Signing the Contract!

The next day, early morning.

A fine drizzle fell from the sky, and the August weather was a little muggy.

In Gu Family Manor, on an open stretch of flat ground.

"Little Ce, you've reached Mastered Swordplay. Logically, Longevity Swordplay Second Layer shouldn't be much of a problem. Next, I'll demonstrate it once for you. Watch my movements carefully!"

Gu Hechang stood opposite Gu Ce, gripping a Longevity Sword as he began demonstrating the sword moves to him.

Longevity Swordplay excelled at being troublesome and hard to grasp!

Whether it was borrowing force to counter force or the eruption of Hidden Force, this swordplay contained it all.

Late last night, Gu Hechang had arrived at Jiangnan Base City. After learning about Gu Ce from Gu Hesheng, he had dragged Gu Ce out of bed at the crack of dawn and started teaching him swordplay.

The heavy Longevity Sword moved in Gu Hechang's hands like a fish swimming through water, handling weight as if it were light, yet able to erupt with tremendous power at crucial moments.

Longevity Swordplay had no completely fixed sword moves or routines. What it mainly trained was a kind of technique.

The sword moves within it were merely a method to assist in cultivating those techniques.

Gu Hechang first performed the sword moves within Longevity Swordplay in full, then, according to his own understanding, applied the techniques contained in the second layer, handling many tiny details to perfection.

Gu Ce kept Six Eyes active, memorizing Gu Hechang's movements completely as he pondered the mysteries within.

"Little Ce, practice alone isn't enough. Real combat is the crucial step for a technique breakthrough. Come, I'll use the physical quality of an Advanced Warrior and only use Longevity Swordplay Second Layer. Feel it properly."

Clang!

Almost as soon as he finished speaking, Gu Hechang attacked. Gu Ce's pupils shrank slightly, and he subconsciously swung the longsword in his hand, blocking Gu Hechang's offensive.

"Not bad. Your reactions are pretty quick." Gu Hechang praised him, but the movements of his hands did not stop.

Gu Ce retreated while parrying Gu Hechang's attacks, comprehending Gu Hechang's movements and Force Generation Techniques at the same time.

"Clang!"

This was it!

Four consecutive eruptions. Borrowing the force of Gu Hechang's incoming strike, Gu Ce turned sideways, dodged the longsword's attack, and arrived behind Gu Hechang.

Whoosh!

The longsword rested against Gu Hechang's neck, and Gu Hechang stopped moving.

"Impressive, Little Ce. As expected of my nephew!" Gu Hechang burst into laughter.

Gu Ce also lowered his longsword and said with a smile, "It's because Eldest Uncle taught me well!"

"You brat, you're looking down on my teaching ability, aren't you!" The big bald man at the side glared, staring viciously at Gu Ce.

"Thor, back then, could you master Mastered Blade Techniques in one hour?" Gu Hechang said disdainfully. "If you couldn't, then you're not qualified to teach Little Ce! It still has to be me!"

"You!" Thor was furious, but he could not say a word.

During the Great Nirvana, Gu Hechang and he had belonged to the same generation. They were both main forces in the fight against monsters, and Gu Hechang had comprehended Conception faster than he had. In their sparring, Gu Hechang had always kept him one step down.

It was only later, when his luck was good and he found some Ancient Civilization Ruins, breaking through to the Planetary Level, that he became the later world's number two. Otherwise, it was truly hard to say who would have been stronger.

Thinking of this, Thor felt a little regretful. If Gu Hechang had been a little luckier back then and had broken through to the Planetary Level, perhaps he could even contend for the position of world number three now.

"Little Ce, Longevity Swordplay Third Layer requires mastering Conception before it can be performed. I can't help you much with this. At most, I can let you experience my Conception. For the rest, you can only rely on your own comprehension," Gu Hechang said to Gu Ce.

Gu Ce nodded. "Many thanks, Eldest Uncle!"

"What thanks? Once you get stronger, beat Thor up for me. That'll be the best thank-you gift," Gu Hechang said casually.

"Gu Hechang! Do you dare fight me!" Thor flew into a rage. He could no longer maintain his usual gentle manner and directly pulled out his weapon, ready to risk his life against Gu Hechang.

Gu Hechang dodged while fleeing into the distance. Thor did not fly either, and even deliberately lowered his speed as he chased after him. The two of them horsed around, as if they had returned to several decades ago.

Gu Ce shook his head helplessly, turned around, and walked back into the house.

After they finished messing around, they returned to the living room again.

The four of them sat on the sofa and chatted. Wang Heng had also just arrived at this moment, standing stiffly to the side.

"Brother Wang, sit."

Gu Ce called for him to sit down, and Wang Heng cautiously moved onto a chair.

Thor did not even look at him. He said to Gu Ce with a serious expression, "This is the contract I had Brother Hong help draft. See if it has enough of the 'resources' you asked for. If it's not enough, I'll add more!"

Taking the sheet of paper, Gu Ce carefully examined it.

"After Party B joins the Elite Training Camp of Thunderbolt Martial Arts Global Headquarters, if his Combat Power Amplification reaches 4 before September 1, 2056, he may obtain: one complete set of any secret manual, Series 9 Combat Suit, a complete set of weapons, and one drop of Jade Marrow worth 30 billion."

"If Party B's Combat Power Amplification reaches 8 before January 1, 2057, he may obtain: three complete sets of any secret manuals, SS-Class Combat Suit, a complete set of weapons, and one portion of Dragon Blood worth 80 billion."

"If Party B's Combat Power Amplification reaches 12 before December 1, 2057, he may obtain: one portion of Thousand Year Ice Marrow Crystal worth 120 billion, and one Ancient Civilization Ruins 'Frost' longsword."

"If Party B's Combat Power Amplification reaches 16 before December 1, 2058, he may obtain: permission to view any secret manual, permission to enter Thunderbolt Martial Arts' Antarctic Ancient Civilization Ruins, and one Ancient Civilization Ruins 'Black God' set."

"If Party B's Combat Power Amplification reaches 20 before August 1, 2060, he may obtain: one portion of Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Marrow Crystal."

It was somewhat similar to Luo Feng's contract back then, but it seemed much harder. The time limits had been made very short.

"Combat Power Amplitude equals 'Punch Force Level' multiplied by 'Trial Tower Level.' The Trial Tower is a piece of equipment originating from Ancient Civilization Ruins. It can allow a person's consciousness to enter Virtual Space. You'll understand the details once you reach the training camp," Thor explained.

"Aren't the resources you're giving a little too few? Combat suits, weapons, and the like—it's not as if I can't afford them." Gu Hechang commented, "Get some resources that can't be bought outside. Things like Spirit of Plants and Trees would actually be useful."

"...Fine!" Thor glared, took the paper, and modified the contents on it.

Series 9 Combat Suit and the complete set of weapons were replaced with one portion of Purple Origin Crystal.

SS-Class Combat Suit and the complete set of weapons were replaced with one Thousand-Year Wild Ginseng.

They were all good things that could enhance physical quality. Among them, Purple Origin Crystal had effects similar to Jade Marrow and could assist Jade Marrow in strengthening the body, while Thousand-Year Wild Ginseng was a type of Spirit of Plants and Trees that could enhance bodily toughness and stimulate medicinal power.

Basically, as long as Gu Ce completed the first two items in the contract, he could rely on these things to rise to the War God Level!

"Not bad." Gu Hechang nodded. Thor was still fairly generous.

"All right, kid, you're coming with me to the training camp today!" Thor shot Gu Hechang a displeased look, then turned to Gu Ce and said.

"No problem, Hall Master."

Gu Ce agreed readily.