Chapter 138: Morning

Xin Yu felt the vast energy pulsating within his body. After waking from this period of sleep, he sensed that his control over his body and energy had improved significantly. He hadn't experienced such an improvement when he woke up after dozing in his small world before. Was it because he hadn't fully relaxed and slept then? "Even I find it a bit hard to believe. My current self can truly shatter the planet beneath my feet with my own power. And that's just the crudest way of blasting it with my energy. A more advanced method would be for me to reverse the physical laws of gravity and let Earth tear itself apart." "My Nascent Soul realm... it seems to have already surpassed the vast majority of Nascent Souls in the cultivation novels I remember... Then again, my spiritual power is Honkai, it's the power of a Path, so it's normal for there to be differences." "It's just... if Master were to remember me and see that I've cultivated the Taixu Sword Qi like this, would she immediately shout about slaying demons and exorcising evil, drawing her sword to strike down this rebellious disciple of hers?" Xin Yu sat on his bed, lost in thought. Yesterday, he had discerned that his master hadn't recognized him. Moreover, there were signs of damage to her spirit and soul, likely causing her to lose a portion of her past memories. This wasn't a major issue for him. Reverting her spiritual and soul state back to a healthy condition was straightforward enough, much simpler than pulling the Flame-Chasers from tens of thousands of years ago to the present. He hadn't rushed to treat Fu Hua yesterday precisely because he was somewhat unsure how to face his master. He himself felt that his current state could no longer be described as having gone through cultivation deviation; it was more like he had undergone a demonic ascension. ...Demonic ascension? Xin Yu's expression turned odd. Why did that term sound like he was being cursed for falling into a cesspool? Fu Hua's current condition was still stable. Although there was damage, it posed no threat to her life and wasn't at a critical stage. That's why Xin Yu was still hesitating; otherwise, he would have started the treatment long ago. "I'm truly a terrible disciple." Muttering to himself, Xin Yu got out of bed, dressed, and left his room. He discovered someone was already busy in the kitchen. Xin Yu didn't go downstairs directly. Instead, he went to the bathroom to wash his face and brush his teeth. Even though his body wouldn't accumulate any dust or bacteria, these were still human habits. If he didn't consistently maintain human habits, Xin Yu feared he would drift further and further away from humanity, eventually losing himself completely and becoming a lofty, transcendent immortal deity. He couldn't see through the mortal coil, couldn't detach from the mundane world, couldn't unravel karma, couldn't let go of his attachments. So, he might as well just be a person—a powerful, ordinary person. "Good morning, Mei. It's only just past five. Do you usually wake up this early?" Xin Yu asked, seeing Raiden Mei, wearing an apron, preparing breakfast in the kitchen. "Yes, I usually wake up quite early. After making breakfast, I still need to practice my swordsmanship," Raiden Mei replied with a gentle smile, then picked up a bowl of hot congee. "Xin Yu, would you like some?" "Thank you. Shall we practice together later then?" Xin Yu was quite interested in the Far East's swordsmanship. He knew they didn't strictly differentiate between saber and sword techniques, and he wanted to see what their swordsmanship was like in such a context, and if his own blade skills could draw any strengths from it. "Xin Yu knows swordsmanship?" Raiden Mei placed the congee on the table outside, looking at Xin Yu with some surprise. After all, based on... erm, her Herrscher self's battle with Xin Yu, he didn't seem to use a sword at all and was thoroughly suppressed by her past self at the time. "It's not exactly swordsmanship. I use a blade." Xin Yu helped Raiden Mei bring out a few small side dishes from the kitchen, then pulled out a chair to make it convenient for her to sit before taking a seat beside her. Raiden Mei untied her apron and sat down. Picking up her chopsticks, she said to Xin Yu, "Of course, that's no problem. Whether it's swordsmanship or blade techniques, growth comes through combat. Practicing alone can only maintain my current level, preventing it from declining." "Is Kiana still asleep?" "Today is Sunday. Kiana usually sleeps until nearly noon, then wakes up for lunch." "Although a Valkyrie's constitution is good, such an unhealthy lifestyle isn't ideal." "I've told her before, but Kiana is still like that. That's just her personality, and I've gotten used to it." "Then, would it be inappropriate if I were to forcefully change her lifestyle? Even if it's unhealthy, imposing my own views on her wouldn't be right either." "Xin Yu... you truly are a gentle person." "Am I?" After they finished breakfast, they went out to the courtyard of the house. Raiden Mei was dressed in comfortable sportswear, holding a wooden tachi. Xin Yu still wore his gray robes, and in his hand, he held a matte black wooden blade he had just conjured. Raiden Mei held her tachi with both hands, feet apart, assuming a classic Jōdan-no-kamae stance. Xin Yu, however, still appeared completely relaxed, looking like a total novice who wasn't in a proper state, full of openings. "Hokushin Ittō-ryū, Raiden Mei, please guide me." Raiden Mei, in her combat stance, was serious and stern, devoid of her usual gentleness. She had an added sharpness, as if she had recovered the aura of her time as the young lady of ME Corp, known as the Queen of Thunder. "Style... Mine would probably be My Style," Xin Yu said. Although Zhongli had guided his blade techniques, it wasn't a formal transmission of a style. They had simply improved Xin Yu's blade skills through pure combat. "Then, I'm attacking! Hah!" Raiden Mei shouted, then quickly dashed towards Xin Yu. Xin Yu calmly watched Raiden Mei's charge. As her wooden sword struck, his own wooden blade had already appeared in the path of her attack, deflecting her blow. In the ensuing fight, no matter how Raiden Mei changed her techniques, her wooden sword was always blocked by Xin Yu, who used only one hand. Raiden Mei panted, sweat trickling down her flushed face. Xin Yu, on the other hand, stood there calmly, his breathing even, not a drop of sweat on his face. He hadn't even moved from his original spot. "Xin Yu, why don't you attack?" Raiden Mei's eyes burned as she stared at Xin Yu. "Mei, my blade techniques have no specific forms. They only focus on the fastest way to defeat or kill an enemy... Do you have anything more to demonstrate?" "No." "Alright, then I'm attacking." As Xin Yu finished speaking, he walked towards Raiden Mei, looking like an old man out for a stroll. Raiden Mei, as if facing a great enemy, watched Xin Yu's movements intently, trying to anticipate how he would swing his blade and where he would strike. Xin Yu walked not far from Raiden Mei. The hand that had been gripping the blade suddenly loosened. Raiden Mei, who had been staring intently, froze for a moment. Before she could react, Xin Yu had already caught the blade in mid-air and then knocked the weapon from her hand. Actually, Xin Yu had originally intended to attack with the blade first, then abandon it and kick her directly. But that was a method for killing enemies, not suitable for a spar. "I've lost." Raiden Mei sat on the ground, her expression returning to its usual peacefulness. "Mm, want to go again?" "Of course!" The sound of wooden blades clashing soon rang out once more. ... Kiana stretched lazily as she came down from the second floor. Then, she saw Raiden Mei, drenched in sweat, face flushed and panting heavily, leaning entirely against Xin Yu for support as he helped her into the house. Kiana's eyes widened. The two also noticed Kiana watching them, and Xin Yu could clearly feel Raiden Mei's body stiffen. "You two!" "Kiana, I..." "How could you not include me!" "We were... sigh?"