Mastering the Blade Grandmaster's Martial Display

A few days later.

At 4 a.m., by Xuanwu Lake near Hailan Residential Area.

The willow trees cast deep shadows, and the morning dew pooled into small wetlands.

In a low-lying area by the lake, a lone figure wielded a wooden sword, slashing with the ferocity of a tiger.

The blade’s momentum was so dense it seemed impenetrable, as if stirring curtains of water.

Even the morning mist gathered around the edge of the sword.

Suddenly, at a certain moment, the figure leaped lightly and delivered three swift slashes toward the lake’s surface.

Whoosh—!

An invisible blade force condensed into a single point, slicing through the air.

The tranquil lake surface was instantly split by two towering waves several meters high.

“Hah—!”

The figure sheathed the sword and gazed at the lake, nodding slightly. “After reaching the minor mastery of ‘Raging Waves Shake the Heavens,’ I can unleash three consecutive blade strikes, each multiplying in power. The third strike delivers three times my normal strength…”

“Even at minor mastery, it triples my maximum force… Among basic martial techniques, this is indeed exceptional.”

The essence of martial arts lies in unleashing one’s latent potential to a greater degree.

For example, if a 0.5-life limit equates to 500 jin of force, then executing martial techniques can unleash even greater power.

How much stronger depends on the technique itself.

Most basic martial arts, when perfected, can only amplify strength by three to four times.

But the "Flowing Water Blade Art," even at minor mastery, triples the force. At its peak, it can unleash five times the power.

This already surpasses most basic martial arts.

In this regard, it’s quite similar to the "Extreme Path Shattering Palm" from Third Uncle’s martial arts school.

As a pure fist-and-palm technique, the "Extreme Path Shattering Palm" can amplify force up to six times.

However, this technique is far more difficult to master.

And it carries a backlash that strains the body.

After sheathing his sword, Wang Xian jogged a few laps around the lake to warm up before heading to school.

“Today is Sunday. It’s been a week since the Wind King Falcon’s attack…”

“According to our agreement, after classes end this afternoon, Ye Miyue is supposed to come for a massage…”

Lost in thought on his way to school, Wang Xian reflected.

Over the past week, Ye Miyue had made noticeable progress.

Every day at noon, he would sneak to the rooftop to feed her and could roughly gauge her improvement.

As for the rest of the time—aside from the first day—Wang Xian hadn’t even attended morning self-study.

Most mornings and evenings were spent finding secluded spots to meditate and practice the Flowing Water Blade Art.

Then he’d head straight to class.

At 8 a.m., Wang Xian arrived punctually.

“Wang Xian, why have you been skipping morning self-study and the broadcast martial drills lately?”

No sooner had he sat down than Chen Yuting approached, visibly irritated.

Today, she wore her hair in a ponytail, unusually without makeup.

Her graceful figure and long, toned legs remained eye-catching, but the look was less glamorous and more youthful.

“Overslept,” Wang Xian replied casually.

“Don’t give me excuses!” Chen Yuting rapped her knuckles on his desk. “Are you giving up on yourself again?”

Wang Xian blinked.

“That’s harsh, Chen Yuting,” Zhou Xukun interjected. “With my bro’s talent, he’s probably training in secret, waiting to shock everyone during the next martial arts class selection.”

“Right?”

Zhou Xukun winked at Wang Xian.

“Don’t make excuses for him.” Chen Yuting snorted. “He’s already at the first tier in blade techniques—he could be learning basic martial arts. But I checked, and he only borrowed one blade technique from the school library.”

“What good is one visit?”

“Probably realized martial arts are too hard?” Li Zihang chimed in smugly. “Even a genius like Xia Sichen had to borrow from the library three times and consult teachers multiple times before mastering a basic technique.”

“Even with some talent, without a teacher, you can’t expect to learn it in one try, right?”

Zhou Xukun stayed silent.

He’d made decent progress this week, nearly reaching the first tier in skill.

He’d also checked out the difficulty of martial techniques.

They were indeed challenging…

Otherwise, the martial arts speed class wouldn’t have such a low bar—just mastering one technique to qualify.

With less than a month left, time was tight.

So, after one visit, he’d backed off.

Better to refine his foundations first.

“Wang Xian, don’t retreat at the first sign of difficulty…” Chen Yuting softened her tone encouragingly. “Martial arts are hard, but perseverance is key. At the very least, you should attend the morning broadcast drills. How can you improve if you don’t?”

Li Zihang nearly choked on his envy.

Chen Yuting had never spoken to him like that!

Wang Xian frowned at her.

This little green tea from his past life was acting stranger by the day.

Had she awakened early?

And why was her style and makeup starting to resemble Ye Miyue’s?

“Can’t be bothered,” Wang Xian brushed her off.

Explaining was pointless.

The morning broadcast drills, where students followed instructor Zhou Dahai’s fitness routines, were useful for others.

But for him? A waste of time.

He’d rather train alone and then practice his blade techniques—far more effective.

“You—!”

Chen Yuting’s eyebrows shot up, but after a few deep breaths, she held back her anger.

Just then, the class bell rang.

With no other choice, she returned to her seat.

Wang Xian took academic classes seriously.

In his past life, his grades had been abysmal. Now, reborn, martial arts came naturally, but academics were a different beast.

Especially history.

His lack of knowledge had nearly cost him his life in the alien battlefield, where ignorance made him a reckless liability.

Though the current history lessons didn’t delve into the alien battlefield, they covered the origins of martial arts and the evolution of cosmic energy—all linked to its eventual emergence.

Three classes passed, and the final period was martial arts.

“Today is theory only—no practice.”

Cui Sanyan entered the room.

His expression was odd—eyes gleaming with excitement, but his face pale.

“Before we begin, two announcements.”

He took a deep breath. “First, tomorrow afternoon—Monday—we’re dismissing early.”

The class exchanged puzzled looks.

Half-days were usually on weekends. What was special about Monday?

Then, Cui Sanyan continued:

“The school has invited the seventh-realm grandmaster, Bai Hongtian, to deliver a martial arts lecture.”

“So, tomorrow afternoon, the entire school will assemble on the field.”

The moment the words left his mouth, the class erupted in astonishment.