Devouring the Starry Sky: Cultivation Makes Me Stronger, Chapter 9

Zhuge Tao suggested, "Nine Heavens Thunder Blade is itself a secret manual that emphasizes bodily force generation. It really suits you. Especially with your current level of force generation, mastering the first two levels will be almost effortless. If you can master the Third Level within these two months, your chances of entering the Elite Training Camp will improve considerably."

Luo Shen nodded.

Although the hidden force generation method of Nine Heavens Thunder Blade was itself an incorrect path of development, it had to be said that, on Earth today, the best force-generation manual was Nine Heavens Thunder Blade.

It was indeed a good choice to use as a reference.

"Oh, right. There's one more thing."

As if he had suddenly remembered something, Zhuge Tao warned, "Whether ordinary martial artists or War God-level powerhouses, none of them rely solely on bitter training. They have all undergone the baptism of monsters in the Wilderness Area. Only through tempering in blood and fire can one truly become a powerhouse who commands respect in a region."

Zhuge Tao even used Luo Feng as an example.

First, Luo Shen and Luo Feng were fellow disciples, so they were close.

Second, Luo Feng's achievements were simply too astounding. Half a year ago, he had still been a novice just starting out. Half a year later, he had already become the famed 'Madman,' with the impressive record of hunting over ten thousand Beast Soldier level monsters in a single month.

"Supervisor, Senior Brother Luo Feng has already agreed to let me join the Fire Hammer Squad," Luo Shen said. "After I return from the Northern Military District and buy my manuals and equipment, I'll enter the Wilderness Area with them."

"The Fire Hammer Squad, huh? That's not bad either." Zhuge Tao smacked his lips.

He had originally planned to recommend Luo Shen to another Warlord-level squad, but the Fire Hammer Squad was no weaker now. Especially after Chen Gu, Wei Qing, and Wei Tie took Gene Potions, even the weakest among them had reached Warlord Level.

Most importantly, with Luo Feng there, he did not need to worry about Luo Shen being taken advantage of.

Before leaving.

Zhuge Tao said one last time, "Luo Shen, I think highly of you. For the next two months, focus on cultivating as hard as you can. If you run into any other trouble, just call me."

Luo Shen's lips moved slightly. He wanted to ask how far the other man's Angel Round Investment had progressed.

But in the end, he did not say it.

Late at night on January 1st.

On the first night after becoming an official martial artist, after a simple celebration, Luo Shen headed straight into the audiovisual room on the second floor.

After entering the website address, he was taken directly to Limitless Home.

The enormous screen on the wall of the audiovisual room first displayed Luo Shen's personal information, including the twenty million Huaxia Coin in startup funds promised in the Limitless Martial Arts Academy recruitment contract.

At the top of the webpage, one of the buttons was flashing—"You have two new emails."

His gaze flickered as he opened the mailbox.

The first email was from the Limitless Martial Arts Academy. It mainly gave a simple introduction to the functions of Limitless Home. Luo Shen merely skimmed it before closing it.

He opened the second email.

This email came from Zhuge Tao's personal assistant, a young woman in a black business suit.

"Hello, Mr. Luo Shen. I am Supervisor Zhuge's assistant. First, congratulations on passing the Martial Artist Practical Examination. Second, I have come to convey Supervisor Zhuge's message. The supervisor has instructed us to inform you that if you wish to purchase the Nine Heavens Thunder Blade manual, you may directly select the first four levels. You do not need to worry about the funds. The portion exceeding the fifty million Huaxia Coin promised in the martial arts academy contract will be directly paid on your behalf by the supervisor through the internal network."

It was a short video.

Yet a strange smile appeared on Luo Shen's face.

He had thought Zhuge Tao's Angel Round Investment skill package had gone missing. Instead, the man had quietly activated the skill, merely waiting for Luo Shen to discover it himself.

Luo Shen opened the online store and selected the manuals—saber manuals category.

He entered the Nine Heavens Thunder Blade page.

"Nine Heavens Thunder Blade," all nine levels—price: 100 billion Huaxia Coin (full price), 50 billion Huaxia Coin (half price, requirement: Four-Star Contribution Points)

"Nine Heavens Thunder Blade," first eight levels—price: 50 billion Huaxia Coin (full price), 25 billion Huaxia Coin (half price, requirement: Three-Star Contribution Points)

...

"Nine Heavens Thunder Blade," first four levels—price: 500 million Huaxia Coin (full price), 250 million Huaxia Coin (half price, requirement: Two-Star Contribution Points)

His gaze fell on the price for the first four levels.

Luo Shen could not help clicking his tongue. "Tsk, tsk. The first four levels of Nine Heavens Thunder Blade... Even though there's no Contribution Point requirement for the first purchase and it can be bought at half price, and even though the martial arts academy is covering fifty million of it, Zhuge Tao still has to pay two hundred million out of pocket!"

He had long heard of Zhuge Tao's bold Angel Round Investments, but he had not expected the man to directly fork out two hundred million.

Still, Luo Shen could only keep this favor in mind for now.

He would repay it when he had the chance in the future.

As for buying a manual, Zhuge Tao had already gone this far. Naturally, Luo Shen would no longer consider any other manuals. He lightly tapped the touchscreen. "Please confirm. Purchase the first four levels of Nine Heavens Thunder Blade for 250 million Huaxia Coin?"

"Confirm!" He moved the mouse and clicked confirm.

Then he placed his finger on the fingerprint scanner of the wireless keyboard and confirmed his fingerprint.

Purchase successful!

Payment successful!

The first four levels of the "Nine Heavens Thunder Blade" manual will be delivered to Mr. Luo Shen's home within twenty-four hours.

After purchasing the manual, Luo Shen browsed some of the more popular forum posts, such as 'Monster Encyclopedia,' 'Essential Wilderness Survival Guide,' 'Which Weapons and Combat Suits Offer the Best Value,' and '108 Ways to Die After Provoking a Beast General Monster.'

Although many of the posts were heavily padded, Luo Shen still found what he needed.

For equipment, following the descriptions in the posts, Luo Shen chose the Ghost Shadow Saber A6 model. For his combat suit, he chose the D5 Series. There was not much to choose when it came to things like backpacks and communication watches; one hundred thousand was enough to buy very good ones.

However, even though Luo Shen had only selected these four essential items for wilderness combat, his startup funds were basically spent.

That was still with Luo Feng helping him 'buy them on his behalf.'

Otherwise, at full price, they would have cost at least forty million. Luo Shen's twenty million was nowhere near enough.

Early the next morning, Limitless Home staff delivered the manual to Luo Shen's villa.

He confirmed receipt.

Luo Shen carried it directly into the training hall.

In terms of force amplification, Nine Heavens Thunder Blade was absolutely the best manual on Earth.

Although in terms of depth of realm, Hong's Annihilation was superior, spear training was not something that could be accomplished overnight. There was a saying: a month for the staff, a year for the saber, a lifetime for the spear, while the sword stays hidden at one's side. To master the spear, one had to put in grueling effort, measured in years.

But Luo Shen did not have much time now, so a saber, whose foundational realm could reach the point of being second nature, was naturally more suitable.

The Nine Heavens Thunder Blade manual contained the guidance technique Nine Heavens Origin, the movement technique Flowing Light, and the saber technique Thunder Blade. Among them, Nine Heavens Origin was the key to strengthening the body, while Flowing Light and Thunder Blade were combat techniques for fighting monsters.

He opened the first page of the Nine Heavens Thunder Blade manual.

"Fast!"

It was the most eye-catching word on the title page, and Luo Shen could feel saber light rushing toward him from it.

The preface described in full Thunder God's basis and theoretical foundation for creating Nine Heavens Thunder Blade. Luo Shen patiently read it word by word. He gained quite a few insights from the preface alone.

The First Level of Thunder Blade had eighteen saber forms, which Thunder God had casually created when he first developed Nine Heavens Thunder Blade.

Ordinary people learning Nine Heavens Thunder Blade could follow these eighteen saber forms, studying and familiarizing themselves with them repeatedly to comprehend the force-generation techniques of the First Level.

But even so, the Proficiency-level First Level of Nine Heavens Thunder Blade stumped many people.

There were quite a few people worldwide cultivating Nine Heavens Thunder Blade, but only a very small number truly reached Proficiency-level. Across the entire world, the only person to cultivate Nine Heavens Thunder Blade to the complete Ninth Level was Thunder God himself.

Luo Shen had originally wanted to try practicing these eighteen saber forms.

But he suddenly remembered that the weapons and equipment he had asked Luo Feng to buy had not yet arrived. Moreover, he lived alone and normally did not cook at home. Let alone a combat saber, there was not even a kitchen knife or fruit knife in the entire house.

So Luo Shen simply grabbed the manual and headed straight to Luo Feng's house across the street.

Luo Shen's sudden visit left Luo Feng somewhat confused.

After all, they had agreed to meet in the afternoon. They would first mourn the unfortunate fallen War God, Lu Gang, then gather together and introduce Luo Shen to the other Fire Hammer Squad members.

"Lend me your combat saber for a bit."

Luo Shen did not stand on ceremony and went directly into the training hall on the second floor.

Luo Feng followed him in.

He saw Luo Shen brandishing his newly purchased A6 Blood Shadow Saber, carving streaks of Cold Light through the air. Luo Feng was familiar with every move—it was precisely the eighteenth saber form of Nine Heavens Thunder Blade.

Luo Feng's eyes suddenly widened.

Puff! Puff!

After Luo Shen had originally slashed out with one strike, the instant his body still had strength to spare, a second wave of force erupted. His saber speed surged, and the gale screamed sharply.

The First Level of Nine Heavens Thunder Blade was complete!

Luo Feng's expression looked like this—!!!∑(?Д?ノ)ノ

He had painstakingly cultivated Nine Heavens Thunder Blade on his own all the way to this point, so he naturally understood the difficulty of cultivating this saber technique better than anyone. Back when he mastered the First Level of Nine Heavens Thunder Blade, luck had played no small part.

But now, watching Luo Shen cultivate Nine Heavens Thunder Blade was as easy as eating and drinking.

He had to admit it—he was jealous!