The feast hall of Clear Void Sword Sect buzzed with excitement.
Tables groaned under the weight of spirit fruits, rare elixirs, jade-roasted pheasant, and countless delicacies brewed with cultivation techniques that preserved flavor and essence.
Ye Ping sat at the center, eyes wide, bewildered, but happily munching on a steaming bun. Around him, disciples whispered in awe.
"Did you see how he destroyed that lantern? It was like a divine strike!"
"He doesn't even know how to wield a sword, yet his sword intent is unmatched."
"Ye Ping must be the sect's next sword immortal!"
Ye Ping, however, was distracted by the endless piles of food.
"Big uncle said feast, right? Then eat, eat!" he muttered.
Just then, Elder Zhou approached with a scroll.
"Young Master Ye, the sect master has prepared a personal cultivation manual for you. It is the legendary 'Sword Dao Beginner's Guide'."
Ye Ping blinked.
"Manual? Uh… what's that for?"
Zhou swallowed nervously.
"It contains secret sword techniques passed down through generations."
Ye Ping nodded slowly.
"Uh… okay. I'll read it after lunch. First, more buns."
The disciples exchanged looks of astonishment.
Only Ye Ping could treat a priceless sect manual like a bedtime story, and still be considered a prodigy.
**
Later, under the blossoming moonlight, Ye Ping wandered the sect courtyard, the manual tucked awkwardly under his arm.
He flipped through the pages, trying to understand the intricate sword diagrams and cultivation incantations.
"Focus your Qi at the dantian… meditate under the moonlight to attune your spiritual energy…"
Ye Ping scratched his head.
"Qi? Dantian? How do I find my dantian? Is it like a bun shop?"
A soft chuckle echoed nearby.
"Master Ye, perhaps I can assist?"
A graceful figure stepped forward — a silver-haired young woman with sharp eyes and a calm demeanor. She wore the pale blue robes of a core disciple.
"I am Ling Xue, disciple of Sword Sect. I heard you were given the beginner's manual."
Ye Ping smiled sheepishly.
"Uh… yeah. But I don't understand much."
Ling Xue smiled kindly.
"It is common. Sword cultivation is complex. May I demonstrate?"
Before Ye Ping could protest, Ling Xue began to meditate, drawing gentle silver energy around her fingers.
"Watch closely."
Her sword intent manifested as a faint silver mist, swirling slowly, controlled yet powerful.
Ye Ping blinked, entranced.
"Wow… that looks cool."
Ling Xue opened her eyes.
"Would you like to try?"
Ye Ping nodded eagerly.
Ling Xue guided his hands to hold an imaginary sword.
"Focus your mind. Imagine the sword's edge. Control your Qi…"
Ye Ping closed his eyes, taking a deep breath.
Focus… sword… Qi…
Suddenly, a loud crack echoed.
Ye Ping's hands twitched uncontrollably, sending a shockwave that shattered a nearby stone bench.
Ling Xue's eyes widened.
"Extraordinary… your Qi bursts with raw power! It's unstable, but immense."
Ye Ping blinked.
"Oh, that? I just wanted to stretch my fingers."
She smiled softly.
"Your sword dao is like a wild stallion — untamed but with endless potential."
Ye Ping nodded slowly.
"Uh… what's a stallion?"
Ling Xue laughed lightly.
"A horse."
Ye Ping scratched his head.
"Horses are cool. I like buns more."
**
Word of Ye Ping's unusual cultivation spread fast.
Every day, more disciples came to observe the "genius who knew nothing."
One morning, Ye Ping was surrounded by a crowd of admirers as he accidentally kicked a bucket, sending water flying everywhere.
"A technique of water manipulation!" shouted one elder.
"Master Ye's unconventional path breaks traditional limits!" a disciple proclaimed.
Ye Ping yawned.
"Uh… just slipped, sorry."
In his mind, Ye Ping only wanted to live peacefully — eat buns, nap, and maybe learn a bit about cultivation if it didn't require too much thinking.
But fate had other plans.
**
One afternoon, while wandering near the training grounds, Ye Ping bumped into Senior Brother Han.
Han was tall, muscular, and skilled, known for his lightning-fast sword strikes.
Han smirked.
"You're really the genius everyone says? Teach me your secret."
Ye Ping blinked.
"Uh… I don't know any secret. Just luck, maybe."
Han grinned.
"Show me a move then!"
Ye Ping hesitated, then raised his hand lazily and waved it.
Suddenly, a gust of wind blew across the courtyard, scattering dust and leaves.
Han blinked, then laughed.
"Your sword intent controls the wind? Incredible!"
Ye Ping shrugged.
"Uh… maybe the wind likes me."
**
Days turned into weeks.
Ye Ping's daily life became a series of amusing mishaps misinterpreted as transcendent techniques.
He tripped over his own feet, and the resulting dust cloud was called "Spirit Veil Technique."
He sneezed, causing a sudden gust named "Dragon's Breath."
He yawned loudly during meditation — "Silent Thunder Strike."
Each mistake elevated his legend.
Meanwhile, Ye Ping remained blissfully unaware.
**
One night, under the starry sky, Ye Ping sat by the lotus pond, tossing stones into the water.
Ling Xue approached.
"Master Ye, the sect wishes to hold a demonstration of your talent before the inner sect disciples."
Ye Ping blinked.
"Demonstration? Uh… what's that?"
Ling Xue smiled softly.
"To show your skills and inspire others."
Ye Ping rubbed his neck.
"Uh… can I just eat buns instead?"
Ling Xue laughed.
"We will prepare buns."
Ye Ping grinned.
"Well, in that case, I'm in!"
**
The next day, the grand training arena was packed.
Disciples, elders, and the sect master gathered to witness Ye Ping's demonstration.
Ye Ping stepped forward, holding his wooden sword.
He raised it, took a deep breath…
And tripped spectacularly over his own feet.
The crowd gasped.
But then, somehow, the sword in his hand whipped through the air, cutting through a massive stone pillar behind him.
The pillar crumbled, dust filling the air.
A stunned silence.
Then, thunderous applause.
"Truly a miracle! The Pathless Sword Dao!"
Ye Ping blinked.
"Uh… I just fell."
Sect Master Yuan Hong smiled deeply.
"Sometimes, the heavens guide those who walk without knowing. The greatest geniuses appear foolish to the untrained eye."
Ye Ping smiled, blissfully unaware of the legend growing around him.