Chapter 10

（The protagonist enters the clan hall, ready to show his prowess. Are your swords eager to move?）

“Chen Wu, Chen Zuoyi, Chen Yan, Chen Che, Chen Shuiqing, Chen Shaoye, Chen Zong.”

“Here.” The seven responded in unison.

“I am Chen Chuyun.” Dressed in a tight-fitting white martial uniform that perfectly accentuated her lithe and agile figure, her black hair tied back in a ponytail, she exuded a heroic and graceful demeanor. Her fair and rosy complexion was smooth and flawless, and her voice was clear and cold. Her clear and bright eyes were like autumn water: “From today on, I will be your sword technique instructor.”

Chen Zong looked at the beautiful woman in front of him, estimating her to be around seventeen or eighteen years old. However, her aura was subtle yet powerful, far surpassing their own.

This place was the Chen clan hall.

Including the branch and main clans, there were sixty martial disciples in total, divided into five groups based on the foundational martial arts they practiced: saber, sword, fist, palm, and leg.

Chen Zong had reached the peak of the Hu Li Quan (Tiger Force Fist) technique, and should have been assigned to the fist technique group. However, he strongly requested to join the sword technique group.

Including Chen Zong, there were seven people in the sword technique group: five men and two women, with two from the branch clan and the rest from the main clan.

“Now, I will teach you the Hu Xiao Jue (Tiger Roar Technique).” Chen Chuyun skipped the formalities and went straight to the point.

“The Hu Xiao Jue is our Chen family's exclusive technique for refining blood and qi, and must not be passed on to outsiders.”

“The Hu Xiao Jue is divided into dynamic and static aspects...” Chen Chuyun used concise and straightforward language and actions to teach the Hu Xiao Jue to everyone, explaining it three times.

“Chen Zong, your cultivation has not yet reached the peak of the third level of the Blood Qi Realm, so you cannot practice the Hu Xiao Jue.” Chen Chuyun's gaze fell on Chen Zong.

“Yes.” Chen Zong nodded.

A hint of pride flashed in Chen Zuoyi's eyes. A few months ago, he had already started practicing the Hu Xiao Jue.

The cultivation of martial disciples is divided into two parts: first, practicing foundational martial arts to the peak of the third level of the Blood Qi Realm, and then refining blood and qi to prepare for breaking through to the fourth level of the Blood Qi Realm.

If one practices the Hu Xiao Jue without reaching the peak of the third level of the Blood Qi Realm, it will only damage their blood and qi.

“I will continue explaining the Hu Xiao Jue. If you have any questions, ask me later.”

Clearly, the content of this class was the Hu Xiao Jue.

Two hours later, the class ended. Chen Chuyun answered a few questions and then left, with the next class scheduled for ten days later.

The five main clan disciples ignored Chen Zong and Chen Yan, leaving on their own. Chen Yan and Chen Zong nodded to each other and also turned to leave.

The clan hall was divided into inner and outer sections, separated by a door.

The outer hall was not large, with living quarters, a dining hall, martial arts rooms, and weapon rooms. They, as newly admitted disciples, had to raise their cultivation to the fourth level of the Blood Qi Realm within a year to become martial artists, or they would be expelled.

“I must first raise my cultivation to the peak of the third level of the Blood Qi Realm, and then practice the Hu Xiao Jue to refine my blood and qi.”

His greatest wish was to find a treasure medicine for his father to treat his injuries and restore his cultivation, but that required sufficient strength. Therefore, Chen Zong set a short-term goal for himself to raise his cultivation and enter the clan hall. Now that he had achieved this, he should set a second short-term goal.

“The two energy pills I brought from the branch clan and the three energy pills distributed by the clan hall can slightly raise my cultivation, but they are not enough to reach the peak of the third level of the Blood Qi Realm.”

“Perhaps, I can practice more foundational martial arts.”

Each breakthrough in foundational martial arts to a new level would, to a certain extent, stimulate one's potential, strengthen blood and qi, and in turn, enhance the body, achieving a synchronous improvement.

However, breaking through the levels of foundational martial arts is not easy.

Ordinary people take three months to enter the foundational level, one year to achieve minor success, and three years to achieve major success. Even for those who are more capable, it takes two years to achieve major success. To say nothing of using one year to achieve major success, it is unrealistic to use it as the main method to raise one's cultivation.

Chen Zong was different. He had been transformed by a mysterious sword tip, and when practicing foundational martial arts, he would receive assistance from the mysterious sword tip, allowing him to achieve major success in a shorter time. This was an advantage that he must utilize.

The outer hall martial arts room was several times larger than the branch clan martial arts room in Xiaohu Town. A table was placed on one side of the entrance, behind which sat a middle-aged man, the manager of the martial arts room.

On three sides were bookshelves, each with over a hundred books, clearly categorized. The left bookshelf contained foundational martial arts and related cultivation insights.

In the middle were six wooden tables and some wooden chairs for the ordinary disciples of the outer hall to read, as the books in the martial arts room could not be taken away.

Chen Zong glanced over and saw that the three foundational martial arts from the branch clan in Xiaohu Town were among them. Additionally, there were many foundational martial arts he had never heard of.

*You She Shou (Snake Hand)*

*Da Mian Tui Fa (Great Python Leg Technique)*

*Zhong Quan (Heavy Punch)*

*Shui Bei Zhang Fa (Stone-Breaking Palm Technique)*

*Lian Huan Dao Fa (Continuous Sword Technique)*

*Zhong Ji Dao Fa (Heavy Strike Sword Technique)*

*Can Ying Jian Fa (Residual Image Sword Technique)*

*Fu Liu Jian Fa (Willow-Whip Sword Technique)*

*Ying Ji Jian Fa (Eagle Strike Sword Technique)*

And so on.

At a glance, each foundational martial art had at least three cultivation insights, with some having more than ten.

“There are a total of thirty-two foundational martial arts, so many.” This was quite a shock to Chen Zong. He also noticed that among the thirty-two foundational martial arts, there were only five weapon-based foundational martial arts: three sword techniques and two saber techniques. It was clear that weapon-based foundational martial arts were rare and precious, and also notoriously difficult to practice.

He pulled out the three sword techniques and their related cultivation insights, walked to a wooden table, and sat down to read.

The Residual Image Sword Technique is a highly skillful sword technique, weak in attack and defense, but capable of creating residual images to interfere with vision. It has six forms, and when practiced to major success, it can exercise 60% of the body.

The sword tip in his mind trembled slightly, and a silver dragon danced. Chen Zong's mind became incredibly clear. Not only did he completely memorize the content of the *Residual Image Sword Technique*, but he also quickly understood and mastered it.

After finishing the *Residual Image Sword Technique*, he picked up *A Brief Analysis of the Residual Image Sword Technique*, *My Practice of the Residual Image Sword Technique*, *Speculations on the Residual Image Sword Technique*, and other cultivation insights, reading them one by one to absorb the wisdom of his predecessors, gather their thoughts, and deepen his understanding of the Residual Image Sword Technique.

The Willow-Whip Sword Technique is a sword technique that is flexible and supple, like a willow branch in the wind, with both offensive and defensive capabilities. It has six forms, and when practiced to major success, it can exercise 60% of the body.

After finishing the *Willow-Whip Sword Technique*, he continued to read the *Eagle Strike Sword Technique*.

The Eagle Strike Sword Technique is completely different in style from the Willow-Whip Sword Technique. It focuses on the tip of the sword, simulating the sharp beak and claws of an eagle, emphasizing swift and fierce strikes. It is an offensive sword technique, and when practiced to major success, it can also exercise 60% of the body.

After finishing the *Eagle Strike Sword Technique*, Chen Zong read several related cultivation insights, memorized them, and then returned the books to the bookshelf.

“Boy, is it useful to read books like this?” the manager asked casually.

“It is useful.” Chen Zong responded and walked out of the martial arts room. The manager shook his head, treating it as a joke.

In the training ground, he found a place with few people, drew his sword, and after some thought, performed the starting form of the Residual Image Sword Technique, thrusting the sword forward.

He quickly practiced it once.

“It’s very stiff, but it’s just the first time.”

The second time showed obvious improvement.

The third time was even more proficient.

With each practice, Chen Zong could feel his improvement. By the tenth time, he felt his blood and qi slightly vibrate and strengthen.

After consolidating, Chen Zong performed the starting form of the Willow-Whip Sword Technique, standing like a willow by the water.

After ten practices, he reached the foundational level of the Willow-Whip Sword Technique, and his blood and qi strengthened again.

Next, Chen Zong practiced the Eagle Strike Sword Technique.

He seemed like an eagle about to spread its wings, and the sword was like the eagle's wings, ready to soar.

After ten practices, he reached the foundational level of the Eagle Strike Sword Technique, and his blood and qi strengthened again.

The three consecutive strengthenings of his blood and qi would nourish his body in the coming time, enhancing his strength.

“This guy is too stupid.”

“Practicing three foundational sword techniques, he’s cutting off his own future.”

“I know him, his name is Chen Zong. He used to practice fist techniques and reached the peak, and was favored by Instructor Chen He, but he refused to join the fist technique group and joined the sword technique group.”

“So, he’s practicing four foundational martial arts.”

“He’s really stupid.”

A few people nearby whispered. They did not practice sword techniques and had limited insight, so they could not see that Chen Zong had already reached the foundational level in all three sword techniques. Chen Zong heard their conversation clearly and understood their thoughts.

Under normal circumstances, the more foundational martial arts one practices, the more obvious the drawbacks. Practicing each foundational martial art requires a lot of time and energy, and each person has limited time and energy. Practicing more martial arts leads to dispersion, causing mutual drag and making it difficult to make progress.

Generally, one practices a maximum of two foundational martial arts: one before entering the clan hall and one after.

After entering the clan hall, one knows that the cultivation of martial disciples is divided into two levels: before reaching the peak of the third level of the Blood Qi Realm, the focus is on foundational martial arts; after reaching the peak, the focus is on refining blood and qi.

The fundamental is to raise one's cultivation. Once one reaches the fourth level of the Blood Qi Realm and becomes a martial artist, they can practice higher-level martial arts, which are many times more powerful than foundational martial arts.

They thought Chen Zong was putting the cart before the horse.

When this matter reached Chen He's ears, he sneered: “Does he think that because he can practice the Hu Li Quan to the peak, he can also practice sword techniques to the peak?”

“Chen Zong, you are wasting your time.” Chen Yurao, in a fit of anger, confronted Chen Zong: “You have proven your talent in fist techniques by practicing the Hu Li Quan to the peak. Why are you practicing sword techniques, and why are you practicing three sword techniques at the same time?”

“I have a plan.” Chen Zong knew that Chen Yurao was concerned about him, but he couldn’t tell her about his great encounter and his advantage in practicing sword techniques.

“You... Do you deserve the high expectations of your uncle in the main hall?” Chen Yurao was angry, and she herself didn’t know why she was so anxious and angry.

“I have a plan.” Chen Zong said again, his tone calm. Chen Yurao, wearing deerskin shoes, stormed off.

Shaking his head and retracting his gaze, Chen Zong continued to practice his sword techniques.

Reaching the foundational level in the three sword techniques strengthened his blood and qi, raising his cultivation, proving that his approach was feasible. He needed to continue.

The next night, Chen Zong continued to practice his sword techniques. A figure walked over from a distance, taking light steps. Standing several dozen meters away, they watched without disturbing Chen Zong.

After practicing each of the three sword techniques ten times, Chen Zong noticed the figure and bowed: “Instructor.”

“Hmm, I heard that you are practicing three foundational sword techniques at the same time, so I came to see.” Chen Chuyun’s voice was as cold as the night wind: “All three sword techniques were learned yesterday morning?”

“Yes.” Chen Zong nodded, as this was not a secret.

“Just two days, and you have reached the foundational level in all three sword techniques.” Chen Chuyun’s eyes glowed with intense heat, as if melting the night: “So, you are a sword genius.”

“Instructor, you flatter me.” Chen Zong said humbly.

“No need to be humble. Can you achieve minor success in all three sword techniques within ten days?” Chen Chuyun’s eyes shone brightly.

“I can.” Chen Zong’s tone was firm.