Chapter 20

(First guest appearance, a broader world slowly unfolds)

True Martial Era 395, May 10th.

Chen Zong had been in the clan hall for eight months, and he had become the top disciple for the eighth time.

"Chen Zong, although I lose to you every time, my blood qi has been tempered four times. Tomorrow, I will become a martial artist, earlier than you." Chen Guzhan, though defeated, was not discouraged, as he had long been accustomed to it.

"Congratulations," Chen Zong smiled. "But you need to work harder, or I might catch up to you once I become a martial artist."

"You won't have the chance." Chen Guzhan clenched his fist, full of confidence.

At first, his blood qi tempering was slow, but after the first round, the second round was significantly faster, and the third round was even faster. Now, after eight months, he had completed the fourth round of tempering, surpassing Chen Fenghua and others who had started earlier with the Tiger Roar Technique, showing exceptional talent. However, he did not know that Chen Zong was already in the sixth round of blood qi tempering and was close to completion.

Otherwise, he wouldn't be so confident.

A jar of Tiger Yang Bone Strengthening Wine slightly improved Chen Zong's blood qi tempering progress.

"Within a month, I will definitely complete the sixth round of tempering." Chen Zong was very certain.

True Martial Era 395, May 13th.

In Chen Chuyun's courtyard.

"Chen Zong, from tomorrow, you don't need to come anymore." Chen Chuyun's eyes fell on Chen Zong's face, her tone calm and composed.

Chen Zong was confused.

"From tomorrow, I will leave the clan hall and go to the Seven Stars Martial Academy." Chen Chuyun noticed the confusion in Chen Zong's eyes and explained, "Yesterday, I participated in the Wind Martial City's Talent Battle and placed in the top hundred, earning admission to the Seven Stars Martial Academy."

Chen Zong immediately understood but had more questions.

What is the Seven Stars Martial Academy?

What is the Wind Martial City's Talent Battle?

"Do you know how vast the Eastern Continent is?" Chen Chuyun asked, her tone leisurely. Without waiting for Chen Zong's response, she continued, "I don't know how vast the Eastern Continent is, but as far as I know, the Eastern Continent is dotted with martial cities, and Wind Martial City is just one of them. The Wind Martial City we are in is near the six martial cities of Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth, and Lightning, forming a region called the Seven Stars Land. The Seven Stars Martial Academy is the largest force, dedicated to the cultivation of elite martial artists."

"Teacher, to enter the Seven Stars Martial Academy, do you need to participate in the Wind Martial City's Talent Battle and place in the top hundred?" Chen Zong asked, his eyes burning with passion, his voice sharp like a sword being drawn from its sheath.

"There are conditions. You must be no older than eighteen. If your cultivation reaches the seventh layer of the Blood Qi Realm, you are directly admitted without a test. If your cultivation is below the seventh layer of the Blood Qi Realm, you must participate in the Talent Battle and place in the top hundred." Chen Chuyun explained simply, "You are currently in the sixth round of blood qi tempering. Before you turn eighteen, even if you don't break through to the seventh layer of the Blood Qi Realm, you can reach the sixth layer. With your strength, you can easily place in the top hundred of the Talent Battle."

"Teacher, I will go to the Seven Stars Martial Academy as soon as possible." Chen Zong's tone was resolute.

"Good, I'll wait for you at the academy." Chen Chuyun smiled, her beauty like a blooming snow lotus, incomparably beautiful. "Also, from today, you don't need to call me Teacher. You can call me by my name or Big Sister."

"Then I'll call you Big Sister Yun." Chen Zong smiled as well.

"Chen Zong, remember, our Chen family is not the only one in Wind Martial City." Chen Chuyun said seriously. "In Wind Martial City, there are three major noble families and five major clans. Our Chen family is just one of the five major clans. Additionally, there are many small families and minor forces. As far as I know, this year, several geniuses have emerged from the three major noble families and the other four major clans. Some are on par with you, and a couple are even above you."

"Who are they?" Chen Zong not only felt no fear but a surge of excitement. He was virtually invincible among the martial disciples in the Chen clan hall.

"The three major noble families: Tang Junluo of the Tang family, Li Zhen Shi of the Li family, and Zhao Wangcheng of the Zhao family. As far as I know, these three are one year younger than you but have already completed the sixth round of blood qi tempering and are striving for the seventh round. Whether they will succeed is unknown, but they may become your major opponents." Chen Chuyun said. If others heard this, they would probably laugh.

Who are these three?

They are the clan disciples of the three major noble families, with exalted status, outstanding talent, and formidable strength.

Who is Chen Zong?

He is just a boy from a branch family.

The comparison between the two is like that between a dragon and a snake.

But neither Chen Chuyun nor Chen Zong himself believed they were inferior to others. Noble birth means nothing, and temporary setbacks are not significant. The key is to rise up and strive, and the one who laughs last is the king.

"Train well, don't be greedy or rash. I'll wait for you at the Seven Stars Martial Academy." Chen Chuyun smiled, took out a silk book from her chest, and handed it to Chen Zong. "This book is a gift from my good fortune. I now give it to you, hoping it will inspire your sword practice."

Chen Zong took it, the thin black silk book still warm and carrying a hint of a young girl's fragrance.

The cover was black, with three silver characters.

The Little Sword Canon!

These three characters were dazzling and eye-catching!

They made Chen Zong feel a sense of awe, as if the sharpness was contained within, and the sword was about to be drawn from its sheath.

"Alright, read the Little Sword Canon later. Let's start today's training." Chen Chuyun said.

"Yes." Chen Zong carefully put the Little Sword Canon in his chest.

Soon, the day's training ended, and Chen Zong bid farewell to Chen Chuyun, feeling somewhat reluctant.

After months of interaction, almost daily contact, and dedicated teaching, the two had become as close as siblings. Now, they would be separated for at least a few years, and the reluctance was inevitable.

But both were decisive and did not linger. They knew that today's parting was for a better reunion in the future.

After returning to his room, washing up, and sitting comfortably on the bed, Chen Zong picked up the silk book given by Chen Chuyun.

The Little Sword Canon!

The three silver characters were still dazzling and eye-catching.

With a heart like a pilgrim, Chen Zong slowly and gently opened the cover, his eyes falling on the top of the page, where three powerful and elegant characters appeared.

The Sword Preface!

His gaze moved down, and his eyes sparkled.

"Sword, a sharp blade."

"Holding a sword is not for decoration but for self-protection and killing enemies."

"Practicing the sword is not like eating or drinking; it cannot be done casually. It is not like walking or chatting; it cannot be done leisurely."

"Once you hold the sword, you must be sincere and fearless, cutting through obstacles."

"Drawing the sword must be decisive, and striking must be without hesitation."

...

The sharp and forceful words made Chen Zong's heart race. His left hand unconsciously touched the iron sword by his side, feeling an urge to draw it.

Looking at the words, Chen Zong felt as if he saw a world-class swordsman engraving them with his sword.

After reading the Sword Preface, the second section was the Basic Sword Techniques, which were the eighteen basic techniques Chen Chuyun had taught. After months of practice, Chen Zong had already reached a level where the sword moved with his thoughts, but reading it again still brought new insights.

The third section was the Four Essentials of Sword Techniques.

"The four essentials of sword techniques: speed, accuracy, stability, and ferocity!"

"Only speed can surprise and attack the unprepared, making it difficult to defend against."

"Only accuracy can ensure every strike hits the target without deviation."

"Only stability can prevent mistakes, allowing for smooth execution."

"Only ferocity can kill enemies and cut through obstacles."

Reading it again, compared to Chen Chuyun's verbal guidance, it was more direct and had a stronger impact. However, currently, Chen Zong had only practiced three of the four essentials, and the ferocity essential had not been truly practiced.

Carefully reading, there were explanations and training methods for the four essentials. At the end, in the lower right corner, there was a signature—Xuan Bingzi!

"Xuan Bingzi?"

"Who is this person?"

"Regardless of who it is, to write such a Little Sword Canon, they must be a master of sword techniques." A sense of admiration arose in Chen Zong's heart.

The next day, Chen Zong still came to the courtyard outside Chen Chuyun's residence, but the gate was closed. After standing there for a long time, Chen Zong turned and left, secretly deciding that one day, he would also live in this courtyard.

True Martial Era 395, May 20th.

In a corner of the training ground.

"Chen Zong, catch the blade."

A flash of blade light turned into a continuous stream, like a waterfall rushing down.

Faster, more urgent, and more fierce!

Chen Zong drew his sword, and the three perfected sword techniques were alternately used in an instant. Despite the rapid changes, he could not break through Chen Fenghua's blade light and was forced back a few steps.

Chen Fenghua continuously attacked with the endless chain of perfected blade techniques, like waves of the sea, one after another. Chen Zong kept swinging his sword but could only keep retreating.

After forcing Chen Zong back ten steps, Chen Fenghua retracted his blade and sheathed it.

"Ha ha ha, Chen Zong, I finally forced you back." Chen Fenghua's face was full of joy, and it was hard to see his usual calm demeanor.

"Congratulations." Chen Zong was not at all discouraged but smiled. From the moment Chen Fenghua drew his blade, Chen Zong could tell that his cultivation had broken through to the fourth layer of the Blood Qi Realm, becoming a martial artist.

Only then could Chen Fenghua exert a thousand pounds of force and make the chain of blade techniques even more powerful.

"Chen Zong, train hard and strive to break through as soon as possible." Chen Fenghua patted Chen Zong's shoulder, speaking with a sense of seniority, clearly pleased.

There was no way to express the sour satisfaction he felt. At the time, he was full of confidence but was defeated by Chen Zong eight times in a row. Now, becoming a martial artist earlier than Chen Zong was a great relief.

True Martial Era 395, May 25th.

Chen Yong, who always had a stern face, and Chen Ying, with sharp eyes, arrived together.

"Congratulations." Chen Zong spoke first, judging from their appearance and aura that they had both broken through to the fourth layer of the Blood Qi Realm, becoming martial artists.

"Hmph, Chen Zong, I'm one step ahead of you." Chen Ying said with a coquettish snort.

"Finally, I've surpassed you once." Chen Yong smiled.

Then, they left.

Chen Zong was speechless. How badly had these four been affected by him that they immediately came to gloat as soon as they broke through?

"You all broke through after tempering your blood qi four times, but I, though a step behind, can temper it six times. When that time comes, I will still be able to defeat you." Chen Zong thought about the future, when he would once again defeat these four, and couldn't help but smile.

"It's coming soon. I have a feeling that my blood qi will complete the sixth round of tempering before long."