Koler the Instructor

"Therefore, cultivating Phantom Slash won't be difficult for you either. Judging from your performance just now, they were all minor mistakes."

"They were caused by your unfamiliarity with using battle qi. Come, watch my blade movements carefully."

After demonstrating the dozen or so minor flaws in Fengyun's Combat Skill one by one, Black Mountain continued earnestly, "You use a sword. Although your techniques differ somewhat from my blade techniques, the underlying principles are the same."

"It doesn't matter if there are things you don't understand. Don't casually ask others—just slowly ponder my blade movements. Once you figure them out, they'll greatly benefit your future Combat Skill training."

"Of course, don't get stuck chasing a dead end either. Limit yourself to five days!"

"If you still gain no insight after five days, I'll demonstrate with a sword and explain the key points of Phantom Slash to you in greater detail!"

Although Black Mountain was an undercover agent, he had still been an instructor for more than a decade and possessed abundant experience in teaching skills.

His understanding of all kinds of low-level Combat Skills was also profound. The Phantom Slash he had just performed with a blade was exceptionally concise, displaying the exquisite aspects of Phantom Slash perfectly.

If Fengyun could see through and master these things, his Phantom Slash would count as minor mastery. With continued practice, once his battle qi cultivation caught up, achieving major mastery and unleashing its accompanying Battle Qi Slash would come naturally.

In the future, when facing blade-wielding enemies, he would also gain a deeper understanding of how to kill them.

Nearby, an instructor named Koler watched this scene and asked doubtfully, "Has this little fellow given up on Light Shadow Slash so quickly?"

Instructors did not care much about which Combat Skills the trainees chose to learn. After all, every trainee had their own preferences and will. As long as they completed their basic training, the other instructors would not interfere.

The reason Koler asked was mainly because Fengyun was too young. He had proactively applied for the Monster Trial before reaching the required age, which made him particularly conspicuous.

With that kind of courage, as long as he did not die, he would most likely become strong in the future. Perhaps not exceptionally strong, but becoming a battalion commander in the Guard Legion would be no problem at all.

That was why Koler had paid attention to Fengyun and asked around about him. He knew that Fengyun had chosen Light Shadow Slash as his initial Combat Skill.

Thus, seeing Fengyun ask Black Mountain about Phantom Slash made him frown in confusion. After all, Fengyun had only obtained Light Shadow Slash a few days ago. Giving it up now would appear to show a lack of determination.

And no matter how talented a person lacking in determination was, their chances of becoming strong would be greatly reduced!

Black Mountain naturally noticed this as well. Although he knew that after this trial, Fengyun would have his magical aptitude tested and then be arranged by the organization to leave the Training Camp and become a mage, Fengyun was still in the Training Camp for now.

To prevent Fengyun from receiving any malicious treatment during this period, he explained, "Although this little fellow asked me about Phantom Slash, that doesn't mean he has given up on Light Shadow Slash."

"It's only because there aren't any instructors in the Training Camp who cultivate Light Shadow Slash, so when he encountered things he didn't understand, he came to ask me!"

"Light Shadow Slash was derived from Phantom Slash. Becoming familiar with Phantom Slash will greatly aid the cultivation of Light Shadow Slash, so I gave him some pointers on Phantom Slash as well!"

Koler's slightly furrowed brow relaxed. After glancing at Fengyun again, he said to Black Mountain, "Gradually guide him into giving up something like Light Shadow Slash. He should just honestly cultivate Phantom Slash instead. Otherwise, you might be suspected by the higher-ups of privately teaching Combat Skills."

Black Mountain had spent more than a decade in the Training Camp and had built up rather good connections. Koler's reminder was for his own good.

The reason the Training Camp required trainees to purchase Combat Skills was, first, to prevent them from developing the idea of gaining something for nothing.

Second, it was to prevent trainees from scattering their focus on learning a second Combat Skill before mastering the first, thereby damaging their foundations.

If Fengyun completely gave up Light Shadow Slash and switched to Phantom Slash, it would not be a problem. Black Mountain would only need to submit a written report. After all, they were merely low-level Combat Skills.

But if Fengyun refused to give up Light Shadow Slash and also learned Phantom Slash, then once the higher-ups took the matter seriously, Black Mountain would inevitably receive a reprimand and be branded as someone who privately taught Combat Skills. That would not be good for his future career as an instructor!

Black Mountain chuckled. "It's fine, it's fine!"

"It isn't a big deal. I just happen to like this kid, that's all. I'll mind the boundaries."

"And even if he learns Phantom Slash, what's the big deal? Light Shadow Slash was originally adapted from Phantom Slash. It merely has the added ability to conceal its accompanying energy slash."

"If someone really discovers that he knows Phantom Slash, we can just insist that it's Light Shadow Slash!"

Koler shook his head with a helpless smile. "You really have plenty of crooked logic. But once we reach the Monster Mountain Range, don't act on impulse. Instructors aren't allowed to casually interfere with trainees' trials, so be careful when the time comes."

As he spoke, his eyes flickered slightly. "If something really happens, call your brother here along. The law doesn't punish the crowd. If more instructors take part, it won't count as much of a problem instead!"

Black Mountain glanced at Koler and immediately understood what he meant. Although he had fairly good relationships with others, because of his identity as an undercover agent, he did not dare sincerely befriend anyone, nor was he worth others making mistakes alongside him.

Koler valued Fengyun's future and wanted to invest early, hoping to find an opportunity to earn a favor.

The accompanying instructors were not easily permitted to interfere with trainees' trials because the trainees needed to truly face life-and-death battles. It allowed weaklings to be eliminated while gifted trainees could genuinely improve.

But which of these instructors was not a shrewd veteran who had seen countless people? They all had some ability to judge a trainee's potential and future achievements.

For an outstanding trainee like Fengyun, even if they made a mistake by interfering with his trial, as long as the expected future return was high enough, the punishment was not something they could not accept.

Black Mountain chuckled and draped an arm around Koler's shoulders, lowering his voice. "One trip to Azure Paradise after we get back!"

Koler's mouth twitched. Knowing that Black Mountain understood his meaning, he said unhappily, "Seriously? With that little salary of mine, how can you have the nerve to go to Azure Paradise?"

He then looked around on both sides. Only after confirming that no one was paying attention did he say, "One of the trainees under me is Priest Lar's cousin's nephew. Is using him in exchange enough?"

Black Mountain pretended to hesitate. After thinking for a moment, he nodded. "Fine, but compared to Little Yun, Priest Lar's cousin's nephew isn't enough!"

"A round of drinks is unavoidable. If we don't go to Azure Paradise, you can at least afford one trip to the Rose Garden, right?"

Koler revealed a displeased expression. I'm already offering a Priest's cousin's nephew as an exchange of interests, and Black Mountain still wants to make a trip to the Rose Garden. That's going too far!