Life 3

An experienced warrior could at most become a veteran. But to become a knight, one had to undergo countless life-and-death battles, tempering the body to its limits. Only then could one form a unique fighting style through some opportunity, awaken one's potential, and obtain the legendary Life Energy Seed, greatly strengthening one's physical abilities. Only by establishing sufficient merit afterward could one attain Knight Level.

Among all this, the so-called Life Energy Seed was the key to everything. Without it, one could never become strong.

Song Ye had also learned some related information from Anglie's memories.

A Life Energy Seed was, in truth, a faint sensation of qi naturally produced from the outside in after the body had been trained to its utmost limit. In reality, it was what Earth in his previous life had called hard qigong. The baron had once described the sensations and process of training to awaken a seed to him in extreme detail. That was why he could compare them clearly and reach this conclusion.

Moreover, not just anyone could awaken a seed. Among ordinary people, only a very small number had the aptitude and possibility of doing so. But because the success rate was so low, some people who had already become powerful came up with a method to increase the number of seed awakeners: a powerful person who had awakened a seed and possessed immense life energy would actively condense a tiny amount of energy into a seed and implant it into someone else's body.

This greatly increased the originally difficult chances of success. The awakening process that once required life-and-death tempering became one where a person could receive the seed's enhancement from the very beginning.

Of course, even so, not everyone could become strong. Though the success rate had increased, only two-thirds out of every hundred people could succeed. The remaining third still could not accept the seed, because their bodies simply could not retain life energy. No matter how much was implanted, it would only leak uselessly out of their bodies.

And unfortunately, Anglie's body belonged to that category. He could not accept an implanted seed either. That was the fundamental reason he had spent his childhood eating, drinking, playing, and knowing only how to enjoy himself. Otherwise, given the baron's strength, Anglie would not have turned out so poorly. Even if he had been willing, the domineering baron would never have allowed his son to possess no ability to protect himself at all.

Arad seemed to recall something, and a trace of helplessness appeared in his gaze as he looked at Anglie. He had roughly guessed why Anglie could not even perform basic training. The real reason was that he had given up on himself.

"Then everyone, continue your morning training. Young Master Anglie, come with me." He clapped his hands again and called out loudly.

The training ground returned to its previous state. Those practicing swordsmanship practiced swordsmanship, and those practicing archery practiced archery. Only Song Ye followed behind Arad toward a corner.

"Although you cannot become a Knight Level powerhouse, more exercise can still improve your physical condition. I hope you will persist," Arad said as they walked.

"I know what to do. Thank you, Arad." Song Ye nodded with a smile. "The rumor that Baron Kyle's second son had no talent for becoming strong was quite well-known before, wasn't it?"

"Yes." Arad said nothing more.

"Then are all the children training this morning talented?"

"Yes. They have all received seed inheritances from Lord Baron and Lord Audis. Each of them trains according to the unique methods of those two lords," Arad answered.

Song Ye knew that receiving a seed inheritance and beginning cultivation from childhood meant that the Life Energy Seed would grow stronger alongside their bodies from then on, constantly strengthening their flesh. Once they grew up, their physical abilities would far surpass those of ordinary people.

That was how the baron and Audis had come up as well.

"So Father and Knight Audis became so physically powerful this way." Song Ye suddenly understood. But a trace of helplessness immediately rose in his heart. Of all bodies to transmigrate into, why had he ended up in one with no talent?

If he did not still have the Biochip as his source of hope, Song Ye would probably have simply resigned himself to fate.

Arad led Song Ye to an open area off to one side.

Beside them stood a row of wooden sword racks, with several remaining wooden swords scattered sparsely across them.

Arad took one down and tossed it directly to Song Ye.

Song Ye hurriedly caught it, his hand sinking from the weight.

This wooden practice sword was actually rather heavy. He estimated that it weighed around five or six pounds.

It was about a meter long. The guard and blade formed a standard cross shape—the most common cruciform sword design.

Song Ye lightly swung the wooden sword in his hand. The white sword, tinged with yellow, made a faint whooshing sound through the air.

Arad also took down a wooden sword. With a casual swing, he instantly cut a white line through the air before him.

"The most basic training methods are very simple, but not everyone can complete them easily." As he spoke, he gripped the sword in both hands and chopped forward.

Whoosh!!

Song Ye only felt a light breeze sweep over from Arad's blade. Even the hair against his cheeks was blown slightly backward.

The Biochip in his mind automatically began gathering data.

Rows of pale blue data quickly appeared before Song Ye's eyes.

"Arad. Strength greater than 1. Agility greater than 2. Constitution greater than 2."

"This is a downward chop. Note that all your strength must be applied slightly below the sword tip. This is where the killing power is greatest. If all your strength is applied to the tip, the blade will suffer too much wear and can easily curl."

Arad began demonstrating each move.

Downward chop, upward slash, horizontal slash, straight thrust, downward stab. He demonstrated all five basic movements for Song Ye one by one.

Every motion stirred bursts of wind.

Song Ye watched Arad's demonstration with rapt attention. At the same time, the Biochip began recording and storing the data before him.

Once the chip finished recording, Arad lowered the wooden sword in his hand.

"How was that? It may be simple, but you must do it correctly. Otherwise, after enough time, you can easily sprain your joints and leave lasting injuries. So there cannot be the slightest mistake." His tone was solemn.

Song Ye nodded slightly.

At the same time, he silently commanded, "Recording complete."

A string of blue data instantly appeared before his eyes. "Please name this file."

"Basic Swordsmanship," Song Ye silently replied.

"File named Basic Swordsmanship."

The mechanical prompt sounded once before automatically disappearing.

Song Ye tried summoning the file again with his thoughts. Streams of data immediately flowed into his mind. The images and sounds of Arad's demonstration began replaying perfectly in his mind.

Only after confirming that everything had indeed been recorded did Song Ye speak to Arad.

"So I learned this before. I think I remember now."

Arad looked at Song Ye with a slight frown, as if confirming whether he was playing a prank on him.

"Since you remember, practice properly on your own. Lord Audis was originally planning to come teach you personally today, but he happened to have gone out on business. So first do some basic training and restore your body. I'll be leaving now. Call me if you need anything."

Song Ye nodded and watched Arad stride away.

He raised the wooden sword in his hand and weighed it slightly. A faint smile appeared on his face.

The Biochip only possessed analytical and storage capabilities. Actual training and practice still depended on him taking things step by step from the basics. After all, the chip could not directly act upon his body. It was merely an aid.

He loosened up his body and began practicing exactly according to the demonstrated movements.

"First move, downward chop." He gripped the wooden sword, raised both hands high, and was just about to chop down.

"Movement deformation: 31 percent." The chip immediately prompted him.

A smile appeared on Song Ye's face.

This was the Biochip's assistance function. It could compare his movements with the stored material, allowing him to constantly correct himself.

He tilted the blade in his hand slightly.

"Movement deformation: 25 percent."

After several attempts, Song Ye began slowly adjusting his posture. As he made gradual corrections, the deformation percentage reported by the chip became smaller and smaller.

He raised the wooden sword high and made another slight adjustment. Only when the chip reported that the deformation was below 5 percent did Song Ye suddenly chop downward. An exceptionally smooth and natural sensation instantly came over him.

"Checking physical training effect. This movement has a flexibility-enhancing effect on Muscle Groups 5, 3, and 11. An estimated 10,526 repetitions will increase muscle strength by 0.1."

The chip's analysis immediately appeared before Song Ye's eyes.

"Over ten thousand times... not too much," he murmured softly.

He raised the wooden sword and began practicing earnestly.

The terrifying aspect of the Biochip was that it allowed a person to understand their physical condition completely. This was the self-knowledge in the saying, know yourself and know your enemy.

Swish! Swish! Swish!!

As he practiced the basic movements again and again, Song Ye's actions went from halting and extremely slow at the beginning to increasingly fluid and increasingly fast.

The wooden sword created faint gusts of wind in the air.

This meant the blade had the smallest possible contact surface with the air, making the movement fastest, most concealed, and most effective.

Before he knew it, Song Ye had become more and more absorbed in his training. His entire mind and body were devoted to practicing the basic sword techniques.

He stepped forward into a bow stance, chopped downward, turned right for an upward slash, stabbed downward ahead, then swung into left and right horizontal slashes.

His movements were fluid and graceful, while the sounds they made became quieter and quieter.

He could sense that this body was not entirely useless. It seemed to possess a very familiar feeling toward basic swordsmanship. Sometimes, before his brain could even recall and compare the images, his hands would naturally continue the practice on their own.

It seemed the original Anglie must have secretly practiced before as well.

Clang! Clang! Clang!!

The sound of a gong suddenly rang out.

"Rest time is here! Everyone dismissed!!" Arad's voice roared across the training ground.

In the corner, Song Ye emerged from his training state and looked toward the center of the field.

He happened to see Arad holding a bronze gong and striking it hard with his hand, creating a piercing sound.

The children on the training ground also grew noisy, gathering into small groups. Some returned to their residences, some headed toward the dining hall together, while others gathered around Arad to ask him things.

Song Ye stood where he was, his forehead densely covered in sweat. His face was flushed, and his entire body was burning hot. His undershirt and chest were soaked through.

Although his practice had been fluid just now, others considered it the most basic of basics. No matter how smoothly he performed it, it was only natural. Therefore, his movements had not drawn anyone's attention, because they were regarded as ordinary.

"Summarize physical condition," Song Ye silently commanded.

"Condition summary: slight muscle strain on the lower side of the right forearm. Poor blood circulation in both legs. Automatic recovery time: 14 hours."

Song Ye nodded with satisfaction and casually wiped the sweat from his face.

He was wearing the black noble attire from when he had returned yesterday. It looked somewhat like the fitted hunting outfits of Earth, with a red belt around his waist. Long sleeves and trousers made him appear quite neat and capable.

But his clothes were now soaked through with sweat.

Even without a seed, I can still become strong. Song Ye's heart was utterly calm.

He stood alone in the corner, and no boys or girls came over to approach him.

Song Ye swept his gaze around.

Everyone unconsciously avoided his eyes.

It was obvious that these children deeply despised his abilities, yet they did not dare show it openly because of the baron's prestige. So they simply chose to avoid him.

Song Ye could not be bothered to interact with these brats either. He returned the wooden sword to its rack, tugged at his collar, and headed straight toward the residential tower.

"Brother." A soft, sweet, childish voice suddenly called out behind him.

Song Ye turned around.

Maggie stood beside the sword rack, looking at him with a smile. The fourteen-year-old girl wore a white top and a fitted short skirt, its hem ending just at her thighs. Her mature, full breasts and snow-white legs gave her a charming, subtly alluring air.

Song Ye felt that her outfit resembled the professional attire worn by office ladies on Earth. It was clear that while Maggie was not a noble and could not wear colorful clothing, she had still put considerable thought into dressing herself in a distinctive way.