[Raindrop Sutra]. The principle behind it was that of the saying, âdripping water can eventually tunnel through a rockâ.
Its attacks were soft yet inexhaustible, seemingly as endless as the raindrops falling from the skies during a rainstorm, making the enemy find it difficult to even dodge. In turn, its defenses were utterly airtightâŠand at the same time, when tens of millions of raindrops converged on one point, it could form a terrifyingly explosive force. Even ordinary drops of water could eventually tunnel through a rock; the sword that had been transformed into âraindropsâ would naturally contain an unshakable, unyielding power.
âThe [Raindrop Sutra] truly is profound and wondrous.â Ning nodded as he read it, then picked up the second book, [Polaris Secret Manual].
The [Polaris Secret Manual] was part of the legendary [Polaris Sword Manual]. It was divided into seven different sword stances, known as Dubhe, Merak, Phecda, Megrez, Alioth, Mizar, and Alkaid. These seven major sword stances all contained the power of the stars. They could be as ferocious and savage as the Voracious Alkaid Wolf Sword, or the extremely soft and extremely sinister Melodious Megrez SwordâŠ
The sword technique was unfathomably mysterious, and was very hard to defend against.
âWhat a good sword technique.â Ning sighed in amazement as he read, before picking up the other three books.
[Thunderflame Sword]. This was something which the ancestors of the Ji clan, when roving and training themselves elsewhere in the world, had been lucky enough to find. They had found a half-burned remnant of a book, and the words in it were not very clear. Only two words on the title could be seen: Thunderflame! In addition, they were only able to reclaim three complete sword stances from the book.
All of the stances were used to attack. When the stances were used, it was as though it contained the power of heavenly thunder and hellish flames. There was no question that in terms of attack power, it was the undisputed champion amongst the sword techniques of the Ji clan! For just three stances to allow it to be ranked amongst the Five Major Sword Techniques of the Ji clan, one could imagine how that unnamed complete sword techniqueâŠdefinitely outstripped the other four sword techniques vastly.
However, although its strengths were apparent, its weaknesses were also apparent. This was because these vicious stancesâŠwere only three in number. Thus, they didnât perfectly link to each other. In addition, all three stances were purely offensive, without any defensive stances. How could experts, when engaged in battle, have no defensive stances? Thus, very few people would choose to train in this sword technique.
âI really want to see what the complete Thunderflame Sword looks like.â Ning couldnât help but sigh.
âIf we had a complete copy,â the nearby Yichuan said, âThen it would be, without question, the number one Immortal technique in Swallow Mountain.â
Ning nodded, then picked up the fourth book.
[Illusion Sutra]. Strictly speaking, this wasnât a sword technique, because once one truly understood the meaning of the word âIllusionâ, one could execute an âIllusion Saberâ technique, or an âIllusion Spearâ technique, or an âIllusion Staffâ techniqueâŠthis was an insidious and powerful attacking technique that allowed one to hide oneâs true abilities and actions. Opponents often would die before even knowing what happened.
This technique was sinister to the extreme.
âThis isnât suited to my temperament.â The first technique Ning discarded was the [Illusion Sutra]. Picking something suited to a person was very important. A technique that was opposite of oneâs natural instincts, no matter how profoundâŠwould be incredibly difficult to train. Naturally, Ning immediately discarded it.
âHrm, the last one was originally the greatest strength of the Ji clan.â Ning began to flip through the [Melody of Ten Thousand Swords].
The [Melody of Ten Thousand Swords] was praised as the most complicated of the five sword techniques, far more complicated than the [108 Swords of the Gods and Demons] which Ning had previously learned. But although it was complicated, once one truly mastered it, the [Melody of Ten Thousand Swords] could be simplified into three major stances. The âOne Sword, Ten Thousand Shadowsâ stance, the âTen Thousand Swords Become Oneâ, and the âMelody of Ten Thousand Swordsâ.
âŠâŠ
Ning closed his eyes, pondering.
In terms of being the most awe-inspiring and most complicated, or perhaps even the simplest, it would be the [Melody of Ten Thousand Swords].
In terms of being the most insidious and difficult to guard against, it would be the [Illusion Sutra].
In terms of being the most orthodox, it would be the [Polaris Secret Manual].
In terms of having the greatest defense, it would be the [Raindrop Sutra].
In terms of the most powerful attack and the deepest, most profound principles, it would be the [Thunderflame Sword].
âFirst of all, the [Illusion Sutra] can be excluded. It doesnât suit my temperament!â Ning pondered. âThe [Polaris Secret Manual] is part of the [Polaris Sword Manual]. In terms of attack, it isnât very strong. In defense, it isnât either. It isnât very exquisite eitherâŠitâs comparatively average, but it isnât weak in any aspect either. When fighting against experts, one must have some sort of advantage! The [Polaris Secret Manual] can be excluded as well.â
âOnly three left. The [Melody of Ten Thousand Swords], [Raindrop Sutra], and [Thunderflame Sword].â
âThe [Raindrop Sutra] is a must!â Ning thought to himself.
The Raindrop Sutra was like a curtain of endless raindrops. It was the most defensive technique amongst the five major sword techniques.
In a battle, defensive abilities were even more important than attacking abilities!
In his past life, Ning had seen many martial arts competitions. All of the champions were experts at dodging and defense. Even in soccer and basketball, there was the saying that âdefense is kingâ. Although attacks were pretty to look atâŠit was defense which truly gave the best chances at victory.
The venue was different, but the logic was the same!
In life and death battles, defense was also important. When encountering an expert more powerful than oneâs self, one might reach the point of only being able to defend and not attack. If oneâs defense was strong, then perhaps one might still live. But once those attack-focused people encountered those who were even stronger than them, once their attacks were not able to harm the opponent, they were finished.
âDefense is the same thing as preserving my life. First, I have to preserve my life; only then can I take the lives of others. In addition, this is the technique which my father used to become famous. With him personally instructing me, I will improve quickly. The [Raindrop Sutra] is a must.â Ning carefully continued to consider. âAs for the [Thunderflame Sword] and the [Melody of Ten Thousand Swords]âŠâ
âAlright, [Thunderflame Sword] it is!â Ning quickly made his decision.
If he was like an ordinary person who could only use a single sword technique, Ning probably wouldâve made a choice between the [Raindrop Sutra] and the [Melody of Ten Thousand Swords].
However, since he used twin swords, he already had the [Raindrop Sutra] for defense. Thus, for the second one, he chose the most offensively powerful [Thunderflame Sword]. The [Thunderflame Sword] had, as its flaw, no defensive techniques, but as a twin-sword wielder, that wasnât a flaw at all. He had already chosen the [Raindrop Sutra] for his defense, and thus what he now truly needed was a powerful killing technique.
âThe [Raindrop Sutra] and the [Thunderflame Sword].â Ning made up his mind. âThe [Raindrop Sutra] is excellent at defense, while the [Thunderflame Sword], despite only having three strokes, has three incomparably powerful killer moves.â
âIn addition, once my [Crimsonbright Diagram of the Nine Heavens] reaches the Xiantian level, my Divine Sun Tattoo and Divine Moon Tattoo will allow me to control fire and water. Water is very suited to the [Raindrop Sutra] while fire is very suited to the [Thunderflame Sword]. I trust they will be of great help to my swordplay.â
âIn defending, my defense must be so tight that not even a drop of water can get through!â
âIn attacking, my attacks must be as explosively powerful as a fiery volcano!â
âI have twin swords. One for defense, one for offense. Or perhaps I can use both for defense. Or both for attack. Iâll do as I please!â Ning rapidly began to evaluate his future possibilities in battle, and he saw the path with crystal clarity. He knewâŠonly once one had a full understanding as to how one would develop and progress would one be able to avoid taking a wrong path. This would help one develop faster!
In warfare, strategies were of greater importance than tactics.
In a personâs growth, there was a saying that planning counted for more than effort.
If one knew the right way one needed to advance towards, even if one didnât make huge advances every day, after ten or twenty years, one would still reach a high level. But if one didnât have a clear objective, and just blindly worked hard, a person might just be running in-place without improving, or perhaps even going backwards!
âŠ.
His careful examination of the books had taken two hours. That huge candle was already half used up. Yichuan and Snow just waited there quietly, occasionally exchanging a few words.
âFather, Mother.â Ning suddenly spoke.
âHrm?â Yichuan and Snow both turned to look at him. Yichuan spoke. âYouâve chosen?â
Ning nodded.
âNing, son, what have you chosen? One or two?â Snow asked.
âIâve chosen two.â Ning held out the two books. âOne is the [Raindrop Sutra]. The other is the [Thunderflame Sword].â
â[Raindrop Sutra]? [Thunderflame Sword]?â Yichuan nodded slightly. As the number one expert of the Ji clan of the West Prefecture, despite not having gained any merits in battle after his son was being born, his reputation had only grown. This was because no one knew how powerful Yichuan had becomeâŠbut no one could dispute that in even ten years, Yichuan had already become the number one expert of the West Prefecture.
His judgment was therefore exceptional.
âFine.â Yichuan nodded.
âIâd like to hear your advice, Father.â Ning hurriedly said.
âNo rush.â Yichuan shook his head. âI have some thoughts on the [Raindrop Sutra], but youâve never trained it in before. Thus, even if I explained my thoughts to you, you wouldnât be able to comprehend them. You have to first train hard, and even engage in life-and-death battles, before I can successfully guide you.â
âTomorrow at dawn, I will give you the full copies of the [Raindrop Sutra] and the [Thunderflame Sword]. At that time, you will perform them in front of me once. As long as you can get the postures and movements right, that will be enough.â Yichuan nodded. âThree days later, you will begin to engage in real battles. Those sparring matches you usually do are too simple and soft. You need to fight in real life-and-death battles.â
Ning was puzzled.
âFather, havenât I already engaged in life-and-death battles?â Ning couldnât help but ask. âIn the past, when you acknowledged that my skill had reached the first level in sword training, the basic level, didnât you have me fight against and kill some prisoners who had been sentenced to death?â
He still remembered the first time he had killed someone. At that time, his entire body had been trembling, uncontrollably so. Although he rationally knew that he shouldnât be afraid, he still couldnât help but shake. According to what his father had saidâŠaside from a very few people who lived for slaughter, this was the normal reaction of most people the first time they killed someone.
After having killed dozens of people sentenced to death row, he had grown calmer.
âThat wasnât a battle. That was just training your courage.â Yichuan shook his head. âFighting against convicts? All of them were weaker than you. How can that be called a life-and-death battle? Three days from nowâŠI will arrange for you to engage in a true battle with monstrous beasts, powerful ones that have already reached mastery in the Houtian level.â
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âMonsters?â Ningâs face changed.
âThose captured monsters will turn insane and ferocious for food and for the chance to live. In addition, they wonât show you any mercy at all.â Yichuan looked at his son. âIn front of a massive cage, you will fight against the monstrous beasts, one on one. This is the battle which all important descendants of the Ji clan must go through; the âCage Battleâ. Over half of these important descendants will die in that cage.
Half?
Ning was briefly shocked, but then grew calm again. This was because he knew that the women and the slaves in the various tribes were highly fertile, but the total population here had never changed. Why? Because the savage environment had caused the tribes to need to struggle against the heavens, against the earth, against the Diremonsters hidden within the mountains and valleys, and even against other tribes. Only a few would be able to survive! Even though he was born into the Ji clan, he still needed to face tough, relentless training. Only the elite would survive.
It was precisely because all the clan members of the Ji clan were so strong that the Ji clan was famous and had become a local hegemon!