "You're being naughty again! What if you fall?" But his usually calm eyes were filled with lingering fear and indulgence.
Xiao Ling'er would stick out her tongue, obediently admit her mistake, and then secretly slip a piece of candy she had hidden away, or a crookedly drawn family portrait containing her parents and senior brother, into Lin Qingyu's hand.
In her heart, Senior Brother Qingyu was the person she trusted most to share with.
Lin Qingyu's changes, however, were even more subtle and silent.
In his storage bag, he would always unknowingly keep several kinds of spiritual fruit snacks that Ling'er liked to eat, as well as a soft handkerchief.
Seeing Ling'er laughing and joking with other young disciples of similar age, he would subconsciously take a second look, then turn around and practice his sword even more diligently, his sword energy becoming increasingly solid.
He even began to pay more attention to his appearance than before, and would subconsciously tidy his robes and hair ornaments before each visit to Ling'er.
That quietly growing boyish affection is hidden in every subconscious action, silent yet more genuine than any words.
Time flies, and the little girl Ling'er has gradually grown into a bright and beautiful fifteen or sixteen-year-old girl.
On this day, Lin Qingyu was instructing her on a set of basic sword moves.
The girl's figure was beginning to show signs of slenderness, and her expression was focused when practicing swordsmanship, yet she still retained a touch of naivety.
"Raise your wrist a little higher, yes, just like that, let the spiritual energy flow along the meridians and slowly into the tip of the sword..." Lin Qingyu stood behind her, holding her wrist as she held the sword, patiently correcting her posture.
His movements were precise, maintaining just the right distance, but his focused care was hard to completely conceal.
Almost simultaneously, several powerful divine senses swept across the sword-training area, seemingly imperceptibly.
Ye Wuyang snorted coldly in the quiet room, a wisp of cold air emanating from his fingertips, instantly freezing a cup of spiritual tea on the table into an ice cube, which he then casually crushed.
He thought to himself: Kid, watch your step!
On a distant treetop, Shen Yunzhou stood with his sword clasped in his arms, his brows slightly furrowed, the sword emitting a soft hum. He thought to himself: "The technique instruction is acceptable, but… isn't he getting a little too close?"
Ji Qianqiu then moved closer to Xie Chen and whispered, "Tsk, Lao Xie, you see, Qingyu is teaching quite carefully... but... isn't the number of times he's teaching hand-in-hand a little too many?" He scratched his head, feeling a bit awkward that was hard to explain.
Xie Chen chuckled lightly, fanning himself, and glanced at Fang Li, who was watching the scene with a smile not far away. He said calmly, "Childhood sweethearts, innocent and carefree, isn't this a beautiful sight? Besides... Qingyu is of upright character and acts with propriety, and Li'er is happy to see it happen." He saw things clearly and also pointed out Fang Li's tacit approval as a mother.
The night was as dark as ink. Lin Qingyu sat alone on the cliff behind Yixing Peak, practicing her breathing exercises while facing the starry sky.
The moonlight shone on his increasingly angular profile, adding a touch of aloofness.
Involuntarily, images of Ling'er practicing her sword during the day, her bright and focused smile tinged with a touch of stubbornness, the fine beads of sweat on her forehead, and the sparkling, dependent, and joyful look in her eyes when she looked at him after a successful practice, surfaced in his mind.
A smile unconsciously crept onto Lin Qingyu's lips.
But the next moment, his gaze turned toward the main peak, where his master and four unfathomable grandmasters resided.
The tenderness in his eyes was gradually replaced by a firmness.
He slowly clenched his fists.
I'm not strong enough...
That's far from enough.
To forever cherish this smile, to be worthy of Master's meticulous cultivation and trust, to... truly gain the unreserved approval of the Grandmasters...
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