"Hmph, the Liu Nian family's bloodline is really regressing. You actually think that with a mere mortal who has just become a sword wielder, you can defeat me, Yi Xian!" Yi Xian flicked his sword, making a flower of steel. "Human, I don't want to hurt you. This is a grudge between me and the Liu Nian family. Move aside!"
"Since I, Gu Han, have stood here, I won't leave. Stop talking nonsense and make your move!" Gu Han said firmly, then assumed the starting stance of the first move from the "Liu Nian Five Styles," clearly determined to stand his ground against Yi Xian.
Gu Han's words deeply moved Liu Nian Lin, who felt she had not misjudged him. Just by his resolve, Gu Han would surely become an outstanding sword wielder in the future.
"This little guy, what a great deal!" Liu Lei, who was watching from the side, pulled out a pipe from his pocket and lit it with a trembling hand. "If I were seventy years younger, I wouldn't let such a good opportunity slip to a young whelp like you!"
Regardless of Liu Lei's thoughts, Yi Xian was enraged by Gu Han's attitude. Facing this novice, he launched a deadly strike straight at Gu Han's armpit. If this hit, Gu Han might survive, but his arm would be crippled.
"Her target is your armpit! Use the third move: 'It Is Parting Sorrow'!" Liu Nian Lin, half-lying on the ground, gave the command, believing it to be the best move.
"I think the fifth move would be better... While the third move can block Yi Xian's attack, the fifth move can also counterattack his wrist..." Gu Han thought to himself, finding Liu Nian Lin's command less than ideal. She was still a novice, not fully understanding the "Liu Nian Five Styles," yet she dared to command him.
Despite his disdain, Gu Han chose to follow Liu Nian Lin's command. He executed the third move, "It Is Parting Sorrow," deliberately making it stiff and mechanical to show he had just learned it. Even so, it just managed to block Yi Xian's sword, successfully defending against his first attack.
"This kid, though his moves are all over the place, he really used 'It Is Parting Sorrow'!" Liu Nian Lin was surprised. Although she had already confirmed Gu Han's outstanding martial arts talent and foundation when he quickly learned the secret sound transmission and fought with her for the Yi Xian sword, she had only given him a slim chance of mastering the "Liu Nian Five Styles" in just one minute.
"This guy's talent is terrifying!" Liu Nian Lin thought. "Of course, his talent is still not as good as mine, but he's far superior to those branch family brats."
"Die!" Yi Xian, enraged by being blocked by this seemingly clueless novice, unleashed a series of fierce attacks with his slender Yi Xian sword, like a venomous snake striking relentlessly.
"Use 'Unbreakable'... 'It Is Parting Sorrow'... 'In the Heart'... 'Unbreakable'... 'Tangled'... 'Bitter Taste'..."
"Unbreakable"
"Tangled"
"It Is Parting Sorrow"
"Bitter Taste"
"In the Heart"
These were the names of the five moves in the "Liu Nian Five Styles," a sword technique passed down by the Liu Nian family. Faced with Yi Xian's relentless assault, Liu Nian Lin could only quickly call out the sequence of moves. She was extremely worried, knowing that a novice like Gu Han, who had just learned the "Liu Nian Five Styles," would not be able to keep up with her pace.
Liu Nian Lin secretly reached into her dimensional pocket, gripping her life-saving item. If Gu Han's life was in danger, she would use it immediately, even if it meant destroying the entire Sword Burial Ground to save this man in front of her.
To her surprise, Gu Han actually kept up with her pace. At first, his moves were a bit awkward and stiff, but after a dozen moves, he no longer looked like a novice. His sword techniques flowed smoothly, almost seamlessly.
Moreover, each time he used a move, it became more correct and precise. All the stiffness, flaws, and weaknesses disappeared, and Gu Han seemed like a seasoned practitioner of the "Liu Nian Five Styles," each move reaching perfection.
"Is this Gu Han... even human?" Liu Nian Lin's mouth dropped open in shock. It had taken her three hours to reach this level when she practiced the "Liu Nian Five Styles." But Gu Han, in less than three minutes, had already surpassed her efforts of a whole day!
"Could this guy's talent in swordsmanship be even higher than mine?" Liu Nian Lin thought. In her world and family, no one could learn something in ten days that she took three days to master. Even her father admitted that she was a super genius, ranking in the top ten in talent in the Liu Nian family for a thousand years.
Over time, Liu Nian Lin truly believed she was the greatest super genius. She never imagined that a random person she chose to cheat for her could have a talent in swordsmanship that might surpass her own.
This realization shattered her worldview, leaving her feeling terrible.
"Don't be too hard on yourself, Miss Lin!" Liu Lei, who had appeared beside her, consoled her. "My hundred years of life experience tell me that in life-and-death situations, a person's potential can be dozens or even hundreds of times greater than usual! If Miss Lin were in a life-and-death situation, you wouldn't be much worse than this kid."
"Really?" Liu Nian Lin felt much better after hearing Liu Lei's words.
"Absolutely!" Liu Lei nodded. "However, this kid's talent is indeed terrifying. Tsk tsk, I wonder how the teachers at those schools could overlook such a gem. Miss Lin, you don't know this, but our Yu Zhang Academy has been at the bottom of the Sword Wielder Cup for years. This year, at least in the ancient sword category, we have nothing to worry about!" Liu Lei chuckled.
"What? What do you mean, your Yu Zhang Academy has nothing to worry about!" Liu Nian Lin spat on the ground. "This person is someone the Liu Nian family has chosen, and will be part of our family. What does it have to do with your Yu Zhang Academy!"
"Ah! You can't say that. He is a native of Yu Zhang City and naturally belongs to our Yu Zhang Academy. Why should he join your Liu Nian family?" Liu Lei puffed his white beard in dissatisfaction.
"Hmph, I, Liu Nian Lin, am the future head of the Liu Nian family. I say he is part of our family, and he will be part of our family!" Liu Nian Lin stood her ground, refusing to back down.
"Ha, that's not right, Miss Lin. You are not the head of the family yet, so how can you make such a domineering decision? Besides, Gu Han has no bloodline connection to the Liu Nian family, so he cannot join your family!"
"So what if he has no bloodline connection to our family!" Liu Nian Lin was flustered. "I will... I will..."
"Will what? Will what?" Liu Lei squinted his eyes, looking at Liu Nian Lin with a mischievous grin. "Will you take him into your family as a good son-in-law?"
"Who said I would take him as a son-in-law!" Liu Nian Lin was completely flustered. In a moment of panic, she blurted out, "I will... I will... Yes, I will take him as my disciple, my personal disciple. That should be fine, right?"
"Disciple!" Liu Lei was taken aback, then burst into laughter. "Right, right, a personal disciple can join the Liu Nian family. How could I forget this method! Miss Lin, you are indeed well-thought-out!"
For some reason, the words "well-thought-out" sounded particularly grating to Liu Nian Lin. Wait... Did she forget something?
After talking to Liu Lei for a long time, Liu Nian Lin suddenly felt she had overlooked something. She couldn't figure it out until she heard a terrible groan, which made her slap her thigh.
Oh no, I forgot to tell Gu Han which moves to use!
Was that groan from the clumsy Gu Han?
Gu Han, you mustn't blame me. It's all Liu Lei's fault for distracting me. You mustn't die!
With a mix of guilt and sorrow, Liu Nian Lin hurriedly looked up at the battlefield... Oh no... Why is Gu Han sitting on my sword maiden's stomach... What kind of position is this? Someone, please explain this to me.