I alone am the Honoured One!

It's been two weeks since then~

The sun hovered low on the horizon, casting a warm light over the grass field where Zhao Tian and Shi Yixian stood, their wooden swords in hand.

The gentle breeze rustled through the tall grass, and the peaceful quiet of the late afternoon was broken only by the soft sounds of their footsteps.

Gripping her sword, Shi Yixian asked with a serious expression on her face as she took her stance "You ready, My Liege?"

Zhao Tian also took a fighting stance and gave a nod "Yeah..."

*swoosh* With that, she lunged forward, her wooden sword slicing through the air.

*clak* Zhao Tian quickly parried, his muscles tensing as he tried to match her pace, but her movements were fluid and graceful... her years of mastery evident in each swing.

Even though Shi Yixian has lost her cultivation now, she is still a force to reckon with.

Her body has been tempered by astral energy for years, so she has great physical strength.

And sword intent doesn't require astral energy, so she can still use it.

*clak* Their swords clashed, the sound of wood striking wood echoing through the quiet field.

Zhao Tian focused hard, his eyes following her every movement, but despite his best efforts, Shi Yixian remained several steps ahead of him.

Her blade brushed past his defenses, stopping just short of his shoulder. "You're leaving yourself open, My Liege..." she said, her voice steady as her sword hovered inches from him.

"Focus more on your stance, your footwork."

Zhao Tian smiled looking into her serious eyes. "Maybe I'm just distracted by your beauty."

Huh? Shi Yixian was taken aback by his sudden praise, a soft blush crept across her cheeks.

"Stop it... My Liege..."

Letting out a chuckle, Zhao Tian attacked again, his swings more aggressive.

But Shi Yixian effortlessly deflected each blow, moving in perfect rhythm as if the wooden sword was a part of her body.

While Zhao Tian's movements are instinctual, Shi Yixian's movements are calculated and precise.

*swish* Zhao Tian lunged toward her, and Shi Yixian easily sidestepped, bringing her sword down toward his exposed side.

*clak* He barely blocked in time, and before he could regain his balance, seizing the opportunity, Shi Yixian knocked the sword from his hand, sending it spinning across the field.

Zhao Tian let out a chuckle and she pressed the tip of her sword gently against his chest. "Got you, My Liege."

Zhao Tian looked into her eyes and a playful smile appeared on his lips as he quickly closed the gap between them.

Huh? Before Shi Yixian could pull back, he leaned in, capturing her lips in a tender kiss.

Wha- Her eyes widened in surprise, and a deep flush spread across her cheek.

Quickly pulling back from the kiss, "You're using unfair tactics," she muttered, her voice soft.

Zhao Tian laughed lightheartedly, his hand brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "I'm just improvising."

Shi Yixian regained her composure, stepping back and pointed her sword at him again. "Improvisation won't save you on the battlefield. Pick up your sword, My Liege."

Zhao Tian smiled and took his wooden sword from where it had fallen.

His lack of mastery compared to Shi Yixian was clear, but he had spirit, and more than anything, he enjoyed these moments with her.

They resumed their practice, the sound of their wooden swords clashing once more.

"You're too stiff, My Liege."

"Relax your shoulders, focus on your footwork."

"The realm of the swords… It is not just about wielding a blade, My Liege. It is to merge with the sword, becoming one with it until your intent flows through the steel as naturally as your breath. To reach that realm, you must not think the sword is merely a tool."

"This cannot be achieved through muscle memory or brute strength alone."

*clak* Zhao Tian lunged at her again, and for a moment, their swords locked in a steady back-and-forth.

He could feel the strain in his muscles as he tried to keep up with her, but every time he thought he had an opening, she would block or dodge, always one step ahead.

And yet, there was something in the rhythm of their sparring that felt more like a conversation than a fight.

The subtle shift of her feet, the way she angled her sword... it was all like a communication, a language he was slowly beginning to understand.

Shi Yixian narrowed her eyes, as with time, she could feel that he was easily adapting to her and was counter-attacking.

His level of comprehension is outstanding...

As their swords clashed again, Zhao Tian, dropped his guard and before Shi Yixian could react, he leaned in, kissing her again.

Eh? The unexpected move startled her, and for a second, her sword paused mid-air as she blinked, her cheeks flushing at the kiss.

Pulling back his lips, Zhao Tian chuckled looking at her face. "Gotcha."

"That's cheating..."

Zhao Tian just smiled and both of them again took a stance to face each other.

"I think I somewhat understand, Yixian..."

Shi Yixian tilted her head in confusion "Understand what... My Liege?"

"The way of the swords..."

As he uttered, a white glint passed through his eyes, and he dashed toward Shi Yixian, *swoosh* and with a blur, he appeared in front of her, slashing his sword at her.

Shi Yixian barely had time to react as she quickly raised her own sword to parry his attack.

*clak* A flash of surprise passed through her eyes feeling the raw power behind his attack just now...

'And the energy...'

Her gaze squinted as she pulled back her sword and Zhao Tian too, stopped his attack.

"Yixian?" He reached out, his fingers delicately caressing her cheek.

She raised her gaze to look into his eyes "My Liege... you just had a moment of awakening and trespassed into the realm of swords."

Hearing this, Zhao Tian raised an eyebrow in curiosity "Moment of awakening?"

With a nod, Shi Yixian replied, "Yeah... everyone who trains sword intent will have their first moment of awakening in their life."

"That is experiencing the spark of sword intent for the first time..."

"For me to feel this spark, it took three months of rigorous training and dedication... but you just did it in one day."

Zhao Tian smiled faintly "That is thanks to this physique. I have good comprehension skills... that's how I learned space and time energies."

"And, what more... after reading through the books I got in the Black Pagoda, I realized that the first Honoured One is also a sword user."

"By this blade, I swear my path, unyielding before the heavens. With thee, the sword of my soul, I carve my fate, defying all who stand before me."

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