Zhang Su entered the Cultivation Room.
He had no idea that, in the elder's eyes, his evaluation had dropped several notches further.
But even if he had known, he would not have cared.
He had his own cultivation plan. Why should he care about what others thought?
Zhang Su carefully read through the Light Shadow Killing Sword.
The most important aspect of this sword technique was not speed, but observation.
He needed to observe the surrounding environment at all times.
By making use of his surroundings, he could make the sword technique even more powerful.
For instance, at night, he could use the cover of darkness to conceal the Light Shadow Killing Sword, leaving enemies unable to guard against it.
If it were daytime and the sun shone brightly, using the Light Shadow Killing Sword could even make people feel dazzled.
If they truly shut their eyes because of the glare, the consequences would be unthinkable.
The Light Shadow Killing Sword would instantly thrust forth, killing with a single strike!
The same applied to rain, forests, and so on.
All kinds of environments could "conceal" or "enhance" the Light Shadow Killing Sword.
That was what made the Light Shadow Killing Sword terrifying.
But at the same time, its difficulty was far too high.
For one person to master how every kind of environment could conceal or enhance the Light Shadow Killing Sword was simply too difficult.
Moreover, with only a 35% Compatibility Rate, Zhang Su could not cultivate it successfully.
However, Zhang Su still had eight Compatibility Points remaining.
Now, they came in handy.
The next moment, Zhang Su focused his mind and added seven Compatibility Points to the Light Shadow Killing Sword.
Immediately, the Light Shadow Killing Sword's Compatibility Rate soared.
"Light Shadow Killing Sword: Compatibility Rate 100% (Not Initiated)"
The Light Shadow Killing Sword's Compatibility Rate had directly reached 100%. Although he had not yet entered the Initiation Realm, when Zhang Su recalled the contents of the Light Shadow Killing Sword, he faintly felt an immensely powerful sense of familiarity.
Zhang Su almost subconsciously gripped the hilt of the Lengshuang Sword.
Clang.
The Lengshuang Sword left its sheath.
There were no sword shadows filling the sky.
There was not even a trace of light.
He could only vaguely feel a breeze brush against his face.
Then, the Lengshuang Sword instantly slashed down upon a table in the Cultivation Room.
Shhk.
The Lengshuang Sword was incredibly sharp.
With a single slash of its edge, it cut off a corner of the table in an instant.
Zhang Su's pupils suddenly contracted.
Just then, even he himself seemed not to have seen where the Lengshuang Sword had gone.
He had merely drawn his sword and slashed at the table.
Yet the result was that he had cut off one of its corners.
Fast!
It was simply too fast!
And it was not the kind of speed of the Nine Shadows Sword Technique, with sword shadows filling the air and making it impossible to distinguish reality from illusion.
It was the kind of speed that came silently, leaving one unable to guard against it.
"Light Shadow Killing Sword: Compatibility Rate 100% (Initiation Realm)"
Sure enough, the Light Shadow Killing Sword had entered the Initiation Realm.
Even the merely initiated Light Shadow Killing Sword was already so strange and impossible to guard against.
It truly deserved to be called a peerless sword technique.
It was indeed extraordinary.
Zhang Su continued practicing.
Once, twice, three times...
He did not know whether it was because of the 100% Compatibility Rate or something else.
As Zhang Su practiced the Light Shadow Killing Sword over and over, he unexpectedly found himself becoming increasingly immersed in a peculiar state.
It seemed that every time he practiced it, he gained something.
Perhaps this was the feeling of having divine aid after one's Compatibility Rate became high.
Two hours later, Zhang Su stopped.
He checked the information on the System Panel.
Host: Zhang Su Cultivation Base: Blood Qi Realm Ninth Layer Light Shadow Killing Sword: Compatibility Rate 100% (Minor Accomplishment Realm) Compatibility Points: 1
"So it has reached Minor Accomplishment..."
Only now did Zhang Su truly understand what it meant to have divine aid.
This was it!
A 100% Compatibility Rate was not merely like having divine aid.
It meant he would definitely reach the Perfected Realm!
It was only because the time had been too short.
If he practiced for a few more days, it would not be impossible for the Light Shadow Killing Sword to reach the Major Accomplishment Realm, or even the Perfected Realm.
But even though the Light Shadow Killing Sword was currently only at the Minor Accomplishment Realm, its power already surpassed every martial skill Zhang Su had cultivated before.
That was the true value of a "peerless sword technique."
Zhang Su had used up seven Compatibility Points for the Light Shadow Killing Sword.
Looking at it now, those seven Compatibility Points had been well spent!
Zhang Su did not remain in the Cultivation Room.
The Light Shadow Killing Sword had already reached Minor Accomplishment. Even with a 100% Compatibility Rate, it could not reach the Perfected Realm in just a few hours.
Zhang Su immediately rose and left the Cultivation Room, returning the Light Shadow Killing Sword manual to the Scripture Pavilion elder.
Afterward, Zhang Su headed straight for the Trading Hall.
He had to go down the mountain tomorrow.
He needed to prepare enough Blood Replenishing Pills. He could not delay his own cultivation.
Soon, Zhang Su arrived at the Trading Hall.
This trip down the mountain would take at least several days.
Zhang Su simply exchanged for forty Blood Replenishing Pills.
At a consumption rate of four Blood Replenishing Pills per day, that would last ten days. It was enough.
Forty Blood Replenishing Pills cost two thousand contribution points. Added to the one thousand contribution points for the Light Shadow Killing Sword—
Zhang Su had exchanged a full three thousand contribution points today.
Of the five thousand contribution points he had just received, only two thousand remained.
Although he had signed a Level-One Sponsorship Contract with the Gu Family.
Another five thousand taels of silver would be delivered next month.
But he consumed four Blood Replenishing Pills every day. That was one hundred and twenty pills a month, requiring six thousand contribution points, equivalent to six thousand taels of silver.
Even adding the five hundred taels of silver his eldest brother gave him each month, it was still not enough.
There was still a gap of five hundred taels.
When I go down the mountain tomorrow, I need to have a proper talk with Eldest Brother... I just wonder how he is doing in the Su Family now. That Su Bancheng is exceedingly shrewd. As a live-in son-in-law, how much of the Su Family's business can Eldest Brother truly control?
The image of his eldest brother appeared in Zhang Su's mind.
Yet he had not even returned for his eldest brother's wedding.
He knew nothing at all about his eldest brother's situation in the Su Family.
He could only learn the specifics after going down the mountain to the Su Family tomorrow.
Carrying the Blood Replenishing Pills, Zhang Su returned to his courtyard.
"Hm?"
The moment Zhang Su pushed open the door and entered the room, he saw Du Tian, Zhao Feng, and Chu Dachuan sitting there calmly, as though they had been waiting for him.
"Senior Brother."
The three immediately rose, their expressions full of respect.
Zhang Su entered the room, swept his gaze across the three of them, and said calmly, "Speak. What do you three want?"
The three exchanged glances.
In the end, Chu Dachuan carefully chose his words before asking, "Senior Brother, you're going down the mountain tomorrow?"
"Yes. I haven't seen Eldest Brother in a year. It's time to go back and see him."
The three had actually known already.
Chu Dachuan took a deep breath, then said softly, "Senior Brother, the three of us discussed it. There's really not much point in staying on the mountain. Why not let us follow you? If there are any errands to run, just leave them to us."
"You want to go down the mountain too?"
Zhang Su suddenly smiled.
The three of them had most likely seen that he had obtained the Gu Family's Level-One Sponsorship Contract.
He was about to soar into the sky.
They were desperately trying every possible way to "cling to a powerful thigh."
Looking at the expectant gazes of Chu Dachuan and the other two.
Zhang Su shook his head and said, "You are too weak. If you truly want to follow me, then practice martial arts properly during this time and strive to raise your Cultivation Bases as quickly as possible."
Disappointment appeared on their faces.
Indeed, within the sect, they were Outer Sect disciples and faced little danger.
But it was different once they went down the mountain.
Below the mountain, things were far from peaceful.
Though they were geniuses, they had only entered the Guiyuan Sect a year ago.
At most, they possessed the strength of the Blood Qi Realm Second or Third Layer.
With such strength, following Zhang Su would not only be no help, but would become a burden instead.
"Yes, Senior Brother. During this time, we will definitely practice martial arts properly..."
The three were somewhat dejected.
"Right. During this time, keep a close eye on the Top Ten Outer Sect Disciples and gather detailed information about them. When I return, perhaps I can contend for a place among the Top Ten Outer Sect Disciples!"
Zhang Su's words immediately brightened their expressions.
"Senior Brother, you want to challenge the Top Ten Outer Sect Disciples?"
Du Tian's voice trembled.
Those were the Top Ten Outer Sect Disciples.
The ten strongest among the Guiyuan Sect's tens of thousands of Outer Sect disciples!
Once Zhang Su rose into the ranks of the Top Ten Outer Sect Disciples, he would immediately become a prominent figure admired by countless people in the Guiyuan Sect.
Their own status would rise along with the tide.
This matter was simply too important!
"Senior Brother, rest assured. We will keep a death grip on the Top Ten Outer Sect Disciples, gather all their information, and await your return!"
Chu Dachuan and the other two spoke in unison.
"Good. Wait until I return to the mountain."
Zhang Su nodded.
During these few days down the mountain, his Blood Qi should be able to increase to around two hundred strands.
He would also strive to bring the Light Shadow Killing Sword to the Major Accomplishment Realm, or even the Perfected Realm.
When he returned to the mountain then, securing a spot among the Top Ten Outer Sect Disciples should not be a problem.
However, he would still have to wait until he returned before deciding based on the specific circumstances.
Before you continue