Chapter 109: Chapter 109: A Faint Light in a Dark Room
At the final moment, just as Yu Fei’s Sword Intent was about to vanish, the brilliant sword light suddenly took on a cool, illusory quality, like the moon’s reflection in water. Though suppressed by a dark, obscure Sword Intent, it rippled with a cold light. It seemed as if it would dissipate at any moment, but it ultimately held its form, clinging precariously to existence in his spiritual space.
After three breaths, his strength failed him, and he could no longer keep his Sword Intent stable. An irresistible, mighty force descended, and he felt as if he were sinking to the bottom of a dark sea, unable to breathe, lost in a lonely descent.
"Hah!..."
In the end, he weathered the assault of the third Sword Intent without falling into a deep slumber.
Previously, the gulf between the two was so vast that Yu Fei hadn’t truly registered the power of the third Sword Intent. This was the first time he had fully experienced the disparity, which was like the difference between the glow of a firefly and the brilliance of the full moon.
But a firefly’s glow was still light. No matter how vast the difference, they were, in essence, one and the same.
Hearing the commotion, Su Yue immediately rushed in, her face etched with worry.
She saw Yu Fei’s pale face and the traces of blood around his mouth and nose. His entire being even seemed somewhat illusory and hazy.
Only his eyes were unnervingly bright; anyone who didn’t know better would have thought he was practicing a Pupil Skill.
"How did it go? Was it effective?"
Su Yue asked nervously. She had thought the top-grade Enlightenment Tea would help Yu Fei comprehend Sword Intent, but she hadn’t been completely certain.
Enlightenment Tea was remarkably effective for comprehending Cultivation Techniques, but it also required the Martial Artist to have a solid foundation.
Yu Fei grinned, immediately tasting the iron tang of blood in his mouth. He ignored it and answered excitedly,
"The effects... were astonishing! I think I’ve found the key."
Su Yue stepped forward excitedly, moving closer to Yu Fei.
"Incredible! A young hero indeed!"
She placed her hand on Yu Fei’s wrist to check his pulse and quickly made her assessment.
"Your spiritual energy is a little sluggish, and your Qi Blood took a shock, but it’s nothing major. I’ll give Jia Yun a prescription. You’ll be fine after you drink it and rest up. It’s no big deal."
A faint, elegant fragrance wafted from her, but Yu Fei’s heart remained unstirred. He felt only gratitude toward Su Yue.
"Thank you, Mrs. Yan."
Su Yue laughed heartily. "Don’t be so formal. If you really want to thank me, just get your teacher to marry me sooner!"
Yu Fei nodded earnestly. "Don’t you worry, Mrs. Yan. If Mr. Yan ever tries to run, I’ll tie him up and drag him back to you myself."
The words had barely left his mouth when he saw Yan Sea standing behind Su Yue, his face grim. He looked awkward and uncomfortable.
Yu Fei pretended nothing had happened. He cleared his throat and said to his teacher with a smile, "I’ve grasped the opportunity to perfect my Sword Nurturing Skill. You don’t have to worry, Mr. Yan. I’m certain I can forge the Tribulation Sword Dao Foundation."
Yan Sea gave a wooden nod. "Very good." Then, with a WHOOSH, he vanished.
Su Yue rolled her eyes and grumbled, "That teacher of yours... He’s an old man, but he’s still so bashful. Honestly..."
Yu Fei leaned in conspiratorially, eager for the gossip. "You and Mr. Yan must have known each other for years. How come you aren’t married yet?"
Su Yue smacked him aside. "Mind your own business. This is for adults, kids shouldn’t pry."
"..."
Su Yue’s prescription was highly targeted and fast-acting. The only downside was the extra work it created for young Jia Yun, adding to her already heavy load. Seeing the girl’s resentful expression, Yu Fei silently sent her a 6.66-yuan red packet to cheer her up.
"Keep it up!"
Jia Yun was delighted at first to receive the red packet, but her face fell when she saw the paltry amount inside. "Oh, thank you, Young Master," she said sarcastically. "You’re so generous. Why, if not for this, I might have starved to death."
Yu Fei waved his hand dismissively. "Don’t mention it. Just keep up the good work!"
Jia Yun fumed. "You’re so shameless! You want me to spit in your medicine? Because I will!"
Yu Fei paused. "Why spit in the medicine? That’s a waste. Here, you can do it now. Aim right for my mouth."
He opened his mouth wide and leaned toward her.
Jia Yun’s face flushed crimson. "Get away, get away!" she sputtered. "So young and already such a degenerate! You shameless pervert!"
"Haha..."
The Perception of a Gang Qi Realm Martial Artist was astonishing. Su Yue and Yan Sea usually kept this extraordinary ability suppressed, but with Yu Fei at such a critical juncture, they both kept a sliver of their attention on him at all times.
Seeing this, Su Yue sidled up to Yan Sea. She gave him a smoldering look and purred, "Hey... care for a kiss?"
Yan Sea was mortified. His dark complexion couldn’t hide the surge of his Qi Blood, and his face instantly flushed a deep crimson. "I... I’ll go check if the medicine is ready."
Before the words were even out, he vanished with a WHOOSH.
"Tch." Su Yue looked put out. She muttered to herself, ’Serves you right, you’ll die an old virgin. Just wait until Yu Fei is through this. I’ll get you in the bedroom and teach you a lesson.’
...
The twenty-year Enlightenment Tea truly lived up to its name as a top-tier resource. Paired with Su Yue’s unique technique, its effects were phenomenal.
In truth, if not for the stimulation from the third Sword Intent within the Cyan Lotus Sword, Yu Fei, with his humble first-realm martial strength, would have been incapable of using such a resource—not even with his "Spiritual Acuity" talent.
The principle that too much of a good thing can be bad holds true everywhere. With his meager cultivation, consuming the Enlightenment Tea without any restraint would have overloaded his mind with such a torrent of active thoughts that it would have driven him insane. Only when his spirit faced a life-and-death crisis, under the threat of that supreme and formless Sword Intent, could his unfettered thoughts be forced to converge madly on a single target.
As a result, he reaped more benefits from the Enlightenment Tea than most people ever could.
Under these conditions, Yu Fei’s comprehension of the tangible and intangible nature of Sword Intent advanced at a breathtaking pace, growing stronger by the day.
「Just then, Han Qiubai arrived for a visit.」
Su Yue was puzzled.
"Han Qiubai? Who is that?"
Yan Sea, who was standing nearby, explained briefly about Yu Fei’s application for Prodigy Certification and his past entanglement with the cultists.
Su Yue was surprised. "There’s Illuminati scum even in a backwater place like this? In that case, you and Yu Fei can meet with her in the dojo. Let’s see what this top student from Yuqing University wants. I’ll stay out of it."
She needed to do some research. After spending so many years in Tianning County, her mind had become like stagnant water; she’d lost her sharp edge regarding the outside world.
She was no stranger to the Illuminati; she’d hunted her fair share of them back in the day. The problem was that the organization was nearly impossible to eradicate. Unless the legendary god, Dark Ash, was dealt with, some Warriors would always become tainted while fighting its servitors and fall to the path of evil.
The crucial part was that the corruption could lie dormant for a decade or more, eroding the mind bit by bit, making it impossible to defend against.
’If they dare to cause trouble at a critical time like this, hmph...’
As she left, a flash of Evil Qi appeared in Su Yue’s eyes. Everything was finally looking up, and a bright future was beckoning to Yu Fei. If someone dared to cause trouble now...
’Don’t mistake a support-type for a non-combatant. I’m in the Gang Qi Realm... and I’ve been stewing in my own anger for ten years...’
Yan Sea, ever oblivious in matters of the heart, didn’t notice anything amiss with Su Yue. Yu Fei, on the other hand, sensed something, but as a junior, he knew it was best to pretend he hadn’t.
