Shattered Extraordinary Organ, Swift Wind Blade Technique

Black Iron Gladiator.

This was the first time Zhou Zhe had heard such a novel term.

As if sensing his confusion, Lin Ye smiled, pointed to the black sword-and-shield brand on Zhou Zhe's hand, and gently explained, "Black Iron Gladiators are also known as reserve gladiators."

"Once you accumulate a certain amount of Gladiator Points, you'll automatically be promoted to Bronze Gladiator, which is a formal gladiator."

"At that time, the Deity will unlock more permissions and grant you more power."

After Black Iron rank, the next is Bronze?

This...

It doesn't seem very scientific.

During the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, people widely used bronze ware. By the Eastern Han Dynasty, bronze ware had been completely replaced by ironware, which had superior comprehensive performance.

In the 21st century, you can hardly see any bronze-made objects in daily life.

Thinking this, Zhou Zhe collected his thoughts.

After all, the one who divided the power system levels was that high and mighty existence. If He said so, then so be it!

Whether it was his own illusion or not, Zhou Zhe vaguely heard some hesitation and indecision in Lin Ye's words.

It seemed the other party was wavering over a major decision.

"Alright, since I've taken you as my apprentice, I must be responsible for you."

Lin Ye interrupted Zhou Zhe's thoughts, his tone serious. "As a native Earthling, this is your first time practicing cultivation, and you've already completed the first level of the 'Wind Element Body Tempering Technique'."

"Including... my friends, your talent is the best I've ever seen."

When mentioning "friends," Lin Ye's tone was particularly complex.

He paused, and a green glow swirled within his eyes.

In an instant, Zhou Zhe felt as if he had been seen through.

"'Wind Element Body Tempering Technique' Level 2!"

A look of shock appeared on Lin Ye's face, and he exclaimed in amazement, "I still underestimated you! Your talent is even beyond my expectations!"

The shock quickly turned into undisguised joy.

Lin Ye was a true gentleman. He felt no jealousy due to Zhou Zhe's talent, but rather genuine joy and admiration.

"Good, very good, excellent."

The emerald light in Lin Ye's eyes gradually disappeared, as if he had finally made up his mind.

He took a deep breath and said, "I plan to teach you some real skills."

?

It's starting already?

Don't I need to be assessed for morality and character?

While confused, Zhou Zhe exclaimed in surprise, "Wind Rider!"

The so-called Wind Rider was someone who wielded the power of wind elements and could glide briefly in the air.

In the promotional materials of the Swift Wind Pavilion, such people were described as having flight abilities.

Lin Ye, however, sighed and said, "The so-called Wind Riders are merely inferior products for those with insufficient talent who are unwilling to work hard and can only take shortcuts."

"Physical flight is more like false advertising..."

"Their development potential and upper limits are very low; their limit is only gliding at low altitudes."

"In fact, most emerging extraordinary training institutions abroad, such as the Holy Hall and the Union of Mystics, also followed the Swift Wind Pavilion's system."

"Wind Riders, Devout Believers, Bloodline Mages..."

"These extraordinary professions, which most people can access, are all degraded, accelerated versions achieved through external enhancements."

"But you are different."

As he spoke, Lin Ye slowly closed his eyes, and a jade-like light began to emanate from his body. This light gradually condensed into a coconut-sized crystal in the center of his heart.

"What is this?"

Zhou Zhe's eyes widened.

He felt a powerful, dense elemental force.

"Extraordinary Organ!"

"Wind Element Heart."

Lin Ye explained, "This is what I received as a reward from the Deity when I first survived the Cosmic Arena."

"The extraordinary powers I gained from the Deity are all based on this."

Lin Ye said calmly, but in the next moment, he made a move that Zhou Zhe found unbelievable.

He raised his right hand high, formed his palm into a blade, and slashed downward fiercely.

With a "crack," the Wind Element Heart emitted a sound like shattering glass, splitting in two!

At the same time, Lin Ye's entire face was pale as gold paper, his aura weak, as if his vital essence was depleted. He seemed unable to even stand steadily.

After completing this action, half of the Wind Element Heart returned to Lin Ye's body, while the other half floated before Zhou Zhe.

"This is..."

A look of disbelief appeared on Zhou Zhe's face.

Although he could vaguely guess some things, he truly couldn't believe that there were people in this world who would sacrifice themselves for others with such selfless devotion.

Lin Ye's voice was somewhat hurried as he quickly said, "My physique is special, and I had another fortuitous encounter. I have a second Extraordinary Organ within me! Therefore, the shattering of the Wind Element Heart won't have too significant an impact on my strength!"

"Quick! Absorb it using the method from the Wind Element Body Tempering Technique! Don't waste it!"

The split half of the Wind Element Heart made a sound like breaking glass in the air, seeming like it could shatter and dissipate at any moment.

Zhou Zhe subconsciously activated the Wind Element Body Tempering Technique.

In just two or three breaths, this half of the Wind Element Heart was completely absorbed by him.

A vast elemental force surged within his body, continuously refining Zhou Zhe's physique and strengthening his cells, muscles, and bones.

Every part of his body was rapidly enhancing.

With each breath, a grayish-black aura was expelled from his body.

In the blink of an eye, the bottleneck of the second layer of the Wind Element Body Tempering Technique was broken, and Zhou Zhe reached the third layer of the realm.

The mysterious notebook transformed into a stream of light and appeared before his eyes.

[Wind Element Body Tempering Technique (Level 3) - Physique moderately increased, Agility moderately increased. The maximum level for this skill is 4.]

If Zhou Zhe's physical fitness had only been equivalent to that of a national elite athlete before, then...

Now, he was at least on par with an Olympic gold medalist in multiple disciplines!

Whether it was agility, endurance, or stamina, he far surpassed what ordinary people could achieve through dedicated training.

And this was not Zhou Zhe's biggest gain this time!

The Wind Riding Blade Technique was the inheritance that truly surprised Zhou Zhe.

The function of the Wind Element Body Tempering Technique was to improve Zhou Zhe's basic physical qualities.

The Wind Riding Blade Technique, on the other hand, could transform these enhanced physical qualities into actual destructive power.

The former was the foundation, while the latter was a crucial life-saving skill.

The two complemented each other, neither could be dispensed with.

If he only had the Wind Element Body Tempering Technique, then even if Zhou Zhe cultivated it to the highest level, he would merely be a human-shaped blood bag and meat shield with strong mobility but no offensive capability.

Without the foundation of the Wind Element Body Tempering Technique, he would not have been able to even get started with the Wind Riding Blade Technique, let alone cultivate it to a higher level.

In a daze, the knowledge, skills, and experience brought by the half of the Wind Element Heart were rapidly absorbed and comprehended by Zhou Zhe.

"It's too amazing!"

In just a single breath, Zhou Zhe felt as if he had transformed into a swordsman who had been practicing blade techniques since childhood.

Waking up with the rooster, toiling day and night, sweating profusely for ten years straight...

Was it an illusion?

But this illusion felt so real!

A unique aura of a swordsman gradually emanated from Zhou Zhe.

Cold, sharp, making people hesitant to approach.

"First level of the Wind Riding Blade Technique!"

Lin Ye silently retracted the shattered half of the Wind Element Heart, his face slightly pale, and said in a faint voice, "At least, my eyesight is not bad. Your comprehension is stronger than mine!"

"Mentor, thank you," Zhou Zhe said, bowing deeply and earnestly.

"You're welcome."

Lin Ye smiled and shook his head, saying weakly, "I am not the kind of person who selflessly devotes themselves as you imagine. I have my own selfish motives."

"If your talent wasn't high enough, and you didn't have a sincere heart that loves this land beneath your feet, I would never have helped you like this, even if I took you as a disciple."

Speaking of this, Lin Ye added with a slight smile, "I heard your conversation with that Sigmaian just now."

Zhou Zhe was startled at first, then felt relieved.

It was completely understandable for them to have surveillance on their own territory.

However, this also indicated that technological surveillance seemingly couldn't detect the existence of the mysterious notebook!

Otherwise, the conversation between Mentor Lin Ye and himself would definitely not be like this.

Due to the dual exhaustion of his body and mind, Lin Ye did not notice Zhou Zhe's emotional fluctuations and simply continued speaking, "Some people, after being selected as Cosmic Gladiators, survive and gain extraordinary abilities, and then they feel they are superior to others, riding roughshod over the common people, making ordinary people serve them like beasts of burden."

At this point, Lin Ye sighed, "When the country cannot satisfy their demands, they immediately betray their motherland, change their nationality, defect to other countries, and become the 'people above people' there."

"I hope that no matter how powerful you become in the future, you won't lose the sincerity you have today."

With that, Lin Ye waved his hand and turned to say, "Remember to practice the Wind Element Body Tempering Technique and the Wind Riding Blade Technique simultaneously. Allocate your time reasonably, and if you have any questions, you can come to me anytime."

Lin Ye's figure disappeared at the end of the horizon.

Zhou Zhe slowly closed his eyes, concentrating. In his previously pitch-black vision, a line of faint blue glowing text appeared.

[Swift Wind Blade Technique (Level 1) - While wielding a blade, minor increase in lethality. Treats tough leather armor as thin paper. This skill's max level is 3.]

The pace is much slower than I imagined, but it's acceptable! It's not too drawn out! The next chapter, "Self-Configuration," will be out soon!