The "painful" experience of being punished to clean the kitchen did not depress Tang Xiao Qi for long. After wiping clean the last piece of floor stained with rice porridge and handing the wreckage of the troublesome "Auto-sweeping Talisman Puppet" to his still-regretful Second Senior Brother, he put this small episode behind him. What still occupied his mind was the "Breeze Brushing Willow Sword Art" gifted by his Eldest Senior Brother.
The next day, before dawn, he had already risen and returned to that secluded slope in the Back Mountain. The morning mist had not yet fully dispersed; dewdrops hung crystalline on grass and leaves, the air cool and moist. He took a deep breath, solemnly took out that yellowed sword art manual from his bosom, and turned to the page recording the first stance, "Willow Catkins Drifting with the Wind."
The diagram showed human figures with simple lines, yet vividly depicted the twists of body movement, the extension of arms, and the turning of wrists. The accompanying text annotations explained in detail how spiritual energy should circulate along with the moves—how it should originate from the soles of the feet, pass through the waist and abdomen, reach the shoulders and arms, and finally concentrate at the fingertips (or sword tip)—emphasizing a concept of lightness, agility, and going with the flow.
Xiao Qi put down the book, picked up the darksteel wood branch serving as a long sword, and began imitating, following the pattern exactly.
However, looking at diagrams was one thing; actually doing it was another.
His movements appeared unusually stiff and clumsy. When stepping, he either lacked stability or was overly heavy, completely devoid of the lightness of "drifting with the wind." As he swung his arms, they were even more sluggish; spiritual energy circulation and move coordination were stumbling and intermittent. The sword momentum that should have been as elusive as willow catkins felt like waving a heavy fire poker in his hands—not only lacking beauty, but even appearing somewhat comical.
After one round of practice, far from experiencing the subtleties of the sword art, he had instead tired himself out, panting and sweating, with the spiritual energy in his body becoming somewhat disordered due to poor circulation.
"Why is it so difficult..." Xiao Qi leaned on the branch, breathing slightly, brows tightly knit. He had thought that after breaking through to Qi Refining fifth layer, learning new techniques would be easier; he hadn't expected the "Breeze Brushing Willow Sword Art" to demand such high coordination and fine control of spiritual energy.
Unwilling to give in, after a brief rest to regulate his breath, he picked up the branch again, comparing it with the diagram, repeating the "Willow Catkins Drifting with the Wind" stance over and over. But the more he rushed for results, the more distorted his movements became, and the more chaotic his spiritual energy circulation grew, even almost losing grip of the branch several times.
A sense of frustration quietly sprouted like vines, entangling his heart. The sun gradually rose, dispelling the morning mist, stretching his shadow long and oblique; each clumsy swing appeared particularly conspicuous under the sunlight.
Just as he grew restless and almost wanted to give up today's practice, the jade pendant worn on his chest suddenly sent forth a familiar, gentle coolness. This coolness was not intense, but like a trickling stream, it quietly permeated his somewhat anxious mind.
Almost instinctively, Xiao Qi stopped his futile hacking. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and tried to shift his attention away from those failed movements, instead focusing on the unique tranquility and peace brought by the jade pendant. Gradually, the irritation from repeated failures was soothed, and the turbulent spiritual energy slowly calmed down.
In this peculiar state of serene mind, he did not immediately resume practice. Instead, he once again "watched" that "Willow Catkins Drifting with the Wind" diagram in his mind. This time, he no longer hastily imitated the external form of the movements, but attempted to understand the intent behind each action, to feel the meaning of "going with the flow,""dispelling force," and "agility" contained in the spiritual energy circulation path.
He seemed to "see" that the human figure in the diagram was not rigidly performing swordplay, but had truly transformed into a light willow catkin, naturally drifting and turning with the breeze, body movement and sword techniques perfectly fused, unfettered.
This understanding did not stem from textual interpretation, but was more like a resonance of mindstate, a comprehension of artistic conception.
When he opened his eyes again, his gaze had already regained clarity and calmness. He picked up the branch once more, but did not start immediately; instead, he recalled that "Willow Catkins Drifting with the Wind" conception once again.
Then, he moved.
His footsteps shifted lightly, no longer deliberately pursuing stride length, but seeking the natural balance of the body and shift of center of gravity. His arms lifted, spiritual energy flowing slowly along, no longer forcibly rushing, but like a creek overflowing its bed, naturally following the direction of the meridians. His wrist gave a slight flick, and the branch drew an arc.
This time, though the movements were still awkward and slow, they had lost some of the previous stiffness, gaining a trace of indescribable coordination. Though spiritual energy circulation was still not smooth, it was no longer sluggish and conflicting, but barely kept pace with the rhythm of the moves.
Joy rose in his heart, but he did not let it break that serene state of mind. He knew this was only the beginning; far from the true "Willow Catkins Drifting with the Wind," but at least he had found the right direction.
He no longer pursued speed and strength, but immersed himself in that slow, detail-focused practice. Each "sword" thrust was accompanied by subtle adjustments of spiritual energy, an appreciation of the shift in body movement center of gravity. The sense of tranquility brought by the jade pendant lingered in his heart, helping him maintain this focus, warding off the restlessness that might arise again from slow progress.
The sunlight gradually grew scorching, sweat soaking his clothes. Tirelessly, he repeated this single action, from sunrise until the sun climbed high.
Progress was slow, but real. His movements gradually became somewhat more continuous; spiritual energy circulation also smoothed a little. Though still far from the effortless, flowing realm shown in the diagram, at least that darksteel wood branch in his hands no longer resembled a lifeless stick, but vaguely held the embryo of a "sword," and the wind it stirred seemed to carry a touch more gentleness and agility.
When hunger pangs came from his belly, Xiao Qi finally stopped practicing. He wiped the sweat from his forehead, looked at the branch now somewhat polished smooth from handling, and revealed a tired yet satisfied smile.
First attempt at sword art—difficulties abounded, progress slow. But from this, he grasped a principle perhaps more important than the sword moves themselves: on the path of cultivation, peace of mind and focus are sometimes more crucial than blind, arduous practice. And the jade pendant on his chest was not only a clue to his origins, a protective treasure, but also a unique aid on his cultivation journey—helping him calm his mind and comprehend techniques.
He stored the branch properly, patted the dust off his clothes, turned, and walked toward the Dining Hall. The road ahead was still long, but this first step, with the help of the jade pendant, he had steadily taken. Toward mastering this "Breeze Brushing Willow Sword Art," his heart now brimmed with more patience and confidence.