Chapter Thirteen: Breakthrough

In just three short days, Qin Qianqian’s swordsmanship underwent a profound transformation. From initial chaos and disorder to a stance as powerful and thunderous as a raging storm, her progress was so remarkable it was as if a lifeless skeleton had been imbued with a soul.

Yet Lin Fei remained somewhat dissatisfied with the young girl’s sword path, feeling her movements were still a bit clumsy for a woman’s style.

But Qin Qianqian herself keenly sensed the changes within her own technique. She was ecstatic, her eyes filled with respect and admiration whenever they met Lin Fei’s.

Di Yuan had once guided her cultivation with thorough explanations, yet in her heart, his teachings seemed to lack something compared to Lin Fei’s. Lin Fei always pinpointed the core issues with surgical precision and then resolved them with the most direct and effective methods.

This made Qin Qianqian quietly wonder: Could Lin Fei’s understanding of swordsmanship even surpass that of Senior Brother Di Yuan?

She laughed at herself bitterly, thinking, “How could that be possible?”

Time flowed like a river, and atop the Horizon Peak, the second disciple to reach the Mortal Realm emerged.

As Zhao Xiuyuan was about to depart from Horizon Peak, he made a special visit to Lin Fei’s residence.

“Something up?” Lin Fei asked.

Zhao Xiuyuan’s face flushed slightly, and after a moment’s hesitation, he said, “Thank you for your help back at Northern Tour Mountain. But I believe that no matter what one does, relying solely on talent is never enough.”

“Hm?” Lin Fei looked puzzled.

Taking a deep breath and gathering his courage, Zhao Xiuyuan continued, “I know your strength is extraordinary, and you have the potential to become one of the top sword cultivators in the Sword Sect. So, I think you should cultivate even harder.”

With that, Zhao Xiuyuan hurried away, leaving Lin Fei with a puzzled expression.

In the days that followed, it felt as if the season of harvest had arrived; more and more disciples broke through to the Mortal Realm.

Yet, a strange scene unfolded: before leaving, each disciple would come to Lin Fei’s door to greet him respectfully, as if it were an unwritten rule.

Even Lin Fei found this somewhat surprising.

At dawn on the peak, a cool breeze blowing softly, Qin Qianqian, having finished her sword practice, whispered candidly to Lin Fei, “I accidentally shared the sword techniques you taught me with Zhao Xiuyuan and the others, and that’s why they’ve all come to seek your guidance.”

Only then did Lin Fei realize the reason so many disciples had been visiting recently was because of this.

Under Lin Fei’s guidance, Qin Qianqian’s realm advanced rapidly; she had now reached the eighth stage of Qi Refining.

As time passed, their relationship grew closer, and occasionally they would chat casually.

If no reply came, it was likely Lin Fei had already drifted into slumber.

...

A figure in white drifted down from the mountaintop, slowly descending the mountain.

“Senior Brother Di Yuan has seemed different lately. Last night, he stayed alone at the peak the entire night,” Qin Qianqian said softly, a trace of worry in her voice.

“Though his temper has softened quite a bit, I feel like he’s aged considerably,” she added.

Lin Fei watched the receding silhouette and gently shook his head, murmuring, “When the heart grows old, the person naturally appears old as well.”

“Senior Brother Lin Fei…” Qin Qianqian seemed to muster her courage and asked cautiously, “Do you think there’s still room for improvement in my swordsmanship?”

Lin Fei was silent for a moment before answering slowly, “Honestly, I’m not optimistic about women practicing swordsmanship; the ceiling is too low.”

The girl’s hopeful eyes instantly dimmed. She lowered her head, biting her lips until pale, struggling to suppress the sting of disappointment.

At that moment, Lin Fei lifted his head and continued, “But… if there were truly to be a female Sword Immortal in this world, it would be a marvelous thing indeed.”

Her eyes brightened immediately, a smile blossoming across her face.

Lin Fei gently ruffled Qin Qianqian’s hair, his tone imbued with encouragement: “Keep working hard.”

“Yes!” Qin Qianqian nodded vigorously, her eyes sparkling with determination.

Then, with a hint of curiosity, she asked a question many had wondered about: “Back at Northern Tour Mountain, did you really knock out two people with just a brick?”

“No,” Lin Fei raised an eyebrow, a subtle pride barely concealed in his expression, correcting her, “It was three people.”

Qin Qianqian paused, sensing the faint pride on Lin Fei’s face, feeling both surprised and helpless.

To her, the usually indifferent Lin Fei seemed strangely proud of such a trivial matter, which caught her off guard.

Didn’t he think there were far greater achievements in himself worthy of pride?

Lin Fei seemed to see through her thoughts. His voice was calm and indifferent: “That’s different.”

Qin Qianqian looked puzzled, not quite understanding.

Lin Fei elaborated, “The sword is like a part of my body. No matter how far I advance or how many formidable opponents I defeat, it’s only natural to me. But a brick is something else entirely.”

Though somewhat unclear, Qin Qianqian felt that Lin Fei was no longer the aloof immortal indifferent to everything, but had acquired a more genuine, relatable aura, like a peer among equals.

This Lin Fei felt more approachable to her.

...

Suddenly, the cicadas’ chorus atop the peak ceased abruptly, and the drifting clouds in the sky seemed to halt their motion.

The youth who had been resting with closed eyes slowly opened them.

His black hair fluttered gently despite the still air, and an unusual light shimmered in his eyes.

Qin Qianqian had experienced similar changes in the world’s energy before. Her eyes widened with shock and anticipation as she looked at Lin Fei, her voice uncertain, “Senior Brother Lin Fei?”

Lin Fei exhaled deeply, nodded calmly, and said naturally, “Yes, I have reached the Mortal Realm.”

His tone carried a subtle trace of emotion and an indescribable relief.

The more than year-long wait and cultivation had undoubtedly been a torment for him.

Yet to Qin Qianqian, Lin Fei’s composed voice revealed a serene pride, as if breaking through to the Mortal Realm was the most natural thing in the world.

Every disciple on Horizon Peak trained day and night, wishing to devote every moment to cultivation.

But Lin Fei, with an air of casual confidence and seeming nonchalance, had effortlessly attained the realm they all yearned for.

Qin Qianqian couldn’t help but marvel—Senior Brother Lin Fei was truly a strange and formidable existence.

Lin Fei slowly stood, his palm gently stroking Qin Qianqian’s head.

Blinking with a hint of reluctance, she softly asked, “Senior Brother Lin Fei, are you leaving?”

“Yes.”

Lin Fei looked at her, his tone tinged with admonition: “The path of cultivation must neither be slackened nor rushed. It is like water dripping on stone—perseverance is key.”

Qin Qianqian playfully stuck out her tongue, filled with admiration and longing: “If only I could be like you, effortlessly reaching the Mortal Realm while eating, sleeping, and strolling.”

Lin Fei smiled faintly and shook his head, “That’s impossible.”

“But why can you do it?”

After a moment’s silence, Lin Fei replied with a hint of jest, “Hmm… maybe it’s because my name is Lin Fei.”