The Sword Academy's Own Creation!

Ten days before the Inner Sect Grand Competition began, Su Bai simply stayed at the Sword Academy.

Aside from taking the Golden Marrow Pill every day without fail to Refinement its medicinal power and increase his Spiritual Power, he spent almost all his remaining time at the Training Ground, repeatedly honing the "Dragon Roaming Sword Control Technique" and the "Dragon's Roar Sword Heaven" under Xu Shangran's personal guidance.

With the founder's complete instruction, many subtle techniques and practical variations not recorded in the Jade Slip were analyzed one by one, and Su Bai's Sword Dao foundation became increasingly solid and well-rounded at a visible speed.

Three days before the grand competition, Zhao Shanhe, weary from his journey, finally finished a time-consuming Inner Sect mission and rushed back to the Sword Academy.

The two brothers naturally had many opportunities to practice and spar.

During their exchange, Su Bai clearly sensed Zhao Shanhe's improvement.

Although he still hadn't mastered [Dragon's Roar Sword Heaven], his control over [Dragon Roaming Sword Control Technique] was noticeably more proficient. More importantly, the Sword Qi that pierced through the air was much stronger than it had been a few months ago, both in terms of its condensation and its sharpness!

Even when exchanging insights on Sword Dao, Zhao Shanhe's understanding was more profound and hit the nail on the head.

'It seems Senior Brother Zhao has gained a lot from this training trip.'

Su Bai thought to himself, 'The power of my Sword Qi energy has increased so significantly, and my understanding of sword principles has also reached a new level... This feeling is somewhat like... the condensation of some kind of Sword Dao- related Talent?'

Diligence can make up for lack of talent, and this is no exaggeration in the Cultivation World.

Zhao Shanhe has an ordinary Spirit Root, but he has been able to persist in the path of Sword Dao until now. His willpower is far stronger than that of ordinary people. If he can truly condense a first-level Sword Dao Talent, it is not impossible.

On this day, the two clashed on their Sword Flight as usual above the Training Ground.

Su Bai deliberately suppressed most of the Sword Qi's power, relying solely on exquisite sword techniques and maneuvering.

Even so, his Spiritual Power power at the Qi Refining Layer Eight and his higher-level understanding of Sword Control Technique still made the situation seem evenly matched, and even gave him a slight advantage, forcing Zhao Shanhe to look serious and deal with it with all his might.

"Tell me, you two lads, have you secretly practiced some amazing Method Formula?"

A clear, yet insightful voice suddenly rang out.

Unbeknownst to anyone, Xu Shangran had quietly stood at the edge of the Training Ground, arms crossed, his gaze sharp as lightning, scanning back and forth between Su Bai and Zhao Shanhe, finally settling on the trajectory of their flying swords, which was far more sharp Sword Qi solid than that of Cultivator of the same level.

Xu Shangran by no means a dull person. On the contrary, with the [Sword Enlightenment Root], he has an extraordinary keen intuition about everything related to Sword Dao.

His close instruction and observation over the past few days had already made him aware of the abnormalities in the Sword Qi of his two Disciple.

That's not a quality that can be acquired through hard work or Pill; it's more like a fundamental improvement.

Su Bai and Zhao Shanhe exchanged a glance, tacitly stopped their sword strikes, and flew down in front of Xu Shangran.

This scene was actually anticipated by the two of them, and could even be described as "intentional" to some extent.

After Su Bai Survey Xu Shangran's Yellow Tier Talent [Sword Enlightenment Root], an idea sprouted in his mind.

This Academy Master, who created the "Dragon Roaming Sword Control Technique," might be able to enhance the "Profound Sword True Essence Art"!

Even if that doesn't work, informing Xu Shangran of this technique would allow him to leverage Xu's status and prestige as a Foundation Establishment Cultivator to legitimize this "special" Sword Art and resolve any potential problems.

After Zhao Shanhe condensed what appeared to be Sword Dao Talent, he also had similar thoughts, and the two brothers had already discussed it.

"Senior brother, shall we do it?" Su Bai asked Zhao Shanhe.

Zhao Shanhe scratched his head and chuckled, "Junior brother, you should do it; you're more articulate."

"What's going on? Why are you being so secretive? Spit it out!"

Xu Shangran raised an eyebrow and urged him impatiently.

Without further hesitation, Su Bai carefully took out a Jade Slip that had been prepared beforehand from his Storage Bag and presented it with both hands:

"Please forgive me, Academy Master. It is true that Senior Brother Zhao and I obtained a special Sword Art by chance in our early years. Because its origin is somewhat... it is not easy to explain, and its effects are unique. We were afraid of attracting unnecessary trouble, so we have never dared to show it to anyone easily."

Now that the Academy Master has noticed the difference in our Sword Qi, this Disciple dares not conceal it any longer and wishes to present this technique for the Academy Master's evaluation.

Xu Shangran took the Jade Slip with a hint of doubt and immersed his Spiritual Sense into it.

At first, he was just browsing casually, but soon, the nonchalance on his face disappeared, replaced by an increasingly bright gleam and a hint of barely suppressed amazement.

"Wonderful... wonderful!"

He murmured to himself, as if immersed in the world of sword principles within the Jade Slip.

"Such an ingenious idea! Instead of following the conventional path of Nourishing the Meridians, it uses Sword Qi as a guide to construct a ' Sword Vein Prototype ' at specific acupoints, using this as the core to compress and purify the Sword Qi..."

"This not only greatly enhances the power and condensation speed of Sword Qi Refining Stage, but more importantly, it reduces the reliance on 'innate sword sense'!"

He abruptly raised his head, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "This means that many Disciple were previously limited by their Talent and unable to condense qualified Sword Qi during the Qi Refining Stage now have a new possibility! The threshold has been lowered! Su Bai, Zhao Shanhe, do you know the significance of this technique for the Sword Academy and for all Sword Cultivator in the world?!"

Xu Shangran's reaction was even more enthusiastic than Su Bai had expected.

He took a deep breath and continued, "Academy Master, this technique is called the ' Profound Sword True Essence Art '."

"Our two Disciple attained this state through a series of fortuitous events; as for its true origin..."

After a slight hesitation, he briefly recounted how he had encountered Su Duanqiu and learned that the technique might originate from a mysterious "Immortal Palace."

Finally, Su Bai added, "We Disciple have absolutely no intention of colluding with any external forces. After obtaining this technique, only the two of us have secretly practiced it, and it has never been passed on to outsiders."

After listening to Su Bai's account, Xu Shangran showed little surprise or worry; instead, he revealed an air of arrogance and disdain.

"Origin? Does the Academy Master care about that?"

He waved his hand dismissively, his tone resolute, "No matter how you obtained it, now that it's in the hands of my Sword Academy Disciple, and after you've practiced and verified it as a profound and righteous method, it now belongs to my Sword Academy!"

"The Cultivation World is a dog-eat-dog world, where fortuitous opportunity on one's own abilities. Why bother with so many rules and regulations? With so many worries, I might as well go home and grow sweet potatoes!"

These domineering and protective remarks dispelled the last trace of unease in Su Bai and Zhao Shanhe's hearts, and they couldn't help but laugh.

Xu Shangran stroked the Jade Slip, a look of inquiry returning to his eyes. "The person who created this technique must be Sword Dao genius! Their understanding of the essence of Sword Qi is unique, yet it directly addresses the core..."

"I really wish I could sit down and discuss philosophy with someone like that," he remarked, then shook his head, knowing it was unrealistic.

The next moment, he directly pointed his fingers and made a sweeping motion in the air, his Spiritual Power quietly circulating according to the route of the "Profound Sword True Essence Art".

A golden light suddenly appeared at his fingertip, and then a Sword Qi of sword energy, almost tangible and exuding a faint pressure, suddenly took shape. Although it was only a wisp, it made Su Bai and his companion, who were standing close by, feel a slight stinging sensation on their skin.

"The Sword Vein Prototype is complete."

Xu Shangran felt the strange Spiritual Power nodes that were rapidly forming and stabilizing within his body, as well as the solidity that followed the Sword Qi, and his admiration deepened.

"Compressed Sword Qi... its power increases by about 30%, and it becomes more concentrated, while its consumption decreases slightly."

"Indeed exquisite! This is only the first attempt; if I were to study it further, combining it with my own Sword Dao..."

He grew increasingly excited as he thought about it, and looking at Su Bai and Zhao Shanhe, he solemnly said, "Su Bai, Zhao Shanhe, by presenting this technique, you have rendered a great service to the Sword Academy!"

"You need not worry about this matter any longer; I Academy Master, will take full responsibility! Within the Jade Mist Sect, anyone who dares to cause you trouble on this pretext will first have to answer to my sword!"

"As for that damn ' Immortal Palace '," Xu Shangran snorted coldly, an unstoppable aura rising from his body.

"Now that this technique has entered our Sword Academy, it becomes part of the Sword Academy's heritage."

"If they have any objections, let their men come to my Jade Mist Sect with their swords and speak with the swords of this academy!"

As expected of Sword Cultivator, the Academy Master's protectiveness and domineering presence warmed Su Bai's heart, making him secretly sigh at how reassuring it felt to have a powerful backer.

"But."

Xu Shangran changed the subject, his eyes gleaming with a strong creative desire, "This method has an excellent approach, but in my opinion, there are still areas for improvement and enhancement!"

"Especially the part about the compatibility of ' Sword Vein ' with Sword Qi of different attributes, which could be further developed... You wait and see!"

Like a child who has discovered a new toy, he turned around impatiently, transforming into a streak of Sword Light that shot towards his Cultivation Room, leaving only a powerful sentence echoing in the Training Ground:

"I will now go into seclusion to refine this technique! I am determined to use it as a foundation before the grand competition, to give you two little ones even more real confidence!"

Su Bai and Zhao Shanhe exchanged glances, both seeing expectation in each other's eyes.

"If I had known that the Academy Master was so open-minded and valued this, I should have presented this technique much sooner," Zhao Shanhe said with a simple and honest smile, his tone filled with relief.

Su Bai nodded in agreement. "Yes, with the Academy Master stepping in, all potential problems have disappeared."

"What's even more remarkable is that the Academy Master was able to see a way to improve it... truly a genius with the [Sword Enlightenment Root]."

With the pressure relieved and the future looking bright, the two brothers were in high spirits.

Zhao Shanhe flexed his wrists, looked at Su Bai, and said with a serious expression tinged with emotion, "Junior Brother Su, don't hide it from me anymore. You clearly didn't go all out during the sparring session."

"Your Sword Dao Talent far surpasses mine. In this Inner Sect Grand Competition, the top spot will likely belong to you."

He paused for a moment, then said frankly, "I don't have such grand ambitions. I'll be content if I can make it into the top three and obtain a Foundation Establishment Pill."

Su Bai laughed heartily and patted Zhao Shanhe's sturdy shoulder, "Senior brother, why belittle yourself? Diligence can make up for lack of talent, and Heavenly Dao."

"Come on, while the Academy Master is demonstrating the new technique, let's practice a few more rounds! Your Sword Qi Forceful but lacks variation. Watch me give you some pointers!"

Before the words were finished, the Azure Dragon Sword let out a clear dragon's Dragon's Roar, transforming into a Azure Light that pierced straight at Zhao Shanhe's face.

At the same time, another Sword Light flew out from Su Bai's sleeve. It was an ordinary Low-grade Magic Sword. He leaped up and used the Dual Swords Flying Together Technique at the same time. He controlled one sword and remotely controlled the Azure Dragon Sword, launching a tricky attack on Zhao Shanhe from two completely different angles!

Zhao Shanhe felt a chill run down his spine.

He had long admired the skill of wielding two swords simultaneously and multitasking, but his attempts had all ended in failure, as his Spiritual Sense simply could not support such precise dual-line control.

Faced with Su Bai's perfectly coordinated dual-sword attack, he had no choice but to fully activate his High-grade Magic Sword to meet the most threatening Azure Dragon Sword, while he himself moved quickly on the ground, desperately trying to defend against the continuous attacks launched by Su Bai from all blind spots using another flying sword.

"Junior Brother Su! That move of yours is too unfair!" Zhao Shanhe's strange shout echoed in the Training Ground.

Su Bai smiled without saying a word, his Sword Light flashing even more fiercely.

He knew that only high-pressure real combat could maximize potential, whether it was his own or Zhao Shanhe's.

Time slipped away quietly as I focused on my practice.

Finally, on the eve of the Inner Sect Grand Competition, the stone door of Xu Shangran's Cultivation Room, which had been tightly closed for a day and a night, slowly slid open to both sides with a slight clicking sound.

Immediately afterward, Xu Shangran's voice, slightly tired yet unable to conceal his excitement, came clearly, instantly reaching the ears of Su Bai and Zhao Shanhe, who were meditating and adjusting their breathing:

"You two, come here quickly! This academy... has something good for you!"