Chapter 41: Supreme Bright Dragon Mark, Choosing New Saber Techniques
Author: Gu Zhenren
Shu Family Saber Techniques are genuine battlefield martial arts. The stances are simple, lacking in variation. They are direct and decisive, meant to end a life.
On the battlefield, every second counts, leaving no room for excessive variations. The moves must be fierce and effective; who would give you time to put on a show? Therefore, battlefield martial arts emphasize trading minor injuries for major ones, using small costs to inflict great damage. They are not inherently suited for one-on-one duels.
Chu Yun had long intended to abandon the Shu Family Saber Techniques and switch to other saber arts and cultivation methods.
One reason was that the Shu Family Saber Techniques consisted entirely of close-quarters moves, making them too monotonous. They were easily countered. Another reason was that the Shu Family Saber Techniques could hardly bring out the special traits of the Drunken Snow Saber.
However, since enrolling in the academy, the tumultuous events had kept him from formally making the change. He often pondered this in his free time.
In his previous life, he had also abandoned the Shu Family Saber Techniques for other saber arts and cultivation methods. He had experience in this area.
“The Drunken Snow Saber has Middle grade potential, with not much inherent Spirit. The relatively simple Shu Family Saber Techniques can only record 7 moves. If the moves were more complex, this number would inevitably shrink. Furthermore, the Drunken Snow Saber is crafted from hundred-year drunken jade and snow peak coral. Its power would be even greater if used with snow-attribute saber arts and cultivation methods… These two points must be considered comprehensively.”
Chu Yun pondered this as he, Jin Bihan, and Yan Que arrived at the Scripture Repository.
Yan Que’s expression was impassive, but Jin Bihan looked as if she had something to say. She had been trying to persuade Chu Yun not to act impulsively all the way here. Chu Yun had merely smiled and dismissed her concerns.
The Scripture Repository contained many cultivation methods.
Cultivation methods could only be used by Demonic Beasts, Demon Soldiers, and Demonic Plants; Beast Tamers themselves could not cultivate them. Among these cultivation methods, there were four grades: Lower, Middle, Upper, and Supreme.
Upper grade cultivation methods often had lengthy descriptions and considerable power. Lower grade methods had fewer descriptive words and weaker power but were suitable for Demonic Beasts with poor aptitude and little Spirit to comprehend and use.
If one encountered a cultivation method that was both powerful and briefly described, congratulations – it was a Supreme grade cultivation method. For example, the Emerald Dreamscape mastered by the Golden Jade Immortal Butterfly.
Chu Yun recalled quite a few Supreme grade cultivation methods from his memory. Most were signature techniques of major factions, and a small portion were hidden in perilous secret locations, yet to appear in this era.
In Tiange Academy’s Scripture Repository, the most numerous were basic elemental cultivation methods of Fire, Earth, Gold, Water, and Wood. Cultivation methods of attributes like Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth, Thunder, and Wind were the most widely applicable, frequently used by Demon Soldiers, Demonic Beasts, and Demonic Plants alike.
Although there weren’t many recorded cultivation methods suitable for Demon Soldiers, the vast majority were classics. Chu Yun was already very satisfied. In his previous life, he could not access such high-level saber techniques.
Supreme Brightness, Heavenly Condemnation, Great Dragon Mark, Wind Rider Style,卍wheel Slash…
Chu Yun saw the Upper grade saber technique Jade Slips one after another, his heart itching, yet he did not choose any.
Firstly, the Drunken Snow Saber’s Middle grade potential and insufficient Spirit meant that if paired with Upper grade saber techniques, the number of saber moves would be insufficient. The power would increase, but due to its monotony, it would be easily countered, and its combat effectiveness would relatively weaken.
Secondly, these Upper grade saber techniques also had prerequisites for learning. For instance, “Supreme Brightness” required a blade with a light attribute sword. The Drunken Snow Saber, with only a water attribute, could not be used.
His true goal was those Middle and Lower grade saber techniques.
Only those with rich experience understood: there is no strongest saber technique in this World, only the one that suits you best.
After some deliberation, he chose the most common Lower grade saber technique, “Half Moon Slash,” as a ranged attack method; the Middle grade cultivation method “Drunken Eyes Dizzy” as a means to weaken enemies; the Middle grade cultivation method “Silver Light Snow” for augmentation; the Middle grade saber technique “Snow Fang” for offense; and the Lower grade movement technique “Conflict” for acceleration.
This combination aligned with Chu Yun’s saber-wielding habits. He knew “Conflict” and “Half Moon Slash” from his previous life and had them in his memory. He had not learned the other three, but he knew many similar cultivation methods.
These cultivation methods were essentially enhanced versions of Chu Yun’s peak saber technique combinations from his previous life. The five cultivation methods maximized the Spirit of the Drunken Snow Saber. The current Drunken Snow Saber could not accommodate a sixth cultivation method.
This was the drawback of a Middle grade potential Demon Soldier: insufficient Spirit meant a relatively smaller number of cultivation methods it could carry. If it had Upper grade potential, it could at least carry three more Middle or Upper grade saber techniques.
Exiting the Scripture Repository, Chu Yun immediately found a secluded spot to practice.
It was less of a practice and more of a familiarization and review. The types of these saber techniques were ingrained in his bones.
After practicing, Chu Yun was quite satisfied. He nodded inwardly and thought, “Although I haven’t fully mastered some of the new saber techniques, my current combat strength using only the Drunken Snow Saber is already comparable to my previous life. In the future, unless I find excellent materials to reforge and upgrade the Drunken Snow Saber, there is almost no room for improvement in this regard.”
Thinking this, Chu Yun felt a sense of accomplishment. Since his rebirth, he had enrolled in Tiange Academy, eaten the best meals every day, consistently taken pills, and trained relentlessly. His strength was in a period of rapid progress, growing very quickly.
Chu Yun silently compared himself: if the current him fought the late-stage him from his previous life, he could fight to a draw. Against the full-power him from his previous life, he would lose more than win.
This was already very impressive. He was only 13 years old and just starting out. To achieve this was a testament to the fact that the cultivation of a Beast Tamer truly depended on the environment. No wonder those favored by heaven achieved astonishing results.
All of this, besides Chu Yun’s own efforts, was also due to the excellent development environment of Tiange Academy, which played a crucial role and deserved great credit.
Chu Yun’s thoughts returned to the present, and he saw Jin Bihan and Yan Que staring at him, mouths agape. Their eyes looked at him as if he were some kind of monstrous creature.
“What’s wrong with you two?” Chu Yun asked, puzzled.
“Brother Chu, are you even human?” Jin Bihan blurted out. She had just witnessed Chu Yun master new cultivation methods, going from awkwardness to proficiency in just a quarter of an hour!
A quarter of an hour?
If she hadn’t seen it with her own eyes, she would never have believed it. She had initially thought that Chu Yun, being so young and having achieved mastery in saber arts, was already exceptionally talented.
She never expected that his talent was beyond exceptional; he was a monstrous prodigy!
Yan Que was also stunned speechless for a moment, looking at Chu Yun.
“What are you talking about?” Chu Yun broke out in a cold sweat, realizing they had misunderstood. He was actually just reviewing, and this was the first time he was practicing with a completely new body, thus giving the illusion of monstrous talent.
These achievements were earned by his previous self, who exhausted his lifespan and honed his skills through arduous trials on the brink of life and death.
Just as Chu Yun was about to find an excuse to explain, he saw Yan Que’s expression and had a thought: “Perhaps the misunderstanding is not a bad thing. Let’s shock Yan Que a bit.”
Yan Que was indeed thoroughly shocked.
Recalling what he had just witnessed, he almost thought he was hallucinating.
He stood frozen, the sense of unwillingness he had harbored in his heart dissipating significantly without him realizing it.
Chu Yun walked ahead, and Yan Que subconsciously followed. Gazing at Chu Yun’s retreating back, his eyes held shock, inquiry, and curiosity.
He couldn’t help but recall the scene on the mountain peak. Golden light enveloped Chu Yun, making him appear god-like.
Unconsciously, Chu Yun’s back seemed to transform into a sun, shining brightly in Yan Que’s eyes, rising steadily. Following Chu Yun, he felt as if he were embarking on a path of light, with boundless prospects.
Shaking his head slightly, Yan Que dispelled the illusion from his mind. He unconsciously blinked and took a deep breath, his emotions now incredibly complex: “It seems I’ve found an extraordinary master…”
In the mountain arena, it was packed with people.
Since Chu Yun completed his inherited mission, the number of challengers had been decreasing at a noticeable rate. When Chu Yun drew lots, he often found himself with no opponent. The young scholars of this age had pride; unwilling to lose face and admit defeat, they would find various excuses—”accidentally,” “helplessly”—to be absent.
“Although I am unwilling and eagerly await a battle with Chu Yun, faced with the facts, I must concede and accept defeat, and offer the stakes.” This was their unanimous, tacit understanding.
However, today was unusual. The challengers’ momentum had grown, even including some of the “flower protectors” who had previously failed their challenges.
There was only one reason for this phenomenon—Ning Yiyi, after disappearing for the first time, had reappeared today and personally came to spectate.
“Young Master Hua, you said you would defeat Chu Yun publicly today. This… are you really confident?” Ning Yiyi was dressed in a light green peony skirt today, her fair skin like fresh water caltrops, making her appear even more charming and delicate. Her eyes sparkled like autumn water, her brows conveying affection as she looked at Hua Ying. There was surprise, and more so, anticipation in her eyes.
Since Chu Yun enrolled, he had become a thorn in her side and a target in her eyes. The brighter Chu Yun’s spotlight shone, the more annoyed she became.
When Hua Ying suddenly sought her out today and informed her that he would personally take action to bring Chu Yun down from his peak, Ning Yiyi was naturally both surprised and delighted.
Hua Ying, dressed in a white martial arts uniform and carrying an Immortal Pouch at his waist, exuded an air of Elegant and graceful demeanor and youthful vigor. Hearing Ning Yiyi’s words, he smiled calmly and said, “Miss Yiyi, relax. Chu Yun has three losses, and I have three wins.”
“Oh? I would love to hear more.” Ning Yiyi’s eyes lit up.
“Chu Yun’s first defeat will be in character. He is prone to reckless bravery, charging headlong. His famous battle, though exciting to recount, was merely an outburst of his wild nature. The greatest power in this World lies in wisdom, not muscle. He has yet to grasp this reason. Truly, if I provoke him, he will accept my challenge.” Hua Ying clasped his hands behind his back, speaking slowly, his demeanor graceful.
Ning Yiyi covered her mouth and chuckled, flattering, “When it comes to schemes, how can Chu Yun be a match for you, Young Master Hua?”
