2: Chapter 2 of the competition is about to begin.

Li Hanyi took a deep breath and slowly drew her sword.

At this time, she had yet to become the Snow Moon Sword Immortal who would split the Ascending Heaven Pavilion with a single strike; in her hand was merely an ordinary sharp sword.

"Martial Arts Hall Master, please offer your guidance!"

As soon as she finished speaking, her figure lunged forward, and the sword in her hand transformed into nine cold stars, piercing directly toward Su Rui's vital points.

Su Rui had long since mastered the Yue Maiden Sword Technique, so he naturally saw through the intricacies of Li Hanyi's sword stance at a glance.

With a raise of his right hand, his sword tip precisely appeared at the weakest point of her Move.

Li Hanyi was startled and quickly withdrew, her eyes filled with astonishment.

This person had only just entered the Ninth Rank, while she had already made a Breakthrough, yet in this single strike, she felt as if she had been seen through by her opponent, and even had her flaws pointed out.

Is this real?

She had always been quite confident in her talent for the Dao of the sword, and even her father had praised her many times.

But now, a Martial Arts Hall Master who had just made a Breakthrough was actually qualified to instruct her?

She was unconvinced and attacked again, changing her Move.

Six streaks of sword light rushed toward Su Rui like lightning and flint.

These were the visual afterimages caused by her sword-swinging speed reaching its limit.

"Your foundation is solid. To be able to practice this Move to such a level is already quite good."

Su Rui nodded and chuckled, his tone gentle, yet it made Li Hanyi's little face darken.

"I'm not your Disciple, why are you using that tone to speak?"

But before she could get angry, Su Rui's sword once again accurately sealed her flaw, forcing her to retreat several steps.

Li Hanyi's expression changed, her face full of confusion.

"You can see the flaws in my sword technique?"

Su Rui smiled and shook his head lightly.

"Not real flaws. You have indeed practiced these two Moves very well; ordinary people wouldn't be able to tell at all."

"What do you mean by that? Then let me see just how powerful you really are!"

Li Hanyi's temper was stirred up, her tone carrying a hint of stubbornness.

"Alright, then you must be careful."

Su Rui did not refuse.

Li Hanyi's expression was solemn, her sword held horizontally before her chest, staring at Su Rui with eyes like torches.

The opponent was not weak.

Although he had just broken through to the Ninth Rank, his attainments in the Dao of the sword were clearly a cut above hers.

Just how much higher, she had no idea, and could only wait for him to strike to know the depth of his skill.

Clang!

A clear and resonant sword hum rang out in the hall, piercing through the air like a sudden clap of thunder.

A dazzling streak of sword light tore through the silence of the Martial Arts Hall, like a meteor suddenly blooming in the dark night.

Li Hanyi's pupils shrank, her heart trembled, and a look of disbelief appeared in her eyes. Her vision was momentarily seared by this sword light, causing her to lose focus for a brief moment.

By the time she regained her clarity, she found that Su Rui was already standing in front of her, the sharp sword in his hand lightly pressed against her throat.

The cold metallic chill seemed to pierce her skin, making her body tremble involuntarily, and her hair stand on end.

"What sword technique is this?" Her voice trembled slightly, carrying a hint of hesitation.

Su Rui sheathed his sword, flicked his hand, and the long sword fell back onto the weapon rack, once again hidden amidst the dust.

"Yue Maiden Sword Technique. Legend has it that it is a peerless art realized by a shepherd girl while playing with a white ape."

He smiled, looking at the little girl in front of him who was half a head shorter than himself.

A sword technique created by a shepherd girl?

Li Hanyi's heart sank slightly.

She had practiced the sword for many years, yet she was defeated by such an unassuming sword technique?

Seeing the fluctuation in her emotions, Su Rui shook his head with a touch of helplessness.

Still too immature; this future Great Snow Moon Sword Immortal was currently trapped in her own obsession.

"Sword techniques are merely tools; what truly determines the outcome is the person wielding the sword."

Li Hanyi was stunned for a moment, then it was as if she had been enlightened. Her expression straightened, she sheathed her sword, and bowed respectfully to Su Rui.

"Thank you for your guidance."

"Moreover, that shepherd girl once used one sword alone to break through two thousand well-equipped Yue State armored soldiers."

Li Hanyi gasped upon hearing this.

Could it really have such capability?

"If you are interested, after joining the Martial Arts Hall, I will teach you personally."

Hearing this, Li Hanyi remembered the previous wager agreement, hesitated no longer, and immediately joined the sect.

"Disciple Li Hanyi pays respects to Master."

The apprenticeship ceremony was brief, and Su Rui didn't pay much attention to it, as the System had already acknowledged it.

[Sword Dao Genius Li Hanyi has joined the sect; after bestowing an Opportunity, you can receive generous rewards.]

...

The System prompt sounded, Su Rui's eyes lit up, and his gaze fell once again upon Li Hanyi.

Li Hanyi, being stared at, felt a bit uneasy, but then she saw her newly recognized Master extend a finger and gently touch the center of her brow.

She wanted to dodge, but found she could not Move.

In an instant, a complete outline of the sword technique, Mind-Cultivation Technique, and various sword Moves flooded into her mind like a tide.

The entire Profound Truth of the Yue Maiden Sword Technique exploded in her mind like thunder, leaving Li Hanyi too shocked to speak.

Even though her cultivation was still shallow, her vision was not low.

This method of Legacy via infusion was unheard of; even the legendary experts of the Carefree Heaven Realm might not possess such means.

What exactly is the Realm of this Master, who joined the sect because of a wager?

He is definitely not an ordinary Ninth Rank expert.

Such ability was almost impossible for Li Hanyi to fathom.

Could it be... is he the legendary Immortal?

Was that Aura of breaking through the shackles earlier deliberately revealed just to lure her into the trap?

Her mind began to wander.

[Ding, bestowed Yue Maiden Sword Technique to Disciple Li Hanyi, triggered 100x crit return. Congratulations to the Host for obtaining the Grass Character Sword Art.]

Grass Character Sword Art?

Su Rui's eyes lit up, and he was overjoyed.

Waves of profound information poured into his Sea of Consciousness, and the Sword Intent within his body stirred, but he forcibly suppressed it.

Looking at Li Hanyi, whose expression was no longer stubborn but instead appeared slightly docile, Su Rui smiled and instructed:

"The Yue Maiden Sword Technique is very suitable for your current Heart-Nature. You must carefully contemplate the Concept within it—that Aura of pressing forward with no retreat, of being the sole sovereign, is the embryonic form of Sword Intent."

After a brief pause, he continued:

"What I have passed on to you also includes the insights of many Seniors when they practiced this sword technique. You can use them as reference, do not be confined by form, and ultimately, you must walk your own path."

Li Hanyi closed her eyes for a moment, seemingly feeling something, and after opening them, her gaze was filled with shock.

The countless sword Dao experiences of predecessors gathered into a sea, which was equivalent to someone teaching her hand-in-hand to comprehend true Sword Intent.

This was simply a fantasy.

But where did these insights come from?

Could it be that this refined young man before her deduced the crystallization of wisdom from ancient texts and then personally infused it into her?

Thinking of this, a glow of excitement appeared in Li Hanyi's eyes.

Although she was still young, she knew the weight of this gift.

This was a monumental Opportunity.

With her heart surging, her youthful nature was revealed involuntarily.

With a light leap, she hopped to Su Rui's side, grabbed his arm, and shook it gently.

"Master, what exactly is your Realm?"

Li Hanyi held Su Rui's arm, looking up at him, her eyes carrying a hint of coquettishness as she kept asking.

This temperament is truly unexpected.

But compared to her previous serious demeanor, she was more likable like this.

"I am merely a Ninth Rank Martial Artist; come to think of it, my Realm is not even as high as yours, Disciple!"

Su Rui sighed, his tone carrying a hint of helplessness.

"Master, you are lying. You just casually touched my forehead and passed the outline and insights of the Yue Maiden Sword Technique to me, yet you say you are Ninth Rank?"

Li Hanyi pouted, looking disbelieving.

Su Rui rubbed her head, laughing despite himself, thinking that no one would believe it even if he said it.

"My Realm is not important; what's important is whether I can teach you well right now!"

"Of course you can!" Li Hanyi nodded repeatedly, as if afraid he would go back on his word.

"But Master's Realm is also quite important!"

She added, looking serious.

"Well, whatever Realm you imagine me to be, that is what Realm I am."

Su Rui simply let her think whatever she wanted; since she said she didn't believe him, he would let her imagine it herself.

Really?

Li Hanyi's eyes instantly lit up, like stars being ignited.

Just as her mind began to automatically depict her Master's mysterious and profound cultivation, a soft call suddenly came from outside the door:

"Is the Martial Arts Hall Master in?"

Su Rui looked up and saw a young man wearing the uniform of a Snow Moon City Disciple walking in.

Seeing Su Rui and Li Hanyi, a flash of amazement crossed his eyes.

One was elegant and untainted by the world, like an Immortal descending to the world;

The other was delicate and lovely; although still young, she already possessed a beauty that could topple cities.

Unexpectedly, this slightly dilapidated Martial Arts Hall actually hid such a pair of beautiful people.

"I wonder what guidance brings Your Excellency here?"

Su Rui's tone was peaceful, but he was already a bit curious in his heart.

He had been here for a month, and the forces of Snow Moon City had never made contact; now that they were visiting suddenly, it was likely for something.

"Are you the Martial Arts Hall Master?"

The young man cupped his hands in salute. Although the Martial Arts Hall was simple, the person before him had an extraordinary Aura, so he dared not show the slightest negligence.

"The quinquennial competition of Snow Moon City's Ascending Heaven Pavilion is about to begin. All Martial Artists in the city can participate. If one has outstanding talent or a high ranking, one can enter the Ascending Heaven Pavilion for cultivation."

Su Rui's expression moved slightly, and he turned his head to look at Li Hanyi.

Sure enough, her eyes were already sparkling with eagerness.

He pondered for a moment, the corners of his mouth slightly raised.

"Thank you for informing me."

The young man cupped his hands upon hearing this: "Since the Martial Arts Hall Master is aware, I shall take my leave."

After he left, Su Rui nodded.

The upbringing of this Snow Moon City Disciple is actually quite decent.

"Master, can I go and participate?"

Since he had already agreed earlier, now that Li Hanyi brought it up, Su Rui naturally would not stop her.

This Ascending Heaven Pavilion competition was also one of the ways for various forces in Snow Moon City to select talent.

At the same time, for the Martial Arts Hall, it was also a good Opportunity to make a name for itself.

In the original plot, Li Hanyi was able to break through the Ascending Heaven Pavilion and be taken under the wing of the number one under heaven expert, Li Changsheng.

Now that she had received the Yue Maiden Sword Technique personally taught by Su Rui, she would surely be able to make the high-level officials of Snow Moon City look at her with newfound respect.