Starting from the next day, I began to learn advanced techniques and combat methods of the Thunder God Style one-on-one from Sanjie Liguang. Of course, what I had learned until now was also part of the Thunder God Style, but according to Sanjie Liguang, once I reached the advanced stage, I would learn the secret techniques of the Thunder God Style and be introduced to new combat methods. I felt a slight tingling in my nose, thinking that I was finally on the right track.
"Show me the Thunder Shadow Sword Technique again."
"Yes."
Standing at the training ground in the morning, I assumed a middle stance. I had practiced this move a hundred thousand times by now, so I performed it naturally without much thought. When I finished the form, he said with satisfaction,
"The unnecessary movements have fallen away. Don't you think it's a bit faster even to you?"
"Uh..."
Upon reflection, the breathing that used to get stuck between the moves now flowed smoothly without interruption. I had performed it unconsciously, but it did seem that the speed of my sword had increased. Surprised, I stood there, and Sanjie Liguang said,
"Only now have you truly mastered the Thunder Shadow Sword Technique. It also means that you are ready to learn the advanced application techniques."
"......!!"
"Your sword technique was merely picking up the forms, and your control of inner energy and breathing distribution was too clumsy. Although it was a hidden flaw due to your extremely high inner energy, to a master one level above you, it would have appeared full of weaknesses. However, you fell into a state of self-forgetfulness and unconsciously eliminated all unnecessary movements and weaknesses, ingraining them into your body. That's why you can now move on to the next level."
I understood what Liguang was saying.
Unnecessary movements and weaknesses! I had been corrected in my posture a hundred thousand times and instructed to perform the sword forms quickly and accurately. As a result, I had managed to eliminate extraneous thoughts and greatly enhance my concentration, thereby improving my sword skills. When I looked down at my hands in amazement, I saw that they were stiff with bruises. It was natural, given that I had swung the sword so vigorously that my palms were on fire. Sanjie Liguang said,
"I have a question for you."
"Yes, please ask."
"Since you are a disciple of the Thunder God Style, you should know that the spear is much stronger. Why are you so fixated on sword techniques? It would have been better if you had specialized in the spear."
Liguang's words were not just a matter of regret. He genuinely believed that the martial arts of the spear were far superior to those of the sword. And given his level of martial arts, his words were true. I thought for a moment and then answered,
"I want to attain the ultimate in self-protection."
"Self-protection! Indeed..."
My answer was a subtle interpretation of the principles of weapons that Liguang had explained before. According to him, the spear was the pinnacle of combat techniques, while the sword was the pinnacle of self-protection. I had said that mastering the ultimate in self-protection was enough for me. Liguang smiled slightly and said,
"Very well. It's good to have someone like you. It might be beneficial to have someone who takes a different path from Xiaoqing."
Then he raised his wooden sword and said,
"Originally, our Thunder God Style was responsible for protecting the religious ceremonies of the White Lotus Sect, and sometimes we even led the ceremonies. In the process, the power of thunder made the sword path glow like a sword of light, and this became the hallmark of the Thunder God Style."
"I've never heard of this before."
"Of course not. This is a secret only revealed to those who have mastered the Thunder Shadow Sword Technique to a certain level."
It was not strange that I was only now learning about the history of the Thunder Shadow Sword Technique. My previous level of sword technique was so shallow by Sanjie Liguang's standards that he had no intention of considering me a successor, and thus did not teach me everything about the Thunder Shadow Sword Technique.
'In other words, I have finally earned Liguang's recognition in sword techniques.'
Sanjie Liguang's wooden sword began to move slowly.
Crackling
His wooden sword soon emitted a bright blue thunder aura, which was the same phenomenon that occurred when I raised the thunder aura and performed the sword technique. As I gazed at the wooden sword with the thunder aura, Sanjie Liguang suddenly shouted,
"Ha!"
Crack!
"Ah...!!"
It was astonishing. The thunder aura that had been swirling suddenly converged into a single point, forming a bright blue blade of lightning. It was a sword aura that seemed to be infused with lightning, and its sharpness was even beautiful. Sanjie Liguang, who had been watching, said,
"This is the Great Perfection level of the Thunder Shadow Sword Technique, the Heavenly Thunder Blade. The method you've been using to release the thunder aura from your sword consumes a lot of energy and is too slow. You need to create the Heavenly Thunder Blade to compete on equal terms with the peak swordsmen."
"R-right."
"First, activate the thunder aura, gather the dispersed thunder energy, and naturally overlay it from the tip of the sword, visualizing the shape of a blade. The more you do this, the stronger the Heavenly Thunder Blade will become."
I wiped the sweat from my forehead. After all this effort, I could now create a proper sword aura. If I had tried to master this on my own, it would have taken at least a dozen years. There was no faster way than learning from an excellent master in a renowned martial arts school.
"Try to wrap the Heavenly Thunder Blade around your sword and move while maintaining the energy flow. Also, practice releasing the attached energy at will. If you can do this, your Thunder Shadow Sword Technique will reach a whole new level."
"Understood!"
I would need several more months to master the additional application techniques that Liguang had explained. During this time, Liguang never mentioned whether my progress was fast or slow. On the contrary, whenever I asked if I was too slow, he calmly replied,
"You are doing very well."
I had to believe him. I focused on my training every day, determined to master the Thunder Shadow Sword Technique perfectly. The fruits of my labor finally paid off after about half a year.
Boom!
The Heavenly Thunder Blade that shot out from my wooden sword left a large gash on the wall. I had finally managed to use the Heavenly Thunder Blade to attack from a distance. My concentration was greatly depleted, and I was panting heavily when Liguang said,
"Now, if you can refine the Thunder Shadow Step, you will have almost eliminated your major weakness, Bai Xiong."
"The Thunder... Thunder Shadow Step?"
"One eye, two feet, three courage, four strength (一眼二足三膽四力)."
Sanjie Liguang recited a proverb passed down in martial arts families and suddenly moved with a fluidity that created a vivid illusion of another shadow.
"You have mastered the strength and thought behind your sword technique. Now, it's time to learn footwork."
This was the pinnacle of footwork I had never seen before.
'Is this the Art of Changing Form and Position (移形换位)?'
But I realized it was not. The density of the movements was vastly different, and the movements were linked like chain links. They were lively and continuous, almost like a dance.
Swish
The shadows seemed to scatter like flower petals.
Liguang had taken seven steps. But those seven steps contained incredible footwork. After taking the final step, Liguang said,
"The ultimate technique of the Thunder Shadow Step, the Heavenly Pillar Kill (天柱殺)! If you master this, I will grant you the qualifications of a successor."
"Really...!"
I was elated.
The qualifications of a successor!
Even now, Liguang was half-acknowledging me as a successor and teaching me various secret techniques and advanced applications. But being formally recognized was a different story. The moment I obtained these qualifications, I would truly be on equal footing with Jin Xiaoqing, receiving Liguang's martial arts.
In other words, this trial itself was close to Liguang's final test.
Liguang nodded and said,
"The time limit is three years. Master the Heavenly Pillar Kill within that time."
"Three years?"
"Yes."
Considering that it took me nearly a year to master the Heavenly Thunder Blade, I was given three times as much time. I could anticipate that the Heavenly Pillar Kill was a highly difficult technique. If Liguang said three years, it was likely to be a technique that would take a decade or more to master.
Liguang continued,
"I'll give you an additional task. While mastering the Heavenly Pillar Kill, you will challenge other martial arts schools with Jin Xiaoqing."
"Challenge other martial arts schools?"
"Yes."
"That's... um..."
I felt quite taken aback.
Challenging other martial arts schools!
'Damn. I might die.'
It was easy to say, but I knew all too well how dangerous it was. When I had recklessly challenged the Shuangmen Sect in Luoyang in the past, I had managed to defeat the hall master, but an elder appeared and used the sparring as an excuse to sever my head.
In the world of martial arts, honor was more important than life, and it was not uncommon for famous sects to gang up and kill challengers. Challenging other martial arts schools was a perilous act that required the challenger to be prepared to die.
I soon steeled myself and declared boldly,
"I'll give it a try!"
"Good. Give it a try."
The rest of the day was spent receiving guidance on the Thunder Shadow Step. He pointed out that my Thunder Shadow Step had too many unnecessary movements and lectured on how to move quickly with the correct posture.
Until then, I had thought that my training would continue peacefully and smoothly. I just needed to learn what he taught and, as a bonus, challenge other martial arts schools.
But the next morning, when I went to the training ground from my quarters, I did not see Sanjie Liguang. Instead, an unexpected person was waiting for me, already packed and waving at me.
"Junior Brother, you're here!"
"Senior Brother Jin Xiaoqing? What are you doing here?"
Jin Xiaoqing laughed heartily.
"We're going to challenge a martial arts school today. We need to arrive at Dingguo before dawn, so let's hurry and set off."
"Ah... That's too sudden."
I grumbled but gathered the weapons from the training ground. Since I was almost never hungry, I didn't need to pack any extra supplies. As I fastened a decent sword to my waist, I suddenly felt something odd.
"Wait, Senior Brother. Dingguo? That's..."
"Right, Junior Brother."
The expression on my face twisted as Senior Brother continued,
"It's a village at the entrance of Zhongnan Mountain."