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Shan Meixian nodded slightly; her daughter's talent in swordsmanship was one of her greatest sources of pride.

However, Yi Huawei's expression remained unchanged throughout. Watching Shan Wanjing finish her attack, he spoke calmly, his voice low, yet each word dripping like ice water, instantly extinguishing the fervor in Shan Wanjing's eyes:
"The sword? Where is it?"

"Where is the meaning?"

"It may be fast, but it's nothing more than a mirage, merely existing in form."

The blush on Shan Wanjing's face faded instantly, leaving her pale, her eyes filled with astonishment and defiance. She instinctively wanted to retort, "Young Master, I..."

"You only see the speed of the sword moves, but not the concentration of the sword intent."

Yi Huawei interrupted her, his gaze deep: "Your sword is moved by the 'weapon' and propelled by 'qi,' not controlled by the 'heart' or guided by the 'spirit.' No matter how fast or cunning the moves are, they are nothing more than superficial light and shadow. A true master can see through its weakness at a glance and break it with a single force."

He slowly stood up, his gaze sweeping across the cabin. Beside the window lay a withered branch, about three feet long, blown down by the sea breeze and lying in a corner; its texture was dry and fragile. With a casual wave of his hand, Yi Huawei pulled the branch as if guided by an invisible hand, and it landed steadily in his palm.

What is a sword?

Yi Huawei holds a withered branch, his posture casual:
"Grass and trees can be swords, dust can be swords, and everything in the world can be a sword."

As soon as he finished speaking, he flicked his wrist with utter nonchalance!
There was no earth-shattering momentum, no ear-piercing sound of air being cut!
The withered branch in his hand seemed to be given a completely new life! A highly condensed "intention" that was almost tangible attached itself to it! At the tip of the withered branch, a tiny, almost invisible glimmer of light suddenly appeared!

laugh--!
A faint yet incredibly clear tearing sound rang out!

Dan Wanjing and Dan Meixian were horrified to see that, just a few feet away from Yi Huawei, a bronze seabird lamp fixed to the bulkhead had silently developed an extremely tiny hole at the tip of its outstretched, hard bronze-cast wing! The edge was perfectly smooth, as if it had been pierced instantly by the finest needle!
“This is the manifestation of ‘intention’,” Yi Huawei said calmly.

Shan Wanjing was completely stunned! Looking at the barely perceptible holes in the bronze wings, and then at the ordinary, withered branch in Yi Huawei's hand, an indescribable shock rushed into her mind! Her prized fast and unpredictable swordsmanship seemed so pale and laughable before this seemingly casual "thrust"! Was this the true way of the sword? Controlling objects with intention, injuring enemies from afar?
"Speed ​​is not the essence of swordsmanship."

Yi Huawei continued, the withered branch in his hand beginning to move slowly, the movement seemingly slow and clumsy, like a child's scribbles: "The essence of swordsmanship lies in 'enlightenment'."

As he moved the withered branch, an indescribable aura began to permeate the cabin. It wasn't a sharp killing intent, but rather a clarity that allowed him to see through everything and control all things!
"Understand the enemy's intentions, understand the enemy's weaknesses, understand the trajectory of heaven and earth, and understand the direction of your own heart."

The withered branch traced an enigmatic path, moving slowly yet seemingly predicting the flow of air, the interplay of light and shadow, and even the focus of the onlookers' gazes! Shan Wanjing felt her gaze involuntarily drawn to the slowly moving tip of the withered branch, her mind reeling. She felt a terrifying sense that no matter the angle or speed of her attack, the slow-moving branch would strike first, precisely pinpointing her weakness!
The Cihang Sword Manual states: "With a clear and bright sword mind, one can see all things."

Yi Huawei's voice, like a morning bell and evening drum, struck Shan Wanjing's heart: "It is not what the mind sees, but what the mind reflects, revealing every detail, leaving nothing to hide."

The trajectory of the withered branch suddenly changed. Yi Huawei unleashed the Dugu Nine Swords, no longer following any fixed rules. Sometimes it was like a heavenly horse galloping freely, or a gazelle hanging its horns; sometimes it was like a butcher carving up an ox with ease; sometimes it was like a gentle breeze brushing against a willow, leaving no trace.

"Forget all your techniques and frameworks. Only by having no techniques can you leave no trace, only then can you do whatever you want, only then can you anticipate the enemy's moves and strike after they have moved. If the enemy does not move, I do not move; if the enemy is about to move, I move first; if the enemy has already moved, I have already reached their weak point."

As they spoke, Yi Huawei's withered branch seemed to defy all common sense, striking the "Shenmen" acupoint on Shan Wanjing's wrist—the point where she instinctively tried to raise her hand to block—at an absolutely impossible angle and with utmost naturalness. This happened just as she had the thought and before she could make a move!

Dan Wanjing trembled violently! It was as if a vital point had been struck; a chill ran from her tailbone to the top of her head! She froze on the spot, fine beads of cold sweat forming on her forehead. In that instant, she felt that all her intentions, all the subsequent developments, had been clearly seen through by those deep eyes! She was like a puppet on a string, every movement perfectly anticipated by the other!
"Speed ​​and slow are at will, reality and illusion coexist, intention precedes the sword, and the spirit controls all things."

Yi Huawei stopped what he was doing and casually tossed the withered branch back into the corner. The branch landed without breaking a muscle. He looked at Shan Wanjing with calm and unwavering eyes: "When you can forget the 'sword' in your hand, forget the 'move' in your heart, use your heart as a mirror, use your spirit to control your will, let 'will' become your body's instinct, and let the sword become an extension of your will, then you can be said to have truly glimpsed the path of the sword."

The cabin was deathly silent.

Dan Wanjing's face was pale, but her eyes shone with an astonishing light. Her previous pride and defiance had been replaced by a tremendous shock and unprecedented understanding. She stood there, stunned, Yi Huawei's words and the mysterious trajectory of the withered branch echoing repeatedly in her mind. That slow movement now seemed faster than lightning to her; that simple, unadorned branch now shone brighter than a divine weapon in her eyes!
So... a sword can be used like this? So... my journey has only just begun?
Looking at her daughter's distraught yet seemingly enlightened state, Shan Meixian was filled with mixed emotions. Her gaze towards Yi Huawei deepened with awe, but a complex emotion also flickered within her—how could she possibly miss the undisguised shock, admiration, and a hint of budding girlish affection in her daughter's eyes?

“Jing’er,”

Shan Meixian called out softly, breaking the silence: "What you say, young master, is the essence of swordsmanship, every word a gem. Why don't you quickly thank him for his guidance? Such an opportunity is priceless!"

Dan Wanjing snapped out of her daze, her pretty face slightly flushed, but her eyes were incredibly firm. She bowed deeply to Yi Huawei, her voice filled with excitement and unprecedented solemnity:
"Wanjing... Thank you, young master, for your kindness in imparting your knowledge! Your words today are etched in my heart, and I will remember them for the rest of my life and diligently cultivate myself!"

She raised her head, her gaze fixed intently on Yi Huawei, as if trying to etch his image into her heart: "Young Master... if there is ever any need for Wan Jing in the future, I will gladly die for you!"

Yi Huawei nodded slightly, accepting the greeting, without saying anything more. To him, it was merely a casual pointer, clearing away the fog of confusion. This woman possessed a resolute character and decent comprehension; whether she could truly embark on the path of "controlling the mind with the will" in swordsmanship remained to be seen, depending on her own destiny.

Looking at the flame called "Sword Dao" that Yi Huawei had personally ignited in her daughter's eyes, Shan Meixian sighed softly, then let out a relieved smile.

This kid... has good taste.

But this young master is likely a true dragon from the highest heavens, not someone to be confined to a pond. Jing'er's feelings for him will probably ultimately vanish like a mirage.

She picked up her teacup, using the rising steam to conceal the complex melancholy in her eyes.

The ship cut through the waves, continuing its journey towards Ryukyu. Inside the cabin, the aroma of tea lingered, and the spirit of swordsmanship remained. Yet, these words had already stirred a life-altering turmoil within the young girl's heart.

...............

The massive ship "Zhenhai" came to a steady stop on the sea several miles from the main island of the Shark Tooth Reef Islands.

Ahead, dozens of ships of varying sizes, flying menacing shark flags, were closing in menacingly, like a school of sharks drawn by the scent of blood. Leading the pack was a three-masted warship, its hull clad in iron, with a massive shark skull embedded in its prow—the very same "Raging Shark," the flagship of Han Gaitian, the leader of the Sea Sand Gang, known as "Dragon King"!

On the deck, members of the Sea Sand Gang brandished knives, forks, hooks, and sickles, shouting raucously. Archers had already drawn their bows, arrows gleaming coldly. Han Gaitian himself, a burly man with a full beard, bare-chested revealing bronze muscles and hideous tattoos, stood at the bow, wielding a large, scathing broadsword. His arrogant demeanor and booming voice were like thunder: "Hahaha! You little wench from the Eastern Sea Sect! You've come to my door today, are you offering me your ship and women, or are you offering yourselves to die?! If you know what's good for you, leave the cargo and beauties, and I'll leave you with your corpses intact!"

Several of his leaders beside him joined in the wild laughter, spewing vulgarities. The Hai Sha gang members rose up even higher, their shouts deafening.

On the deck of the "Zhenhai" ship, belonging to the Dongming Sect, the atmosphere was heavy. Masters such as Shang Bang, Shang Kuitai, Shang Ming, Shan Qing, and Shan Yudie were already on high alert, weapons in hand, their auras calm and focused.

Standing atop the ship's upper deck, Shan Meixian's face was ashen, her eyes filled with icy killing intent. Shan Wanjing gripped her sword tightly, her pretty face frosty, but deep within her eyes lurked a barely perceptible tension; after all, this was the first time she had faced such a large and ferocious enemy.

Everyone's gaze was involuntarily drawn to the moon-white figure at the very front of the ship.

Yi Huawei stood with his hands behind his back, the sea breeze making the hem of his brocade robe flutter. Facing the sand fleet ahead, which looked like a dark cloud, and facing Han Gaitian's provocation and the clamor of thousands of thugs, his face remained calm, as if the people before him were just a group of noisy ants.

"Son..."

Shan Meixian's voice came through the sea breeze, carrying a question.

Yi Huawei didn't turn around, nor did he even glance at the arrogant Han Gaitian. His gaze seemed to pierce through the noisy battlefield, landing on the massive hull of the "Raging Sea Shark".

He moved.

There was no sign of drawing a sword, no unusual display of internal energy, and not even a slight flutter in his robes.

He simply raised his right hand very casually.

With long, slender fingers, he gently swiped downwards towards the massive flagship "Raging Shark" several miles away.

The movement was light and effortless, as if brushing a speck of dust off one's shoulder.

however--

Just as his finger touched the ground!

The atmosphere between heaven and earth suddenly froze!

The deafening shouts, the sound of waves, the sound of wind... seemed to be instantly choked by an invisible hand, coming to an abrupt halt!

An indescribable, terrifying pressure emanating from the depths of the soul, like an ancient giant awakening from its slumber, instantly enveloped the entire sea! Whether they were members of the Dongming Sect or members of the Haisha Gang, at this moment, their hearts felt as if they had been pierced by ice picks, their blood nearly frozen, and even their thoughts went blank for a moment!
Wherever Yi Huawei's fingertips pointed, the vast and boundless spiritual energy of heaven and earth was instantly drawn in, compressed, and condensed! In particular, the omnipresent and unstoppable power of the Eastern Sea's spiritual energy seemed to have heard the king's command!
The seawater is no longer the seawater!

On the sea directly in front of the "Raging Shark," a vast expanse of azure water, spanning dozens of feet in diameter, suddenly surged upwards! Without towering waves or swirling currents, the seawater, in an almost solidified manner, instantly condensed into a colossal, unparalleled water sword that stretched across the sky and the sea!

This sword is made entirely of the purest and most condensed deep blue seawater. Its blade is crystal clear, yet it contains a terrifying power to destroy everything. Mysterious runes and shadows flow across its surface, and the space around its edges is slightly distorted because it cannot withstand its power!
The sword is complete!

Cut it off!

There was no thunderous roar, only an extreme "ripping" sound that seemed to be able to cut through heaven and earth and sever time and space!
The deep blue giant sword, formed from pure water elemental power, slashed down at the "Raging Sea Shark" with a casual stroke from Yi Huawei!

Time, at this moment, seems to be infinitely stretched.

Everyone, friend or foe, clearly "saw" that horrific scene:
The enormous Water Element Sword, as if slicing through a piece of soft tofu, silently yet irresistibly pierced through the iron-clad, hard hull of the "Raging Sea Shark"!

Starting from the ferocious shark skull at the bow, to the towering mainmast, then to the wide deck, the heavy keel of the cabin, and all the way to the stern... the entire behemoth was cleaved in two by this deep blue sword light!
The cut was as smooth as a mirror, so neat it was chilling!

The sound of the ship's structure collapsing came a moment later; it was the groan of twisted steel and snapping giant trees!

The giant ship that was split in two didn't even have time to capsize or sink!
After the Water Element Sword cleaved through the main ship, the terrifying power it contained did not dissipate. Instead, it spread wildly forward in a fan shape along the sea surface like a tangible shockwave!
"boom--!!!"

This time, it was a deafening roar!

Where the giant sword struck, the sea was cleaved open, creating a massive, bottomless chasm! The water on both sides was pushed aside by an invisible force, creating terrifying walls of water tens of meters high, which swept outwards like a tsunami!

And that fan-shaped shockwave was like an invisible scythe of death!

All the ships of the Hai Sha Gang that were affected—whether they were fast ships close to the main ship or medium-sized warships a little further away—were affected without exception!

Crush!

Yes, not sink, but utterly crush!
As if struck by an invisible giant hammer, or ground by an invisible millstone! The wooden hulls, and even those covered with iron, were like paper boats thrown into a furnace the moment they came into contact with the shock wave. They didn't even have time to explode before they shattered into pieces, turning into wood chips, iron slag, and canvas fragments flying everywhere!

Those members of the Sea Sand Gang who were shouting just a second ago were shattered into dust by the overwhelming power of heaven and earth, turning into patches of scarlet blood mist that were instantly swallowed and scattered by the towering waves and shockwaves!
Just one blow!
Just a casual wave!

The Sea Sand Gang's flagship, the "Raging Shark," along with dozens of warships of various sizes surrounding it, and hundreds or even thousands of elite members of the Sea Sand Gang, including the arrogant gang leader "Dragon King" Han Gaitian...

Vanished into thin air! (End of Chapter)