At six in the morning, the sound of blades slicing through the air rang out right on time in the courtyard of Jiangnan Pavilion.
This was Lin Yun's third day at the Elite Training Camp. He had more or less adapted to the routine here—getting up at five every morning, practicing his blade in the courtyard for an hour, then eating breakfast. In the morning, he studied various instructional materials and combat footage in the Data Room. In the afternoon, he attended blade technique and movement technique classes, and in the evening, he trained in the Gravity Chamber.
His days were packed with activities, not a moment wasted.
"Lin Yun, your Basic Blade Technique is coming along well." Ning Yan stood in the center of the training room with his arms crossed, his gaze sharp as a blade. "But you're still a ways off from Specialization."
"Specialization?" Lin Yun asked, puzzled.
Ning Yan took a training blade from the weapon rack and casually spun it in his hand. The blade traced a clean, crisp silver arc through the air, without a single unnecessary movement.
"Blade technique has four levels: Basic, Specialization, Perfection, and Conception." Ning Yan's voice was steady and firm. "Basic means you can swing the blade, chop and thrust with it, and perform the movements correctly without making beginner's mistakes. Specialization means you've reached a new level of understanding. Every movement is precise, with your strength, speed, and angle all just right. Not a bit of effort is wasted."
He paused, then continued, "Perfection means your blade technique has become instinctive. You don't need to think; your body makes the right response on its own. At that level, every move flows like water, leaving no trace. And Conception... that's a higher level still. When you reach it, your