Under Third Senior Sister Liu Yun's day-after-day "tempering," Xiao Qi's physical constitution improved at a visibly rapid pace: his reactions grew ever more agile, and his bones and sinews became considerably stronger. Although his cultivation still lingered at the third layer of Qi Refining, his foundation had been polished exceptionally solid. In his every movement and gesture, there was less of his former frailty and more of a steady, composed bearing.
One afternoon, after completing the positively grueling weighted cross‑country run that Liu Yun had assigned—soaked in sweat, dragging his nearly broken‑down body—Xiao Qi was preparing to return to the servant quarters to wash up and rest. As he passed near a quiet bamboo grove adjacent to the Inner District disciples' area, a peculiarly rhythmic, steady sound of something cutting through the air caught his attention. The sound wasn't sharp or fierce; instead, it carried a certain mountain‑like heaviness and steadiness. Every swing seemed to draw the surrounding spiritual energy into a gentle, flowing motion.
His curiosity piqued, Xiao Qi lightened his footsteps and quietly approached. Deep within the bamboo grove, on a small clearing, Senior Brother Mu Qingfeng was practicing sword. He wasn't performing any showy sword techniques; instead, he repeatedly drilled the most basic movements: thrust, slash, flick, hang, dot, snap, and intercept. His motions were slow and meticulous, as earnest as a beginner's. Yet, the seemingly ordinary blue‑steel longsword in his hand carried an indescribable charm with every swing. No dazzling spiritual light flashed on the blade; only an extremely faint, nearly imperceptible azure halo flowed along it. With his movements, the surrounding air seemed to grow still and solemn. Bamboo leaves drifted down soundlessly but, as they neared within about ten feet of his body, appeared to be guided by an invisible force, sliding quietly to either side, unable to come close.
Holding his breath, Xiao Qi hid at the edge of the bamboo grove, not daring to disturb, simply watching quietly. He couldn't discern the subtleties of the swordplay, nor could he sense any massive fluctuations of spiritual power. Yet, for some reason, gazing at Senior Brother's steady, mountain‑like figure and feeling the unique rhythm brought by that longsword cleaving the air, a strange sensation arose in his heart. It wasn't fear, nor was it oppression—it was a kind of… hard‑to‑describe "rightness" and "steadiness." It was as if he wasn't facing a person or a sword, but an ancient, enduring mountain, a ceaselessly flowing great river—vast, majestic, carrying an unquestionable dignity and a sense of protection. This "intent" was formless and intangible, yet it genuinely pervaded the bamboo grove, influencing everything around.
Is this… sword intent? The thought sprang into Xiao Qi's mind. He had heard Second Senior Brother Luo Feng mention that accomplished sword cultivators, upon reaching a certain level, would no longer confine themselves to the forms of sword techniques but begin to comprehend their own "sword intent." Sword intent is the embodiment of a sword cultivator's spirit, will, and Dao‑heart—profound and mysterious, yet possessing power that transcends mere techniques. The sword intent of Senior Brother Mu Qingfeng felt to him precisely like this: steady, weighty, vast, and righteous, like the earth supporting all things, like the clear sky overarching the world—inspiring awe, yet also bringing an inexplicable sense of reassurance.
He strained his eyes, trying to imprint every movement of Senior Brother and that lingering "intent" deep into his memory. Though he couldn't comprehend its mysteries in the slightest, couldn't even attempt to imitate it, this direct perception planted a seed in his heart. He recalled Master Xuan Lin's teaching, "Cultivation begins with cultivating the heart," and remembered how the purification power within the jade pendant depended on one's mental state. Was Senior Brother's steady, vast sword intent also an external manifestation of his firm Dao‑heart?
He became so absorbed that he forgot the passage of time, forgot the weariness of his body. Only when Mu Qingfeng slowly sheathed his sword did that unique "intent" suffusing the bamboo grove quietly dissipate, as though it had never been there at all. Mu Qingfeng turned and looked with gentle eyes toward Xiao Qi's hiding place. Far from being annoyed by the boy's spying, he offered a slight smile. "Junior Brother Xiao Qi?"
Startled back to awareness, Xiao Qi hurriedly emerged from behind the bamboo, somewhat flustered as he bowed. "S‑Senior Brother, I… I didn't mean to peek on purpose."
"It's fine." Mu Qingfeng returned the sword to its scabbard, his aura tranquil. "On the path of cultivation, observing and contemplating more is no bad thing. Only, the Way of Sword Intent emphasizes comprehension through the heart; it cannot be obtained merely by watching with the eyes. Do not cling to the form; instead, perceive its spirit."
"Perceive its spirit…" Xiao Qi murmured, recalling that mountain‑like, vast, and profoundly righteous feeling he had just experienced. He nodded, though only half‑understanding.
"Your foundation grows steadily more solid—this is good." Mu Qingfeng regarded him, approval in his gaze. "A steady heart‑nature can bear more. Go on."
"Yes, thank you, Senior Brother!" Xiao Qi bowed once more, his heart filled with awe and a vague, budding comprehension, then turned and left the bamboo grove.
On the way back, Senior Brother's steady sword‑shadow and that unique "intent" still lingered in his mind, refusing to fade. It was a realm he could not yet reach, could not even understand at present, but it had opened a new window for him. Now he knew that the path of cultivation encompassed not only the accumulation of spiritual power, the tempering of the physical body, and the mastery of techniques, but also higher, more mysterious domains pertaining to spirit and will.
This impression engraved in his heart was like a faint spark—not bright, yet quietly guiding the direction of his future cultivation journey. He faintly sensed that, whether it was the purification power of the jade pendant or his own Dao‑path, both might be intimately connected with this "heart" and "intent." And what Senior Brother had unintentionally revealed today was precisely the exemplar he needed to look up to and pursue.