Hearing this, Fang Qianyuan began to ponder in silence.
There were indeed considerable differences between cultivation arts.
An internal cultivation method like the Spirit Taming Art, which every Spirit Tamer had to practice, was a foundational art.
Refined and compiled by countless predecessors and sages over the generations, it had long since approached perfection. Thus, it was compatible with every art and ultimate technique of spirit taming, and suited people of differing aptitudes and comprehension.
That it could bear the name of spirit taming reflected its significance to this path. Throughout the ages, the Spirit Taming Art alone had served as the foundation of spirit taming.
Beyond that were arts such as the Wolf Nest Art, branches growing from the main trunk, suited to controlling wolf-type spirit creatures.
Wu Longjie's Myriad Snake Poison Canon also belonged to this category.
Then came the moves that could be considered twigs and leaves. Ordinary Shadow Step, Claw Strike, and Gang Condensation, Ye Tianming's Crescent Slash, Fang Qianyuan's Raging Wind Slash and Raging Wind Chain Slash, and Wu Longjie's Snake Shadow Secret Hand: Hunting Style all fell into this category.
One was the foundational trunk, another the branches, and the third the leaves. These three clearly defined, successive layers represented the structure of the world's cultivation arts and secret manuals.
His improvement of Raging Wind Slash and creation of the ultimate technique Raging Wind Chain Slash undoubtedly amounted to a change at the twig-and-leaf level.
"If we're talking about value, something like this is very valuable to an individual. Even at higher realms, people need to make similar changes, creating ultimate techniques and secret arts unique to themselves. But it's also true to say it has little broader significance. The sect rarely collects such things. They're too individualized, after all, with no value for widespread teaching."
"Once something like this reaches the sect, it just gets shelved away, left for future generations to consult and practice if the opportunity arises. So this puts me in a difficult position..."
The Institute Master spoke again.
Gong Yuan caught the meaning behind his words and said, "Institute Master, considering that Qianyuan is a newly admitted disciple, and that reaching this point was no easy feat, why not make an exception and recommend him? Promoting talent on merit is one of the sect's fundamental policies, after all."
The Institute Master chuckled. "Elder Gong, teaching and imparting cultivation arts is the Heavenly Hall's stock-in-trade, so naturally you favor promoting talent on merit. But you must understand that the sect's resources are limited. We can't promote just anyone."
He paused, looked toward Fang Qianyuan, who stood silently nearby, and continued, "How about this, Qianyuan? You'll face Tianming shortly. If you can defeat him and take first place in the Training Institute's selection, I'll recommend you. What do you say?"
"If you then bring honor to the institute in the Sect Grand Tournament and reach the top eight, I'll swallow my pride and fight to get you another major merit award-at least second-class, just like last time!"
"Besides, the sect has plenty of special benefits for disciples who contribute cultivation arts. It's not as simple as a single second-class major merit award."
Everyone's eyes lit up at this.
That was a good solution.
If Fang Qianyuan could truly defeat Ye Tianming, and even achieve a good result in the Sect Grand Tournament, that would prove his value.
Naturally, anything created by someone valuable had value too.
In fact, the sect itself would take this into account, making an exception to accept his Raging Wind Chain Slash and granting him a generous reward.
The Institute Master would be doing him a favor without expending any effort.
On the other hand, if Fang Qianyuan received a reward and grew stronger more quickly, he would also bring honor to the Training Institute. Even if the meat fell apart, it would stay in the pot-not a scrap of benefit would escape.
While everyone inwardly chuckled at the Institute Master's cunning, Fang Qianyuan's eyes also lit up.
He did not consider all those implications. He only considered how this would affect him.
Raging Wind Chain Slash had practical value but no value for widespread teaching. Yet if he could hand it over in exchange for merit and preferential treatment from the sect, that would undoubtedly be like a meat pie falling from the sky.
The technique was very simple, and there was no danger of anyone learning its principles and finding a way to counter it that would harm him.
"All right, I'll do my best!" Fang Qianyuan agreed at once.
The elders all smiled. Only Ye Li looked somewhat displeased.
Ye Tianming was his son, yet the Institute Master was asking Fang Qianyuan to defeat him. His preference was plain.
Still, he understood that the Institute Master had said this precisely because Ye Tianming belonged to his Ye Household.
Compared with Ye Tianming, Fang Qianyuan, who had likewise proven himself a genius, was undoubtedly more worth winning over. Their respective backgrounds determined that.
After Fang Qianyuan agreed, the Institute Master sent him back to prepare. Next came the match between Kong Chongshan and Wu Longjie.
Both had suffered significant injuries. Fortunately, treatment from the Medic had temporarily restored some of their fighting strength. After an intense but somewhat unimpressive match, Kong Chongshan claimed victory thanks to his lighter injuries.
Wu Longjie looked thoroughly frustrated.
He was no weaker than Kong Chongshan, but there was nothing he could do about losing so quickly.
"Senior Brother Wu had rotten luck. He faced Junior Brother Fang and got hurt so badly..."
"Yes, Senior Brother Kong caught a small break. Still, even in a normal match, he'd have a fifty-fifty chance. His victory was well deserved."
"Come to think of it, their strength is about equal, and they fought Ye Tianming and Fang Qianyuan respectively. Why was Senior Brother Kong less injured, while Senior Brother Wu was hurt worse? Could Fang Qianyuan actually be stronger than Ye Tianming?"
"Hard to say, heh..."
"What's the rush? Once they've rested, their match will begin right away. The Training Institute's elders will judge for themselves."
"Exactly. If everything goes smoothly, this match will settle the final rankings of the Training Institute's top four. Then we'll know who's stronger."
The duel between the two inevitably sparked discussion.
Wei Wen and the others were also filled with emotion.
They had never imagined that Fang Qianyuan, a newly admitted disciple who had joined less than six months ago, could already be mentioned in the same breath as Ye Tianming.
If he defeated him fair and square in the arena...
Then Junior Brother Fang would be the undisputed greatest genius in our Training Institute!
Ding Long startled himself with that thought. His gaze grew fervent as he looked at Fang Qianyuan. "Junior Brother Fang, you have to win!"
"Honestly, don't put pressure on Junior Brother Fang!" Ning Yuerong said disapprovingly.
"Uh..." Ding Long was at a loss for words.
Fang Qianyuan smiled faintly. "Senior Sister Ning, it's all right. I don't feel any pressure. All I feel... is excitement!"
Everyone was inwardly astonished at this.
But extraordinary people were bound to display extraordinary qualities. After their surprise passed, they actually accepted it.
Over these past days, they had witnessed Fang Qianyuan's growth and increasing strength firsthand. After being surprised so often, they had grown used to it.
A little under half a quarter-hour later, the rest period ended, and the two young geniuses each stepped into the arena.
Both wore white. One looked slightly excited, a smile on his face and his eyes blazing; the other wore a stern expression, his gaze indifferent. Their bearing formed a stark contrast, like passionate flames and bone-piercing ice.
For some reason, the sight stirred something in many of those watching.
"This is their first duel. Years from now, this very scene may well become an iconic moment!"