Wind-Splitting Sword Technique

"Temple Master, can I learn the skill that leaves handprints in stone?" Wang Yu glanced at the stone training weight nearby and instinctively asked the Daoist.

"Oh, you have a good eye. That is the Iron Refining Hand, a powerful external hand technique, but it is not very suitable for you. You are too young. Practicing an external technique like that puts considerable strain on the bones in your hands and would affect their later development. It also requires soaking your hands in medicinal liquid, which is extremely painful." The Daoist first nodded, then shook his head.

"Then should I learn Senior Brother Dongyue's Vajra Staff Technique too?" A little disappointed, Wang Yu could only venture another question.

"Come closer and let me examine your root bone." The Daoist thought for a moment before giving the instruction.

Wang Yu obediently stepped forward twice and let the Daoist feel around his body.

A moment later, Daoist Chongyun frowned. "Your root bone is ordinary, and your blood and vital energy are even somewhat weak. The Vajra Staff Technique uses broad, sweeping movements and a fierce, forceful approach. It does not really suit you. You would be better off learning a lighter sword technique."

"A sword technique is fine too. Please teach me, Temple Master." Having been denied the Iron Refining Hand, Wang Yu was deeply disappointed and did not much care whether he learned a staff or sword technique. After all, he could only stay in this world for a month, so it probably made little difference what he learned.

The Daoist nodded, walked over to the weapons rack, and picked up a light wooden sword before telling Wang Yu:

"I am actually most skilled in bare-handed combat, followed by staff techniques. As for swordsmanship, I can only claim a little knowledge. But although the Wind-Splitting Sword Technique I will teach you is simple, it has quite a history. Someone once used it to slay several demon beasts in succession."

"What are demon beasts?" Wang Yu could not help interrupting.

"Oh, I forgot you came from somewhere remote. It is only natural that you would not know about demon beasts. Dongyue, explain them to Qiuye." After a moment of surprise, the Daoist beckoned Dongyue over.

At these words, Dongye hurried over eagerly and began explaining to Wang Yu:

"Junior Brother Qiuye, everyone who lives in Yellowstone City knows about demon beasts. They are basically unusual specimens among ordinary wild beasts, possessing special abilities that normal animals lack. Some have exceptionally tough hides, some are enormous, and others can even breathe fire or freezing air. An ordinary person who encounters one is certain to die. Demon beasts rarely travel in packs. Only groups of hunters or skilled martial artists can deal with them-great masters like our Temple Master, for example." After a few words of explanation, Dongyue began lavishly flattering Daoist Chongyun.

They can breathe fire and freezing air... doesn't that make them monsters? Wang Yu thought in astonishment.

"I hardly qualify as a great master. I will demonstrate the Wind-Splitting Sword Technique once first. Qiuye, watch before deciding whether you want to learn it." The Daoist sent Dongyue back to practice his staff technique, then calmly instructed Wang Yu before walking to the center of the Martial Arts Practice Field and holding the wooden sword horizontally before him.

Wang Yu instinctively held his breath. This was an excellent opportunity to find out whether the Daoist truly possessed mysterious supernatural abilities. He had to watch carefully.

The Daoist took two large strides forward and moved his arm, thrusting the wooden sword straight ahead. Then he stepped twice to the right and thrust again...

Wang Yu watched his every movement without blinking. The moves of this Wind-Splitting Sword Technique seemed truly simple. No matter how the Daoist's stance and footwork changed, they were almost all straight thrusts. Apart from the clean, crisp execution of each movement, Wang Yu could see nothing remarkable about it. It was not even as pleasing to watch as martial arts routine performances in Huaguo on Blue Star.

Whoosh!

The wooden sword suddenly flew from the Daoist's hand. Only after traveling twenty feet did it plunge diagonally into the earth, giving Wang Yu a small fright.

"The final move of the Wind-Splitting Sword Technique, the Released Sword, is for staking your life against an enemy. If it fails to kill them, you will be left empty-handed, like meat on the chopping block. It is best not to use it unless you have absolutely no other choice." Daoist Chongyun walked over, pulled the wooden sword out, and turned to explain calmly to Wang Yu.

"Temple Master, are those few moves all there are to the Wind-Splitting Sword Technique? Is there nothing more?" Wang Yu could no longer hold back his question.

"Heh heh, do you think this sword technique is a little too ordinary? The thirteen moves of the Wind-Splitting Sword Technique were never particularly profound, but it has one advantage other sword techniques cannot match: its potential is extremely high. The same moves in different hands can be as far apart as heaven and earth. The key to this technique lies in a single word: speed. I deliberately slowed down earlier so you could see clearly. Now I will increase my speed severalfold. Watch closely."

Daoist Chongyun seemed to have noticed Wang Yu's disappointment. With a chuckle, he bent his knees slightly and shot forward like a bolt from a crossbow. At the same time, the wooden sword in his hand blurred, actually producing sharp hisses as it sliced through the air.

Thunk!

The Daoist reappeared before a small tree at the edge of the Martial Arts Practice Field, the wooden sword in his hand driven straight through its trunk to half its length.

Wang Yu's eyes widened, and he sucked in a breath of cold air.

Nearby, Dongyue, who had been sneaking glances their way, also gaped, unable to close his mouth for a long while.

With a slight shake of his wrist, Daoist Chongyun easily withdrew the wooden sword from the trunk, then turned and spoke calmly to Wang Yu:

"Every move of the Wind-Splitting Sword Technique looks simple, but reaching the beginner level is no easy matter. It takes extensive practice before familiarity breeds skill. The faster you are, the greater its power. Only when you can perform all thirteen moves in one breath without panting have you reached the beginner level. Being able to pierce a wooden post with a wooden sword, as I just did, counts as minor mastery."

Wang Yu ran over to the small tree and touched the flat sword hole in its trunk. Once he had confirmed that the hole was indeed fresh, he suppressed his excitement and turned to address the Daoist respectfully:

"Temple Master, this Wind-Splitting Sword Technique is incredible. This is the technique I want to learn."

"I want to learn this sword technique too! It looks much better than the Vajra Staff Technique!" Dongyue shouted from the side.

"You have not even mastered your Vajra Staff Technique. What business do you have learning swordsmanship? Go back to practicing your staff! Qiuye, come with me." Daoist Chongyun's face darkened. After scolding Dongyue, he took Wang Yu to the other side of the Martial Arts Practice Field and began teaching him the Wind-Splitting Sword Technique hands-on.

The Wind-Splitting Sword Technique was indeed very simple. From its stances and methods of exerting force to details such as breathing rhythms, Daoist Chongyun spent most of the morning teaching Wang Yu the first seven moves one by one. Finally, after telling him to "work more on strengthening your arms and legs," he turned and left with an easy air.

For the rest of the time, Wang Yu practiced the sword technique alone. But after only a few dozen straight thrusts, he was drenched in sweat, and his entire arm grew sore and swollen. He had no choice but to stop.

Only then did he begin to feel that Daoist Chongyun might have fobbed him off. With his body in this condition, never mind the Wind-Splitting Sword Technique-he probably would not get much out of practicing any martial technique.

"Junior Brother Qiuye, you seem a little frail. That is enough practice for today. In a few days, I will get you something good to build you up, and then you can practice properly." Seeing this, Dongyue came over and spoke with a broad smile.

"Something good? What do you mean, Senior Brother?" Wang Yu's interest stirred, and he asked.

"Haha, you will find out when the time comes. You are my junior brother, so of course I will look after you. Without that stuff to nourish me, I could never have reached the beginner level of the Vajra Staff Technique so quickly." Dongyue patted his chest and spoke with an air of mystery, though his expression somehow looked rather sleazy.

Seeing this, Wang Yu was somewhat skeptical.

Over the next two days, Wang Yu set aside time every morning and evening to practice the Wind-Splitting Sword Technique. Unfortunately, his body really was rather weak. Each time, he could only practice briefly before he had to stop, panting for breath. Naturally, he could not even become proficient in its first move at that rate.

In frustration, Wang Yu simply stopped practicing swordsmanship for the next few days. Instead, after his daily cleaning of the temple and examination of the cloud patterns in the White Cloud Scripture, he explored every side of the Small Hill where the temple stood. He actually found several unusual-looking plants that he suspected did not exist on Blue Star, secretly picked them, and brought them back to ask Dongyue about them.

Unfortunately, according to Dongyue, these plants were utterly ordinary and apparently had no value. Wang Yu was not a botanist either, so he could not be certain that these strange plants were truly unique to this world. He could only do his best to remember their appearances and names, planning to have someone draw them after he returned to Blue Star so specialists could judge them.

Wang Yu also tentatively asked Dongyue about true qi and internal cultivation methods, but the latter looked completely bewildered, making him give up all hope. It seemed that although this world's martial techniques looked quite impressive, they were not as profound as he had imagined.

At noon on the fifth day.

After eating steamed buns and pickled vegetables, Wang Yu stood in the square before the main hall, hesitating over whether to go to the Martial Arts Practice Field to practice the Wind-Splitting Sword Technique. Just then, a young Daoist entered through the front gate. He had sword-like brows, large eyes, and fair skin, and looked to be in his twenties. A black iron staff was strapped to his back, and he carried two large bundles in each hand.

After a moment of surprise, Wang Yu immediately realized who he was and went up to greet him, asking respectfully:

"Are you Senior Brother Qingfeng?"

"Who are you? Where is that lazy fellow Dongyue?" The young Daoist frowned at Wang Yu, who was dressed as a Daoist novice.

Before Wang Yu could answer, Dongyue came bouncing out of a side room like a ball, shouting happily:

"Eldest Senior Brother, this is Junior Brother Qiuye, who just joined the temple. I have been waiting ages for you. Did you bring the things my father asked you to deliver?"

"I had to take a detour of a full half day for this little lot. Junior Brother Qiuye, was it? I thought Master would not take in anyone new. Since you are here, work hard in the temple. I am going to see Master first." The young man tossed one of the large bundles to Dongyue. After those few cold words to Wang Yu, he paid the two no further attention and headed straight for the main hall.

"Do not mind him, Junior Brother Qiuye. Eldest Senior Brother always talks like that, but beneath his cold face is a warm heart. Otherwise, he would never have helped bring so many things from home for me. Come to my room. I have something good to show you." Hugging the bundle tightly in both arms, Dongyue spoke to Wang Yu with a beaming smile.

"Could it be the nourishing stuff you mentioned last time, Senior Brother Dongyue?" Wang Yu perked up at his words.

"Haha, glad you remember, Junior Brother. Come on." With that reply, Dongyue excitedly carried the bundle toward his room, and Wang Yu followed closely behind, curious.