Chapter 41

Shan Heyuan: "I hope so too, but it seems like we're both having a bit of bad luck."

Jiang Zhi spat several times, saying, "Don't say such unlucky things with the competition at hand. I went to have my fortune told before, and everyone said we'd have a good result in this competition. That fortune teller was incredibly accurate. Brother Shan, just wait and see you win."

The two of them signed up, but Li Jian felt he wasn't suited to participate and resolutely refused to sign up.

Of the three, Li Jian was the most rational and thoughtful, and he rarely wavered in his convictions.

Jiang Zhi felt somewhat regretful, but he had long anticipated this outcome.

To participate in the competition, Shan Heyuan couldn't just do nothing. Even if he might not be able to defeat those combat-type cultivators, he still had to put in a fight.

While Shen Duheng was at home, he bought a combat-type spirit sword and asked Shen Duheng for advice on techniques.

Shen Duheng taught him a few moves, and he practiced them quite well, mastering them very quickly.

Shan Heyuan himself didn't expect that he could learn so quickly.

Shan Heyuan: "Non-Self have some talent in sword cultivation?"

Holding up his spirit sword, he asked Shen Duheng with a smug look, "Is my cultivation speed considered fast? It seems that the younger disciples of the Supreme Harmony Sect can't even pick it up as quickly as I can."

Shen Duheng nodded in affirmation. "You are fast, but you lack talent. Your hands and feet are uncoordinated, your combat awareness is not strong enough, and you lack courage. When faced with danger, your first reaction is always to dodge. You only retaliate when you realize that dodging is wrong, and you often lose the initiative because of this."

Shan Heyuan: "Then how could I cultivate so quickly?"

Shen Duheng: "Perhaps it's because you've seen the junior disciples cultivate at the Supreme Harmony Sect and have some experience?"

The sense of pride that Shan Heyuan had just felt was completely shattered by what he said.

When talking to Jiang Zhi had a different opinion. "Your cultivation is obviously very fast. Your sword techniques are still a bit rough, but you always get straight to the point. I think if you weren't a teaching assistant in our department, you should be able to get into the Sword Reverence Academy even if you took the exam as a sword cultivator."

Jiang Zhi's praise was so enthusiastic that Shan Heyuan was skeptical. His Brother Shen did indeed seem to be a top-tier swordsman, with different requirements for swords.

Li Jian rarely expressed a similar opinion. "Brother Shan, you've cultivated very quickly. I've seen many disciples practice sword techniques, but none have your comprehension. Senior Shen probably has a higher level of cultivation and is a sword cultivator, so he has very high standards for this aspect, which is why he thinks you're just so-so. But from another person's perspective, you're already very good."

Filled with confidence by their praise, Shan Heyuan asked, "Is it really that strong?"

Jiang Zhi affirmed, "Of course, why would the two of us lie to you? But I think if you use sword techniques in the competition, you might still be at a disadvantage."

Shan Heyuan asked in surprise, "You don't use sword techniques?"

Jiang Zhi: "No need. I'm a planter. Using sword techniques would be using my weakness against my opponent's strength. On the field, I'll definitely need to use the methods of a planter. You'll understand Brother Shan you have more experience, Brother Shan."

Chapter 41

The Sword Reverence Academy's grand competition is scheduled for May 10th and will last for one month.

The summer vacation will begin right after the competition, from June 15th to July 15th. If any disciples are seriously injured during the competition, this vacation will be perfect for recuperation.

Upon hearing this, Shan Heyuan's expression was indescribable.

Jiang Zhi looked at Shan Heyuan's expression and said with amusement, "Why are you making that face? Everyone knows that someone will get injured in the competition, right? We even planted healing herbs ourselves. Once they're grown, someone will definitely need them, won't they?"

Shan Heyuan rubbed his face. "I guess we're the kind of people who use healing medicine."

"Don't worry, at worst you'll get injured, you won't be crippled. The referee is watching." Jiang Zhi offered a perfunctory reassurance before asking, "Are you free this afternoon? Want to watch the Sword Academy disciples train?"

The Sword Reverence Academy's grand competition is an academy-wide competition. You are assigned to a specific academy by drawing lots. There are no rules in the competition; you just need to win.

However, based on past experience, the most powerful fighters in the entire academy are still those sword cultivators.

To understand the combat strength of this competition, the safest approach is to observe the sword cultivators.

Shan Heyuan was quite curious about the sword cultivators' combat strength, but asked, "Aren't the disciples of the Sword Academy supposed to keep their training sessions private?"

Jiang Zhi: "It's alright. I'm familiar with the teachers at the Sword Academy, and I've already made arrangements. You can go see it anytime you want."

This guy has always had a wide circle of friends, Shan Heyuan nodded. "Let's go. What time this afternoon?"

Jiang Zhi: "I'll come and call you after I finish my class. I only have one or two classes this afternoon."

Shan Heyuan: "Then I'll wait for you in Class C's Spirit Plant garden."

In the afternoon, Jiang Zhi took Li Jian and Shan Heyuan to watch the disciples of the Sword Academy practice their swordsmanship.

The Sword Academy exuded a sharp, distinctive air, completely different from that of the plantation.

Shan Heyuan and his two companions walked through the Sword Academy, they sensed that the disciples approaching them had upright postures, resolute gazes, and a demeanor quite different from those of the disciples from other academies.

Jiang Zhi led the way. "This way, let's go to the training ground."

Shan Heyuan followed Jiang Zhi: "The atmosphere at the Sword Academy is really great."

Jiang Zhi said with a proud look, "It would be strange if the atmosphere wasn't good among the top disciples of a top academy."

Li Jian stood beside him, a look of deep agreement on his face.

The three of them walked for a short while before arriving outside the training ground.

Shan Heyuan looked ahead and saw that the Sword Academy's training ground was enormous, much larger than a football field on Earth.

The training ground was paved with ice-blue Hard Ice Jade, with defensive formations engraved on it, and there were also defensive formations around it.

The intricate formations created a stunning aesthetic, while the hemispherical halo above the Hard Ice Jade added a sacred aura to the entire training ground.

Such a large and solemn facility is extremely rare on Earth.

The training ground has been opened, and two sword cultivators are facing off inside.

Two figures, one in black and one in green, chased and entangled each other like birds in flight. Because of their speed, Shan Heyuan could not even see their figures clearly, let alone capture their movements. He could only sense the intensity of the battle from the clanging sound of their swords clashing.

The sword cultivator's strength was so formidable that he shattered Shan Heyuan's confidence in just one encounter.

No wonder Shen Duheng said he wasn't very capable.

Compared to a swordsman like this, how many people could compare?

Shan Heyuan stood at the edge of the training ground, silently questioning the meaning of life.

Jiang Zhi, however, watched with great interest, his eyes shining brightly.

Li Jian, standing nearby, also found it quite interesting.

Shan Heyuan's expression was complicated. "Brother Jiang, if these two sword cultivator disciples were to face each other in the competition, how confident are you of your ability to win?"

Jiang Zhi: "Zero."

Zero? Shan Heyuan was completely taken aback by his answer and paused for a moment, "Only zero? Then why were you watching it with such interest?"

Jiang Zhi: "They're amazing! The disciple in blue Lin Ji, and the disciple in black is named Sheng Chao. They've consistently ranked first and second in the Sword Academy. Ordinary people definitely can't beat them."

After saying this, Jiang Zhi remarked, "I never expected we'd be so lucky today; we just happened to glance around and saw their fight."

No wonder he's so amazing.

Shan Heyuan asked, "What is the strength of the ordinary disciples?"

Jiang Zhi: "Eighty percent Core Formation, two percent Foundation Establishment. Anyone who can get into our academy must be quite strong. Besides, we might not even get into the Sword Academy through the lottery, so what's there to be afraid of?"

Shan Heyuan stared at the two figures rapidly exchanging blows in the chase on the training field, his face grave. "I'm afraid I'll get beaten to death on the stage."

Jiang Zhi laughed and put his arm around his shoulder, "Why are you so timid? With referees and defensive formations, they'll definitely stop short of defeat."

Li Jian smiled.

The two disciples fought for a hundred and eighty moves, with the disciple in green ultimately winning by knocking the disciple in black to the ground and then helping him up.

After this competition ended, two more disciples took to the stage.

The two disciples who came on next were much less skilled, and their Movement Method were not as perfect as the previous two disciples. Shan Heyuan could not only see through the two disciples' moves, but he could even come up with ways to counter them.