Lin Feng smiled when he saw the pure innocence reflected in the child's tear-stained eyes.
There was no deception in her, no hidden motives or selfish desires… only a simple, unwavering resolve.
It was painfully obvious that she would rather collapse from exhaustion, perhaps even lose her life on the training grounds, than fail the expectations her mother had placed upon her.
For Wanwan, training was not about glory or recognition.
It was about keeping a promise.
"You're a good daughter to your Mama, Wanwan," Lin Feng said softly, his voice carrying a warmth that was rare within the cold walls of the academy. "She's very lucky to have you."
At those words, Wanwan's shoulders trembled slightly, as though someone had gently pressed on a fragile part of her heart.
After a brief pause, Lin Feng continued, "Why are you training out here all alone?"
Only then did he truly observe her.
Wanwan had short, pale-blonde hair that clung messily to her cheeks, darkened by sweat and tears.
Her skin was fair, almost too pale, and her cheeks were slightly sunken.
She wore the academy's standard student uniform… robes of pure white, a color meant to symbolize innocence, purity, and boundless potential.
White was the color of beginnings.
A blank canvas upon which the future could be painted.
Every child who wore these robes was meant to have their destiny written with hope and promise.
Yet as Lin Feng's eyes lingered on her small frame, a faint ache stirred in his chest.
The robe hung loosely on her body, far too large for her thin limbs.
It was painfully clear that Wanwan was only a meal or two away from malnourishment.
Her strength wasn't lacking because she didn't try… it was lacking because her body itself was struggling just to survive.
Wanwan bit her lower lip as his question echoed in her mind.
The brightness in her eyes dimmed.
Slowly, memories surfaced… her teacher's sharp voice, the way his brows would furrow in disappointment, the countless times she had been told to repeat the same movements again and again without rest.
Her hands clenched tightly at her sides as tears welled up once more.
"Teacher…" Wanwan began hesitantly, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Teacher said that Wanwan isn't allowed to join the class if I can't master the Thirteen Basic Sword Forms."
Her fingers trembled as she continued.
"And if this school year ends and Wanwan still can't master them…" She swallowed hard, her throat aching. "He said Wanwan should transfer to another teacher."
The words were spoken softly, but they landed with crushing weight.
Tears finally spilled over, tracing silent paths down her cheeks before dripping onto the dusty ground below.
Wanwan bowed her head, shoulders shaking as she fought to keep her sobs quiet.
She didn't dare cry loudly.
She was afraid that even her tears would be considered a failure.
Lin Feng watched her in silence.
Anyone with eyes could see the truth… Wanwan was not lazy, nor was she careless.
She was trying with everything she had.
She trained until her body collapsed, until her hands bled and her legs gave out.
But sometimes, effort alone was not enough.
And sometimes, the problem was never the child but the path she had been forced to walk.
Lin Feng looked over Wanwan's small body once more, his gaze slow and thoughtful.
Instead of worry, a broad smile gradually spread across his face… one filled not with mockery, but with certainty.
"Do you know, Wanwan," Lin Feng said softly, "that the sword is not the only path to becoming strong?"
Wanwan blinked, startled by the question.
"In this world," he continued, his voice calm yet profound, "there are countless millions of paths to the Dao. Some people walk the path of the sword. Some cultivate the fist, the body, the mind, or the spirit. Others reach the peak through formations, alchemy, or even through seemingly ordinary means."
He crouched down slightly so that he was no longer towering over her.
"Everyone arrives at the peak in different ways. The mistake your teacher made," Lin Feng said gently, "was believing that there is only one correct path."
Wanwan listened quietly, her heart pounding. These were words she had never heard before.
To her, strength had always meant swinging a sword harder, longer, and until her body broke.
"How about this," Lin Feng said, his smile widening. "You transfer to my class. I'll teach you properly."
Then, with absolute confidence, he added, "I'll make sure Wanwan becomes strong. Strong enough that the people who looked down on you won't even dare raise their heads in front of you. Your teacher included."
Wanwan's eyes widened to their fullest.
For a moment, she simply stared at him, her mouth slightly open.
"R-really?" she asked, her voice trembling not with fear, but with disbelief and excitement. "Wanwan can become so strong that she can buy anything in the world?"
Her breath quickened as her imagination ran wild.
"Wanwan can buy Mama all the food she likes? Meat every day? Sweet buns? Even fruits that only rich people eat?" she asked eagerly. "And Wanwan can eat everything Wanwan wants too?"
The exhaustion in her body seemed to vanish completely.
Lin Feng chuckled softly, amused and strangely touched.
"Of course," he said. "That, and much more. Strength brings freedom, Wanwan. And I won't let you go hungry again."
Wanwan's eyes instantly grew wet, but this time they were tears of joy.
She nodded vigorously. "Wanwan believes Teacher!"
Then Lin Feng added, "You won't need to train out here alone anymore. Under me, you'll learn inside the classroom like the other students. You'll have many classmates. Well, one classmate for now. You can be her friend and she can be your big sister if you'd like."
Sister.
The word struck Wanwan harder than any promise of strength.
Her face lit up brighter than ever before.
"Wanwan loves that!" she exclaimed.
She quickly straightened her small back, placed her hands together, and bowed deeply… so deeply that her forehead nearly touched the ground.
"Su Wanwan greets her new teacher! Please take care of Wanwan from now on!"
Lin Feng nodded, his expression solemn for a brief moment. "Good."
Then his serious face cracked into a lazy grin.
"Come along now, Wanwan. Let's eat first. I'm starving."
"Hmmm!" Wanwan nodded happily, her voice light and cheerful.
Lin Feng turned and began walking away.
Wanwan hurried after him, but after only a few steps, she suddenly stopped.
Her gaze drifted back to the wooden sword lying on the ground where she had collapsed.
The sword that had hurt her hands.
The sword that had witnessed her tears.
She instinctively reached for it.
"Leave that sword, Wanwan."
Lin Feng's calm voice stopped her mid-motion.
"You won't need it anymore."
Wanwan froze.
Slowly, she pulled her hand back and looked at the sword one last time.
After a brief hesitation, she turned away and ran to catch up to Lin Feng, her small feet kicking up dust behind her.
As they walked, Lin Feng asked casually, "What's the name of the teacher who made you train here alone?"
Wanwan glanced back once more, then shook her head firmly and faced forward.
"His name is Teacher Wu Haoxuan," she replied softly.
Lin Feng's smile deepened, a faint glint flashing in his eyes.