Volume One, Chapter Eight: Companions in Training

“Nothing much, just took a stroll around Fengling City, saw some curious things, and I’m in a good mood.”
He had no intention of revealing anything about Lin Feixue or the Foundation Establishing Pill just yet.

Liu Ruoxi gave him a long, penetrating look but didn’t press further. She merely nodded and temporarily stored away her magical treasure.
“Thank you.”

Though only two words, their weight was something Su Haoming could clearly feel.

The two stood side by side under the moonlight, silent for a moment.
A gentle breeze swept by, carrying the faint fragrance of night-blooming jasmine.

“Just now, I saw you practicing swordsmanship,” Su Haoming broke the silence, his gaze falling on the hand she had just used to hold the sword.
“It seemed a bit awkward in some places. Have you hit a bottleneck in your cultivation method?”

“It’s been neglected for too long. Picking it up again inevitably feels unfamiliar,” Liu Ruoxi sighed softly.

“I happen to have a sword manual here, a gift from a senior I met by chance. I find it quite exquisite; it might inspire you.”

Su Haoming took out a slim, thread-bound booklet with a blue cover from his storage ring and handed it over.
It was something he had just exchanged for points in the system’s marketplace, carefully selected to suit a woman’s cultivation and not conflict with her current methods.

Liu Ruoxi accepted it and flipped through a few pages casually, her eyes brightening slightly.
“This ‘Flowing Cloud Thirteen Forms’ is indeed ingenious. Many of its energy techniques correspond well with what I’ve learned. You’ve been thoughtful.”

“Reading alone won’t do,” Su Haoming said as he seized the moment.
“How about I practice with you? Though my swordsmanship is mediocre, I can still throw some moves your way.”

Liu Ruoxi raised an eyebrow in surprise.
“You? The Su young master who avoids standing when he can lie down, and avoids walking when he can sit, actually volunteering to be a sparring partner?”

“Times change, people change!”

Su Haoming puffed out his chest, striking a pose as if sacrificing himself for his beloved.
“For our Ruoxi’s progress, a little sparring is nothing. Besides, practicing alone is quite tough.”

But in his heart, he thought: The system says my favorability just increased again. Sparring might boost it even more. Plus, I can test how effective this sword manual really is.

Liu Ruoxi studied him for a long moment, then a faint, sly smile curved her lips.
“Alright then, young master Su, you’re on.”

She turned and fetched two smooth wooden practice swords from a corner, casually tossing one to him.
“Catch, Su Haoming!”

“Hey, hey!”

Su Haoming flailed but caught the wooden sword, nearly hitting his nose with the hilt, prompting Liu Ruoxi to chuckle softly.
“Starting so soon? No need to study the manual first?”

“Practical combat is the best study.”

Liu Ruoxi assumed a stance. Beneath the moonlight, her figure was upright and her gaze focused.
“No more talk. Let’s begin!”

Seeing her transform into a serious warrior, Su Haoming grimaced and gripped his wooden sword tightly.
Well, for cultivation, for the rewards, and for the day he could finally relax—this hard work was necessary!

“Ruoxi, go easy on me! This body of mine is precious!”

He didn’t forget to bargain.

“Don’t worry,” Liu Ruoxi’s eyes sparkled with more laughter,
“If I break you, it’s on me!”

Before he could react, she moved swiftly, her wooden sword cutting through the air like a breeze, thrusting straight at him!

The courtyard echoed with crisp “clack” sounds of wooden swords striking, mixed with Su Haoming’s startled yelps and Liu Ruoxi’s light admonishments. The moonlight gently bathed them, casting two shadows that intertwined and separated in a vivid, harmonious scene.

“I can’t fight anymore… have mercy…”

Su Haoming collapsed onto the ground, the wooden sword resting across his knees, panting heavily. Moonlight shone down, making the sweat on his forehead glisten.

Liu Ruoxi stood holding her sword, lips pressed lightly together, having ceased her attack. Though her breath was somewhat uneven, she was clearly in better shape than him.

“You couldn’t even hold out for ten moves,” she teased, looking down at him.

“Who says? I made it to twelve moves!” Su Haoming wore a mischievous grin. “But you’re right, my body really can’t take much more. Still, seeing you master the first three moves of ‘Flowing Cloud Thirteen Forms’ so well, I feel my effort wasn’t in vain.”

“You’re such a self-consoler,” Liu Ruoxi laughed softly, secretly admiring his dedication. She handed him a handkerchief. “Wipe your sweat. Don’t look so disheveled.”

Su Haoming took the cloth and wiped his brow, quietly touched by her care beneath the sharp words. The atmosphere between them eased considerably.

“Next time we spar, I’ll last even longer!” he said confidently, his eyes shining with determination.

Liu Ruoxi smiled faintly, a hint of anticipation in her gaze.
“I’ll be waiting to see your progress.”

Su Haoming took back the handkerchief and dabbed his forehead.
“You’ve mastered three moves so quickly; your talent is exceptional.”

“This sword manual suits me perfectly, as if tailored just for me,” Liu Ruoxi said, sitting back on a stone bench, fingers lightly tracing the sword sheath, her expression thoughtful.

Su Haoming’s heart tightened, and he immediately brightened.
“This sword manual was a gift from a wandering senior who said I was fated to it.”

Liu Ruoxi suddenly stood and returned the handkerchief to him.
“You don’t look well today; your breath is uneven and your complexion poor. Rest early. If you’re free tomorrow, we can continue.”

Su Haoming responded cheerfully, inwardly delighted: Perfect! The favorability with my partner just rose again, and the cultivation rewards will increase!

“Let’s keep practicing swordsmanship.”

“Good.”

After Liu Ruoxi returned to her quarters and Su Haoming lay on his bed, he slowly opened the system panel. As expected, his cultivation had reached the Qi Refining stage, and Liu Ruoxi’s favorability had risen by seven more levels! He felt a surge of pride and recalled the earlier practice session—though exhausting, seeing Liu Ruoxi’s earnestness made it all worthwhile.

“Next time I’ll last longer!” he vowed silently, his eyes gleaming with unyielding spirit. Liu Ruoxi’s smile echoed in his mind, hinting at even greater possibilities ahead.

“Ha! This is awesome!” He rolled over and stretched lazily. “At this rate, Foundation Establishment will be a breeze.”

Holding the communication jade slip Lin Feixue had left him, he pondered how to approach her tomorrow. His display earlier at Qingyun Tower had already established his mysterious wanderer image. Next, he just needed to ride the momentum and bring her into his fold.

Just then, the jade slip grew warm, and a strand of divine consciousness arrived.

“Fellow Daoist Su, it’s been days. How about meeting at South Apricot Blossom Pavilion in Fengling City at noon tomorrow?”

Lin Feixue had taken the initiative to contact him? Su Haoming was overjoyed and promptly replied, “It’s a date.”

Setting down the jade slip, he schemed inwardly: Two partners cultivating simultaneously—won’t the cultivation rewards double? Heh, this is a big win!