100: Another sword fight

“Your disciple obeys! I will not disappoint my teacher’s expectations!”

Mo Yuhan carefully placed the qingyan cauldron into his storage ring, tightly clutched the jade bottle and token, bowed deeply once more, and then turned to leave the scorching quiet room.

He knew that from this moment on, he had to race against time.

After obtaining the Profound-tier High-grade Dou Skills, “Flowing Wind Sword,” from the Treasure Pavilion, Mo Yuhan diligently practiced it during his breaks from alchemy.

On this day, when he returned to his elegant pavilion courtyard from Fire Elder’s alchemy room, the setting sun had already gilded the bamboo forest with a golden edge.

Lin Fei and Xue Mei Senior Apprentice were sitting on a stone bench in the courtyard, chattering about something while looking at a map of the academy. It was mainly Lin Fei asking questions, with Xue Mei Senior Apprentice occasionally responding indifferently.

Seeing Mo Yuhan return, Lin Fei immediately jumped up like a cheerful skylark, her fiery red skirt sweeping out a brilliant arc.

“Little Han Han, you’re back! How was it? Was everything smooth at the Pharmacist Department?”

Lin Fei and Xue Mei Senior Apprentice had been busy attending the new student group activities these past few days, especially Instructor Ruo Lin’s first few classes, which they clearly couldn’t miss.

Although Mo Yuhan also belonged to Huang Jie Class Two, his identity as an Alchemist allowed him to move freely, so Mo Yuhan hadn't met with Lin Fei and the others for several days.

Lin Fei ran a few steps to Mo Yuhan, missing him somewhat, her big eyes blinking with curiosity about his activities over the past few days.

Xue Mei Senior Apprentice also stood up, her cool face showing concern as her gaze fell on Mo Yuhan’s face, and she asked softly, “Yu Han, did your apprenticeship… succeed?”

Mo Yuhan looked at his two Senior Sisters, a smile appearing on his face as he nodded: “Yes, I met Fire Elder and have become his disciple. Teacher also gave me a medicinal cauldron and some pills, and I also got a Profound-tier High-grade Dou Skills about swordsmanship.”

The Flowing Wind Sword Dou Skills emphasized lightness and agility, making it suitable for someone his age to practice.

He mentioned it briefly, not elaborating on the Soul-Testing Stone or the Revival Purple Pill.

“Wow! Fire Elder! Instructor Ruo Lin said he’s a Sixth-grade Alchemist Great Master! Little Han Han, you’re amazing!”

Lin Fei clapped her hands excitedly, happier than if she had found a famous teacher herself, her small face flushed with excitement.

A trace of genuine joy and pride flashed in Xue Mei Senior Apprentice’s eyes, and her lips curved slightly: “Congratulations, Yu Han.”

“Oh, that’s right, that’s right.”

Lin Fei suddenly remembered something, and like presenting a treasure, she took out a small, exquisite white jade pill bottle from her embrace and put it into Mo Yuhan’s hand, a hint of shy blush on her face.

“Here, this is… and Xue Mei Senior Apprentice and I specially bought ‘Heart-Cleansing Lotus Seed Soup’ from the Academy’s market. I heard it’s great for restoring mental energy. You must be exhausted today, hurry and drink some!”

The bottle felt warm and smooth in his hand, carrying the warmth and faint fragrance from the girl’s embrace.

Mo Yuhan was slightly startled, looking at Lin Fei’s bright, expectant eyes and Xue Mei Senior Apprentice’s gentle, smiling gaze, warmth flowing in his heart.

“Thank you, Lin Fei, thank you, Xue Mei Senior Apprentice.”

He thanked them sincerely.

“Why are you being so polite with me?”

Lin Fei waved her hand, then leaned in a little closer, lowering her voice with a hint of girlish gossip, “Hey, Little Han Han, did you see Xun’er? She seemed to have gone out this afternoon too, and just came back not long ago, going straight to her room. She feels so mysterious, she barely talks to us.”

She gestured towards a closed window on the second floor.

Mo Yuhan followed her gaze to the window, the lingering sunset light dancing on the window frame.

He remembered the calm and aloof cyan figure in the square and nodded: “Yes, I saw her.”

He didn't say much more.

At this moment, footsteps came from the stairs.

Xiao Yu walked down. She had changed into a flexible training outfit that perfectly outlined her tall and agile figure, her honey-colored skin seemingly glowing in the twilight.

In her hand, she carried a sheathed longsword, its scabbard ancient and simple.

“Oh, our great Alchemist is back? I just heard you say you’ve acquired a new sword Dou Skills.”

Xiao Yu’s eyes lit up when she saw Mo Yuhan, her smile bright and full of heroic spirit, “Perfect, come with me to the back mountain to practice swordsmanship, Instructor Ruo Lin has been teaching us swordsmanship recently, and I want to see how much I’ve improved.”

She walked a few steps to Mo Yuhan, naturally put her arm around his shoulder, her movements intimate.

As if she had forgotten the awkwardness of falling and rolling together during sword practice that day, she said with a Senior Sister’s concern, “Come on, come on, don’t try to be lazy, Senior Sister wants to see if your swordsmanship has improved.”

Her warm arm and the youthful scent of sweat instantly enveloped Mo Yuhan, and he looked helplessly at Lin Fei and Xue Mei Senior Apprentice.

Lin Fei immediately pouted like a protective kitten: “Senior Sister Xiao Yu, Little Han Han just got back, he hasn’t rested yet, and he still has to make pills!”

Xue Mei Senior Apprentice also frowned slightly and said softly, “Senior Sister Xiao Yu, sword practice isn’t urgent.”

Xue Ni, on the other hand, surprisingly spoke up for Xiao Yu, smiling: “Even if it’s alchemy, one needs a good physique. Dou Qi cultivation is the foundation. Right, Yu Han? Besides, appropriate physical activity helps digest medicinal power!”

Saying this, Xue Ni, without explanation, pushed Xiao Yu and Mo Yuhan, half-pushing and half-leading them out of the courtyard, “Don’t worry, Yu’er knows her limits, she won’t exhaust him!”

Mo Yuhan was caught between laughter and tears, and could only cast an apologetic look at Lin Fei and Xue Mei Senior Apprentice, before being “taken hostage” by Xiao Yu towards the back mountain.

Lin Fei stomped her foot in anger behind them, while Xue Mei Senior Apprentice shook her head helplessly.

The back mountain of Canaan Academy, with its lush forests and rugged rocks, was an excellent place for many students to practice Dou Skills.

Xiao Yu chose a relatively open and flat area in the forest.

“Come, try this!”

Although she was initially startled by Xue Ni’s actions, Xiao Yu quickly composed herself and enthusiastically tossed the sheathed longsword in her hand to Mo Yuhan.

The sword felt a little heavy in his hand. The scabbard was made of ordinary hardwood, but as he drew the sword from its sheath, a cold light flashed. The blade was like a clear autumn stream, reflecting light like a mirror.

The blade was sharp, subtly emanating a chill, far superior to Mo Yuhan’s original fine steel sword.

“I found it in the Academy’s market. Although it’s only a top-grade common iron weapon, it’s enough for you right now.”

Mo Yuhan held the new sword, feeling its substantial weight and the cool touch from the hilt, his heart filled with joy: “Thank you, Senior Sister Xiao Yu.”

“Thank me for what! Let’s begin!”

Battle intent surged in Xiao Yu’s eyes. With a clang, she drew her own sword, its tip pointing diagonally to the ground. A sharp aura unique to her instantly spread, and the surrounding fallen leaves stirred without wind.

Although Xiao Yu’s strength was still lower than his own, Mo Yuhan did not underestimate her.

“Let Senior Sister see how your swordsmanship has been recently. Attack with full force!”

“Alright!”

Mo Yuhan’s eyes narrowed, no longer polite.

Dou Qi circulated within him, and the aura of a one-star peak Dou Master suppressed.

He shifted his feet, and his figure instantly blurred, as if melting into the evening breeze of the forest.

The longsword in his hand traced an erratic yet lightning-fast trajectory, stabbing directly at Xiao Yu’s ribs.

The sword wind hissed, carrying the unique lightness and cunning of Flowing Wind Sword.

“Good move!”

Xiao Yu let out a soft cry. Instead of retreating, she advanced, her longsword striking first but arriving later, precisely tapping the spine of Mo Yuhan’s sword, producing a crisp clang of metal.

A powerful force surged through the sword, making Mo Yuhan’s wrist slightly numb and his attack falter.

Xiao Yu’s swordsmanship was broad and powerful, heavy and forceful, carrying a fierce aura like that of a battlefield, clearly honed through countless real battles.

Although her cultivation was not as high as Mo Yuhan’s, after Mo Yuhan suppressed his realm, with every collision, he could feel Xiao Yu’s light and swift movements.

Like a butterfly flitting among flowers, she continuously circled him, probing and ambushing. Sword light flickered, weaving into a bright silver net in the deepening twilight.