Chapter 331: Calling
Yi Chen continued to guide him until late in the evening, and like a dry sponge, Qin Yao absorbed everything Yi Chen had to say with eyes brimming with energy and a body covered in sweat.
Even though several hours had passed, the spark in his eyes had only brightened instead of fading because the more he listened to Yi Chenâs instructions, the more he realised just how effective they were.
With just a few corrections, several of his existing openings had disappeared while the lethality of his moves increased tremendously.
Seeing that his instructions were having a positive effect on Qin Yao, Yi Chen had continued on with his guidance for this long not only because he wanted Qin Yao to improve, but also because he ended up noticing something interesting.
âSo, my understanding can help me in this way as well?â Yi Chen thought in an impressed manner, seeing how each of the points he was pointing out was visibly helping Qin Yaoâs spearmanship right in front of him.
The only weapon he knew how to use was the sword, and nothing else. Therefore, at first, he tried to give him some basic advice based on the things he could perceive because of his superior experience.
However, eventually Yi Chen started applying his understanding of the sword and started pointing out the areas he would strike and how to defend against them if he were facing Qin Yaoâs spear.
The method worked.
Just within a few hours, Qin Yaoâs expertise in spearmanship had tremendously increased and would likely increase even more in the following weeks as he slowly digested all the instructions that were given to him today.
âIf itâs like this...â Yi Chen couldnât help but think with curious eyes, âWonât I be able to use a similar method to easily learn different types of weapons?â
Although a part of him felt that if his swordsmanship skills were high enough, he wouldnât have to rely on any other weapons, the other part still welcomed this discovery.
GRUMBLE~
"Looks like the lunch is all digested..." Qin Yao chuckled with an embarrassed expression.
"It just means that youâve worked hard. Go and freshen up first; Iâll start the dinner preparation until then," Yi Chen said.
"Mhm!" Qin Yao immediately nodded excitedly and went towards the bathhouse.
A while later, Qin Yao joined Yi Chen in the dinner preparation, and the two soon had their dinner together.
"Uhm... Brother Chen, thereâs no need for you to ask Master about that. There must be something he doesnât want to share...if you ask him, then itâs likely that Master would get angry at you too..."
Qin Yao said with a hesitant expression.
"Itâs alright," Yi Chen stated with a smile, "Iâll try to read the situation first before asking him directly, so thereâs no need for you to worry."
"...I see,"
Although still a little hesitant, Qin Yao nodded at those words. Even though he was worried, a part of him still wanted to know just what had led to such drastic changes in Feng Leiâs personality.
After they were done with the dishes, Qin Yao went to his room to cultivate as usual. As the Heavenly Azure Dragon Test was just fifteen days away, he didnât dare to take things easy.
Yi Chen just waved his hand at him from the hallway before making his way out.
Glancing at the tall banyan tree, he soon made his way towards the stony platform around it and took a seat.
âIt should be around half past eight at the moment, and Elder Lei would most probably be back by eleven or around midnight.â Yi Chen mused to himself as he took something out of his storage ring.
It wasnât the Radiant Thunder Sword but instead a circular stone that Qin Yao had handed to him a while ago.
â...Now that I think about it, itâs really been a long time since Iâve met her.â Yi Chen shook his head with a smile, though he was also a little worried about how she was doing lately.
Therefore, pouring his Qi into the Sound Transmission Stone, he waited for the other party to respond.
*Buzz*
*Buzz*
*Buzz*
The stone kept glowing in his hand while vibrating continuously.
âIs she busy?â Yi Chen thought with a frown after a few more buzzes and was about to keep the stone away, but just then, the glow stopped as a voice came from the other side.
"Yes? Whoâs this?" Zhou Mei asked naturally.
âWell, she sounds all right, so I guess she was able to get over the things,â Yi Chen thought to himself when he heard her voice.
"Why arenât you speaking? Do you want me to keep talking to myself?" an irritated voice came from the other side of the stone.
Hearing this, an amused expression formed on his face as he was reminded of her personality the first time he met her.
At that time in the cafĂ©, she also behaved in the same manner, but over time, Yi Chen felt that she had become calmer, but it seemed like he wasnât entirely right.
In irritation, Zhou Mei was about to turn off and put the stone away, but just then Yi Chenâs voice came from the other side.
"Well, Itâs been a while since I heard your voice, so I donât mind hearing you talk to yourself," Yi Chen said with a chuckle.
"...This!"
Zhou Meiâs eyes immediately widened as she heard the familiar voice from the other side of the stone.
It didnât even take her a full second to realise who the voice belonged to as she exclaimed the very next instant, "Brother Chen! Youâre back!"
Hearing her cheery voice, a smile formed on Yi Chenâs face as he said with a nod, "Indeed. I just returned to the Jade City this morning and got to know from Qin Yao that you had visited my place a few months ago. Was there something you needed my help with?"
Yi Chen asked curiously.
However, instead of answering, an annoyed remark came from Zhou Meiâs side the next second.
"That was very inconsiderate of you, Brother Chen! Not only did you not inform me after performing so incredibly in the Inter Can Tournament, but you also left the city without even a word!
Do you know how left out I felt when I heard everything from my butler only to rush to your house and find that youâve already left the city? Do you have any idea? You donât, right?"
Hearing her whining, Yi Chen couldnât help but chuckle softly as an image of Zhou Mei pouting in irritation formed in his mind.
"Brother Chen, did you just laugh?!" Zhou Mei asked in disbelief, which only made Yi Chen laugh uncontrollably, leaving Zhou Mei speechless.
"Haha, since your tongue is so sharp, I believe everythingâs alright on your end." Yi Chen said a few seconds later while controlling his laughter and continued, "How about it? Did your cultivation improve a little while I was gone, or are you slacking like usual?"
"Hmph!" Zhou Mei snorted in irritation at those words and argued, "What do you know?! Iâm already at the Fourth Meridian Refinement Stage! Just one more level and Iâll be on par with you!"
"Oh, will you now? I wonder about that..." Yi Chen replied with a smirk and changed the topic, "Itâs been a while since I met you, so how about I visit your place tomorrow?"
"V-visit my place?" Zhou Mei asked, a bit taken aback by the unexpected words.
"You donât want me to? Alright then, letâs not me-"
"No!" Before Yi Chen could finish his words, Zhou Mei cut him off in between and said, "You must! Despite the fact that you promised my mother last time, youâve never come to visit my place even once since that time!"
"...But I did come for the engagement," Yi Chen argued and was immediately countered with, "That doesnât count!"
"Alright, alright. Iâll arrive tomorrow by noon," Yi Chen replied with an exhausted expression, not wanting to argue with her any longer.
A part of him wanted to ask whether Zhou Lan had visited her during this period or whether she knew about what had happened to Zhou Lan, but he decided to do so when he was face to face with her tomorrow.
"Tomorrow noon. Alright! Iâll inform my mother as well, so you better not be late lest you get on her nerves. Good night!"
Zhou Mei immediately stopped the transmission and rushed out of her room to inform her mother.
Meanwhile, a wry smile formed on Yi Chenâs face as he couldnât help but mutter, "This sly brat..."
Shaking those thoughts away, he placed the Sound Transmission Stone back in his storage ring and took out the Radiant Thunder Sword.
It was finally time to remove the emperorâs spiritual imprint from it.
Sitting in a cross-legged position, the next moment, Yi Chen rested the sword horizontally over his legs and started pouring his spiritual energy into it the next second.