Completion of the Assessment

"Within two days?" The three of them were instantly startled.

"I told you, my brother's Blade Art had reached such a level—if he still hadn't broken through, that would make no sense." Liu Wensheng was quite proud.

The other two were also happy for Jiang Ping, but their expressions soon turned troubled. Sun Qi smiled bitterly and said,

"Doesn't that mean I won't be able to watch brother Jiang practice his saber in the days ahead?"

Jiang Ping's Nourishing Life Technique had already reached the fourth layer, and now his Blade Art was on the verge of a breakthrough. Before long, he would officially become an escort and begin traveling far and wide to earn silver.

Escorts would also have Single Houses of their own. From then on, he certainly would not be acting together with Pre-Escorts like them.

"Head Escort Liang went on a long journey and hasn't returned yet. Fang Yong hasn't even formally registered, so I'll have to wait for the Head Escort to return as well. You can still observe for a few more days."

Jiang Ping smiled as he spoke.

Ever since he had learned the Flying Snow Saber, he had always practiced his saber before others.

First, it was to verify the deductions in his mind and put them into practice with his body.

Second, he wanted everyone to more directly witness the progress of his Blade Art, so that he would not suddenly rise to fame with one astonishing feat and arouse suspicion.

However, as his Blade Art improved, though he had not displayed anything beyond Entry Level while practicing, he had, just as everyone imagined, begun to turn complexity into simplicity and return to an unadorned state.

That was because Jiang Ping's Blade Art had reached too high a level, one even Head Escort Liang Sheng had failed to attain.

Thus, his understanding of the Flying Snow Saber naturally differed from the Head Escort's. It was as though the patriarch who had created this Blade Art were demonstrating it anew, recreating its principles, allowing everyone to gain even more from watching his saber.

Of course, he was not afraid that Head Escort Liang would grow suspicious. The other man's level was insufficient; even someone capable enough could find no grounds for suspicion, since he had never displayed a level beyond Entry Level before others.

"A few days are but a drop in the bucket. We do not possess talent like brother Jiang's." Qian Dele also spoke, seeming somewhat melancholy.

"You're all close to Entry Level already. There's no need to rush." Jiang Ping said this, but he had no intention of personally guiding these people into Entry Level too quickly. That would draw far too much attention.

Two days flew by.

At the Training Ground, Fang Yong still drew most of the spectators whenever he practiced his saber. Once Blade Light appeared, who would not be dazzled by it and yearn for it?

Yet Jiang Ping's popularity while practicing his saber had also recovered somewhat. Some skilled practitioners had come to their senses and felt that this man's Blade Art pointed more directly to the essence.

Even Luo Tiegen shamelessly came over to sneak a look, having completely forgotten that he had looked down on Jiang Ping just days ago.

"Fang Yong's Blade Art is indeed advanced, but our levels are far below his. It is difficult to grasp the key when watching him practice. Jiang Ping's Blade Art is clearer to us, after all, since it is closer to our own level." Someone laughed. Though he admired Fang Yong more, Jiang Ping's Blade Art was the easiest to understand.

"Indeed." The people beside him all agreed.

At the very back, Luo Tiegen nodded slightly and secretly thought, We may be Brother Fang's people, but if I want to catch up to Brother Fang, I still need to watch Jiang Ping's Blade Art. After observing him for a while longer, I'll be able to catch up to Brother Fang too.

Buzz!

Just as they were praising him, a sudden change erupted in the field. A powerful Wind Force swept over them.

Then, everyone saw ten cold flashes appear and vanish at Jiang Ping's side, revealing a fierce sharpness.

"Entry Level! Jiang Ping's Flying Snow Saber has reached Entry Level!" Someone immediately cried out, disbelief written across his face.

"This one has reached Entry Level too!"

"I told you, how could he be inferior? Compared with Fang Yong, he is no less formidable."

The Training Ground was not large. News of Jiang Ping's Blade Art breakthrough swiftly spread throughout it and caused quite a stir.

Jiang Ping was surrounded by people offering congratulations. Even Liu Wensheng, his good brother, was squeezed out several times when he tried to approach.

Fang Yong was indeed a genius, and everyone tried to get close to him. But Jiang Ping was no worse, and he was approachable as well. Now that he was about to become an escort, he was someone worth befriending.

"After Fang Yong's Blade Art broke through, he demonstrated it for everyone and answered their questions. brother Jiang, could you do the same and offer everyone some guidance?"

At that moment, a voice came from the crowd. Upon hearing it, everyone expressed their agreement and began to anticipate it.

After all, they gained the most from watching this man practice his saber. If they could hear his insights from reaching Entry Level, they would surely gain even more.

"I really want to beat that thick-skinned fellow up." Liu Wensheng was furious. The one who had spoken was none other than Luo Tiegen.

That man had belittled Jiang Ping before, yet now he wanted Jiang Ping's guidance. Truly shameless.

"Certainly." Jiang Ping readily agreed.

It was not because his belly could hold a boat and he sincerely wished to guide those who had stepped on him before.

Rather, Fang Yong had done the same earlier, so he had to do it as well. Otherwise, he would seem too petty, and might leave a bad impression among the Escort Agency's higher-ups.

That was right—Jiang Ping did not actually care about these people's expectations. He only wanted a good reputation among the Head Escorts and escorts, because he needed to make a living at the Four Seas Escort Agency, not cater to the people before him.

Afterward.

A much-anticipated "Sabre Dao Discussion" was held, drawing everyone's attention.

Though Fang Yong was a genius, he could only be aggrievedly squeezed into a corner at this moment, getting a taste of being neglected.

Jiang Ping stood at the center of the Training Ground. Though he was doing this for the Escort Agency's higher-ups to see, he still answered everything he knew. He was even willing to answer Luo Tiegen's questions.

Naturally, though, he treated people differently. When those who usually respected him, such as Qian Dele or Sun Qi, asked questions, he explained in detail so they could fully understand.

But when facing questions from Luo Tiegen, Sun Zheng, and the others who had once stepped on him, he was rather perfunctory. He did not care whether they understood, and the more he spoke, the more mysterious and profound his explanations became.

Luo Tiegen naturally sensed it too. Asking was the same as not asking, and he could not help feeling stifled. Yet he did not dare question him.

This was Jiang Ping's righteous act of selflessly imparting Blade Art insights to everyone. If Luo Tiegen dared challenge him on the spot, he would surely provoke public anger and be drowned in everyone's spit.

Time flowed on, and the "Sabre Dao Convention" soon came to an end. Many people had benefited greatly, and they felt that Jiang Ping seemed to be even better at guiding others.

This made even more people change their minds and become more willing to watch him practice his saber.

However, the next day, everyone discovered that Jiang Ping no longer practiced his saber. He spent the entire day practicing the Nourishing Life Technique instead, making some people anxious.

Even Luo Tiegen grew somewhat impatient. He had fully realized that Jiang Ping's Blade Art made it easier for him to improve, yet this man no longer displayed it.

"brother Jiang, why are you no longer practicing your saber?" Someone could not help asking.

"Practice my ass."

Jiang Ping naturally would not say that. He smiled and said, "After my Blade Art reached Entry Level, I felt that another breakthrough would require a great deal of time. I might as well give myself a few days off and let my mind relax."

In truth, he had already displayed Entry Level Blade Art and completed the assessment. There was no need to practice his saber before others anymore.

"So that's how it is." Hearing this, everyone felt regretful.

Luo Tiegen could not help saying, "Now that you have reached Entry Level, you should all the more diligently practice your saber and break through to Minor Accomplishment."

Yet he was ignored, leaving him extremely awkward.

Jiang Ping did not even spare him a glance. He simply continued practicing the Nourishing Life Technique, thinking to himself,

For now, I only need to wait for the Head Escort's return before I can formally register as an escort. But the Head Escort has been away on an Escort Mission for far too long already—more than ten days.

Liang Sheng had accepted an Escort Mission on this long journey. It was said to be of utmost importance. Not only had Escort Huang gone with him, but even the Peak Seventh-Rank Martial Artist, the Chief Escort of the Escort Agency, had personally gone to oversee it.