The siblings moved to the wooden patio of the traditional house, sitting down together as the evening truly set in. They chatted relaxedly for a few minutes about his first day of class.
"The fundamental theories are redundant," Yoriichi replied honestly, pouring them both a cup of warm tea from a spirit-jade thermos. "I memorized the majority of the geographical and alchemical lore from our clan's archives in Wu Tan City. Sitting in a classroom listening to basic meridian theory does not matter to my current progression. I will likely request a leave of absence soon for some days."
Xiao Yu's eyes widened slightly in surprise, but she nodded in understanding. "I suppose that makes sense for a monster like you. My day was as usual brutal. My instructors show no mercy with the gravity chambers."
They shared a packed lunch of spiced tofus, mushrooms and steamed buns Xiao Yu had brought from the central dining pavilion. Once the plates were cleared, the relaxed, familial atmosphere shifted.
Yoriichi stood up, his posture straightening into that of a strict grandmaster.
"The time for rest is over," Yoriichi announced seriously. "I told you I would teach you. Now, we begin with the First Form of Water Breathing."
Xiao Yu's casual demeanor instantly vanished. She swallowed her excitement, nodded firmly, and stood up, her eyes wide and attentive.
"Follow me," Yoriichi said. He walked into his bedroom, retrieved his Katana from its resting rack, and led her back outside.
They bypassed the delicate rock garden, walking out the main gates to a massive, highly spacious clearing situated between the different courtyard estates.
Earlier in the day, Yoriichi had learned the logistical secret behind his luxurious assignment. 'Courtyard 404' did not mean there were four hundred of these massive estates. It meant he was located in the Fourth Unit Area (a sector specifically designated for newly admitted anomalies), occupying Courtyard Number 04. One unit area contained about fifteen courtyards, and there were roughly five such units in the entire Outer Academy.
A maximum of seventy-five courtyards existed for a student population numbering in the tens of thousands.
The sheer competition to earn and maintain a residence here was astronomical. There were no Law Enforcement guards patrolling these specific avenues because they weren't needed. The geniuses who lived here protected their own territory. Fear and reputation were the only gates they required—a lesson Lie had just learned the hard way.
Yoriichi stopped in front of a massive, incredibly thick Iron-Wood tree at the edge of the clearing. He turned to Xiao Yu.
"Focus entirely on my movements," Yoriichi instructed, his hand resting on the hilt of his katana. "I will demonstrate the form exactly three times using my blade. You will observe the footwork, the kinetic transfer of weight, and the breathing rhythm. After the third demonstration, you will attempt to replicate the underlying concept using your whip."
Xiao Yu nodded, her eyes locking onto his form with absolute, unblinking intensity.
Yoriichi squared his shoulders. He closed his eyes, exhaling a long, slow breath. Then, he inhaled sharply.
Hssshhh.
The sound of his breathing was entirely different from a normal cultivator's. It was incredibly deep, highly pressurized, and rhythmic. Xiao Yu could literally feel the ambient worldly energy in the clearing being violently drawn into his lungs.
"Water Breathing," Yoriichi whispered, his voice carrying an eerie, resonant echo.
His body exploded into motion.
"First Form..." Yoriichi drew the Katana from its lacquered scabbard in a blindingly fast, fluid arc. He stepped forward, pivoting his hips to transfer the entirety of his bodily momentum into a flawless, horizontal slash.
"...Water Surface Slash."
A terrifying, invisible kinetic force manifested instantly.
CRACK!
The sharp, violent sound of thick wood ripping apart echoed through the quiet sector.
Xiao Yu gasped, her hands flying to her mouth. She hadn't just seen a fast sword swing. When she focused, she swore she saw a beautiful, highly pressurized stream of azure water suddenly manifest along the razor-sharp edge of the katana. The 'water' crashed into the Iron-Wood tree with the force of a tidal wave.
A deep, perfectly horizontal gash, nearly six inches deep, had been instantly carved into the impossibly tough bark.
Yoriichi slowly relaxed his stance, smoothly sheathing the blade with a satisfying click. He turned to his sister.
"Did you focus on the kinetic transfer?" Yoriichi asked.
"I... I did, but..." Xiao Yu stammered, pointing a trembling finger at the deep gash in the tree. "You don't have a water elemental affinity! How was there real water manifesting in thin air? In our world, only a Da Dou Shi can condense ambient worldly energy into physical elemental shapes!"
Yoriichi's expression remained perfectly calm. He walked over to the tree and tapped the edge of the cut. It was completely dry.
"It was not physical water," Yoriichi explained patiently. "It is virtual. It is an optical and spiritual manifestation."
He drew the blade an inch from the scabbard, letting the moonlight catch the steel. "The style is named 'Water Breathing' because the physical forms, the footwork, and the sword trajectories are heavily modeled after the properties of water in nature—its adaptability, its relentless flow, and its terrifying surface tension. When a someone masters the breathing, they project their martial intent so violently into the world that those observing it will literally feel and see water moving. But it is merely an illusion created by absolute, refined kinetic force."
Xiao Yu realized this as she stepped closer, examining the dry, splintered wood. The realization of how profound his martial arts were sent a shiver down her spine.
She pondered for a few seconds, a look of hesitant doubt crossing her face. "But... can I really adapt this to a whip? The footwork and the slash... it looks like it was created exclusively for swords."
"The weapon is merely an extension of the arm," Yoriichi corrected smoothly. "The true essence of the technique is how your breathing affects your blood flow, and how that internal pressure shapes your ability to attack as a part of nature. A whip is inherently fluid."
Yoriichi looked at her, his crimson eyes glowing with absolute certainty.
"Furthermore," Yoriichi added, a faint smile touching his lips, "you do possess a true water affinity. Where my blade only projects the illusion of a tidal wave, your Dou Qi can easily manifest the reality. Your whip will become a true, slicing river."
Yoriichi reset his stance. He demonstrated the First Form two more times, moving at half-speed so Xiao Yu could meticulously memorize the exact angle of his hips, the positioning of his feet, and the rhythmic, pressurized hiss of his breathing.
After the final demonstration, Xiao Yu took a deep breath, her eyes burning with fierce determination.
"I am ready," she declared. "I will try it now."
She raised her right hand. On her slender finger sat a sleek, silver storage ring—a precious, gift Yoriichi had after all purchased for her during his stroll in Peace Town two days ago, which had nearly made her cry from happiness.
With a flash, her weapon materialized. She unhooked the long, tightly braided, dark whip, letting it uncoil onto the grass.