The Ambusher

"Hi! Beautiful lady, may I ask your name?"

The enormous python, in a fawning voice, lowered its ugly, menacing head, urging them to stand on it.

Both of them were exceptionally skilled; they leaped up and stood together atop the python's head. Chiba sat cross-legged, using the Chakra he channeled into his buttocks to keep him firmly seated on the python's head.

Nuolin didn't respond to the Water King's question, and the only sound left in the entire forest was the Water King's incessant chatter. Chiba was so annoyed by it that she simply told it to shut up.

Who would have thought that this thing was such a noisy creature with such a great interest in human girls?

The Water King's enormous body roamed the forest, gliding through the snow and ice without seeming uncomfortable. It just felt a little annoyed by the man who had awakened it from hibernation.

The first one is Labi.

"Senior sister, what was that move just now?" Chiba asked curiously, bored.

Nuolin replied, "The Seven-Star Sword Formation, a magical sword technique."

Chiba licked his lips. Although he also possessed those powerful techniques, such as Wind Release: Rasenshuriken, Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence, Water Release: Water Dragon Biting Explosion (isn't that a game skill?), Lightning Release: Kirin, these techniques were simply beyond his current mastery. He thought the Seven-Star Sword Formation he had just used was very cool and suited him well.

He glanced at the crimson longsword hanging at his waist. He hadn't used the Heaven's Blazing Sun sword since acquiring it; yesterday he'd been too busy decorating the house and entrusting Seele to Mira. The little girl insisted on going with Chiba refused. She stayed up all night guarding his door. The next day, when Chiba opened the door and saw the girl squatting there, he felt a strange mix of emotion and heartache. In the end, he was hypnotized by a single Sharingan.

He was going on a subjugation mission, a mission with life and death at stake. Taking a rookie ninja who hadn't yet matured on the mission greatly increased the chances of danger. He wasn't some big shot; at best, he could only go toe-to-toe with Mira. Against A-Class expert, he'd still need to break through a layer of seals to fight.

The sword-making master said this thing could backfire, so he pulled it out and brandished it a few times, but he didn't feel anything, probably because he hadn't used any sword energy.

However, he didn't even know how to use sword energy.

Chakra is channeled into the sword?

Or perhaps it's a structure that converts Chakra into magic? That's how he cultivated Shadow Flame Splits the Heavens; he really does have that ability.

He felt the latter was worth exploring. Comparing the sword auras in Hokage and Fairy Tail, it seemed the latter's auras were more destructive. During the Grand Magic Games, Erza's sword aura was incredibly long and had a wide attack range. However, in Hokage, apart from Madara Uchiha Susanoo unleash more powerful sword auras, the others didn't seem to be that impressive.

"If you really want to learn swordsmanship, I suggest you learn magic, that is, become a magic swordsman." At this moment, Feiyin's voice rang out.

Chiba's heart skipped a beat, and he asked, "Why? Is your Chakra insufficient?"

"No," Feiyin said, "Remember the upgraded version of Sage Mode I told you about, Fairy Mode? It incorporates magic. Fairy Mode is a level above Sage Mode. Instead of learning magic again later, you should learn magic with a sword now. You need magic to strengthen yourself."

"Moreover, learning is very convenient. For example, you have a swordsmanship master by your side. I estimate she has S-Class strength, so you can have her teach you first. Plus, you have a swordsmanship master at the level of one of the Ten Wizard Saints as your teacher. In short, learning is very simple."

"Okay, actually I know how to increase magic power. I read the book the old man gave me, and I have a little magic power within me." Chiba shrugged. "Then let's learn magic. We'll have to learn it sooner or later anyway. I'm really curious about that Fairy Mode you mentioned."

"Hehe! You'll see then!"

Without another word, he sat cross-legged on the Water King's head and began to increase his magic power.

The enhancement of magic power is linked to mental strength and the container within the body that holds magic power. In terms of mental strength, Chiba believes he is even stronger than Mira and Erza, which is his innate talent.

As for the container, he should be thinking about how to improve it.

There are two ways to enhance a container: First, by absorbing external magic power through mental absorption to expand the container. Second, by honing magic and increasing magical power through combat.

The latter actually increases magic power more than the former, especially in life-or-death battles. Defeating an extremely powerful opponent yields immeasurable benefits.

This is similar to leveling up by defeating monsters in a game.

For most people, the first method of self-improvement is preferable, even though it's slower than the latter, because it's safer. The battlefield is ever-changing; even S-Class Mage can't completely suppress A-Class mage. Once a weakness is exploited, they can still be instantly defeated. Normal people dislike fighting because it means danger, even the risk to their lives.

Fairy Tail is an anomaly. On one hand, Natsu, Gray, Erza, and the others do possess exceptional magical talent, but more importantly, they have a spirit of adventure and courage to fight. They hone themselves through life and death, which allows them to progress much more rapidly.

Chiba can also rapidly increase his magic power through combat, at least until his magical combat power surpasses his Ninjutsu combat power. It doesn't matter if he can't win a magic power duel, he still has Chakra to save his life.

Thinking about it this way, learning magic isn't so difficult after all!

The enormous python continued forward. Fortunately, there were no houses nearby, otherwise an ordinary person would have been terrified to death if they saw it.

However, Chiba regained consciousness midway through his magic practice. He suddenly sniffed and detected a strange smell in the air.

"The smell of blood... there's danger nearby." Nuolin stood up, her right hand instinctively resting on the hilt of her sword.

It was indeed the smell of blood, not pungent, but not faint either. There must have been a fight in this forest.

"Call out!"

A whooshing sound suddenly rang out, shooting from an unknown direction. Just as Chiba was about to use his Lava Armor to block it, Nuolin beside him vanished instantly.

A cold, gleaming light flashed and disappeared in an instant, the blade tracing a silver path through the air. A slender arrow was split in two from its tip, flying out to either side.

"Snort!"

Nuolin snorted coldly, flipped the blade in her hand, and swiftly slashed horizontally in one direction. A sword aura flew out from the blade, cutting down all the trees along the way.

Chiba stared wide-eyed at the devastating sword energy, attempting to glean some insight into the art of swordsmanship.

Of course, there was nothing at all.

"Cut!"

The sword energy landed, stirring up the snow in the area. Mud and rocks flew everywhere, and the surrounding forest exploded. Then, both of them saw a black shadow flash by.