These past two days—
All the disciples of the Wind Sword Sect had heard that the sect now had an unusual guest.
At the first light of dawn each morning,
He would set out toward the Wind Eye forbidden ground in the rear mountains—accompanied by an incomparably beautiful young girl.
This astonished many disciples.
That Wind Eye forbidden ground—
Even a Spirit Ancestor lingering there for long would feel as though knives were scraping their flesh, unbearable pain gnawing to the bone.
Yet this youth could endure until the sun sank into the west, only then returning to his quarters, staggering with exhaustion.
A new day rose.
Watching that white-robed youth, supported by the beautiful young girl, gradually vanish toward the direction of the Wind Eye—
The disciples could no longer hold back their whispers.
"He's going again! Does he have some sort of… self-torture fetish?"
"I heard his name's Li Zhexian? A friend of the Young Sect Master—his talent even startled the Sect Master himself!"
"Hmph, talent means nothing if you waste it! Spending time just to listen to the wind—what use is that? Far less practical than us honing the sword formations!"
"The Sect Master himself spent a whole year here before he gained any insight. This Li Zhexian is far too naïve!"
Their talk grew lively.
None of them noticed Feng Buyu silently appearing behind them.
Thud!
Feng Buyu's foot landed squarely on the backside of the one who had just declared, "Li Zhexian will never comprehend the sword."
"Get back to practicing your swords!"
"Each one of you, wagging your tongues behind people's backs!"
"Anyone caught gossiping again will be sent to the kitchens to help the cooks and chatter with the aunties there!"
The disciples lowered their heads in silence.
Feng Buyu snorted, then turned his gaze toward where Li Zhexian had disappeared, a deep respect flickering in his eyes.
The pain of the Wind Eye's slicing gales—
He had tried it for a single day, and could never bring himself to endure it again.
But Li Zhexian seemed to relish it as if it were sweet wine.
Feng Buyu began to understand why Li Zhexian's sword could be so peerlessly sharp.
Those greater than you… are also those who push themselves far harder than you.
"Bring me the real Wind Binding Gauze."
A disciple handed him a length of gauze without the faintest weave of netting.
Feng Buyu silently wrapped it around his own eyes.
A disciple muttered quietly,
"Senior Brother Buyu, we know we were wrong."
"Actually… we also admire Li Zhexian."
"It's just that… trying to comprehend sword intent from the wind in such a short time—it's hard for us to even imagine it's possible."
Feng Buyu's voice was calm.
"I believe it."
"Brother Zhexian's talent is far greater than mine, and his diligence surpasses me a hundredfold."
"With that before me, what face do I have to slack off?"
"I'm going to the Wind Eye to listen to the wind as well."
With that—
Under the stunned gazes of the disciples, Feng Buyu turned and strode decisively in a certain direction.
A dozen breaths later—
He shuffled back, scowling.
"You gave me the real Wind Binding Gauze—don't you know to help me walk over?!"
"How am I supposed to see the road?!"
…
Feng Xiao and several elders walked over.
The disciples hastily saluted.
"Greetings to the elders."
"Dismissed—return to your sword practice."
Feng Xiao waved his hand.
"Yes, Elders."
Watching Feng Buyu being helped toward the Wind Eye, Feng Xiao stroked his beard and nodded in satisfaction.
"Buyu has finally settled his heart!"
"This is all thanks to Young Hero Zhexian!"
Several elders smiled and agreed.
At that moment, one elder, his brows sweeping straight into his temples, spoke up:
"Sect Master, are you not placing too much weight upon this Li Zhexian?"
"I understand you wish to form good relations for the sect, but is this youth's sword talent truly so extraordinary?"
All eyes turned toward Feng Xiao.
After all, he alone had crossed swords with Li Zhexian in the Star Dou Forest.
Feng Xiao was silent for a moment, then smiled.
"My thoughts are the same as Buyu's."
"I believe Li Zhexian will surely comprehend sword intent from the wind."
"What say you, elders—do you believe it?"
The elders exchanged glances, most slowly shaking their heads.
"I hear Li Zhexian will be leaving in a few days."
"In so short a time, to comprehend sword intent? Absolutely impossible."
Another elder added:
"If sword intent were so easily gained, would we have sought shortcuts and devoted ourselves to those quick sword formations?"
"We know well the importance of foundations. But as the pillars of this sect, we must bear the load—time waits for no one…"
…
Deep within the Wind Eye—
Li Zhexian sat cross-legged upon a jagged protrusion of rock.
The Wind Binding Gauze and his plain white robe whipped violently in the gales.
The unrelenting wind-force pierced through like billions of steel needles stabbing into his skin, an endless agony like a thousand blades flaying his flesh.
Even with his Frost-Meridian Constitution, his body's strength far surpassing that of other Spirit Masters at his level, the pain was beyond words.
The wind roared in his ears.
Li Zhexian clenched his jaw, his mind anchored like a stone.
Within the first two days, he had already understood why no one in the Wind Sword Sect came here to listen to the wind and comprehend the sword.
Difficult! Difficult! Difficult!
Under these flesh-tearing gales, simply holding one's mind steady was a monumental challenge—
Let alone calming the heart to seek the sword's intent within the wind!
His face was pale; beads of blood seeped from beneath his skin, instantly torn into a fine crimson mist by the gales.
And yet—
His focus remained locked on the mysteries within the wind.
He already had some insight into the wind's realm.
These past two days of listening had brought him considerable gains.
Concentrating—
The gales pierced through the Wind Binding Gauze.
They split into seventy-two streams, threading into his ears.
And he heard—
The southeast wind passing through a wind-worn cave, keening like a broken sword's lament.
The northwest wind surging into jagged scars, heavy and mournful like rusted iron's sigh.
He heard Feng Buyu arrive.
Holding on for more than the time of one incense stick, Feng Buyu finally reached his limit and staggered away.
But Li Zhexian endured still.
He knew the Wandering Spirit Wind Essence could aid his comprehension of the wind's intent.
But that was only an aid!
The most important thing—
Was to break open the door to sword intent with his own strength!
Only at that final step would he let the wine lend its hand—
Just as…
When he had once grasped the first form of the Qinglian Sword Song, "Yaoguang"—
He had first formed the half-shape of the move himself, then used the Yaoguang Brew to perfect it.
And the second form, "Sword of Blazing Frost"—
He had only gained that spark of inspiration after sitting motionless at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well for several days.
The Martial Soul of Wine—
Was but his supporting wing!
He, Li Zhexian, would be a strong man who was no slave to his Martial Soul!
Strength—was the Martial Soul becoming strong because of Li Zhexian, not Li Zhexian surviving because of it!
As the sun tilted west—
Li Zhexian forced himself to stand, swaying unsteadily.
Listening to the sound of gales striking the crystal clusters, he painfully plucked several Wind Spirit Crystal clusters.
"The past two days ended in failure…"
"Today, the Wandering Spirit Wind Essence will succeed!"
Cradling the crystals,
The blood from his wounds stained the transparent facets with mottled crimson.
High above the hollow—
Feng Bailong tilted his head, listening to the sounds below.
The labored steps of the youth's climb, the thick scent of blood borne on the wind, and the hours slipping away between sun's fall and moon's rise—all entered his ears.
The mountain wind stirred his black-and-white hair.
Feng Bailong nodded with satisfaction.
"My path is not a lonely one."
…
After gathering the crystals—
Li Zhexian staggered to Qian Renxue's side.
Though blindfolded and lacking Feng Bailong's ability of hearing all things—
He could clearly sense that warm, familiar presence waiting quietly ahead.
"Qian Renxue…"
"Please… take me back…"
One arm clutched the crystals tightly, the other reached forward.
These past two days, it had been Qian Renxue who brought him back each time.
She gazed at the youth before her.
His once-white robe was now a ragged garment of blood, not a patch of skin left unscathed.
Her azure eyes trembled faintly.
Her red lips parted several times, but the words caught in her throat.
Today, Li Zhexian's injuries were worse than ever.
Suddenly, she turned around.
Without a word, her jade-like arms gently drew him onto her slender back.
Soft, warm light-attribute Spirit Power radiated from her body.
Li Zhexian did not resist.
He rested his cheek against that gentle back, murmuring softly:
"…Thanks."
Qian Renxue's delicate body shivered.
Her arms, holding his, tightened a little more.
As dusk deepened and starlight bloomed—
The girl carried the bloodied youth, walking home in silence beneath the stars.