Shi clan, an open area within the Shi clan.
Shi Zhang looked at Shi Li and raised his sword as he explained, "Okay, Shi Li. Listen to what I say well since I won't repeat it. The All-encompassing Sword is a defensive sword technique of the Middle Mortal grade, but has the sophistry of a High Mortal grade technique."
"This technique is split into three levels of mastery, where the first level alone is enough for you to pretty much win the Novice Tournament," Shi Zhang said as he aimed his sword towards Shi Li. "Try hitting me."
Shi Li looked at his master for a bit before nodding. He knew that his master was doing something good for him, so he should cooperate to the fullest. Grabbing Sundering Flame from his back, he hastily slashed out from a slanted angle with his full strength since he also wanted to see the full potential of the defensive sword technique his master boasted.
In the midst of his slash, his master started to talk as his master's sword darted towards his sword like a venomous snake capturing its prey before exerting enough force to remove his sword from its intended path.
Clang!
Like a bird that has fallen from its nest, Shi Li's slash was interrupted midway as his arm struggled to grip onto his sword, looking at his master in shock.
"This is the first level of the All-encompasing Sword, Deflect. From its name alone, you know what mastering the first level does, allowing you to deflect any attack from the enemy."
"And now," Shi Zhang aimed his sword towards Shi Li once more as he said, "Hit me one more time."
Shi Li looked at his master and felt that his motivation was being ignited, slashing one more time at a different angle from before, aiming to deal damage towards his master.
Of course he knew he wouldn't be able to do just that. A silhouette of a sword appeared on top of his sword as it venomously darted towards his body, easily removing his grip from Sundering Blade as he flew a few meters away.
Shi Li took a while to sit up straight, only to look at his master with an appalled expression since he didn't expect the first level and the second level to have such a gap.
"The second level of the All-encompasing Sword, Reflect. As the name says, once mastered, not only will you be able to deflect your enemy's attacks, you can also reflect their attacks back at them."
Shi Zhang looked at his disciple and said, "Stand up! This is the last and final level of the technique. Give it your best shot!"
Of course, with the two levels piquing Shi Lu's interest, Shi Li didn't hesitate to dash towards his master as he swung Sundering Flame from a vertical angle.
Shi Zhang looked at this and took a step to the side before hitting Shi Li's left forearm. In an instant, the momentum Shi Li had in his attack was negated, not to mention he was also disarmed and disabled of any ability to fight back as he felt a stinging pain in his left forearm, only for the pain to be gone a few minutes later.
Shi Zhang looked at his disciple's face of shock and placed his hand on his disciple's shoulder as he said, "Now, this is the last and most difficult level of the All-encompassing Sword to achieve, Intercept. With this, just by looking at the prior movements of the enemy, you can either deflect their attack, reflect their attack, or even debilitate them from fighting any further."
"Are you willing to learn this sword technique?" Shi Zhang looked at Shi Li and asked.
Of course, seeing the full prowess of the technique, Shi Li knew that it would allow him to possibly win the tournament. So, with eyes filled with determination, and a motivation that was raging like crackling flames, he nodded and said, "Yes! Teach me master!"
...
A few hours later, Shi Li memorized the levels of the All-encompassing Sword and even the essence of the technique. After doing so, he received a message from his father through a qi wisp and hurriedly ran towards his father's room.
Knock knock knock.
Scanning the person behind the door as Shi Li, Shi Xingwan, who had all of the beast parts on his desk, said, "Come in."
Creak...
Shi Li gradually opened the door and closed it behind him after grabbing a chair and sitting in front of his father across the desk. He then noticed the various parts of the beasts he killed laid across his father's desk. Gulping his saliva, he asked, "Father, did I not successfully complete the challenge?"
"Complete it?" Shi Xingwan raised his eyebrows before chortling in happiness. "Oh, you did. But shouldn't you tell me how you killed a Rank 3 Steel Tusk Boar by yourself?"
"Eh...uh..." Shi Li scratched his head for a bit since he knew he misunderstood his father's message, just like how he misunderstood his master's message. Thinking for a bit, he didn't want to show Moddy's skills as it could be a trump card in fights. Intentionally being vague, Shi Li replied, "I'll only show it in the Novice Tournament a few days from now."
Seeing that his question was evaded, Shi Xingwan was somewhat suspicious before shrugging his shoulder and giving Shi Li 7 pills that were of a muddy earth color.
Shi Li looked at the pills on his hand and noticed that they exuded an aura of spirit as he could feel some sort of intense energy lingering within each of the pill.
Shi Li then looked at his father and asked, "What kind of cultivation pills are these?"
"Spirit Gathering Pills," Shi Xingwan answered. "They're the best Grade 0 Cultivation Pill anyone could get within this town and it'll substantially help you advance forward into a new realm."
Shi Li looked at the 7 pills one more time before nodding his head. "Is there anything else you need me for, Father?"
Shi Xingwan shook his head and gestured Shi Li to head out the door. "Not much, I'll call you when I need to. You can leave."
Shi Li bowed respectfully in front of his father and said a few words of gratitude before leaving his father's room.
Not long after leaving, Shi Li's eyes gleamed as he clenched his hand that held the 7 pills.
"With this, I can now aim to break through to the 3rd Martial Novice stage at a faster speed!"