Mid-grade Talent [Swordsmanship]

Spring Day Warm Sun.

Lu Changfeng rose early and practiced Mount Le's Wrathful Vajra once.

With Lu Changfeng's Grade A Bone Structure and his unbroken daily diligence, this Blood Tempering Realm cultivation method had gradually progressed from beginner mastery toward minor accomplishment.

After one round of cultivation, Lu Changfeng looked up and headed toward the Small Courtyard where his master, Zhang Desheng, was.

Zhang Desheng was slowly practicing a set of palm techniques in the Small Courtyard.

After age had caused his Qi and Blood to decline, he placed even greater emphasis on preserving his health and slowing the rate of that decline.

Martial Artists who reached this age no longer cared much for competing over superiority.

After all, every fight that injured the body would accelerate the decline of Qi and Blood and shorten one's Lifespan.

"Master." Lu Changfeng quietly waited until Zhang Desheng had finished practicing his palm technique before speaking.

Zhang Desheng concluded his practice and gestured for Lu Changfeng to sit beside the table.

"What brings you to see me today?"

Lu Changfeng scratched his head and said, "Master, my cultivation has more or less gotten on track. You always say I'm a genius, but how many geniuses are there in our Outer City? Where would I rank among them?"

The Copy Interface had updated today. Since Lu Changfeng wanted to find a target to copy, he had first come to sound Zhang Desheng out.

As the Head of the Changle Martial Arts School, Zhang Desheng had broad channels of information. Naturally, he knew far more than Lu Changfeng about the martial arts geniuses of the major Outer City factions.

Zhang Desheng took a puff and lit his tobacco pipe. "What, you've barely gotten on track, and already you want to compete for high and low?"

Lu Changfeng replied, "I wouldn't dare. I'm just a little curious."

"You seem to be the steady sort. I'll satisfy that curiosity of yours."

Zhang Desheng began to explain slowly.

"First, the publicly acknowledged number one genius among the major martial arts schools is Wei Xiong of the Changfeng Martial Arts School."

"Eighteen years old and already at Blood Tempering Fifth Level. He has a chance of reaching the Sixth Heaven at around twenty and completing Tendon Transformation!"

Martial Artists generally began cultivating at twelve or thirteen.

Starting cultivation at fifteen, like Lu Changfeng had, was actually two years late.

However, if Lu Changfeng proceeded step by step without mishap, he would reach Blood Tempering First Level in one month, Blood Tempering Second Level in half a year, Blood Tempering Third Level in one year, and Blood Tempering Fourth Level in three years. He should also have a great chance of completing Tendon Transformation before thirty.

After advancing to Tendon Transformation, Qi and Blood would no longer begin declining after thirty as it did for ordinary people. Instead, that decline would be delayed until around fifty or sixty, giving Martial Artists time to advance to the next stage.

"Then there are Ye Sheng of the Thunder Cloud Martial Arts School and Xiao Moran of the Dragon Walk Martial Arts School. Both are among the finest genius disciples."

Ye Sheng?

Lu Changfeng recalled that Youth whose bone structure he had copied at the Thunder Cloud Martial Arts School that day. The Gatekeeper Disciple beside him had seemed to address him as Senior Brother Ye Sheng.

That meant his own bone structure was now not much different from those two in the second tier.

"Besides that, the Outer City's three major gangs also have some outstanding disciples. But I have little contact with those gangs, so I don't know their true talents."

"Cultivate well. I'll prepare whatever resources you need. In a few years, you won't be inferior to them."

As he spoke, Zhang Desheng took out a small box and handed it over.

"Medicinal broths alone are still somewhat ineffective. This is Exotic Beast Meat I prepared for you. It can increase your cultivation speed. Eat one strip before training every day, and it will last you a month."

Lu Changfeng accepted the box. Inside lay thirty neatly arranged Meat Strips, somewhat like the salami he had often eaten in his previous life.

However, these Meat Strips came from an entire creature somewhere between a lizard and a snake. After being dehydrated, the areas around its two eye sockets looked stark white.

"Thank you, Master."

Carrying the box, Lu Changfeng returned to his bedroom.

"My current bone structure is sufficient. Today, I'll first copy Li Youtian's [Swordsmanship] talent, then find chances to copy other talents."

Lu Changfeng went straight to the Training Ground and found Li Youtian.

Li Youtian was practicing the Changle Palm Technique on the Training Ground, every move precise and proper.

But his bone structure was truly too poor. With Ding-grade talent, he had joined the martial arts school for three years and still had not reached Blood Tempering First Heaven.

Tuition Fees had to be paid once every six months. Fortunately, Li Youtian's family was wealthy enough to bear the expense.

"Li Youtian, your perseverance is quite admirable."

"Ah! It's Senior Brother Changfeng!" Li Youtian had not expected Lu Changfeng to take the initiative to greet an unnoticed nobody like him. Deeply honored, he quickly extended his hand and shook Lu Changfeng's.

Li Youtian was three years older than Lu Changfeng, but Lu Changfeng was a Personal Disciple. All Registered Disciples in the martial arts school had to address him as Senior Brother.

"Copy?"

"Copy his [Swordsmanship] talent for me!"

"Copy Success!"

After the interface notification appeared, Lu Changfeng did not experience the bodily sensation he had felt when his bone structure transformed last time. He would probably only be able to experience this talent's effects while practicing the sword.

Lu Changfeng looked at his current interface.

Name: Lu Changfeng

Bone Structure: Grade A Lower

Talent: [Swordsmanship] Mid-grade

A Mid-grade Talent was one level higher than his master Zhang Desheng's Low-grade Palm Technique Talent.

When Zhang Desheng had been young, he had made his name with his astonishing palm techniques.

If Lu Changfeng practiced the sword, just how terrifying would his combat strength become?

Another day, he would sound Master out and see whether he had any sword techniques available to learn.

Having made up his mind, Lu Changfeng patted Li Youtian on the shoulder. "Don't give up. Keep cultivating. One day, you'll achieve Blood Tempering Success!"

Li Youtian's thoughts of giving up martial arts truly faded away for the time being.

After copying Li Youtian's talent and giving him a shot in the arm, Lu Changfeng went to a corner of the Training Ground.

This was his exclusive training area.

"Let's try this Exotic Beast Meat."

Lu Changfeng took out the Exotic Beast Meat at his waist and swallowed it in a few bites.

"Hmm?"

The moment the Exotic Beast Meat entered his stomach, Lu Changfeng immediately felt something unusual.

Stimulated by the Exotic Beast Meat, the blood in his body began circulating at an unprecedented speed. Within moments, a drunken flush appeared on Lu Changfeng's face.

Lu Changfeng did not dare delay and began practicing Mount Le's Wrathful Vajra with all his strength.

Only after practicing three times in succession did Lu Changfeng stop.

"The effects are astounding. Not only has it extended my training time, it has also greatly improved the quality of my training."

"At this rate, I may not need half a year. In just three or four months, I'll be able to successfully advance to Blood Tempering Second Level!"

After doing some rough calculations, Lu Changfeng reached an astonishing conclusion.

Only then did Lu Changfeng realize how precious Exotic Beast Meat was.

There were probably only a few people in the entire martial arts school who could consume Exotic Beast Meat, much less receive it free from their master.

And indeed, apart from Lu Changfeng, the other three Personal Disciples all had to rely on their own funds if they wanted to consume Exotic Beast Meat.

Zhang Desheng was truly raising Lu Changfeng with care as his successor.

Lu Changfeng silently remembered Zhang Desheng's kindness.

Afternoon.

Most of the disciples had already left the martial arts school.

Lu Changfeng remained at the Training Ground, focused on practicing martial arts.

At that moment, the Gatekeeper Disciple came to report that someone had come looking for him.

Lu Changfeng froze slightly. Walking out of the martial arts school, he saw the visitor: a burly man with a face full of beard and a saber at his waist. It was Uncle Wen, Liu Jinwen, a constable serving in the Inner City!