Chương 23: The Last Three Months
Biên tập viên: Yukidaruma Translations
The sword technique Chaotic Strike had been created by a wise senior when he was observing the peak of a towering mountain.
One important point of this sword technique was to be able to visualize the majesty and grandeur of mountains, each move and each attack having to be as heavy as a mountain.
While it sounded very mysterious, it actually meant that one had to use changes to the mind to bring about changes to the blood.
For example, when a person climbed up the mountain’s peak and looked down at the other mountains and streams at their feet, that person would naturally feel broad-minded. Or when one stood by the seaside, looking at the endless sea, one would naturally feel relaxed and at peace.
Almost all sword techniques created after their inventors’ close observation of nature were like this. Through observing nature one could comprehend the concept within and then apply it in such a way that it would change the state within the human body.
Just like how a person’s blood pressure would rise when getting angry, or when feeling scared or nervous.
When a person was happy and relaxed, the vessels would also be relaxed. Even the burden on the organs would be lightened.
This was the theory behind the mental state affecting the physical state.
As for Chaotic Strike, it carried the concept of the majesty of mountains, coupled with moves which twisted the muscles and bones in order to massage the organs and nurture them. The most important organ to train was the heart.
The final goal was to strengthen the heart, allowing the blood flow to be as stable as a mountain, strengthening the blood’s ability to supply nutrition, changing the physique and increasing physical strength.
While Fang Xingjian did not fully understand the principle within the technique, he had acquired the whole process from Kaunitz. Moreover, since Kaunitz had outstanding talent to begin with, he had made no errors with the level 12 Chaotic Strike, making Fang Xingjian’s learning process more smooth.
Fang Xingjian had relied on his supernatural talent to pick up this set of sword technique. But even so, he was still being very careful, since the process relied on the mental state’s ability to affect the human body from within.
The human body was extremely complicated, and a person’s mental state would change very quickly. Moreover, it dealt with important elements, such as the blood and the heart. Therefore, not even the slightest bit of carelessness was allowed.
Fang Xingjian’s motions were slow, similar to those of an old man’s. He thrust outwards with each sword stance only by half or one-third of the actual requirement, then stopping to carefully analyze and experience it over and over again.
It could be said that this was the slowest speed at which he had ever practiced.
‘The technique in this Chaotic Strike is even harder than that of the Nine Yang Divine Sword Technique. Moreover, I do not have a teacher to instruct me by my side. If I make the wrong move, it may cause my blood vessels to burst and organs to deteriorate.’
But luckily, Fang Xingjian’s talent was excellent. He slowly analyzed Chaotic Strike’s stances and soon got a general grasp of them after a few days. After ten days or so, he was already capable of practicing it smoothly.
If Tresia’s sword arts teacher ever saw this, he would be so shocked that his eyeballs would pop out!
Just like this, Fang Xingjian would head to The School of Sword Arts once in the morning and once in the afternoon to deal with some chores and to have his meal, spending the rest of his time at the abandoned ruins, practicing his sword techniques.
Seeing how Fang Xingjian headed out to practice daily, the people from The School of Sword Arts were initially full of contempt, then gradually stopped caring. After two months, they had gotten used to Fang Xingjian’s actions.
Ogden had told Fang Xingjian that it was useless to avoid Kaunitz like this, advising him to apologise instead.
Lambert had asked Fang Xingjian if he needed help.
Vivian had not spoken another word to Fang Xingjian. She acted like a proud peacock, constantly accompanying Kaunitz and displaying her charms.
Kyle had also spoken to Fang Xingjian about this.
“I heard that you and Kaunitz have had some disagreements? Do you need me to step in to mediate? No matter how powerful the Tresia Clan is, Kaunitz would have to show me some respect.”
Fang Xingjian shook his head and said, “Teacher, there’s no need for that. I feel more at ease practicing alone outside.”
During this time, Kyle had also arranged for them to register for the Prefectural Selection, and Kaunitz had taken a few of the students to attend Tresia’s gathering. Kaunitz now went around together with Vivian, and in the eyes of those attending The School of Sword Arts it was as if they were already a couple.
Even Ogden started being more polite to Vivian when he saw her.
Of course, everyone still spent most of their time in their sword practice. As the Prefectural Selection got closer, the mood on the training grounds also turned more gloomy, as if the air was so tense that one could squeeze water out of it.
Unnoticeably, many warriors also came to the city from the vicinity in order to take part in the Prefectural Selection.
Just like this, time passed by very quickly. Another three months went by, and the day of the Prefectural Selection finally arrived.
In the abandoned courtyard, Fang Xingjian stopped his movements and exhaled deeply.
Chaotic Strike, Silver Moon Prayer Sword Technique, Descent of the Holy Light, and Tresia-Style Foundation Sword Technique. Each of these sets of sword techniques was extremely profound, and could penetrate the mysteries within the human body. For one with mediocre talent, even with the foundation of other sword techniques, he or she would probably require five or more years in order to fully master each of the techniques to the maximum level.
After all, Kaunitz, a genius living the life of an aristocrat, had received guidance from numerous well-known teachers and had practiced sword arts since young so that he could to attain full mastery of these four techniques by the age of sixteen.
When Fang Xingjian had reached level 10 for the Descent of the Holy Light, he realised that this sword technique’s principles slightly overlapped with those of the Nine Yang Divine Sword Technique, which led to the absence of increases in attributes.
He had also considered whether it would be possible to complement the advantages and disadvantages of two sword techniques. However, even though he had enough talent, he had insufficient experience in sword arts. Therefore, after failing a few attempts, he decided to give up.
From there, he decided to devote all of his energy into training Chaotic Strike, the Silver Moon Prayer Sword Technique, and the Tresia-Stye Foundation Sword Technique.
He would only sleep three hours per day, practicing sword techniques not only when he was awake, but sometimes even in his dreams.
At the end of the day, Fang Xingjian would sometimes feel giddiness, other times his body turned limp, and sometimes hateful emotions would arise in his heart.
But when he recalled that night, and recalled those vengeful feelings, he forced himself to calm down and continue with his sword practice.
Counting the time he had left, Fang Xingjian’s lifespan only amounted to four and a half years. There was no other way out for him.
And his efforts paid out. One day before the Prefectural Selection, Fang Xingjian finally completely the mission which he had thought impossible. He had fully mastered the three sets of sword techniques, namely Chaotic Strike, the Silver Moon Prayer Sword Technique, and the Tresia-Stye Foundation Sword Technique to the maximum level of 20.
Chaotic Strike gave him 4 additional points in strength, 4 points in agility, 8 points in endurance, and 4 points in flexibility.
The Silver Moon Prayer Sword Technique gave him 3 additional points in strength, 3 points in agility, 5 points in reaction, 3 points in endurance, and 3 points in flexibility.
He had spent the most effort on the Tresia-Stye Foundation Sword Technique, and had received 2 points in strength, 2 in agility, 2 in reaction, 2 in endurance and 2 in flexibility.
One could tell from these stats that the more his various attributes increased, the stronger his physique became, and the less additional attributes he gained from the sword techniques.
On one hand, it was because the attributes of his body’s potential were wasted less and less. On the other hand, it was also because the more his attributes grew, the more difficult it was for him to raise them through training.
Chương 24: Begin
Biên tập viên: Yukidaruma Translations
For the past three months, other than the increase in attributes brought about by the mastery of techniques, Fang Xingjian’s fundamental attributes had also been augmented due to the long time he had spent training.
Thus, Fang Xingjian’s current attributes were:
Name Fang Xingjian
Age 16
Occupation Warrior’s Squire
Level 9
Strength 36
Agility 42
Reaction 23
Endurance 30
Flexibility 32
Techniques:
Single-handed Sword Grab Level 20
Cross-slash Level 20
Grizzly Bear Sword Technique Level 30
Eagle Sword Technique Level 30
Tenauer-Style Body Strengthening Sword Technique Level 30
Nine Yang Divine Sword Technique Level 20
Chaotic Strike Level 20
Silver Moon Prayer Sword Technique Level 20
Descent of Holy Light Level 10
Tresia-Style Foundation Sword Technique Level 20
Specialities: Genius Swordsmanship, Survival Instinct, Internal Healing, Internal Training, Sword Specialist
He now possessed more than double the strength he’d had three months before, and his speed was now fast enough to leave an afterimage if within a short distance. He was now able to stay energized the entire day with just one or two hours of rest each day, especially given his enhanced physical strength from the development of his internal organs.
At the same time, the fusion of his muscles, bones, blood and organs greatly boosted his flexibility, allowing him to execute various sword techniques with the perfect control over the amount of power.
At this moment, Fang Xingjian gained three additional specialties while practicing his sword techniques for internal strength.
Internal Healing: possesses a certain amount of control over the internal organs; allows one to rouse the muscles and bones using willpower, restricting internal injuries and forcing internal wounds to heal temporarily.
Internal Training: subjective willpower can help the intestines digest and greatly enhances one’s absorbing ability, thus increasing the effects of martial arts training and improving food absorption rate.
Out of the first two specialties, one allowed Fang Xingjian to heal his own internal injuries while the other increased the degree of attribute enhancement during martial arts practice.
The other one, Sword Specialist, made Fang Xingjian feel slightly perplexed.
Sword Specialist: increases the accumulated potential from practicing sword arts.
He had attained this specialty after perfecting the tenth sword technique up to the maximum level, but he did not understand its effects, and gave up after researching for a while. Little did he know that it was a specialty Kaunitz had always dreamt of attaining, and for which he had even come to The School of Sword Arts for it, intending to learn the school’s basic sword techniques in a bid to obtain it.
The next moment, as Fang Xingjian casually cut through the air, the sword’s pitch-black afterimage successfully connected into one, like a cloud of black fog exploding and dispersing into the air. The blade sliced through the air, creating an explosive buzz. The continuously compressed air formed shockwaves which were pushed outwards. They were similar to sword Qi striking against the ground and the walls, at the same time creating light crackling sounds.
Compared with the current Kaunitz, Fang Xingjian realized that he was already able to crush Kaunitz both in terms of attributes and swordsmanship.
This increased his self-confidence for the Prefectural Selection.
Taking a step forward, Fang Xingjian was like an arrow ripping through the air whilst yelling out continuous howls, and arrived at the base of the wall in a second. Thereafter, he took a heavy step with his right leg, making a series of dull sounds, as if the ground had trembled for a moment.
Suddenly, an explosion revealed a small pit the size of a footprint. Amidst the crumbling surface and flying rocks, Fang Xingjian had already flipped across the wall and headed towards the examination area.
As the Prefectural Selection neared, Kirst gradually started filling with strangers. They were Warriors who had come for the selections from the neighboring cities, towns, or even villages.
According to the official figures, more than three thousand people were participating in Kirst’s Prefectural Selection.
While hurrying all the way to the examination area, Fang Xingjian saw many brave strong Warriors carrying various weapons. Solemnity and nervousness fully shone on their faces, since the following competition could decide the paths that the rest of their lives would take.
The drill grounds in the City Guards Institution were already packed with people. Fang Xingjian queued up at the entrance to verify his identity before he took a number tag and wore it on his wrist.
Fang Xingjian had been casually standing by the side. After a while, his senior in The School of Sword Arts, Ogden, appeared before him. Ogden had already comprehended the Nine Yang Divine Sword Technique and had successfully attained level 2 in it. Confidence was written all over his face. His current strength, agility, and reaction attributes had all broken past 20 points. A few juniors who were also participating in the selection followed behind him.
Seeing Fang Xingjian, he could not help but laugh. “Isn’t this Junior Xingjian? After hiding for so many months, you’re finally out in the sun?
“Couldn’t have been easy training by yourself. Anyway, it’s been such a long time. Have you increased your Eagle Sword Technique’s level? Do you need some guidance from me?
“Oh, right. Young Master Kaunitz is also here for the selection. Why don’t you go greet him?”
Ogden laughed out loud. To him, the one Fang Xingjian feared the most in The School of Sword Arts would be Kaunitz, who had thrashed him daily.
Fang Xingjian smiled coldly in his heart and threw a glance towards Ogden. Suddenly, he placed his hand on Ogden’s chest and pushed him with a little force. It was as if an adult had pushed a young child. Ogden flew backwards and landed with a bang after tumbling away over ten meters.
“You!” Having been pushed over by the other party in one strike, his face had turned a furious red. But then he thought to himself, ‘What happened? How could his strength exceed mine by such a large margin?’
At this moment, a red-haired Knight wearing Knight attire clapped, starting to speak slowly from a podium on the drill grounds. “Everyone is here, let’s begin.”
This Knight had strong limbs, a full beard decorated his face, and his red hair flew in the wind like flames.
He had only opened his mouth normally, not even shouting, but the sound waves reached the ends of the arena due to some specific contractions of his lungs. Ogden’s expression turned ghastly. He glared at Fang Xingjian fiercely, but did nothing else.
Fang Xingjian did not even look at him, but instead stared fixedly at the red-haired Knight, saying to himself, ‘His internal organs must be extremely condensed, and their strength is equivalent to that of a strong man’s arms and thigh muscles.’ He had asked around and had found that the Knight before him was one of the examiners in the selections. He was Hogan, the leader of the City Guards, at level 19. Since he had been able to attain level 19, it was obvious that he had completed his first transition after becoming a Knight.
His abilities were just a step away from reaching the second transition. It was said that he had participated in the Regional Selection before, and had almost become a Conferred Knight, who could attain the right to the Empire’s second job transition.
As the red-haired Knight spoke, everyone on the grounds fell silent.
The Knight nodded, satisfied, and said, “I am Hogan, your examiner for the first round.”
The Empire’s Prefectural Selection was not an easy test. The three areas he was evaluating were namely their physical abilities, their techniques, and their level of comprehension.
The examinees were basically Warriors who had not gone through the first job transition, and there were many participants overall. Therefore, it was not arranged for them to have duels which could easily result in deaths or injuries.
Suppose there were duels between a few thousand people, each of them the elites of various dojos and academies. If there were to be any cases of injuries or death, these could even incite fierce rioting, increase the frequency of armed fights in the city, and cause unrest in the Empire.
Moreover, a single battle would not be sufficient to determine one’s potential and talent.
Hence, the Prefectural Selection removed the battling mode, only including theoretical and practical tests.
Hogan continued. “The Prefectural Selection’s main arena is at Kirst Royal Academy, which is about twelve kilometers away.
“You have ten minutes to get there. All latecomers will be disqualified.
“So, I will be waiting there.”
After saying that, in a flash, Hogan sprinted beyond the drill grounds. The air howled and the earth shook, as if a large group of elephants were running wildly. Each of his steps smashed the ground into pieces, making little pits, while the enormous counterforce propelled his body, allowing him to dash out like a rocket, and even to rip through the air, creating a trail of faint white smoke.
‘What a fast speed!’ Fang Xingjian’s gaze froze. ‘To have such an explosive force, his strength and agility must both be at a minimum of 50. No, they could even be at 60! Or even higher!’
With Hogan’s display of ability, many Warriors on the ground started to move, jostling each other as they headed towards the drill grounds’ exit.
“Everyone, I will make a move first. The Tresia Clan will be accepting the position of this time’s Prefectural Champion.”
With a faint howl, a shadow dashed up high. Kaunitz stepped on the heads of over ten Warriors and dashed out of the drill grounds like a cool breeze.
The City Guards’ Institution was barricaded by tall walls over five meters tall, and the fastest way out was through the main gate.
Kaunitz’s control was brought to its peak. He used the bones and muscles of the bodies in the crowd as a propulsion medium, sprinting to the gate in a flash.
However, just as he was about to leap to the main gate, a fierce gale howled. The turbulence in the air stirred against his face, making it difficult for him to breathe.
“Scram.”
Immediately afterwards, a gigantic shadow loomed over him.
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