It's over! Such a perfect man looks like he's going to lose his life here today! Emily Harris sighed inwardly and closed her eyes. But in the next instant, a tingling numbness shot through her arm, and she instantly lost control.

　　When the dust settled, Emily Harris opened her eyes and peeked. The longsword in her hand was only an inch away from the other’s chest, but the crook of her arm, at the Quchi acupoint, was gently pressed by that crooked tree branch.

　　“Stop!” a voice called out anxiously from outside, and then Ethan Wood's figure darted over.

Chapter Twelve: Sword Heart Enlightened

　　Ethan Wood had gotten up early to handle some tedious sect affairs. She was just about to visit Ethan Brooks when Megan came rushing over, gesticulating wildly as she told Ethan Wood about all the changes in Young Master Feng today.

　　Ethan Wood was overjoyed! In her view, the changes in Ethan Brooks were clearly because he had grown up. Delighted, she hurried toward Yanliu Pavilion to see if what Megan said was true.

　　Passing by Wenxiang Courtyard, she happened to see Emily Harris dueling with a man. In the entire Tianxiu Inner Sect, there was only one man—Ethan Brooks. Coupled with Megan's earlier description, Ethan Wood was almost certain that Emily Harris's opponent was Ethan Brooks.

　　But before she could call out to stop them, the most terrifying scene unfolded: the longsword in Emily Harris's hand stabbed straight toward Ethan Brooks's chest, and Ethan Brooks looked as if he’d been scared stiff, not moving at all.

　　Ethan Wood was shocked, her entire aura surging as she shouted, “Stop!” At the same time, she readied her palm, prepared to do whatever it took to save Ethan Brooks.

　　But before she could get close, she saw the crooked tree branch in Ethan Brooks's hand jab at Emily Harris's elbow with a speed that seemed slow but was actually lightning fast, instantly dissolving Emily Harris's lethal move.

　　The timing of this strike was perfect, as if it was second nature.

　　A stunning move, a stroke of genius! Ethan Wood thought to herself that even if she were in the same position, relying on skill alone, she could only achieve this much.

　　Sword Heart Enlightened? Ethan Wood was utterly astonished! Sword Heart Enlightened was a realm, a supreme state—when holding a sword, no matter how deadly the enemy’s moves, they could all be broken. In all of Tianxiu, only three people had reached this realm. Ethan Wood herself was one, the sect leader Lily White was another, and the last was the number one of the third generation, Lucas Clark. Even the other elders of Tianxiu had not reached this level.

　　Although the Sword Heart Enlightened realm was somewhat related to strength, it was not absolutely so. It was an insight into the realm, achieved unintentionally. But once someone had this insight, it would greatly benefit their future growth in strength.

　　By the time Ethan Wood reached Ethan Brooks and Emily Harris, she had already withdrawn her aura.

　　Ethan Brooks glanced at Ethan Wood, gasping for breath, and let go of the battered tree branch in his hand. Emily Harris let out a soft humph, her entire arm powerless, and her sword clattered to the ground.

　　“Elder Wood.” Emily Harris glanced at Ethan Brooks with some guilt, bit her lip, and said, “This man trespassed…”

　　Her voice grew softer and softer, until it was barely a whisper, because Emily Harris noticed that at this moment, Elder Wood was staring straight at the man, her eyes slowly reddening, tears glimmering within.

　　Does Elder Wood know him? Emily Harris couldn’t help but wonder.

　　But inside, Ethan Wood was in turmoil, staring intently at Ethan Brooks's face, not missing a single detail. So alike! Far too alike! Wendy looked exactly like that man, as if carved from the same mold. The man who had haunted Ethan Wood's dreams for fifteen years! Not only did they look alike, but even their expressions, bearing, and gaze were identical.

　　Looking at Wendy gasping for breath in front of her, Ethan Wood felt as if she were seeing that man from fifteen years ago.

　　The man who, for the woman he loved, could laugh boldly to the heavens even when facing thousands of enemies.

　　Seeing this face, Ethan Wood's heart filled with endless guilt and pain, as if cut by a knife.

　　Ethan Brooks was also extremely puzzled. Ever since this aunt saw him, her expression had shifted rapidly—resentful, reproachful, even hateful.

　　“What’s wrong?” Ethan Brooks took a breath and waved his hand in front of Ethan Wood.

　　Only then did Ethan Wood come back to herself. She turned aside to wipe her eyes and forced a smile. “It’s nothing. Wendy, you’ve grown up. That makes your aunt very happy.”

　　“Feng… Wendy?” Emily Harris was dumbfounded. She turned to look at Ethan Wood to make sure she wasn’t joking, then looked at Ethan Brooks, and could vaguely see a trace of that annoying person from before in this man.

　　Yesterday, he was clearly still a coquettish fake young lady—how did he become such a dignified young man today?

　　Thinking of the thoughts she’d just had about Ethan Brooks, Emily Harris wished she could find a hole to crawl into.

　　The Tianxiu disciples who had been watching the fight behind them all cried out in shock as well, unable to accept such a drastic change in Ethan Brooks.

　　Ethan Brooks chuckled and said to Ethan Wood, “It was Wendy who was immature before and made you worry, Aunt.”