Chapter 56: Teacher and Disciple

Chapter 56: Teacher and Disciple

"STOP, Wang Yimo wins!"

"Are you hurt?" Wang Yimo demanded as she offered a hand, here demeaner metamorphosing in a breath's time.

Han Lingyun gladly took it and dusted himself off. "I'm alright, that last attack of yours was a bit heavy handed though."

They laughed.

Elder Zhang joined the pair for the debrief.

"Both of you have used your strengths and your opponent's weaknesses way better than 3 months ago. That was an appreciable improvement. However, don't get too satisfied by that yet as you were mostly able to do this because you already knew each other's characteristics to a large extent. Now you should also focus more on the glaring weaknesses that this fight revealed. Han Lingyun, could you describe greatest weakness right now to see if we are on the same page?"

Han Lingyun realized it well. "I didn't have time to learn other martial arts making my attack a bit lackluster and my defense inextant."

Elder Zhang nodded. "That's why 2nd years are allowed to pick 2 new martial arts, most of your peers have already done that. Now, your martial art is a bit special, am I right? It isn't one sided and could function on its own. Movement, attack and stealth. In fact, your qi blades attack would be more powerful if you were using your sword the right way. You mostly lack some defense."

Han Lingyun felt a bit awkward now. "Elder Zhang, could you please show me how to correctly use my sword then?"

She smiled as she took the sword from his hands and created an ample movement that slashed the air once.

She then repeated the same movement, this time by mimicking the blackbird art so that Han Lingyun could imitate it better. Tree after tree was cut in two diagonals as the invisible blade wouldn't stop.

"There you go, I hope you understood. Your sword is discreet but prideful. However, you treat it like a random knife. It needs a large movement to show its hidden might.

This could have caused a serious threat to Wang Yimo.

Now for the defense issue. You have two choices: learning the defensive martial art that suits your needs best, or purchasing a defensive treasure. The second possibility won't help you in the ranking competitions though as you know that treasures are not allowed."

Han Lingyun appreciated all the advice. "Thank you, Elder Zhang, for teaching me."

She nodded. "It's only natural if you wish to keep up with my protg.

Now Wang Yimo, your defense is all over the place. Will you be keeping your qi shield on at all times when you leave the sect? Of course not! You used it like you would use a defensive treasure, and that's exactly what you need.

In that state, the plaque creates a detection formation of 1 meter radius around you. The plaque switches to active state when the detection formation detects a qi attack from someone else than you. In that case, the medium grade crystal will be expended in 1 minute."

Han Lingyun was mind blown by the extraordinary characteristics of that treasure. "Why isn't this more widespread throughout the sect?"

Elder Zhang sighed. "It was a failure. The results don't justify the materials and details required. In the beginning, we wanted to create a high-end defensive treasure suitable for inner disciples at the foundation establishment stage, but we failed to miniaturize the array enough while keeping a reasonable budget. Not to mention the fact that the plaque can't survive long when facing common foundation establishment attacks, there are more effective alternatives.

In the end, we abandoned the project and I was left with a couple prototypes. At least, with you it would find some use. Here, there is a strap to attach it to your back. Do you like it?"

Han Lingyun couldn't believe his luck. What where the odds? "It's absolutely perfect! Wait, do you, perhaps have other unused prototypes like this beauty?"

Elder Wen laughed. "Hahaha, I have dozens if not hundreds. Most are array ideas that I couldn't completely finish or some formation discs though. I don't generally work on treasures."

Han Lingyun smiled brightly. "Remember that your disciple will never refuse another prototype."

"Haha all right. Now that we have cleared the boring stuff, let's talk runes and formations. What was your progress this week?"

Han Lingyun and Elder Wen went on to discuss their usual subject. The young one had already expressed his views on science and runes.

Elder Wen argued that it was always easier to work the other way round: understand the laws of nature through the runes and perhaps deduce such laws.

Han Lingyun wasn't convinced and would slowly present physics concepts to his mentor, and they would often discuss what it meant in terms of runes and their underlying laws.

In that way, Han Lingyun had even managed to slightly shift Elder Wen's perspective who now saw some merits in his disciple's approach. He still felt that this was a roundabout way to gain an understanding of runes though. Nothing could beat rune manipulation and mental calculations according to him.

Every week or so, Han Lingyun would also complete rune exercises Elder Wen had prepared for him. His very rapid progress had already stunned Elder Wen on several occasions now. In fact, the Elder didn't tell his pupil but he already was solving problems meant for disciples at the peak of qi condensation or even that entered foundation establishment.

"I think it's time for you to get your hands dirty, disciple Lingyun. I know that you prefer the theory but if you want to become a true formation master, you have to be making your own arrays. Of course, when I'm saying making arrays, I'm not talking about those ready made one's where you throw 10 flags round in a pattern and the formation premade by someone else just appears.

I'll provide you with some materials to try out, if you will play along."

"I will be up for the task, Elder Wen."

"Good, you can demand the usual starting packs to my assistant. I expect for you to complete your first array one week after you come back from your little mission with your friend. In theory, you shouldn't find this too hard but let's progress step by step."

"Then I will make sure to not disappoint you, Elder. I am deeply indebted to your benevolence and your precious teachings."