"No, that's not how you use a sword."
Xu Qi could tell at a glance that Nalan Yanran's sword technique was somewhat off.
"Something's not right?" Nalan Yanran lowered the sword in her hand.
"The Returning Wind Sword technique emphasizes the integration of the body and sword energy, with the internal fighting spirit swirling like a gentle breeze and then naturally flowing out along the sword. Your movements just now were too stiff, failing to achieve a natural connection between your body and the sword."
Xu Qi casually picked up a tree branch and used it as a sword, demonstrating the movements to Nalan Yanran.
Is that so?
Nalan Yanran watched his every move intently, and began to mimic his sword techniques as well.
No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't learn Xu Qi's movements.
Some sword techniques were as simple as eating and drinking for Xu Qi, but Nalan Yanran could never understand their mysteries.
This highlights the difference between Xu Qi, who possesses the "Peerless Swordsmanship" talent, and Nalan Yanran, who does not.
"Something's still not right. You should do it this way."
Seeing that he still couldn't imitate Nalan Yanran's movements, Xu Qi threw away the branch in his hand and came behind Nalan Yanran.
He reached out from behind and grasped Nalan Yanran's fair wrists.
Almost simultaneously, their bodies pressed together.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
Feeling the body suddenly pressed against her from behind, Nalan Yanran's soft body trembled slightly, her cheeks flushed, and her heart raced.
"Do...do you want it like this?"
Her voice was faint and weak, her breath was hot, and her body felt a little weak.
"Okay, be serious."
A magnetic voice rang in her ear, and a warm breath brushed against the girl's earlobe, instantly covering it with a crystalline pink that spread all the way down to her fair neck.
Xu Qi held her wrist, his movements natural, teaching her step by step, slowly and rhythmically.
"Remember the mantra: Qi flows from the heart, the heart moves with the sword, and the movement is instantaneous."
The earnest and pleasant voice finally managed to pull Nalan Yanran back to reality, and she listened attentively to Xu Qi's guidance, circulating her internal fighting spirit.
"call out!"
As the final movement was completed, a deep blue wind blade shot out from the sword and struck the ground, instantly creating a large crater.
Its power was much stronger than the Returning Wind Sword that Nalan Yanran herself used.
"How is it? Does it feel different?" Xu Qi released Nalan Yanran's fair wrist and said softly.
"Hmm...it definitely feels different. As expected, Senior Brother Xu is truly amazing." Nalan Yanran lowered her head slightly, the blush on her pretty face still lingering, making her look extremely beautiful.
Xu Qi looked openly at the shy girl in front of him, a slight smile playing on his lips.
"I've been working on the Chain Returning Wind Sword recently, so my understanding is a bit deeper. Now that you've learned it, I'll head back if there's nothing else."
With that, he turned to leave.
"Senior brother, wait a moment..." Nalan Yanran quickly called out to him.
"Hmm? Is there anything else?"
Xu Qi turned around and looked at her.
The girl raised her slightly flushed face, her eyes sparkling brightly, and mustered her courage to say:
"In the future... can I still ask you to repair chains together?"
After saying that, her heart was pounding and her palms were sweating with nervousness.
She was afraid of being rejected by Xu Qi, but she also really wanted to be able to repair chains with Xu Qi forever.
Upon hearing this, Xu Qi smiled warmly and said, "Of course, you can come to me anytime you want."
Nalan Yanran was overjoyed, her pretty face unable to hide her excitement.
"Really? Thank you, Senior Brother Xu!"
"Well, if there's nothing else, you should head back early."
"Yes, goodbye, Senior Brother Xu." Nalan Yanran nodded heavily and waved goodbye.
Watching her departing figure, Xu Qi smiled slightly.
...
Nalan Yanran returned to her boudoir with a heart full of joy.
As soon as she opened the door, she found a beautiful and elegant woman already waiting for her in the room.
"Teacher?! What brings you here?"
Nalan Yanran was overjoyed and quickly ran to Yun Yun.
"I came looking for you, but you weren't here, so I waited for a while. Where did you go? You seemed quite happy." Yun Yun looked at her disciple with doting eyes.
Nalan Yanran was her only personally taught disciple, so naturally she liked her very much.
"No, I just went to find Senior Brother Xu," the girl said with a grin.
"Which Senior Brother Xu?"
"It's Senior Brother Xu Qi. I encountered a problem while practicing the Chain Combat Technique, and since you weren't here, Teacher, I went to talk to Senior Brother Xu about it," Nalan Yanran said.
"Xu Qi?"
Yun Yun was slightly taken aback.
"Yes, I feel that Senior Brother Xu Qi has become so powerful now. His understanding of combat techniques is very profound. I never realized that Senior Brother Xu had become so powerful before. Moreover, he is handsome, gentle, and dashing…" As she spoke, Nalan Yanran couldn't help but smile happily.
Seeing her disciple like this, especially the barely suppressed joy when Xu Qi was mentioned, suddenly made her wary.
"Yanran, you wouldn't happen to... have fallen for Xu Qi, would you?"
This speculation is not surprising at all.
Yun Yun had also met Xu Qi and knew that the guy was incredibly charming.
Even she herself was a little tempted, let alone Nalan Yanran.
"Teacher, what are you saying?!"
Upon hearing Yun Yun's words, Nalan Yanran's eyes widened immediately, and she retorted.
"I didn't."
But her strong reaction made Yun Yun even more certain of this.
Even if Nalan Yanran denies it verbally, she cannot deny what she is thinking.
However, Yun Yun did not want to see this situation, so she sighed and said earnestly:
"Yanran, I'm not saying you can't like Xu Qi, but there's one thing you shouldn't forget."
"What?"
"You are engaged to Xiao Yan of the Xiao family in Wutan City," Yun Yun said.
Nalan Yanran's smile vanished instantly, and her expression froze.
Xiao Yan of the Xiao family—that was the marriage agreement that her grandfather, Nalan Jie, made with the Xiao family when she was a child.
This marriage arrangement was entirely left behind by the elders in the family, without her consent being sought at all.
Nalan Yanran had heard of Xiao Yan of the Xiao family. A few years ago, he was a cultivation genius who had already reached the level of Dou Zhe at a young age.
However, in the last two years, something unexpected happened, and Xiao Yan's cultivation level plummeted, turning him into a useless person with only the third stage of Dou Qi.
Nalan Yanran also had many thoughts on this.
Even if Xiao Yan were still the same genius he was back then, she would not be willing to marry a man she had never met.
Not to mention that the other party is now crippled.
After a moment of silence, she raised her eyes, looked firmly at Yun Yun, and said:
"Teacher, I want to break off the engagement!"