Chapter 153: Style of the Saber
Toward the end, every step he took made his entire body feel like it was falling apart. His breathing was labored and every step was extremely arduous. There were even a few times where he felt like he wanted to lie down and stop running.
However, when he looked at that pretty figure and saw her expression, he could not help but muster up some pride. He must not fall before her, that would be too embarrassing.
When he finally finished the last lap, Xiao Chen heaved a sigh of relief. He did his best to suppress the urge to fall over. Taking a deep breath, he sat down cross-legged and entered a cultivating state.
When one is tired and one’s body is pushed to its limits, that is the best time to bring out one’s potential when entering a cultivating state. Xiao Chen understood this principle in the past but there had never been anyone to monitor him like that, so he had never entered such a state of cultivation before.
Now that there was this opportunity, there was naturally no reason to give it up. The Purple Thunder Divine Incantation slowly circulated throughout his body. After the circulating Essence had completed a cycle, it permeated into the skin, flesh, and bones.
Xiao Chen felt a relaxing feeling he had never experienced before. His body felt extremely comfortable. The sweat on his body slowly evaporated, turning into white steam.
Liu Ruyue stood by the side watching all this happen. She revealed an unexpected smile. There was a look of reminiscence in her eyes, as though she was seeing her past self.
After a while, Xiao Chen slowly stopped the circulation of Essence in his body. He opened his eyes and met Liu Ruyue’s gaze. He smiled faintly and stood up.
Xiao Chen said indifferently, “Elder Sister Ruyue, can you teach me now?”
Liu Ruyue smiled faintly, “Not bad, the Saber Technique you used should be the Rushing Thunder Saber Technique. I learned this Saber Technique before, when I was young. Later on, as it did not fit my style, I gave it up.”
Doubt flickered in Xiao Chen’s eyes, Liu Ruyue practiced the Rushing Thunder Saber Technique before? That was strange, didn’t Feng Feixue say that it came from Heavenly Qin School?
Seeing Xiao Chen’s doubts, Liu Ruyue explained, “It’s not that strange. Heavenly Saber Pavilion has collected most of the Saber Techniques in the world, except for some inherited Martial Techniques.”
“I had once given up on this Saber Technique due to its style. Let me ask you now, what do you think is the Rushing Thunder Saber Technique’s style? Do you think it suits you?”
What is the Rushing Thunder Saber Technique’s style? Xiao Chen had never considered this question before. He did not even think of whether he was suited for this Saber Technique or not.
However, after practising this Saber Technique for so long, Xiao Chen already had a rough idea of the style of the Rushing Thunder Saber Technique. After thinking for a while, it was not too difficult to answer, “Fierce and fast, pressing on with momentum, forceful and vigorous, like a gushing river. Once it starts, it's like an unceasing torrent continuously pressing forward.”
Liu Ruyue nodded, “Looks like you have a pretty good understanding of it. However, the words you first used to describe it were just highlighting the special points of the Rushing Thunder Saber Technique, not its style.
“The style is the last bit you said, pressing forward continuously, never retreating. Retreating by a step can mean the difference between life and death; fighting desperately when confronting mortal danger. Before even fighting, you forced yourself onto a path of no return. Do you think this is suitable for you?”
When Xiao Chen heard this, he was suddenly enlightened — like a crackle of thunder going off in his head. Questions he could not answer in the past were suddenly clear to him.
He had always felt that his understand of the Rushing Thunder Saber Technique was lacking something.
Today, he finally understood what was he missing. He was missing the determination, an overflowing determination to never retreat even at the cost of his death.
However, was this a suitable style for him?
Xiao Chen could not help but think about this problem. After a long time, Xiao Chen’s eyes lit up with determination. He recalled a lot of things before seriously saying, “I understand now. I am suitable for this style. Even if there are inadequacies now, I will never give up.”
Liu Ruyue smiled faintly, “I feel that you are not suitable. When we exchanged moves earlier, you actually wanted me to let you have the first move in the hopes of taking advantage of it. That is definitely not the Rushing Thunder Saber Technique’s style.”
Xiao Chen could not understand, so he asked, “But my move was interrupted by you. How do I not retreat? That is impossible. Against an opponent of equal strength or cultivation realm, I will definitely not retreat.”
“You are really stubborn. The amount of strength I used earlier definitely did not exceed that of a Martial Grand Master. If you don’t believe me, you can try again.” A smile filled Liu Ruyue’s pretty face; it seemed like she was eager to give it a try.
Xiao Chen thought of the scene earlier and smiled embarrassedly, “Let’s not, I believe you.”
Liu Ruyue felt that that was unfortunate, she said, “Never mind then, I shall not mess with you anymore. It is a little early to be telling you all this, hence it is normal for you to not understand. Practice the eight basic moves of the saber first and then show me!”
Xiao Chen revealed an embarrassed expression, “I have not learned the basic saber moves before. When I was young, the clan only required us to practice Palm Techniques and Fist Techniques. The basics of saber was something optional. Back then, I had never thought of learning the saber, so I did not learn it.”
When Xiao Chen was young, he was unable to condense his Martial Spirit. Thus, he had focused on trying to condense it. There was nothing for him to practice, not even mentioning Basic Saber Techniques.”
Later on, after Xiao Chen had successfully condensed his Martial Spirit, he did not place much focus on basic saber moves because he had to learn too many things. As a result, although he did not slack during his training and cultivating, he had never truly practiced basic saber moves.
Liu Ruyue felt a headache coming, “Suifeng! Get your butt over here.”
Liu Suifeng, who was practicing at the side, stopped what he was doing and quickly rushed over. He asked, “Sis, what’s up!”
“I have been defeated by this fellow. You will teach him the eight basic movements of the saber. You have one day. I will come and check tomorrow.” Liu Ruyue massaged her temples; she could feel a headache setting in.
“I shall leave first and will check tomorrow. That’s right, leave the weights on his hands on.” After Liu Ruyue spoke, she immediately left.
Liu Suifeng looked at Xiao Chen and asked in disbelief, “Ye Chen, did you really not learn basic saber moves before?”
Xiao Chen countered, “Is this important? I really have not learned it before.”
Liu Suifeng smiled bitterly, “I really ‘admire’ you. Fortunately, you did not enter by going through the outer sect. Basic Saber Techniques are the foundation of all Saber Techniques. Heavenly Saber Pavilion has a rule, if Basic Saber Techniques have not been practiced to the Small Perfection, you cannot learn any Martial Techniques.
“So for people like us and cultivators who want to enter the Heavenly Saber Pavilion, Basic Saber Techniques must be practiced to the Small Perfection. Most people would practice them to the Middle Perfection, and there would be some, like my sis, who persist and practice till the Great Perfection.”
Xiao Chen had not expected Basic Saber Techniques to be so important. He could not help but ask, “Then, until how far have you practiced your Basic Saber Techniques?”
Lui Suifeng smiled helplessly, “I am not that persistent. After I reached the Small Perfection, I stopped. Let’s stop talking. It’s not too late for you to learn.”
Xiao Chen nodded and prepared to remove the weights on his hands. When Liu Suifeng saw what he was doing, he quickly stopped Xiao Chen. Xiao Chen could not help but say, “Don’t tell me you are really going to make things difficult for a brother.”
Liu Suifeng had a very serious expression as he said, “I am really not making things difficult for you. For you to be able to practice your Rushing Thunder Saber Technique until it can crackle with thunder is proof of your effort. Even in the history of Heavenly Saber Pavilion, there weren't many who could do that.”
“My sis thinks highly of you, otherwise she would not have given you pointers on the style of the Rushing Thunder Saber Technique.
“The Rushing Thunder Saber Technique was created by a Saber Emperor. Although it is only a Superior Grade Profound Ranked Martial Technique, its potential is unlimited. If you really want to improve it, the Basic Saber Techniques have to be practiced to the Great Perfection. If you wish to learn it in such a short timespan, you would end up suffering a lot; there really is no shortcut.”
When Xiao Chen heard this, he stopped what he was doing. Liu Suifeng started demonstrating the Basic Saber Techniques. There were only eight moves in the Basic Saber Techniques: Sweep, hack, push, pare, skim, swing, chop, and pierce. They were also known as the eight basics moves of the saber.
Since they were the Basic Saber Techniques, naturally, they were easy to understand. Xiao Chen only had to take a look before understanding. Then he started practicing on his own. Because he was wearing a hundred kilograms of weights, each movement was very difficult.
Liu Suifeng kept shaking his head non-stop, “Your legs should not be moving. Your arm needs to be raised higher. You should not pause when you sheath your saber.”
When Xiao Chen actually practiced by himself, he found that there were a lot of mistakes. It was just eight simple movements, yet he kept making mistakes.
The morning slowly passed like this. Meanwhile, Liu Suifeng kept giving him pointers, sometimes demonstrating for him to see. He was not at all impatient, resulting in Xiao Chen being very grateful to him.
“Brother Suifeng and Brother Ye Chen, it’s time to eat,” came Xiao Meng’s sweet voice from the dueling grounds. Shao Yang and Xiao Meng were carrying some food as they slowly walked over to them.
When Liu Suifeng saw this, he smiled faintly, “Let’s stop for the morning. Don’t listen to my sis. When I practiced the Basic Saber Techniques, it took me two years to reach the Small Perfection. It is impossible to grasp it within a day.”
Xiao Chen wiped the sweat from his forehead and nodded to indicate that he understood. These eight moves were the foundation of all Saber Techniques, there were many changes but they still stayed true to these eight moves.
Since the Heavenly Saber Pavilion stated that one must practice the Basic Saber Techniques to the Small Perfection, naturally, there was a reason for this. After thinking about it, Xiao Chen could understand why.
Lunch was personally cooked by Xiao Meng. She first served two bowls of plain porridge to Xiao Chen and Liu Suifeng. Fearing that Xiao Chen would not understand, she said, “This is Elder Sister Ruyue’s instruction. After intense exercise, you must drink some porridge first and fill the stomach before eating the main dish.”
When Xiao Chen heard this, he smiled to himself. This woman is quite meticulous with the details, even the nutritionists on Earth said the same thing.
“Pu Tong!”
At that moment, Xiao Bai leaped out from the Spirit Blood Jade around Xiao Chen’s chest. After it came out, it looked at Xiao Meng with big watery eyes.
“What a cute little fox!” Xiao Meng’s face lit up with delight.
As soon as Liu Suifeng saw the red piece of jade on Xiao Chen’s chest, he had a strange look on his face. He said, “Is this Spirit Blood Jade?”
Xiao Chen nodded. He had not released this little fellow for the past few days. When Xiao Bai smelled the food, it desperately wanted to come out.
Xiao Chen had interacted with these few people and found them to be kind, so he did not stop Xiao Bai.
“Is there still porridge? This little fellow is hungry,” Xiao Chen asked as he looked at her.
Xiao Meng smiled slightly and nodded. After she filled a bowl full with porridge, she placed it in front of Xiao Bai. Xiao Bai revealed a cute smile and it rubbed its head against Xiao Meng. Xiao Meng was so happy that she laughed lightly.