Eternal Ascendancy

Choosing a Weapon

Four months later,

A young man lay sprawled on the floor, his body smeared with blood. Nearby, a stunningly beautiful woman stood, her face a picture of speechless bewilderment.

"Can you be any more shameless?" she finally blurted out, her voice tinged with exasperation and amusement.

"I've already given you the healing pills. Your injuries should have completely healed. So why are you still lying there?"

The young man cracked one eye open, a mischievous grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Maybe I'm just enjoying the view," he said, his voice teasing.

"Get up right now, or your training will be doubled for the next week." The beautiful woman snorted at the young man's antics.

Hearing her words, the young man jumped up like a kangaroo, his face shifting from playful to pleading instantly.

"Master, it's been four months, and you are beating me daily. Can't we take a break from training? Just one day is fine."

The woman, Lian Hua, crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow, her expression stern but with a glint of humor in her eyes.

"You know the saying, Kai Ren. No pain, no gain. Besides, you're making excellent progress. You've already reached the low level of the Qi disciple realm."

Kai Ren sighed dramatically, wiping away the remnants of blood from his face. "Yeah, yeah, 'excellent progress,' except for the part where I feel like I'm getting pummeled by a mountain daily."

Lian Hua couldn't suppress a smile. "Consider it character building. Think of the stories you'll have to tell one day."

He smirked, brushing off his clothes. "Oh, great. 'Once upon a time, my master beat me senseless every day, and now I'm slightly less terrible at cultivating.' A real bestseller."

Lian Hua chuckled, shaking her head. "You know you love the challenge."

Kai Ren rolled his eyes but couldn't help grinning. "Maybe. Or maybe I just enjoy annoying you."

"Keep it up, and you'll get to do both," she replied with a wink. "Now, ready for another round?"

Kai Ren groaned but nodded. "Ready as I'll ever be."

Over the past four months, Kai Ren and Lian Hua had grown much closer. Kai Ren found himself shedding his mature facade, allowing himself to enjoy life as a fourteen-year-old.

For Lian Hua, talking to someone without pretending to be a man was a huge relief. Despite her claims of being accustomed to living as a man, she was a woman at heart, yearning to live openly as one.

Both orphans, abandoned at birth, Kai Ren and Lian Hua found a deep bond forming between them, catalyzed by their shared sense of abandonment and resilience.

They continued their training for the entire day. When they returned to the sect at dusk, Lian Hua talked to Kai Ren.

"I've been training you for the past month in hand-to-hand combat, and I think it's about time you choose a weapon. What do you think?"

Kai Ren's eyes lit up at the prospect. "Really? Finally! I've been dreaming about this day!"

Lian Hua smiled warmly. "Yes. It's an important step in your training. A weapon can become an extension of yourself, a trusted companion in battle."

Kai Ren nodded eagerly. "I've always admired the sword. It seems so elegant and powerful."

Lian Hua tilted her head thoughtfully. "A sword is a good choice. It's versatile and requires a balance of strength and precision. But remember, choosing a weapon is like choosing a partner. It must feel right for you."