"The Ninefold Thunder Shock Saber's force contains nine layers. Each strike is fiercer and heavier than the last, building upon itself. It starts like the first clap of spring thunder and ends like a bolt from the heavens."
Cao Feng stood with his hands behind his back, speaking slowly. "If you can cultivate it to its peak, a single strike can contain nine layers of powerful Qi."
"Among Martial Artists of the same realm, none would dare to face it head-on!"
"It's so incredibly domineering and powerful!" Chu Fan and Zhao Tianxing's eyes lit up, their faces full of longing.
Such a formidable Sword Technique could not be purchased in the Seven Stars Gang's Library Pavilion, even with a fortune in hand.
They had even heard that within the main Cao Family, those with insufficient talent were not qualified to practice this Sword Technique.
And now, though the two of them had not yet performed the formal ceremony to become his disciples, Master Cao was already sincerely treating them as his Direct Disciples…
This level of mentorship was truly precious.
Cao Feng paid no mind to their expressions and continued, "The Seven-Star Bead Slash possesses a different kind of mystery. This Sword Technique emphasizes speed above all else—seven consecutive slashes, as fast as a shooting star."
"By the time the enemy feels the wind from the blade on their face, they are already decapitated!"
"As for the Nine Blood Soul Blades…"
When he mentioned the Blood Saber Sect, Cao Feng's expression turned cold, his tone dripping with disdain. "Those bastards from the Blood Saber Sect are all lunatics. Their Nine Blood Soul Blades, from the very beginning, are cultivated by drawing in Evil Qi. It's an extremely wicked art."
"Evil Qi is a malevolent thing that makes even ranked Martial Artists pale at the mere mention of it. Not only can it corrode flesh, blood, muscle, and bone, but it can also erode a person's mind!"
"A person who uses the Nine Blood Soul Blades uses the Evil Qi within their own body as a catalyst to draw upon the surrounding Evil Qi in the world to fight their enemy. Even their saber turns blood-red…"
"This method of fighting often injures the enemy by a thousand while you yourself lose eight hundred."
"In the future, if you encounter someone from the Blood Saber Sect, either end the fight quickly or stay as far away as possible. Otherwise, if the Evil Qi invades your body, you'll find that even dying will be nigh impossible!"
Zhao Tianxing grinned, a hint of pride in his eyes. "If I run into them, the best method would be to create distance and use my archery to deal with them!"
"An arrow that pierces the sky is the perfect counter to a wicked saber!" Cao Feng nodded in praise, a look of approval in his eyes. "Archery is inherently a long-range combat skill. The sinister nature of the Nine Blood Soul Blades is completely nullified by your archery."
He paused for a moment, his expression growing solemn again as he slowly said, "They cultivate the saber, but they walk the Demon Dao…"
"These lunatics, they aren't even afraid of Demonic Transformation!"
'Transformation?'
'Demonic?'
A thought stirred in Chu Fan's mind. He recalled the "Pollution Level" displayed on his panel, as well as the description of "Demonic Transformation" in the Demon Record.
But Cao Feng didn't elaborate, instead changing the subject. "From now on in your cultivation, Tianxing, you will focus on the Moon Eclipse Arrow, supplemented by the Ninefold Thunder Shock Saber and the Twelve Forms Fist."
"As for you, Chu Fan, you will focus on the Ninefold Thunder Shock Saber, supplemented by the Twelve Forms Fist."
"You two must be even more diligent than before."
"Yes!" Chu Fan and Zhao Tianxing responded in unison, their expressions stern, not daring to show the slightest bit of slack.
Cao Feng gave a few more instructions regarding their training before leisurely getting up to leave.
Chu Fan had originally wanted to ask about the location of the original copy of the Ninefold Thunder Shock Saber, or perhaps use the opportunity to touch Cao Feng's saber to acquire the experience he had from practicing the technique.
But on second thought, Master Cao clearly intended to teach them personally, move by move. Under these circumstances, it seemed unnecessary to expend Spiritual Essence, so he dismissed the idea.
'It's always better to save up Spiritual Essence.'
'The Refinement of the Demon Suppression Stele requires 1,500 points of Spiritual Essence. At my current rate, I have no idea how long it will take to save up that much.'
Chu Fan then thought of Li Qingxue's Seven-Star Bead Slash.
He now had thirty-two points of Spiritual Essence.
If he were willing, he could consider refining Li Qingxue's Cold Moon Lone Shadow Saber to comprehend the Seven-Star Bead Slash.
But then he had another thought. 'Since I've already decided to learn the Ninefold Thunder Shock Saber, if I also divert my attention to mastering the Seven-Star Bead Slash, won't I end up biting off more than I can chew?'
'Among all the martial arts in the world, nothing is indestructible; only speed is unbeatable…'
The first time his Firewood Splitting Saber Technique achieved Breaking Limit, the Trait he obtained was "Sword Swift as Wind."
'If a Trait like that were combined with a fast sword technique, wouldn't it become even faster?'
'At that point, it would be enough to kill a Martial Artist whose Cultivation Realm is higher than mine in the shortest amount of time!'
Chu Fan was torn, unable to make a decision.
He returned to his room, took out the Ninefold Thunder Shock Saber manual, and began to read it carefully.
「Time passed quietly...」
[Literacy Experience Points +1]
[Gained a total of twenty-three Experience Points in Literacy from this reading session]
[Technique: Literacy (Great Success) Progress: (327/500) (Trait: None)]
[Technique: Ninefold Thunder Shock Saber (Uninitiated) Progress: (0/10) (Trait: None)]
After reading the Sword Manual several times, Chu Fan had firmly committed its contents to memory.
Although he hadn't yet achieved the state of being Unforgettable, he wasn't far off.
His memory was now far stronger than it had been before unlocking the Literacy technique.
He figured that once this technique broke through to the Perfection realm, he might truly be able to become Unforgettable.
Feeling that a good deal of his stamina had recovered, Chu Fan put down the Sword Manual, got up, and walked into the courtyard, preparing to practice the Twelve Forms Fist.
Hearing the commotion, Zhao Tianxing scampered out like a monkey from the other side, his face alight with excitement. "Chu Fan, let's spar!"
"I want to see just how strong someone with Small Success in all Twelve Forms is!"
'You're probably in for a disappointment. I've already reached Great Success in all twelve forms,' Chu Fan thought, raising an eyebrow.
A flicker of interest ignited within him as well.
Previously, when his Twelve Forms Fist was at Small Success, he didn't think he was a match for Zhao Tianxing.
After all, back then, his Qi Blood Power was far inferior to Zhao Tianxing's.
Furthermore, Zhao Tianxing had been fighting wild beasts since he was a child. How could someone who had just started learning Martial Arts compare to that kind of life-and-death combat experience?
But things were different now. His Twelve Forms Fist had already reached Great Success…
According to Master Cao, reaching Great Success in one form was comparable to a Martial Artist at the Blood Nourishing Realm!
'So, Great Success in twelve forms…'
'Even though I haven't truly broken through to the Blood Nourishing Realm, and even though I've only condensed the first wisp of Qi Blood Power in my body, it should be enough to grind an ordinary Blood Nourishing Martial Artist's head into the dirt!'
And the Zhao Tianxing before him…
His combat experience and the toughness of his muscles and bones were even greater than that of an ordinary Blood Nourishing Martial Artist!
He was the perfect opponent!
"Let's get this straight first…"
Chu Fan began, "This is a practical sparring match, just for our mutual improvement. Don't get carried away and hurt our friendship."
"How could that happen!" Zhao Tianxing waved his hand dismissively, unconcerned. "We're brothers… Even if you beat me to a pulp, I wouldn't say a single bad word about you!"
The two faced each other and simultaneously assumed the opening stance of the Twelve Forms Fist in the courtyard.
The winter sun cast down its warm, gentle rays, dispelling some of the chill.
Both stood their ground, motionless.
The field was silent for a moment.
Zhao Tianxing changed his opening stance, bringing his hands up below his forehead, looking like he was gathering power.
At the same time, he took a step back with his right foot, planting it on the ground like a coiled spring, as if he were about to pounce like a fierce tiger in the next moment!
'A tiger cups its head before it pounces…'
This was the essential principle of the Tiger Form Fist. It meant that before a tiger pounces on its prey, it must first contract its body and draw back its legs, using the power from its back leg and the extension of its waist to make its pounce both high and far, as well as swift and powerful, leaving the prey with no chance to escape.
Zhao Tianxing's Tiger Form had already reached Small Success.
This opening Tiger Form stance was quite standard, with no obvious flaws.
But in Chu Fan's eyes, this opening stance was the biggest flaw of all!
The reason was simple…
He also cultivated the Twelve Forms Fist, and what's more, he had already reached Great Success in all twelve forms!
The moment Zhao Tianxing made this move, Chu Fan could already see the trajectory of his subsequent attacks based on his cupped-hand posture!
"HAH!"
With a sudden low shout, Zhao Tianxing used the power of his back leg to lunge toward Chu Fan like a ferocious tiger!
A tiger has the courage of a pounce, leaping over mountains and across streams, exceptionally fierce!
At the critical moment!
Instead of retreating, Chu Fan advanced, stepping into the central position, and shot out a punch—a Bear Form Splitting Fist that landed heavily on Zhao Tianxing's chest!
"THUD!"
With a muffled sound, Zhao Tianxing fell backward, crashing hard onto the ground!
"Ouch… oof…"
Zhao Tianxing clutched his chest, groaning as he scrambled back to his feet, his eyes filled with disbelief. "How is this possible?!"
"My Tiger Form has reached Small Success, too!"
"Why couldn't my Small Success Tiger Form even block a single Bear Form Splitting Fist from you?"
"That's not how you should think about it," Chu Fan said, shaking his head gently as he explained, "Your fist technique… the tells in your moves are too obvious…"
"What do you mean?" Zhao Tianxing asked, patting the dirt off his clothes.
Despite being defeated in a single move, he didn't seem to mind at all. Instead, he adopted the humble look of someone eager for instruction.