Yu Fei said reassuringly.

Yan Sea managed a relieved smile, but it was a bit strained.

"Meeting you was a gift of fate for me too, Master. Don’t feel pressured. And your master’s wife... she may be a nag, but it’s only because she cares about you. Chasing that Inner Qi Realm bandit all by yourself that day was, in the end, far too reckless."

Yu Fei said sheepishly, "Master, let’s get back to the Cultivation Technique!"

Yan Sea smiled faintly and shook his head before continuing his explanation. ’A person’s nature is hard to change. I can only hope my student learns his lesson this time.’

"The Tribulation Sea Sword Lotus Transformation Skill is a method of internal refinement, focused on the subsequent nurturing of the Primordial Qi Sword Lotus. The Tribulation Sea Formless Cutting Intent Scripture is a technique for cultivating the Formless Sword Qi. The two are complementary..."

As Yan Sea spoke in a reminiscent tone, Yu Fei gradually began to grasp the basics of the Cultivation Techniques.

The Tribulation Sea Sword Lotus Transformation Skill detailed the method for nurturing and strengthening the Primordial Qi Sword Lotus. In the initial stage, it required the five elemental energies, supplemented by a Martial Artist’s pure Qi Blood. Once the lotus sprouted from its seed state and began to grow, its ability to absorb the world’s ambient energy would become much stronger. At that point, various treasures would be needed to enhance it further.

The cultivation of this technique is only considered complete when the Sword Lotus finally blooms. According to the description, the growth state of the Primordial Qi Sword Lotus affects the combat range and speed of the Formless Sword Qi, among other things.

The Tribulation Sea Formless Cutting Intent Scripture was a special skill for tempering oneself with Evil Qi. By honing the Formless Sword Qi within a sea of Evil Qi, one could increase its intensity.

Hearing this, Yu Fei grew puzzled.

"Master, how does one obtain Evil Qi?"

A bitter smile appeared on Yan Sea’s face. He replied, enunciating each word, "Slay powerful enemies, and Evil Qi will naturally cling to you."

Yu Fei was taken aback. "Where am I supposed to find that many powerful enemies to slay? Don’t tell me I have to spend my days hunting down members of heretical cults?"

At this, Yan Sea burst out laughing. "Don’t you worry. I guarantee you’ll have more than enough heads to chop off in the future. Do you remember Mr. Kong, who visited a while back?"

Of course Yu Fei remembered. Mr. Kong had even given him a basic Swordsmanship manual that he still hadn’t gotten around to reading. He just didn’t understand why Yan Sea had suddenly brought him up.

He then heard Yan Sea continue, "Mr. Kong has likely just returned from the battlefield. From what I understand, he served on the front lines for a full five years before being rotated out for a rather long leave.

Once things are settled here, I might be transferred to the battlefield as well. When you’ve truly matured, you’ll understand that compared to the enemies humanity faces, the heretical cults are just a minor affliction. If we were to divert even five percent of our strength, every cult in the nation would be beaten so badly they couldn’t function."

This left Yu Fei even more confused, and he couldn’t help but ask, "Isn’t our Yu Kingdom already the most powerful nation? A front-line battlefield? Who are we fighting?"

Yan Sea gave a mysterious smile. "You’ll find out when you go to university."

Yu Fei was speechless. He was discovering that his stoic master had a penchant for being cryptic, never revealing the full story about anything. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

That evening after dinner, he sought out Su Yue to try and sound her out.

"Madam Su..."

Su Yue looked up and glared at him, still angry about being interrupted earlier. "What do you want?" she said impatiently.

Yu Fei smiled apologetically. "Master said the front lines are under pressure. So... is our strength enough? How strong are the enemies...?"

Su Yue said dismissively, "There’s never enough strength. Those alien races are like a bottomless pit; you can never kill them all. Lately, the Yuanmo clan... Huh? Your master didn’t tell you? Oh, that’s right. You’ll learn about all this at university. There’s a rule against disclosing it ahead of time. I bet your master didn’t tell you, did he?"

Yu Fei feigned nonchalance. "Of course Master told me. He just had to leave for a bit and only got halfway through explaining, that’s why I’m asking you."

Su Yue seemed to see right through his little ploy. "Then tell me, what are the names of these alien races?"

"The alien races... well, like the Yuanmo clan, and... you know, the others."

Su Yue let out a cold laugh. "Ha... Go on, then. I’m waiting. Let me tell you something: don’t even think you’re getting another word out of me. You can just stew in your curiosity. Hmph!"

With that, she turned and walked away.

"Hey..."

’I wonder,’ he thought, ’is it too late to send my master back to Su Yue’s room?’