Chapter 60 The Genius's Shortcoming, A Late-Night Call

Time flows like water, and in a blink of an eye, it's almost the end of November.

In the following days, you keenly noticed subtle changes in your surroundings.

Ever since completing the secret password verification in the principal's office,

that faint, chilling sensation of being watched, which had always hung over you, was rapidly fading.

Before, whether you were eating in the cafeteria or strolling on the sports field,

you always felt a pair of sinister eyes staring at your back.

But now, that feeling of being watched intently was gone.

Perhaps they believed you, as a pawn, were completely under control and no longer needed to waste energy on surveillance.

"Is it due to absolute confidence in their own ritual? Or... are they short-staffed?"

You deduced that this might also be one of the signals.

That Masked Man, and those black-robed cultists lurking in the shadows,

were probably busy setting up the ritual in Changlin Park, where the dimensional ripple was about to descend.

After all, there were only a few days left until December 13th.

But this was just a fragment of information you caught; you didn't show any abnormalities.

You continued to attend classes, lead training, and cultivate diligently every day.

In a flash, the calendar turned to November 30th.

Late autumn had passed, and early winter was approaching.

The air in Longnan City already carried a hint of biting chill.

Inside the combat training hall.

"Li Ang, is this what you meant by 'qualitative change'?"

In the rest area, Liu Xiyue wiped her sweat, looking at you with some dissatisfaction.

"These past few days, all you've made me do is repeat these basic movements.

Have I been too easy to earn money from?"

You took a sip of water, looking at the somewhat impatient Young Miss before you.

After half a month of getting along, your relationship had eased considerably.

Although she was still haughty and still considered you an opponent she had to defeat,

in martial arts, she had subconsciously begun to rely on your guidance.

"Don't rush."

You put down your water cup and asked seemingly casually.

"Oh, there's something else I wanted to ask you.

The operational route of the Ice-elemental Ability you used that day was very special. Is that your Liu Family's inherited Dharma Gate?"

Liu Xiyue eyed you warily: "What do you want? To steal my techniques?"

"Just a discussion." You shrugged, "You know, I'm at the Perfection of the Ninth Stage of Qi and Blood now."

"The next step is to impact the Origin Opening Realm."

"I'm water-elemental, you're ice-elemental, from the same origin."

"I just wanted to inquire about top-tier Yuan Wu Dharma Gate for the water element."

"You're looking for a Yuan Wu Dharma Gate?"

Liu Xiyue suddenly understood, and a hint of cunning flashed in her eyes.

"This is confidential. Top-tier Yuan Wu Dharma Gates cannot be found on the market."

"However..." She changed the subject, "It's not impossible to discuss."

"How about this, we'll have another match on the twentieth of next month, before the final exams."

"Regardless of victory or defeat, I can have a good discussion with you on this topic."

"But for now, it's out of the question."

Liu Xiyue lifted her chin and pointed to the sword in her hand.

"Now, you should focus on how to improve your 'teaching quality'!"

"I paid the full price as a VIP, if you don't live up to it,

I'll... I'll complain about you to Teacher Wu!"

Seeing her 'capitalist boss' face, you shook your head.

"Alright, then we'll see on the twentieth."

You stood up, walked in front of her, and your expression became serious.

"Since you want to learn something real, then I'll tell you

why you feel like you've trained for so long but still can't beat me."

You casually picked up a wooden stick and assumed a starting stance.

"Your sword technique, your father customized it for you, right?"

"So what?" Liu Xiyue was a little proud.

"Every move of this 'Frostchill Sword' perfectly matches my body and my Habit of exerting force!"

"Indeed, it's a good sword technique, and the compatibility is perfect."

You nodded, then changed the subject and pointed out incisively:

"However, you've swung your sword too few times."

Liu Xiyue was stunned: "Few? I practice two hours every day!"

"Two hours?" You shook your head, wagging a finger.

"That's too little. Before you met me, you spent most of your time meditating, honing your Qi and Blood, and breaking through stages."

"You were too eager to break through to the Ninth Stage, neglecting the refinement of the sword moves themselves."

"Do you perhaps think that since it's a custom-made sword technique,

you can achieve Minor Achievement with just a little practice, so you don't need to spend much time?"

Liu Xiyue opened her mouth but couldn't retort.

Indeed, as a Genius, she used to look down on such monotonous repetitive training.

"That's the problem."

You gently tapped her wrist with the wooden stick.

"The Dao of weaponry is like cutting and filing, carving and polishing."

"When you currently draw your sword, your 'mind' is controlling your hand."

"Your eyes see an opening, your brain gives the command, nerves transmit the signal, and finally, your muscles react."

"This process, no matter how fast, takes 0.1 seconds."

"And in a true life-and-death struggle, this 0.1 second is the distance between life and death."

You suddenly thrust the stick, stopping it just before her brow.

Liu Xiyue blinked, looking at you.

"Whereas I, my 'instinct' controls the saber."

My saber doesn't need to go through my brain.

The moment my skin perceives a change in airflow, the saber has already struck."

"This is why you always feel that I don't play by the rules, and why you always feel that I'm a fraction faster than you."

"Because your thinking is your delay."

Liu Xiyue stood rooted to the spot.

She recalled your saber light from the last battle, flowing like mercury, pervasive and inescapable.

So, the gap wasn't just in Realm, but also in these most basic, most tedious aspects?

"Then... what should I do?" She bit her lip, somewhat unwilling.

"It's simple."

You raised a finger, your tone leaving no room for doubt.

"Swing your sword at least ten thousand times a day."

"What?!" Liu Xiyue's eyes widened, "Ten thousand times?!"

You said coldly, "When you can practice this sword technique until you 'don't want to practice it,' until you 'feel like throwing up,'"

"until you're swinging your sword in your dreams..."

"Only then will you be qualified to defeat me."

This was typical 'workaholic' thinking.

You had achieved Perfection in the Basic Saber Technique precisely through this kind of almost masochistic repetition.

Liu Xiyue looked at you, her eyes shifting.

She wanted to refute, to say it was a stupid method, a waste of time.

But looking at your calm eyes, remembering the humiliation of being sent flying by your saber that day...

"Good!"

She took a deep breath, fierce fighting spirit burning in her eyes.

"Ten thousand times it is! I refuse to believe I'm inferior to you!"

In the following period, a stubborn sight appeared in the corner of the training hall.

The 'Snow Maiden,' usually so aloof, was now like a newly initiated apprentice.

Repeating the most monotonous thrusts, parries, and slashes, over and over again.

Sweat drenched her bangs, her arms trembled with soreness, but she didn't stop.

When she was tired, she would glance at you, who was instructing other students.

Recalling the scene where you 'made her cry' before, recalling the cold shoulders from her Family after her parents disappeared,

and then imagining the scene of pinning you to the ground after obtaining the dimensional secret treasure next month...

"Li Ang... just you wait! When I undergo my second Awakening, when my sword technique reaches Major Achievement..."

"I'll make you cry even more miserably than I did!"

The little devil in her mind roared, and she swung her sword with even more effort.

You glanced at the stubborn figure in the corner, shook your head slightly, and a smile appeared at the corner of your mouth.

"Teachable."

Although her motives weren't entirely pure, this drive was indeed what a strong person should possess.

...

At ten in the evening, training ended.

After seeing off the last student, you also felt a hint of fatigue.

You returned to the Teachers Apartment, took a hot shower, washing away all the sweat.

As Teacher Wu said, martial arts require a balance of exertion and rest.

You sat at your desk, drying your wet hair.

Just as you were about to flip through a book called "Origin Opening Conjecture" and enjoy a rare moment of peace,

"Ding-a-ling-ling—"

The phone on the desk, which rarely rang, suddenly let out a piercing ring.

It sounded particularly abrupt in the silent night.

You picked up the phone and looked at the caller ID.

Your brows furrowed.

Principal Liao Xianyu

"Why is the principal calling me so late?"

Is it a routine inquiry? Or... does the Heart-Eroding Cult have new instructions?

You took a deep breath, adjusting your breathing.

You slid your finger and answered the call.

"Hello? Principal?"