Guai

While Liuming was called for an assembly of core disciples, their daily morning training was put to a halt. Leaving Xiao to argue with her master while she sat at the table inside Liuming's training garden.

"But Master, do I really need to pick up a weapon?"

<<I have tolerated your brutishness long enough. One's kung-fu is indeed paramount in combat, but one's fist can only do so much against someone who unlocked the secrets of a sword.>>

The gist of Zhen's words is that Xiao might be an effective melee fighter, but that effectiveness can be amped even more if she decided to become, let's say, a sword saint.

Your will becoming one with the blade, a sword isn't simply a tool anymore, it becomes an extension of you. Barring the heaven and earth gap between their cultivation, this is why Zhen's ice swords are more potent, faster and powerful than what Xiao could produce.

The problem is, it took a hundred and fifty years for Zhen to unlock the secrets of the sword and achieve the title. What's more it seems that Xiao...

"I don't want to pick up a sword! Sorry, Master, but I'm just not that keen in handling a blade!"

What is up with her disciples rejecting the way of the blade? Swords are touted as the most versatile weapon! Zhen sighed. Qiuyue went on to become a spear master, while Xiao sounded like she would rather beat someone to death with her fist than handle a sword. Such brutishness, Zhen have tolerated her long enough.

<<Then it does not have to be a sword. Just pick any weapon, you damn brat!>>

"No need to blow your top, Master."

<<Xiao, why don't you meditate and visit our inner realm for a little bit, hmm?>>

With a nervous chuckle, Xiao could tell by her master's tone that she was inviting her only so Zhen could chop the top of her head.

"Alright, alright, I'm picking a weapon!"

In the table in front of Xiao were 12 Heaven Grade Weapon scrolls. Its paper had this majestic pale glow, like it was made out of the purest silk woven.

For an Arms Path cultivator, a display like this would be enough to to make them salivate harder than a hungry dog.

Even Xiao couldn't resist the allure, "Can I take them all, Master?"

<<No! You will only burden yourself if your try devote yourself to more than one. Master one weapon, and I will let you move on to the next scroll of your choosing. >>

"How long will that take?"

<<100 years for each weapon, more or less.>>

"A 100 years!? Are you insane, Master!? I can't keep swinging a weapon that long!"

<<Why the hysterics? By my guidance, you will achieve true immortality, and when that moment comes, a 100 years can pass by in the blink of an eye. >>

As proof, Zhen had already mastered the 12 weapon scrolls before she knew it. If she wasn't performing her duties as the Heavenly Court's 3rd seat, she would be either be deep into a woman's legs dual cultivating, or deep into a weapon scroll trying master a new armament.

<< Come, Xiao. Take a gander at these scrolls and take whichever you may fancy.>>

In awe at scroll collection of her master, Xiao couldn't decide which weapon to pick up from the 12 - nay, the 11. She simply doesn't have an affinity for the blade.

Xiao's eyes darted towards the scroll with the inscription, 'Guandao'. For a moment, Xiao entertained the thought of mastering the war spear, just so she could defeat Qiuyue with her own weapon of choice. Spite, after all, is a powerful motivator. Until Xiao decided otherwise. She will beat Qiuyue with a weapon of her own choosing. Her option pool had now sunk to 10.

Picking up one of the scrolls labeled 'Gun' or more commonly known as the splitstaff. It was a long bo staff that can be partitioned into 3 parts for greater striking fluidity if the bo's rigid blows are not enough.

Next up was the 'Chui'. A hammer with a head that looks like a lantern. A weapon that can devastate an armored foe with ease using blunt force, it can be equally as effective against unarmored ones especially if you can swing it with enough strength to crush bones.

These two are the ones that caught Xiao's eye. A scroll in both hands, Xiao couldn't decide which of the two she would pick-up.

Then, her eyes darted to the leftmost scroll, setting down both to look at this weapon.

The 'Guai'. Commonly known as tonfas.

<< I believe this weapon shall compliment your Bajiquan. You should be able to easily acclimate with its fast and hard hitting strikes. >>

Xiao opened the scroll in her hands to reveal the illustrations of the proper form along with the techniques to enable her to become a formidable Guai user.

'The Yin-Yang assault', where one gathers qi in both tonfas by circling them like a Yin-Yang mandala, releasing them in both the head and stomach of your foes. A strike worthy to be considered as a finisher as not only the physical blow knock-out your opponents, but your qi element embedded in each tonfa will absolutely decimate your foes.

'The Devastating Chain', an attack that spins both tonfas like a whirlwind, converting the inertia into continuos blows. They would be lucky to only suffer concussions from unending strikes.

These two prime examples of the techniques covered in the Guai scroll intrigued Xiao.

"I think I'll go with Guai, Master."

<< Excellent. Now absorb its contents before...">>

The door into her personal quarter were slammed open by Liuming. The redhead beamed with joy.

"Xiao, I'm back!"

<<...before Liuming arrives.>>

Xiao could sense her master's sigh inside of her mask. With how they can't get enough of each other, their affection would sometimes bleed into their training time.

Tender arms enveloped Xiao from behind while her focus remained on the scroll.

"That looks like a high-grade scroll. What are you reading?"

"It's Guai arms manual." Xiao answered.

"Ah, you're finally picking up a weapon! It a bit late but why not go with the sword? I'll share all my sword scrolls with you if you like. If there's a sword you want I can commission the best blacksmith in Jiangshian."

How cute. Xiao smirked at how Liuming was trying to exercise her authority as a young mistress and spoil her.

Xiao raised her head backwards to face the beautiful redhead above. Liuming immediately picked up on the coyness contained in Xiao's eyes. The redhead descended her lips onto Xiao's, sharing a sweet kiss.

"Thank you but letting me stay here is enough." Xiao answered.

"Nonsense, if there's anything you want just tell it to me." Liuming insisted. After that kiss, Liuming felt she was ready to give Xiao the world.

"Oh, then I want you to tell me what you are doing here this early? The core disciple ranking exam is tomorrow, you should still be at the assembly by now. You sneaked out, didn't you?"

Liuming turned her gaze away from Xiao's prying eyes. She's been had. All Liuming wanted was to spend more time with Xiao, the 24 hours that they are together wasn't enough. Was that too much to ask?

"Sect Master dismissed us early. Yeah, that's it!"

If there is one thing that Xiao was certain of after spending years in the Tranquil Waterfall, the sect Master would always instruct them to train together right after an assembly. Instead of training with a partner, Liuming beelined back to her sect mansion.

"You're such a terrible liar, Liuming. If you're not at the assembly then let's use this time to train. The timing couldn't be more perfect since I want to test these tonfa."

"B-but, we've been training everyday! Can't we just sit back and relax for now?"

Although Liuming was able to breakthrough Dao challenger and is now at Grand Master realm, it was still nowhere near enough to keep herself safe when faced with a monster like Qiuyue. And with the future being uncertain, Xiao would train with Liuming whenever she can.

"I'd say that if you don't train with me then I'll have to punish you later, but knowing you, you'd definitely want that. How about this, if you don't train with me then we will simply get a good night's rest after dinner. That is pretty relaxing, don't you agree?"

Liuming pouted...

"Ugh, 'kay, we'll go train right now!"