Doran's Staff

After making arrangements for those who remained, we left one by one. We successfully eliminated a Vastaya, and even interrupted a teleportation spell, which will definitely serve as a deterrent to the enemy. •♫•♬• •♬•♫•

With the Vastaya hesitant to appear, we can focus on improving our strength, especially the newly joined Taliyah, Niko, and Nidalee, who urgently need to enhance their abilities.

Wukong was very surprised when he heard Taliyah call me master. Although he is now a disciple of the Sword Saint, he still has deep feelings for me, so he often talks to her.

Taliyah was naturally cheerful and very interested in this half-human, half-monkey creature. Niko, needless to say, was also interested; she and Wukong both came from Vastaya Forest, making them fellow countrymen.

Seeing that Nidalee was still sullen, I took the opportunity to chat with her for a bit, mainly telling her about Wukong's experiences.

Wukong's clan was killed by the Shadow Ninja, much like Nidalee's experience. Seeing how cheerful he is now, Nidalee is slowly integrating into his life.

On the way, I also talked to Fiora about Jergente. He didn't come to Ionia this time, but went back to continue forging Nullifying Weapon. I wonder how it's going.

It's springtime in the north now, but the Shadow Isles should be experiencing autumn. According to Lucian's research, the Shadow Isles undead should be moving soon.

Fiora plans to take advantage of her free time to return to Demacia, firstly to let her family and Tiana know she's safe, secondly to check on the weapon forging progress, and thirdly to have someone deliver it to Bilgewater.

Halfway through our journey, when we passed by the Wuju Swordsmanship, Yi prepared to take Wukong to see Elder Cheng Ren, so that his master could meet his grand-disciple.

Talon was also preparing to go over; Cheng Ren had saved his life, and there was no reason for him not to enter.

Since that's the case, I'll go take a look too. The Wuju Swordsmanship Wind Sword Sect have a deep connection, so it's only right that I pay them a visit.

Fiora was about to leave when she heard that a sword master nearby was also going to pay him a visit, and she didn't want to miss such an opportunity.

And so, we parted ways halfway. The others returned to Beiquan to continue their training, while we changed course and headed towards the Wuju Swordsmanship.

Many ancient sects in Ionia are quite famous, but they are generally small in scale, especially after the Noxus squad's raid, most of them have never recovered.

After the war, Elder Cheng Ren entrusted the sect to Yi and devoted himself to studying swordsmanship. Upon hearing of our arrival, he came out to greet us with a smile.

Cheng Ren, dressed in a green robe and holding a wooden sword, exudes an air of otherworldly elegance. Seeing this kind of old swordsman always reminds me of Souma.

Cheng Ren was very happy to hear that Yi had taken on a disciple. These ancient sword sects usually do not easily accept disciples; they only take on people who have both talent and good character.

Wukong's talent goes without saying; he learns everything quickly and is very focused. The Vastaya's straightforward nature also endears him to Cheng Ren. After chatting for a short while, he actually wanted to have a match with his grand-disciple!

"Come on, Wukong, let's exchange a few blows!"

"This..." Wukong looked at Yi, unsure if he could make a move.

"Go all out, Wukong! My master isn't so easily defeated."

"Okay! Grandpa, be careful!"

Wukong swung his sword and attacked Cheng Ren. Since I started training with the Sword Saint, I had never seen the results of his training, so I was truly surprised.

In just over a month, Wukong no longer looked like a beginner; his mastery of the Wuju Style Technique was both physical and spiritual.

Cheng Ren hadn't expected him to have learned to such an extent; in terms of mastering the moves alone, he was already on par with him, an elder!

Of course, if we only consider the contest and not actual combat, Wukong is no match for Cheng Ren.

This elderly swordsman was no longer strong, but his moves were even more refined and efficient, without a single superfluous movement, just like my last duel with Souma when I descended the mountain.

After a long battle, Cheng Ren gradually became breathless, while Wukong, with his superior stamina, remained at a disadvantage but did not lose.

At this moment, the Sword Saint intervened. His sword, like a phantom, separated Wukong and Cheng Ren's wooden swords almost simultaneously, without leaving any scratches.

"Excuse me, Master, Wukong! Let's stop this contest!"

"Hahaha, you're worried I'll lose, aren't you?"

"If you were a few years younger, I would never have this worry. Your physical condition is not suitable for prolonged combat now, so please be more careful in the future!"

"The Way of Wuji continues within me, but unfortunately I cannot fully grasp it. Otherwise, aging would be insignificant. However, I see hope in the two of you; given time, you will surely be able to fully understand it!"

Wukong was deeply moved and nodded repeatedly, indicating his intention to study even harder. The Sword Saint, however, pondered for a moment, then asked Cheng Ren:

"Master, you just had a match with Wukong. Did you notice anything special about him?"

"He's exceptionally talented, much like you. But what sets him apart is his incredibly even application of force, which caused me to expend more energy—a feeling I've never experienced before when fighting anyone else."

"Yes, that's exactly it!" The Sword Saint wholeheartedly agreed with Cheng Ren's statement.

The force was applied very evenly? Could it be Uniform Strength? I don't remember teaching Wukong to apply Uniform Strength when I taught him swordsmanship. Thinking of this, I decided to check.

I sparred with Wukong for a while, and wow, this kid's swordsmanship is just as good as mine! Of course, I wasn't there to determine a winner, I just wanted to confirm whether he was using Uniform Strength, and it turned out that he was!

Wukong was puzzled by this. He didn't understand how he had mastered the Uniform Strength. Since he hadn't learned it from me and Kled, he must have figured it out on his own.

Previously, he hadn't mastered the exquisite sword techniques, so he couldn't use them. Now, having learned the Wuju Style from the Sword Saint, he has unknowingly unleashed his own potential!

It's a pity Kled didn't come; otherwise, he would have been very surprised.

Cheng Ren watched Wukong for a while, then suddenly remembered something. He told us to wait where we were, and soon returned with a bronze-colored staff, handing it to Wukong.

"Here, child, this staff was forged by my good friend Master Doran when he was young. It was crafted by the same person as Yi's sword, so I'm entrusting it to you!"

"Huh? Grandpa, I'm learning the Wuju Style, why are you giving me a staff?"

"The Wuju Style is merely a martial art. Once you've mastered it, the weapon in your hand becomes less important. Your strength isn't particularly great, but it's even and powerful; a staff will better showcase its power!"

"Okay, I'll give it a try!"

Wukong took Doran's Staff and began to wield it. The moment he touched it, he felt something different. It lacked the elegance and unpredictability of a sword, but gained the power and ferocity of a staff.

Monkeys really do need a stick to look like monkeys!