Chapter 45: The Heavenly Yin-Yang Judgement Technique
The crisp chirping of birds echoed through the lush forest, their wings fluttering as they soared beneath the midday sun. A gentle breeze rustled the treetops, casting shifting patterns of light and shadow across the clearing. Despite the peaceful scene, an eerie stillness lingered at the heart of the inner region.
Xiao Chen stood motionless, his figure bathed in golden sunlight, yet untouched by its warmth. His mind had drifted beyond the physical realm, submerged in the depths of enlightenment.
Xiao Rongyu, resting against Mistshadow's soft silver fur, tilted her head slightly, her gaze fixed on his face. There was a certain stillness in his expression—calm, focused, yet distant.
He had stepped into another realm of consciousness.
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Within his mind, the Heavenly Yin-Yang Judgment unfolded like an ancient scripture, each verse brimming with unfathomable wisdom. His soul, perception, and will became one as he sank deeper into the technique's mysteries.
The Nine Forms of the Heavenly Yin-Yang Judgment emerged in his mind, intricate and profound. Each carried an overwhelming depth, an unfathomable complexity.
Yet—
They were not merely techniques. They were principles, laws, a philosophy that transcended the physical.
The First Eight Forms of the Heavenly Yin-Yang Technique embodied the harmonious dichotomy of brute force and fluid adaptability. Yin represented the receptive, dark, and flexible aspects, while Yang symbolized the assertive, light, and expansive principles.
Guided by the ancient concept of Yin-Yang and governed by the Laws of Light and Darkness, this technique was not just about power—it was about balance. It granted the wielder precise control over their combat flow, allowing them to seamlessly shift between forms, maintaining a delicate equilibrium between opposing forces.
And at the pinnacle of mastery—
The ultimate culmination of the Heavenly Yin-Yang Technique fused all Eight Forms into one, unifying the Laws of Light and Darkness into a singular, supreme manifestation of power.
That ninth and final form remained a mystery, hidden behind an unfathomable veil of enlightenment.
"This technique…"
It was too complex and integrate the Laws of Light and Darkness into its execution.
"This… isn't something I can just 'learn' instantly."
It was like trying to grasp the endless sea with bare hands. The sheer vastness of it resisted comprehension. Even with Xiao Chen's monstrous understanding, it wasn't something he could simply consume in one sitting.
Rushing would only invite disaster. A flaw in understanding meant a flaw in execution—and in the heat of battle, a single flaw could mean death.
"No shortcuts. I have to do this the right way."
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The First Form took shape showing that he have touched upon the initial mastery, Instead of stopping, Xiao Chen let go.
He immersed himself, allowing the knowledge to seep into his mind and soul naturally. The technique was a tide—one that he needed to flow with, rather than forcefully control.
A shift occurred.
Complex runic structures burned into his consciousness, forming fragments of energy that settled deep within his spirit. It was as if the Dao of Yin-Yang itself was carving its truths into his very being.
The first form crystallized into understanding.
Heavenly Yin-Yang Judgment—First Form: Dawning Strike.
A powerful, Yang-based initial strike that unleashed an explosive burst of energy, setting the rhythm of battle. It was a swift, decisive blow—one meant to catch opponents off guard.
Xiao Chen could feel it. The pulse of Yang, the surging force of light, like the rising sun cutting through the darkness.
Then came the second form.
Shadow Shift.
A Yin-based technique, one that allowed instantaneous repositioning—movement that defied logic. It wasn't just speed; it was becoming one with the shadows, blending into the void before re-emerging elsewhere.
Yin was subtle, elusive, boundless. While Dawning Strike overwhelmed, Shadow Shift evaded, flowed, and countered.
"A perfect contrast…"
The essence of the technique was becoming clearer, but there was still more to grasp.
He pressed deeper.
The third form emerged, but unlike before, it resisted him. It was like a wall, a boundary that refused to break.
Luminous Blade.
A radiant slashing attack imbued with light energy, capable of piercing through the toughest defenses. It was brilliant, yet complex—too intricate for him to fully grasp yet.
"Although I comprehend the third form, my mastery over it is lacking."
He pushed harder, his soul force surging, his perception extending—but the technique refused to yield. No matter how much willpower he poured into it, the knowledge remained vague, shrouded in mist.
A bottleneck.
The flow of comprehension halted, and no matter how much he struggled, it wouldn't move forward.
Xiao Chen exhaled sharply, his eyes opening as a flicker of frustration passed through them.
"I need more…"
Understanding alone wasn't enough. Accumulation, practice, battle experience—all of it was necessary.
"Studying won't bring me mastery."
To push beyond this boundary, he would need to temper the technique in the forge of combat. Only then could he shatter the limit and reach new heights.
He was so deep in thought that he didn't notice Xiao Rongyu crouching in front of him, her amber eyes staring at him, dangerously close to his face.
"Brother Chen," she called softly.
"Rong?" Xiao Chen raised an eyebrow, only for a sudden pang of pain to strike his head. A sharp, splitting sensation coursed through his skull, forcing him to clutch his temples. The pain was brief, lasting only a heartbeat, but its intensity left him momentarily breathless.
"Brother Chen, are you okay?" Xiao Rongyu's voice was laced with worry as she knelt beside him. Her warm hands cupped his face, her fingers trembling slightly.
"I'm fine," Xiao Chen reassured her, reaching up and patting her hands gently. The warmth of his touch sent a jolt through her, making her realize how close she was.
Xiao Rongyu's face instantly turned red, her heart pounding in her chest. "What is wrong with me?" she thought in panic, quickly withdrawing her hands and covering her face to hide her embarrassment.
Xiao Chen frowned, watching her strange reaction.
"What's wrong with you?" he asked, stepping closer.
Xiao Rongyu bit her lip, hesitating. She had been so worried about him, but now she felt ridiculous for reacting so emotionally. However, the words that had been bottled up in her heart suddenly refused to stay buried.
She clenched her fists.
"What's wrong with me?" she repeated, her voice slightly shaking. Then, she lifted her head, her amber eyes burning with frustration.
"You said you would watch my fight, but instead, you went into meditation, even overdrawing yourself! Why are you trying so hard?" she shouted, her emotions spilling over. "Can't you pay a little attention to me? Why are you so self-centered?"
Silence.
The air between them grew heavy, the sudden outburst lingering like an unspoken truth.
Xiao Rongyu's face paled as realization dawned on her. "I... I'm sorry," she muttered, lowering her head.
Xiao Chen remained expressionless for a moment before shaking his head. "No, you don't have to be. You were right," he said, his voice calm and devoid of emotion. Without another word, he turned away, stepping toward Mistshadow and patting her fur.
"Let's go, girl," he murmured.
Xiao Rongyu remained in place, her hands clenched into fists, her heart weighed down by guilt. She bowed her head, her eyes growing moist.
Just as she was about to lose herself in her thoughts, Xiao Chen's voice rang out again.
"Rong, are you coming? Or do you want to be left behind?" His voice was distant, as if what had just happened meant nothing to him.
Xiao Rongyu clenched her fists tighter. "He forgave me so fast... No, he probably didn't even think it was worth dwelling on. That indifference, that dedication, that confidence... I want it too."
Despite being known in the Xiao family as cold and elegant, Xiao Rongyu knew that in front of her loved ones, she was different—her walls crumbled, and her emotions spilled forth uncontrollably.
Watching Xiao Chen's disappearing figure atop Mistshadow, she inhaled deeply, steeling her resolve.
Then, without hesitation, she ran after him.