Falling in Love with a 500-year-old female elder

Chapter 22: Convince the Elder Fei Long! No more contempt!

“Wow, that’s impressive!” Ning Chuan exclaimed, his eyes lighting up with admiration. He was genuinely surprised by what he had just witnessed. Elder Fei Long’s skill was beyond his expectations.

Elder Fei Long couldn’t help but feel a sense of satisfaction at Ning Chuan’s reaction. He hadn’t anticipated that his abilities would still garner such awe.

“Not bad, right?” Elder Fei Long said with a contented smile, ready to receive more praise. But his expression quickly changed when he heard Ning Chuan’s next words.

“By the standards of the capital city, he might even be considered a minor expert,” Ning Chuan quipped with a chuckle.

Elder Fei Long’s smile faded in an instant, his face falling. He even gave Ning Chuan’s head a light pat, realizing that the young man’s flattery had a limit.

A minor expert? Was this kid joking? In the entire Nine Mysterious Realms, Elder Fei Long was already considered one of the top-tier experts. He had secured his place among the elite, a leader in the first echelon of strength.

Shaking his head, Elder Fei Long decided to play along. “Ning Chuan, go ahead and critique my swordsmanship.”

Ning Chuan’s smile faded as he took on a serious expression. “I’d be happy to provide my assessment, but I fear it might be a bit harsh.”

“Evaluation!” Elder Fei Long insisted, his tone slightly annoyed. He was curious about what Ning Chuan had to say.

Ning Chuan’s demeanor grew more solemn. “In my opinion, there are skills, but there’s a lack of vigor.”

Elder Fei Long’s pupils contracted slightly at this critique. “What do you mean by ‘lack of vigor’?” he inquired.

Ning Chuan’s smile returned as he began to explain. “I see the path of swordsmanship mastery as having three distinct levels.”

“The first level is ‘seeing mountains as mountains, and water as water.’ A swordsman at this stage is highly skilled, each strike impeccable, with no room for error.”

“The second level is ‘seeing mountains as not mountains, and water as not water.’ Those at this stage have transcended conventional mastery. They’ve achieved such a level of finesse that each strike is unpredictable, like a dance of shadows.”

“The third level is ‘seeing mountains as mountains, and water as water, again.’ At this stage, a master returns to the basics, where each strike appears ordinary but is infused with profound truth. It’s akin to the first level, yet profoundly different.”

Elder Fei Long couldn’t help but nod along with Ning Chuan’s explanation. He found himself surprisingly in agreement with the young man’s analysis.

Ning Chuan continued, “Reaching the third level often marks the pinnacle of one’s swordsmanship journey. To transcend, one needs to achieve something extraordinary—something like ‘unbreakable vigor.'”

Elder Fei Long was intrigued by the term. “Unbreakable vigor? Can you elaborate?”

Ning Chuan grinned and nodded. “Certainly, let me offer an example. Do you know Reverend Elder Fei Long from Heaven-Saint Palace?”

Elder Fei Long’s eyes widened in surprise. “Of course, I know. He’s a swordsmanship master, considered one of the greatest in the world. There’s no one who can match him.”

Ning Chuan’s smile grew knowing. “That’s a limited perspective. While he’s undoubtedly skilled, he isn’t in the top ranks globally.”

Before Elder Fei Long could react, Ning Chuan continued, “True masters of swordsmanship are like stars in the sky, numerous and brilliant. The Fei Long you mentioned is a third-level swordsman. He may seem formidable, but he won’t be able to break through in this lifetime. He’s confined to that realm.”

Elder Fei Long felt like lightning had struck him. It had been centuries since he dedicated himself to swordsmanship, yet he had remained stagnant in his progress.

Ning Chuan’s words pierced deep, and Elder Fei Long’s expression became one of humility. “Please, share with me how to change this.”

Ning Chuan’s demeanor transformed, radiating a sense of mastery. “It’s about transcending your current understanding. The path lies in achieving ‘unbreakable vigor,’ a state where your swordsmanship becomes an extension of yourself. Let me guide you through it.”

Elder Fei Long, once the renowned sword master, now felt like a humble student, eagerly awaiting the wisdom that Ning Chuan was about to impart.