Saber Technique Mastery

Chen Ming spent just over two hundred points in one go to raise the "Bagua Saber Technique" to Proficient.

At once, countless insights into this saber technique appeared in his mind, as though he had trained bitterly in it for ten years.

Level: 10

Current Points: 714

Cultivation Arts: "Iron Horse Stance" (Fifth Layer Perfected), "Three Yang Body Forging Art" (First Layer 2/1000)

Martial Skills: "Three Powers Fist" (Proficient 27/500+), Bagua Saber Technique (Proficient 5/500+)

To be safe, Deng Ziyang had someone bring over wooden sabers.

With the saber in hand, confidence naturally surged within Chen Ming.

At Huo Manor, one had to study martial arts for at least three years before being allowed to touch a weapon.

For low-level martial artists, mastering a weapon could make it possible to defeat the strong while weak. Everyone was made of flesh and blood; a strike to a vital spot would still wound them, still kill them.

Of course, to achieve that, one's mastery of the weapon had to surpass the opponent's by a great margin.

In truth, for ordinary martial arts practitioners, gaining genuine combat experience was not easy. If they found someone trustworthy, knowing full well that person would not hurt them, it could not achieve the effect of real combat tempering.

If they found someone untrustworthy, blades had no eyes. Whether they themselves were injured or they injured the other party, neither outcome was good.

Generally speaking, only after one had trained a weapon to great proficiency, and continuing to practice in the same manner no longer yielded improvement, would one venture out into the world—commonly known as completing one's apprenticeship.

Qi Jun ran with gangs. He had chopped people before and seen blood years ago. That was what he relied on. Today, emboldened by drink, he wanted to reclaim his dignity from Chen Ming.

I can't beat you barehanded, but can't I beat you with a saber?

"Please."

When Chen Ming made a gesture of invitation, Qi Jun did not stand on ceremony. He raised his wooden saber high overhead and brought it down in a vertical chop at Chen Ming.

Thud—

Chen Ming precisely knocked the strike aside.

Qi Jun immediately changed his move. The two exchanged rapid strikes, thud thud thud...

The wooden sabers clashed without pause.

The people watching at the side felt their blood boil and shouted at the thrill of it.

Even with wooden sabers, given the strength of the two men, a solid hit would certainly cause injury. It was far more dangerous than a contest of fists and feet.

At the banquet, Guan Peng had not cared much at first. After watching for a while, he suddenly gave a surprised exclamation. "This Brother Chen's saber technique flows with effortless freedom. It truly is extraordinary."

It was also Deng Ziyang's first time seeing Chen Ming use a saber. This level of attainment was not the least bit inferior to his fist technique. He clicked his tongue in amazement.

This Senior Brother Chen possessed such outstanding talent in both fist and saber techniques.

Zhuang Xiaotian sighed. "What a pity. If one does not become a martial artist, it is all ultimately useless."

To martial artists, cultivation realm was the foundation. Once one entered the ranks, ordinary people would simply be crushed. No matter how exquisite your moves were, if I knocked your weapon flying with one strike, what could you do?

Smack!

At that moment, the wooden saber in Qi Jun's hand flew free, knocked away.

He stood there blankly for a moment before saying bitterly, "I lost."

You defeated an LV7 enemy once again and gained 2 experience points.

Chen Ming asked, "Does anyone else want to give it a try?"

"I will."

Someone immediately answered. It was Peng Ruizhao.

Thus, the original sparring of fists and feet became a contest of saber techniques.

Most of these people did not practice the Bagua Saber Technique. Chen Ming did not dare let his guard down, treating each fight cautiously. Only after figuring out the changes in his opponent's saber technique did he counterattack.

After eight bouts, the Bagua Saber Technique's experience actually rose by two points. That was an unexpected delight.

Just as he was about to return to his seat, he suddenly saw Guan Peng rise to his feet. Looking drunk, Guan Peng said, "Your saber technique is quite good. Do you still have the stamina? Spar with me for a few moves."

Before Chen Ming could speak, Deng Ziyang hurriedly said, "Second Brother, how could Senior Brother Chen be your match? If you want to spar, I'll accompany you."

Guan Peng laughed heartily. "Rest easy, Elder Brother. I merely saw prey and my heart rejoiced; my hand itched for a moment. I certainly will not hurt him. Brother Chen, do you dare exchange a few moves with me?"

Chen Ming smiled. "Since Brother Guan is willing to offer guidance, that could not be better."

He had been worrying over where to find a Ninth Rank opponent. This was the perfect chance to test just how far his strength had reached.

Still, this probably would not be enough.

He opened the panel and once again filled the Bagua Saber Technique's proficiency.

Level: 10

Current Points: 231

Cultivation Arts: "Iron Horse Stance" (Fifth Layer Perfected), "Three Yang Body Forging Art" (First Layer 2/1000)

Martial Skills: "Three Powers Fist" (Proficient 27/500+), Bagua Saber Technique (Mastery)

The saber technique had reached Mastery!

Chen Ming felt countless insights concerning saber techniques emerge in his mind.

When he gripped that wooden saber again, the feeling was entirely different. This wooden saber felt incomparably familiar to him, as though it had become an extension of his body.

Guan Peng vaguely sensed that Chen Ming seemed somewhat different, but he did not take it to heart. "Do you need to rest for a while?"

"No."

Chen Ming smiled. "Oh, there is something I need to tell you. I am also Ninth Rank."

"Huh?"

Guan Peng was slightly taken aback.

The entire scene suddenly fell silent. Everyone stared at him in shock.

Pfft—

Deng Ziyang, who had been drinking, sprayed the wine in his mouth out and nearly choked. He asked in disbelief, "You... what did you say? When did you reach Ninth Rank?"

Chen Ming did not explain much. He merely loosened his muscles and bones slightly, and his body immediately crackled and popped.

Muscles and bones rang in unison!

At once, an uproar broke out among those nearby.

Senior Brother Chen had actually entered the ranks?

He had entered the ranks, yet he still acted as our sparring partner every day?

My heavens, I had actually sparred with a Ninth Rank martial artist every day?

How righteous!

Truly too righteous!

Qi Jun, Peng Ruizhao, and the others were each more excited than words could describe.

"He truly is Ninth Rank."

Guan Peng's gaze cleared, and the alcohol was completely gone from him. His expression turned more solemn, while the battle intent in his eyes blazed even fiercer. Tossing the wooden saber in his hand aside, he said, "This thing doesn't feel right in my hand. How about we use our own weapons?"

"Fine."

Chen Ming agreed and asked Deng Ziyang for a long saber.

Guan Peng wielded a broadsaber. Its hilt was especially long, over fifty centimeters, allowing it to be gripped with both hands. Its blade was also thicker and broader than an ordinary saber.

One look told anyone that this saber possessed immense power.

Its drawback was that it lacked flexibility.

Before the two began, Deng Ziyang rose and said, "Let me say a word, you two. One of you is my sworn brother, while the other is my senior brother. You may spar, but stop at the right point. No matter which of you is injured, it is not something I wish to see."

Chen Ming and Guan Peng naturally both agreed.

"Please."

Guan Peng was quite gentlemanly. As the one who had initiated the challenge, etiquette dictated that he let the other party move first.

Chen Ming lightly ran his fingers over the blade, feeling its lines and center of balance. Then he used the stance "Hidden Earth Guard," signaling courtesy and refusing to take advantage of him.

"Good!"

Guan Peng swept out his long saber, displaying speed utterly at odds with that massive weapon.

Anyone daring to use such an unusual saber truly had some exceptional skill.

Chen Ming answered with "Dragon Scale Defense," barely blocking that strike.

A ringing clang resounded.

His tiger's mouth went numb, and a notch had already appeared on the edge of his blade.

His opponent held the advantage in both strength and weapon. It would not do to clash head-on.

Whoosh whoosh whoosh...

He followed with "Three Qian Strikes." Every slash landed at Guan Peng's weakest point, forcing him back three steps in succession.

Within just a few moves, saber light flashed.

Those present watched with dazzled eyes and entranced minds. They did not often get the chance to witness a contest between martial artists. Unfortunately, the two moved too fast—so fast that they could not see clearly.

The only ones who could see clearly were Deng Ziyang and Zhuang Xiaotian. They watched without blinking, then suddenly clapped their hands and cried, "Good!"

In the blink of an eye, the two had already exchanged more than ten moves.

They fought back and forth, appearing evenly matched.

Yet Deng Ziyang felt that Chen Ming still seemed at ease, while Guan Peng had already drawn upon the skills he kept at the bottom of his chest.

He was even more shocked.

This kid had hidden himself far too deeply. Without a sound, he had broken through to Ninth Rank. And he possessed such exquisite saber technique as well.

At the same time, a deep doubt rose within him. With talent like Chen Ming's, why had Huo Chengkun failed to notice him back then? How could he have let him leave just like that?

Chen Ming was not like him. His family background was clean, and his temperament was steady. He was a perfect candidate for a disciple. There was no reason for Huo Chengkun to let him slip away...

As his thoughts churned, the two men in the field had already reached the white-hot stage.

After more than fifty exchanges, the two figures suddenly separated. They stood four or five meters apart, neither making another move.

"Why did they stop fighting?"

That was what the eight subordinates thought.

"Has the victor been decided?"

That was the question in Deng Ziyang and Zhuang Xiaotian's minds.

At that moment, Chen Ming cupped his hands and said, "Thank you for letting me win."

He had actually won?