CHAPTER 406: 360

Is he my second master? Heehee, he indeed has the elegance of the Scholar Sword Immortal, and it seems I will be able to learn even more knowledge...

Hua Menghuang’s eyes suddenly became brighter, shining like the stars.

At her side, Hong Yuan caught a glimpse of the child-like Hua Menghuang welcoming his arrival, and the corners of his mouth turned up imperceptibly. This impressively memorable entrance was precisely what he had intended. In dealing with a Great Dream Seed—especially the third one to appear, who possessed a great likelihood of achieving both the Human Race Destiny and the Great Dream Emperor’s title—Hong Yuan believed no arrangement was too excessive. Even though Hua Menghuang was still but a ten-year-old child!

「...」

「An antique palace.」

Under the guidance of the Butterfly Sword Martial Saint, Hua Menghuang respectfully kowtowed to Hong Yuan, offering tea as part of the master-disciple ceremony.

"Second Master, please accept this disciple Menghuang’s salutation."

"Hmm."

Hong Yuan nodded kindly, took the teacup, sipped lightly, and placed it atop the carved wooden table.

"Rise, Menghuang. From now on, you are my chief disciple."

"This is my gift to you for becoming my disciple. Do you like it?"

Hong Yuan took out a sixth-tier Sword Origin Flower from the Heavenly River Blessed Land within him. This Sword Origin Flower was no ordinary plant; it was an extremely rare cultivation marvel. Though not directly consumable, placing it in a room and experiencing its fragrance could bring one closer to the Sword Tao. Over time, the improvement it yielded was astonishing!

"First Master." Hua Menghuang, not knowing what to do, looked to the Butterfly Sword Martial Saint for help.

After the Butterfly Sword Martial Saint saw Hong Yuan’s nod, she paused for a moment, then also nodded, allowing Hua Menghuang to accept it.

"Thank you, Second Master," Hua Menghuang said earnestly.

In a world unnoticed by Hua Menghuang, Hong Yuan was communicating psychically with the Butterfly Sword Martial Saint.

"Qing, this is too precious," the Butterfly Sword Martial Saint conveyed. "Menghuang has not yet started on the path of cultivation; she can’t use it yet."

"Limin," Hong Yuan replied, "since we’ve decided to cultivate Menghuang to contend with the Xuan Guangqiao, it’s necessary for her to win at the starting line!"

"The Xuan Guangqiao... alas, that’s true," the Butterfly Sword Martial Saint mused. "The Xuan Guangqiao is too terrifying. We really can’t wait until Menghuang has an awakening before we start guiding her cultivation."

"Yes, Limin, you’re thinking correctly," Hong Yuan affirmed.

「...」

Hong Yuan smiled with satisfaction. He restrained his eager desire to immediately go to the Mysterious Emperor’s Dreamland on Taolin Mountain and, for the time being, stayed with the Ji Family. Together with the Butterfly Sword Martial Saint, he earnestly began teaching Hua Menghuang the fundamentals of Martial Arts and numerous other forms of knowledge, hoping to leave a proper impression in the heart of this Great Dream Seed.

It would be best to cultivate Hua Menghuang into the Human Race Destiny and to shape and guide this child’s thoughts into my desired form.

Training of thought!?

The Human Race Destiny as a projection of my will—

Just thinking about it, Hong Yuan felt an incredible thrill. He was like someone who had consumed a ginseng fruit, every pore in his body expanding, feeling extraordinarily refreshed!

「...」

The spring breeze passed, willow branches fluttered.

"The heart must be calm, the spirit focused," Hong Yuan instructed. "The sword follows the intent; intent leads to energy. Like a cold lake suddenly breaking ice, or a thunderclap startling the night."

In a bright and spacious martial arts field, Hong Yuan explained the True Transmission of the Sword Tao, while Hua Menghuang practiced the basic sword techniques, following his movements one by one.

Two hours later.

Hua Menghuang began to get distracted, her concentration waning.

The next moment, Hong Yuan said sternly, "Focus! Don’t get distracted!"

Behind him, Hua Menghuang, dressed in white practice attire, started and quickly looked away from the beautiful butterflies fluttering among the poplar trees, refocusing her attention. She gathered her spirit and, step by step, followed Hong Yuan’s movements, polishing her Martial Arts fundamentals.

Is this the aptitude of a Great Dream Seed? Truly terrifying! If she becomes the Human Race Destiny, she will undoubtedly become even more formidable under the blessing of great fortune, Hong Yuan thought, his face impassive.

There are five realms in the cultivation of the Sword Tao: Sword Gang, Sword Qi, Sword Light, Sword Intent, and Sword Momentum. These five realms are not ranked by strength but rather represent different directions of cultivation, each excelling in different aspects. Hong Yuan had personally witnessed Hua Menghuang start from scratch and make notable accomplishments in all five realms of the Sword Tao. It was worth noting that Hua Menghuang had not yet had her awakening, yet she now possessed the strength to marginally contend against a second-tier Martial Artist—truly terrifying!

Suddenly, Hong Yuan furrowed his brow and sheathed his longsword. He turned around, staring expressionlessly at Hua Menghuang.

Hua Menghuang quickly averted her gaze from a nearby butterfly, sheathed her longsword, stood up straight, and silently stared at her toes.

"Your mind is disturbed again," Hong Yuan said indifferently. "Go and accept your punishment."

Hua Menghuang obediently responded with an "Oh," and, head hanging low, walked away from the martial arts field toward the nearby creek. At the creek, a grand formation, jointly constructed by Hong Yuan and the Butterfly Sword Martial Saint, was specifically designed to temper Hua Menghuang’s spirit.

Two hours later.

Hua Menghuang emerged from the creek with difficulty and returned to Hong Yuan’s side.

Hong Yuan said nothing. He picked up the Heavenly River Sword once more and continued to practice the basic sword techniques, using his Grandmaster Level Sword Tao understanding to help Hua Menghuang lay her foundation.

WHOOSH. WHOOSH.

WHOOSH. WHOOSH. WHOOSH.

The sword wind stirred, and the two figures, one large and one small, moved almost in unison, perfectly coordinated. This time, no matter how the colorful butterflies danced and tried to distract her, Hua Menghuang remained undisturbed, wholeheartedly following Hong Yuan’s sword practice.