The Final Variant [Pt 2]

The gentle breeze that flowed through the Sword Saint's backyard was especially fierce this evening, as both Liu and Yui stood opposite each other.

They remained in silence as they enjoyed the melodies of the wind, feeling the scent of countless flowers brush past their nose, and the chill of the evening course through their bones.

"Before we begin, shall we go over a bit of what we've learned?" Yui smiled, closing her eyes as she placed her hands behind her.

Liu stiffened in response, nodding in preparation for whatever his master would ask of him.

"Tell me the Stages that are used to measure the power and skill of Practitioners." She began.

"Yes, master. The Foundation Stage. The Intermediate Stage. The Advanced Stage. The Master Stage. The Sage Stage. The Saint Stage. The Legendary Stage. The Divine Stage. The Transcendent Stage. Each Stage has nine Levels."

"And of those Stages, what is the highest attainable by a human?"

"The Legendary Stage has the highest recorded level of power that any human has achieved, and even then the person who achieved this is now nothing more than a myth," Liu responded sharply, watching as Yui nodded in satisfaction.

He could have said more about it; how even the leaders of the Three Pillars were all in the Saint Stage, and so was Yui.

She had told him how extremely difficult it was to break through, and how she hadn't been able to do so for over a couple of centuries now. The power bottleneck was both frustrating and despairing.

"I already taught you how to measure energy concentration and ability manifestation to detect the Stage a Practitioner is in, correct?"

"Yes, master."

"Then tell me… what Stage was Cu Ren in? The one you defeated."

Liu spent some time thinking, trying to give the most accurate Stage and Level for his most recent opponent.

"Level 7 or 8 of the Advanced Stage." He finally replied.

"God job. He's in Level 7, but he's very close to breaking through to Level 8. It's good of you to have detected the subtle spike in power that should have placed him at 8, but also noticed it wasn't quite sufficient."

Liu's cheeks turned pink instantly, and he stiffly nodded in response. "Your words are too kind, master."

"With that out of the way, I'll like to tell you that you won't be able to draw the full potential of any Swordcraft Technique unless you're at least Saint Stage. Especially this last Variant I'm about to teach you."

"Is it that difficult?"

"Yes." Yui nodded, a little concerned. "It takes up the most focus and delicate skill out of everything. Energy consumption varies, but its certainly the kind that requires you to have perfect mastery over energy flow."

It sounded like they had reached the limit of Liu's ability to consume any more of Swordcraft. However…

"I don't care how difficult it is. We've been through this for nearly five years now. I won't stop at this point. No matter what, I'll master this technique!"

Yui smiled once Liu said this. His enthusiasm strengthened her, and his confident tone brought her comfort.

"Thank you, Liu. I'll make sure to teach this to you, at the very least…" Something about her distant tone caused Liu to focus on her with concern.

"Are you alright, master? You're looking a little pale."

"I'm good, Liu. Don't mind me. I'm actually pretty excited."

"Oh? Really?"

"Yes. After all… I'll finally have a disciple who can use my ultimate move.

"Hehe! I won't disappoint you!"

Thus, the training began.

*****

"The first eight Variants show you how to manipulate energy, and use it to achieve many things. However, for this final Variant, [Conclusion], there is only one use. One principle that guides it."

Liu watched his master take the floor, gripping her blade with resolve as she taught.

"It experiences the burst of energy…"

Suddenly, an immense burst of white energy erupted from Yui, creating an immense pressure that caused even Liu to gasp in shock.

"... Takes that energy in…."

The power erupted even more—this time, another kind of energy formed around it. It was bright blue. Both energies seemed to be on the verge of collapse.

"... And then nullifies it."

As soon as the two energies collided, they both instantly fizzled out, returning to nothingness. It only took an instant for all of this to happen.

"[Conclusion] deals with returning every energy around to nothingness by nullifying everything, including your own. It is the peak of energy control, and it allows you to break down even the densest energy in moments."

Liu's eyes widened as he watched his master explain these things.

All of the Swordcraft Variants so far had been immensely powerful, each having its areas of strength. Using them, a person could feel unstoppable. However, once he saw this final technique, Liu realized yet another height that he had yet to experience.

This was beyond the sheer notion of being unstoppable. This was literally the essence of Untouchable.

The realm of being invincible—peerless in every sense of the word.

'It's no wonder master was able to oppose the Three Pillars in the past. This technique… it's unmatched!'

"So, Liu… what do you think?" Once he heard his master's voice, Liu snapped out of his thoughts and jumped in excitement.

"It was amazi—"

"Is… that… so…?"

Before Liu could realize what was going on, Yui wobbled from where she stood, finally collpasing to the ground.

"M-master?!"

In a flash, Liu strengthened his legs and made his way to Yui, catching her body before it touched the ground.

"Master? Master! Master?!"

His eyes bulged the moment he felt her in his arms.

'S-she's freezing? Her skin is so pale now… and… what is this?!' Liu saw how ragged Yui's breathing was, and how she shivered in his embrace.

It was definitely not normal.

'S-something is wrong!'

Suddenly, his mind sent him back to earlier in the morning when he saw Yisheng leaving the shrine. He had wondered what could have brought a frail physician like him so high up the mountain, but now he understood.

'Master is… Yui is… sick?!'

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[A/N]

What will happen now? What kind of illness has befallen Yui?

What will happen going forward? Find out in the next chapter!

And thanks for all your support thus far. Please keep showering me with your love. Thanks everyone.

Cheers!