To be honest, the progress in romancing the [Huiyuan Sword Art] was unexpectedly smooth.
However, the more he improved, the more the cold and detached sword path became clingy and lovesick.
But this did indeed fit the [Huiyuan Sword Art]'s "Resentful Housewife" personality type perfectly.
'After all, she's a resentful wife. Isn't it reasonable for her to be a bit clingy?'
As Gu Chengming persisted in his practice day after day, the [Huiyuan Sword Art]'s sarcasm decreased significantly.
It seemed it hadn't expected Gu Chengming to actually stick with it, spending a large amount of time every day practicing that set of simple-to-the-point-of-boring sword moves over and over again.
However, occasionally during the intervals of Gu Chengming's practice, a few self-pitying sentences would still pop up on the panel.
[Huiyuan Sword Art feels somewhat surprised. It even begins to suspect if you might truly have a tiny bit of sincerity towards it.]
[It thinks again that it's overthinking. After all, it's just the sect's basic sword art. Anyone can learn it, anyone can use it. It's not some rare treasure, so who would take it seriously?]
Gu Chengming had long become accustomed to these complaints full of resentment, even finding them somewhat cute.
He simply swung his sword silently, using the most direct action to respond to [Huiyuan Sword Art]'s "insecurity."
In less than half a month, the Affection between Gu Chengming and [Huiyuan Sword Art] had already reached 30, changing from [Stranger] to [Friendly].
And the change in Affection status brought great benefits as well.
First was the reward of attribute points. Although it didn't directly award Free Attribute Points, the system awarded one Fixed Attribute Point, which was added to [Strength].
This made Gu Chengming clearly feel the increased power in his arms when swinging the sword, and his sword momentum became more steady and powerful. Although it wasn't a Free Attribute Point, this tangible improvement gave Gu Chengming considerable motivation.
Secondly, and more importantly, Gu Chengming's understanding and mastery of the [Huiyuan Sword Art] reached a whole new level.
Those once stiff moves now flowed naturally in his hands.
The transition of every movement, every technique of exerting force, seemed to be engraved into his bones.
It was no exaggeration to say that the current Gu Chengming could easily single-handedly beat ten of himself from half a month ago without falling into a disadvantage.
'Although they would all be weak chickens...'
On the other hand, the phenomenon of the [Cleansing Heart Mantra] circulating on its own, like on the first day of practicing the [Huiyuan Sword Art], did not happen again.
But occasionally, some prompt text would pop up on Gu Chengming's panel:
[The Cleansing Heart Mantra finds this very interesting.]
[The Cleansing Heart Mantra observes your efforts and seems to have developed a slight interest in the interaction between you and the Huiyuan Sword Art.]
Gu Chengming guessed that the [Cleansing Heart Mantra] was likely the "Clear-headed Bystander" type of romance target.
It wouldn't express emotions directly like the [Huiyuan Sword Art], but would observe silently, giving some meaningful feedback at inadvertent moments.
This type of character often required more detailed insight and longer-term groundwork to slowly romance.
He already had a preliminary romance plan in his heart, but his current focus was still on the [Huiyuan Sword Art], so he couldn't attend to the [Cleansing Heart Mantra] for the time being.
It is worth mentioning that Junior Brother "Jiang Lu," who came to remind him, did indeed come to Gu Chengming's small courtyard occasionally to guide him in the Huiyuan Sword Art, just as he had promised.
Cultivation in the Wenjian Sect was quite different from ordinary sects.
It emphasized a clear sword heart and attaining divinity through the sword.
There was once a brilliant member of the sect who comprehended the Supreme Sword Intent overnight, thereby attaining divinity through the sword, breaking through two realms consecutively, reaching the Sixth Realm directly from the Fourth, and becoming a great cultivator famous in the region.
Coupled with the fact that the Wenjian Sect's basic techniques were inherently closely related to the Way of the Sword, scenes of disciples "sitting in bitter meditation" like in other sects were rarely seen here.
They often drove the breakthrough of their cultivation realm through the advancement of their Way of the Sword.
Therefore, Jiang Lu didn't feel there was anything inappropriate about Gu Chengming practicing the basic sword art so hard here.
In his view, this was just his Senior Brother preparing for a breakthrough in the Way of the Sword.
However, with his recent observations, Jiang Lu felt more and more that something was wrong.
'Why is Senior Brother Gu's sword path becoming increasingly... clingy?'
He was clearly demonstrating the most basic moves of the [Huiyuan Sword Art], but when Gu Chengming used them, they always carried an indescribable sense of lingering intimacy.
Where the sword edge pointed, it was no longer that cold, detached straightforwardness. Instead, there was a hint of a connection that seemed both close and distant, as if the blade itself carried some kind of entanglement that wouldn't cease.
'Is this still the Huiyuan Sword Art I'm familiar with?'
In short, Jiang Lu felt that his Senior Brother seemed to have gone astray in his understanding of the sword art.
Finally, early the next morning, Jiang Lu decided not to stand by any longer.
He visited early, intending to "correct" this Senior Brother who, in his opinion, had gone down the wrong path.
"Senior Brother Gu, good morning." Jiang Lu cupped his hands outside the courtyard gate, his voice steady.
"Junior Brother Jiang, a rare guest." Gu Chengming opened the courtyard gate, a smile on his face.
His mental state had been excellent this past half-month, and he looked radiant.
Jiang Lu's gaze lingered on Gu Chengming's face for a moment, feeling that his Senior Brother's complexion was much better than before.
He walked into the courtyard, looked at the iron sword in Gu Chengming's hand, and asked politely:
"Is Senior Brother still practicing the Huiyuan Sword Art today?"
"Exactly."
Gu Chengming nodded.
"This Huiyuan Sword Art is profound and extensive. I haven't even glimpsed one ten-thousandth of it."
These words weren't perfunctory, but sincere. As the Affection increased, his understanding of the [Huiyuan Sword Art] deepened, and he felt more and more that it contained many unknown mysteries.
Hearing this, Jiang Lu sighed in his heart.
He weighed his words before speaking:
"Watching Senior Brother practice the sword art recently, this Junior Brother has felt somewhat perplexed."
"Oh?" Gu Chengming raised an eyebrow. "Junior Brother, speak freely."
"The Huiyuan Sword Art emphasizes cold detachment; the sword intent should be like the bright moon in the mountains, unstained by dust. But Senior Brother's sword moves seem to have an added intent of lingering affection. Where the sword points, there seems to be reluctance to part; as the sword momentum flows, it seems to carry a bit of attachment."
Jiang Lu tried to use euphemistic words to describe it, but even he felt that using these adjectives on a sword art was really weird.
He paused, but finally spoke bluntly:
"Senior Brother, the Huiyuan Sword Art shouldn't be practiced this way."
Hearing Jiang Lu's description, Gu Chengming's expression became a bit odd. He naturally knew what Jiang Lu was talking about.
Ultimately, Gu Chengming smiled, not taking it to heart, but said:
"So that's how it is. Thank you for the guidance, Junior Brother. I have indeed felt somewhat lost this past half-month. Unknowingly, I've gone astray. Since Junior Brother has some insights into this sword art, I wonder if you could demonstrate a bit for me to correct my errors?"
Seeing Gu Chengming readily agree, Jiang Lu breathed a sigh of relief.
"Senior Brother is too polite." A smile appeared on Jiang Lu's face. "This Junior Brother will naturally do his best."