The morning was born cold over the Verdant Sword Sect.

And, as always, the sun had not yet risen above the mountains when Kyrian awoke and opened his eyes.

The wind seemed particularly strong today, striking against his bedroom window.

He got up without haste. Upon leaving his room, the first thing he saw was the sight of Yanyu, already awake and ready.

She was in the main room, dressed in the sect's robe, her sword hanging at her waist. Her brown hair was tied back, her gaze calm and firm but slightly anxious as she simply waited for him.

On the sofa, Luz slept, her small body curled up, tail covering her face.

Kyrian stopped for a moment, observing the scene.

Then, he walked over to the fox.

"Luz," he called softly.

The small creature twitched her ears but didn't open her eyes.

Kyrian was silent for a second, then finished his sentence when he saw the fox pretending to sleep.

"If you come along, I'll give you some spiritual stones as a gift."

Her ears perked up immediately. Then, her crossed eyes opened. Luz stretched lazily, arching her small body with an air of pure arrogance, and leapt from the sofa as if she had never been asleep.

Kyrian and Yanyu exchanged a faint smile at the scene.

It was then that a knock sounded at the door.

Three firm taps.

Kyrian turned and went to answer.

When he opened it, he found Tianhai standing at the entrance to the courtyard, his expression calm.

"Mo Tianhai?" Kyrian asked, slightly surprised.

"Did something happen?"

Tianhai shook his head as he replied.

"Master Feng is calling for you. And… if you have no other plans, he asked me to invite you to join the training this time."

Kyrian was silent for a moment, thoughtful.

Then he looked at Yanyu and then at Luz, who was staring up at him from the ground with the same ancient, unimpressed gaze as always.

"Let's go," he finally said, making his decision.

"Today we'll train with the sect leader."

Yanyu nodded immediately, and Luz jumped onto her shoulder, somehow, she understood.

Tianhai observed the scene in silence. For a moment, he seemed like he wanted to say something about it but only took a deep breath instead.

Since Kyrian had helped him during the battle, Tianhai had learned to respect him, so he decided to leave the decision to the sect leader.

The path to the location was quiet. The morning mist still covered much of the buildings, and the sound of the wind rustling through the leaves was the only company, which wasn't bad at all.

Finally, when they reached a flat area in the central region, surrounded by towering trees, Feng Yuan was already waiting for them there.

He sat in the center of the clearing, legs crossed, eyes closed, emanating a tranquility that was absent when he was presiding over the sect's main hall.

As soon as he sensed their approaching steps, his eyes slowly opened.

"You've arrived."

Tianhai bowed respectfully.

Kyrian only inclined his head slightly, in his usual direct manner.

Finally, Feng Yuan's gaze fell on Yanyu.

The old sect leader observed her for a few seconds before speaking calmly.

"I see that you successfully absorbed most of the spiritual herb. To break through one stage and then advance into a new realm so quickly… truly impressive."

"And it seems that your foundation is as stable as that of the core disciples," Feng Yuan suddenly added, still watching Yanyu.

He had seen her a few times with Kyrian and had also seen her when he went to inquire about Kyrian a few days earlier, so he knew of her previous cultivation. Now, they seemed like completely different people.

So, it was obvious who Kyrian had given the spiritual herb to. And apparently, it hadn't been a waste.

Yanyu's eyes widened slightly in surprise.

Then she quickly bowed.

"It's an honor to hear that from you, Sect Leader," she said hurriedly.

"I brought her along, as well as the little fox, because I believe it will be beneficial for them. How about letting her spar with Tianhai first?" Kyrian said, crossing his arms.

Feng Yuan raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

"Hmm. What do you think, Tianhai?"

The young man looked at Yanyu and nodded.

"No problem."

Feng Yuan then made a simple gesture with his hand, and the two took their positions at the center of the clearing. The atmosphere shifted, gaining a subtle but tangible tension.

Yanyu took a deep breath, holding her sword in her right hand. Tianhai unsheathed his, unhurried, his gaze calm and confident.

"Begin," said Feng Yuan.

The next instant, the sound of blades cutting through the air echoed.

Yanyu advanced. Her movements were clean, stripped of the unnecessary flourishes she once had. Every strike carried direction, intention, and specific weight, her form echoing Kyrian's teachings.

Tianhai easily deflected her blows at first, maintaining his advantage. But as the fight dragged on, Feng Yuan, who was watching closely, began to notice something.

Every strike Yanyu made was exact and precise. There was no wasted movement, no swing out of rhythm.

"It seems you've been training her," said the sect leader, observing without taking his eyes off the duel.

Kyrian nodded.

"Yes. But she already had a natural talent for the sword path. Elder Mei Ran also guided her."

Feng Yuan crossed his arms.

"Just like the core disciples, her Qi has become sharp Qi, perfect for the sword path."

He paused.

"It won't take long before she reaches the same level as the others."

Kyrian simply nodded in agreement.

In the field, Tianhai finally stopped holding back.

The air shifted again as his sword intent manifested faintly, a cutting pressure filling the battleground.

The rhythm of the fight changed completely. Yanyu's strikes were now blocked effortlessly, and even her defenses left shallow cuts on her skin.

Still, she did not retreat. She kept advancing and striking, her eyes locked, her focus unwavering.

Until one swift strike opened a deep cut across her shoulder. She staggered, and in that moment, something happened.

All the wounds on her body began to glow with a silvery light.

And before everyone's eyes, the injuries closed.

"…?" Tianhai stopped mid-attack, startled.

Even so, he ended the fight by placing his blade a few centimeters from Yanyu's neck.

"Good fight," he said sincerely, withdrawing his sword, impressed by her.

Yanyu was breathing heavily, with some difficulty, but she smiled.

"Good fight."

Feng Yuan and Kyrian approached soon after.

"What you just did… what was that?" the sect leader asked Yanyu directly.

Yanyu shook her head, a bit confused, and said.

"I don't know. I just… felt something. An energy took over my body for a moment, and suddenly all the pain was gone. I felt a cold wave… and then… nothing."

As she spoke, her voice began to weaken. Her body wavered, and she fell forward.

Kyrian caught her before she hit the ground. Her head rested against his shoulder, her breathing unsteady.

"Are you alright?" he asked firmly.

"Yes… I just feel… exhausted," she murmured, trying to stand, but her legs failed her.

Feng Yuan furrowed his brows slightly. He extended his hand, pulling a small pill from his spatial ring.

"Take this and circulate your Qi."

Yanyu swallowed the pill without question. A few seconds later, color returned to her face. Her trembling body steadied.

Kyrian looked at the sect leader.

"Do you know what that white energy was?"

Feng Yuan clasped his hands behind his back, thoughtful.

"It seems… like a consequence of the spiritual herb. But I don't know the details. I've never seen anything like it. It looks as though all her energy was used to heal her wounds instantly."

His gaze then turned back to Yanyu.

"If I'm correct, the herb didn't just enhance her talent, it awakened something far more complex, something that hasn't yet fully revealed itself."

Yanyu met his gaze in silence, unsure of what to say. Kyrian, on the other hand, simply observed, his sword-shaped eyes glowing faintly.

He had already sensed the same thing.

Feng Yuan continued to study Yanyu with silent curiosity. But Kyrian took a step forward.

"Rest for a bit," Kyrian said, looking at Yanyu. Then he turned to Tianhai.

"Afterward, you'll fight again. This time, fight together with Luz."

Tianhai raised an eyebrow but didn't question it.

Luz, who had been standing a few meters away, perked up her ears upon hearing her name, looking first at Kyrian, then at Yanyu.

Finally, she turned toward Tianhai, staring with disdain and arrogance, as if saying she would fight alone.

Tianhai smiled, finding the little fox amusing, which only made her growl even more fiercely.

Then Kyrian turned toward the sect leader.

"While they rest, how about we fight again?"

"Haha! Of course. Why not?" The sect leader smiled as he took his position on the opposite side of the open space.

Kyrian then stepped forward as the other three backed away. Tianhai and Yanyu were eager to watch the two people they respected most on the sword path face each other.

Tianhai was certain the sect leader would win, while Yanyu, even knowing Feng Yuan was a powerful cultivator over a hundred years old, still felt absolute confidence that if it came to technique and combat alone, Kyrian would never lose.

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