Qian Xunji's Guidance

"Cough, cough. It's nothing. I just thought of something. Don't mind me." Murong Huai waved his hand awkwardly.

Seeing this, Qian Xunji didn't press him. Instead, he said:

"Your name is Murong Huai. I'll call you Little Huai. Your teacher, Qian Daoliu, is my father, so just call me Senior Brother."

"Senior Brother." Murong Huai cupped his hands.

Qian Daoliu nodded, then continued:

"Little Huai, your teacher said you have outstanding talent in the sword arts, so he sent your Senior Brother here to guide you in practicing the Angel Sword Technique."

Hearing this, Murong Huai was pleasantly surprised. Although Qian Xunji would later prove no match for Tang Hao, he was still an out-and-out cultivation genius, a wielder of a god-level Martial Soul. Even if he was among the weaker ones, he was still one of the weaker members of the very top tier. Compared with everyone else, he was a powerhouse.

The tenth-ranked person might be last among the top ten, but compared with those who came after him, he was still a powerhouse. It was just that Qian Xunji only ever fought at the peak of his form. Tang Hao had beaten him into a severe injury, and in the end, Bibi Dong had killed him.

As a member of the Qian Family, Qian Xunji naturally excelled in the Angel Sword Technique. Although he couldn't compare with Qian Daoliu, he was more than capable of guiding Murong Huai at his current level.

"Now, I'll suppress my Soul Power to your level. Use the sword techniques you've comprehended so far and swing at me." Qian Xunji conjured a golden sword and spoke to Murong Huai.

Murong Huai nodded, then took a deep breath. The Immortal Lord Nine-Arrival Sword appeared in his hand, and an innate sharpness glimmered in his eyes.

Murong Huai charged forward, unleashing one basic sword move after another. His blade flashed coldly, but Qian Xunji didn't flinch. He stood still and casually swept his sword through the air, effortlessly dispelling Murong Huai's attack.

At this, Murong Huai continued pressing forward, swinging his sword again and again.

"Your sword is too soft!" Qian Xunji suddenly barked, cutting off Murong Huai's movements as he knocked the other's blade aside with a backhand strike. Murong Huai staggered backward, his hands stinging.

Qian Xunji advanced at an unhurried pace and lightly tapped Murong Huai's sword spine with a fingertip. A streak of golden light instantly flowed into the blade. It rang like a dragon's roar, sending ripples through the air. "Watch closely."

Qian Xunji called out and sprang into motion. His sword light spilled like a river of stars, every move wrapped in sacred power. Golden trails lingered in the air as his blade carved through it. Murong Huai's pupils contracted. Qian Xunji's sword moves were impossible to predict, now as mighty as thunder, now as gentle as a spring breeze, yet each concealed a deadly threat.

Murong Huai hurriedly raised his sword to block, but Qian Xunji's moves were too fast. His blade swept across Murong Huai several times. Of course, Qian Xunji held back, so he wouldn't truly injure him.

After a while, Qian Xunji forced him back, then stepped forward, his tone softening slightly. "The sword is an extension of the heart. If you fear failure, your sword will hesitate; if you crave glory, your sword will grow restless."

Qian Xunji's gaze was as bright as a torch as it swept over Murong Huai's tense shoulders. His voice rumbled like thunder:

"The Angel Sword Technique isn't a contest of strength. It's a reflection of the heart. You must first cut away distracting thoughts and let your sword resonate with your Soul Power.

Again!!!"

Hearing this, Murong Huai took a deep breath and gripped his sword anew. "Cut away distracting thoughts, let the sword resonate with Soul Power..."

This time, his movements were no longer stiff. His sword light flowed naturally, like water. It wasn't as mighty as Qian Xunji's, but it had begun to show a life of its own. Murong Huai leaped into the air, pointing his sword east. Beneath the midday sun, stars suddenly began to twinkle.

"—Morning Star Enlightenment!!!"

A golden arc of sword energy shot out at Qian Xunji, carrying a trace of sacred sword intent.

Qian Xunji gave a slight nod, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes. He raised his hand and unleashed Morning Star Enlightenment as well, shattering the incoming sword energy.

"Not bad. Remember, the essence of the Angel Sword Technique isn't conquest, but protection. The Angel's Sword protects humanity and slays evil."

Murong Huai nodded. The Morning Star Enlightenment move he'd just unleashed was far more powerful than it had been the day before. His improvement was tremendous.

Although Qian Xunji appeared perfectly calm, he was inwardly shocked.

What the hell? What kind of monster is this? I only had to mention it once, and he got it? How many times did Father have to beat me before I understood it? Some people die of thirst while others drown...

"Thank you for your guidance, Senior Brother." Murong Huai cupped his hands toward Qian Xunji.

Hearing this, Qian Xunji shook his head and said:

"Not bad. Father was right. You really do have exceptional talent in the sword arts, far surpassing what I had at your age."

"All right. I noticed a lot of problems with your basic sword moves just now. If left uncorrected, they'll cause serious flaws over time. Next, practice your swordsmanship, and I'll guide you through each move.

"Once we've corrected all the problems with your basic sword moves, I'll teach you the Angel Sword Technique."

"Sure. Sorry for the trouble, Senior Brother." Murong Huai nodded, then took the Immortal Lord Nine-Arrival Sword and went to an open space to practice his basic sword moves. Qian Xunji guided him from the side.

"Lower your stance a little more..."

"Raise your sword a bit. Keep it level with your shoulder..."

"Grip the sword firmly, or the enemy will just flick it and knock it from your hand!"

"Clear your mind when you swing, and your sword heart will become clear..."

"Again..."

"..."

With Qian Xunji's guidance, Murong Huai's swordsmanship improved rapidly. He had more or less mastered the basic sword moves, and there was now a certain poise to his swings.

Meanwhile, in the Worship Hall.

"Your subordinate pays his respects to the Grand Worship."

Qian Pocheng looked down at the handsome man in a blue-and-green robe and said:

"Azure Luan, how is the Engineering Department coming along with the warships?"

The man standing below was none other than the future Third Offering of the Worship Hall, Azure Luan Douluo. He was currently the Third Elder of the Elder Hall, with Soul Power at rank ninety-four. In terms of strength, he was below Murong Huai's grandmother, Xiao Qingmei.

Hearing Qian Pocheng's question, Azure Luan cupped his hands and replied:

"Reporting to the Grand Worship, the Engineering Department has built twenty large warships so far, each of which can carry five hundred people at a time. There are also eighty medium-sized warships, each able to carry one hundred people, as well as a number of small warships..."

Hearing Azure Luan's report, Qian Pocheng frowned. After thinking it over, he spoke sternly:

"That's not enough. It's still far from enough. We need at least fifty large warships, and more than three hundred medium-sized ones. Tell the Engineering Department to hurry up. I'll give them half a year at most. Whether they bring in more people or do whatever else they need to do...

"In short, all the warships must be ready within half a year, and their quality must be up to standard. If they can't do it, they can go to the Penalty Hall and accept their punishment!"

"Yes, Grand Worship!" Azure Luan replied hurriedly, hands cupped.

Qian Pocheng waved his hand. Azure Luan left the Worship Hall, and then the man seated in the second chair of the Worship Hall came into view. He was the Second Worship, a peak-level Douluo at rank ninety-seven, whose Martial Soul was the Star River Emperor Spear—the Emperor Spear Douluo.

"Big Brother, is time really that tight?" Xinghe asked Qian Pocheng with a grave expression.

Qian Pocheng nodded. "Yes. I can sense that person's strength is constantly increasing. His talent is formidable, and he's ambitious and selfish, with cruel methods. Once he breaks through, he'll defy everyone's objections, violate the rules, and ignite a war. We must strike first!"

Hearing Qian Pocheng's words, Xinghe nodded gravely as well and sighed:

"Alas, it's terrifying to think of someone like that breaking through..."