After mastering the Azure Lotus Sword Art, Yun Jin checked her status panel again. Beneath the sword art, a progress bar now appeared, showing Beginner Level: 0 Proficiency. There was also a button: [Simplification Available].
Yun Jin decisively activated it. As expected of an Earth-grade sword art, she burned through 500 Primary Simplifications before getting a satisfactory result.
[Simplified Azure Lotus Sword Art: Swing your sword at least 100 times daily. More swings = faster proficiency gain.]
Early the next morning, Yun Jin eagerly went out to test it. She found an open space and summoned her Panda Spirit Beast, Gun Gun. Thus, while Gun Gun alternated between tree-smashing and ghostly howling nearby, Yun Jin began swinging her sword at the air.
Si Wanning happened to pass by, still half-asleep. Rubbing her eyes, she suddenly jolted awake.
"Huh? Is this... an exorcism ritual for some vengeful spirit?"
She wanted to ask but hesitated at the sight of Yun Jin fiercely slashing at nothingness.
[+50 Emotional Value]
Yun Jin turned and spotted her wide-eyed senior sister. She waved enthusiastically. "Senior Sister, good morning!"
Caught red-handed, Si Wanning had no choice but to approach.
"Junior Sister... are you... practicing swordsmanship?" She pointedly ignored Gun Gun—the panda had been acting deranged for days anyway.
Rumor had it Xiao Jin had taught it some "power-gaining chant" involving tree collisions and screaming.
Absurd?
Yet its skill proficiency actually increased!
Some things defied logic.
Conclusion:
An unorthodox master breeds unorthodox pets.
"Yes," Yun Jin blinked innocently. Lately, her Emotional Value gains had slowed—Yue Zhao's wool was nearly sheared clean.
Time for a new target!
"Senior Sister Si Wanning, you're up!"
Still oblivious, Si Wanning frowned. "What sword art is this? It seems... formless."
Swinging her blade nonchalantly, Yun Jin replied, "Oh, just the Azure Lotus Sword Art. Had a sudden epiphany last night—reached Beginner level already."
[+100 Emotional Value]
Si Wanning: "????"
The entire sect—including the Sect Master and Peak Lords—had failed to master this technique. Yet her junior sister claimed success...
In mere days?!
And wasn't she supposedly focused on leveling her Planting Master rank?!
"Senior Sister doesn't believe me?" Yun Jin fluttered her lashes.
Si Wanning mechanically nodded, then shook her head violently.
For anyone else, this would be impossible.
But for Xiao Jin...
Somehow, it felt plausible.
"Since the Azure Lotus Sword Art is water-attribute, it might benefit your cultivation. Let me demonstrate."
Sheathing her sword, Yun Jin closed her eyes. When they reopened, turbulent waves churned within her pupils, and an unstoppable aura erupted around her.
Si Wanning's lips trembled.
This... this wasn't just "Beginner level."
That pressure...
"She's already grasped the sword intent!"
Despite mental preparation, Si Wanning involuntarily contributed [+200 Emotional Value].
Not that she lacked composure—but sword intents weren't supposed to be this easy!
Normally, one needed complete mastery of a sword art to comprehend its true intent.
Yet Yun Jin?
Her technique proficiency remained low, yet she'd seized the intent prematurely.
"Just like with my Lotus Bloom Sword Art."
And now, with the Earth-grade Azure Lotus Sword Art, she'd done it again?
Both were water-attribute arts. Si Wanning wondered—despite Yun Jin's Five Spirit Roots, did she have an abnormal affinity for water?
That could disrupt elemental balance...
A flicker of concern arose.
"Azure Lotus Sword Art—First Wave!"
Yun Jin's blade arced upward, conjuring rolling tides that stacked endlessly.
Even Gun Gun yelped and scrambled behind a tree.
Directing the waves toward empty ground, Yun Jin unleashed the technique.
When the waters receded...
A gigantic crater marked the impact zone.
Si Wanning rushed over to assess the damage.
Her conclusion:
"This strike rivaled Golden Core Stage power!
At this rate, in a few months, Junior Sister might surpass me!"
Her pride as the Second Senior Sister screamed in protest.
"I refuse to be outdone by my junior!"
A survival instinct kicked in.
"Train. Train like my dignity depends on it!"
(If being surpassed was inevitable, let it happen later.)
Wuwuwu...
"Senior Sister, the Azure Lotus Sword Art has nine waves. I've only learned the first—its power is still lacking." Yun Jin sighed modestly. "As a novice sword cultivator, I'd appreciate your guidance."
Si Wanning: "..."
Now she understood why Yue Zhao had been avoiding Yun Jin lately.
"This little demon could weaponize humility!"
"Lacking power"?
A Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator delivering Golden Core-level attacks—and she called it "lacking"?!
"My advice?" Si Wanning said icily, "Next time, skip the vocal announcement."
"But how else will people appreciate my technique's brilliance?" Yun Jin pouted.
Defeated by this exhibitionist, Si Wanning muttered, "Keep practicing. I have... things to do."
As she fled, Yun Jin shouted after her:
"Senior Sister, you should train harder too! Join me—I can level up my Lotus Bloom Sword Art while you're at it!"
Si Wanning accelerated her retreat.
"The audacity!
Her training benefits my sword art?
This is psychological warfare!"
Yet by afternoon, Si Wanning—dragging a reluctant Yue Zhao—returned to practice alongside Yun Jin.
"Infuriating as she was, if it helped Junior Sister progress...
Fine."
Between swordsmanship, pill refining, planting, and cultivation via pill consumption...
Ten days passed.
Yun Jin's panel underwent dramatic changes:
Azure Lotus Sword Art proficiency reached Beginner 90%. A few more days would advance it to Skilled, unlocking the Second Wave. According to Si Wanning, the First Wave equaled Early Golden Core Stage. The second might push further.
Cultivation Base:
With her "Eat to Grow Stronger" trait, ordinary food became inefficient. Now, Yun Jin consumed pills directly—alternating Foundation Establishment Pills and Huanyuan Dan.
In ten days, she broke through to Mid Foundation Establishment, bordering on Late Stage.