Liming Zi looked over the Dao Art Image of Golden Ribbons and Arc, and deeper within, at the Innate Qi of Rising Dragon.
It was a peculiar situation.
"I'm not too sure myself..." But she kept looking over the Innate Qi.
"At this rate, you should stabilise it by tomorrow. But there are a few uncertainties..."
"And those are?"
"For one, the method you are using is... unfamiliar to me. Maybe it is just luck? Regardless, this is your serendipity. I would suggest continuing with this method."
Liming Zi handed Rising Dragon back to Sun.
"However, the condition of your Dao Art is unusual. It seems to have subtle differences."
"Ah. That was another thing I wanted to bring up. As I was testing the Dao Art, I could not conjure any ribbons..."
"No ribbons?"
Yet another look of contemplation fell on Liming Zi's face; she scrutinised the Dao Art Image of Golden Ribbons and Arcs, but found nothing amiss.
"Perhaps... It is because the foundation is not yet truly stable. Producing ribbons would put too much strain on the Dao Art."
"So it is a matter of foundation, then?"
It was a simple answer, but it brought great satisfaction to Sun.
Liming ZI remarked on the situation once again,
"To reinforce the Innate Qi through combat... While staying idle does not affect the Innate Qi, action does..."
"That's good, isn't it? I can keep training while stabilising the Innate Qi."
"That is true. If there is no other problem, then why don't you spar against me?"
"What...?"
"Spar, like back in the day. It would be much better than fighting against the empty space."
"That is true... Sure, why not?"
"I will prepare; it will only be a moment."
...
The courtyard in the back of their shared accommodation was plenty spacious, thirty meters long and fifteen meters wide.
Sun stood on the western side of the courtyard, while Liming Zi stood on the eastern side.
On the western side, a silvery halberd bearing the image of a dragon was pointing at the ground. On the eastern side was a spear bearing the image of a lotus, pointing towards the sky.
"Five battles. Keep notice of your Rising Dragon's Innate Qi as we battle."
Sun nodded, igniting the blade of Rising Dragon with a radiant pale gold.
Liming Zi wielded her father's weapon, the Night Breaching Spare. The blade was a flawless white, shimmering lightly under the starlight.
They were a dozen feet from each other, and Sun took the first step to close the gap between them.
Rising Dragon rose to the sky, then fell with a ferocious cleave.
The golden arc was thus met with the cry of steel; Night Breaching Spear parried it to the side, before spinning around and positioning itself for a thrust.
Sun took a step back and withdrew his halberd. Taking another step, he twisted his torso out of the way of the thrusting spear's trajectory.
As Liming Zi retreated, Sun advanced. His Rising Dragon slammed forward at an angle, as if intending to cut across Liming Zi's right shoulder to the left side of her hips.
His body was close to hers. There was a calm light in his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by shock.
A black boot had sunk into his stomach.
Stomping on Sun's body, Liming Zi delivered a powerful blow which stopped his advancement.
His grip tightened around his halberd, and he recollected himself with a hand over his stomach.
But respite was not permitted. Liming Zi spun around and lowered her body, aiming for a sweeping kick.
Absentmindedly, Sun jumped.
It was not a conscious thought, but it felt like a natural response.
As he landed again, he tried to capitalise on Liming Zi's vulnerability.
Once again, he slammed Rising Dragon down, but was caught by Liming Zi's Night Breaching Spear.
Pale golden light flickered against the flawless white light.
And as they struggled in this competition of raw strength, Sun leapt back, withdrawing completely.
Liming Zi had long since stepped into the western side of the courtyard.
"Your strength hasn't diminished that much, but your fighting style is a little different."
"Is that so...?" Sun gathered his breath and straightened himself, "What would you say has changed?"
"I would say that you are a little more reckless. Before I kicked your stomach, you overextended and stepped too close into my range."
She scrutinised, sharing her thoughts on the battle.
Sun had experienced this before.
He had sparred against Liming Zi many times before. Each time he would lose their spar, or bring it to a draw, at most.
But never once had he felt a hint of hurt from being scrutinised before.
It was faint and poked in his heart. It was also like the ripples of a small stone being thrown on a lake.
Nevertheless, he shook his head with a sigh and cleared his thoughts surrounding that pain.
Looking at the Innate Qi of Rising Dragon, it has indeed changed.
"The rate it is stabilising is quicker than when I sparred alone... so this method is greater when against someone than alone?"
"It does seem that way, which makes it all the more efficient."
"Then let us continue sparring. It feels nice to warm my muscles after so long..."
...
The first spar only took a few breaths of time.
The second... much longer. Half a stick of incense had burned before their spar came to an end.
Sun's talent shone once again.
His body moved quicker, he slammed his halberd with more force, and swept the air with faster swings.
In just a short amount of time, Sun's strength seemed to increase by a smidge.
However, after the end of their spar, he was subjected to the same remarks.
'You overextended.' 'Your grip is too tight.' 'Your muscles are rigid.'
He was subjected to all sorts of scrutiny over the rest of their battles.
And after the fifth and final spar, it only concluded after an hour of fighting.
This time, Sun seemed to have stepped on the border of the eastern and the western sides of the courtyard.
Liming Zi was before. To him, she seemed to represent a guardian of this frontier, the final frontier that separates west and east.
He was breathless, but Rising Dragon stood pointing towards the sky, and the lotus blade of flawless white was pointing down to the earth.
...