Myriad Rivers to the Sea

Chapter 908: The Edge is Too Sharp

The heavy iron gates of the premium courtyard closed behind Li Yu, shutting out the abrasive wind and the chaotic energy of the military camp. The ambient Qi gathering arrays woven into the stone walls immediately went to work as they were wrapping around him like a warm blanket.Li Yu let out a long and ragged exhale. The first day of the training camp was officially over and his mind was still wrestling with a deep sense of skepticism.

He walked slowly toward the meditation pavilion as his boots were dragging slightly across the smooth stone. His physical vessel was incredibly resilient and his bones had easily withstood the relentless pounding of the iron constructs since he didn’t stay for long.

However, the combination of both tests still left his muscles aching and his skin bruised. The repetitive nature of the beating drill had been mentally exhausting and the lingering sting was a constant reminder of his frustration.

Li Yu reached into his storage ring and produced a small vial. He popped the cork and swallowed two healing pills. The medicinal energy dissolved instantly, sending a cool and soothing wave through his meridians that began to accelerate the mending process of his bruised flesh.

He sat down on the edge of the pavilion and rubbed his temples.

'Is this truly the right choice?' Li Yu questioned himself silently again. He had come here seeking the insights of ancient martial masters. He wanted to learn from others. Instead, he had been subjected to unguided physical abuse.

He wondered if Tielan had made a mistake sending him here or if there was simply a massive disconnect between his expectations and the brutal reality of the Zhan Clan's training methods.

‘Would it have been better if Commander Canghai was the one that took me to his army’s training? There definitely wouldn’t be any physical abuse there. I think…’ Before his thoughts could spiral further into doubt, the sound of animated voices drifted from the far corner of the courtyard.

Li Yu looked over and saw the people that had come here with him gathered around a large stone table near their spatial pavilion. Gart and the five Eidolon stealth protectors were currently in the middle of a lively discussion and sorting through a pile of resources.

The abrasive shark and the elite protectors had apparently formed a highly effective hunting squad.

"The armored hide of that desolate ridge-back beast should fetch at least three hundred camp merits," Gart said excitedly while tapping his finger against a thick, scaly pelt resting on the table. "And the core we pulled from the mud serpent is exceptionally pure. The quartermaster will definitely pay a premium for it."

"Agreed," Winter nodded as his featureless black mask gave nothing away but his voice carried a tone of distinct satisfaction. "We secured four beasts today. Our coordination was flawless. Autumn's shadow bind technique restricted their movement, allowing the boy to strike the vital points without risking injury."

Gart puffed out his chest and was clearly proud of his contribution. "I told you I was useful."

"Indeed," Solstice chimed in while holding up a small pouch of glowing spiritual stones. "And while you five were hunting, I completed three separate jobs posted on the camp board. I reinforced a perimeter array, delivered a message across the sector and cleared out a nest of minor vermin near the supply depot. We have already accumulated a significant pool of points."

"This desolate realm is harsh but it is rich with untamed energy," Spring added while looking out toward the high walls. "The beasts here are deeply saturated with physical Qi. This is actually a tremendous training opportunity for us. We can refine our combat synergy and gather resources without the political burdens of the Court."

Li Yu watched the exchange and couldn't help but smile warily.

It was a bit of a bizarre sight. He had essentially kidnapped an abrasive shark and the five others were practically at his command due to him housing their ancestor, yet they were currently bonding over the logistics of hunting mud serpents. They were adapting to the environment they found themselves in and finding value in the camp.

Even Fenric and Oram, who were supposed to be standing silent guard, had broken their stoic formations. The two armored titans were currently leaning over Solstice's shoulder and carefully inspecting a translucent jade tablet that contained the camp's exchange registry.

Stolen story; please report.

"If we pool the merits from tomorrow's hunt," Fenric rumbled while pointing a gauntleted finger at the tablet, "we might be able to secure access to the secondary elemental arrays for a few hours."

Li Yu shook his head in amusement but he was happy they were finding ways to advance their own paths rather than just sitting idle and wasting their time. They were here because of him and it was nice that he wasn’t hindering them too much. Their growth would ultimately serve his own purposes and keeping them occupied meant they wouldn't cause trouble for Lei Gang. Everyone won in this case.

Deciding to focus on his own progression, Li Yu stood up and walked to the center of the smooth stone training floor. He needed to clear his mind of the day's frustrations. With a thought, a flash of golden light illuminated the twilight courtyard.

Gilded Calamity materialized in his grip. The sword felt familiar in his hands. He fell into a basic stance and began to swing the blade. He moved through a few simple motions to let the momentum guide his body as he struck the empty air.

As he swung and claimed his mind, he remembered the ceremonial sword that Li Canghai’s elder had given him. Li Yu didn’t get a chance to fully take a look as he tried to use all his remaining time with friends and getting ready for the training camp. The elder had explicitly stated that Li Yu could use it in actual combat unlike the sword in his hands. The elder had assured him that the blade would never break or be damaged because of the materials used.

Li Yu stopped his routine and he pulled out the sword. Firmament's End appeared in his free hand even though he didn’t know the name of the sword.

The weapon gleamed under the artificial twilight. The moment the artifact fully materialized, Gilded Calamity subtly reacted. The sword in his right hand suddenly vibrated. It let out a resonant hum and shook slightly, sensing the arrival of a blade that possessed a terrifying lineage and power.

Li Yu looked between the two weapons and set Gilded Calamity down. He slowly drew Firmament's End from its scabbard, revealing the magnificent green blade and gave it a few experimental swings.

The blade cut through the air with zero resistance. It moved with silent and deadly precision even in his unskilled hands. However, as Li Yu swung it around for a bit, he realized it did not feel the same as Gilded Calamity. It lacked the familiar touch and feeling that Gilded Calamity gave him while swinging. He felt awkward holding it.

Curious about its edge, Li Yu held the green blade up. He gently dragged his thumb across the flat side and moved slowly toward the edge to check its sharpness. He didn't even feel it as the blade cut him.

A thin line of blood bloomed across his thumb. The edge of Firmament's End had sliced through his heavily reinforced skin with zero effort at all. Li Yu didn’t think he even touched the edge for him to be cut. It was incredibly sharp, without question the sharpest edge he had ever seen or felt in his entire life.

He quickly pulled his hand away and channeled a brief surge of Qi to heal the minor cut.

‘This sword is incredible, the elder was so generous to give me such a blade. Is this blade actually incredibly strong and is a treasure or are all the blades that can actually be used in combat by the Li Clan are all just at an incredibly high level?’ Li Yu thought to himself but he wouldn’t soon have an answer. He just knew that this sword was the best sword he currently owned.

‘It would be a waste to let such a sword rot inside a storage ring or inside my inner world. It doesn’t bring me the calmness that swinging the sword I received from Senior Canghai. Perhaps I should use it as a weapon instead? The edge is incredible and the Elder said it shouldn’t break.’ Li Yu began to ponder.

‘I don’t know any true sword techniques though and the sword path isn’t the most suitable for me, at least I’ve never seen it that way. It doesn’t utilize the strength of my body enough and it would be wasted…’ Li Yu debated internally. Then he remembered his guide and budding friend Zhan.

He remembered how Zhan had controlled his own sword from a distance. Sword control. It wasn’t that different from controlling any object using Qi but it was more powerful.

Li Yu closed his eyes and focused his spiritual energy. He wrapped his Qi around the dark hilt of Firmament's End. Because the sword was bound to him, the connection was instantaneous and comfortable. He let go of the hilt and the green blade did not fall. It hovered in the air and was suspended perfectly by his will.

Li Yu opened his eyes and pushed his Qi forward. The sword shot across the courtyard like a bolt of lightning. With a sharp mental command, he pulled the blade back. It halted its forward momentum instantly and reversed direction, returning to hover right beside his shoulder.

An idea quickly formed in his mind. Since he didn't really know how to use sword techniques, he would use this sword as a flying projectile. He could use it to stab and fly at things he wanted to destroy. He could treat it like a deadly javelin, utilizing the extreme and unblockable sharpness at the end to cut without ever needing to hold it in his hands.

He began to practice this idea.

He commanded the sword to fly in tight circles around his body. He sent it darting toward the high walls and stopping the green blade a mere fraction of an inch before it pierced the stone. He focused entirely on the piercing power of the tip and the devastating sharpness of the edge.

The sword moved seamlessly through the air. Through his Qi, the blade became a natural extension of his will. He could control its trajectory, speed and angle of attack with increased accuracy as he practiced more.

He spent the remainder of the evening thoroughly engrossed in his new practice. He flew the sword around him and through the air, perfecting his mental control over the sword. He kept practicing the stabs and flying cuts. Li Yu was finding a deadly rhythm with the green blade until dinner time finally arrived.