Chapter 505: 504
"The Five Elements True Intent are intimately connected. If I master one of these intents, I would garner much more from studying the Water Sky Sword Technique."
After two full months, Shi Xiaole finally comprehended the mysteries in the Water Sky True Scripture and the Water Sky Sword Technique, transforming them into his essence.
Unfortunately, he did not understand the Five Elements True Intent; otherwise, the enlightenment he would have received could be even greater.
He stretched out his hand and pointed, and a Sword Qi shot out in the air, splitting into several parts that lingered, creating a faint ripple effect.
This is not the Water True Intent, but the evolution of the Wind True Intent.
To some extent, wind and water are strikingly similar. Nevertheless, only Shi Xiaole had this insight and substituted wind for water in a short span of time, training the Water Sky Sword Technique into a different form.
However, what excited Shi Xiaole more was not mastering all of the Ai Family’s martial arts, but the reward points!
According to the system’s rules, a third-rate secret book costs two hundred to one thousand reward points. The Ai Family’s sixty-three third-rate martial arts books totaled thirty-one thousand seven hundred reward points.
Second-rate secret books are worth two thousand to five thousand reward points. Sixteen of such books ultimately amounted to forty-nine thousand six hundred and twenty reward points.
The value of a first-rate secret book is even more exaggerated, costing twenty thousand to fifty thousand points. The combined reward points for the Water Sky True Scripture and the Water Sky Sword Technique reached forty-nine thousand eight hundred points.
Adding to Shi Xiaole’s previous balance of thirty-five thousand reward points, he now boasts a staggering total of one hundred and sixty-six thousand one hundred and twenty points!
What does this mean?
The value of a top-tier first-rate martial art lies between forty to fifty thousand reward points. With purchase costs included, it requires at least a hundred thousand reward points.
In other words, Shi Xiaole can already purchase a set of top-tier first-rate martial arts!
Mid-tier first-rate martial arts have already become legendary in Xuanwu State. None of the great super first-rate forces were entitled to touch them, only the supreme forces of the Flying Horse Dynasty could possibly possess them.
As for the top-tier first-rate martial arts, even in the central place of the dynasties like Tian State, they are extremely rare. If they were spread out, they would inevitably lead to a scramble amongst all the major sects.
Without any hesitation, Shi Xiaole sunk his mind into his thoughts and said, "I want to purchase top-tier first-rate martial arts."
Ding Dong.
"Upon inspection, the host’s authority is not enough, and he cannot temporarily purchase top-tier first-rate martial arts."
The mechanical voice of the system poured cold water on Shi Xiaole’s excited mood and he asked in confusion, "Does purchasing martial arts also require authority?"
"Starting from first-rate martial arts, direct purchases require the completion of a corresponding number of tasks. For example, to purchase low-tier first-rate martial arts, a three-star task must be completed. To purchase mid-tier first-rate martial arts, two three-star tasks must be completed, and so on. When it comes to top-tier martial arts, a four-star task is required. However, if exchanging for martial arts of the same level, there are no restrictions."
Shi Xiaole’s face turned even more gloomy.
He suddenly remembered that he had only completed one three-star task, where he disguised himself as Xie Xiaofeng, successfully unified eight martial worlds, and obtained Lu Xiaofeng’s Spiritual Rhinoceros Finger.
So, was he able to purchase the Outer Heaven Flying Immortal because of that one task?
Doesn’t this mean that he has a huge amount of reward points but can’t even buy mid-tier first-rate martial arts?
Even with Shi Xiaole’s commendable temper, he felt an irresistible urge to curse.
"Host, don’t be upset. Your seventh completed task is also of three-star level. So according to the rules, you can purchase mid-tier first-rate martial arts," the system said.
The seventh task that Shi Xiaole completed was going to the Black Devil Mountain Range and acquiring the power from the Divine Monarch’s arm. However, that was a compensatory task and its star rating was never revealed.
Hearing this, Shi Xiaole felt a bit more comforted.
Although it wasn’t top-tier first-rate martial arts, mid-tier first-rate martial arts were acceptable. At least in the entire Xuanwu State, no one openly possessed such martial arts.
As for saving these reward points to buy top-tier first-rate martial arts in the future, Shi Xiaole had not thought about that yet.
Firstly, who knows when he could complete the third three-star task.
System tasks were divided into two types: system-triggered and host-triggered.
The latter was too risky. It could draw a one-star task or a five-star task, and it was impossible to refuse. So Shi Xiaole had never tried it, and unless it was absolutely necessary, he didn’t plan to.
As for the former, there was no warning, and it was entirely up to the system, so the completion of the task was not up to Shi Xiaole.
Secondly, after practicing Unrivaled Soul Transformation and Selfless Heart Transformation, Shi Xiaole had a great potential to gain secret books. If not for this visit to the Ai Family, he couldn’t resist the thought of finding a few devil path sects to test it out.
So there was no need to worry too much about reward points.
Furthermore, the martial world is unpredictable. The sooner you increase your strength, the more capital you have. Keeping reward points unused, if one day an opportunity arises and his strength is insufficient, there really would be nowhere to cry!
His gaze rotated around the third floor of the Martial God Hall for a long time. Various martial arts names that had once caused a great sensation in the martial world in his past life flashed across his eyes.
"Ten Residences Mahayana Skill."
"Love-Hate Divine Skill."
"North Divine Skill."
"Easy Muscle Classic."
"..."
Shi Xiaole’s heart surged; years later, he was determined to bring all these martial arts back to life in the martial world, to restore their glory!
Pushing down his distractions and considering all sides, Shi Xiaole made his decision quickly.
"This technique belongs to a top-tier, mid-level category and requires 95,000 reward points for purchase. Dear host, do you confirm the purchase?"
"Confirmed."
Ding!
"Congratulations to the host for successfully acquiring a top-tier mid-level sword technique, Fu Cailing’s Yi Sword Skill."
The Yi Sword Skill, originating from the master of Korean martial arts, Fu Cailing, is his unique world-class sword technique, created after integrating the principles of chess and the laws of nature into all he had learned in his lifetime.
The Yi Sword Skill emphasizes preempting the enemy, requiring excellent judgement and requires the ability to find the opponent’s flaws first, and strike accurately. It claimed the initiative at all times, just like a chess game, always taking the lead and moving before the enemy.
This principle is somewhat similar to that of the Solitary Nine Swords, but also vastly different.
The essence of the Solitary Nine Swords lies in its adaptability in the face of endless changes, pursuing the ultimate in variability. On the contrary, the Yi Sword Skill is a sensuous martial art that requires the integration of body, mind, and sword, extending beyond the natural world.
It can be seen that the various characteristics of the Yi Sword Skill fits perfectly with Shi Xiaole’s style and strengths, which was the most important reason for his choice of the Yi Sword Skill.
Reflecting carefully in his mind, Shi Xiaole immediately began to cultivate.
"Such diligence, no wonder he has achieved such accomplishments."
Outside the Book Collection Building, the elders of the Ai Family showed admiration.
They thought that Ai Wenqian was diligent enough, but compared with Shi Xiaole, she was immediately downgraded. The radiance behind him was the result of unimaginable effort by ordinary people.
In the blink of an eye, half a month passed.
With his powerful mental strength and the realm of the Heavenly Sword, Shi Xiaole’s cultivation of the Yi Sword Skill was incredibly effective. He achieved initial success in just three days. By the half-month mark, he had successfully reached a state of great accomplishment.
In the room, Shi Xiaole pointed with his left hand, and the chaotic Sword Qi was like a gust of wind, even he could not determine its exact position.
However, before the sword moved showed its power, Shi Xiaole’s right hand moved after but arrived first, also pointing out a sword finger, without any sword Qi or even a sword stance.
But in Shi Xiaole’s eyes, the aura of the sword finger was like a spider’s silk, soaring out softly or rigidly, hitting many points.
These points were precisely the weak spots in the Thirteen Styles of Breeze. With a few ’pupu’ sounds, the swords moves ended without any mishap.
If there were two swordsmen dueling, the swordsman represented by the right hand would have cut off the retreat of the left hand swordsman and taken the lead.
"It’s still not fast enough, not accurate enough."
Shaking his head, Shi Xiaole continued to study.
Unconsciously, another nine days passed.
At noon on this day, Shi Xiaole suddenly opened his eyes, just as before, pointed out a sword finger with each of his left and right hands.
However, this time, the breath of the right hand’s sword presence did not disrupt the weak points of the Thirteen Styles of Breeze, it poked directly at a certain point. A drop of blood suddenly dripped from Shi Xiaole’s left index finger.
If last time the swordsman represented by the right hand had the upper hand, then this time, the right-hand swordsman had completely defeated the left-hand swordsman.
Yi Sword Skill, perfection!
The horror of the Yi Sword Skill lies in preempting the enemy, controlling the overall situation by sensing the subtle changes in the opponent’s aura.
Such a profound sword skill seemed tailor-made for Shi Xiaole, enabling his Heavenly Sword realm and superior mental power to be fully utilized.
On the other hand, the Heavenly Sword realm and mental power have also elevated the power of the Yi Sword Skill to a new height, seemingly surpassing the state described by the system.
All one can say is that Shi Xiaole is a perfect fit for the Yi Sword Skill; the combination of the two, the result is far from as simple as one plus one. His cultivation level may not have progressed much, but his hidden strength has soared to a degree that is unimaginable to outsiders.
He almost suspects that with the enhanced insight he possesses at this moment, he could outmanoeuvre his former self of a month ago without even using a sword move!
Of course, this kind of insight is different from ordinary insight, it consumes a lot of energy and can’t be maintained for a long time.
Rising to his feet, Shi Xiaole dusted off his clothes and went down to the third floor.
"Finally out."
"He’s been in seclusion for almost three months, I wonder what insights he’s gained? Do you guys think he has mastered the Water Sky Sword Technique?"
"Don’t joke around, it’s impossible for him to have mastered it. However, considering Shi Xiaole’s talent, maybe he has managed to achieve great accomplishment."
Seeing the slightly weary but even more dazzling Shi Xiaole, the Ai family disciples who were browsing the secret books on the first floor all showed admiration. Besides, just his determination alone was worth their learning from.
A few hundred meters outside the Book Collection Building, there was a mechanical puppet array, surrounded by many more members of the Ai family, even Ai Wenqian was among them. The one who was currently challenging was Ai Wenhong.
Clang.
After only two moves, Ai Wenhong was defeated by the iron puppet opposite him, dropping his sword from his hand.
"Elder brother Wenqing, you are so powerful!"
Ai Wenhong laughed awkwardly, looking at a young man with sparse sideburns in the crowd.
The puppet in the array could not even be defeated by a master at the peak of the Dragon Gate Realm. Its speed and strength even surpassed the latter, making it extremely formidable in combat.
He couldn’t even take two moves, and his sister could only withstand five.
However, Ai Wenqing had defeated this puppet before. Of course, he was already thirty-five years old and had practiced for much longer.
But just because of that, it was a rare opportunity for him to return home from Kuangyun City this time, and he must take the opportunity to learn well.
