Chapter 40

In the past, Ji Ran also practiced the Four Seasons Sword Technique without any particular purpose.

Practicing sword techniques in the game can increase one's proficiency and control over the techniques. In the martial arts game "Sword Hero Unparalleled," the battles are somewhat similar to fighting games, requiring players to grasp the timing for attacks and defenses and to choose appropriate moves to deal with the current situation. The more familiar one is with the sword techniques, the more naturally they can be applied.

Back then, practicing the Four Seasons Sword Technique was just following the routine. While he did become familiar with each move, it was only superficial. Ji Ran had never truly delved deeper into the essence of the technique. After all, in the game, as long as he raised his sword skill level and knew when to use which move, it was enough.

However, it was clear that the real world was different from the game.

Wielding his long sword, Ji Ran fully unleashed the Four Seasons Sword Technique. The twenty-four sword moves flowed like a stream, continuous and unbroken. Suddenly, he felt that this sword technique was not as simple as he had thought.

Most descendants of the Chinese nation are familiar with the twenty-four solar terms. Even if they don't know the exact dates, they know the names.

Spring rain, start of spring, clear and bright, grain rain; summer fullness, grain in ear, summer solstice, minor heat; autumn beginning, white dew, autumn equinox, cold dew; winter snow, major snow, winter solstice, major cold.

These four lines of the solar terms song represent the twenty-four solar terms in the Chinese lunar calendar. These twenty-four solar terms ultimately form the four seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter.

It sounds simple and plain, but the principles it contains are profound and far-reaching.

Ji Ran naturally couldn't fully comprehend the true essence of the Four Seasons Sword Technique at this moment. However, as he used the sword technique to block the Bouncing Bunnies, he increasingly felt that he was merging with the sword technique.

The freshness of spring, the intensity of summer, the weight of autumn, the severity of winter... these most basic feelings gradually allowed him to integrate into the sword technique. The Four Seasons Sword Technique was more than just a name. Each move contained the subtleties of the changing seasons.

Gradually, Ji Ran immersed himself in this feeling. His mind was clear, and his eyes focused only on the bouncing Bunnies. His long sword moved unconsciously, still using the twenty-four moves, but no longer in the original sequence. Instead, he adapted and combined them according to the situation. As a result, his movements became more fluid, and his sword defense more solid, leaving the Bouncing Bunnies no chance to get close.

The Four Seasons Sword Technique didn't have to be performed in a fixed order. The most suitable move for the situation was the best. He understood this in the game, but only now did he truly grasp it.

Such frequent and dense attacks, if in the game, he would have followed the order of the solar terms. This would have formed a tight sword wall, achieving a watertight effect. However, the free combination greatly simplified the process—what originally required three moves could now be resolved with just one!

With fewer moves, the execution became much easier. The consumption of true qi was greatly reduced, allowing him to observe his surroundings with ease. He no longer needed to tense up and perform all the moves, but instead chose the most suitable ones based on the current situation. This was the true essence of sword technique!

As his moves became more effortless, the two examiners in the monitoring room were puzzled.

"Hey, David, don't you think that kid's sword technique has improved...?" The previously excited examiner was no longer so agitated, gradually seeing something in Ji Ran's sword technique.

"You're right, his sword technique has indeed improved. He seems to have initially simplified the complex sword technique, which is a significant step forward in a certain sense," the rational examiner named David said, deep in thought as he watched Ji Ran.

"This kid's talent... is quite terrifying... to make such progress in a single battle! It's only natural that he can practice Gold Rank sword techniques," the excited examiner marveled.

"Indeed, Gold Rank sword techniques are not something anyone can practice casually. Talent and will are both essential, and the compatibility between one's character and the sword technique is also crucial. This young man was a bit clumsy at first, but now he is gradually merging with the sword technique... his compatibility with the sword technique is truly extraordinary!" David's face showed a hint of envy.

The previously excited examiner nodded in agreement: "That's right, Gold Rank sword techniques are not something you can learn just by trying. If you try to learn a Gold Rank sword technique that doesn't suit you, you'll not only waste your efforts but may even weaken your strength. For this kid to master a Gold Rank sword technique to this extent, it would be terrifying if it were just by chance. There must be a powerful force behind him..."

The examiners' speculation was reasonable. Bronze and Silver Rank sword techniques are relatively easy; with hard work and decent talent, one can achieve some level of proficiency. However, Gold Rank sword techniques are not so simple—having a pile of Gold Rank sword techniques doesn't help if they don't suit you.

There are many examples in this world. Many talented swordsmen, after reaching the Gold Rank, struggle to find suitable Gold Rank sword techniques and end up creating their own... but very few of these self-created techniques can be practiced by others, as they are created based on personal ideas, making them hard for others to understand.

Being able to practice Gold Rank sword techniques from a lower rank requires exceptional talent and a high degree of compatibility with the technique. This usually happens in large families, where they are cultivated from a young age to align their character with Gold Rank sword techniques. Even so, few can achieve mastery, unless they reach the Gold Rank and incorporate their own understanding.

There are also cases where a poor kid obtains a Gold Rank sword technique through a stroke of luck, but mastering it is extremely difficult. The probability of finding a manual in the wild that is perfectly suited to you is very low.

If you're not the main character, don't even think about it... and even if you are, it has to be the main character from a few years ago...

But Ji Ran's situation was different.

The Four Seasons Sword Technique required not only character but also cultural understanding. Without living in that Eastern country and understanding the true meaning of the twenty-four solar terms and the special perception of the changing seasons, how could one master the Four Seasons Sword Technique?

Ji Ran was now in a state of enlightenment. Although his understanding was still very basic, he had glimpsed a hint of the essence of the sword technique.

Unlike the step-by-step use in the game, he was now gradually integrating the sword technique into his character. With time and deeper understanding, the power of the sword technique would increase exponentially.

Unfortunately, ten minutes was too short.

When the ten minutes were up, all the Bouncing Bunnies disappeared. Ji Ran was still in a state of unfinished business, feeling a sense of loss when the opponents suddenly vanished.

Within the ten minutes, except for the initial awkwardness, he hardly felt any difficulty. This situation was rare and hard to replicate, even if he tried again. However, this experience greatly advanced his sword technique.

A thought crossed his mind, and Ji Ran checked his skill panel. The Four Seasons Sword Technique had reached level 4!

From level 2 to level 4 directly! This indicated that his sword technique had reached the Silver Rank level!

At level 2, his strength had already surpassed ordinary Bronze Rank swordsmen and could even challenge low-level Silver Rank swordsmen. Now, at level 4, he could probably surpass most Silver Rank swordsmen of levels 4 and 5 just with his sword technique!

Of course, strength is not just about sword technique; the total amount of battle aura and combat experience also play a significant role. Nevertheless, his strength had taken a significant step forward.

The second test ended, and the space returned to tranquility. After a brief rest to recover his true qi, the third test began.

"The third test: Sword Technique Flexibility. Please hit the red targets without touching any other colored targets and avoid being hit. Time limit: ten minutes."

The mechanical voice sounded again, and the surrounding misty walls began to change.

In the air around him, floating objects appeared, roughly the size of mice. These objects, which resembled balloons, did not attack Ji Ran but drifted around on their own, moving at least as fast as flying birds.

Most of the balloons were blue, with only a few red ones. The red ones were slightly smaller than the blue ones and moved in a rather sneaky manner, constantly hiding behind the blue balloons as if trying to avoid being seen.

This test was significantly more challenging than the previous two. Not only did he have to attack the designated targets, but he also had to avoid being hit. It was a perfect test of sword technique flexibility.

Looking at the floating balloons, a whimsical thought popped into Ji Ran's head.

"If a colorblind person took this test, they'd probably go crazy, right?"

Shaking his head, Ji Ran dismissed this unreliable thought. There must be a way to solve this problem in this world... he didn't need to worry about it.

Let's start! Lifting his long sword, Ji Ran confidently approached the balloons. Leveraging his recent understanding of the Four Seasons Sword Technique, the inspiration in his mind had not yet faded. He was ready to push forward!

Attacking the red balloons wasn't too difficult; it was just a matter of being steady, accurate, and ruthless. However, avoiding the blue balloons while also dodging their attacks required flexible movement.

The Zangjian Manor had a school technique, Heart Sword, the school sword technique, Four Seasons Sword Technique, the school lightness skill, Close Distance, and naturally, a school stepping technique—Leisurely Walk.

No matter the wind or rain, it's like a leisurely walk in the courtyard.