Chapter 20

Sorry, I've been possessed by the spirit of overtime work lately, and my writing has slowed down! Happy National Day and Photography Festival to everyone! In consideration of my hard work during the holiday, please give me two recommendation tickets to comfort my tired body and mind!

Xiaoran was startled by the words and turned around to see a strange man.

This strange man looked like he could be in his seventies or eighties, but he could also be in his thirties or forties. His eyes were hazy, as if he hadn't woken up yet. He held a wine flask in his hand, swaying unsteadily, and was reeking of alcohol.

His clothes were of excellent material and the latest style, made by the Xiao family's clothing shop. They had been worn for at most a day but were already terribly wrinkled.

His hair was a mess, tied up haphazardly, covering most of his face. His voice was muffled, and at first glance, he could be a man or a woman!

Xiaoran recognized this person and respectfully bowed, saying, "Young man greets Master Wang."

In this world, anyone with a bit of money would keep some martial artists at home, called "masters"!

Because martial artists were abundant in this world, a person with some wealth would be in trouble if they didn't have a few martial artists to protect them. Anyone could come and rob them, and they would be helpless!

Just like in ancient times, wealthy families would keep guards, but in this world, martial prowess was highly esteemed, so these martial artists were much more valued than mere guards.

Xiaoran didn't see Master Wang often. According to his stepfather, Xiao Dabao, he had once saved this person by chance. Although he seemed to have only the strength of the fourth level of Qi cultivation, he was mysterious and unpredictable. Xiao Dabao told Xiaoran to always be respectful and courteous to him, never to be negligent!

Master Wang slumped into a chair, drinking large gulps of wine, letting it spill all over his body.

Finally, he drank the entire flask in one breath, then casually threw it away and said to Xiaoran, "I heard from your father that you've challenged someone to a duel. Your father spent 200,000 gold to have me guide you!

I didn't expect you to have such courage. Indeed, after dying once, a person changes, but your thinking is a bit simplistic!"

In the ancient continent, physical currency was no longer used; instead, paper money was used. The purchasing power of 200,000 gold was roughly equivalent to 200,000 yuan. Xiao Dabao's assets were at most a few million, and his liquid funds and savings were at most two or three million.

To spend over 400,000 gold for his son showed that although Xiao Dabao had peculiar ideas, he was unexpectedly good to his son!

Xiaoran clasped his fists and said, "Thank you, Master Wang for your guidance!

Although I am only at the third level of physical cultivation, I have fought against Qi cultivation realm martial artists. I know that true qi can not only attack enemies but also enhance a martial artist's speed, strength, and senses..."

In the world of "Smiling, Proud Wanderer," Xiaoran could defeat Lu Lianrong, Cheng Buyou, and even fight against Yue Buqun, who had practiced the Evil-Exorcising Sword Technique.

Although they started practicing qi at the first level of physical cultivation, leading to a weak foundation, their true qi's enhancement of physical strength and speed was not stronger than Xiaoran's. However, Yue Buqun was at least at the peak of the second level of Qi cultivation and had practiced the Evil-Exorcising Sword Technique, which increased speed. This made Xiaoran less fearful of opponents at the first level of Qi cultivation.

Master Wang chuckled, "It seems you have indeed fought against Qi cultivation realm martial artists. To not be killed with your cultivation level, you must have had some advantages. No wonder you have such courage!

Let me test you..."

With that, Master Wang pointed his finger, and a white aura condensed into a sword aura, stabbing towards Xiaoran.

A simple stab, but it was executed with strict discipline, leaving few openings!

Xiaoran was startled but knew Master Wang wouldn't kill him. He immediately drew his sword and used the Nine Swords of Dugu to attack, aiming for Master Wang's wrist.

This sword move made Master Wang feel that he couldn't continue his attack. If he didn't change his move to defend, he would be stabbed in the wrist before he could hit Xiaoran!

Changing moves would reduce his strength, speed, and momentum, a fundamental principle of martial arts!

Master Wang's eyes lit up, and he exclaimed, "Good sword technique, good sword technique!

Don't hold back, attack me. I won't release sword qi or break your sword!"

Xiaoran had never fought against sword techniques from the ancient continent. With his low cultivation level, even watching others fight wouldn't have revealed much. So he wanted to test the level of sword techniques on the ancient continent.

"Alright!"

Xiaoran responded, and his sword light immediately intensified, attacking Master Wang without any hesitation!

Master Wang sat up straight and parried Xiaoran's twenty or so sword strikes.

Then he suddenly shook his hand, no longer using his finger to release the sword aura. He now held the sword aura in his hand.

Using a finger as a sword was not as flexible as holding it in the hand!

After another twenty sword strikes, Master Wang's eyes showed a hint of seriousness. The sword aura in his hand turned into a saber aura, and he used saber techniques to counter Xiaoran's Nine Swords of Dugu. In less than twenty strikes, he had changed the aura to a spear...

In a moment, Master Wang had parried over a hundred of Xiaoran's sword strikes. The aura in his hand had transformed into various weapons.

Then he sighed and dissipated the aura in his hand, "The sword has no fixed form, its sharpness is unparalleled, its momentum is formless, like mercury spilling on the ground, seeping into every crevice...

Truly an excellent sword technique. This sword technique is extremely rare, with a hint of the Four Swords of Zuxian...

But if this sword technique has no further development, it can only be used up to the second level of Qi cultivation. At the third level of Qi cultivation, it becomes somewhat勉强..."

Although Xiaoran was using the sword with physical cultivation, Master Wang, with his keen eye, immediately saw the potential and limitations of the Nine Swords of Dugu!

Feng Qingyang had also said that the Nine Swords of Dugu, which break through momentum and palm techniques, are difficult to match the heroes of the world without reaching great perfection!

In the world of "Smiling, Proud Wanderer," the heroes of the world are at most at the third level of Qi cultivation.

On the ancient continent, martial artists in the Qi cultivation realm strive to improve their cultivation. Sword techniques at the second and third levels of Qi cultivation are not practiced much.

Because no matter how wonderful your sword technique is at the second and third levels of Qi cultivation, a sword aura from a fourth-level Qi cultivation martial artist can destroy your sword and kill you!

After reaching the fourth level of Qi cultivation, the way of using swords changes dramatically, so Master Wang said that this sword technique can only be used up to the third level of Qi cultivation without further development!

However, when it comes to sword techniques at the second and third levels of Qi cultivation, few can match the Nine Swords of Dugu, which claim to break all martial arts in the world!

Xiaoran thought of something else and said, "Master Wang, have you seen the Four Swords of Zuxian!?"

On the ancient continent, there is indeed a Zuxian Sword Sect, ranked first among the ten major sects of the human race, far stronger than the Golden Light Sect!

They are famous for their sword techniques and are known as the top sword cultivation sect in the world!

Master Wang's eyes showed a hint of resentment, fear, and reminiscence, "If I hadn't encountered them, how would I have become like this!"

Master Wang recalled that day, the sword light that descended from the sky, which destroyed his true form and severely injured him. If he hadn't run fast enough, he would have been dead.

Xiaoran was startled. The Four Swords of Zuxian were the most famous four sets of sword techniques of the Zuxian Sword Sect, which only inner disciples could practice!

To become an inner disciple, one must have at least the seventh level of Qi cultivation!

This meant that Master Wang had once fought against a seventh-level Qi cultivation martial artist from the Zuxian Sword Sect. Although he lost, he at least managed to save his life!

Seeing Xiaoran's expression, Master Wang realized he had said too much. He thought for a moment and said, "I've always been worried that he would come after me, but it's been so long and nothing has happened. I guess he doesn't care about me!

Ha ha... I was just being overly concerned. The Zuxian Sword Sect is so powerful, how would they even think about me!

I'm sure even if I stood in front of him, he wouldn't remember who I am!"

Then Master Wang said to Xiaoran, "Just consider this as me boasting after drinking.

Let's get to the point. Your father paid me to guide you!

Although your sword technique is quite good, you still don't have an advantage against a first-level Qi cultivation martial artist.

Remember, first-level Qi cultivation martial artists have true qi, which enhances their physical attributes. Even if your sword technique is excellent, when two swords clash, the true qi will attack, and you won't be able to withstand it!

Also, they will have condensed several spirit points, making their physical bodies more extraordinary."

Although Xiaoran knew about spirit points, he was still confused and asked, "What exactly are these spirit points!?"