The Grand Elder looked at his crestfallen figure, a complex expression flashing in his eyes—a mixture of regret and a certain relief.
He took a soft breath, stepped forward, and patted Su Muyuan's shoulder. His voice was steady. "Mu Yuan, you are still too young. You must understand that victory or defeat in a single match is merely a temporary affair. The path of the Martial Dao is long and arduous; the true contest is not about a momentary victory, but about who can walk the longest and farthest."
He paused, his gaze turning distant as he continued, "This was also the very reason your father gave you the name Mu Yuan.
"Though you lost this match, you must remember that your understanding of the Flowing Cloud Sword Technique is exceptionally deep, and your foundation is far more solid than most. Yang Jing may be in the limelight now, but he is still a ways from the Peak of the Qi Eating Realm, and even further from breaking through to the Qi Absorption Realm."
