Time flew like an arrow, and in the blink of an eye, three years had passed.
Both Gu Han and Bibi Dong had now broken past the Rank 50 mark, becoming five-ring Soul Kings.
"Junior Brother—watch my sword!"
On the sparring field, thirteen-year-old Bibi Dong stood tall and poised, dressed in a light violet battle outfit. There was a sharpness in her eyes, her presence bold and spirited—like a heroine straight out of legend.
Her style had completely diverged from what it once might have been. Originally, she should've grown into a lively and innocent girl—pure and mischievous. But thanks to Gu Han's influence, she had transformed into a sword-wielding warrior maiden, full of valor and edge.
Even so, the playful glimmer that defined her youthful spirit had not faded with time.
Her sword style, much like Gu Han's, was swift, elusive, and brimming with lethal intent.
Clang!
Gu Han raised his sword horizontally and blocked the tip of Bibi Dong's blade with a calm clang of steel.
A gentle smile curled at the corner of his lips. With his back straight and clad in blue robes, he looked like a wandering immortal who had descended to the mortal world.
"Senior Sister, your strength still needs some refinement."
Bibi Dong puffed her cheeks in playful defiance and struck again. Her soul power surged into her sword, and dark violet sword qi wrapped around the blade—each thrust charged with tremendous force.
Clang, clang, clang!
The ringing of blades clashing echoed endlessly.
The two darted across the field, sword energies slicing through the air. When Bibi Dong realized she couldn't break through Gu Han's defenses, her swordplay shifted—adding softness to the force. A strange, fluid energy wrapped around Gu Han's sword, like a current coiling with intent.
This sword technique was something Gu Han had developed by integrating the principles of Taiji Sword with his nameless technique manual. It blended hardness and softness—fluid yet fierce—designed to frustrate brute-force assault-type Soul Masters.
"Junior Brother, if strength alone won't cut it, then taste the Taiji Sword!"
Bibi Dong smiled confidently. The Taiji Sword Technique suited her well, and she had discovered something extraordinary in its practice—moments where she seemed to merge with the world itself, as if she became one with nature, embodying all things.
Even her soul power became denser and more refined. Compared to before, her strength had doubled among peers of the same level.
In terms of mastery over this technique, not even Gu Han could say for certain that he had surpassed her.
"As expected of a true prodigy. All she needs is the will to learn, and her rate of comprehension far exceeds the average."
Now it was Gu Han's turn to feel fired up. He activated his own Taiji Sword Technique, engaging in a back-and-forth of energy and blade with Bibi Dong.
Suddenly, Bibi Dong struck first—her sword trembling violently, dispersing the swirling vortex that had wrapped around it.
Her sword drew a soft arc through the air—gentle and slow on the surface, but concealing an explosive strength beneath.
The sword came at Gu Han like a spring breeze brushing against willow branches—but aimed to kill.
Gu Han's gaze sharpened. He didn't dare take it lightly. His footwork shifted subtly, and his Frostblade drew a similar arc to divert her attack to the side, while swiftly countering with a stab toward her chest.
Bibi Dong responded instinctively. Following the momentum of Gu Han's redirection, she spun away gracefully. Her sword flashed horizontally, slicing out a wave of sword qi that dispersed Gu Han's counterattack.
The two danced across the sparring ground, their swordplay like flowing water—seamless and circular. It looked gentle on the surface, but every move harbored deadly intent. Sword qi collided or were drawn away by strange forces—some slicing deep grooves into the ground, others dissolving into the swirling sea of sword intent.
"Hah!"
With a crisp shout, Bibi Dong's soul power surged as her sword momentum shifted sharply. She shattered the delicate balance of the duel, unleashing a storm of sword qi that burst forth like a raging tempest, rushing straight at Gu Han.
Gu Han inhaled deeply, soul power bursting forth in kind. His sword spun rapidly before him, forming a tightly woven curtain of blade light that blocked Bibi Dong's entire assault.
This wasn't a match to determine victory. Gu Han's goal was simply to help Bibi Dong train, so he chose defense over offense. His Taiji Sword Intent created a massive vortex that swallowed her sword qi whole.
Gradually, all the tangled sword qi were spun into a sphere. Following the shifting momentum, Gu Han dissolved them bit by bit, scattering the force outward while sealing himself inside a protective cocoon of sword light—impenetrable.
Bibi Dong had long since withdrawn her sword and was now standing quietly, watching Gu Han resolve every trace of energy she had unleashed.
"Junior Brother… when it comes to the sword, you're still better. I can't match you."
She spoke with a trace of shame. After all, every one of her techniques had come from her junior brother. While Chen Xin had instructed her for half a year, most of her progress still came from Gu Han's guidance.
Gu Han simply smiled and waved his hand. "You're the real genius here, Senior Sister. Your martial soul isn't even a sword-type, yet your talent for swordsmanship completely impresses me. In just three years, you've already grasped the essence of Taiji."
Truthfully, Gu Han was amazed. He had the help of the nameless technique manual, which made it easier to understand the core of Taiji. But Bibi Dong had relied purely on her talent and perception.
In that regard, he felt inferior.
The essence of Taiji isn't limited to swordplay. As the saying goes: Taiji lies in intent, not in form.
Once the intent is mastered, it can be applied to any weapon—or even unarmed combat—channeling Taiji's force regardless of form.
Gu Han had refined this system for a purpose: to counter the Clear Sky Hammer—a spirit known for its raw, destructive power and soul force locking abilities. Specifically, it was tailored to counter Tang Hao and Tang Xiao.
In terms of pure strength, no sword, spear, or halberd could compare to a giant hammer. The weight alone gave the hammer an edge.
His prior battle with Tang Hao taught Gu Han that going head-to-head in a power contest with the Clear Sky Hammer was foolish. One needed finesse and technique.
Thankfully, he had the depth of his past life's experiences to draw upon—wisdom from martial arts history and theory. And what better example than the legendary Taiji Fist and Sword created by Grandmaster Zhang Sanfeng, specifically meant to counter brutes who swung heavy weapons with brute strength?
No matter how mighty the Clear Sky Hammer was, as long as Gu Han could entangle it with the first strike, drawing it into a mire of redirected energy, it would become helpless—brute force with no outlet.
Besides, most people misunderstood Taiji because of its soft appearance. But that's only half the truth.
Taiji is not just softness. It is the harmony of hard and soft—gentleness and explosive force united. That is the true essence of Taiji.
"Speaking of which, Junior Brother…" Bibi Dong flopped onto the rooftop, resting her cheeks in her palms and muttering with a hint of boredom, "Who do you think will win this year's Continental Advanced Soul Master Tournament?"
That's right—this was the season for the most prestigious competition on the continent. This time, however, the finals were being held in the Heaven Dou Imperial Capital.
In the original timeline, this marked the first time the Spirit Hall hosted the finals. Traditionally, they had always been held in either the Heaven Dou or Star Luo imperial cities.
Now, all the major powers had gathered there. Spirit Hall was being led by Lingyuan, who had since ascended to the rank of Titled Douluo.
After consuming the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower, her spirit had evolved into the top-tier Fire Phoenix, granting her control over Extreme Flame.
With the addition of a ten-thousand-year soul bone, her strength skyrocketed. She swiftly broke through to Rank 89. After a period of consolidation, she then hunted a 99,000-year-old Blazing Flame Godhawk, a soul beast with partial Phoenix blood, under the command of Qian Xunji.
Upon obtaining its soul ring, her soul power leapt again, bringing her to the peak of Rank 93.
And it wasn't just her.
Both Yue Guan and Ghost had also ascended to the Titled Douluo realm—years ahead of the original timeline.
~~~
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