Although the Sun Family was merely an insignificant Family on the entire continent, it was still quite powerful in Luoyun Town. The Merit Law Hall wasn't large, but the high platforms within it were filled with ancient Cultivation Technique Secret Manuals. At a glance, there were no less than twenty of them, which made Sun Bing somewhat overwhelmed.
According to Sun Bing's understanding, Cultivation Technique Secret Manuals were divided into four Ranks from highest to lowest: Heaven, Earth, Profound, and Yellow. Each Rank was further divided into High Grade, Medium Grade, and Low Grade.
As for something like Basic Swordplay, it was widely circulated throughout the entire continent, so much so that even ordinary people could perform a few moves. It wasn't considered a Secret Manual at all.
The area where Sun Bing was located was only the first floor of the Merit Law Hall, displaying only Yellow Rank Low Grade Secret Manuals. Yet, it was enough to shock people. One must know that for ordinary people, such Secret Manuals could even be passed down as Family legacies from generation to generation.
It's clear how vast the Sun Family's wealth and influence were. What others regarded as treasures, in the Sun Family, anyone could come and learn one for free. However, it was important to note that they must never be passed on to others, or it would be a matter of life and death.
Sun Bing had also heard that the most profound Secret Manual in the Sun Family was a Profound Rank High Grade Cultivation Technique, but it required the purest bloodline to learn. Even branch families might not be able to view it, let alone ordinary servants.
Of course, Sun Bing had no extravagant desires for that Cultivation Technique. His primary purpose for coming here was to find a Swordplay to learn, as his Basic Swordplay had already reached a Bottleneck and required broadening his knowledge.
What's more, although Basic Swordplay had a solid Foundation, its power was somewhat unsatisfactory. Learning a new Swordplay could not only enhance his strength but also provide him with an additional means of combat.
Immediately, Sun Bing began to search carefully, Secret Manuals appearing before his eyes:
“Qi Accumulation Art,” “Heaven and Earth Breathing Method,” “Natural Qi Storage Method,”...
Cultivation Techniques were completely ignored by Sun Bing. On the Divine Continent, Cultivation Technique Secret Manuals were divided into two categories: one was Cultivation Techniques, and the other was Martial Skills. But no matter which, both were treasures people yearned for.
Most Cultivation Techniques were Qi Training Cultivation Techniques, which recorded the Meridians and pathways of the human body, with annotated information, teaching one how to absorb Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi, thereby strengthening oneself and raising one's Realm. Every person at the Peak of the Body Tempering Realm, wishing to Breakthrough to the Qi Training Realm, must possess a Cultivation Technique.
A small portion of them were Body Refining Cultivation Techniques. These Cultivation Techniques continuously refined the body, treating the body as a weapon. Although there was a sense of Qi within the body, this was not their means of attack. Legend has it that those who achieved Major Achievement in Body Refining could stand still anywhere, and no one would be able to harm a single hair on them.
As for Martial Skills, they were diverse. Although they seemed less important than Cultivation Techniques, they determined one's means of combat, and only Martial Skills could fully unleash one's power.
Sun Bing's goal was naturally these Martial Skills. After ignoring the Qi Training Cultivation Techniques, the remaining half were all Martial Skills. But Martial Skills were also diverse, categorized into Fist Techniques, Leg Techniques, Movement Techniques, Saber Techniques, Swordplay, and so on. Anything used to attack an enemy was a Martial Skill.
After another round of filtering, only two Swordplay Secret Manuals remained before Sun Bing. This was also because swords were relatively popular; if it were spear techniques or staff techniques, the Sun Family might not even have a single one.
“Clear Wind Swordplay,” “Longitudinal and Horizontal Swordplay.” Looking at the two Swordplay Secret Manuals before him, Sun Bing couldn't help but hesitate for a moment.
The main characteristic of “Clear Wind Swordplay” was its extreme agility, requiring sufficient Comprehension Ability to perceive the direction of the wind between Heaven and Earth, and then fighting the opponent with that style. Although its attack power was not strong, it excelled in its lightness and variety of changes. If mastered, one could even kill the opponent without them ever touching one's body.
“Longitudinal and Horizontal Swordplay” focused on direct combat. The Swordplay was fierce, every move and every stance contained killing intent. If the Disciple practicing this Swordplay lacked control, they might even injure themselves before harming the enemy.
Both Swordplay Secret Manuals had their advantages and disadvantages. To be honest, Sun Bing actually wanted to learn both, as his Basic Swordplay had already reached Perfection. Practicing these would yield twice the results with half the effort, and he believed he would be able to get started in no time.
However, Sun Bing was merely an ordinary person in the Family. Although he was nominally the Clan Chief's adopted son, he was still considered a Young Master!
But over the years, he deeply knew that this identity was completely useless and held no special privileges. Being able to learn one was already rare. If he were given another, even if the Sun Family didn't care about Yellow Rank Low Grade Cultivation Techniques, the other Disciples would still gossip.
People are not bothered by scarcity but by inequality. This is the inherent flaw in human nature; everything requires certain rules. Sun Bing sighed deeply.
At this moment, a series of footsteps suddenly came from within the Merit Law Hall. A young Young Master slowly descended from the upper floor. He was dressed in white, his clothes and hair flowing freely, untied and unrestrained, gently fluttering. Even the most critical person, upon seeing him, could only secretly exclaim: A noble Young Master.
However, when Sun Bing saw this person, his eyes narrowed: This was Sun Long. He hadn't expected him to come to the Merit Law Hall today, and from the second floor no less. One must know that the second floor represented Yellow Rank Medium Grade and above, and there might even be Profound Rank Cultivation Techniques there.
For the past ten years, Sun Bing had believed that he would have no relation with Sun Long, but he never expected that it was Sun Long who had instigated Sun Yang's people to harm him. Truly, one cannot judge a book by its cover. One must know that within the Family, he was humble and courteous, behaving like a true gentleman, deeply welcomed by the Elders and Disciples.
Even at this moment, within the Merit Law Hall, two girls couldn't help but whisper softly, “This is Sun Long, the Family's number one Genius. He's truly incredibly handsome.”
“Yes, Young Master Sun Long is indeed a gentleman. I believe the Sun Family will become even stronger under his leadership.”
Sun Long's demeanor was impeccable. He smiled slightly, neither overly close nor appearing aloof. This moderate distance made others quite comfortable, demonstrating his approachable nature.
It could be said that, up until now, only Sun Bing knew that he was merely a hypocrite who acted one way to your face and another behind your back. Such people often have the most vicious hearts. At that moment, he couldn't help but feel a wave of disgust.
But Sun Bing showed no flaws. He was far too young now. If Sun Long were to target him, everything would go wrong. So, he quietly continued to flip through the Secret Manuals before him, while also pondering deeply.
Sun Long's footsteps were not fast. In a short while, he had already walked behind Sun Bing, but he stopped and said gently, “Isn't this Brother Sun Bing? I'm so happy to see you here! It's been ten years, and you can finally Cultivate. I hope you can inherit your father's prestige.
As your Elder brother, I can still give you some experience. This “Longitudinal and Horizontal Swordplay,” although only a Yellow Rank Low Grade Swordplay, its power after Major Achievement can even rival a Yellow Rank Medium Grade one. I hope Brother can work hard for the Sun Family.”
Upon hearing this, Sun Bing's eyes slightly chilled. He truly was a hypocrite. Although all his words expressed his concern, they mostly highlighted Sun Bing's poor talent, taking a full ten years to be able to Cultivate.
And sure enough, at this moment, the two girls were already whispering, looking at Sun Bing with some disdain, but their admiration for Sun Long grew even stronger. He truly had good tactics.
Since the other party was speaking to him, Sun Bing didn't push him away. Instead, he grinned, “Then I thank Brother. I was just hesitating, so since you say so, I'll choose this one.”
Although the two were seemingly conversing calmly, Sun Long's heart was surprisingly shocked at this moment: “How can this waste Cultivate? Weren't all the Body Tempering Pills cancelled? And that waste Sun Yang, didn't he go for the kill?” A cold glint even flashed in his eyes.
Sun Bing had been observing the other party's actions, especially noticing the fleeting cold glint. He affirmed in his heart: “It seems it was indeed his arrangement. I didn't expect his heart to be so vicious. I must avenge this.”
In a short time, the two had already clashed several times in secret. Afterwards, they merely exchanged a few casual words before Sun Long left the Merit Law Hall directly. As for Sun Bing, he also picked up the “Longitudinal and Horizontal Swordplay” and walked out.
“Is this ‘Longitudinal and Horizontal Swordplay’?” Elder Sun Wei couldn't help but frown. “This Swordplay has been in the Merit Law Hall for many years. Countless people have chosen it in the past, coveting its power, but not only did they fail to learn it, they even crippled their arms due to its strange moves. Are you still sure you want to Cultivate this one? You can't change it once you leave the Merit Law Hall.”
“Oh!” Sun Bing was surprised. He hadn't expected such a thing. At the same time, he nodded slightly, thinking to himself, “So that's how it is. I wondered why Sun Long's words were so simple. Turns out he harbored malicious intentions. If not for Elder Sun Wei's reminder, I would have been kept in the dark.”
However, despite his surprise, Sun Bing had already flipped through it once and found that “Longitudinal and Horizontal Swordplay” was indeed extremely murderous. Only those who were very confident in their sword could Cultivate it. If one's Foundation was unstable, holding it would cause more harm to oneself.
And those Disciples from before simply didn't pay attention to their Foundation. Instead, they blindly believed in the power of the Cultivation Technique, making such a mistake. This is why this Swordplay has remained untouched all this time.
But these requirements were not a problem for Wang Hong. His Basic Swordplay had already reached Perfection, and the sword felt like an extension of his arm, so no accidents would occur. This “Longitudinal and Horizontal Swordplay” was quite suitable for Sun Bing.
Immediately, Sun Bing nodded firmly, “Elder, I have confidence in myself.” At the same time, he was already pondering slightly. Although this Swordplay was quite suitable for Sun Bing, it was ultimately a trick played by the other party. This grudge would definitely be avenged.
Since Sun Bing insisted, the Elder had nothing more to say. After all, he could only advise; the final decision rested with the Disciple himself. He proceeded with the registration and also cautioned, “Borrowed Cultivation Techniques must be returned within one month. Unauthorized copying is not allowed, and they must not be lost, or severe punishment will be meted out.”
He shook his head as he spoke. Sun Wei now understood that the person before him was the Family's notorious waste. He hadn't expected that after finally being able to Cultivate, he would still be so overly ambitious. It was truly a pity.
