Man and Sword as One

The next day!

At Shrek Square, one figure after another arrived. Flender, Yu Xiaogang, as well as Oscar, Ma Hongjun, Tang San, Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, and Dai Mubai, who had only just recovered from his severe injuries. His face was still somewhat pale, while the two crisscrossing wounds on his body had become two crisscrossing scars.

At that moment, a sword cry rang out in the distance. Immediately afterward, a Flying Sword could be seen slicing through the air.

As it approached, Chen Yuan brought Ning Rongrong down to the ground, recalled his Martial Soul, and said with a light smile, "Dean, I brought Rongrong over for class. I hope we aren't late for today's lesson."

The moment they appeared, astonishing light erupted in two people's eyes.

One was Dai Mubai. His eyes were filled with venom and hatred. He hated Chen Yuan and Ning Rongrong to the bone.

The other was Yu Xiaogang. His eyes blazed with fervor and longing. He wanted to know how Chen Yuan had obtained that Spirit Ring configuration of one yellow and two purple rings.

As though sensing something, Chen Yuan looked directly at Dai Mubai. Noticing the venom and hatred in his eyes, his expression remained unchanged, but his gaze gradually turned cold. If Dai Mubai refused to change his ways, Chen Yuan would not mind acting again and eliminating him for good. He was not afraid of the Star Luo Royal Family.

The atmosphere immediately grew heavy. Beside Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun and Oscar quickly moved to block him from either side.

Ma Hongjun hurriedly advised, "Dai the Elder, don't be impulsive. We can't afford to provoke this guy. Your injuries have only just healed. You couldn't beat him before, and now you're even less of a match for him."

Oscar also tried to persuade him. "That's right, Dai the Elder. Although Fatty didn't put it nicely, he truly means well."

Dai Mubai had merely lost his temper in the heat of the moment. With Ma Hongjun and Oscar stopping him, he immediately recalled Chen Yuan's terrifying strength. The fear and dread in his heart gained the upper hand. He said nothing and lowered his head. His fists clenched several times, but quickly relaxed again. He had never been a particularly courageous person. Otherwise, he would not have fled to the Heaven Dou Empire, spending every night in revelry rather than daring to return and face his elder brother.

Seeing that the situation was turning sour, Flender hurriedly stepped forward and said, "Haha, you're not late. Today's lesson hasn't started yet. Let me introduce someone to you."

"The man beside me is Yu Xiaogang, known as the Grandmaster. He is the foremost theorist in the Spirit Master world today. At the same time, he is Tang San's Teacher. In other words, Tang San is his direct disciple. When it comes to understanding Spirit Masters and Martial Souls, few people on the continent can compare to him."

"From now on, he will also take part in our teaching duties, setting your training requirements and guiding your cultivation."

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone looked toward Yu Xiaogang. Flender had smoothly shifted the topic and introduced Yu Xiaogang to the group.

Moreover, what Flender had said sounded truly impressive. The foremost theorist in the Spirit Master world, and few on the continent able to compare to his understanding of Spirit Masters and Martial Souls—those were extremely exaggerated claims.

The only one who remained unmoved was probably Chen Yuan. After Dai Mubai lowered his head, Chen Yuan did not spare him another glance. When Flender introduced Yu Xiaogang, he merely looked at him casually. Since he knew Yu Xiaogang's true background, he would not be fooled by Flender's words.

He turned around and instructed Ning Rongrong, "Rongrong, go on. They're all talented youths around your age. Study well here and see how much progress you can make."

Hearing this, Ning Rongrong nodded firmly. Waving her little fists, she said seriously, "I understand, Brother Chen Yuan. Back in the clan, I really only ever wanted to play. I never knew there were so many geniuses outside. Now I'll cultivate properly for a while. I won't be like I was before."

After saying that, she walked forward with light steps and stood beside Zhu Zhuqing. Zhu Zhuqing was the only person Ning Rongrong felt she could befriend.

Yu Xiaogang had been watching the two of them the entire time. After Ning Rongrong joined the group, he fixed his gaze solely on Chen Yuan. With his hands behind his back, he spoke like a swindler, "Young man, I see that you are exceptionally gifted and have remarkable bones. Your Martial Soul is the rare Seven Kill Sword, and your Soul Power has reached a considerable depth. Although you are not a student of the academy, I can make an exception and let you stay. I can give you some guidance and make you stronger."

Yu Xiaogang naturally did not truly wish to guide Chen Yuan out of kindness. He wanted to obtain the secret behind Chen Yuan's ability to absorb Spirit Rings beyond the limit. That way, his disciple could benefit as well. A high-year Spirit Ring brought tremendous enhancement to the body, along with a powerful spirit skill. Both were immensely valuable.

To accomplish this, he first had to make Chen Yuan stay. If Chen Yuan were willing to reveal the secret, Yu Xiaogang would not mind genuinely offering him some guidance. Besides, Chen Yuan was highly talented, and Yu Xiaogang was someone who cherished talent.

After hearing him out, Chen Yuan found it somewhat laughable. Where did Yu Xiaogang get the nerve to claim he could guide him? Still, Chen Yuan decided to play along. "Is that so? Then may I ask, Grandmaster, what direction do you think I should train in now?"

Yu Xiaogang naturally understood that Chen Yuan was testing his ability. A mere brat actually dared to test him? He truly did not take him seriously. A trace of arrogance flashed through his eyes as he said in a deep voice, "You are a Battle Spirit Master, and your Martial Soul is the Seven Kill Sword, known as the Number One Offensive Martial Soul. Naturally, your training should focus on combat. Combat requires a strong body, so the first thing you must train is physical fitness. You need to undergo weighted running training without using Soul Power."

"Besides that, tell me all of your spirit skills. Based on them, I will formulate a combat style for you and improve your fighting techniques. If you want to become stronger, you cannot hide anything from me."

"Ha ha..."

Chen Yuan threw back his head and laughed. Once he finished laughing, he no longer seemed so casual. He stood perfectly straight, like a sharp sword. A hint of flamboyance appeared on his face, though confidence outweighed it. The breeze stirred his hair and lightly fluttered his sleeves, making him appear utterly unrestrained. He spoke calmly, his voice carrying a faint, nearly imperceptible trace of mockery. "Grandmaster, you must be joking. Those are merely the most basic forms of training. There is no need for me to repeat them. Before I was six, I began tempering my body. After turning six, I practiced swordsmanship every day, and the weight of my sword constantly increased. Today, a sixty-four-jin greatsword feels weightless in my hands. I can wield heavy things lightly and light things heavily. Weighted running is useless to me."

"As for combat, my opponents in the past were all my Teacher. I honed my combat skills under a Titled Douluo. I fear no battle against any enemy. Recently, however, I have been comprehending a killing move from the inherited supreme techniques of the Chen Clan: Man and Sword as One. Once mastered, it can double my attack power. I wonder if the Grandmaster can offer some guidance?"

After Chen Yuan finished speaking, Yu Xiaogang's face alternated between green and white. What did that mean? Chen Yuan was saying his guidance amounted to nothing more than basic training, that the things he was proud of were not worth mentioning at all. And what was this Man and Sword as One? How could he possibly understand such things?

Everything he knew came from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and Spirit Hall. He was a Soul Grandmaster who did not even possess a Thousand-Year Spirit Ring. As long as someone spoke of something remotely advanced, he did not understand it.