Ye Ping gripped his battered wooden sword tighter, heart pounding like a drum in his chest. The rogue cultivators sneered, clearly expecting an easy victory against this seemingly naïve boy labeled a genius by mistake.
"Come on, show us this so-called 'Pathless Genius' power!" their leader taunted, eyes gleaming with challenge.
Ye Ping blinked, completely confused. "Uh… I don't really know how to fight for real…"
Tian Mu gave a subtle nod, signaling Ye Ping to just trust his instincts.
With a deep breath, Ye Ping tried to calm his racing mind. He raised his sword awkwardly and took a step forward.
**
The battle erupted in a flurry.
The rogues attacked aggressively, each strike precise and deadly. Ye Ping stumbled, dodged by pure luck, and occasionally swung his wooden sword with surprising timing.
One rogue lunged at him with a long spear. Ye Ping barely dodged, but his retreat was clumsy — he tripped and crashed to the ground.
The spear's tip scraped his shoulder, but the impact was minimal.
"Hey! Watch it!" Ye Ping exclaimed, confused why he didn't feel more pain.
The rogues laughed and pressed harder.
Suddenly, Ye Ping's mind went blank. The world seemed to slow. He raised his wooden sword without thinking and swung wildly.
A strange wind blew from the blade, pushing back several attackers.
Gasps filled the air.
"T-That's impossible!" one rogue muttered.
Ye Ping, however, was completely unaware of the mysterious energy emanating from his sword.
"Uh… did I do that?" he asked, scratching his head.
**
Tian Mu's eyes gleamed with pride.
"The Pathless Genius is awakening."
Encouraged, Ye Ping swung again. This time, a circle of faint blue light flickered around him, blocking an incoming arrow with ease.
The rogues hesitated.
"Who is this kid?" their leader whispered.
"Some kind of prodigy," muttered another.
But Ye Ping wasn't done yet.
He dashed forward — awkward, slow, but unstoppable. Each clumsy move seemed to create unpredictable bursts of energy that knocked back enemies and shattered weapons.
The disciples watching from the sidelines cheered wildly.
Ling Xue shouted, "Master Ye, you're amazing!"
Ye Ping's face flushed with embarrassment.
"Uh… I'm just lucky, I guess."
**
As the battle raged on, Ye Ping's slow, dense style confused the rogues more than any skillful swordsmanship could.
He tripped over a rock and accidentally grabbed a rogue's ankle, sending the man crashing into his comrades.
He tried to run but stumbled into a thorn bush, emerging covered in scratches — yet somehow, the bush's sharp thorns snapped and scattered, protecting him.
"This is ridiculous!" one rogue growled.
Ye Ping smiled sheepishly.
"Uh… sorry about that."
**
After what felt like hours but was only moments, the rogues finally retreated, battered and bewildered.
The sect erupted in cheers.
Elder Tian Mu approached Ye Ping, clapping slowly.
"You have shown the true meaning of the Pathless Genius."
Ye Ping shrugged, still dazed.
"Uh… I think I need a nap."
Ling Xue laughed, helping him up.
"Master Ye, your legend is only growing."
Ye Ping smiled quietly, his slow-paced life suddenly filled with unexpected adventure.
**
That night, Ye Ping sat beneath the stars, his wooden sword resting beside him. The clear sky seemed to sparkle with possibilities.
Tian Mu's words echoed in his mind: "You are not bound by the rules of cultivation. Your spirit is your greatest power."
Ye Ping smiled.
"Maybe being slow and dense isn't so bad after all."
And with that thought, he drifted off to sleep, ready for whatever chaos tomorrow would bring.