Father-in-Law

The Mortal Sword Art could be said to record only the most basic sword moves.

Yet its annotations repeatedly emphasized several movements.

In other words, the Mortal Sword Art contained thirteen sword forms in total: thrusting, chopping, lifting, hooking, pointing, wiping, supporting, parrying, sweeping, intercepting, stabbing, pushing, and dissolving.

Take the thrusting sword, for example. Grip the sword in the right hand, bend the elbow and raise it to the waist, then thrust straight forward with either an upright or level blade.

Based on the direction of the thrust, it could be divided into upward thrusts, level thrusts, downward thrusts, backward thrusts, reverse thrusts, probing thrusts, and so on.

A thrust required the arm and sword to form a straight line, with the force reaching the sword tip.

Once Tang Tian could practice these thirteen forms until they became second nature, he could be said to have achieved mastery.

After reading the Mortal Sword Art, Tang Tian frowned slightly. This Mortal Sword Art seemed ordinary, yet it was extremely important.

If these thirteen basic sword moves could be cultivated to the utmost limit, only then could one be considered a true Sword Cultivator.

While Tang Tian studied the sword forms, Fan Siren read through them as well.

"Kid, this sword art truly lays bare the essence of swordsmanship. If you cultivate the basic sword moves well, then practicing higher-level sword arts in the future will yield twice the result with half the effort. For example, cultivating the Astral Sword Art afterward will become much easier."

Even with Fan Siren's breadth of vision, he could not help but praise it.

"Master Fan is right. Grandpa Li truly is formidable. In exactly three days, I'll be heading to Starfall Forest. Grandpa Li giving me the Mortal Sword Art now is truly timely rain!"

A sharp glint flashed through Tang Tian's eyes. This trial in Starfall Forest seemed fraught with peril, but was it not also a form of tempering?

Other than forcing growth and damaging one's foundation, a cultivator could steadily advance their cultivation through extraordinary talent, constant tempering in slaughter and battle, or great fortuitous opportunities.

Take Tang Tian himself—had he not obtained the Primordial Unity Tower, been reborn, and gained exceptional talent?

If he still could not become strong under such circumstances, Tang Tian felt he might as well end himself.

"Kid, when are you planning to raise your cultivation? You can now cultivate the third turn of the Nine-Turn Heavenly Thunder Art."

Fan Siren raised an eyebrow slightly. Once Tang Tian's physical body rose another level, no cultivator in the Organs-Hiding Realm would be able to harm him.

"Master Fan, how long until heavenly lightning descends again?"

Tang Tian drew a deep breath and asked seriously.

Cultivating the third turn of the Nine-Turn Heavenly Thunder Art required tempering his body with heavenly lightning once more.

"Ten days," Fan Siren said blandly.

"Ten days?"

Tang Tian froze, and helplessness immediately crossed his face.

Adding these three days, did that not mean that after entering Starfall Forest, he would have to wait at least seven more days?

Within seven days, dealing with the Falling Star Sect's Organs-Hiding Realm inner disciples with his current strength would be far too dangerous.

"Kid, are you afraid?"

Fan Siren teased.

"Afraid? Is that word even in my dictionary?"

Tang Tian raised his brows. With a wave of his hand, a longsword appeared in his grasp, and he began earnestly practicing the thirteen basic sword forms of the Mortal Sword Art.

For those three days, aside from occasionally eating the meals Ye Ruxue brought him, Tang Tian madly practiced the thirteen basic sword forms.

Before he knew it, the three days passed quickly.

"Tian'er, be careful. Your father will wait for your return."

Outside Starfall Forest, Tang Lingyun gently patted Tang Tian on the shoulder, his expression grave.

Even Tang Lingyun admitted that surviving at the hands of the Falling Star Sect's many inner disciples would be exceedingly difficult.

"Father, don't worry. When your son returns, there is something I hope Father and Uncle Ye will agree to."

Tang Tian glanced at Ye Ruxue, who stood silently at the side.

Ye Qingyuan smiled. "That is rather unusual. What matter could require both your father's and my agreement, nephew?"

"When I return, I want Father to go to the Ye Family and propose marriage for me, and I hope Uncle Ye will agree."

Over the past three days, Tang Tian had thought it through. Ye Ruxue and he were in love with each other, so why not be together sooner, lest neither of them feel secure?

Thus, he took the opportunity to voice his thoughts.

"Tang Tian..."

Ye Ruxue was slightly stunned, then overjoyed. Her icy, beautiful face was like a plum blossom blooming amid winter's cold, exquisitely aloof.

"Ha ha!"

Ye Qingyuan and Tang Lingyun were both stunned, then exchanged a glance and burst into hearty laughter.

Their laughter left Tang Tian and Ye Ruxue utterly baffled.

Tang Lingyun laughed. "Look at how impatient you are, brat. I had originally planned to ask your opinion during this time about forming a marriage alliance with the Ye Family. The childhood betrothal arranged when you were young was far too childish. This time, I intended to ask for your opinion before arranging the match for you."

Ye Qingyuan nodded and smiled. "I had the same thought. I cannot let my daughter throw away her reputation and run to your place every day, can I?"

Tang Tian was beside himself with joy. He hurriedly knelt and bowed to Tang Lingyun and Ye Qingyuan. "Thank you, Father, for granting this. Thank you, Father-in-Law!"

"Ha ha, Brother Lingyun, it seems we both worried for nothing. Look at this brat—before even getting married, he has already changed how he addresses me."

Ye Qingyuan looked at Tang Tian with a beaming smile. The more he looked, the more pleasing Tang Tian seemed; the more he looked, the more he liked him.

"Father, all you do is tease Tang Tian!"

Ye Ruxue lightly stamped her foot, then hurried over and pulled Tang Tian to his feet.

Ye Qingyuan shook his head and sighed helplessly. "Sigh, daughters do grow up and turn outward. She has not even married into his family yet, and already she is taking his side?"

"I'm ignoring you!"

Ye Ruxue gave a soft huff and said nothing more.

Ye Qingyuan looked at Tang Tian and said solemnly, "Brat, do not make my daughter wait for you in vain. Go!"

"Yes!"

Tang Tian nodded, looked at Ye Ruxue, and said, "Ru Xue, wait for my return."

"Mhm. Be careful."

Ye Ruxue nodded obediently.

At the entrance to Starfall Forest stood Zhang Kairong and Weng Yuan.

Zhang Kairong smiled. "Tang Tian, are you ready?"

"I'm ready. Senior, bring it on whenever you wish."

Tang Tian nodded and walked straight into the outskirts of Starfall Forest.

"Pass down the order. All disciples in the Organs-Hiding Realm are to enter Starfall Forest," Zhang Kairong said to Weng Yuan.

Weng Yuan was greatly surprised and asked, "First Elder, are we letting even those weaker than Tang Tian enter?"

"Yes. Their cultivation may be lower, but their talent is not lacking. The disciples of my Falling Star Sect are no mere cats and dogs. Tang Tian may regard this trial as a form of tempering, but why can't I regard Tang Tian as their trial?"

"But if disciples weaker than Tang Tian enter, then encountering Tang Tian will leave them with only one road: death..."

Weng Yuan could not help hesitating. These disciples had been nurtured only after the Falling Star Sect expended vast cultivation resources.

If anything happened to them, would not all of the Falling Star Sect's painstaking efforts go to waste?

[Author's Note]: The first update for today is here. More will follow.