Gal Martial Saint

"With my current body, it's still too difficult to perfectly bring out the true essence of the Huiyuan Sword Art."

As he spoke, he turned his head to glance at the pile of unused Body Refining Potion beside him, a bitter smile appearing on his face.

"Originally, I'd planned to use the Body Refining Technique to first raise my physical strength, so I could better wield the Sword Intent of the Huiyuan Sword Art. But... was I still thinking too simply?"

His vivid performance produced immediate results.

[The Huiyuan Sword Art heard your innermost thoughts. It suddenly understood.]

[So, the reason you had neglected it was so that you could possess it even better.]

[It felt that its suspicions just now had truly been inexcusable.]

[It was somewhat touched, and somewhat guilty.]

[Huiyuan Sword Art Favorability +5]

[Current Favorability: Friendly (50/100)]

Watching the Favorability rise, Gu Chengming restrained himself from making an "As Planned" expression.

What did it mean to be a Gal master? (Tactically leans back.)

Chapter 10: Fuhai

[The Clear Heart Art watched your performance.]

[Though it felt your acting was somewhat exaggerated, it had to admit that this tactic of advancing by retreating had been executed beautifully.]

[Its interest in you increased by another point. It was greatly looking forward to seeing whether this backyard-on-fire drama would still be so easily quelled once you truly entered the door of Hundred Bones Cry.]

[Clear Heart Art Favorability +1]

Gu Chengming's mouth twitched slightly.

At least it had gained a bit of Favorability. It wasn't a loss.

But on the other side, the cultivation results of Hundred Bones Cry could only be described as hard to put into words.

Gu Chengming had thought this "gold-devouring beast" merely had a large appetite. He hadn't expected it to digest so slowly too.

Fortunately, although this technique was difficult to enter, it wasn't a dead end that simply couldn't be cultivated at all.

Every cultivation session consumed an enormous amount of Qi and Blood, but the exhilarating ache after his muscles tore, as well as the faint sensation of tightness when he woke the next morning, both proved that it was indeed working.

Even if it was only the tiniest, most negligible bit.

Thus, Gu Chengming decided that from then on, he would attempt to enter Hundred Bones Cry once each day, spending the rest of his time cultivating the Huiyuan Sword Art.

And so, several days passed in a calm yet fulfilling manner.

Until one afternoon, Junior Brother Jiang Lu, whom he had not seen for quite some time, paid him another visit.

This time, Jiang Lu was noticeably more reserved than during his previous visit.

He stood at the Courtyard Gate, solemnly straightened his robes and appearance, then knocked on the gate.

The moment he saw Gu Chengming emerge, he immediately cupped his hands and clasped his fists, bowing deeply.

"Senior Brother Gu, I hope you have been well. After parting from you last time, this Junior Brother went back and reflected carefully, and indeed benefited greatly. I have come today specifically to thank you, Senior Brother."

By now, Jiang Lu had long since put away the faint, nearly imperceptible contempt he had held when they first met.

After all, in terms of swordsmanship alone, Senior Brother Gu's "entangling" Sword Intent truly earned Jiang Lu's wholehearted acknowledgment of him as "Senior Brother."

The two exchanged pleasantries as they entered the courtyard and sat down beside the Stone Table.

The moment Jiang Lu sat down, his gaze was drawn to the bottles of medicinal pills arranged on the Stone Table behind Gu Chengming.

Though those Jade Bottles were merely standard-issue items from the sect, there were so many of them stacked together that they made for quite a visual impact.

"Senior Brother, these are...?"

Jiang Lu asked hesitantly, clearly recognizing them as cultivation resources.

Following his gaze, Gu Chengming casually waved a hand in explanation.

"Oh, these? I collected them from the Sword Repository Pavilion the day before yesterday."

Jiang Lu clicked his tongue in amazement. He made a rough estimate—there had to be dozens of bottles, right?

After hesitating, he asked, "These are... how many years' worth?"

There was no way these could be Gu Chengming's resources for a single month.

There were simply too many. Jiang Lu suspected that even all the cultivation resources he had received over the past half year might not add up to this much.

Gu Chengming said blandly, "One year."

"?"

A huge question mark slowly appeared above Jiang Lu's head.

One year?

Though he did not say so outright, Gu Chengming saw the puzzled look on his face and more or less guessed what he was confused about.

So he gave a simple explanation, saying that for various reasons, he had never gone to collect them before. This time, he had collected the entire year's accumulated share in one go.

When Jiang Lu learned that Senior Brother Gu had been in the sect for three years and this was actually his first time going to the Sword Repository Pavilion to collect medicinal pills, his confusion not only remained—it deepened.

What did it mean to enter the sect for three years without collecting a single resource?

The look in Jiang Lu's eyes as he regarded Gu Chengming grew even stranger.

Before, he had been unable to understand why Senior Brother Gu's swordsmanship had clearly surpassed his own, yet his cultivation remained stuck at the pitiful First Realm Level Three.

Now, he understood.

So for the past three years, this senior brother had not used a single cultivation resource!

He had relied solely on his own talent and bitter training to painstakingly temper his Sword Intent?

All his earlier conjectures seemed to receive some sort of confirmation at that moment, becoming ever clearer.

A hidden dragon lurking in the abyss, concealing his sword for three years—silent until he cried out and stunned the world?

Was today finally the day he would draw his sword?

The more Jiang Lu thought about it, the more excited he became. His mind had already automatically filled in a three-hundred-thousand-word ■ Breaking the Heavens storybook.

The way he looked at Senior Brother Gu now held not only the admiration from before, but several degrees more of deep reverence and worship.

Gu Chengming felt his scalp prickle under that burning gaze. Without betraying a hint of it, he shifted his backside slightly farther away and broke the silence. "Junior Brother Jiang, did you come to see me today because something important has happened?"

Only when the other party brought up serious business did Jiang Lu snap back to his senses. He gathered his scattered thoughts and said, "On one hand, I came to thank Senior Brother Gu for your guidance last time. On the other, I wanted to show Senior Brother Gu what I have gained from my recent reflections."

Ever since Gu Chengming's last sword strike had "crushed" him, Jiang Lu had returned and gone into seclusion to ponder hard. He repeatedly broke down and examined Gu Chengming's final strike, and only recently had he gained some insight, creating a new sword technique.

Gu Chengming smiled. "So, are you here to have another spar?"

At those words, Jiang Lu's breath caught, and embarrassment colored his face.

He hurriedly waved his hands. "Well... let's forget about sparring. We can talk about it another day, when there's a chance."

After all, the experience of being "overwhelmingly crushed in every respect" by Gu Chengming last time had truly been rather discouraging.

Although he had come prepared this time and had indeed gained something, what if... what if he lost again? The tiny bit of confidence he had just built up would probably shatter into dust. That would truly damage his Dao Heart.

The two chatted for a few more sentences, and the atmosphere gradually warmed.

Jiang Lu suddenly rose to his feet, walked to the center of the courtyard, and drew the sword at his waist. His expression became extraordinarily solemn.

"Senior Brother Gu, watch this sword of mine closely."

As soon as the words fell, Jiang Lu's aura abruptly changed.

With a flick of his wrist, his longsword gave a clear, ringing Sword Hum.

The opening stance was utterly unremarkable.

But immediately after, Sword Light flashed like a breeze brushing across water, sending ripples spreading layer upon layer.

Then came the second sword, close on its heels. Its Sword Momentum surged like the rising tide, each wave higher than the last.

The third sword, the fourth sword...

Jiang Lu's figure shifted and darted through the courtyard, Sword Light weaving in dense, overlapping layers. Every sword he swung was heavier, faster, and fiercer than the one before.

It was like the sea at flood tide: at first, only small waves lapped against the shore, but gradually, the billows became turbulent, and monstrous waves towered to the heavens.

Until the final sword descended.

"Ha!"

Jiang Lu gave a low shout, and his longsword came crashing down with a force like mountains being shoved aside and seas overturned.

Boom!

The air in the courtyard seemed to be split apart by that sword, erupting with a dull explosive blast.

The fallen leaves on the ground were swept up by the sword wind, like waves caught in a raging gale, howling as they scattered in every direction.

Its momentum spent in full, as though overturning the sea.

Gu Chengming sat beside the Stone Table, watching the scene as a thoughtful gleam flashed through his eyes.

He gave a light clap and praised, "A fine sword."

Jiang Lu sheathed his sword and stood still, his chest rising and falling slightly, a faint flush on his face. Hearing Gu Chengming's praise, he scratched his head somewhat sheepishly and said, "Senior Brother overpraises me."

Yet though he spoke modestly, he was still quite pleased with himself inside.

After all, this sword was his proud creation, forged from days of bitter thought and his own insights.

With considerable enthusiasm, he introduced it, "This sword is called the Raging Waves Overturning Sea Style. It was created by this junior brother after many days of deep contemplation."

Then, in an exceedingly casual tone, he said:

"Before coming here, I'd already sparred with several senior brothers of slightly higher realms using this move. By a stroke of luck, I won a few exchanges. Even several Elders from Huiyuan Gate said, after seeing it, that this sword move was quite impressive and carried something of a master's bearing."

Creating one's own sword move was rare even within Wenjian Sect.

If this sword move were submitted to the sect, then after being evaluated by the Elders, it might even be exchanged for a large number of contribution points and resources.

Yet judging by Jiang Lu's manner, he seemed to have no intention of doing so.

Sure enough, the next moment, Jiang Lu looked at Gu Chengming and said with sincere eyes:

"If Senior Brother Gu wishes to learn it, this junior brother is willing to teach you everything I know."

Truthfully, this was a deeply loyal gesture. In this cultivation world, Cultivation Methods were resources. For something like a self-created sword move, if others wished to learn it—even fellow disciples—they would often have to pay a hefty "friendship fee" or owe a favor.

Even submitting it to the sect in exchange for resources would bring no small fortune.

Yet Jiang Lu was willing to teach it to Gu Chengming for free. It was clear that he was genuinely grateful for Gu Chengming's earlier guidance and truly admired this senior brother.

Hearing this, Gu Chengming's heart stirred slightly, but in the end, he still shook his head and smiled. "No need."

At those words, Jiang Lu was the one who froze.

Growing somewhat anxious, he thought Gu Chengming had simply looked down on the sword move and hurriedly explained:

"Senior Brother, don't underestimate this sword art. Though it was created by this junior brother and is somewhat rough around the edges, its explosive power is extremely strong. If used properly..."

"Junior Brother Jiang, you misunderstand."

Gu Chengming cut him off. He slowly rose to his feet and casually picked up the Wooden Sword resting beside the Stone Table.

"It isn't that I look down on this sword move."

As he spoke, he walked toward the center of the courtyard.

"It's just..."

Before his words had even faded, Gu Chengming suddenly moved.

His opening stance was exactly the same as Jiang Lu's just now.