Chapter 43: The Technique

"When a technique reaches perfection, you make it your own. You are no longer bound by its forms," Liana said. "At that point, you need not rely on brute force."

"Every sword technique is an approach to the true essence of combat. Understand one, and a hundred others follow."

Liana pressed two fingers together. She brushed the side of a bamboo stalk.

A clean, precise cut appeared.

Theo’s eyes widened slightly. He couldn’t hold back his amazement.

Liana completely internalized the fundamental blade arts. He never even saw her practice them.

"The pinnacle of your art grants you full control over the timing, quantity, and placement of force."

"You can condense a mountain’s weight into a single point, piercing stone like dripping water."

The moment her words fell.

Snap.

The bamboo stalk exploded outward, its power focused entirely at the cut.

"Forget the rigid forms. Pick up your blade."

"Alright."

Theo drew his chipped steel machete.

Just as he prepared to move, a cool hand clasped over his. A delicate fragrance enveloped him.

Liana stood behind him. She held his hand firmly.

Theo stiffened.

This was different from falling into the gorge. Back then, adrenaline left his mind blank. There was no room for wandering thoughts.

Now.

"Don’t lose focus. I will guide you once."

A clear, crisp voice sounded by his ear.

True hands-on teaching.

In her past life, Liana never offered more than a few words of advice to her generals. She never taught anyone with such dedication before.

"Got it."

Theo steadied his mind and began learning earnestly.

Fifteen minutes later.

Liana released his hand. She silently stepped aside.

She held a bamboo ruler in her grip. Her gaze remained tranquil.

"Practice."

Theo fell silent.

Did the ice block mean if his form was incorrect, she would whip his palms with that ruler?

Five minutes later, Theo got his answer.

Not the palms.

"I am a grown man! Since when do people get spanked on the backside?!"

Theo clutched his rear in protest.

It didn’t hurt. But the humiliation.

"Hahahaha!"

Vespera laughed until she nearly toppled off her rocking chair. Tears streamed from her eyes.

Liana remained unmoved. She lowered her gaze.

"Forget the rigid forms. You used them again. Power originates from the earth and flows through your meridians. You don’t need to swing like a butcher to achieve the same effect."

Not a single word about the butt incident. No room for negotiation.

Fine.

If he didn’t flex a little, she would really think he was a brute.

System shop. Martial Insight Tokens.

Theo spent his credits.

[Five years of martial insight successfully injected.]

[Year One: Under Liana’s guidance, you gain enlightenment. You strive to grasp the essence of blade work, letting go of rigid forms.]

[Year Five: Through relentless practice in the simulation, you forget the forms. You rely on instinct.]

Even with Liana’s pointers, five years of insight only got him this far.

If he brute-forced it alone, it would have taken decades.

"I am ready."

Theo picked up his blade and began practicing again.

"You really got it?"

Watching him swing the blade, a flicker of surprise passed through Liana’s eyes.

Yet after a few moves, Theo stopped.

"Could you guide me through it one more time?"

"...Fine."

Liana nodded in agreement.

The ice block’s mini-class resumed.

"Wait for me a second... Got it! Now guide me through it again."

This scene repeated over and over.

Liana felt an indescribable strangeness.

It was as if Theo was both brilliant and dense.

During instruction, he was clumsy. He often needed corrections. He made mistakes she considered basic.

But when left alone to ponder for a while, it was like an epiphany. All flaws and errors vanished.

Then, moments later, he asked her to teach him the next part.

What she didn’t know was this. Theo was just saving up on system credits.

...

Three days later.

On this night, Liana broke through to the Inner Scenery realm.

She dreamed again.

She dreamed of the time when she ruled the Sovereign Palace, before ascending as the Empress.

Back then, the conflict between the orthodox and demonic factions was raging.

The imperial court watched from the sidelines, fanning the flames. They eagerly wanted to see the sects weaken each other.

The Sovereign Palace walked the line between righteousness and evil. They rarely interfered in martial affairs, yet they gathered the realm’s most powerful cultivators. Both sides fought desperately to win them over.

The imperial court wanted to secure an alliance.

The Crown Prince arrived at the Palace with betrothal gifts lavish enough to make any major faction drool.

"I wish to unite in matrimony with the ruler of the Palace, forging an eternal bond."

This wasn’t the first proposal she received. It was the grandest.

Yet the outcome was no different.

The suitor couldn’t withstand three strikes.

"I have no interest in the weak."

People kept disturbing her. It was endlessly irritating.

Truthfully, she had zero interest in power struggles or bloodshed. Beyond securing her place at the pinnacle of martial arts, nothing else mattered.

That was what she said back then.

But as rumors spread, it morphed.

"The ruler of the Palace prefers men stronger than her."

This tale persisted even after she became the Empress. By then, no one dared challenge her anymore.

"I dream often lately."

"Without reaching the Spirit Observation realm, I still cannot control my own mind."

Liana rose. She brushed frost from her shoulders.

Beyond the window, the sound of swordplay drifted in. She pushed open the shutter.

Under the sunlight, a boy danced with his blade.

The blade’s shadow fragmented into hundreds. Then it merged into one.

Fluid. Effortless. Like an immortal crane stretching its wings.

Liana watched quietly. The faintest smile curled at her lips. She didn’t notice it herself.

She supposed she wasn’t a bad teacher. Of course, Theo’s talent played a part too.

Strangely enough, with guidance, he progressed by leaps and bounds. Without it, he seemed utterly ordinary. But all in all, despite the stumbles, he actually mastered the essence of tactical combat to perfection.

Liana initially thought reaching completion would be impressive enough. This far exceeded expectations... In half a month, when the regional tournament began, she might actually see his name somewhere among the elite.