Potential problem

{Yawn! After a thousand years, I finally see the brightness of the day. Being locked in eternal darkness was not pleasant, something I won't wish to experience again. Thank you. And what is your name?}

“My name is Xiao Zhu.”

[Little Uncle Xiao Feng, this sword can talk, its voice is resounding in my ears], he said, panicked.

[No need to worry about that. It's a growth-type artifact that possesses consciousness. Just make sure it submits to you. They are known to be stubborn.]

[Yes, Little Uncle Xiao.]

“Hmm, thanks to me, you've left that eternal darkness of yours. So what are you going to do for me in return?” Xiao Zhu said to the sword.

“Yes, only the contractor can hear its voice,” he thought.

{I promise to protect you until you die}, the golden fiery sword resounded in Xiao Zhu's mind.

“Huh! Until I die or until you get destroyed? Well, I don't plan to die, at least not until I surpass Little Uncle Xiao, and I'm seeing that in the next thousand years,” he thought inwardly.

“Congratulations! You've successfully bonded with the golden fiery sword. But it's so unfortunate, you'll be dying here,” Zhao Lusi threatened. “And once you die, the bond gets broken. Isn't that nice?”

Xiao Feng leaped onto a tree, laid comfortably on it, and began to pick his teeth with a toothpick, enjoying the show.

{What! Did he just call me Golden Fiery? Huh! Huh!! Nooo, I hate that name. Who gave me that name? What a bad talent in naming. Another reason cultivators don't progress in their cultivation.}

“Huh!” Xiao Zhu exclaimed softly.

{Hey, owner! Give me a wonderful name, please!}

“Uh! I actually have a bad naming sense too,” he replied. “Hmm, so you can abuse me too, huh? Well, not happening,” he scoffed as he thought within.

{No worries, since it'll be coming from you, I'll accept anything.}

“Piercing Stride,” he said.

{What! Are you naming your newly invented technique? Another one, please.}

“But you just said you'll accept anything.”

{Well, not just anything, I guess.}

“Finally, then I'll name you Blossom Peak,” he said.

{Aww, finally, I've got a wonderful name after so many years. Thank you, owner.}

“What? It actually bought that when all I did was spout nonsense that came out of my mouth. Well, that's good,” Xiao Zhu thought within.

{Now that I think about it, where is my father?}

“Father? What do you mean by father? Do swords have a father? Or by any chance, do you mean your creator?”

{It's been more than a thousand years now. Why would I be searching for a dead man?}

“Woah! Isn't that harsh of you? Well, I don't know anything about your father,” Xiao Zhu said.

{Thinking about it, where did you find the strength to unlock me when you're this weak?}

“Uh, probably the doings of my master,” he replied.

{Master? Who is he to be able to awaken me? Only a cultivator with pure heavenly divine Qi can awaken me from my deep slumber, and I'm sure there aren't more than five in this whole continent.}

“Well, if it's Little Uncle Xiao, I'm sure he possesses the heavenly divine Qi,” he said.

On the other hand, Zhao Lusi had an infuriated look etched on his face. “How dare a little boy who just embarks on the journey of cultivation ignore me while I, the young master, am speaking to him,” he thought, with his teeth grit together and fists clenched tightly.

He infused his sword with Qi, as veins were already popping on his face.

“Hey there, gotten overly engrossed in your new toy? I hope you didn't forget to observe your enemy,” Xiao Zhu said.

Xiao Zhu looked up only to see Zhao Lusi lift his sword as he ordered his men, with his sword aimed straight at him.

“Bring his head to me,” Zhao Lusi shouted.

{Now it's time for action. Let me give you a word of advice as a sword with many owners. To be able to wield me freely, you need to have reached the total comprehension stage.}

“Huh! Why lecture me now? We have enemies charging straight for us,” he said.

{Worry not about that. I'm here to protect you.}

“Okay," he replied.

{Listen as you parry their attacks.}

A cultivator came charging at Xiao Zhu.

'Infinite Starry Blow'

Immediately, Xiao Zhu infused his sword with Qi, ready to parry the attack, but his master held him back.

"If you want to become the greatest sword cultivator, then fight these noobs without relying on your sword Qi. Treat them as training dummies," his master advised.

"Yes, little uncle Xiao," Xiao Zhu replied, releasing his Qi.

Total blade mastery refers to a complete and comprehensive understanding of the art of swordplay. It goes beyond just learning individual techniques and moves, encompassing a deep comprehension of principles, strategies, and philosophies behind sword fighting.

Another opponent came at him with the aim to finish him in one blow.

'Ten Swords of Hell'

Xiao Zhu gracefully parried their strikes until the last one, which contained a significant portion of the attack. He was pushed back slightly and had a small amount of blood at the corner of his mouth.

"Do you think you and your elder brother are invisible?" one of the opponents taunted.

"Huh! Point of correction, I'm his master," Xiao Feng retorted, twitching his mouth.

To achieve total blade mastery, one must not only possess exceptional physical abilities but also develop strong mental focus and discipline. This includes honing techniques such as footwork, grip, stance, strikes, blocks, and parries, as well as mastering different types of swords and their specific characteristics.

"Now that I think about it, is that the reason little uncle Xiao read through all the books in the sword archive?" Xiao Zhu pondered. "If that's true, then I still have a long way to go compared to my master."

With a fierce look of determination, Xiao Zhu braced himself for impact.

'Sword of Aging'

This time, the attack came from a master in the Nascent Soul Realm. Xiao Zhu wondered if he would be able to block it. But he quickly reassured himself, knowing he had a master guiding him.

The attack appeared slow at first, but gradually revealed its true strength and lethality.

{Are you sure you were listening to my teachings?} the sword said.

"Yes, of course," Xiao Zhu replied.

{Then apply them. What are you waiting for? To get yourself killed? Oh! You want me to move your body in your absence?}

"Okay, okay," Xiao Zhu responded.

Xiao Zhu closed his eyes for an instant before opening them again.

'Heaven Secret Movement'

Yes! Xiao Feng had taught him this technique.

He swiftly sidetracked each attack, parrying the ones closer to him. His body moved fluidly as Xiao Feng became impressed with his disciple's performance.

"Oh! Now he is using his brain. After all, brain and brawn work well together," Xiao Feng said, smiling.

Xiao Zhu closed the distance between him and the attacker.

'Vertical Slash'

The attacker was slightly able to receive his blow.

"Is this an attack from a kid without using sword Qi?" the cultivator thought. "Now I know who we are dealing with."

[You learn from every fight and battle, never aim to kill unless you're in a perilous situation]

"Yes, little uncle Xiao."

Furthermore, total blade mastery involves understanding the timing and distance required for effective attacks and defenses, anticipating and countering opponent's movements, and adapting one's style to various combat situations.

A practitioner with total blade mastery can fluidly and effortlessly wield a sword, demonstrating precision, speed, and control. They possess a profound understanding of the intricacies of swordplay and can apply their knowledge effectively in battles and real-life self-defense scenarios.

{Hmm, that was impressive. A talented and gifted genius. Your master really taught you well}, the sword remarked.

Xiao Zhu laughed a bit, still observing his enemies for any movement.

The young master of the Heavenly Sword Sect, Zhao Lusi, clapped his hands.

"At first, I was paranoid about someone stealing the sword, but now seeing your talent and how you refrained from killing my crew, I'm impressed," he said. "I'll leave the Golden Fiery Sword for you. Accept it as a gift of gratitude for saving my crew's lives."

"Young master, but we bought it with a large amount of money," the steward whispered into Zhao Lusi's ear.

Zhao Lusi glared at him, then turned to leave.

"Huh! Wait, if you do things like that, it would leave me in an awkward situation," Xiao Zhu interjected.

"Well, we'll leave things as they are today. We might meet in the future and duel for it," Zhao Lusi smiled.

The entire crew began their journey, and Xiao Feng wanted to disagree with their departure. He had hoped his disciple would engage in a long-lasting fight for his first time. However, he held himself back when he realized the reason behind Zhao Lusi's action. Xiao Feng knew that Zhao Lusi was not someone with a simple, pure mind.

"Well, a prey will always be a prey, no matter what their actions are," Xiao Feng snickered.

As they left, Xiao Zhu felt relieved, looking forward to chatting with Blossom Peak. But then, he received a voice transmission from Xiao Feng.

"Hey, unpolished gem, are you ready to shine?" Xiao Feng asked.

"Huh! What do you mean?" Xiao Zhu replied, confused.

"Your real training has just begun," Xiao Feng informed him.

Xiao Zhu looked around only to realize they were surrounded.

"Assassins? They are the best to be used as real training dummies," Xiao Feng laughed.

"Little uncle Xiao, we have been surrounded," Xiao Zhu exclaimed in alarm.

"Who are the 'we'?" Xiao Feng laughed mischievously.