Chapter 9

Xiao Tian did not want to tell Fa Wa that he had very special eyes. Whatever he saw, Xiao Tian would immediately memorize, and not only that, he could also see flaws in every writing.

"Grandfather, I don’t understand why you asked that. Because I think, if other people also read as often as I do, they would be able to memorize too."

Fa Wa smiled. "Tian, not everyone can memorize what they read. Your ability to memorize shows how smart you are. Now, I want to see if you can practice the basic sword technique of our Supreme Sword Sect."

Xiao Tian nodded. "Alright, Grandfather. I will practice it. If I make any mistakes, don’t hesitate to correct me."

Xiao Tian took a wooden sword, the kind usually used by children for practice. Seeing Xiao Tian take the wooden sword, Fa Wa didn’t stop him. He wanted to see if Xiao Tian's sword skills were good or not. If they were good, he would give a real sword to his adopted grandson.

With the wooden sword in hand, Xiao Tian began to display the basic sword skills of the Supreme Sword Sect, namely the Wind Sword Dance.

His first move seemed simple, but when Xiao Tian swung his sword, there was a certain beauty that radiated. His slashes and thrusts were so smooth yet powerful. Each swing of his sword seemed to paint the wind in the air.

As Xiao Tian channelled his inner energy, the aura that radiated grew stronger, and he began to transform his inner energy into the wind element. He felt an intense flow of energy moving through every vein, strengthening each slash he made. The wind created by his sword was now stronger and sharper, almost like a blade capable of cutting through falling leaves in its path.

Buzz—

As he slashed, the wind element turned into sharp blades that shot out.

Bam—

Some trees fell due to the slashes made by the boy. The more Xiao Tian wielded his sword, the more amazed the old man became.

Fa Wa stood rooted to his spot, his eyes wide open witnessing the unimaginable display. Xiao Tian, with agility, jumped high into the air. His sword spun quickly, slashing through the air with astonishing speed, as if the sword itself had become part of the wind.

However, as Xiao Tian jumped while slashing his sword, suddenly, it was as if lightning split the sky, and Xiao Tian divided himself into three. Fa Wa immediately stood up, seeing three figures of Xiao Tian slashing their swords, increasing the number of attacks.

"This, this. Am I not seeing things? Tian managed to unleash the true power of the Wind Sword Dance technique," muttered Fa Wa, his voice trembling with admiration.

Fa Wa looked towards the sky. "Ancestors, finally, our Supreme Sword Sect has found someone who can practice the technique you created. I thought the Wind Sword Dance, which could make someone become three, was just an exaggerated myth. It turns out I was wrong; it’s not a myth. But, it’s me who was incompetent in training." The more Fa Wa watched Xiao Tian's movements, the more amazed he became. The Wind Sword Dance technique, which he knew so well, had now become an extraordinary technique.

Xiao Tian, seeing Fa Wa continuously watching him without blinking, stopped and bowed. "Grandfather, is there something wrong with the sword technique I practised?"

Fa Wa shook his head. "If the technique you practised is wrong, then what about my sword skills? Tian, you have practised it perfectly. Now follow me to the weapon storage, I will give you a suitable sword."

****

The next day, Xiao Tian and Fa Wa went to the weapon storage. As he walked with Fa Wa, the disciples whispered to each other while looking at him.

"Look, that’s Tian. I still can’t believe this kid is so great, even managing to defeat Xing Han from the Boundless Valley easily."

"That kid hides behind his power. Even when receiving many insults, he never bothered with them. Did the patriarch tell him to hide his power so that no one in the Sect knew about it? Now he’s walking with the patriarch. I wonder, where is the patriarch taking him?"

Xiao Tian ignored the disciples' words and continued following Fa Wa until he saw a pavilion guarded tightly.

"Respect to the Patriarch." When the weapon storage guards saw Fa Wa, they immediately knelt.

"Stand up!" Fa Wa waved his hand for the people to stand.

"Thank you, Patriarch."

Fa Wa invited Xiao Tian into the weapon room and let him choose the weapon he wanted to use. "Tian, choose the sword that you think is most suitable," he said with a wise smile.

"Thank you, Grandfather." Xiao Tian began to look at the row of neatly arranged swords. After a while, his eyes were drawn to a sword that looked very old and rusty, far from attractive. However, he felt a strong energy fluctuation from the sword.

Carefully, Xiao Tian lifted the rusty sword from the rack. As soon as he grasped it, the sword immediately began to absorb Xiao Tian’s inner energy. Surprised, Xiao Tian quickly suppressed his inner energy so it wouldn’t be completely absorbed by the mysterious sword. His quick reaction managed to stop the process, but his curiosity and admiration for the rusty sword grew stronger.

While playing with the sword, Xiao Tian looked at Fa Wa. "Grandfather, I choose this sword."

Seeing Xiao Tian take the sword, Fa Wa furrowed his brow with worry. "Tian, are you sure about the sword you chose?" he asked in a voice full of doubt.

"Grandfather, I’m sure!" Xiao Tian replied firmly, affirming his decision.

"Tian, the sword you hold is not an ordinary sword. It is a relic, but its condition is severely damaged. I kept it out of respect for the founding ancestor of the Supreme Sword Sect. However, remember, it is just a damaged sword. Are you still sure you want to use it?"

Xiao Tian looked at the sword in his hand with full conviction. "Grandfather, I am sure of my choice. A true swordsman is not measured by the sword he uses, but by how he uses the sword. Even a true swordsman can make a tree branch a deadly weapon."

Xiao Tian's words made Fa Wa pause for a moment, contemplating the wisdom behind his disciple's words. He smiled slightly, feeling ashamed for forgetting such a simple yet meaningful proverb. "Alright, if that’s your choice, I won’t stop you. But remember to always take good care of that sword. It has accompanied the founder of our Sect in battles against his enemies, allowing this Sect to stand firm. Don’t let it get lost."

"Yes, Grandfather. I will take good care of it," Xiao Tian said with determination.

After getting the sword, Fa Wa not only gave his blessing but also provided many resources for Xiao Tian’s cultivation. He was very generous, even giving a large number of pills and old ginseng.

"Tian, you must practice diligently. Soon, you will leave to represent the Supreme Sword Sect in the tournament in the She Dynasty. I hope you can bring glory to our Sect."

"Grandfather, I will work hard not to disappoint you," Xiao Tian replied with burning determination.

Xiao Tian immediately went into seclusion to practice. In front of him were eight pills containing very strong medicinal power, as well as several hundred-year-old ginseng.

"Grandfather has given me many resources. I will not disappoint his hopes! Now is the time to become stronger, so I can return to the Wang Kingdom in the Ming Dynasty and avenge my parents' deaths!" he thought with growing determination.