Chapter 27: Chapter Twenty-Seven: The Forbidden Secret (Seeking Recommendations)

After sleeping deeply for over ten hours, Su Xiao woke up hungry.

If not for the unbearable burning sensation of stomach acid eating at his gut, he would have slept longer.

Before stepping out of the empty private room, Su Xiao frowned—this place was far too bare, lacking even a bed; he’d need to spend some Paradise Coins to furnish it.

The Lunhui Paradise only provided the function of expanding private space; it did not allow furniture exchange, so Su Xiao had to purchase them himself.

“What a hassle. I’ll finish these matters today as soon as possible.”

Su Xiao found a restaurant run by a Worker and ate his fill for just three Paradise Coins.

The food tasted good, and the Worker owner was extremely warm-hearted.

From that warmth, it was clear Workers struggled to survive within the Lunhui Paradise.

After eating, Su Xiao searched the stalls lining the street.

Acquiring daily necessities like furniture wasn’t hard—a Worker had once invented a compression capsule that shrunk all kinds of furniture to the size of a fingertip, making them incredibly portable.

After paying 200 Paradise Coins, Su Xiao purchased all the furniture he needed.

With lodging and meals settled, Su Xiao headed straight for the Lunhui Paradise’s central zone, arriving before the [Training Ground].

He still had two days left in the Lunhui Paradise, and within those two days, he had to adapt to his suddenly strengthened body.

【Welcome, Hunter. Use the Training Ground. Please select a mode.】

【Assist Mode / Combat Mode】

Su Xiao hesitated briefly, then selected Assist Mode.

【Assist Mode selected. Please choose the Mirror’s level.】

Three options appeared before Su Xiao: Low-Level Mirror, Mid-Level Mirror, High-Level Mirror.

Below each option was a price: Low-Level Mirror cost 100 Paradise Coins per hour, Mid-Level Mirror cost 1,000 per hour, High-Level Mirror cost 10,000 per hour.

After some hesitation, Su Xiao chose the Mid-Level Mirror.

Earlier, he had observed for a long time within the Lunhui Paradise; most gear sold by Contracted Ones was white-grade and had very low ratings.

The only green-grade firearm he’d seen was priced at 4,000 Paradise Coins—and was fiercely sought after by many Contracted Ones.

Yet even that green-grade gear’s stats couldn’t match those of Su Xiao’s Zhan Long Shan.

Contracted Ones might sell good items, but they were rare and required luck to find.

Compared to buying gear, Su Xiao preferred improving his own strength—true power came from within.

After paying 1,000 Paradise Coins to summon one hour of a Mid-Level Mirror, a milky-white glow appeared before him; when it faded, a middle-aged man stood there, wielding a blade and dressed in a white training uniform.

The surrounding scenery shifted into a sword dojo.

【Mirror summoned: Koushirou, from the Pirate World.】

Seeing the Lunhui Paradise’s prompt, Su Xiao felt a quiet surge of delight.

He didn’t know Koushirou’s strength, but if it came to teaching ability, Koushirou was undoubtedly exceptional—Zoro was living proof.

Koushirou never taught Zoro any specific techniques, yet he laid the foundational strength that made Zoro a true warrior.

“Hello, I’m Koushirou. Time is short—let’s begin.”

Koushirou’s demeanor was natural—he wasn’t the real Koushirou, merely a mirror image.

Koushirou glanced at Su Xiao’s Zhan Long Shan and nodded.

“A weapon similar to mine? Then this will be simple—strike at me with all your might.”

Su Xiao didn’t waste words; the 1,000 Paradise Coins per hour cost stung, so he slashed at Koushirou with full force.

With his current stats, this strike was swift and fierce, its angle sharp and precise—aimed directly at Koushirou’s neck.

What stunned Su Xiao happened next: Koushirou didn’t even draw his weapon—only raised the scabbard to block, then shifted its angle slightly.

Su Xiao felt his blade slip uncontrollably to the side; overextended by the force, he stumbled two steps backward.

His attack had been so easily neutralized. Su Xiao felt frustrated, but helpless.

The reality he came from and Koushirou’s Pirate World existed on entirely different levels of power.

The sword skills he’d trained for years in his world meant nothing to Koushirou.

Perhaps superior sword techniques existed in his world, but rapid technological advancement had rendered them obsolete—most had vanished into obscurity.

“Enough. Your understanding of swordsmanship is lower than I imagined.”

Koushirou’s “swordsmanship” was, in fact, sword technique—just a different term for the same thing.

Su Xiao was filled with defeat. His years of disciplined training meant nothing in others’ eyes—and he had no rebuttal; compared to Koushirou, he truly was inferior.

Being weaker isn’t shameful—only failing to catch up is. Being weaker yet stubbornly denying it is the true shame.

“What should I do? Practice fundamentals?”

Su Xiao slashed randomly a few times; white streaks flashed through the air.

“No. Your fundamentals are excellent—far better than most. Few are willing to spend years practicing simple, grueling chopping motions.”

Answer me this: How do you view the weapon in your hand?

Koushirou sat cross-legged on the floor, dressed in white training garb, smiling at Su Xiao; with his glasses perched on his nose, he radiated gentleness.

“How do I view my weapon? Hmm… a tool for killing.”

Su Xiao’s answer made Koushirou shake his head repeatedly.

“If you cling to that mindset, even after a hundred years of brutal training, you’ll only be swinging a stick—you won’t have achieved swordsmanship at all.”

Su Xiao looked at his Zhan Long Shan and said nothing.

“Perceive your weapon. Make it an extension of your own body. If you can’t even do that, I can’t teach you anything.”

Koushirou’s words darkened Su Xiao’s expression.

He’d spent 1,000 Paradise Coins to summon Koushirou—and now the man told him to figure it out himself.

Su Xiao immediately contacted the Lunhui Paradise, wanting to pause training until he felt the blade properly.

Unfortunately, the Lunhui Paradise replied: training could not be paused. He could leave the [Training Ground] now, but the Paradise Coins spent would not be refunded, and Koushirou would vanish.

Helpless, Su Xiao sat cross-legged on the ground, placed Zhan Long Shan on his knees, and began to perceive.

“Don’t imagine your weapon in your mind—perceive it. Feel its sharpness, its weight, its unique presence.”

Koushirou wasn’t summoned in vain; as Su Xiao perceived his weapon, Koushirou offered detailed guidance, imparting insights to Su Xiao.

These insights were only ever passed on to disciples Koushirou deemed worthy—like Zoro. Now, as a summoned mirror, Koushirou shared this precious knowledge with Su Xiao without reservation.

Minutes passed. After half an hour, Su Xiao faintly sensed the Zhan Long Shan resting on his knees.

Unconsciously, he drew Zhan Long Shan and slashed—the air hissed.

Koushirou nodded in approval and continued guiding Su Xiao.

One hour passed. Koushirou dissolved into the air, but Su Xiao remained seated, occasionally slashing once more.

He felt a door slowly opening before him. His prior sword training had been nothing but swinging sticks—beyond mastering basic stances, it held little true value.

Drawing, sheathing—he was lost in his own world, unaware Koushirou had vanished.

The fact he’d persisted in practicing the same chopping motion for three years revealed his obsession with swordsmanship.

As the saying goes: one thought can reach the divine. Su Xiao’s three years of relentless practice, now guided by Koushirou, began to ascend.