Volume Two: Heroes of Might and Magic: The Death Battle, Chapter 100: Apprenticeship and Training Mission (Part 1)
It was only one courtyard away from the renowned Rainbow Escort Agency, but its scale was much larger.
The main courtyard was paved with fine bluestone, and a giant sword carved from bluestone stood inside, a full five meters tall, visible from a distance. Li Wei thought to himself, "How extravagant!"
Looking at the Heavenly Sword Sect now, it truly exudes the aura of a prestigious sect, seemingly much stronger than in the game. Li Wei had initially underestimated them, after all, both Ximen Feng and Ximen Xuan were incredibly weak in the game, but that was just a game. Now it seems he was completely wrong.
At this moment, the entrance was crowded with people, mostly teenagers to young adults in their twenties. The scene was incredibly noisy, and if you got closer, you could hear that these people were all martial arts enthusiasts who had come to seek apprenticeship.
Li Wei wiped the sweat from his forehead, thinking to himself, "It can't be that exaggerated, can it?"
With the gate completely blocked by these people, Li Wei had no choice but to stop the carriage carrying the gifts behind him and instruct the hired driver to wait.
He stepped forward.
"Squeeze, squeeze, what the hell are you pushing for? Can't you see there are people in front of you? Go to the back of the line!"
Li Wei Weiwang tried to squeeze into the crowd, but was spotted by a man at the back and ended up getting a scolding for no reason.
I want to go in.
"Knowing you want to go in, everyone waiting here wants to go in too, but you still have to queue. The Heavenly Sword Sect's annual disciple recruitment ceremony is something I've been preparing for for a whole year. Today, no one can take that qualification from me!"
Are you kidding me?
The Heavenly Sword Sect even has an annual apprenticeship ceremony? And it's so popular! It seems the people of this world are truly obsessed with martial arts. Don't they know about Shaolin and Wudang?
Even the Beggars' Sect is stronger than the Heavenly Sword Sect!
As Li Wei was lost in thought, a disciple dressed in the Heavenly Sword Sect's robes walked out of the courtyard, instantly silencing the previously noisy scene.
On this Heavenly Sword Sect disciple, as arrogant as a bull with a nose in the sky, declared, "The initiation ceremony will begin in half an hour. Just like last year, this iron sword at the entrance will be the first test for entry. Only those who can hold the sword with one hand for the duration of an incense stick can enter and proceed to the next test!"
Upon closer inspection, everyone saw that there really was an iron sword stuck in the doorway.
It was about four feet long, with a blade made of pure iron, more than two fingers thick at its thickest point, and an astonishing width, about the size of an adult's palm. The hilt was half a foot long, also made of pure iron covered with fine leather. Just by looking at it, you could tell that this sword was definitely not light.
Since they can arrange to test people with swords, then these swords must be extraordinary; at the very least, they can weed out some of those who are not strong enough.
Seeing this, Li Wei also found it amusing. His missions in Shadow Street had always been fraught with peril, as if a ferocious beast was chasing him. He rarely had an opportunity like this. Besides, this was his first time witnessing a sect's entrance test, so he wasn't in a hurry and simply joined the queue to watch.
When the time was up, the first candidate stepped forward.
This was a burly man who resembled a butcher. Through the opening of his wide clothes, one could see the thick chest hair on his chest. He walked to the iron sword, chuckled, spat into his hand and rubbed it, then gripped the hilt with his right hand.
"Hey, lift!" With a loud shout, the man lifted the heavy iron sword with one hand.
The Heavenly Sword Sect disciple in charge of the test deftly lit an incense stick, and the timer began.
The time is about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, or about 10 minutes. The rule is that the sword cannot touch the ground; violators will be disqualified. It seems simple, but in reality, it tests the balance of power and endurance.
Those who cannot control their strength and have poor endurance are naturally not suitable for practicing martial arts.
Sure enough, after about ten minutes, the man was already covered in sweat, and his arms were shaking violently; he seemed to have reached his limit.
Another minute passed, and with a clang, the iron sword fell to the ground.
Landing is a foul, the first test taker is eliminated! Li Wei thought to himself, this test is not simple. Judging from his own observation of these people, only five or six people can pass the first test. It seems that the Heavenly Sword Sect is not as insignificant as it is in the game.
Learning swordsmanship was Li Wei's initial plan for this mission. The Heavenly Sword Sect, which focuses on swordsmanship, is arguably the easiest place to acquire swordsmanship skills in this mission. Of course, relying solely on the Heavenly Sword Sect is not enough to improve combat power.
In the Legend of Wulin, the number one swordsman is undoubtedly the "Sword Saint." Of course, Li Wei doesn't want to find him yet. Firstly, he doesn't want to, and secondly, because of the requirements of the mission on the Yellow Paper, he has to stay in Luoyang for the time being. Therefore, the Heavenly Sword Sect is the only sect that is suitable for him to learn swordsmanship, so he must take it down.
While Li Wei was pondering, several more test takers went to take the test. Except for one dark-faced young man who lasted for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the others all failed.
Now even those test-takers who were initially eager to try understand that this test is really not easy.
As time went on, most of the candidates were eliminated. It's easy to pick up an iron sword, but to hold it for a full minute is as difficult as climbing to the sky for ordinary people.
"Next!"
Li Wei suddenly realized that everyone who had gone up for the test before him had already gone up. Next? Wasn't that him?
"You... what are you doing? Hurry up, it's getting late!" The disciple in charge of the test impatiently said.
"It's good to test it out," Li Wei said, slowly walking forward and grasping the iron sword.
What a fine sword!
This unexpected discovery surprised Li Wei. He hadn't expected that the Heavenly Sword Sect would actually have quite a few good things, even a test iron sword whose quality was close to that of a green weapon.
Without using internal force, relying solely on strength, Li Wei lifted the iron sword with one arm, and even twirled it a few times before pointing it forward, waiting for the incense stick to burn out.
That was a brilliant move. Everyone, from those who had already passed the test to those who had been eliminated, stared wide-eyed at Li Wei, eager to see if he could really hold out.
Others might not know, but they knew very well. The iron sword weighed more than a jin (a unit of weight in China, approximately 500 grams). To be honest, lifting it and swinging it a few times wouldn't be particularly difficult for a strong adult man, especially since they were all martial arts practitioners with strength far exceeding that of ordinary people. Therefore, Li Wei's initial movements were not difficult.
The difficulty lies in maintaining a posture parallel to the ground for the duration of an incense stick. This incense is not the tribute incense from the temple, but a specially made small incense stick.
But even this little fragrance couldn't hold on!
This requires an almost obsessive control over strength and muscles, and endurance that is two to three times stronger than that of an average person to achieve this level. Clearly, the young man being tested at this moment is one of these people.
The incense had burned down to half its original temperature, yet the iron sword showed no sign of trembling.
Just like at the beginning, it remained completely still. This time, everyone gasped in surprise. The few who had passed the test also widened their eyes. Although they had all lasted for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, they had actually relied on willpower to endure it. They had never seen anyone who was still so relaxed after half the time had passed.
Several more minutes passed, and the iron sword remained as still as a mountain!
Even the disciples from the Heavenly Sword Sect in charge of the test were speechless with shock. Even the senior brothers who had been cultivating in the sect for three or four years probably couldn't reach this level.
Li Wei, however, had a new understanding of power at this moment. He had always believed that power was all about the explosive force of a moment, and the stronger the explosive force, the greater the destructive power.
However, when you hold a sword in your hand, you need to think about it differently.
The sword is the gentleman among all weapons, incomparable to the reckless axe or other blunt weapons. The sharpness of the sword is like flowing water, like clouds and smoke, like a dream. Though made of iron, it seems to possess a spirit when held in the hand.
Sword Spirit is the highest level of swordsmanship. Reaching this level is not something that can be achieved by brute force alone; control of power is only the first step, and clearly, Li Wei has done a very good job.
"Time's up! Pass!"
Li Wei easily put down the iron sword and revealed a slight smile. This is what cultivation is all about!
Unlike those fast-food style "Skill Book," this is the cultivation method that can imprint abilities into one's soul. Li Wei believes that the same skill, cultivated step by step, will definitely be different from one learned from fast-food Skill Book.
"Seven people have passed. Please enter and undergo the second test!"
Li Wei has decided to continue with the tests. For him, this is a rare and valuable cultivation journey, and it's also quite fun, so naturally he will continue.
Upon entering the main courtyard of the Heavenly Sword Sect, Li Wei found it already filled with disciples. He glanced around and noticed that Ximen Feng was not there, nor did his father, Ximen Xuan.
That's perfect!
Inside the main courtyard stood a platform a meter high, with weapon racks on both sides displaying all kinds of swords—long swords, short swords, broadswords, willow-leaf swords, and many more, basically encompassing all types of swords. The Heavenly Sword Sect truly lived up to its reputation as a sect that revered swords; this array of weapons was a testament to its power. On the platform stood a man in green robes, holding a fine steel longsword, his eyes gleaming with a sharp light, exuding the air of a master.
"The second test is a sword duel! On the stage is my second senior brother from the Heavenly Sword Sect. His mastery of the Gale Sword Technique has reached a state of perfection. If any of you can withstand three sword strikes from my second senior brother and still be standing, then you will be qualified to join us and learn superior sword techniques."
A sword fight? Is this the second test?
Li Wei glanced at his second senior brother, not caring much. Compared to Ximen Feng, this second senior brother was much weaker, but he was still a figure who could be ranked in the martial arts world.
At this moment, the "Wulin Encyclopedia" that Li Wei had secretly recorded came in handy. "Second Senior Brother of the Heavenly Sword Sect, I've got it!"
"Situ Liang, the second disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect, entered the Heavenly Sword Sect at the age of ten to learn swordsmanship. His mastery of the Gale Sword Technique is a direct inheritance from Ximen Xuan. A year ago, he and his senior brother Ximen Feng joined forces to defeat the Three Wolves of the Northern Desert, and with a single sword strike, killed one of them." (Ranking of martial arts prowess: Number 1)
That's true; perhaps only the elite members of the Jing family are somewhat stronger?
Li Wei stroked his chin, pondering to himself. At that moment, the first challenger had already jumped onto the platform, selected a suitable longsword from the weapon racks on both sides, and bowed with his hands clasped.
"Thank you for your courtesy!"
"Please!"