That very day, as Tianlan was trying to recreate the strike he had used earlier to wound Kuangyan, a deep, amused voice suddenly sounded beside him.
"Hey, young man, you must be Tianlan. I'm Yaofeng — Jianchen's father."
Yaofeng stepped forward, his expression calm but powerful. "That move you just showed … how did you learn it?"
Tianlan jumped in surprise; his heart nearly leapt into his throat. He quickly bowed his head and apologized, "I'm sorry! I really am! I just… I secretly mimicked it. I watched Jianchen training before… he used that in his second stage. It was the strongest move I'd ever seen, so when I fought Kuangyan I… I tried to copy it. I didn't mean any disrespect, truly, I'm sorry!"
Yaofeng waved his hand. "Don't worry, I'm not here to scold you. I just want to make sure — you only copied it after watching a few times, right? Jianchen never personally taught you?"
"Yes! Yes, exactly!" Tianlan nodded so fast he looked like a chick pecking corn. "It was entirely on my own. Jianchen had nothing to do with it. I won't use it again unless I learn properly!"
At that moment, he realized someone nearby could instantly recognize the origin of the move — something he hadn't even imagined as he practiced. When he learned that Yaofeng was Jianchen's father, a heavy hammer seemed to strike his heart.
But Yaofeng merely smiled. "No, it's fine. Since you figured it out by yourself, you may continue to use it — just don't teach it to others. Also, you didn't do it perfectly just now, right? I watched you practice, and you couldn't fully replicate it after that first try."
Embarrassed, Tianlan nodded. "Yes… is there something wrong with it?"
Yaofeng shook his head. "Not wrong. You're just missing two things." He raised two fingers.
"First — magical force. That move originally needs to be reinforced by magic, so what you did was at best a half-finished version. You noticed, didn't you? Your power was nowhere near Jianchen's."
Tianlan's eyes lit up — it was as if he finally understood something.
"Second — target, and belief."
Yaofeng sheathed his sword and grew serious. "When you strike, you must clearly define in your mind: what are you trying to cut down? That 'intention' — that is the heart of the technique."
He drew his blade again, the tip glinting upward. "For example, this is my thought right now — to cleave the clouds above me."
In the next instant, magical force exploded along his sword, a blaze of radiance splitting the sky. The clouds above parted as though struck by an invisible giant hand, dissipating cleanly and suddenly.
Tianlan's jaw dropped in astonishment.
On the side, Cangsong, who had been watching, nearly burst out: "Hey, come on — it's just cutting clouds. What's the big deal? Let me have a go! I'll blow the peak off that mountain next door with one magic-enhanced hit! Let me go!!"
Zhenyue, standing behind him, swiftly wrapped around him like an iron hoop. "No way. He just did something insane. If you try too… I'm scared — actually, I'd love to try punching a mountain into dust too…"
Yaofeng's sword demonstration had alarmed the other clan heads; they rushed out of their rooms thinking an enemy had infiltrated. But they could see no invader.
In the end, it was Cangsong and Zhenyue who improvised an explanation:
"Yaofeng's had a bit too much wine — he bet with us whether he could cut a cloud."
That lie was just believable enough to send them all back.
When the demonstration ended, Yaofeng patted Tianlan's shoulder. "Remember: when you attack, have a clear target, and have belief. You are capable of more than you think."
With that, he left.
Tianlan stood still for a moment, shut his eyes, and replayed the feeling in his mind. He drew in a deep breath, approached a nearby tree, and lifted his right hand, gathering his thoughts —
I want to split this.
He brought his hand down sharply.
— Crack! —
To his shock, the tree split cleanly into two halves.
"Wow! I did it! But… ow, that hurts!!"
From afar, Cangsong and Zhenyue watched with grins.
Zhenyue couldn't help but tease, "Of course it hurts — he used a sword, and you're using just your bare hands. With your current body strength and without magic-reinforcement, of course it's painful. You must've been in agony when you used that move before, just too wounded to notice your hand."
Cangsong suddenly grew serious, his eyes shining mischievously: "Alright, that's it. Here's the plan: tomorrow, we go all out. We can't let him have all the spotlight!"
Zhenyue's eyes widened: "You're not seriously thinking — ?"
Cangsong smirked dangerously.
The next morning.
Zhenyue handed Tianlan a few heavy rings: "Put these on — gravity rings. Wear them all the time except when bathing."
Tianlan took them — his hand nearly sank under the weight. "O-okay… they're really heavy!"
"Come on, try dodging my attacks!" Zhenyue taunted.
As soon as he spoke, a wooden stick came crashing down at Tianlan's head. The gravity rings made evasion nearly impossible; Tianlan staggered sideways, battered and bruised. But Zhenyue was controlling the speed — whenever Tianlan started to adjust, he sped up again.
Soon, Tianlan exhausted all his strength. He collapsed to the ground, gasping, his body covered in purple bruises.
At that moment, Cangsong arrived with a young girl in healing garb. "Well — am I just in time? Qingluo, go help him."
"Right away." Qingluo nodded gently, then knelt and cast her spell. A soft, pale-green light of healing enveloped Tianlan; his wounds and weariness melted away.
Tianlan stood up, astonished. "Wow… I feel better! But — bringing a healer here, isn't that cheating?"
Cangsong laughed deeply. "She's our private healer — not part of the official rules."
Zhenyue leaned in, whispering: "You really brought in so many resources? Not letting him rest?"
Cangsong locked eyes with him, a flame of excitement alight. "Don't you wonder what he'll become if we train him nonstop for twelve days?"
Zhenyue fell silent for a beat — his own eyes burning with ambition.
Tianlan suddenly felt a chill.
Turning his back to him, both of them gave him the same ominous smile.
Cangsong spoke, "Tianlan — okay, rise. Let me give you your baptism."
Zhenyue's eyes went wide: "Old man, you're serious???"
Cangsong licked his lips, "Of course."
(To be continued…)