Easier
The clash of the two Ryus immediately grew heated. When Ryu used a spear, his shadow used a spear. When he used a glaive, his shadow used a glaive. When he used a halberd, his shadow used a halberd.
The changes to Ryu's battle style were swift and seamless. At times his attacks would be sharp and clever, at others they would be commanding and overbearing, and still yet they could be without obstruction and fierce.
With each exchange, the bottleneck loosened further and further.
Ryu remembered with absolute clarity that the moment his [Basic Stances] reached the Lower Small Success stage, it was that very moment he became an Heir. However, this 'small success' moniker was by the standards of his father's image in his memories. By the standards of someone just beginning to cultivation, he was well beyond the Circle of Perfection.