Chapter 7: Bamboo cutting(2)

(From now on our MC name will be Grey, as Grey from Greyson)"Yes, our Big Bamboo Peak's special training," Daren replied with a grin. "These bamboo trees are the specialty of our peak. They're stronger and more resilient than normal bamboo."He then handed two woodcutting knives to Grey and Xiao Fan. "For the next three months, you juniors will have to cut down one bamboo tree each day," Daren instructed.Xiao Fan, examining the knife, felt the training was pointless. After all, he was used to cutting wood in his village. He voiced his thoughts, "Brother Daren, I'm used to cutting wood back in my village."Daren, his face smug, replied, "Then try cutting down one of these bamboos. If you can cut it, you can skip this training." He remembered his own experience when he first joined, thinking the task would be easy—only to discover just how tough these bamboo trees really were.Under everyone's watchful eyes, Xiao Fan approached the bamboo tree and slashed at it with all his might. To his surprise, there wasn't even a scratch on the tree, and the recoil was so strong that it sent him falling backwards."Haha! Junior, now do you understand?" Daren said with a laugh."And this is your sister, Tian Linger, the master's daughter," Daren added, gesturing toward the little girl."Hmph! That's Senior Sister for you two," Linger said with a smug expression.'Senior sister, my foot,' Grey thought to himself, 'You're not even half my age. There's no way in hell I'm calling you my senior.' Although his physical body was only 10 years old, his soul had lived for 21 years, and he wasn't about to start treating someone so much younger as his superior.Shaking his head, Grey walked over to a bamboo tree with the knife in his hand, determined to test his own strength. He mobilized the energy within his body and slashed at the bamboo. He focused on mobilizing the energy within his body, feeling it flow through his limbs, and then slashed at the bamboo.The bamboo tree was incredibly tough, far more resistant than it appeared, but with a firm grip and a strong swing, Grey managed to cut it down.'It's not that hard,' he mused, examining his hand. The effort had been significant, but he realized that the difficulty stemmed mostly from his lack of experience. With more practice, he felt confident that he could handle it with ease. Though cutting bamboo trees might not seem like serious training, Greyson understood that it was an essential exercise for beginners in cultivation, helping them build strength and focus."Wow, Junior Brother, you really cut it down in one strike!" Daren exclaimed, staring in disbelief at Greyson and the fallen bamboo tree. "Are you sure you didn't practice before?" he asked, still trying to process what he had just witnessed."Nope," Grey replied casually.Xiao Fan, who had watched the whole thing, couldn't help but feel that Grey was better than him. They had joined at the same time, yet Grey had already shown greater skill. However, instead of feeling jealous, Xiao Fan was motivated. He knew that with practice, he could also improve his strength."Hmph, I can do it too!" Linger declared with a flourish, cutting through the bamboo with practiced skill while gliding effortlessly through the air. The pieces of bamboo fell neatly into the basket strapped to her back, which seemed to defy gravity itself."Wow, Senior Sister is amazing!" Xiao Fan exclaimed, his eyes wide with admiration. Linger beamed at the praise and turned her gaze toward Grey, eager to see his reaction. But Grey's expression remained deadpan, as if he was silently asking, Is that really something to get excited about?"Hey, brat! What's with that look?" Linger snapped, feeling insulted by Grey's indifferent gaze."Oh, me? Brat?" Greyson asked innocently."Yes!" Linger shot back."Then aren't you also a brat? You and I are the same age, so that makes you a brat too," Grey said with a smirk. "A brat calling another person a brat doesn't make you any less of one."Linger's eyes widened in shock. "You... you... you...!" Her face turned an impressive shade of crimson as she floundered for a retort. "How dare you!"'Child, you're dealing with an adult. Your tricks won't work on me,' Grey thought to himself, laughing inwardly.Daren, watching the exchange unfold, tried to stifle his laughter. He had seen his kids who behaved maturely for their age, but this was on a whole new level. He felt a pang of sympathy for Linger, who was now looking as if she had been caught in a trap."I'm what?" Grey asked, playing the innocent act to perfection."You... bad guy! I'm leaving!" Linger huffed, her face still burning with embarrassment. She stomped off dramatically, her pride wounded and her confidence shattered and Linger stormed away.