...?
"Teach me?"
Setting aside Furina's reaction, even Focalors couldn't help but look stunned.
While they didn't share the "outsider-as-deity" complex prevalent in some worlds, the high-status aura surrounding "Descenders" was deeply ingrained in everyone's minds.
Just by looking at the interface of her Falna, it was clear that this "Edge of Taixuan" was no simple technique. To think Sushang would just offer to teach it, right out of the gate?
"Isn't this... an incredibly important legacy of your school?"
Furina, defaulting to the traditions and perceptions of Liyue, voiced her doubt.
"Hmm... is it important? I suppose it is, but then again, perhaps it isn't?" Sushang mused.
"At the very least, I'm certain my Master wouldn't have any objections if I taught it to you, Furina. Besides, I believe I've already completed my training and graduated, haven't I?"
Graduated?
Furina couldn't help but think of Sushang's intense fear of academic schools. So, is she actually some kind of martial arts prodigy? Did she dump all her potential points into combat instead of books?
It must be said that even though the description written on the Falna parchment consisted of only a few lines, Furina was genuinely tempted by the Edge of Taixuan.
Much like how Furina's own magic was obviously powerful at a single glance, the Edge of Taixuan felt like one of those "over-tuned" abilities that just screamed strength.
Besides, she had always wanted to become stronger.
"Is it... really okay?" she asked, struggling to believe it.
"Of course it is. But, to be fair, the Edge of Taixuan isn't easy to master. Honestly, it's a martial art that relies heavily on natural talent and intuition. Even if you learn it, the gap between the ceiling and the floor of one's ability is massive."
Sushang pointed to the final line on the parchment and explained simply:
"The Edge of Taixuan consists of five levels: Mantra, Form, Sanction, Ascension, and Eminence. If you want to reach that level, you must master the Blade Mantra."
"Eminence is the pinnacle of change. To have a sword without holding a blade, to manifest a sword through the sheer force of one's spirit—that is when the blade's energy forms on its own, and you have attained the Blade Mantra."
"Blade Mantra..."
Furina tasted the words, whispering them to herself.
So, this "Eminence" isn't referring to a god or deity, but that elusive, ethereal "Eminence" the people of Liyue always talk about?
She shook her head. Thinking about that was far too premature. Regardless of whether she could reach the level of "Eminence," she had to seize this opportunity and honor Sushang's goodwill.
"I want to learn! Master Sushang!" Furina said, mimicking the etiquette of Liyue.
"Ah, no need for the 'Master' bit! I'm not planning on taking any disciples yet. Just call me Sushang. Think of it as me teaching you on behalf of my Martial Aunt!"
Why on behalf of the Martial Aunt? Why not the Master?
(The main reason was that Senti was easier to talk to, and teaching in her name caused Sushang less psychological stress.)
Furina and Focalors exchanged a look of confusion, but regardless, they could tell that Sushang didn't want their relationship to become complicated because of this.
It made sense. Although Sushang wasn't from Liyue, her every action carried the subtle scent of that land; her homeland must have shared similar cultural customs.
In Liyue, the title of "Master" was a heavy, solemn responsibility—just like the saying, "A teacher for a day is a father for a lifetime."
Respecting one's master and valuing the path was a deeply rooted tradition.
Seeing how young and lively Sushang was, it was only natural she wouldn't want to be tied down by such formalities.
"Alright, then should I call you Senior Sister Sushang instead?"
Having figured out the core of the issue, Furina smiled.
"Haha, just call me Sushang. Even if we are like sisters, let's just keep it casual as friends!" Sushang said, looking a bit awkward.
"Then, I'll leave Furina in your care, Sushang."
Focalors gave the girl a playful wink. While Furina possessed a youthful spirit, Sushang had never received such a gesture from her before, and it caught her off guard.
Seeing the two of them with identical faces but completely different temperaments, she finally understood why some people had a "thing" for twins.
The night before an adventure is always filled with excitement and anticipation for the unknown. Furina tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
Fortunately, Sushang felt the same, and the two began chatting idly, with Sushang sharing more details about the Edge of Taixuan.
Focalors pretended to be fast asleep, listening to them talk for a long while without a word, until drowsiness finally overcame Furina and their conversation drifted to a close.
The next morning, the sun rose once more.
Even though they had slept late, the constitution of an adventurer ensured that when Furina woke up, she was full of energy.
There were no favorite little cakes for breakfast, nor the tea that usually brought joy to a new day. The discomfort of the past few days had become a thing of the past; Furina wanted to head into the Dungeon immediately!
Sushang, who had only been moderately interested at first, found her own expectations rising under Furina's infectious enthusiasm.
While the monsters might be effortless for her to defeat, she was more than capable of holding back and keeping things under control.
Enjoying the adventure—perhaps that was the most important thing she could do, aside from protecting Furina.
Focalors watched them with a smile, seeing the eagerness in their eyes. Since she couldn't openly enter the Dungeon, she personally helped them arrange their gear and appearance, waving as she watched them leave the inn.
Furina and Sushang headed straight toward Babel.
For an adventurer, weapons and armor were the most important preparations, but unfortunately, Furina didn't have the coin for top-tier gear.
Sushang had originally offered to lend Furina one of her Xuanyuan Swords, but after trying to swing it a few times in the inn, they realized that the weight was simply too much for the current Furina to handle effectively.
It would be fine as a training tool, but since they were going on a real adventure, it was better to use something more balanced.
Sushang offered to lend her the money to buy a proper sword, but Furina politely declined.
In the end, she used her remaining savings to buy a relatively standard longsword from the Hephaestus branch on the fifth floor of Babel.
To be honest, wearing such a magnificent formal outfit while carrying a cheap piece of steel would normally be incredibly jarring, creating a massive sense of discord for most people.
But Furina, through sheer elegance and beauty, carried that longsword as if it belonged to a much higher tier of weaponry.
With the basic gear secured, the two entered the Dungeon.
It wasn't quite the adventure opening they had imagined. Once they descended into the lower levels, they saw many other figures, and every few steps, they could see someone else fighting.
The Dungeon was structured like a cone, growing wider as it descended.
Conversely, the first floor was rather cramped. With the vast majority of adventurers being Level 1, the upper floors were essentially the main activity area.
The lack of available monsters to fight left them feeling a bit gloomy. However, just as they were about to head down to the next floor, they saw the wall suddenly ripple and crack.
Moments later, a few ugly, stunted Goblins and monsters burst from the cracks, baring their hideous faces toward them.
Finally!
--+--
T/N: If you want advance chapters, you can find it at [email protected]/AspenTL