Daily 2

Jiang Fang had her step down, then called up several other students whose saber techniques had reached the "Artistic Conception" level to demonstrate. She also suppressed her strength and sparred with each of them, letting everyone experience the power of "Artistic Conception"-level saber techniques.

Some of the surrounding students seemed to gain something, excitement on their faces. Some were deep in thought, as if they had gained an insight. Others frowned tightly, seemingly at a complete loss.

After Jiang Fang finished sparring with the students, she had them step down, leaving herself alone in the field.

"After your saber technique reaches 'Mastery,' I've already explained the training methods for trying to enter the 'Artistic Conception' level. The students just now also demonstrated the effects of 'Artistic Conception'-level saber techniques."

"To enter the 'Artistic Conception' level, you must undergo diligent training and combat. Sparring with others, going to the arena, and going to the Trial Tower are all good methods."

"However, the arena and Trial Tower have limited resources, and everyone can only use them for a certain amount of time according to their ranking. Therefore, the most direct method is still sparring with others or going to Old Australia to hone your saber technique against monsters."

"Next, I'll call up several students at the 'Mastery' level to spar."

Jiang Fang called up the students one by one and had them fight in pairs while she offered pointers.

Xu Feng watched intently and studied carefully, considering how to temper his saber technique to the "Mastery" level, when he suddenly heard Jiang Fang call his name.

"Xu Feng, come up."

Xu Feng tightened his grip on the Ice Soul Saber and walked into the field.

"Let me introduce everyone. This is Xu Feng, a new student who joined the camp yesterday."

"He has been a martial artist for only a short time, but he is very talented in saber training. Who would like to spar with him?"

"I will." A student walked onto the field with his saber in hand.

"Peng Chen? Your saber technique is at the 'Mastery' level." Jiang Fang hesitated slightly, then looked at Xu Feng. "Fine. This will be a good chance to see just how far your saber technique has progressed."

Xu Feng and Peng Chen saluted each other, then drew their sabers and faced off.

Jiang Fang gave a sharp cry. "Begin!"

Peng Chen lunged forward, his saber stabbing straight at Xu Feng's throat.

Xu Feng's saber speed erupted as he knocked aside Peng Chen's weapon and slashed diagonally at his arm.

Peng Chen shifted his body. His saber flashed in an arc, knocking away Xu Feng's blade before sweeping toward Xu Feng's neck.

Xu Feng erupted with strength and thrust out his saber, striking Peng Chen's blade dead-on. With a clang, Peng Chen's saber flew from his hand and smashed toward his legs.

Peng Chen hurriedly dodged backward, only to discover that the saber had stopped in midair rather than flying at him.

Xu Feng used Mental Power to send the saber before him and smiled. "You let me win."

Peng Chen accepted his saber, exchanged a few polite words, and stepped off the field.

Jiang Fang frowned deeply. "Xu Feng, this is a saber class. Winning through strength won't improve your saber technique. Don't use more than threefold saber speed or strength."

"Yes, Instructor." Xu Feng suddenly understood.

"Another one. Spar with him."

Another student stepped forward, also at the "Mastery" level in saber technique.

After introducing themselves, the two began to fight.

This time, Xu Feng was not nearly as relaxed. His opponent's saber technique forced him into a frantic defense. He did his utmost to cope, using his perception to precisely judge his opponent's exertion of force and predict the trajectory of his saber, barely holding on.

After several minutes of fighting, Xu Feng finally caught a flaw in his opponent's saber technique. His saber flashed, knocking aside the other man's weapon and striking the arm holding the saber.

"You let me win." Xu Feng let out a breath.

Jiang Fang was somewhat surprised. "During your first match, your saber technique was only at the 'Proficient' level, but now it already carries a hint of 'Mastery.' However, your weakness..."

She shook her head without continuing, then called out, "Another person, spar with him."

Xu Feng fought several people in succession, and his saber technique improved faster and faster. At first, he had to give it everything he had just to cope. Gradually, the fights became evenly matched. In the end, he even gained a slight upper hand.

"Such talent for saber training—he really is a genius!"

"His improvement is way too obvious."

"At this rate, he might touch the threshold of the 'Artistic Conception' level in a few days."

"Sparring with him makes me feel like my own saber technique has improved a little too."

The surrounding students discussed animatedly. Some were eager to give it a try and wanted to enter the field to spar with Xu Feng.

Jiang Fang frowned but said nothing. She had everyone spread out and fight freely, then moved among them, pointing out their shortcomings and explaining how to improve and train.

At ten thirty in the morning, class ended.

"Today's public class ends here. Dismissed." Jiang Fang stood in the field and called out, "Keep training diligently after you leave. Strive to break through to the 'Artistic Conception' level as soon as possible!"

"Thank you, Teacher!"

"Thank you, Instructor!"

The students bid farewell to their teacher, then gathered in twos and threes to find places to train.

Jiang Fang found Xu Feng in the crowd and beckoned. "Xu Feng, come with me."

Xu Feng had fought dozens of matches that morning, winning some and losing some, and he felt that his saber technique had improved greatly.

He walked over excitedly. "Teacher..."

"Call me Sister Fang." Jiang Fang cut him off. "Do you feel like your saber technique has improved a lot and you've already entered the 'Mastery' level?"

"Yes. I feel that my saber technique has improved greatly. Sparring with others truly is the fastest way to improve."

Jiang Fang smiled. "Your talent for saber techniques really is astonishing. In one morning, you went from 'Proficient' to the level of 'Mastery.' You truly are a genius capable of mastering the first three levels of the Thunder Blade."

She turned and headed upstairs. "Come with me. Let me see how far your movement technique has progressed."

Xu Feng hurriedly followed.

Jiang Fang led Xu Feng to the instructors' training area on the sixth floor, to her private training ground.

Each instructor's private training ground had its own distinctive style. Jiang Fang's was dominated by fiery red patterns, and even the weapon racks bore fiery red stripes.

Several lines of writing were also carved into the wall beside the weapon rack.

"We are the vanguard..." Xu Feng read aloud.

"Focus!" Jiang Fang took the Crimson Long Saber from her back and called out to him. Xu Feng hurriedly turned around.

"Like saber techniques, movement techniques are divided into four levels: 'Basic,' 'Subtle,' 'Perfect,' and 'Artistic Conception.' I'll attack you with my saber. Do your best to evade with your movement technique, and you are not allowed to use Mental Power."

"Can I use my saber to block?"

Jiang Fang smiled faintly. "You can try."

Xu Feng drew his saber and used Mental Power to send the sheath onto the weapon rack.

He assumed a defensive stance, fully spreading his perception as he fixed his eyes on Jiang Fang. "I'm ready."

Jiang Fang's steps were light. Her Crimson Long Saber seemed to slash and stab at once as it attacked Xu Feng—it was precisely a move from the Nine Heavens Thunder Blade.

Xu Feng swung his saber to block, only to find that the strike had no substance behind it. He had expected this, and lightly shifted his body to evade the attack's direction.

Jiang Fang's saber flashed as she continued attacking. Xu Feng tried several times to block, yet he could not touch Jiang Fang's long saber at all.

He simply gave up blocking and focused entirely on evading with his movement technique.

Jiang Fang's attacks accelerated. The light of her Crimson Long Saber merged into a single mass, like a red mist, or a sea of flames. Xu Feng concentrated and dodged with all his might, his body flashing rapidly through the sea of fire like an afterimage.

The Crimson Long Saber grew faster and faster, its attacks more and more frequent, its saber light like a storm of flames. Xu Feng was like a drifting leaf within that storm, and evading became increasingly difficult.

At last, Xu Feng's evasion reached its limit. In an instant, the Crimson Long Saber struck several vital points in rapid succession.

Jiang Fang withdrew her saber and stepped back, nodding in satisfaction. "Your movement technique can be considered Perfect level. I already know how to arrange your training plan from here on."

"Your saber technique is only at the 'Mastery' level right now, so you need more intensive training. Starting tomorrow, come find me in the morning and afternoon to practice saber techniques. Arrange your own time for the Gravity Room."

"Sister Fang, see you tomorrow."