Swordsmanship Reaches Great Accomplishment

Chen Ming raised the Bagua Saber Technique all the way to "Mastery" in one go, spending just over two hundred points.

Instantly, countless insights into the saber technique flooded his mind, as if he had trained it for ten years.

Level: 10

Current Points: 714

Cultivation Methods: 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 fetch wooden sabers.

As Chen Ming gripped the saber, a natural surge of confidence welled up within him.

At Huo Manor, one had to train in martial arts for at least three years before touching a weapon.

For low-tier martial artists, mastering a weapon could allow the weak to overcome the strong. All were flesh and blood—a saber strike to a vital point would wound or kill just the same.

Of course, to achieve that, one's weapon skill had to far surpass the opponent's.

In truth, for ordinary martial artists, gaining real combat experience wasn't easy. Sparring with someone you trusted, knowing they wouldn't hurt you, didn't provide the edge of real practice.

Sparring with someone you didn't trust was risky—blades had no eyes, and neither getting hurt nor hurting the other was ideal.

Generally, only after mastering a weapon to the point where further training yielded little improvement would one venture out, a process commonly called "graduating."

Qi Jun had been in gangs and had drawn blood a few years back. That was his edge. Today, emboldened by drink, he sought to reclaim his dignity from Chen Ming.

I can't beat you with fists and feet, but can I not surpass you in saber technique?

"Please."

When Chen Ming gestured for him to begin, he didn't hold back. He raised the wooden saber overhead and slashed straight down.

Thud—

Chen Ming precisely deflected the strike.

Qi Jun immediately changed his move, and the two traded blows rapidly—thud, thud, thud...

The wooden sabers clashed repeatedly.

The onlookers felt their blood stir, shouting in excitement.

Even with wooden sabers, given their strength, a direct hit would still cause injury—far more dangerous than a fist-and-foot bout.

At the banquet table, Guan Peng had been indifferent at first, but after watching a while, he let out a surprised grunt. "This Brother Chen's saber technique flows freely—truly impressive."

Deng Ziyang was also seeing Chen Ming wield a saber for the first time. This level of skill was no less than his fist technique, and he marveled inwardly.

This Senior Brother Chen has such remarkable talent in both fist and saber arts.

Zhuang Xiaotian sighed. "A pity, though. Without becoming a martial artist, it's all useless in the end."

For martial artists, realm was the foundation. Once one entered a rank, they could crush ordinary people. No matter how exquisite your moves, if I knock your weapon away with one strike, what can you do?

Smack!

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

He stood stunned for a moment, then said bitterly, "I lost."

You have defeated another LV7 enemy. Gained 2 experience points.

Chen Ming asked, "Anyone else want to try?"

"I will."

Someone stepped forward immediately—it was Peng Ruizhao.

And so, the original fist-and-foot sparring turned into a saber duel.

Most of these people hadn't learned the Bagua Saber Technique, so he didn't dare be careless. He approached cautiously, waiting to discern the opponent's saber variations before countering.

After eight bouts, the Bagua Saber Technique's experience had actually increased by two points—an unexpected delight.

Just as he was about to return to his seat, he saw Guan Peng stand up, his face flushed with drink. "Your saber work is good. Got any energy left? Spar with me a couple of rounds."

Before Chen Ming could respond, Deng Ziyang quickly said, "Second Brother, how could Senior Brother Chen be a match for you? If you want to spar, I'll join you."

Guan Peng laughed heartily. "Eldest Brother, rest assured. I'm just excited to see a good fight—my hands are itching. I won't hurt him. Brother Chen, dare you trade a few moves with me?"

Chen Ming smiled. "Brother Guan is willing to instruct me—nothing could be better."

He had been looking for a Ninth Rank opponent. This was the perfect chance to test where his strength stood.

Still, this probably wouldn't be enough.

He opened his panel and topped off the Bagua Saber Technique's proficiency again.

Level: 10

Current Points: 231

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

Martial Arts: Three Powers Fist (Proficiency 27/500+), Bagua Saber Technique (Mastery)

Saber technique mastered!

Chen Ming felt countless insights into the saber technique flooding his mind.

When he gripped the wooden saber again, it felt entirely different—this wooden blade was now intimately familiar, as if it had become an extension of his body.

Guan Peng vaguely sensed something off about him but didn't dwell on it, asking, "Do you need a rest?"

"No need."

Chen Ming smiled. "By the way, there's something I should tell you. I'm also Ninth Rank."

"Huh?"

Guan Peng was momentarily stunned.

The scene fell silent, and everyone stared at him in shock.

Pfft—

Deng Ziyang, who was drinking, spat out his wine, nearly choking as he asked in disbelief, "You... what did you say? When did you reach Ninth Rank?"

Chen Ming didn't explain further. He simply stretched his limbs, and a series of cracks popped from his joints.

Bones and sinews singing!

At that, the onlookers erupted in murmurs.

Brother Chen had actually entered the ranks?

He'd reached that level and still sparred with them every day?

My god, I've been trading blows with a Ninth Rank martial artist all this time?

What a righteous man!

Truly righteous!

Qi Jun and Peng Ruizhao were beside themselves with excitement.

"He really is Ninth Rank."

Guan Peng's eyes cleared, his drunkenness fully gone, his face growing more serious. The fighting spirit in his gaze burned even brighter. He tossed his wooden saber aside. "This thing doesn't feel right. How about we use our own weapons?"

"Fine."

Chen Ming agreed and borrowed a long saber from Deng Ziyang.

Guan Peng wielded a large blade with an unusually long hilt—over fifty centimeters—meant for two-handed gripping. The blade itself was thicker and wider than an ordinary saber.

One look and it was clear this weapon packed immense power.

Its drawback was a lack of agility.

Before the two began, Deng Ziyang stood up and said, "Gentlemen, hear me out. One of you is my sworn brother, the other my senior fellow apprentice. If you want to spar, fine, but keep it civil. I don't want to see either of you hurt."

Chen Ming and Guan Peng naturally agreed.

"Please."

Guan Peng was quite courteous. As the one who issued the challenge, tradition dictated he let the other strike first.

Chen Ming lightly ran his finger along the blade, feeling its curve and balance. Then he executed a "Hidden Earth Guard" stance, a gesture of deference, not wanting to take advantage.

"Good one!"

Guan Peng swept his long blade with a speed that belied the weapon's size.

Anyone who dared use such an unusual blade clearly had a trick up their sleeve.

Chen Ming met it with a "Dragon Scale Defense," barely blocking the strike.

Clang!

A sharp ring echoed.

His tiger's mouth went numb, and a notch appeared on his blade.

His opponent had the advantage in both strength and weaponry—direct clashes were unwise.

Swish, swish, swish...

He followed up with "Three Qian Strikes," each slash aimed at Guan Peng's weakest points, forcing him back three steps.

In just a few moves, blades flashed.

The onlookers were dazzled. Such a bout between martial artists wasn't something you saw every day. Unfortunately, the two moved too fast for most to follow.

Only Deng Ziyang and Zhuang Xiaotian could keep up. They watched intently, suddenly clapping and shouting, "Nice!"

In the blink of an eye, the two had exchanged over a dozen moves.

They traded blows evenly, seeming evenly matched.

But Deng Ziyang felt that Chen Ming still had room to spare, while Guan Peng had already pulled out his trump cards.

His shock deepened.

This kid hid it too deep—breaking through to Ninth Rank without a sound, and with such exquisite saber technique to boot.

At the same time, a deep doubt surged within him: with talent like Chen Ming's, why hadn't Huo Chengkun noticed it back then? How could he have just let him leave like that?

Chen Ming was nothing like him—his family background was clean, his temperament steady—he was the perfect candidate for a disciple. Huo Chengkun had no reason to let him go...

As his thoughts churned, the two in the arena had already reached a fever pitch.

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

"Why aren't they fighting?"

That was what the eight subordinates were thinking.

"Has it been decided?"

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

Just then, they saw Chen Ming clasp his hands and say, "You yield."

He was the one who won?