"And Captain Cui will be responsible for your weapons training. Don't you use a saber? Captain Cui's saber skills are famous throughout Da Gan. Learn well, do you understand?"
Guan Ye's expression was serious, his tone weighty.
"Ah, keep a low profile, keep a low profile! It's all just empty fame, no need to pay too much attention." Cui Hua's large face broke into a smile upon hearing Guan Ye's praise, like a chrysanthemum blooming.
Gu Yuan was also pleased upon hearing Guan Ye's arrangements for him, as these were all highly beneficial things.
He was currently lacking in these areas.
It was true that he possessed inherited knowledge, but circumstances required specific analysis. Gu Yuan needed to integrate the knowledge in his mind with what he was currently learning to make it his own. This was also how he accumulated his martial foundation.
He chose to accept Guan Ye's arrangements.
"However, you must remember, the process of compressing blood energy cannot be delayed. You must seize every spare moment to complete the compression of blood energy. Only then can you proceed to increase its total volume," Guan Ye stated, not forgetting Gu Yuan's need to compress blood energy.
If Gu Yuan successfully compressed his blood energy, coupled with their earnest teachings, his strength would far surpass his current level, and the chances of him encountering danger on missions would be much lower.
As a demon suppressor for decades, he never knew which would come first, an accident or tomorrow. Therefore, he had to be prepared at all times. Even if he encountered danger, he would have no regrets, having done everything in his power.
If he still met with danger and lost his life, he would have nothing to say.
Now, he brought this standard to Gu Yuan, urging him to prepare himself fully. He had recently heard whispers that Da Gan's human race had little time left, and Gu Yuan needed to quickly gain sufficient self-preservation strength amidst the chaotic tides.
Gu Yuan nodded, indicating his understanding. Of course, he wouldn't forget about compressing his blood energy; it was his top priority. He planned to dedicate all his time, except for essential rest, to compressing blood energy.
He aimed to complete the compression of blood energy within a month, while simultaneously learning from Guan Ye and Cui Hua's teachings. This would depend on Gu Yuan's time management.
Cui Hua then spoke, "Let's begin then, no need to waste time. After we finish today's lessons, Gu Yuan can go back to compressing his blood energy. The sooner he compresses it, the better."
After saying this to Gu Yuan, he turned to Guan Ye and asked, "Will you teach him first today, or should I?"
Guan Ye pondered for a moment and replied, "Perhaps you go first. Saber training requires focus, and his concentration is quite good right now. If he listens to me first, his concentration might wane."
Cui Hua nodded, considering it. Indeed, practicing saber techniques required extreme concentration. If Gu Yuan listened to Guan Ye's teachings first, his saber practice would surely suffer.
Gu Yuan remained silent, calmly obeying the two men's arrangements. These two were now his teachers, and a student must follow their instructors' commands.
After Guan Ye and Cui Hua reached an agreement, Cui Hua walked towards Gu Yuan, while Guan Ye found a shady spot, closed his eyes to meditate, and contemplated what to teach Gu Yuan first.
Cui Hua stood about three meters away from Gu Yuan, exuding an aura of mastery, and asked loudly, "Gu Yuan, what do you believe a saber is?"
Hearing Cui Hua's question, Gu Yuan's brow furrowed slightly. What is a saber? He had never really considered it.
In his understanding, the saber was "the general of a hundred weapons." For him, it was merely a means to protect the Way; he had never pondered its true nature.
Seeing Gu Yuan's silence, Cui Hua smiled faintly and said again, "I'll tell you what a saber is."
"A long saber is a sharp weapon. Whether it's a commoner or a warrior, as long as one holds a long saber, they can swing it with some semblance of skill. It is a weapon that is very easy to learn but has an extremely high ceiling."
"'Holding a long saber, one inflicts great damage.' This sentence fully illustrates the power of the long saber. When practicing the saber, you must understand one principle."
"It is why you practice the saber. I guess in your heart, it is to protect the Way."
Gu Yuan nodded, honestly admitting his thoughts.
Cui Hua chuckled, "Your thinking is normal. Most people learn saber techniques with this idea in mind. But if you hold onto this thought, your saber skills will only ever remain at a beginner's level."
"The saber technique I speak of is the saber in your heart. When you truly understand, your long saber will be invincible, cutting through all things!"
"For this upcoming period, I will only tell you how to elevate the saber in your heart. After all, a teacher guides the way, but cultivation depends on the individual. On the path of the saber, I am also just a beginner. Also, I want you to remember to always maintain a spirit of inquiry."
"Do you understand?" Cui Hua's expression was a mixture of a smile and seriousness.
Gu Yuan heard Cui Hua's words and reflected. Although his saber techniques were formidable, the saber in his heart had always remained at the beginner's stage. He had never truly delved into comprehending saber techniques, merely using them as a means of combat.
Following this, Cui Hua taught Gu Yuan his understanding of the saber path and how to elevate the saber in his heart.
How to elevate one's saber technique is actually very simple: it is with one's heart. Just as many people know how to increase their blood energy but are unable to do so for various reasons.
It is because the heart is not at peace. The improvement of saber techniques is closely related to the power of the mind. Every person's saber technique is different. Even the same saber technique will manifest in myriad ways for different individuals.
Each person's mind is unique, and thus, their practiced saber techniques will also be different.
What Cui Hua imparted was how to feel the Way of the Saber through the power of the mind.
In Cui Hua's view, Gu Yuan's foundation in saber techniques was already excellent, and the techniques he mastered had virtually no flaws. On a foundational level, he had nothing more to teach Gu Yuan.
What he could impart were the insights he had gained from decades of relentless saber practice!
These insights could help Gu Yuan elevate the saber of his mind.
After listening to Cui Hua's explanation, Gu Yuan felt as if the fog in his heart had been cleaved in two, breaking through the clouds and revealing the light.
He felt that he had grasped the method of the saber of the mind. His next task was to use the saber of the mind to enhance the power of his saber techniques and engage in constant sparring with Cui Hua to gain practical experience.
After Cui Hua finished speaking, he left Gu Yuan's side and approached Guan Ye, saying, "It's your turn!"