Enemy Subdued with One Move!

"Ninefold Thunderclap Saber" contained nine layers of force. Each slash was fiercer and heavier than the last, building layer upon layer. At first, it was like spring thunder suddenly roaring; at the end, it resembled a thunderbolt from the Ninth Heaven.

With his hands behind his back, Cao Feng spoke slowly, "If cultivated to the utmost, a single slash can contain nine layers of force."

"Among martial artists of the same rank, no one would dare withstand it head-on!"

"How overbearing and mighty!" Chu Fan and Zhao Tianxing's eyes shone, their faces filled with longing.

Such formidable saber techniques could not be bought even with a fortune from the Seven Star Gang's Library Pavilion.

They had even heard that within the Cao Clan itself, those lacking sufficient talent were not qualified to cultivate this saber technique.

Although the two had yet to formally perform the ceremony of becoming disciples, Cao Shi had already sincerely regarded them as his Personal Disciples...

Such devotion to their cultivation was truly precious.

Cao Feng paid no attention to their expressions and continued speaking on his own. "Seven Stars Bead Cut" possessed a different kind of profundity. This saber technique emphasized speed above all else—seven slashes in succession, swift as a meteor.

"By the time the enemy felt the saber wind rushing toward their face, they would already be beheaded!"

"As for that 'Blood Soul Nine Swords'..."

At the mention of the Blood Saber Sect, Cao Feng's expression suddenly turned cold, and his tone was filled with disdain. "Those assorted scum from the Blood Saber Sect are all madmen. Their 'Blood Soul Nine Swords' has relied on drawing in Sha Qi for cultivation from the very beginning. It is utterly sinister."

"Sha Qi is such an evil thing that even Ranked Martial Artists turn pale at the mention of it. It can corrode flesh, blood, and bones, and it can even erode a person's mind!"

"Those who use 'Blood Soul Nine Swords' take the Sha Qi within their own bodies as a guide, drawing upon the Sha Qi between heaven and earth to attack their enemies. Even their sabers turn blood-red..."

"Such a fighting style usually means injuring the enemy by a thousand while suffering eight hundred wounds themselves."

"If you encounter people from the Blood Saber Sect in the future, either finish the fight quickly or keep as far away as possible. Otherwise, once Sha Qi invades your body, even wanting to die will be harder than climbing to heaven!"

Zhao Tianxing flashed a broad grin, a trace of smugness passing through his eyes. "If I run into them, the best method is to open up some distance and deal with them using archery!"

"Arrows pierce the sky, the natural bane of sinister sabers!" Cao Feng nodded approvingly, and his gaze held a little more recognition. "Archery is inherently a long-range attack method. When the sinister nature of 'Blood Soul Nine Swords' encounters your archery, it will have no chance to be used at all."

After a brief pause, his expression grew solemn once more, and he slowly said, "You cultivate the saber, yet enter the demonic path..."

"Those madmen are not even afraid of transforming into devils!"

Transformation?

Becoming a devil?

Chu Fan's heart stirred as he recalled the "Pollution Level" displayed on the panel, as well as the state of "Transform into a Devil" described in the Records of Demons and Devils.

Cao Feng did not continue explaining and changed the subject instead. "From now on, Tianxing, you should focus on 'Moon Eclipse Arrow', with 'Ninefold Thunderclap Saber' and 'Twelve Forms Boxing' as supplementary techniques."

"As for you, Chu Fan, focus on 'Ninefold Thunderclap Saber', with 'Twelve Forms Boxing' as your supplementary technique."

"The two of you must work harder than before."

"Yes!" Chu Fan and Zhao Tianxing answered in unison, their expressions solemn as they dared not slacken in the slightest.

Cao Feng gave them a few more instructions regarding cultivation before leisurely rising and leaving.

Chu Fan had originally wanted to ask about the whereabouts of the original "Ninefold Thunderclap Saber" manual, or perhaps take the opportunity to touch Cao Feng's saber and obtain his experience cultivating this saber technique.

But after reconsidering, Cao Shi had clearly already decided to personally teach them one move at a time. Under such circumstances, consuming Spiritual Essence seemed unnecessary, so he abandoned the thought.

Spiritual Essence was ultimately better saved in greater quantities.

Refining the Demon Suppression Stele required one thousand five hundred points of Spiritual Essence. With his current reserves, he truly had no idea how many years it would take to save enough.

Chu Fan thought of Li Qingxue's "Seven Stars Bead Cut".

He now had thirty-two points of Spiritual Essence.

If he was willing, he could consider refining Li Qingxue's "Cold Moon Solitary Shadow Saber" and use it to comprehend "Seven Stars Bead Cut".

But then he reconsidered. Since he had already decided to learn "Ninefold Thunderclap Saber", would dividing his attention to study "Seven Stars Bead Cut" leave him trying to chew more than he could swallow?

All martial arts were unbreakable except by speed; nothing could withstand speed...

When his "Chopping Wood Saber Technique" had undergone its First Break Limit, the characteristic he had gained was "Knife Fast as the Wind."

If such a characteristic were combined with a fast-saber technique, would that not make speed even faster?

When the time came, he would be able to kill martial artists whose cultivation surpassed his own in the shortest possible time!

Chu Fan was deeply conflicted and found it difficult to make a decision.

He returned to his room, took out the "Ninefold Thunderclap Saber" manual, and began reading it carefully.

Time slipped quietly away...

[Literacy Technique Experience +1]

[This reading increased Literacy Technique Experience by a total of twenty-three points]

[Skill: Literacy Technique (Major Accomplishment) Progress: (327/500) (Characteristic: None)]

[Skill: Ninefold Thunderclap Saber (Not Yet Entered) Progress: (0/10) (Characteristic: None)]

After reading through the saber manual several times, Chu Fan had firmly memorized its contents.

Although he had not yet achieved Photographic memory, he was not far from it.

His memory was now far stronger than it had been before he unlocked the Literacy Technique skill.

Once this skill broke through to Perfection, he might truly be able to achieve Photographic memory.

Feeling that much of his strength had recovered, Chu Fan put down the saber manual, rose, and walked into the courtyard to cultivate "Twelve Forms Boxing."

On the other side, Zhao Tianxing heard the commotion and shot out like a monkey, his face full of excitement. "Chu Fan, let's spar!"

"I want to see just how powerful the Twelve Forms are after reaching Minor Accomplishment in all of them!"

Then you are probably going to be disappointed. I have already reached Major Accomplishment in all Twelve Forms... Chu Fan raised an eyebrow and thought to himself.

He also felt a stir of anticipation.

Earlier, when his Twelve Forms Boxing had only reached Minor Accomplishment, he had believed himself no match for Zhao Tianxing.

After all, his Qi and Blood Force had been far inferior to Zhao Tianxing's at the time.

Moreover, Zhao Tianxing had fought wild beasts since childhood. How could his experience in life-and-death combat possibly be compared to that of someone who had only just begun learning martial arts?

But things were different now. His Twelve Forms Boxing had already reached Major Accomplishment...

According to Cao Shi, Major Accomplishment in a single Form was comparable to the Blood Nourishment realm!

Then what about Major Accomplishment in all Twelve Forms...

Even though he had not truly broken through to Blood Nourishment, and even though he had only condensed the first wisp of Qi and Blood Force within his body, he should still be able to press the head of an ordinary Blood Nourishment martial artist against the ground and grind it back and forth!

And the Zhao Tianxing before him...

His actual combat experience and the toughness of his muscles and bones were both above those of an ordinary Blood Nourishment martial artist!

He was the most suitable opponent for Chu Fan!

"Let's make this clear beforehand..."

Chu Fan said, "This is an actual combat spar, solely for the sake of mutual improvement. Don't get carried away and hurt our brotherly bond."

"How could that happen!" Zhao Tianxing waved his hand freely, completely unconcerned. "You and I are brothers... even if you beat me black and blue, I still wouldn't say a single bad word about you!"

The two stood facing each other and simultaneously assumed the opening stance of Twelve Forms Boxing in the courtyard.

Winter sunlight poured down, radiating warmth and dispelling some of the chill.

Both of them stood motionless where they were.

The courtyard fell silent for a moment.

Zhao Tianxing changed his opening stance, holding both hands beneath his forehead like a tiger gathering strength and waiting to pounce.

At the same time, he stepped his right foot backward, bracing it against the ground like a spring, as though he would pounce forward like a fierce tiger the very next moment!

"Tiger Holds Head Before Pouncing"...

This was the key to Tiger Form Fist. Before pouncing on its prey, a tiger first contracted its body and drew in its legs, using the force of its rear leg and the unfolding of its waist so that when it lunged forward, it could leap high and far with tremendous force, leaving its prey no chance to escape.

Zhao Tianxing's Tiger Form had already reached Minor Accomplishment.

This Tiger Form opening could be considered steady and orthodox, without any obvious flaws.

But in Chu Fan's eyes, this opening stance had become the greatest flaw of all!

The reason was simple...

He also cultivated Twelve Forms Boxing, and had already reached Major Accomplishment in all Twelve Forms!

The instant Zhao Tianxing made this move, Chu Fan had already seen through the direction of the moves that would follow from this guard.

"Ha!"

With a sudden low shout, Zhao Tianxing borrowed the force of his rear leg and lunged toward Chu Fan like a fierce tiger!

A tiger possessed the courage to pounce on its prey, leaping across mountains and ravines with extraordinary ferocity!

At the critical moment!

Chu Fan advanced instead of retreating, stepped into the center line, and threw a punch like an arrow. A Bear Form Chop Fist slammed heavily into Zhao Tianxing's chest!

"Bang!"

With a muffled thud, Zhao Tianxing fell backward and crashed heavily onto the ground!

"Ow... ow..."

Clutching his chest, Zhao Tianxing climbed to his feet while groaning, his eyes filled with disbelief. "How could this happen?!"

"My Tiger Form has also reached Minor Accomplishment!"

"Why couldn't my Minor Accomplishment Tiger Form even block your Bear Form Chop Fist?"

"How can you calculate it that way?" Chu Fan gently shook his head and explained, "The traces of your moves are far too obvious..."

"What do you mean?" Zhao Tianxing patted the dirt from his clothes and pressed on.

Although Chu Fan had defeated him with one move, he did not mind in the slightest. Instead, he wore an earnest expression, humbly seeking instruction.