Three years later.
The morning light was faint, the eastern horizon revealing the first sliver of pearl-white as the lingering chill of the night still clung to the air.
Su Ci stood in the courtyard with her posture straight and proud, dressed in a sleek, teal martial arts uniform with her long hair tied back into a high ponytail. She held a delicate calligraphy brush firmly in her hand. This brush was a weapon she had crafted herself under the guidance of Pei Yuan. Its handle was black, entwined with purple cloud patterns, measuring one foot and three inches in length and weighing five taels and seven qian. It was called Ziluoyuan.
Su Ci took a deep, refreshing breath and slowly exhaled. She closed her eyes, adjusted her breathing, and relaxed her body, sensing the aura of her surroundings. At the crisp sound of a bird’s chirp, she opened her eyes, a sharp glint flashing within them.
She moved, her body fluid as she began to dance with the brush. The tip carved graceful arcs into the air, as if painting a magnificent landscape or composing a poem between heaven and earth. This was the Huajian You she had been practicing.
With "Kuaixue Shiqing," every stroke carried a sharp, piercing force, firing forward in rapid succession like snowflakes on a clear winter’s day—light yet lethal. Wherever the brush tip passed, the energy cut through the air like a blade, each movement elegant yet devastating.
Suddenly, she spun and retreated rapidly. As she moved, she controlled the brush to unleash several bursts of energy, performing "Lancui Yuzhe." The rapid, continuous strikes were like orchids swaying in the wind—seemingly fragile, yet capable of shattering even the hardest jade in an instant.
Immediately after, Su Ci tapped her toes on the ground, leaping upward like a phantom, her right hand flipping to brandish the brush. The tip traced brilliant arcs through the air as she executed "Fuhua Langrui." "Fuhua Langrui" was ever-changing, like waves on the water—sometimes calm, sometimes turbulent—making every strike impossible to predict. Su Ci’s movements were graceful, like flowers floating upon water, light yet full of power. Her technique possessed an indescribable, soft beauty; every turn was elegant, and every stroke was charged with strength and agility.
Finally, she paused in place to gather her strength. As the brush tip carved lines of energy into the air, she cloaked the surrounding space in a formidable power, unleashing "Yushi Jufen." This move was immensely destructive; anyone caught within it would be immobilized, their internal organs rattled or, in severe cases, shattered, resulting in immediate death. Of course, after using this technique, Su Ci’s internal energy would be completely exhausted, leaving her with no strength to continue the fight. "Yushi Jufen" was a move that dealt a thousand points of damage to the enemy while sacrificing eight hundred of one's own; it was a last resort.
Finishing the set of Huajian You, Su Ci stood still in the courtyard, her silhouette particularly beautiful and resolute in the morning light.
"Xiao Ci, your Huajian You is excellent. You are ready to graduate," Pei Yuan said with a look of gratification as he watched the poised young woman.
Upon hearing this, Su Ci ran happily to his side. "Really, Master? I can graduate?"
Pei Yuan reached out and patted her shoulder. "Yes, you have graduated. However, while you have learned well, you lack actual combat experience. You should seek opportunities to spar with others, especially masters; it will be of great help to your progress."
Su Ci nodded earnestly. "I understand, Master. I will seek out others for guidance when I have the chance."
Pei Yuan spoke with heartfelt earnestness, "You have trained under me for three years. You have been diligent and learned quickly. Now, I have taught you everything I can; the rest depends on your own realization. The path of cultivation is endless; never be arrogant or complacent. Remember that there is always someone better, and there is always a higher sky. Furthermore, even after graduating, you must not slacken. You must continue to strive for improvement. As you wander the martial arts world, you must never commit acts that violate the moral code, nor harm the common people. While you must not have a heart that wishes to harm others, you must always have a heart that guards against harm. In all things, observe, think, ask, and remain vigilant. Do you remember?"
Su Ci nodded solemnly. "I will remember your teachings, Master. Thank you."
Pei Yuan looked at her with reluctance. "Xiao Ci, you are outstanding, and I am proud to have a disciple like you. But all good things must come to an end. It is time for me to go. Take care of yourself."
Su Ci froze, staring at him in a daze. This man, who had been both teacher and older brother to her, had guided her through the initial, chaotic days of her arrival. His presence had smoothed over the unease of being reborn into a strange world, and it was he who taught her how to establish herself and live a better life. At the beginning, she had wondered when he might leave—perhaps when she finished a long-term task, or when she made a name for herself in the world. But she had never expected the day to come so soon, so suddenly that she was completely unprepared. After three years of his companionship, hearing that he was leaving left her at a loss for words.
Seeing that she looked as if she were about to cry, Pei Yuan felt a pang of sympathy. He reached out to ruffle her hair and comforted her, "Don’t be sad, Xiao Ci. Even if I cannot stay by your side forever, you will always be my fine disciple. Your life has only just begun. Go and see the brilliant world outside. Perhaps you will find like-minded friends and kindred spirits."
Su Ci fell silent for a moment before asking, her voice choked with emotion, "Master, I don’t want to let you go. Can you not stay? I don’t want to lose you."
Pei Yuan sighed, watching her quietly without saying a word.
Su Ci fell silent again, looking at him stubbornly with reddened eyes. Just as Pei Yuan was about to say something, Su Ci stepped forward and hugged him.
"I understand, Master. I will take good care of myself. I have kept all your teachings in my heart. Rest assured, I will not let you down, and I will not bring shame upon our Wanhua Valley."
Pei Yuan went stiff for a moment before relaxing, reaching out to embrace the young girl he had watched grow up. "Take care of yourself. Don’t let anyone bully you. If someone is blind enough to provoke you, use that brush in your hand to reason with them properly. My disciple is no soft target."
Su Ci rubbed her face against his chest before letting go. "Yes, don't worry, Master. I won’t let myself suffer."
After Pei Yuan left, Su Ci could not lift her spirits. She sat in the courtyard in a daze for a long time. It was only when her stomach growled with hunger at midday that she snapped out of it. She gave her cheeks a light pat, stood up, and stretched. She decided to head to a restaurant for a good meal to soothe her heart, taking the day off to rest and recharge her spirit for the tomorrow to come.