Alex took out the mortal-grade sword and started pouring his Qi into it. The sword showed some resistance at first, but quickly let his Qi in and started glowing yellow.
"This is a mortal grade technique, Master. It's called Smiting Blade and all it does is make my sword sharper and deal more damage." Alex explained to his master.
"Hmm… that is quite bad. Only a mortal grade? Ma Rong should have at least taught you an earth-grade technique. Honestly, what is that woman thinking?" Wen Cheng showed disapproval towards the technique.
"Oh no, I learned it before I went to the forest 2 weeks ago. So master has nothing to do with it." Alex cleared some misconceptions.
"Oh, if that is so, then okay. I can understand why you would learn such trash. It doesn't even have an elemental attribute to it. I will get you some better ones to choose from tomorrow."
"For today, let's focus on just swordsmanship."
Wen Cheng took out a common-looking blade and started talking.
"Fighting with a sword is not about using the sword to hit an opponent as hard as you can. It's about the proper techniques and practice."
"The techniques can range anywhere from how to swing a sword to how to best apply forces to how to move your feet to get the better advantage."
"Now, look at me."
Wen Cheng started swinging in mid-air randomly, but to Alex's eyes, it looked like he was fighting a very strong opponent. He weaved and dodged his enemy's attacks by moving in a weird way using his feet, and cleaved his enemy through the chest when he could.
As Alex watched more and more, he started becoming entranced. He slowly walked to an open space and started following Wen Cheng's movements.
The copy of the arts looked very wonky and not at all refined, but the basics were there. About 10 minutes later, Wen Cheng finally stopped and looked towards Alex, only to find him a distance away copying his moves.
He watched his move almost the same as him and started getting shocked.
'This guy managed to nearly copy my moves just by watching me move a while?' he thought. This was what they called talent. Wen Cheng was really happy inside that he made this kid his disciple.
Alex stopped moving after a while, as he had nothing more to copy. He got out of his entranced state and was surprised at what he had just done.
He looked at his own hands. 'Was I even controlling them?' he was honestly too surprised. He hadn't registered any of the things he did but somehow could remember them. It was a very odd experience.
"Did you try to copy me?" Wen Cheng asked. "Although that wasn't very good, the basics were there. Just the fact that you managed to do it means that you probably have a talent for it."
Wen Cheng took out a rather thick book, at least thicker than most cultivation techniques Alex had seen and handed it to him. "This book contains the sword fighting style I use called the 'Elusive Heavenly Sword'. It's mostly focused on footwork and dodging more than attacking. But it also has some strong attacks that would be considered Earth grade if they were a technique on their own."
"I will get you some techniques tomorrow that you can use as proper damage technique. Read this book for now and learn as much as you can. Since it's a heaven-grade technique, it is going to take you a while."
Alex started turning the book's pages over and realized there were a lot of images along with the text. 'This is going to take a while,' he thought.
"Master, is this considered a movement technique too? cause I need one of those as well." He said.
"Oh, no. This is just a set of footwork for swordsmanship. Real movement techniques are something else. Wait a second, did Ma Rong not teach you the Hong Wu sect's immortal grade movement technique?" Wen Cheng seemed to know about Flickering Shadows and asked about it.
"Oh, I already learned that technique, Master. But it's really hard to use during the daytime, in flat surfaces." He said.
"Is it? I don't know how that technique works. Ma Rong is too secretive about it." Wen Cheng said. Then suddenly, he recalled the first part of the sentence and immediately asked.
"Did you just say you already learned it? But it's an Immortal Grade technique, and you had at best only learned it 2 weeks ago."
"Yes, Master. I can somehow learn techniques very fast. Although practicing and perfecting the technique will take me a while, learning it however is pretty quick" Alex explained.
Wen Cheng looked at him closely. "Are you really not lying about it?" he asked.
"Of course not, master. Why would I lie?" he said with a little chuckle.
"Alright then, show me. Use that technique."
Alex was ready for him to say that, so he immediately disappeared from the spot and appeared behind Wen Cheng from his shadows.
"Oh my god. You really do know it. Then you won't need another movement." Wen Cheng was surprised at how talented his disciple was.
"But master, this technique doesn't work as well during the daytime at places with little shadows. The technique relies on shadows to be functional." Alex explained when it started sounding like he wouldn't be getting a movement technique.
"Alright, Learn this book for now. Since you are so quick, you should be done with it within the week. I will also get you a good movement technique tomorrow along with a few damaging techniques, defensive techniques, and a very important escaping technique to choose from." Wen Cheng promised.
"Thank you, master," Alex was genuinely happy at how much Wen Cheng was giving him. It had only been a few minutes, and he had already given so much knowledge and opportunity.
"Alright, you read that book. I will come to see you at around 3 am." Wen Cheng left after saying that.