Black Iron Gladiator.
It was the first time Zhou Zhe had heard such a novel term.
Seemingly noticing his confusion, Lin Ye smiled and pointed at the Black Sword Shield Brand on the back of Zhou Zhe's hand, explaining gently, "Black Iron Gladiator has another name: reserve gladiator."
"Once the gladiator points you have accumulated and spent reach a certain amount, you will automatically advance and become a Bronze Gladiator—a formal gladiator."
"At that time, the gods will grant you more access and greater authority."
Black Iron rank advanced to Bronze rank?
This...
Wasn't that a little unscientific?
During the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, people widely used bronze ware. By the Eastern Han dynasty, bronze had been completely replaced by ironware, which had superior overall performance.
By the twenty-first century, hardly any everyday objects made of bronze could be seen.
At that thought, Zhou Zhe gathered his wandering thoughts.
After all, it was that lofty being who had divided the power system into ranks. If It said so, then so be it!
He did not know whether it was merely his imagination, but Zhou Zhe vaguely detected a trace of hesitation and indecision in Lin Ye's words.
It was as though Lin Ye was wavering over some major decision.
"All right. Since I've taken you as my apprentice, I must be responsible for you."
Lin Ye interrupted Zhou Zhe's thoughts and said sternly, "As a native-born Earthling, you completed the first level of the Wind Element Body Tempering Technique the very first time you came into contact with cultivation."
"Even among... my friends, your talent is the best I have ever seen."
When he mentioned "my friends," Lin Ye's tone became especially complicated.
He paused. Emerald fluorescence swirled within his eyes.
In that instant, Zhou Zhe felt as though he had been seen through completely.
"The second level of the Wind Element Body Tempering Technique!"
A look of shock appeared on Lin Ye's face. He clicked his tongue in amazement. "I underestimated you! Your talent exceeds even my expectations!"
His shock swiftly turned into unconcealed delight.
Lin Ye was a true gentleman. Rather than feeling the slightest jealousy over Zhou Zhe's talent, he was sincerely delighted and impressed.
"Good. Very good. Excellent."
The emerald gleam in Lin Ye's eyes gradually faded, as though he had finally made up his mind.
He took a deep breath and said, "I intend to teach you something real."
?
It was starting already?
There was no test of moral character or anything like that?
Amid his doubts, Zhou Zhe asked in surprise, "A Wind Rider!"
A so-called Wind Rider was someone who controlled the power of Wind Elements and could glide briefly through the air.
In the Swift Wind Pavilion's advertisements, such people were said to possess the ability to fly.
Lin Ye sighed instead. "So-called Wind Riders are merely inferior products for those who lack talent yet refuse to work hard, people who can only take shortcuts."
"Flying with the physical body is false advertising, more or less..."
"Their potential for growth and their upper limits are both very low. At their peak, they can only glide at low altitudes."
"In fact, most emerging supernatural training institutions abroad, such as the Holy Hall and the Secret Master Association, have also modeled their systems after the Swift Wind Pavilion."
"Wind Riders, devout believers, Bloodline Wizards..."
"Most supernatural professions accessible to ordinary people are degraded, quick-made versions advanced through external empowerment."
"But you are different."
As he spoke, Lin Ye slowly closed his eyes. A jade-like radiance began to emanate from his body, gradually condensing around his heart into a coconut-shaped crystal.
"What is that?"
Zhou Zhe's eyes widened.
He sensed an immense, dense elemental power.
"An Extraordinary Organ!"
"The Wind Element Heart."
Lin Ye explained, "When I first survived the Cosmic Arena, the reward I received from the gods was this."
"All the supernatural power I obtained from the gods is based on it."
Lin Ye spoke in an indifferent tone, but in the next moment, he made a movement Zhou Zhe found impossible to believe.
He raised his right hand high, held his palm like a blade, and slashed downward fiercely.
With a crack, the Wind Element Heart made the sound of shattered glass. It was split down the middle into two halves.
!
At the same time, Lin Ye's face turned pale as gold paper, and his aura became weak. It was as though his Essence Blood had been depleted; he seemed barely able to remain standing.
After making that motion, half the Wind Element Heart returned to Lin Ye's body, while the other half floated before Zhou Zhe.
"This..."
A look of disbelief appeared on Zhou Zhe's face.
Though he could vaguely guess some of it, he truly could not believe that a person capable of sacrificing himself for others and giving selflessly actually existed in this world.
Lin Ye's breathing grew somewhat hurried as he quickly said, "My constitution is special, and I have another fortuitous encounter. I possess a second Extraordinary Organ! Therefore, the Wind Element Heart shattering will not have much effect on my strength!"
"Hurry! Absorb it using the method of the Wind Element Body Tempering Technique! Don't waste it!"
The severed half of the Wind Element Heart made the sound of cracking glass in midair, as though it might collapse and disperse at any moment.
Zhou Zhe instinctively activated the Wind Element Body Tempering Technique.
In merely two or three breaths, he completely absorbed that half of the Wind Element Heart.
Immense elemental power surged through his body, constantly washing and tempering Zhou Zhe's physique while strengthening his cells, muscles, and bones.
Every part of his body was rapidly growing stronger.
With every breath, gray-black fumes continuously seeped out of his body.
In the blink of an eye, the shackles of the second level of the Wind Element Body Tempering Technique were smashed through, and Zhou Zhe reached the third level.
The mysterious notebook transformed into a streak of light and appeared before his eyes.
Wind Element Body Tempering Technique (Level 3)—Moderate increase to constitution, moderate increase to agility. This skill's maximum level is 4.
If Zhou Zhe's physical fitness had previously only been comparable to that of a nationally ranked athlete, then...
Now, at the very least, he was comparable to an Olympic gold medalist in multiple disciplines!
Whether in agility, endurance, or stamina, he far surpassed what ordinary people could achieve through hard training.
And this was not Zhou Zhe's greatest gain this time!
The Wind Riding Blade Technique was the inheritance that truly delighted Zhou Zhe.
The Wind Element Body Tempering Technique served to improve Zhou Zhe's foundational physical qualities.
The Wind Riding Blade Technique, meanwhile, could transform those improved physical qualities into genuine killing power.
The former was the foundation, while the latter was an important means of preserving his life.
The two complemented each other, and neither could be lacking.
If he only had the Wind Element Body Tempering Technique, then even if Zhou Zhe cultivated it to its highest realm, he would merely be a human-shaped blood ox and meat-shield tank with relatively strong mobility but little offensive power.
Without the foundation laid by the Wind Element Body Tempering Technique, he could not possibly even begin the Wind Riding Blade Technique, much less cultivate it to a higher realm.
In a daze, Zhou Zhe rapidly absorbed and comprehended the knowledge, techniques, and experience brought by half of the Wind Element Heart.
"This is incredible!"
In the span of a single breath, Zhou Zhe felt as though he had become a Blademaster who had practiced blade techniques since childhood.
Rising at the crow of the rooster, waking before dawn and sleeping late, pouring out sweat day after day for ten years...
Was it an illusion?
Yet that illusion felt so real!
A unique aura belonging to a Blademaster gradually emanated from Zhou Zhe.
Cold and sharp, it made others afraid to approach.
"The first level of the Wind Riding Blade Technique!"
Lin Ye silently withdrew the half-shattered Wind Element Heart. His face was slightly pale as he said faintly, "At least my eye for talent isn't bad. Your comprehension is stronger than mine!"
"Mentor, thank you." Zhou Zhe gave a deep bow and spoke earnestly.
"No need to be polite."
Lin Ye smiled and shook his head, saying weakly, "I am not the selfless person you imagine. I have selfish motives too."
"If your talent had not been high enough, and if you did not possess a sincere heart that loved the land beneath your feet, then even if I had accepted you as my apprentice, I would never have helped you like this."
At this point, Lin Ye wore a faint smile as he added, "I heard your conversation with that Sigmaian just now."
Zhou Zhe was startled at first, then quickly understood.
It was perfectly reasonable for someone to install surveillance equipment on his own territory.
But this also showed that technological surveillance seemed incapable of detecting the mysterious notebook!
Otherwise, Mentor Lin Ye's conversation with him would definitely not have gone as it had.
Due to the double weakness of body and mind, Lin Ye did not notice Zhou Zhe's emotional fluctuations. He merely continued on his own, "After some people are chosen as Cosmic Gladiators, survive, and obtain supernatural abilities, they think they should be above everyone else. They ride roughshod over the people, making ordinary people serve them like oxen and horses."
At this, Lin Ye sighed. "When the nation cannot satisfy those demands, they immediately betray their homeland, change their nationality, and defect to other countries to become masters above others."
"I hope that no matter how strong you become in the future, you will not lose the sincerity you possess today."
After saying that, Lin Ye waved his hand, turned around, and said, "Remember to cultivate the Wind Element Body Tempering Technique and the Wind Riding Blade Technique together. Allocate your time wisely. If you have any questions, you may come find me at any time."
Lin Ye's figure disappeared at the end of Zhou Zhe's sight.
Zhou Zhe slowly closed his eyes and concentrated. Within his originally pitch-black vision, a line of pale-blue fluorescent text appeared.
Swift Wind Blade Technique (Level 1)—While holding a blade, killing power is slightly increased; treats tough leather armor as thin paper. This skill's maximum level is 3.
The pace was much slower than I imagined, but it was still acceptable! It wasn't too drawn out! The next chapter, "Self-Configuration," is coming out!
Before you continue