"As an inner disciple, I was able to choose two initial techniques, one for cultivation and one for the sword." Yanyu completed.

Kyrian listened, his gaze drifting toward the tall trees. He wasn't only processing her words but also his own situation.

"My cultivation has reached a limit. It'll take a few days before I can advance again." he said, once more in a pragmatic tone.

'The advancement process is quick, but there's always a waiting period…' He paused, sinking into deep thought.

Yanyu could see the reasoning passing behind his eyes.

"Master Feng Yuan will probably be busy now, training Tianhai… the one who's the natural candidate to lead the sect in the future."

"My training time with him will probably decrease."

He then turned back to her, his decision already made.

"Do you want to go on a mission?" he asked suddenly.

The question caught Yanyu by surprise, but a spark of excitement lit up in her chest.

A mission. Once again, she'd have the chance to go on a mission with Kyrian, just like in the past. But then, before she could get carried away, hesitation struck.

She looked at her sword, then at Kyrian.

"Kyrian… before that… could you help me with my sword technique? Again." she asked, a bit hesitant.

Kyrian observed her for a moment, and something resembling a faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth as he realized it.

Yanyu seemed to want to spar with him again, even after witnessing his fight with Tianhai.

He had to admit, she had determination.

"Alright." He nodded, his voice simple and direct as always.

"We can train tomorrow morning."

Joy flooded Yanyu. He was still the same, still the same Kyrian, even dressed in the black robes of the leader and living in the best residence in the sect.

They fell into silence again for a while longer, watching the sleeping fox.

The afternoon sun began to set, tinting the sky orange. Without realizing it, they had spent the entire afternoon talking.

*************************************************

The echo of Kyrian and Mo Tianhai's duel did not fade quickly, it spread through the Verdant Sword Sect like wildfire.

In the training arenas, the inner residences, and even the humble courtyards of the outer sect, two names were whispered with a mix of disbelief and awe.

The details of the battle were slightly distorted and exaggerated with each retelling. Some swore they had seen a massive green sword of light cutting through the sky during the fight, while others claimed it wasn't as spectacular as it sounded.

But the core of the story remained unchanged. The newcomer, the direct disciple of Leader Kyrian, had not only controlled the battle from start to finish but had also inspired Tianhai to comprehend the Sword Intent.

And in a turn of events none had foreseen, Feng Yuan accepted Tianhai as his second direct disciple.

The sect, which for generations had known only a single blade at its peak, now found itself blessed with two prodigies. The atmosphere changed, as if a new energy filled the air. Something revitalizing.

The names Kyrian and Tianhai had now become synonymous with a prosperous future for the Verdant Sword Sect.

**************************************************

While rumors buzzed across the sect, there was a profound peace in Kyrian's courtyard. By now, the sky had darkened, painted with countless twinkling stars.

Yanyu finally rose from where she had been sitting for quite some time, stretching and adjusting her brown hair.

"It's time for me to go." She said, her voice breaking the silence that had lasted for at least half an hour.

Kyrian, who had been watching her, frowned, genuinely puzzled.

"Why? You were supposed to sleep here with me. Tomorrow we'll train early and then leave for a mission."

Yanyu blinked, processing the cold straightforwardness of his words.

"You… you're serious?"

"Of course. There's enough space. You can stay in the room next to mine." He replied matter-of-factly.

A flush of red immediately crept up Yanyu's cheeks.

Her hand instinctively went to the hilt of her sword, a small habit.

Her mind, upon hearing him say she should sleep there, ran wild with premature thoughts, imagining things that clearly had never crossed Kyrian's pragmatic mind.

She swallowed hard, feeling foolish.

"Hmm, alright…" she agreed, her voice slightly higher than usual.

Kyrian simply nodded and guided her to the door. Inside, he opened a second door next to his own room, revealing a chamber with a simple bed, a low table, and a cushion.

It looked like a small dormitory.

When Yanyu saw it, she smiled, sighing in relief for having overthought everything. She silently scolded herself.

"Alright. Rest well." Kyrian said before entering his room and closing the door, leaving her alone with her thoughts and the soft sound of Luz's breathing, the fox still deeply asleep on the small couch where Kyrian had placed her.

…

Dawn came quickly. Kyrian and Yanyu emerged from their rooms almost at the same time, both dressed and ready.

They had barely stepped into the cool morning courtyard when a rhythmic, sharp sound reached their ears.

The distinct sound of a blade slicing through the air, coming from one of the neighboring courtyards.

Kyrian looked in that direction and nodded to himself.

"Someone's already training at this hour. The core disciples also seem to work hard…" he remarked, his tone neutral, simply acknowledging the competitive atmosphere they now lived in.

Yanyu, determined not to lose focus, raised her sword.

"The technique I chose was the Seven Leaves Sword Technique. I still can't channel Qi outward due to my realm, but I want to perfect my body movements first."

A flicker of recognition crossed Kyrian's face.

It was the same technique from the manual Leader Feng Yuan had given him back then.

"I memorized all the movements and principles. Though I can't execute it like others truly can, I know its form." He then said, Unsheathe his sword.

"I'll show it to you a few times. Do as you used to in our old training. Observe the transitions between strikes, the weight, and the foot distribution. That should be enough for you to gain some insights."

What followed was a display of pure technical mastery. Kyrian executed the movements of the Seven Leaves Sword from start to finish, there was no glow of Qi, but there was precision.

A precision and flow of movement as fluid as a deadly dance.

Every turn, every slash, every stance was perfect, as if Yanyu were watching the descriptions and illustrations from the manual come to life before her eyes.

Yanyu watched, as always fascinated, absorbing every tiny detail she could, details that the manual had failed to convey.

Afterward, they engaged in a sparring session. Yanyu, energized by her new insights, moved with confidence.

Her strikes felt sharper, her defense steadier than Kyrian remembered. She had improved greatly.

Kyrian, in turn, used only the minimum necessary to parry and counter, always correcting her balance or blade angle with precise comments.

When the sun was higher in the sky, they decided to leave.

"Wait for me here. I'll inform Master Feng Yuan that I'll be gone on a mission for a few days." Kyrian said as he entered the main pavilion at the peak of the sect.

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