Chapter 26: One Week Speedrun to Steel-Cutting Sword Master—Cutting Nothing, Cutting Everything!
********************
It had been a week since Ling Yue's ability riot. Ling Wenhe had taken her back to the capital.
Chen Yu spent these past few days entirely at the Tianyi Sword Dojo, not returning to school.
After receiving permission from Lin Mo to skip school, he basically lived at the dojo for the week, grinding his swordsmanship proficiency.
During this period, Zhou Mingxuan came to find him every day for sword practice.
The two sparred purely with swordsmanship.
Every time, Zhou Mingxuan was beaten black and blue, only to return the next day.
As he put it: "Although my confidence is frustrated, and it hurts, my improvement in swordsmanship is real."
Also, Lin Mo personally delivered mid-tier spiritual potions to Chen Yu.
When they met again, Lin Mo's cultivation had already stepped into the low level of the Fifth Tier.
After seeing Lin Mo off, Chen Yu took the mid-tier potion and immediately felt the boost to his proficiency grinding increase significantly.
Thus, the event that terrified Zhou Mingxuan occurred.
Chen Yu was muttering something like
'When a Sword Master does not wish to cut, even a cicada's wing cannot be severed. When he wishes to cut, even steel will part.'
Cut nothing, cut everything!
Then, he swung his sword at the steel plate behind him.
The unsharpened practice sword in his hand sliced through the steel plate like tofu.
Then, the steel plate split, the cut perfectly smooth.
Zhou Mingxuan's brain felt like it had been hit by a heavy hammer. "This... this..."
Cutting steel wasn't an incredibly high realm; there were quite a few people in the Alliance who could do it.
For example, the teachers at his academy.
The problem was, those were teachers—mid-tier Awakeners.
You're a Beginner-tier... wait?
When did you become Beginner-tier Mid-rank?!
I've been sparring with you for a week and I didn't know! You grandson, you really know how to hide!
Fck!*
"Are you even human? Cutting steel in a week?" Zhou Mingxuan threw his sword down. "Did Elder Wei give you special lessons?"
"A week ago you were only slightly better than me!".
"Tell me Elder Wei taught you! Tell me!"
One's own failure is terrible, but a friend's success is heartbreaking!
"1v1! 1v1! Chen Yu, do you dare to have a real man's duel with me!" Zhou Mingxuan shouted indignantly, getting in Chen Yu's face.
"Sure." Chen Yu nodded happily. He also wanted to test his improved strength.
Zhou Mingxuan smirked, laughing inwardly at his successful scheme.
Admittedly, Chen Yu's paper stats completely surpassed his own now, but he still had a high-level sword technique hidden away.
Did you really think I got into the Awakener's Academy with an A-rank Sword Talent and a Beginner Mid-rank cultivation for nothing?
With Chen Yu's rising speed, his future achievements would definitely be high.
Zhou Mingxuan didn't seek to defeat the current Chen Yu, only to make him eat humble pie.
Later, when bragging, he could say: Chen Yu? Back then, he lost by half a move.
Seeing Zhou Mingxuan's wretched smile, Chen Yu knew he wasn't planning anything good. He hooked his finger. "Come on."
"Heh heh heh..." Zhou Mingxuan chuckled. "You all only know I awakened an A-rank Sword Talent..."
"Watch closely." Zhou Mingxuan held his sword horizontally across his chest. "Foxfire Style!"
As soon as his voice fell.
The long sword in his hand was instantly wrapped in flames.
The moment the orange-red flames rose around the sword, Zhou Mingxuan applied force with his wrist.
The flaming blade cut through the air, leaving a scorching arc of light as it slashed straight at Chen Yu's shoulder.
Chen Yu raised an eyebrow. Kin'emon's sword style?
Foxfire Style could not only burn the opponent with flames but also use the fire to boost sword speed.
In an instant, the flames swelled against the wind, completely enveloping Chen Yu.
This was Zhou Mingxuan's trump card, never revealed during their previous sparring.
Chen Yu's eyes narrowed slightly. Holding the unsharpened practice sword, he showed no panic..
"I'm afraid you don't know what 'Cut Everything' means!".
He raised his arm. The movement wasn't fast, but it perfectly stuck in the split second the flames arrived. The blade slanted upward, not resisting the fire blade directly, but sliding out along the edge of the flames.
Shing!
The sword wind whistled. Zhou Mingxuan didn't see the details of Chen Yu's move.
He only saw the ball of fire he threw out being forcibly split open by the flat of the practice sword.
Not extinguished.
It was like cutting a steel plate—a gap was cleaved right through the center of the fire.
Chen Yu's figure broke through the line of fire, rushing in unscathed.
"Dazing off in a fight?" Chen Yu's voice came with the thrust of his long sword.
Zhou Mingxuan's pupils shrank.
He wanted to change moves to defend, but Chen Yu's sword pressed down, the spine of the practice sword gently tapping his wrist.
Zhou Mingxuan felt his wrist go numb. The strength gripping the sword vanished instantly.
The flaming sword clattered to the ground, and without support, the flames extinguished a few seconds later.
Chen Yu stood with his sword sheathed, his fingertips still stained with the residual heat of the flames.
Zhou Mingxuan stared at the sword on the ground, then at the plain practice sword in Chen Yu's hand. It took a long time before he jumped up. "No way! You can even cut fire?"
"This isn't what we agreed on! Did you secretly sharpen that sword?"
Chen Yu shook his head calmly. "Didn't I just tell you? I can cut whatever I want."
"You really deserve to die!".
Zhou Mingxuan squatted on the ground, pulling his hair, his tone full of frustration.
"So my hidden ultimate move couldn't even last one round against you? If I knew that, I wouldn't have acted so cool..."
"Brother." Chen Yu patted Zhou Mingxuan's shoulder. "If you're trash, just practice more."
"By the way, what's with this Foxfire Style?" Chen Yu asked curiously.
"It came with the talent ability." Zhou Mingxuan rolled his eyes.
"Between high-level sword talents, some are rated A-rank, some B-rank. This is the difference."
"Generally, those reaching A-rank evaluation come with a sword technique or a sword style."
Hearing this, Chen Yu suddenly understood.
This was the same as his Character Template coming with the sword skill Divine Departure, only he couldn't unlock it yet.
At this time, his Character Panel, just like when he mastered Life Return (Seimei Kikan), underwent another comprehensive upgrade.
----------------------------------
[Realm: Initial Stage (Mid)]
[Physique: 1500 → 2100]
[Spirit: 1500 → 2100]
[Observation Haki: Lv1/5]
(Proficiency: 46/100)
[Armament Haki: Lv1/5 ]
(Proficiency: 66/100)
[Conqueror's Haki: Lv1/5 ]
(Proficiency: 12/100)
[Swordsmanship: Lv2/5]
(Proficiency: 3/100)
(Current Effect: Steel-Cutting Sword Master. Your spirit and flesh are one, achieving the realm of cutting anything. Next Level Unlock Effect: Flying Slashes/Sword Qi.)
[Sword Skill: Divine Departure (Kamusari)] Locked. Requires mastery of Ryou (Advanced Armament) and Conqueror's Coating.
[Sword Skill: Ara-mitama (Wild Spirit)] Locked. Conditions unknown.
"Tsk, still too slow." Chen Yu frowned. How long until I can use Divine Departure?
Mastering Life Return only took two days, but leveling up swordsmanship took a full week.
The progress of the three Haki types was even slower.
Zhou Mingxuan listened to Chen Yu's words, his pupils shaking. "Bro, that's enough. Stop pretending."
"Pretending anymore would be rude."
Chen Yu rubbed his nose in embarrassment. He wasn't pretending.
He was genuinely anxious.
Chen Yu hadn't left the dojo all week because he feared Zhang Li had arranged another assassination.
His strength improvement needed to be faster. At least fast enough to fire off a Divine Departure.
"Yo, you're here?" Ling Wenhe's voice came from the entrance..
Chen Yu looked over and saw Ling Yue following behind him.
"Uncle Ling, Miss Ling," Chen Yu greeted.
Ling Wenhe nodded slightly, anticipation in his eyes. "Waited a long time, right?"
"Don't blame me for taking so long. I personally selected the compensation resources for you. They will absolutely suit your taste!"
(To be Continued)