“Could it be that the use of birds as a metaphor is intentional, meaning to turn swordsmanship into an instinct as natural as flapping wings, so that every move requires no thought, and only then can true unity of mind and intent be achieved...”

“To make the sword an extension of the body, an extension of the spirit...”

A sudden realization flashed through her mind. Emily Green’s whole body trembled, and the longsword in her hand gave a gentle shake, emitting a soft, dragon-like hum.

Whoosh!

She spun out a flurry of sword flowers, the air around her erupting with fierce gusts.

The Thirty-Six Forms of Zhenxian!

This was the sword technique every disciple of the Zhenxian Sect practiced. Each move was harder than the last, and in the end, it required not only true essence, but also the unity of essence, energy, and spirit.

A disciple at the Breath-Gathering stage who could perform twelve forms would rank among the top of their peers, and even be considered a prodigy in all of Dayan Prefecture.

Emily Green had been a disciple for three years, but limited by her strength and talent, she could only perform three moves smoothly; the fourth move was always beyond her.

Now, with sudden insight, her mind and intent aligned, and the sword technique flowed without the slightest sense of discord.

First Form: White Clouds and Cang Dogs.

Second Form: Crossing Rivers.

Third Form: Flying Stars Chasing the Sea.

The sword techniques that had once taken all her effort to perform now came easily, not only more fluid, but seemingly several times more powerful.

“The fourth form...”

Before, every time she tried this move, she would get injured. This time, no matter what, she was determined to complete it.

Her longsword did not pause for a moment, following a special trajectory, changing as it moved. In the next instant, it pointed diagonally upward, like a drawn bow about to shoot an arrow.

Fourth Form: Soaring Through the Clouds—completed!

Trembling with excitement, Emily Green drew her sword downward, channeling all her strength along the blade in a gentle shiver, forming a circle before her, like a setting sun about to fall.

Fifth Form: Rainbow Descends at Sunset!

Buzz!

As she performed this move, her strength was pushed to the limit. There was a crisp sound from her lower abdomen as countless spiritual energies surged in. The cultivation bottleneck at the third level of Breath-Gathering shattered, and her power rapidly climbed, like a flood bursting through a dam.

Breath-Gathering, fourth level...

Breath-Gathering, fifth level!

In just two hours, she had leapt two whole major levels!

“This...”

Coming back to herself, feeling the new understanding of swordsmanship in her mind and the changes in her dantian’s true essence, Emily Green trembled with excitement.

After more than two years of practice, she had never been able to break through the fourth form. Just by listening to a few words from a senior, not only had she reached the fifth form, but even her cultivation had broken through!

Before this, she wouldn’t have dared to dream of such a thing!

For the first time... she felt that cultivation could be so easy, so simple!

“If only I could take him as my master...”

After the excitement faded, a thought emerged.

Just by asking questions like this, even if she could improve, how far could she really go?

The best way was to formally become that senior’s disciple... If she succeeded, revenge would no longer be just a fantasy.

She knew that the longer some things were delayed, the more likely things would change. Without much hesitation, Emily Green lifted her foot and walked out.

Even if she had to kneel at the door and not get up, she was determined to become his disciple!

She hurried forward, but before she could leave the martial training hall, a mocking, ambiguous laugh rang out.

“Isn’t this Evelyn Green? What, lost to me yesterday, reflected on your defeat, and trained all night? With your talent, even if you trained for another three years, let alone one night, you’d still have almost no chance of beating me!”

Frowning, Emily Green looked up and saw a young man in white not far away, the corners of his mouth lifted in a cold, indifferent smile.

It was her fellow disciple who had sparred with her and defeated her yesterday—James Lee!

Chapter 10: Chopping Wood

This James Lee had also entered the sect three years ago, but his talent was much higher than hers. He had already reached the peak of the fifth level of Breath-Gathering, and his understanding of swordsmanship was even deeper—he could perform the fifth form half a year ago!

That’s why she had lost so badly in yesterday’s match, unable to resist at all.

However...

Since joining the sect, Emily Green had almost never won a match against others. After getting used to it, she no longer felt ashamed.

If she couldn’t win, so be it. Her goal wasn’t to beat others, but to get revenge!

She couldn’t be bothered to respond and kept walking.

“Wait!”

After just a few steps, she was blocked again. James Lee looked at her in disbelief. “You broke through?”

This junior, who had the weakest cultivation, was only at the third level of Qi Refining yesterday, and after just one night, she was at the fifth level...

If she really had such talent, she wouldn’t have only reached this level after three years!

“Just a stroke of luck.”

Not wanting to explain, Emily Green shook her head.

She had just broken through, so her aura was unstable. It was normal for him to notice. Besides, they were fellow disciples—there was nothing to hide.

“There’s no such thing as luck in breakthroughs... Since you’ve reached the fifth level of Breath-Gathering, let me see if your swordsmanship has improved!”

Curiosity piqued, James Lee drew his longsword.

This person had always lagged behind him, yet suddenly caught up overnight. He found it hard to accept.

“I don’t have time...” Emily Green frowned.

“Beat me, then we’ll talk!”

With a cold laugh, James Lee flicked his longsword, drawing a sword flower in the air and thrusting straight at her.

If she didn’t fight back, she’d be injured by him. Emily Green had no choice but to draw her sword and thrust back quickly.

Clang!