Flying Snow Saber: Beginner

"Brother Jiang was actually still awake, practicing his saber."

The moment Luo Tiegen returned to the dormitory, he could not help but ask Jiang Ping after his well-being.

But Jiang Ping disliked this person and merely gave him a cold reply before ignoring him.

Knowing that his warm face had been pressed against a cold backside, Luo Tiegen returned to his own bed as well.

Before long, Sun Zheng and Qian Dele returned after finishing their practice.

Sun Zheng lowered his head and returned to his bunk. Compared with yesterday's arrogant swagger, he had wilted today and become exceptionally quiet.

Clearly, the strength Jiang Ping had displayed at the second level had intimidated him, making him timid enough that he did not even dare meet Jiang Ping's eyes.

When the two of them took their towels outside to wash up, Luo Da Niu and the others immediately burst into laughter.

"He softened up just like that. The kind who bullies the weak and fears the strong—a complete coward."

"Exactly. Good thing Brother Jiang is so capable and managed to suppress him, or who knew how much trouble there would have been?" one roommate said with a smile, flattering Jiang Ping in the process.

Jiang Ping smiled but said nothing. He was clear-headed and understood that once one had strength, everyone around them became a good person.

Then he shook his head slightly, lay on his bed, and continued pondering the Flying Snow Saber Technique.

The next morning.

After everyone practiced the Nourishing Life Technique for a while, Head Escort Liang Sheng continued teaching them the forms and tricks of the Flying Snow Saber.

Although Jiang Ping had constantly been comprehending the saber in his heart, he no longer made any mistakes while following the head escort's demonstrations.

Bzz! Bzz!

Yet while they were still breaking down each move in slow motion, low hums came from nearby.

Fang Yong's blade moved like drifting clouds and flowing water, incredibly fast, and every swing carried an inexplicable sharpness.

He looked like a seasoned saber practitioner of many years displaying a terrifying Blade Art.

Sun Qi's expression darkened slightly at the sight. Yesterday, he had still met Fang Yong's gaze and secretly competed with him. Yet after just one day, Fang Yong's saber had already become skilled and fluid, while he still had to practice again and again and even needed Escort Huang to resolve his doubts.

The gap between them seemed to be gradually revealing itself.

"Not bad. This younger generation has great talent in Blade Art." Escort Huang praised him, revealing a satisfied smile as he thought, From what I've seen during this period, Fang Yong's talent should be the most outstanding. In the future, he may leave everyone else far behind.

"He really is impressive." Jiang Ping gave sincere praise after glancing over a few times.

Fang Yong's talent truly was not bad. From the beginning, when he could rapidly enter the Nourishing Life Technique after consuming just one serving of nutritious food like Jiang Ping, to later catching up with Sun Qi, who ate three servings of nutritious food, and now to the comprehension he displayed in Blade Art—

All of it showed his talent in the Martial Dao.

And to Jiang Ping, this was also good news.

Because as long as Fang Yong reached the fourth level of the Nourishing Life Technique and quickly entered the gate of Blade Art, Jiang Ping could follow close behind and rightfully become an escort early in the position of "number two."

"Jiang Ping, you need to work harder too. In your free time, you can discuss Blade Art with Fang Yong."

Escort Huang suddenly said to Jiang Ping.

Of the younger generation he thought highly of, this youngster's Blade Art looked the worst. Even now, he still seemed muddle-headed.

"Mm." Jiang Ping rubbed his nose and softly grunted.

He had already been working very hard, all right?

[Flying Snow Saber: Beginner (253/300)]

My Flying Snow Saber is already close to producing Blade Light. Jiang Ping glanced at his Destiny and thought.

That afternoon.

Seeing that the Flying Snow Saber was getting closer and closer to the beginner stage, Jiang Ping could no longer spare attention for the Nourishing Life Technique. He saved some strength and returned to the dormitory early.

Standing on the ground, he wielded his Wooden Blade while repeatedly recalling the head escort's Flying Snow Saber in his mind, comprehending it bit by bit.

At a certain moment.

[Flying Snow Saber: Minor Accomplishment (0/600): Practice a hundred times daily, and mastery will come in three years!]

Destiny is still doing its usual work, but I'm a genius.

Jiang Ping looked at Destiny's description of the Flying Snow Saber at Minor Accomplishment and could not help shaking his head.

Then he went outside the dormitory. After confirming that no one was around, he finally found an open space and freely experienced the beginner-level Flying Snow Saber.

He stood with his feet together, his Right Hand gripping the Wooden Blade horizontally before his chest, his Left Hand hanging naturally at his side. He looked straight ahead, his body upright and his bearing steady.

The Flying Snow Saber was a Fast Saber, so from the opening stance to drawing the blade, its wielder had to slash with the speed of thunder before one could cover one's ears.

"Whew~"

Jiang Ping took a deep breath, then moved.

His Right Foot swiftly stepped forward in a large stride, forming a right bow stance. At the same time, the blade in his hand instantly cleaved down in a magnificent strike from above. Intense Wind Force tore through the air, producing wave after wave of low hums.

Immediately after, he turned his wrist and slashed upward with another fierce strike.

The blade wind howled, stirring the surrounding air into rings of spinning vortices and giving off a powerful sense of motion.

His movements flowed like drifting clouds and running water. The second strike had barely finished when the third was already on its way, followed by the fourth and fifth. His Blade Art grew increasingly fierce as Wind Force raged.

Jiang Ping's breathing intertwined with the blade wind, forming a unique rhythm, as though he were holding a silent conversation with the saber.

He immersed himself in the performance of the Blade Art, moving faster and faster until the blade's trajectory could no longer be caught.

At one moment, streaks of white light appeared from thin air, like a sudden flash of cold brilliance, carrying a bone-piercing chill.

Blade Light!

Ten icy Blade Lights hung in the air. Jiang Ping glanced at them from the corner of his eye and felt as though he shared some sort of connection with them.

The next moment, as his Wooden Blade pointed forward, those icy lights instantly slashed in that direction, only to abruptly dissipate halfway there.

"As expected, the attack range of Blade Light is only two or three chi." Jiang Ping stopped and muttered.

Blade Light was incredibly fierce, the embodiment of Blade Art's ultimate peak, but it also had its limitations: its range was short, and its threat limited.

Blade Qi! Jiang Ping instantly thought of the higher realm beyond the ultimate peak of Blade Art—the Blade Qi Domain.

That was the terrifying symbol of the Blade Art realm, and it suited his pursuit of Martial Dao techniques. Rather than risk himself in close combat, he preferred killing from a hundred meters away. If he could not win, he could still run.

But it'll be soon. I entered the gate of the Flying Snow Saber in just over a day. With my talent, mastering Blade Qi is not far off.

When the time comes, choosing an Escort Mission will give me a little more confidence.

Jiang Ping secretly began looking forward to it.