Li Fan's first lesson: What is a sword?

On the high platform of the Martial Arts Arena.

The morning sunlight filtered through the clouds, spilling onto Li Fan's young face that held a hint of world-weariness.

Carrying his ever-present iron sword on his back, his gaze slowly swept over the students below.

Three hundred and six students, clad in identical training uniforms, sat cross-legged, each radiating the vigorous vitality of those newly initiated into cultivation.

Even Shen Qingyi, the vice class monitor who had successfully reached Foundation Establishment and possessed the Taiyin Sacred Body—a fact that put some pressure on him—sat obediently among the crowd at this moment, quietly watching him.

This scene stirred an indescribable emotion in Li Fan's heart.

There was a time when he was merely a lowly Utility Disciple in the Qingxuan Sect of the Cangxuan Great Realm, insignificant as dust.

His days were spent doing the dirtiest, most exhausting work, facing the cold stares and bullying from his fellow disciples.

Back then, he didn't even dare to hope for the status of an Outer Sect Disciple, and his future was filled with uncertainty.

But who could have imagined... the gears of fate would turn so swiftly!

In just over two short months, the trajectory of his life had undergone an earth-shattering transformation!

Now, not only did he receive guidance from a Saint Revered Master,

but he had also crossed the barrier between worlds to stand upon this fertile land named Daxia!

And even more... he had transformed into the Dean and teacher for this group of Daxia's top Prodigies!

Respected by countless people, valued by the nation!

"Hah..."

"All of this... it truly feels like a dream."

"However..."

The corners of Li Fan's mouth lifted slightly.

"I like this dream very much, and I like this life very much!"

Reining in his wandering thoughts, Li Fan took a deep breath and composed his expression.

He knew that starting today, the burden on his shoulders was not light.

These students were the future of Daxia, and also Brother Mo's hope,

and he was the one to guide them!

"Ahem..."

Once prepared, Li Fan cleared his throat, infusing his voice with a trace of spiritual power so it clearly reached every corner of the arena.

"Good morning, everyone."

"I presume my face is no longer unfamiliar to you all."

"I am Li Fan, Dean of the Sword Dao College at Taibai Academy."

"In the days to come, you may also address me directly as—Teacher Li."

Although he knew that after the opening ceremony incident, there probably wasn't a single student below who didn't recognize him.

But this was, after all, the first formal sword dao class; the proper procedures and sense of ceremony couldn't be omitted.

As soon as Li Fan finished speaking, Ye Hao, the class monitor, sprang up like a coiled spring.

With a solemn expression, he turned to face all his classmates, centered his Qi in his Dantian, and shouted loudly:

"All rise!!"

"Salute Teacher Li!!"

Whoosh!

Following Ye Hao's command, over three hundred students moved in unison, instantly standing ramrod straight.

Even Shen Qingyi stood up as well, her demeanor serious.

"Good morning, Teacher Li!!!"

Deafening greetings resounded through the Martial Arts Arena.

All the students clasped their fists and bowed deeply towards Li Fan on the platform.

This was the unique Teacher-Respecting Ceremony of Taibai Academy, also the first rule written in the 'Student Code of Conduct'!

This rule was personally set by Li Zhanjun.

As that hot-tempered old man put it:

"The Academy's teachers take the skills they rely on for survival, those precious cultivation experiences, and teach them to you without reservation!"

"This kindness is greater than heaven!"

"If anyone dares disrespect an Academy teacher in the future, that's ingratitude! I'll be the first to shoot him dead!"

Though the words were a bit crude, the principle was sound.

Watching the respectful students below, warmth filled Li Fan's heart, and he smiled, waving his hand.

"Hmm, everyone is full of spirit."

"No need for formalities, please sit."

Once everyone was seated again, Li Fan continued:

"From now on, I will be fully responsible for your sword dao curriculum."

"Of course, aside from swordsmanship, if you have any confusion in your cultivation or encounter any Bottlenecks, you can also come ask me at any time."

"Although my cultivation level is not world-shattering, I will certainly share all that I know."

"I hope you won't feel restrained around me. We can be both teacher and friend, progressing together!"

These amiable words immediately relaxed many of the nervous students, and their gazes towards Li Fan grew more affectionate.

"Alright, enough pleasantries."

"Now, let the class officially begin!"

Li Fan's expression suddenly turned serious, and a sharp, imposing Aura naturally emanated from him.

"First, I need to confirm something."

"Have you all brought the swords in your possession?"

Since this was a sword dao class, not having a sword was obviously unacceptable!

This was the tool of one's trade!

And as early as yesterday, to support the teaching, the Daxia military factories had worked overtime,

using the highest-grade special alloys to forge uniformly styled longswords tailored for these over three hundred students.

"Reporting, Teacher Li!"

"The sword is with its wielder!!"

Hearing the inquiry, the students below shouted excitedly one after another,

then raised high the gleaming, cold longswords they drew from their waists or backs!

For a moment, the Martial Arts Arena was a forest of sword light, radiating a chilling Aura!

"Very good!"

Seeing this, Li Fan nodded in satisfaction.

Although these students didn't yet know how to use swords, this imposing momentum already held the budding form of Sword Cultivators.

"Then, before we begin teaching."

"I'd like to ask everyone a question first."

Li Fan's gaze was sharp as a torch, slowly sweeping across the arena as he posed a question that seemed simple yet was profoundly deep.

"What do you think..."

"a sword... truly is?"

As soon as this question was asked, the previously lively atmosphere instantly fell silent.

The students looked at each other, wide-eyed and bewildered, their faces filled with confusion.

"Uh..."

"What is a sword?"

"Isn't that obvious? A sword is just a sword, isn't it?"

Many whispered among themselves below, finding the question a bit baffling.

"Teacher Li!"

A straightforward male student raised his hand and shouted:

"A sword is a weapon!"

"It's a tool for killing enemies! A handy instrument to protect ourselves and eliminate foes!"

"Hmm, not bad."

Li Fan nodded, not denying it.

"A sword is indeed a weapon; that is its most fundamental attribute."

"But..."

He changed tack, his gaze turning profound.

"Beyond being a Sharp Weapon for killing, do you have a deeper understanding of it?"

"Deeper understanding?"

At this, the boy scratched his head and sat down.

The other students also fell into silence.

Although they aspired to become Sword Cultivators who could ride the wind on swords and take heads from a thousand miles away,

when it came down to it, how many days had they been exposed to cultivation? How many days had they been exposed to swords?

Before this, their knowledge of swords mostly came from movies, TV shows, or Wuxia novels.

In their view, a sword was just a relatively cool-looking weapon, a means to kill enemies and show off, nothing more.

What other understanding could there be?

Looking at the utterly silent crowd below, Li Fan wasn't disappointed.

This was within his expectations.

The path of sword dao inherently emphasized Comprehension Ability; not everyone could see through its essence from the start.

However.

Just as the entire arena fell into silence.

A clear, gentle, yet indescribably steady and powerful voice

suddenly rang out from a certain corner of the crowd.

"Teacher Li..."

"This student believes... a sword is not merely a weapon."

"It... is more an extension of one's will!"

As these words were spoken.

The entire audience was stunned!

All eyes instantly converged on the direction of the voice.

Li Fan's eyes also lit up as he looked towards the source.

He saw, within the crowd, a slightly slender, scholarly-looking youth slowly rising to his feet.

It was precisely that youth who had experienced an Epiphany at the mountain gate and comprehended half-formed Haoran Sword Intent—Bai Ziyu!

"Well said!"

Li Fan nodded approvingly, raising his hand in encouragement.

"This student, please continue!"

Facing the curious, probing gazes of several hundred people, Bai Ziyu showed not a trace of stage fright.

He seemed to naturally possess a scholarly air that put people at ease, speaking neither arrogantly nor humbly:

"As the ancient saying goes, the sword is the Gentleman of All Weapons."

"Since ancient times, within our Daxia's cultural Legacy, the sword has held an extremely lofty and special status."

"It has often been imbued with many symbolic meanings, long transcending the category of a mere weapon."

Wisdom now gleamed in Bai Ziyu's eyes as he spoke eloquently:

"Just like a lofty monarch, if he holds a sword."

"Then his sword is no longer a Sharp Weapon for bullying or fighting, but represents the majesty of royal authority, represents the supreme will to rule!"

"Where the sword points, the king's decree reaches!"

"Similarly..."

Bai Ziyu paused, his Aura undergoing a subtle change.

That wisp of Haoran Sword Intent hidden within him seemed to resonate, faintly stirred.

"If a gentleman holds a sword."

"Then the sword in his hand is not for slaughter, but for 'propriety,' for 'righteousness'!"

"A gentleman wears a sword to clarify his aspirations, to rectify his conduct!"

"It is like a measuring stick, constantly gauging the moral bottom line within the gentleman's heart."

"It is also like a backbone, supporting the gentleman to remain unyielding even in the face of tyranny and evil!"

By the end, although Bai Ziyu's voice wasn't loud, it resonated like a great bell in everyone's hearts.

"Therefore, this student believes."

"A sword holds different meanings in the hands of different people."

"It is not a cold, lifeless object."

"Rather, it is a symbol of the swordsman's character, the vessel through which their spirit and will... extend outward!"

"But regardless..."

"Only when the heart holds conviction, does the sword possess spirit!"