Chapter 2: Martial Arts Pavilion

No matter how much Ye Chen thought about it, he couldn't figure out what had changed in his body.

Then, the only explanation must be that the soul fusion had given him an extraordinary ability to comprehend, allowing him to easily and naturally practice the Cloud-Flowing Sword Technique up to the eighth form.

As for why his inner energy had improved, the reason was simple. As everyone knew, inner energy cultivation techniques were static exercises, while martial arts were dynamic exercises. Although they had different forms, both had the effect of training inner energy. However, compared to each other, inner energy cultivation techniques were entirely for cultivating inner energy, while martial arts were mainly for striking targets, with inner energy training as a secondary benefit.

After understanding the reasons, Ye Chen couldn't help but feel his heart race.

The two most important talents for a martial artist were: one, having extraordinary physical attributes, and two, having a strong comprehension ability, allowing them to learn quickly.

The former could far surpass ordinary people in inner energy cultivation, like Ye Tang and Ye Xuan. The latter could easily master martial arts and defeat stronger opponents with weaker strength. If truly compared, who was stronger or weaker still depended on the martial artist's own performance.

"Truly, heaven is helping me. At this rate, reaching the eighth level of the Qi Cultivation Realm in a year is not a dream." The path of cultivation was extremely arduous. Those with extraordinary talents might reach the fifth level in two years, but it wasn't certain they would reach the eighth level in the next two years. The time required to reach the ninth and tenth levels would double, and breaking through the Qi Cultivation Realm to reach the Essence Condensation Realm was even more difficult. In the history of the Ye family, only the third patriarch became an Essence Condensation Realm martial artist at the age of fifteen.

Feeling that it wouldn't take long to comprehend the ninth form of the Cloud-Flowing Sword Technique, Ye Chen planned to go to the Martial Arts Pavilion to find a few more suitable martial arts techniques.

After lunch, Ye Chen hurried to the Martial Arts Pavilion.

The secret manuals in the Martial Arts Pavilion were usually common goods. The true great techniques were never placed here. Moreover, as an outer sect disciple, Ye Chen could only view martial arts techniques below the middle rank of the Human Level.

Lifting his eyes, the variety of martial arts manuals almost dazzled Ye Chen.

"Sky-Flying Sword Technique, Clear Wind Sword Technique,纵横 Sword Technique, Thirteen Swords of Solitary Peak... Cloud-Dispelling Palm, Cloud-Collapsing Palm, Wuji Scattering Hands... Sky-Piercing Fist, Vajra Fist, Seven-Star Praying Mantis Fist..."

There were three to forty different sword techniques, over fifty palm techniques and fist techniques each, twenty-eight leg techniques, and the least were finger techniques, with only eight.

The Sky-Flying Sword Technique required a high level of lightness skill, with each move being light and graceful. The Clear Wind Sword Technique was slightly more profound, requiring a certain level of comprehension. The纵横 Sword Technique was filled with killing intent, ruthless and domineering, suitable for cold-tempered disciples to practice. The Thirteen Swords of Solitary Peak were even more formidable, each sword being more fierce than the last, making them impossible to resist.

Alright, I'll choose the Thirteen Swords of Solitary Peak.

After some quiet contemplation, Ye Chen finally decided to practice the Thirteen Swords of Solitary Peak. After all, his comprehension ability was extraordinary, and practicing ordinary sword techniques was not very meaningful and would waste time. So, if he was going to choose, he would choose the best.

As for fist techniques, palm techniques, and finger techniques, Ye Chen had his own requirements.

He liked fist techniques, so he chose the Vajra Fist. Finger techniques were complicated and difficult to practice, which might delay his sword technique practice, so he temporarily gave them up. He ignored palm techniques.

Holding two manuals, Ye Chen went to the Pavilion Guardian Elder to register.

"Huh! Thirteen Swords of Solitary Peak?" The Pavilion Guardian Elder frowned and advised, "I know everyone wants to practice better martial arts, but don't be overly ambitious. Take it step by step. The Thirteen Swords of Solitary Peak may look like a middle-rank Human Level manual, but the difficulty of cultivation is comparable to a high-rank Human Level. Many outer sect disciples didn't listen to my advice and ended up achieving nothing, wasting a lot of time."

Ye Chen knew the elder was well-intentioned and said, "Elder, I know the Thirteen Swords of Solitary Peak are difficult to practice, but I have confidence."

The Pavilion Guardian Elder shook his head. In the past, those outer sect disciples were also full of confidence, but what good was confidence alone? Well, I don't have the right to stop him from choosing. I hope he knows when to back off and doesn't get stuck in a rut.

Thinking this, the Pavilion Guardian Elder instructed, "You know the rules of our Flowing Cloud Sect. Without permission, you cannot privately teach martial arts. Otherwise, losing your martial arts skills is a minor issue, and severe cases can result in beheading. Additionally, you must return the manual copies within three months."

"Elder, rest assured, I won't take my life lightly."

Putting away the manuals, Ye Chen stepped out of the Martial Arts Pavilion.

Flowing Cloud Sect's outer sect disciples, besides the morning and evening gatherings, had martial arts classes every three days. The rest of the time was freely allocated.

The next morning, Ye Chen took his fine steel sword and walked into the deep mountains.

Qingfeng Mountain was 3,800 meters high, and the area above the waist was often shrouded in mist, giving it a mysterious and isolated aura. Except for some restricted areas where elders and core disciples practiced, large areas of forest and open spaces could be used for practicing unique martial arts.

After more than an hour, Ye Chen found a secluded cliff.

The cliff was about ten zhang wide, with white mist on three sides, sometimes forming a thousand troops, sometimes rolling like waves, and sometimes contracting and expanding, changing unpredictably.

"The famous mountains and scenic spots of the 21st century are nice, but they still lack a touch of mysticism. Only here can one forget everything and fully devote themselves to martial arts practice." Ye Chen felt a sense of awe. In his view, experts were never easily made; they had to endure loneliness and solitude. Those who shouted that they could succeed with just a great technique were merely dreaming.

Taking a deep breath, Ye Chen began the monotonous and tedious practice.

Cultivating inner energy, stepping, swinging the sword, flicking the wrist...

In just one day, Ye Chen could initially perform the ninth form of the Cloud-Flowing Sword Technique, 'Night Light Movement.' When this sword was unleashed, the dark, water-like sword light was dazzling and disorienting, and in terms of power, it basically reached the middle rank of the Human Level, making it Ye Chen's strongest killing move at the moment.

Coming in the morning and returning in the evening, three days passed without notice.

On the steep cliff, a figure pointed a sword at a giant rock, and a sword light like a mirage spread out, dark and indistinct.

Swoosh...

The giant rock was sliced like tofu, with each sword mark being an inch deep.

"Finally, I've mastered it." Exhausted from using up his inner energy, Ye Chen was drenched in sweat, but he didn't care. He looked at the sword marks on the rock with satisfaction and a faint smile on his face.

The ninth form of the Cloud-Flowing Sword Technique was several times more difficult than the previous eight forms and several times more powerful. It took Ye Chen four days to complete it. Additionally, these four days of intense practice made his inner energy more refined and easier to mobilize.

The next day, Ye Chen came to the cliff to practice as usual, but this time, he would formally begin practicing the extremely difficult Thirteen Swords of Solitary Peak.

The Thirteen Swords of Solitary Peak had thirteen forms, with extremely dangerous sword movements, like a solitary peak standing alone in the world, making one feel a chill and as if all hidden weaknesses were exposed.

Following the sword movements in the manual, Ye Chen had a rough impression in his mind, vaguely feeling a state of mind that couldn't be described in words.

Ye Chen believed that as long as he mastered the Thirteen Swords of Solitary Peak, he could basically instantly defeat those weaker than him and find weaknesses in those stronger than him, unless the opponent had extremely rich experience and gradually reached a state of simplicity and authenticity.