# Chapter 2: First Training & The Girl
Lin Yu woke up early. The sun was not up yet. The room was dark. He sat on the bed. He felt stiff. His body was weak. It was not used to work.
He touched his chest. The Sword Box was there. It was invisible under his skin. But he could feel it. It hummed softly.
[Good morning, Host.]
Lin Yu jumped. He forgot the Box could talk anytime.
"Do not scare me," Lin Yu said. He whispered. He did not want neighbors to hear.
[You need to be alert. Danger does not sleep. Chen will come today.]
"I know," Lin Yu said. He stood up. He stretched. His bones cracked. "I need strength. Fast."
[You have 50 Energy. Not enough for a sword. But enough for a skill.]
A blue screen appeared. Lin Yu looked at it.
[Basic Sword Technique: 10 Energy.]
[Qi Breathing Method: 10 Energy.]
[Save Energy: 0 Energy.]
Lin Yu thought. He needed to fight. But he also needed to cultivate. If he had no Qi, he could not use swords.
"Buy Qi Breathing Method," Lin Yu said.
[Confirmed. 10 Energy deducted.]
Lin Yu felt a warm flow in his head. Information entered his mind. It was not like reading a book. It was like he always knew it. He knew how to breathe. How to move Qi. How to store it.
[Current Energy: 40.]
"Only 40 left," Lin Yu said.
[You will earn more. Now, train.]
Lin Yu sat on the floor. He closed his eyes. He followed the breathing method. In. Out. He felt the air. It was not just air. It was spiritual energy. It entered his nose. It went to his stomach. It stayed there.
It was hard. His body resisted. It was like pushing a heavy stone. He sweated. He shook. But he did not stop.
One hour passed. Two hours. The sun came up.
Lin Yu opened his eyes. He felt a small change. His stomach was warmer. The Qi was there. It was still weak. But it was stable.
[Qi Cultivation: Level 1. Progress: 1%.]
"Slow," Lin Yu said.
[Normal. You are weak. Do not be impatient.]
Lin Yu stood up. He washed his face with cold water. He looked in the mirror. He looked tired. But his eyes were sharp.
He went out. The sect was awake. Servants were carrying water. Disciples were flying on swords. The noise was loud.
Lin Yu walked to the training yard. It was a large open space. Dirt ground. Wooden dummies were everywhere. Some disciples were practicing. Some were watching.
Lin Yu found an empty corner. He picked up a wooden sword. It was heavy. He swung it.
*Whoosh.*
It was slow. His arms hurt.
"You call that a swing?"
A voice laughed. Lin Yu stopped. He turned. A girl was standing there. She wore green robes. She had a ponytail. She was smiling. Her eyes were bright.
Lin Yu remembered her. Mei Ling. She was a servant too. But she was popular. She was kind. In his past life, he did not talk to her much.
"It is hard," Lin Yu said.
Mei Ling walked closer. She held a basket. It had buns. Food.
"You missed breakfast," Mei Ling said. "You were cleaning the Sword Hall late."
"I was busy," Lin Yu said.
"You are always busy," Mei Ling said. She smiled. It was a playful smile. "Here. Eat."
She gave him a bun. It was warm. Lin Yu took it. He was hungry.
"Thank you," Lin Yu said.
"Do not thank me," Mei Ling said. She looked around. She lowered her voice. "Chen is looking for you. He is angry. He said you embarrassed him."
"I know," Lin Yu said. He bit the bun. It was sweet.
"You should hide," Mei Ling said. She looked worried. Her eyes were sincere. "He is stronger. He has a real sword. You have... wood."
"I will be fine," Lin Yu said.
Mei Ling frowned. She stepped closer. She touched his arm. Her hand was warm.
"Do not be stupid, Lin Yu," she said. "I do not want you to get hurt."
She pulled her hand back quickly. She looked away. Her face was slightly red.
[Hint: Hidden Love detected. Emotional Energy +1.]
Lin Yu looked at the screen. He looked at Mei Ling. She was pretending to be casual. But she cared.
"I will be careful," Lin Yu said.
Mei Ling nodded. She smiled again. But it was nervous.
"Okay. I have to go. Elder needs me."
She walked away. She walked fast. She did not look back.
Lin Yu watched her. He felt something. In his past life, he ignored girls. He focused on work. He died alone. This time, he would not ignore them.
[She likes you,] the Sword Box said.
"Maybe," Lin Yu said.
[Do not mess it up. Emotional bonds increase System Energy.]
Lin Yu finished the bun. He picked up the wooden sword. He started swinging again. This time, he used the Qi. He breathed. He swung.
*Whoosh.*
It was faster. The wood cut the air.
"Hey, servant!"
Lin Yu stopped. He knew that voice. Chen.
Chen walked into the yard. He had three friends. They were all disciples. They wore blue robes. They looked arrogant. Chen held a metal sword. It shined.
"I told you to wait outside the hall," Chen said. "You ignored me."
"I had work," Lin Yu said.
"Work?" Chen laughed. "You are a servant. Your work is to obey me."
Chen stepped forward. He pushed Lin Yu's shoulder. Lin Yu did not move. He planted his feet. He used Qi.
Chen frowned. He pushed harder. Lin Yu still did not move.
"Let go," Chen said. He was angry.
"No," Lin Yu said.
The other disciples watched. They were surprised. A servant never resisted a disciple.
"You want to fight?" Chen said. He raised his metal sword. "I will cut your hand."
Lin Yu looked at the sword. It was sharp. It was dangerous. But Lin Yu was calm.
[Warning: Enemy is stronger. Danger Level: High.]
"I do not want to fight," Lin Yu said. "But I will not move."
"Then die!"
Chen swung the sword. It was fast. It aimed at Lin Yu's shoulder.
Lin Yu stepped back. He dodged. The sword cut the air. It missed by an inch.
Chen swung again. Left. Right. Lin Yu moved. He used the breathing method. He felt the wind. He felt the intent.
*Clang.*
Lin Yu picked up the wooden sword. He blocked. The metal hit the wood. The wood did not break. It had Qi inside.
Chen was shocked. "Impossible."
"Leave," Lin Yu said. His voice was cold.
"Never!" Chen shouted. He was embarrassed. People were watching. More disciples gathered.
Chen put more power into his sword. Qi glowed on the blade. It was red.
[Skill Detected: Flame Strike. Weakness: Left side.]
Lin Yu saw the hint. He waited. Chen swung the heavy blade. Lin Yu stepped to the left. He hit Chen's wrist with the wooden sword.
*Crack.*
Chen dropped the metal sword. He held his wrist. He screamed.
"You broke my wrist!" Chen shouted.
"You attacked me," Lin Yu said. "Self-defense."
An old man walked into the yard. He wore gray robes. He was an Elder. Everyone stopped.
"What is happening?" the Elder said.
Chen ran to the Elder. "He attacked me! He broke my wrist!"
The Elder looked at Lin Yu. He looked at the wooden sword. He looked at Chen's metal sword.
"Disciple Chen," the Elder said. "Why do you have a weapon in the training yard?"
"I... I was practicing," Chen said.
"Against a servant?" the Elder said. "You shame the sect."
Chen's face went white.
"Lin Yu," the Elder said. "Did you attack first?"
"No, Elder," Lin Yu said. "He attacked. I blocked."
The Elder nodded. He looked at Chen.
"Go to the medical hall. Then come to me. You will be punished."
Chen looked at Lin Yu. His eyes were full of hate.
"This is not over," Chen whispered.
Chen and his friends left. The crowd dispersed. The Elder looked at Lin Yu.
"You have good reflexes," the Elder said. "Who taught you?"
"No one," Lin Yu said. "I learned myself."
The Elder nodded. He walked away. He did not say more.
Lin Yu stood alone. He picked up the wooden sword. His hand shook. He was not scared. He was excited. He won.
[Victory Achieved. Energy +20.]
[Current Energy: 61.]
[Reputation Changed: Respectful.]
Lin Yu breathed. He felt the Qi in his body. It was stronger. The fight helped him.
Mei Ling was watching from the distance. She was behind a tree. She saw everything. She smiled. She touched her cheek. It was hot.
[Hidden Love Interest: Mei Ling. Affection Increased.]
Lin Yu walked to his room. He locked the door. He sat on the bed. He looked at the Sword Box menu.
61 Energy. He needed 100 for a sword. He was close. But Chen would come back. Chen would not stop. He would bring stronger friends.
"I need a weapon," Lin Yu said.
[You have a wooden sword.]
"It is not enough," Lin Yu said. "I need energy. Fast."
[There is a mission. Beast Hunt. Low Level. Reward: 50 Energy.]
"Where?" Lin Yu asked.
[Outside the sect. Forest. Wild Boar. Danger: Low.]
"I will go," Lin Yu said.
[Warning: Leaving sect without permission is against rules. If caught, you will be punished.]
"I will not get caught," Lin Yu said.
Lin Yu stood up. He packed a bag. Water. Dry meat. The wooden sword. He waited for night. He did not want people to see him.
The sun went down. The moon came up. Lin Yu opened the window. He jumped out. He landed softly. He used Qi to lighten his body.
He walked to the sect gate. It was guarded. But there was a hole in the fence. He knew it from the body's memories. He crawled through.
He was outside. The forest was dark. Trees were tall. Sounds of beasts were everywhere.
[Welcome to the Wild. Survival Mode: On.]
Lin Yu walked into the dark. He held the wooden sword. He felt alive. He felt dangerous.
This was his path. Not serving. Not cleaning. Hunting. Growing.
He heard a sound. A grunt. A boar. It was big. It had tusks. It looked at him. It was hungry.
Lin Yu gripped the sword. He breathed. He remembered the fight with Chen. He remembered Mei Ling's worry. He remembered his death.
He would not die again.
The boar charged.
Lin Yu stepped forward. He did not run. He held the wooden sword with both hands. He poured Qi into it. The wood glowed faintly.
[Skill Activated: Basic Strike.]
He swung. The sword hit the boar's head. The beast fell. It did not move.
[Victory. Energy +30.]
[Current Energy: 91.]
Lin Yu breathed hard. He was tired. But he was happy. He was close. Only 9 Energy left. He needed one more thing. He looked deeper into the forest. He saw a light. A flower. It glowed blue.
[Herb Detected. Spirit Grass. Value: 10 Energy.]
Lin Yu walked to the flower. He picked it. He put it in his bag.
[Energy Gained: 10.]
[Current Energy: 101.]
[Unlock Available: First Sword.]
Lin Yu smiled. He had done it. He had enough energy. He could unlock his first real weapon. He turned back to the sect. He walked fast. He needed to be back before morning.
He crawled through the hole. He jumped into his room. He locked the window. He sat on the bed. He took out the Sword Box. It glowed bright blue.
[Ready to Unlock?]
"Yes," Lin Yu said.
[Choose Path.]
[1. Aggressive. Damage focused.]
[2. Defensive. Protection focused.]
[3. Balanced. Strategy focused.]
Lin Yu thought. He remembered Chen. He remembered the Beast Tamer who killed him. He needed power. But he also needed to survive.
"Balanced," Lin Yu said.
[Confirmed. Unlocking Silent Edge.]
The box opened. A sword floated out. It was black. It was smooth. It had no shine. It felt calm.
[Silent Edge Equipped.]
[Skill: Shadow Slash.]
[Personality: Calm. Logical.]
Lin Yu held the sword. It felt light. It felt like part of his arm. He swung it. There was no sound. It cut the air silently.
He was ready. Chen could come back. The Beast Tamers could come back. Lin Yu was not the same boy who died.
He lay down. He slept. He dreamed of silence. He dreamed of cutting through the dark.
In the morning, the sect bell rang. Lin Yu woke up. He hid the sword. He walked out. He was ready for the day.
He saw Chen in the distance. Chen's wrist was bandaged. Chen looked at him. Chen smiled. It was a cold smile.
Lin Yu smiled back. It was not a nice smile.
The game had changed.