Phantom Shadow Swordplay, Class Advancement!

After Tang San and the others had rested, the four of them came to the small hill behind the mountain together. Seeing how the once lush little forest had turned into a small ruin, Tang San looked at Wu Liang speechlessly. "This is your training ground? What's with all this debris?"

Wu Liang blushed slightly at that and said guiltily, "I just couldn't control my strength properly when I first started practicing. It's fine now. I can already control my own strength."

Tang San shook his head. "Let me first explain the Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track footwork to you. Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track is a movement technique focused on evasion. When used, ghostly shadows overlap, leaving no trace. It adapts to the terrain and slips through every opening. Advancing, it leaves others unable to predict you; retreating, it lets you easily evade enemy attacks. Once mastered, it can confuse opponents in battle, making you impossible to fathom or pursue."

"Forget it. I'll demonstrate Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track once. How much you can learn depends on you. If there's anything you don't understand afterward, you can ask me anytime."

After saying that, Tang San began demonstrating in a relatively intact clearing.

"Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track."

Tang San used Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, and his speed suddenly changed. He weaved through the clearing and between the tree stumps. As Xiao Wu and Kanna watched the movement technique he displayed, their little mouths fell open in shock. "Amazing! There are so many Tang Sans! I can't even see where he is."

However, the moment Tang San began using Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, Wu Liang had already entered the state of Heaven-Human Unification. The million-year Wisdom Skull allowed his eyes to completely keep up with Tang San. His superhuman memory and learning ability let him memorize every detail and every technique behind Tang San's footwork.

Of course, Tang San had not gone all out. After all, this was a lesson. Otherwise, Wu Liang might not have been able to keep up with his pace.

After Tang San completed one circuit, he stopped in front of Wu Liang.

Meanwhile, Wu Liang was rehearsing it in his mind, repeatedly making his body remember every movement and technique Tang San used to exert force.

After a long while, Wu Liang's body automatically began to perform Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track. His movements were slow, but every detail and every exertion technique was flawless.

Tang San watched Wu Liang complete Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track with his eyes closed and without the slightest mistake. His eyes widened in shock as he muttered, "Th-this... I only used Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track once. Even though I didn't go all out, it would already be impressive enough if he remembered it. But he reproduced it perfectly. He's a little slow, but that's nothing. How did he do it?"

Kanna and Xiao Wu were equally shocked. If this had not been their first time seeing Tang San use Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, they would have thought the two of them were joining forces to fool them.

"A Liang is amazing!" Little Kanna praised happily after recovering from her shock.

"He really is. He learned Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track after seeing it once. His comprehension is simply unmatched. The reason I can use Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track so smoothly is because of years upon years of practice, but he can already perform it flawlessly after watching it once, even if he is a little slow." Tang San nodded in agreement.

After Wu Liang performed Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track twice, a thought suddenly arose in his mind. Isn't this Wave-Treading Light Steps? They look incredibly similar. After all, they're both movement techniques focused on evasion.

Then Wu Liang seemed to think of something and muttered, "Can I counterattack while evading, or link attacks together while using Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track?"

The more Wu Liang thought about it, the more feasible it seemed. Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track was merely footwork, after all. His hands did not need to stop moving. Moreover, whenever he exerted force with his feet while using it, he could take the opportunity to strike with his sword. With that in mind, Wu Liang, who had stopped moving, flipped his hand and took out a practice iron sword. He circled the large tree in front of him while using Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, searching for opportunities to strike. Then, his footwork gradually slowed.

Tang San watched Wu Liang perform Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track again. This time, he was even slower than before, only slightly faster than walking normally. Tang San became even more puzzled. What is he trying to do?

However, Wu Liang's next action truly left him utterly stunned.

"He's using Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track as a reference to create a sword technique?"

That was right. After slowing down and carefully analyzing Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track once more, Wu Liang had already completely found the best moments to strike in coordination with the footwork.

This time, Wu Liang fully unleashed his physical capabilities and used Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track at full speed. Then, in coordination with every advance and evasive shift of Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, he launched sword techniques such as hooking, hanging, thrusting, lifting, stabbing, sweeping, chopping, and blocking. After completing the sequence, he withdrew his sword, turned around, and looked at the three of them in confusion. "What's wrong?"

"Y-you... did you create a sword technique?"

Tang San felt his voice trembling. He could not help it. Wu Liang's actions were simply too shocking.

"I suppose so. It doesn't really count as a sword technique. They're just combat moves I came up with by combining them with Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track. Just evading without attacking isn't my style. More importantly, I matched each force point in this movement technique with a corresponding sword move, so the power should be pretty good." Wu Liang spoke with a little pride. Still, the reason he had been able to create sword moves so suited to Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track so smoothly was thanks to the Reverse Phantom Sword Technique engraved in his mind. It had brought Wu Liang's understanding of sword techniques to an incomparable level, allowing him to create this sword technique so easily.

Tang San nodded. "Your idea is excellent, and the attacks you launch in combination with Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track flow as naturally as clouds and water. You don't need to belittle yourself. You're already incredible. If other swordsmen knew you could create a sword technique so easily, they would be green with envy."

"Alright, you've already learned my Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, and you even created a Phantom Shadow Swordplay. I doubt you have any questions left for me, so I'll go forge iron."

After saying that, Tang San used Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track and headed toward Notting City.

Xiao Wu and Kanna looked at Wu Liang with shining eyes. "Can you teach us too?"

"Kanna wants to learn too!" Little Kanna said, clenching her tiny fists.

"Sure. I'll slow down first, and you can follow me to learn the footwork. Then I'll teach you the techniques for exerting force."

Wu Liang agreed without even thinking about it. After all, if they learned it, they would be better able to escape when facing danger.

Fortunately, Wu Liang only had to teach Xiao Wu and Kanna three or four times before they memorized the Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track footwork. Then Wu Liang taught them how and where to exert force, letting them practice on their own.

Wu Liang himself continued familiarizing himself with the Phantom Shadow Swordplay, practicing it over and over. Once his body had completely adapted to his explosively increased speed, he switched back to practicing the Reverse Phantom Sword Technique. After another afternoon of sword swings, Kanna and Xiao Wu disappeared after learning Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track. Wu Liang did not demand that they become highly proficient with it. Learning it was enough.

The blazing sunlight shone down on Wu Liang. He could feel his Soul Power growing every moment. A Demigod Physique really was a Demigod Physique. From now on, I'm the second Superman—the otherworldly Superman.

Time flowed on, swift as an arrow. The sun and moon passed like a shuttle.

Half a year had passed since Wu Liang and the others enrolled. During those six months, Xiao Wu had come to realize that money was a wonderful thing. Every day, she followed Tang San around Notting City, taking on odd jobs. Kanna sometimes went along with them to have fun, but because little Kanna was simply too adorable, even when she went to work, shop owners would not let her do much. Because of her martial soul, whenever Kanna was in a shop, the owners would have her show off her little wings and tail, treating her as the shop's lucky mascot. As a result, little Kanna had become famous throughout the small city of Notting City over the past six months. Thus, little Kanna had embarked on a path of earning a living through cuteness.

Meanwhile, throughout the past six months, Wu Liang had ignored everything beyond his ears and devoted himself entirely to swordsmanship. He could already use the Reverse Phantom Sword Technique, and it had become his instinct—his core sword technique.

When Wu Liang stopped cultivating, Seria suddenly spoke in his mind. "Congratulations, Host. You have reached level fifteen and can now advance your class."

"Already level fifteen?" Wu Liang muttered. During this period, he had not seriously cultivated his Soul Power at all, merely letting the Soul Power converted by his Demigod Physique increase on its own. Little Kanna was already level seventeen. Because of work, Wu Liang had not paid attention to Tang San's level for a long time, nor had he cared to ask. Still, it was probably not low either. He might be the lowest level among them.

"Seria, do I need to activate the class advancement mission now, or should I wait until I'm stronger?"

Seria: "Host, class advancement missions are very simple. Moreover, you have already mastered the Reverse Phantom Sword Technique, so class advancement should be easy for you."

"Is that so? Then I'll activate it."

Seria: "Class system activated. Class advancement mission activated. Matching Host's aptitude. Recommended class advancement: Ghost Swordsman."

"Then Ghost Swordsman it is."

Seria: "Ghost Swordsman class advancement mission selected successfully. You may undergo the class advancement assessment at any time."

"Teleport me."

Wu Liang nodded and muttered.

Seria: "Teleportation initiated. Destination: Class Advancement Space."

Seria: "Teleportation successful."

After a brief wave of dizziness, Wu Liang opened his eyes again and found himself in an arena. There were five large cages covered in black cloth, each imprisoning an unknown creature.

Seria: "Class advancement mission: Defeat two random monsters."

Just as Seria's prompt ended, one of the five large cages covered in black cloth vanished, leaving behind only a dazed goblin.

With its short body, green skin, and a broken wooden stick in hand, what else could it be but a goblin?

Monster: Timid Goblin lv6

"Ha! A level-six little monster. What great luck."

After saying that, Wu Liang used Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track and charged fiercely toward the dazed goblin in the arena. Before it could react, he condensed two katanas with Soul Power in his hands and used "Reverse Phantom Sword Technique" to send the goblin flying.

"Ah—"

With only one move, a Rising Strike, the goblin died.

"This thing is way too fragile."

Wu Liang was speechless. Then he saw another cage vanish, leaving a single monster in the arena.

Monster: Minotaur Lord lv15

"Oh? This one might actually be interesting."

Wu Liang looked at the Minotaur Lord in the arena. It stood nearly two meters tall and wore heavy armor. It held no weapons, but judging from its enormous fists, it was clearly not easy to deal with.

Wu Liang used Phantom Shadow Swordplay and rapidly approached the Minotaur Lord. Just as it raised both hands and gathered strength to attack Wu Liang, he shifted his footing and flashed behind it. The katana in his hand transformed into Barak's serrated greatsword.

Rising Strike!

However, a red glow flashed over the Minotaur Lord's body, and Rising Strike failed to send it airborne.

It has Super Armor.

Wu Liang silently cursed. Seeing the Minotaur Lord's fist about to descend, he used Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track again to retreat and evade.

"Boom—"

A huge crash rang out as a shockwave surged toward Wu Liang. However, because Wu Liang had retreated in time, the shockwave had lost all its power by the time it reached him. The Minotaur Lord had also clearly entered a stiffened state after using its charged attack, its body rigid as it stared at Wu Liang.

Seeing this, Wu Liang seized the opportunity and rushed forward.

"Rising Strike!"

This time, Rising Strike worked. The Minotaur Lord was launched into the air, and the Reverse Phantom Sword Technique immediately followed. Taking advantage of the gap before the Minotaur Lord fell, Wu Liang poured Soul Power into the greatsword in his hands as though it cost nothing.

"Greatsword Reverse Phantom Charged Heavy Slash!"

The heavy strike landed on the Minotaur Lord's shoulder. The enormous force drove the entire greatsword down to its chest, where it became lodged against its spine.

After suffering such a serious blow, the light in the Minotaur Lord's eyes dimmed. It was clearly not going to survive.

Not long afterward, Seria's prompt sounded.

Seria: "Congratulations, Host. Mission completed. Class advancement successful."