57: The pinnacle of power? No, that's... breaking through limits!

"Sigh! Such a pitiful child!"

Outside the courtyard, Zhao Haihong watched Lin Yi practicing his saber techniques over and over like a madman, his eyes filled with immense heartache.

But there was nothing he could do. Although he had taught many Martial Dao Second Rank Disciples in his life, only two or three had reached a level of strength comparable to Chen Jiangping.

Those two or three were currently traveling abroad, searching for the Opportunity to break through to the First Rank. He couldn't even contact them, so how could he ask them to help Lin Yi?

Furthermore, even if he could contact them, they might not be able to reach Dongshan Prefecture within a short seven days to rescue Lin Yi's parents.

Thinking of this, Zhao Haihong shook his head. He continued to watch Lin Yi until the sun set before slowly departing.

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, it was late at night.

Quiet!

Utterly silent!

The entire Dongshan Martial Academy was deathly still.

Only in the Vice Dean's study, under a bright lamp, was Zhao Haihong sighing, his mind constantly searching for a way to help Lin Yi.

But just then, suddenly—

"Whoosh!"

A tiny breeze blew through, causing the study's candlelight to flicker slightly.

Then, without Zhao Haihong even noticing, a young man with a snow-white longsword on his back, dressed in white with a proud and cold expression, suddenly appeared in the study.

"Teacher, what is troubling you? I wonder if this Disciple can be of assistance?"

The cold young man spoke softly.

Only then did Zhao Haihong finally notice the cold young man's figure.

"Wu Han, why are you here? Why didn't you give me a heads-up before coming?"

Seeing the cold young man's face, Zhao Haihong's face was full of pleasant surprise.

Hearing this, the corners of the cold young man's mouth twitched slightly as he forced out a very faint smile:

"This Disciple happened to be passing through Dongshan Prefecture on some business recently. Remembering that Teacher is currently teaching at Dongshan Martial Academy, I stopped by to pay my respects. Since I was in a hurry, I didn't notify you in advance. Please forgive me, Teacher."

"Hahaha! It's nothing!"

Zhao Haihong laughed:

"I'm already very happy that you could stop by to see me."

"After all, I only taught you for a few months back then. To call me your Martial Dao teacher is a bit of a stretch, let alone comparing it to a formal Master-Disciple relationship."

"Not at all! Teacher, you are too modest."

The cold young man's expression turned solemn as he shook his head slightly:

"When Wu Han first entered the Sect, I was ignorant and naive. It was thanks to Teacher's care that I am where I am today."

"Therefore, although the time Teacher taught me was short, your place in my heart is not the least bit inferior to that of my Master."

"When I arrived just now, I saw that Teacher seemed to be injured and was constantly sighing. Could it be that someone in Dongshan Prefecture has insulted or bullied you?"

"If so, please tell me, Teacher. Even if it were Chi Longyue who dared to do such a thing, I would make him pay tenfold!"

The cold young man spoke flatly, his expression not changing in the slightest, as if Chi Longyue, the famous Governor of Dongshan Prefecture who shook the entire region, was nothing more than a weed by the roadside in his eyes.

"Sigh! You are very thoughtful, Wu Han, but my injury is just a minor matter. It's mainly about a Disciple of our academy..."

Saying this, Zhao Haihong recounted Lin Yi's situation and the events that occurred at Wanxiang Tower today to the cold young man.

"Hmm? Chen Jiangping?"

Hearing this name, the cold young man narrowed his eyes, a terrifying killing intent flashing through them:

"A mere Second-Rank Martial Artist, a dog-like thing, dares to insult Teacher like this?"

"I will pay a visit to Wanxiang Tower later to seek justice for Teacher!"

"As for that Lin Yi? Teacher, you want me to step in and help him rescue his parents, right?"

The cold young man said indifferently.

To be honest, given the kindness Teacher had shown him, if it were the man's own descendants or even a Personal Disciple who encountered such a thing, he would have stepped in to save them without a second thought.

But for just an academy Disciple, the connection was too distant.

If he got involved in every such relationship, would he even be able to practice the Martial Dao or cultivate in the future? He might as well just spend every day doing good deeds.

"Correct, Wu Han. I do want you to help, but it all depends on your own wishes."

Hearing the cold young man's words, Zhao Haihong immediately guessed what he was thinking and shook his head helplessly:

"I know you have always been proud and aloof, and you can't be bothered to care about or get involved in many things."

"However, this child is indeed very pitiful and quite talented! So Teacher hopes that if possible, you could step in and help him once."

After speaking, Zhao Haihong looked at the cold young man earnestly.

The cold young man remained silent for a long time. Only after nearly fifteen minutes did he finally nod slowly:

"Fine! Since Teacher has put it that way, I will go and meet him!"

"It so happens he is practicing his saber now. If his talent is acceptable and he is somewhat worth cultivating, then I will help him once. If not, then you cannot blame me!"

"Good, good, good! Haha! Wu Han, with those words from you, I can rest easy!"

Zhao Haihong was overjoyed, for he knew that given the cold young man's personality, since he had relented, the matter was already more than half-settled.

As long as Lin Yi's performance wasn't too disappointing, the matter would be settled!

"Haha! Wu Han, come, I'll take you to his residence right now!"

Zhao Haihong laughed and stood up quickly, immediately leading the cold young man toward Lin Yi's small courtyard... "Whoosh!"

Inside the small courtyard of Dongshan Martial Academy, Lin Yi continued to practice tirelessly. Streaks of poignantly beautiful saber light danced like fairies under the cold moonlight, magnificent yet carrying a sense of despair and sorrow.

Starting from the most basic thirteen forms of saber techniques, to the first ranked saber technique his father taught him—the Ninth-Grade Martial Art, "Black Tiger Saber Technique"—and then to the Sixth-Grade Martial Art, "Bright Moon Saber Technique," and the Fourth Grade Martial Art, "Full Moon Star Saber," which he learned at Guangling Martial Academy.

Lin Yi practiced them over and over from start to finish. His mind and body were completely immersed, ignoring the outside world, forgetting time, forgetting space, and even forgetting everything else!

"This is that Lin Yi?"

Outside the small courtyard, Zhao Haihong and the cold young man suddenly arrived.

Then, looking at the figure practicing the saber inside, the cold young man spoke.

"Correct! He is Lin Yi. Wu Han, what do you think of him?"

Zhao Haihong asked with a smile, feeling an inexplicable trace of nervousness in his heart.

"Passable!"

The cold young man watched for a moment, then nodded slightly:

"Although his Realm is average, his Foundation is solid and steady. If he continues to cultivate like this, reaching the Second Rank will be no problem, and the First Rank should be within reach. He's decent enough to be worth my intervention once."

"Good!"

Hearing this, Zhao Haihong breathed a sigh of relief, his face once again beaming with joy:

"In that case, I will wake him up immediately and tell him this wonderful news."

As he spoke, Zhao Haihong prepared to enter the courtyard to wake the immersed Lin Yi.

But just then—

"Teacher, wait!"

The cold young man suddenly called out to stop Zhao Haihong, his eyes narrowing as he looked at Lin Yi in the courtyard.

"Wu Han, what's wrong?"

Zhao Haihong was startled, his face filled with confusion.

"His saber technique... seems to be changing."

The cold young man answered softly, then continued to watch Lin Yi indifferently.

Seeing this, Zhao Haihong was no longer in a hurry and stood silently beside the cold young man, watching quietly.

Thus, time passed slowly. Neither of them spoke, just watching silently.

As time went by, Lin Yi's saber technique changed in the courtyard, becoming faster, fiercer, more exquisite, and more perfect!

Finally, half an hour later... "Whoosh!"

The long saber cut through the air, carving a terrifying streak of saber light as brilliant as a thunderbolt under the moonlight!

This saber light was incredibly terrifying! Incredibly frightening! It was many times stronger than any saber light Lin Yi had ever unleashed before!

"Great Perfection of a Fourth Grade Martial Art! Extreme Strength Perfection!"

Seeing this, Zhao Haihong was instantly shocked, but then he suddenly shook his head:

"No! This isn't Extreme Strength Perfection! It's..."

"Limit Breaking!"

Under the moonlight, the cold young man spoke softly. His expression remained indifferent, but a trace of deep shock flashed through the depths of his eyes.

——————

[Talent: Heart Like Pure Ice]

[Rank: azure rank]

[Introduction: Heart Like Pure Ice, unmoved even if the heavens fall; all changes remain settled, spirit joyful and Qi clear.

You are born with an incredibly calm and powerful mind. When encountering difficulties, desperate situations, or even life-and-death crises, not only will you not feel fear, but you will become even calmer, thereby stimulating the truly terrifying potential contained within your body!]

——————

Force-exertion Limit Breaking Realm, achieved!

...PS: Phew! Working some overtime today, so the midnight chapter is being updated early to keep the flow consistent.

However, I know that once this plot point comes out, many people might drop the book or even start cursing. After all, I know the readers on Fanqie; they're generally younger and can't stand seeing the protagonist get bullied.

Just like a couple of days ago, when I briefly mentioned the protagonist's parents, some people already felt they were a nuisance and shouldn't be written about.

So when I saw those comments yesterday, I actually considered changing the outline to wrap up this plot quickly, even if it meant a rushed ending.

But then I thought about it—I've been writing for several years now. In the past, I always tried to cater to the market and never wrote what I actually wanted to write. The result was that I didn't make any money, and I didn't get to write what I wanted either.

I started this book over a month ago with the intention of writing something I wanted to write, to depict the world I imagined in my heart.

Since the book is already failing commercially, if I still listen to you and can't write what I want, wouldn't my failure be for nothing?

So, failing is also a good thing. Since it's failing, I can just write what I want without being swayed by others.

For the next month, I won't be looking at any book reviews or comments to avoid affecting my state of mind. I'll just focus on writing until I've written what I want.

As for readers with opinions, it would be best if you could just leave quietly. If you're really unhappy, feel free to vent and rant! I won't be reading it anyway.

Also, this book is not a Wuxia, but a long-form Xuanhuan. Please be aware.

Finally, I wish all the readers who have made it this far success in your studies and work in the days ahead. May you and your families be happy and healthy, and may everything go your way! That's all! Thank you!