Chapter 74

The Jianwu Tower stands in the southeast of the Jianyao Hall, its shape resembling a tower with four corners slanting upwards like swords pointing to the sky.

The Jianwu Tower has four floors. The first floor houses lower-grade human-level cultivation techniques and martial arts. The second floor houses middle-grade human-level cultivation techniques and martial arts. The third floor houses upper-grade human-level cultivation techniques and martial arts. The fourth floor houses the best human-level cultivation techniques and martial arts.

The first floor can be entered freely, the second floor requires a cultivation level of the seventh layer of the Blood Qi Realm to enter for free, otherwise, one must spend a thousand white jade coins to purchase a single entry. The third floor requires a cultivation level of the eighth layer of the Blood Qi Realm to enter for free, otherwise, one must spend five thousand white jade coins to purchase a single entry. The fourth floor corresponds to the ninth layer of the Blood Qi Realm, otherwise, one must spend ten thousand white jade coins to purchase an entry.

When Chen Zong learned this, he was speechless.

Money, money, money!

"Thinking about money has driven them crazy..." Chen Zong shook his head, wondering if the founder of the Seven Radiance Martial Academy was a money lover, feeling that they were trying every means to make money.

"Indeed, one must be powerful enough to earn money better." Chen Zong, declaring himself a new disciple, could enter the second floor for free once.

"You can choose one cultivation technique and one martial art. After you have chosen, tell me." The steward managing the Jianwu Tower said.

Inside the Jianwu Tower, except for the first floor, the second, third, and fourth floors only have names and brief introductions. Only after making a choice and informing the steward can one obtain a handwritten copy, to prevent people from staying for a long time and using their exceptional memory to remember more cultivation techniques and martial arts.

Chen Zong ascended to the second floor, where there were other people, mostly at the seventh layer of the Blood Qi Realm, and some at the sixth layer like himself.

There were three bookshelves, each with labels containing names and introductions.

One side was for Blood Qi cultivation techniques, one for sword techniques, and one for body movement techniques. There were forty-three Blood Qi cultivation techniques, sixty-two sword techniques, and only fifteen body movement techniques.

Among the cultivation techniques, there was no Chen Family's Fierce Tiger Technique, which was a unique technique of the Chen Family and not taught outside.

Glancing over, Chen Zong's gaze did not linger on the cultivation techniques but moved to the sword techniques.

"Golden Light Sword Technique... Flowing Water Sword Technique... Little Flying Star Sword Technique... Wind Chasing Sword Technique..."

Below the names of the sword techniques were introductions, such as the Golden Light Sword Technique, which emits a golden light that is dazzling and hard to look at, and the Flowing Water Sword Technique, which is like a continuous stream of water.

Choosing a sword technique requires considering various aspects, such as the sword one uses and one's sword habits.

Since he could only choose one for free, Chen Zong had to carefully examine which sword technique would be more suitable.

Chen Chuyun practiced the middle-grade human-level Autumn Water Sword Technique, and the Chen Family's ancestral hall also had it, but now she mainly practiced the upper-grade human-level Cold Water Sword Technique, which was more powerful.

"I now have the Light Splitting Sword Technique and the Heavenly Light Cloud Shadow Sword. There seems to be a connection between them, but I haven't found the clue yet. So, the new sword technique should not be similar to either of them." Chen Zong thought as he looked.

One by one, he examined the introductions, compared them, and made his final choice.

Lone Star Sword Technique!

"Legend has it that it was practiced by the Star Pointing True Person in his early years. It only has the first level, which is incomplete, so it is classified as a middle-grade human-level sword technique."

"This sword technique is mysterious and profound. Although it only has one level, it surpasses many other middle-grade human-level sword techniques. It emphasizes using the least amount of energy to achieve the greatest power, requiring exceptional insight and strong control over one's own strength. Remember, do not choose it if you are not ready."

"Exceptional insight and strong control, that's it." Chen Zong decided without hesitation.

The body movement techniques also belonged to martial arts. Chen Zong was tempted but could not choose them unless he paid.

"The Wind Stepping Technique is almost at the subtlest level and can be used now, so I'll leave it for now."

He left the second floor.

"This waste of a person seems to want to choose the Lone Star Sword Technique."

"Overestimating oneself."

"Ha ha, even our chief senior brother of the Jianyao Hall couldn't master the Lone Star Sword Technique, and this waste of a person is laughingstock."

The people on the second floor mocked him.

"Have you made your choice?" The steward at the first floor asked casually.

"Lone Star Sword Technique." Chen Zong responded directly.

"Lone Star Sword Technique... wait a moment..." The steward nodded, then his eyes widened: "You said the Lone Star Sword Technique?"

"Yes." Chen Zong nodded.

"I advise you to choose another one. The introduction of the Lone Star Sword Technique is very attractive, but it is extremely difficult to practice. In the Jianyao Hall, no one has mastered it in the past ten years." The steward advised earnestly.

"Thank you for your advice, but I want to try." Chen Zong was even more curious.

Is the Lone Star Sword Technique really that difficult to practice?

In the entire Jianyao Hall, no one has mastered it in the past ten years?

"Suit yourself, but don't regret it if you don't listen to my advice." The steward shook his head, found a book, and handed it to Chen Zong. The book, though old, was well-pressed, indicating that it was rarely read. "Remember, this sword technique must not be taught to others, must not be damaged, and must be returned within half a month. Otherwise, you will be fined more than ten thousand white jade coins, or even expelled from the martial academy."

Chen Zong nodded and left the Jianwu Tower with the book.

...

The news of Chen Zong choosing the Lone Star Sword Technique quickly spread, causing a lot of discussion, mostly about him being "overestimating himself" and "showing off."

In Chen Zong's courtyard.

"I also chose the Lone Star Sword Technique, but I couldn't even get started after a month." Chen Chuyun said, "However, your talent in sword practice is even better than mine, so you might achieve something."

"I'll give it a try." Chen Zong smiled.

After Chen Chuyun left, Chen Zong began to practice the Lone Star Sword Technique.

The first level of the guiding form had as many as fourteen movements. For a typical middle-grade human-level sword technique, the first level usually has eleven to twelve movements, and rarely thirteen or fourteen.

The more movements in the guiding form, the more difficult it is to practice.

Holding the sword in his right hand, he performed the first guiding form movement and immediately started to swing the sword.

The movements became increasingly difficult. At first, it only required swinging the sword, but gradually, the sword had to be accurate, and the eyes, body angle, and steps had to be in place, guiding the body's Blood Qi to flow in a unique way.

After fourteen movements, the Blood Qi changed five times, three more times than the Light Splitting Sword Technique, making it even more difficult to control. No wonder it required exceptional insight and strong control over one's body.

After five days, Chen Zong found the feel of it.

On the seventh day, he performed the fourteen movements of the guiding form in a smooth sequence. With the Blood Qi fluctuating, he swung the sword, and the sword seemed to disappear, condensing into a point of starlight, as if it had just appeared in the world.

The first level of the Lone Star Sword Technique: Lone Star Appears!

The point of sword light flickered, and perhaps due to lack of practice, it disappeared in a blink.

On the ninth day, Chen Zong moved, and the Blood Qi changed five times instantly. He swung the sword, and the sword disappeared, leaving only a point of starlight, like a solitary star descending to the world. When the starlight disappeared, a sword hole appeared on the wooden post, piercing through it.

The first level of the Lone Star Sword Technique: Lone Star Appears, reached the initial stage.

"Performing the initial stage of Lone Star Appears once only consumed one-tenth of my Blood Qi... " Chen Zong was somewhat surprised.

The power of this move was close to the perfected stage of the Light Splitting Sword Technique. With his sixth layer of the Blood Qi Realm, he could only perform the perfected stage of the Light Splitting Sword Technique four times. The Lone Star Sword Technique indeed allowed him to release greater power with less consumption.

On the tenth day, Chen Zong practiced as usual when someone came to inform him that the chief senior brother had summoned him.

"Chief senior brother..." Chen Zong repeated, took his sword, and left the courtyard.

The Seven Radiance Martial Academy has seven halls, each with a chief senior brother, the strongest person in the hall, with great status and power.

Chen Zong already knew that the chief senior brother of the Jianyao Hall was named Bai Yushan, from the main city of the Extreme Martial City, and was also the cousin of Bai Yulou.

"But, to become the chief senior brother, he must have a broad mind and a noble demeanor." Chen Zong thought.

Inside the Jianyao Hall, there was a hall called the Sword Testing Hall, where Bai Yushan gathered the new disciples of the Jianyao Hall.

Bai Yushan wore a well-fitting white short robe, with a slender figure, a sword on his back, and a sword hilt exposed, intricately carved as if made of dark green gemstones, indicating its great value. His eyebrows were like swords, his eyes bright and full of spirit, and his posture straight and dignified, exuding a reserved and sharp aura.

Standing among the crowd, he immediately became the focus, very noticeable, and gave a good first impression.

"Brothers, I was out practicing recently and couldn't welcome you in time, I apologize." Bai Yushan smiled, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, making everyone feel as if he was looking at them, causing some to feel honored and excited.

"Now, as the chief senior brother of the Jianyao Hall, I welcome you to the Jianyao Hall. From now on, we are brothers of the Jianyao Hall, like a family." Bai Yushan's tone was very persuasive, and his words immediately won the support of many new disciples.

"As brothers of the Jianyao Hall, we encourage competition, but not malicious internal strife." Bai Yushan looked around and continued, "Achievements should be praised, and mistakes should be criticized and punished."

"Who is Chen Zong?" Bai Yushan suddenly changed the subject.

All eyes immediately fell on Chen Zong's face.

"It's me." Chen Zong stepped forward a few steps, his expression calm.

"I heard you were the first place in the Wind Martial City's Talent Battle, and your strength should not be weak. Why did you forfeit the battle in the Eight Directions Martial Field? Do you know that the Jianyao Hall has won the top three places in the Eight Directions Martial Field every year, which is a great honor, but because of you, we missed the top three this year." Bai Yushan's tone was somewhat cold and stern. "If you lost, it would be understandable, but you forfeited the battle. What is the reason?"

"I was too injured to fight." Chen Zong was not flustered.

"Senior brother, regardless of whether his reason is true or false, he has disgraced the reputation of the Jianyao Hall." Bai Yulou suddenly spoke. "I think he should be punished."

"Yes."

"Right."

"I agree."

Immediately, many people echoed in agreement.

Li Zhen, Chen Kaiyue, and others frowned, seeing that these people were targeting Chen Zong, hoping that Senior Brother Bai Yushan would act fairly.

"Chen Zong, go and get ten scorpion tails from scorpion-tailed wolves. Do you accept this punishment?" Bai Yushan's expression was cold and serious.

"Sure." Chen Zong did not hesitate.

(Not sure how everyone spent the New Year, but here, I have many brothers and sisters, and my wife's family also has many brothers and sisters. There are always people inviting me to eat and drink, and I'm almost drowning in a vat of alcohol.)