The Warring States period, Guanzhong region.
A young man stood at the windy precipice, practicing swordplay against the gale.
"Brother Tian, you're still practicing that sword technique? You've been practicing it for nearly ten years!"
"It's been almost ten years, but not quite ten years yet!"
"Do you really believe what that sword manual says, that practicing ten thousand times a day for ten years can make one invincible?"
"I do!"
"..."
Hearing Lin Tian's words, Wang Wu was instantly speechless.
As a descendant of a Great Qin fourth-rank noble title, Wang Wu had some knowledge.
Especially since his family owned several sword manuals, he had a unique understanding of swordplay.
Therefore, when he learned that Lin Tian had been practicing the technique called "Xianren Gui" (Immortal's Kneel), he could no longer contain himself.
"Brother Tian, those are just fanciful tales, not proper sword techniques at all. If you want to learn swordplay, I have several manuals at home, and I can teach them to you!"
"No need, I know what I'm doing!"
The sword technique Lin Tian practiced was named Xianren Gui. This manual had only one move from beginning to end.
However, the description within was extraordinary.
"The sword technique is one move, and one move evolves into ten thousand methods!"
"Practice the sword ten thousand times daily, for ten years. Ten years, one sword, Xianren Gui!"
Others would dismiss such a sword technique as mythical nonsense, a deception, and discard it after a glance.
But as a transmigration soul, Lin Tian had a premonition that this sword technique was extraordinary.
Especially since this sword manual came with a treasured sword named Tai'a, which further solidified Lin Tian's belief in its significance.
Tai'a was one of the Ten Great Swords, a legendary sword of authority, a treasure that drove all the lords of the world mad.
What kind of mediocre sword technique could be paired with such a treasure?
More importantly, these two items were left by Lin Tian's birth mother.
When Lin Tian transmigrated, his birth mother had already died in childbirth due to an old illness.
From birth, Lin Tian was raised by Uncle Gen, his mother's former guard.
It wasn't until Lin Tian was five years old that Uncle Gen handed him three items.
These were a treasured sword, a sword manual, and a precious bead.
According to Uncle Gen, these were the遗物 (relics) left by his mother.
The treasured sword was Tai'a, and the sword manual was the single-move technique called Xianren Gui.
As for the precious bead, Lin Tian had a guess that it might be the legendary Suihou Pearl.
The Spring and Autumn period had two treasures: one called Sui Pearl, the other He Shi Bi.
Together, these two treasures formed an idiom, Sui Zhu He Bi, describing the ultimate in precious gems.
Both the Suihou Pearl and He Shi Bi were priceless, even considered treasures of half a nation.
Could a sword manual paired with the Suihou Pearl and Tai'a sword be ordinary?
Furthermore, Lin Tian's mother's guard, Uncle Gen, had strongly urged him to practice this sword technique. How could Lin Tian refuse?
It was just that Lin Tian's mother seemed to have changed her name to Lin Dong, which made Lin Tian unable to recall if such a figure existed in Qin history.
After practicing for a year, Lin Tian indeed began to undergo noticeable changes.
Not only did he become immensely strong, but his swordsmanship also became incredibly fast and sharp.
In the second year of practicing the sword technique, his senses were greatly enhanced, and his combat strength steadily surpassed Uncle Gen's.
Although Uncle Gen had a瘸腿 (crippled leg), his combat power was undoubtedly the strongest Lin Tian had ever seen.
It was far superior to Wang Hu, Wang Wu's father, who had earned his rank of unyielding noble in Great Qin through countless battles.
From then on, Lin Tian understood the terror of the Xianren Gui sword technique even more.
And from that point, Lin Tian stopped showcasing his swordplay, practicing only in seclusion to maintain a low profile.
Until now, at the age of fifteen.
His sword practice was just three days away from reaching the ten-year mark.
These last three days, Lin Tian was exceptionally focused.
And Wang Wu was exceptionally helpless.
"Brother Tian, after you finish practicing, find me later, and we can discuss military strategy?"
"I'll see if I have time!"
"Alright then!"
Wang Wu was long accustomed to Lin Tian's aloof demeanor.
He knew Lin Tian was no ordinary person and his understanding of politics and strategy far surpassed that of his peers.
Therefore, while others looked down on Lin Tian, he deeply respected him.
Lin Tian had long sensed this but made no outward acknowledgment, keeping his thoughts to himself.
He then began to diligently practice his sword technique.
Today was like any other day; he needed to practice the sword ten thousand times. Without ten thousand repetitions, today's practice would not be considered complete.
Lin Tian would not waste time if it could be avoided.
He practiced until dusk.
Except for a brief pause to eat some dry rations, Lin Tian did not stop.
Such dedication made Wang Wu feel ashamed.
"Ten years as one day, persistently practicing the sword technique!"
"If Brother Tian had chosen a different sword technique, he might already be comparable to the legendary Sword Saint!"
"Alas, Brother Tian is too obsessed with this Xianren Gui!"
Lin Tian's obsession was well-known. In Guanzhong, many people knew that Lin Tian was obsessed with that single-move sword technique.
Thus, many people, when referring to Lin Tian, called him Lin Chi (Lin the Obsessed).
This was only because everyone knew Lin Tian was not foolish; otherwise, many would have secretly called him Lin the Fool.
This clearly showed that no one believed the Xianren Gui in Lin Tian's hands was truly a powerful sword manual.
Fortunately, Lin Tian didn't need to explain himself to others.
Before dark, Lin Tian returned to his home, a small courtyard with a garden and three tiled houses.
It was not poverty-stricken, and could even be considered modestly well-off.
Because Uncle Gen, despite being crippled, was an expert hunter.
He knew the mountains like the back of his hand, and his traps never failed, always yielding a bountiful harvest.
Coupled with the considerable wealth left by Lin Tian's mother, Lin Tian didn't need to help with chores daily like other children his age.
He could dedicate himself to practicing his sword.
When Lin Tian returned to the courtyard, Uncle Gen had already returned and prepared dinner for him.
"In a couple of days, it will be your sixteenth birthday. Is there any special gift you desire?"
Lin Tian was actually fifteen years old this year, but by traditional Chinese reckoning, he was already sixteen.
At this age, in this era, one could not only marry and have children but also be required to serve in the military and go to war.
At that time, Lin Tian would have to leave his homeland, his family, and head to the battlefield.
Uncle Gen, though he didn't say it aloud, had visibly reddened eyes.
"If there's truly a gift, then yes, I want a strong bow!"
"It seems you've made up your mind to go to war!"
"A true man born in chaotic times should wield a three-foot long sword and achieve unparalleled merit. Moreover, I have no other choice!"
"Then, has your sword technique been mastered?"
"There are two more days. On my birthday, my sword technique will reach its great accomplishment!"
"I truly wish to see what it will be like when your sword technique is perfected, and how powerful it will be!"
"Uncle Gen, rest assured, even if you cannot see it, you will hear of it! When I go to war, I will surely carve out a name for myself!"
As he spoke, Lin Tian looked up to the east, as if contemplating the ancient Qin people's admonition to never forget the east.
His bearing made Uncle Gen's eyes grow distant.
"He resembles him so much! This presence, it's exactly like the King when he was young!"
This was Uncle Gen's silent thought, which Lin Tian's sharp ears could not discern.
...