Chapter 15: Chapter 15: Battle Blade Skill and Embracing the Origin Energy
Out of the more than seven hundred people present, only a dozen or so could clearly see Shi Xiaole’s cut just now.
Interestingly, Shi Xiaole only holds the early stage ranking of Hidden Qi level four. Therefore, his impressive attack with the blade was astonishing for the crowd.
"How... how did you do that?"
Wan Chong’s forehead broke into a cold sweat.
Upon reflecting, Shi Xiaole’s cut was neither faster nor stronger than his own. Yet within his sword technique, it seemed to contain something frightfully powerful.
"That was just a simple Draw Sword Skill, nothing more. I just put all my spirit and emotion into it."
Shi Xiaole had no hesitation in using the Draw Sword Skill. This technique, which could hardly be considered a style, was something anyone could perform, though mastering it was more challenging.
The Grand Elder and his party couldn’t realistically criticize him for using it.
Moreover, Shia Xiaole also recognized the fatal flaw in the Draw Sword Skill during this opportunity.
The skill was an all-or-nothing kind. In other words, if the first attack doesn’t hit, he would lose the initiative and become entirely vulnerable.
The technique could only be used once, at short notice. It necessitates significant preparation, lest it fails to exhibit its power.
"Spirit and emotion?"
Wan Chong was contemplating these words. Then, with a sudden jolt, he picked up his fallen blade and respectfully saluted Shi Xiaole: "I will not forget today’s gift. I look forward to learning from you in the future." He then returned to the Duster Gate camp.
Complex gazes focused on Shi Xiaole. For the people from Duster Gate, he was undoubtedly worthy of the title of the chosen disciple despite his young age.
However, the people from Huajian Sect had many thoughts.
Today’s battle was Shi Xiaole’s reputation-establishing campaign.
First, he used basic sword techniques to defeat Qian Tong, then he beat Qi Hui with his exceptional adaptability, and finally, he defeated Duster Gate’s blade genius with the simple Draw Sword Skill.
At this moment, who dared to say that Shi Xiaole was only a nepotist with no real talent?
Moreover, he was only fifteen years old, and he had only joined the Huajian Sect a year ago.
"How is this possible? Could it be that this boy has been hiding his skills all along, playing the fool to catch the wise?"
Qin Zhao’s handsome face was ashen, and his body trembled slightly. He watched as the dramatic turning of tables, where the well-planned performance meant for him, had ended up as Shi Xiaole’s reputation-building campaign.
As for the Grand Elder, there’s no need to mention. He had thoughtlessly presented a great gift to Hua Chaoqun only to end up shooting himself in the foot. Worst of all, he helped Shi Xiaole, whom he despised the most.
Thinking back on the day’s events, the Grand Elder felt a strong urge to vomit blood.
"Hahaha, Well done, Xiaole. You did an amazing job!"
The Second Elder, on the contrary, is in high spirits, continuously praising Shi Xiaole with contentment.
"Congratulations, Grand Elder. It seems that following Mao Wenjing, the Huajian Sect will rise another talent. You must cherish it."
Hua Chaoqun said with deep implications, then he waved his hand, leading his seven chosen disciples to leave.
"Senior brother, thank you for lending me your blade."
Shi Xiaole went into the crowd and returned the blade to the young man who had borrowed it to him.
"Don’t mention it, Brother Shi. Your sword technique is profound, it’s really eye-opening. I look forward to learning more from you in the future."
The young man cupped his fists in both hands, his expression a little bit worshipful.
"Oh, stop."
Shi Xiaole hurriedly returned the courtesy, thinking that he didn’t know anything about blade techniques.
The crowd continuously moved forward, some apologizing, some congratulating, some trying to please him, too many to count.
To be fair, the Huajian Sect disciples didn’t really harbor any ill-will towards Shi Xiaole in the past. At most, there was disdain and jealousy.
However, these two emotions were shattered by Shi Xiaole today. Towards him, people now felt infinite curiosity and faint admiration.
"As it turns out, we’ve always misjudged our junior brother."
Yuan Qiuwei said solemnly.
Xiao Yuanbo giggled: "It’s not that we’ve misjudged him; he’s just too good at hiding. Now, he’s reigning in glory, leaving another person in the dust."
Hearing this, Yuan Qiuwei and Mao Wenjing both naturally turned their eyes to Qin Zhao, who was standing outside the crowd.
With a gloomy face, Qin Zhao turned and left.
"Enough! This summary meeting has ended. Everyone, dismiss!"
The Grand Elder left a harsh sentence and similarly left in a bad mood. Before his departure, he didn’t forget to cast a murderous glance at Shi Xiaole.
...
Late at night.
A candle still burns in a study room.
With a slam, Qin Zhao fiercely hits the table, his teeth clenched as he says, "Uncle, I can’t accept this!"
The Grand Elder, squinting, replies, "Zhao’er, my resentment is no less than yours. But the facts prove that we have all underestimated him."
"So we are to just let him rise and secure his position as the direct disciple? Uncle, don’t forget that only the Sect Master’s direct disciples have the potential to become the next Sect Master."
Both Qin Zhao and the Grand Elder deeply understand that as long as Shi Xiaole’s performance doesn’t sink too low, his Aunt’s influence will prevent anyone from removing him from his position as a direct disciple.
And now, according to the current trend, Qin Zhao has basically lost hope of obtaining that position.
"Don’t worry, as long as the Sect Master hasn’t made his decision, we still have a chance. Since the boy is qualified and capable, there is only one remaining method... Dead men can never compete with the living."
Under candlelight, the Grand Elder’s expression is grim and sinister, resembling a man-devouring snake as he says each word measuredly, "Among the three disciples, Xiao Yuanbo is impulsive, Mao Wenjing is detached and indifferent, Yuan Qiuwei is stodgy and old-fashioned... Humph, as long as you become the direct disciple, Zhao’er, you’ll definitely be the Sect Master of the Huajian Sect in the future! Your uncle will not allow our glorious plan to be ruined by a small punk!"
Three days have passed since the Sect’s major conference.
Over these three days, life has been ’tough’ for Shi Xiaole as various disciples, many of whom he isn’t familiar with, continuously visit him to discuss martial arts.
The male disciples aren’t too troublesome. As for many of the female disciples, though they claim to be discussing martial arts, they often diverge the topic towards Shi Xiaole’s private life, something that deeply frustrates him.
He doesn’t want to waste his time.
Three days later, Shi Xiaole decides to head to the Huajian Sect’s rear mountain early each morning. He practices his martial arts alone on a stone platform surrounded by mountains and shrouded by mist.
He wakes before dawn, living a disciplined and calm life, spending seven 2-hour periods each day practicing martial arts. While others succumb to loneliness and find various reasons to play, he willingly explores the depths of martial arts.
With his relentless efforts, Shi Xiaole’s martial arts abilities see great improvement. On the seventh day, his Miao Family Sword Technique successfully enters the Transformation Phase.
On the stone platform, as Shi Xiaole waves his sword, a white crane appears from the tip of his blade, entering the sea of clouds in the distance with a gentle chirp.
"Indeed, the Miao Family Sword Technique’s power is a level higher than the Huashan Sword Technique. Especially after entering the Transformation Phase, the gap grows even larger."
Counting the Huashan Sword Technique, Shi Xiaole now has two sets of martial arts in the Transformation Phase. Sharing this news will undoubtedly stun the entire Huajian Sect.
Shi Xiaole estimates that his power has improved about ten percent from seven days ago. Among the disciples at Huajian Sect, even if he can’t compete with the three major disciples and Qin Zhao, he’s basically among the top tier.
The only regret is that the lower-tiered basic swordsmanship of the Huajian Sect and the third-rate Draw Sword Skill haven’t shown any signs of entering the Transformation Phase.
Shi Xiaole suspects that this is because the two martial arts are too simple.
The so-called ’great ways are simple’, the simpler things are, the more profound they become, making them harder to comprehend.
By the day he truly comprehends them, Shi Xiaole’s martial arts realm might have already reached an incredibly high level.
"Congratulations, host, for completing the Transformation Phase for the Miao Family Sword Technique. You are rewarded with an opportunity to acquire a third-rate martial arts technique. Also, since today is mid-month, you are given an additional opportunity. Would you like to use these now? Would you like to use these separately or combine them?"
During his contemplation, the system voice sounds in his mind.
Shi Xiaole smiles, finds a secluded place nearby, and soon stands in front of the Martial God Hall as he says, "Use them separately."
Combining them means the lowest would be a mid-tier third-rate martial arts technique. However, if he draws a blank, it would all be in vain. Separate draws offer him two chances at least.
The probability of drawing a blank on both occasions is only one percent, and Shi Xiaole doesn’t believe he could be that unlucky.
A square halo emanates and fluctuates on the first floor of the Martial God Hall. Shi Xiaole, feeling both a little nervous and excited, wonders what he might be able to draw this time.
Ding.
The halo solidifies.
"Congratulations, host, you’ve drawn a third-tier mid-level martial arts technique, Xiang Shaolong’s Battle Blade Skill."
Battle Blade Skill? It seems quite good.
The Battle Blade Skill was named by King Qin Ying Zheng himself, taken from the saying ’know oneself and the enemy, win a hundred battles without danger’. It combines the Mohist School sword techniques and various modern combat styles, and it’s Xiang Shaolong’s strongest move that he created himself.
It’s precisely because of this technique that Xiang Shaolong had the ability to fight the Sword Saint Cao Qiu Dao and ended up mutually wounded. He earned his reputation as the Saber Lord during the Spring and Autumn Warring States Period.
Looking at the required contribution points, the Battle Blade Skill requires ten more points than Miao Family Sword Technique, so it should be quite potent.
The important thing is, Shi Xiaole suddenly realizes, if he combines the Draw Sword Skill with the Battle Blade Skill, wouldn’t it perfectly make up for the shortcomings of the Draw Sword Skill while enhancing the momentum of the Battle Blade Skill?
Suppressing his joy, his eyes remain focused on the Martial God Hall because the second draw is about to begin.
Not long after, the square halo solidifies again.
Whether it’s luck or coincidence, Shi Xiaole’s second draw turns out to be a third-tier high-level internal martial arts technique: Gui Xingshu’s Embracing the Origin Energy.
Although Embracing the Origin Energy isn’t the best internal martial arts technique in the Huashan Sect and doesn’t compare to Purple Light Divine Skill or the Mixed Element Skill, it’s definitely ranked among the top.
Because his talent was limited and Gui Xingshu was unable to train the Mixed Element Skill, he turned to Embracing the Origin Energy which allowed him to dominate the martial arts world and earn him the title of Invincible Divine Fist.
Originally, Shi Xiaole was confident that with the Hengshan Mind Method, he’d advance to the ninth level of the Hidden Qi within two years, a speed that could be called astonishing.
Because this would mean that at the age of seventeen, he’d be comparable to eighteen-year-old Yuan Qiuwei.
But now with Embracing the Origin Energy, everything has changed. Shi Xiaole believes that the time he’s set for himself can be significantly shortened.
