Chapter 111: THREE MONTHS HAD PASSED

Li Yan trained every day as though it were his last. From the moment he entered the open field in the morning until he finally stopped at night, he practiced different sword techniques without allowing himself much time to rest.

Whenever one technique became familiar, he moved to another, repeating each movement until his body could follow what his mind already understood. The three months inside the mythical space passed almost entirely in this manner, with sword techniques, fire attribute training, and constant sparring filling his days.

His progress became obvious as the days passed. His fire attribute advanced to Blaze Refinement, Stage Two, giving him greater control over his flames and allowing him to shape them into weapons and attacks instead of merely releasing spiritual fire.

He also learned how to combine his fire techniques with the Nine Heavens Scorching Sun Blade, allowing the sword to carry the force of his flames whenever he used certain attacks.

The combination gave him another way to fight without relying entirely on the sword techniques he had learned.

Within ninety days, Li Yan had mastered more than fifty sword techniques. He had initially received thousands of techniques through his connection with Fan Jian, but mastering all of them in such a short period was impossible. Xiaoxiao helped him narrow down the techniques worth practicing, while Fan Jian responded particularly well to several techniques that suited his current cultivation and the sword’s nature.

The techniques they recommended were not necessarily the most complicated ones, but they were powerful enough to be useful while remaining within Li Yan’s ability to master.

His cultivation also advanced during those ninety days. He had reached the early True Warrior Realm, and the changes were not limited to the increase in his cultivation. His dantian had expanded, allowing it to contain more Qi, while his meridians had also strengthened enough to support a greater flow of spiritual energy.

The changes made his body feel lighter when he moved, and the difference was especially noticeable whenever he practiced his lightness technique.

Movements that had once required greater effort now felt much more natural to him.

Li Yan understood that his improvement came from more than simply spending three months inside the mythical space. He pushed himself every day, corrected his mistakes whenever Xiaoxiao pointed them out, and repeated techniques until he could perform them without stopping to remember each movement.

The time difference had given him the opportunity, but he had still needed to use it properly.

"Would you like to practice one last time before you leave the space?"

Xiaoxiao stood several steps away with a sword in her hand. During the three months, she had become Li Yan’s most consistent practice partner. Although she was a spirit without a physical body, her understanding of martial arts and sword techniques was far beyond what Li Yan could have learned from ordinary disciples.

She could recognize weaknesses in his movements, point out openings he failed to notice, and force him to think about how an opponent might respond instead of simply focusing on completing a technique.

Li Yan had learned a great deal from her, and he was grateful that she had been willing to spend so much time helping him practice. Without Xiaoxiao’s guidance, he would probably have wasted a great deal of time trying to master techniques that were beyond his current ability or unsuitable for the way he fought.

"Yes, there is barely any time left before my three months are up," Li Yan replied as he looked toward the surroundings of the mythical space. "I should make use of these last few moments rather than leave without practicing one final time. Fan Jian!"

He raised his hand, and the sword appeared directly in his palm. After advancing his cultivation, the sheen of the Nine Heavens Scorching Sun Blade had increased slightly, although its appearance still remained restrained. Li Yan closed his fingers around the hilt and felt the familiar connection between himself and the sword.

"Ready, Master."

The sword’s response came immediately, and Li Yan could not help smiling at the way Fan Jian continued to address him. He shifted his feet and took a deep breath before adjusting his grip. His attention settled completely on Xiaoxiao as he prepared to use one of the techniques he had spent a great deal of time practicing.

"Nine Heavens Blazing Sun Attack."

The technique consisted of nine simultaneous attacks, and Li Yan had spent considerable time learning how to make all nine strikes appear at once rather than releasing them one after another.

He combined the technique with his lightness skill, using his increased speed to strengthen the movement and make it more difficult for an opponent to determine which strike required the most attention.

Nine sword attacks moved toward Xiaoxiao at the same time. She immediately raised her sword and began blocking each incoming strike, moving from one position to another as she dealt with the attacks.

The exchange appeared to give Li Yan’s technique exactly the effect he wanted, but Xiaoxiao had not yet noticed that the attacks were only meant to draw her attention forward.

While she focused on blocking the nine strikes, Li Yan used his lightness skill to change his position. His body moved around her without giving her enough time to turn, and he appeared behind her before she could fully respond. He gathered his Qi into his palm and struck her back, sending her several metres away.

Xiaoxiao landed three metres from where she had been standing, while her sword slipped from her hand and landed in front of her. Li Yan remained where he was instead of pursuing her.

"If this had been a real fight, your next move would have decided the outcome," Xiaoxiao said as she rose from the ground and retrieved her sword. "Good fight. I admire your quick thinking in battle, especially the way you used the first attack to draw my attention away from your real movement. However, this may not work against every cultivator who is stronger than you. Some opponents may be faster than you, and they may be able to return the attack while doubling its force."

Li Yan nodded as he listened carefully. He had already understood that no technique was perfect, and Xiaoxiao’s warning reminded him that relying on the same trick against every opponent would eventually become a weakness.

If he wanted to continue improving, he needed to understand how each technique could fail and learn how to respond when an opponent saw through his movements.

He walked over to Xiaoxiao and helped her back to her feet before brushing the dust from her robes. After spending three months training together, leaving the space without another exchange felt somewhat strange, but the time he had chosen to remain inside was almost over.

"It is time to head to the sect gates. Knowing my brother, he would be waiting for me already. I should not delay them any further."