[Nihility]

The sword that Wu Jian had been blocking and the sword that had been coming at him suddenly passed through his body as though he wasn’t there. He was like a ghost, an illusion, a mirage. Bai Qiang’s sword struck the ground. Meanwhile, Hong Liang continues with his swing, unable to bring it back around due to momentum.

Wu Jian quickly put some distance between him and them. His face was scrunched into a grimace. He knew there had been no choice if he wanted to avoid injury, but he couldn’t believe he had given into his impulse and manipulated space. That defeated the whole purpose of his training. He would never learn how to properly use the sword if he kept relying on his other abilities!

I need to do better!

Bai Qiang and Hong Liang looked warily at Wu Jian, circling around him like they didn’t know what to do. They didn’t attack anymore. Well, of course they didn’t. Their attacks just went straight through him. Anyone smart enough to fight so well would be wary when something like that happened.

Wu Jian took several deep breaths, then set himself up in another stance. He kept his feet shoulder-width apart. Instead of holding his sword out like one might with a normal sword, he set this one on his shoulder. Thinking about it, the greatsword was a massive weapon that typically could not be held in a standard two-handed grip, yet he’d been swinging it around with just one hand like it was a normal jian. Perhaps what he needed to change was his fundamental knowledge of the greatsword.

“Come at me again,” Wu Jian declared.

“Tch. Are you mocking us?!” asked Bai Qiang, finally losing his cool.

That’s not it, but I won’t say anything. Let him think that. The more hot headed he is, the easier he’ll be to read.

What Wu Jian needed right now was people to fight against and learn from. These two were much more skilled than him, which meant he needed some kind of handicap. It was galling, but that’s just how it was. He would reach a point where these two wouldn’t be able to touch him even if they gave it their all.

“Let’s go,” Hong Liang said.

“Yeah. Let’s teach his arrogant fool who still smells like his mother’s milk a thing or two.”

The two came at him again, Wu Jian kept calmer this time. They were fast--too fast for him to accurately analyze their movements, so he didn’t try. One of them came at him from the front, and he flowed backward and to the side, moving like water. He didn’t block with his sword. Wu Jian opted to dodge every attack instead. The reason he didn’t attack with his sword was because Hong Liang was coming up right behind him.

Clang!

Wu Jian tilted his sword back, accepting the man’s blow. Hong Liang’s sword slammed into his with a crackle of sparks. The force pushed against Wu Jian, but he moved with the attack, finally removing Pale Moon from his shoulder and swinging it with the combined force of his strength and momentum. There was no elegance to his attack. It was just raw speed and power, but his attack slammed into Bai Qiang, who barely had time to raise his own sword.

The attack sent him skidding backwards.

Because he still sensed movement behind him, Wu Jian continued with his swing, and his blade clashed against Hong Liang, who had come in for another attack after being repelled the first time. Their blades clashed and it was Hong Liang who was forced back. He was strong, but Wu Jian would never lose in strength to someone with a similar cultivation level.

“This guy… might actually be a tough opponent,” Bai Qiang said.

Hong Liang nodded. “I think we need to get serious.”

“Are you saying you weren’t already serious?” asked Wu Jian.

“Urk…”

“Ugh…”

He snorted at their responses. “Everyone always says things like ‘I’m going to get serious now’ when they’re at the end of their rope. Can you get anymore cliched?”

“Damn you!” Bai Qiang shouted.

“Wait!” Hong Liang snapped, but it was too late.

Bai Qiang came at him faster than before, but Wu Jian had fought people with greater speed. Shen Yunhai had been a very fast opponent. Still, Bai Qiang was swift, and he had talent. Wu Jian used this man’s own talent as a means of improving himself. As the man attacked, he analyzed his movements and adapted to them, growing just a millisecond faster with every moment that passed.

“Is he getting better?!”

Hong Liang swooped in from Wu Jian’s blindspot. He had moved around a boulder and attempted to come at him from behind, but it was futile. Wu Jian was able to smell the man. His senses had been enhanced ever since taking in Byakko’s blood. It was impossible to hide from him unless someone erased their scent and sound. Wu Jian could even make out the sound of Hong Liang’s heartbeat.

Wu Jian spun around and blocked the man’s attack. He used his strength to knock the man way, then tilted his body to the side, allowing Bai Qiang’s blade to pass by.

An interminable amount of time passed as the trio battled, and Wu Jian continued honing his combat instincts. He could tell that his talent at dodging was improving. However, the same could not be said for his skills with a greatsword. His attacks were a little sharper, a little stronger, but it ultimately felt like he had no talent for using this weapon.

“Haaaah… haaaah… dammit…”

“Gaaaah… what is… with this guy…?

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Bai Qiang and Hong Liang were breathing heavily as they put some distance between him and them. They looked at him like he was a dangerous magical beast trapped in a cage.

The area around them had been destroyed. Many of the rocks had been cleaved through, pockmarks dotted the ground, and several trees surrounding the clearing had been felled.

Their battle had lasted so long at this point that even Wu Jian was beginning to feel tired, but he still had energy to spare, a result of his own training and Byakko’s blood no doubt. He could continue. His two opponents, on the other hand, looked like they were on their last legs. Drenched in sweat, breathing like their lungs were giving out, and slouched over in exhaustion, it was clear they were holding on through sheer stubborn grit.

“Are you two finished?” asked Wu Jian.

“Finished? We’re… we’re nowhere near done,” Bai Qiang huffed, though he didn’t sound nearly as imposing as he had before the battle started.

“We cannot… huff… go back until… we have beaten… you…” Hong Liang added.

“Huh? Well, I’m sure you have your reasons, but I’m done. I’m ending this battle now.”

“Hah?! Don’t think you can just end this battle whenever you feel like it--!!”

Wu Jian did not pay attention to what Bai Qiang said. He assumed a stance that mimicked the unwavering stability of a mountain, providing balance and preventing him from being thrown off-balance by the tremendous force he was about to unleash. He drew upon his chi and channeled it through his body and into Pale Moon. The blade glowed like the dark night sky covered in brilliant twinkling stars. He raised the sword above his head and focused all of his intent into the blade, visualizing the path of his strike.

Then he brought the sword down.

[Mountain Cleaving Strike]

This was the only technique he had found for greatswords that sounded even remotely useful. It was supposedly a technique that, when mastered, would enable him to cut through even mountains. He had barely practiced with it, however, and so he doubted it would do much damage.

What was unleashed from his blade was a dark blade of chi so black it looked like midnight flying from his greatsword. It sliced through the ground with impunity. Biang Qai and Hong Liang were unable to move away in time, though they did manage to block. The strike slammed into them with incredible force and threw them aside like ragdolls. They struck the ground hard and tumbled across the clearing.

Wu Jian took in a deep breath, held it in, then breathed out and relaxed his shoulders. A massive trench that expanded from the point of impact spread out before him. The boulders and trees that had been in front of him were gone. In their place was the trench. It wasn’t that deep; he could see the bottom, but it was long and wide.

“What… the hell…?” Bai Qiang paled when he saw the destruction Wu Jian’s technique wrought.

Hong Liang bit his lip. “This is not something… we can fight against… as we are…”

“Dammit! Let’s retreat for now,” Bai Qiang decided, even as he glared at Wu jJan. “This isn’t over! I won’t let this insult stand! Mark my words, I’ll come for you, and when I do, you’ll regret being born!”

“Come at me anytime. The result will always be the same,” Wu Jian said.

“Fuck!”

Bai Qiang and Hong Liang bid a hasty retreat. Wu Jian watched them go, then turned his eyes back toward the destruction. While the damage was extensive, it was nowhere near what it should have been, meaning he had a long way to go before he would be able to use this technique in real combat.

Clap. Clap. Clap.

Wu Jian turned when someone began clapping, but he didn’t see anyone behind him. He furrowed his brow. Just as he was about to open his mouth, someone spoke up. Their voice came from everywhere and nowhere.

“I watched your battle. You’ve got some impressive stamina, kid, and your strength is nothing to scoff at. However, it seems you lack even the most basic knowledge of how to properly use that sword in your hands. Aaaah. Such a magnificent sword wasted on a talentless hack who can only swing it like a maniac. What a travesty this true. It is truly lamentable.”

“Is there a reason you're insulting me?” asked Wu Jian.

“Ah ha. I do not mean to insult you. You have great potential, but seeing such an incredible sword in the hands of an amateur merely makes me sad. Yes, I am so sad.”

Wu Jian still could not tell where this voice was coming from. He looked around but saw nothing.

“Do not bother searching for me. I am not at your current location. I watched your battle through an artifact I have and I am projecting my voice into your mind using chi. That is why it sounds like I am coming from everywhere.”

“Is that so?” Wu Jian relaxed his stance and placed Pale Moon back on his shoulder. “I assume you contacted me for a reason?”

“Getting right to the point, I see. I expected no less. Yes, there is a reason I am contacting you. I’m sending you a location. Come and meet with me. I would speak to you in pearson.”

Wu Jian was given directions, which led much further into the forest. He decided to avoid areas inhabited by magical beasts as he traveled. It took longer than he would have liked, but he eventually reached the location given, and found himself standing before a modest hut that didn’t look like it could fit more than one or two people inside. He hesitated before deciding to knock on the door.

“Coming!” a voice said from the other side. It was the same voice that had been speaking in his head.

The door soon opened. What stood on the other side was a man who appeared to be in the prime of his life; he exuded an aura of strength with his indomitable frame. His tall and robust stature conveyed incredible physical prowess. He had piercing emerald eyes. It was hard to tell his age, but his black hair was vibrant and lustrous. His face bore the mark of countless battles and rigorous training, with a strong jawline and expressive eyebrows that framed his gaze. He appeared stern, but there was a hint of mischief on his face.

He wore unassuming clothes that would have looked normal on a peasant. On him, they stood out. He donned a simple, dark gray robe, free from intricate embroidery or decorations like the vast majority of elders he met. A wide, unadorned leather belt cinched his waist. A pair of plain straw sandals completed his basic outfit.

“Hmmm. Hmmm. I see now. Yes, I thought you had a good look about you, but this is even better than I anticipated,” the man said with a grin as he observed Wu Jian. The expression on his face made Wu Jian feel like he was being stripped. It was invasive.

“I don’t know what you see, but maybe you should tell me who you are? Why did you call me here?” asked Wu Jian.

The man wagged a finger at him. “Patience. Patience. I know you’re the type who likes to cut to the chase, but you need to learn some manners. Come on in. Let us relax and talk.”

Wu Jian grimaced, but he was curious to know what this guy wanted, so he did as told. Despite the shabby exterior, the inside was nicely furnished, though still quite plain. The floor was made of wood tiles. A bed sat off to one side with a dresser and nightstand close by. On the other side was a kitchen, though it only had a single stove. Several jars lined up against the wall sat next to the stove, containing what Wu Jian could only imagine was food. In the center of the hut was a low-sitting table with several cushions.

From the moment Wu Jian entered, he felt like prey that had been trapped by a predator. The way the man looked at him was disconcerting. He felt like beef that had been hung up as a display to potential buyers. The man walked around him, a hand to his chin, nodding and murmuring nonsense to himself.

“Hooo. He’s got a good build… those muscles… yes… quite something… mhmm…”

“Are you going to keep talking to yourself, or are you going to tell me who you are and what you want?” asked Wu Jian.

“Ha ha ha! I suppose I should introduce myself!”

The man set himself in a wide stance, crossed his arms, and grinned.

“My name is Feng Tiangsheng! And I’m thinking of making you my apprentice!”