Backyard of the Martial Arts School.
Wang Jin picked up a few peanuts and popped them into his mouth before speaking to Jiang Ning.
"Do you remember what I once told you about why our martial arts school is called 'Canglang Martial Arts School'?"
"I remember!" Jiang Ning nodded.
Wang Jin nodded as well and continued, "The name of the school is related to a sword technique a mid-tier martial art! The key to mastering this technique lies in comprehension, which is why I set up the test."
"If you can't achieve mastery in any of the five forms of the Five Animals Fist, then your comprehension isn't sufficient to learn my sword technique."
Jiang Ning's face lit up with joy.
"Master, are you saying you're going to teach me that sword technique?"
Wang Jin shook his head. "You're not qualified to learn that technique yet."
"Not qualified?" Jiang Ning was taken aback.
Wang Jin stood up. "Follow me!"
Jiang Ning quickly followed.
Entering Wang Jin's bedroom, Wang Jin retrieved a slightly yellowed ancient book from a hidden compartment in the wall and handed it to Jiang Ning.
"Take a look for yourself, and you'll understand."
Jiang Ning took the yellowed book and looked down at it.
On the blue cover were several large characters:
[Canglang Sword Technique]
"Open it and see," Wang Jin's voice echoed beside him.
Jiang Ning slowly opened the martial arts manual.
Time passed quietly.
Wang Jin waited patiently as Jiang Ning read.
Seeing Jiang Ning's focused expression, Wang Jin thought to himself, "I believe this kid will be even more motivated to practice after reading this mid-tier martial art."
"Mid-tier martial arts are rare even in the entire Luoshui County!"
"Such an attraction I don't believe this kid wouldn't want to earn the right to learn this sword technique."
"Without mastering force and having insufficient vital energy, one isn't qualified to learn this sword technique!"
"I wonder if, with his comprehension, he can achieve perfection in this sword technique."
"If he can accomplish what I couldn't in the future, I can tell him about the clues to the Blazing Sword Technique. If he can obtain the Blazing Sword Technique and combine it with the Canglang Sword Technique, it would become a truly complete and flawless high-tier martial art!!"
While Wang Jin was deep in thought, Jiang Ning continued to flip through the [Canglang Sword Technique], a mid-tier martial art.
[Literacy Experience +1]
[Literacy Experience +1]
[Literacy Experience +1]
[...]
After a while, Jiang Ning reached the last page of the Canglang Sword Technique manual.
[Skill]: Literacy (First Breakthrough 654/2000) (Trait: Photographic Memory)
He closed the manual, took a deep breath, and slowly closed his eyes, digesting the memories of this sword technique in his mind.
According to the manual, the Canglang Sword Technique was a mid-tier martial art.
The technique's concept was inspired by the endless waves of a mighty river.
To master the basics of this sword technique, one needed to grasp a force called the Ninefold Force.
The Ninefold Force was similar to the force one could master after achieving perfection in the Five Animals Fist.
This meant that the foundational level of this sword technique was comparable to the effects of achieving perfection in the Five Animals Fist.
Moreover, according to the Canglang Sword Technique's records, the Ninefold Force was incredibly powerful.
Once the sword technique reached perfection, each strike would be stronger than the last. With the Ninefold Force unleashed, a single strike could carry the power of nine strikes.
It was said to be so formidable that even ghosts and gods would flee, and no one in the same realm could withstand a single strike.
After reading about the Canglang Sword Technique, Jiang Ning understood why Master Wang Jin said he wasn't qualified to learn this technique yet.
The difficulty of mastering the basics of the Canglang Sword Technique was no less than achieving perfection in the Five Animals Fist in fact, it was even harder.
Achieving perfection in the Five Animals Fist was necessary to grasp force.
However, the Canglang Sword Technique, a mid-tier martial art, required mastering the first level of the Ninefold Force just to begin learning it.
This showed how challenging it was.
Moreover, as Jiang Ning knew, among ninth-rank martial artists, those who could master force were the elite, their combat power far surpassing others of the same rank who hadn't mastered force.
Force was also incredibly profound. If one mastered force, the efficiency of tempering the skin after achieving perfection in vital energy would be several times higher than others.
This included advancing to the eighth, seventh, and sixth ranks, all of which had requirements related to force.
Without mastering force, even with the fundamental methods for rank advancement, it would be difficult to progress.
And the higher the level of martial art, the more pronounced the effect of the force on rank advancement.
After a few breaths, Jiang Ning opened his eyes and murmured, "No wonder Master said I'm not qualified to learn this technique yet!"
"Understand now?" Wang Jin said. "The Ninefold Force is a more advanced force than the Tiger Force, White Ape Force, or Bear Force. If you can't even master the Tiger Force or experience the profoundness of force, how can you begin to learn the Canglang Sword Technique, a mid-tier martial art?"
"Disciple understands!" Jiang Ning continued. "I will practice diligently and strive to achieve perfection in the Five Animals Fist as soon as possible."
Wang Jin nodded. "Do you have any thoughts about joining the Inspection Bureau?"
"I do!" Jiang Ning said frankly.
"Good!" Wang Jin nodded again. "Then practice your fist techniques diligently. Although joining the Inspection Bureau is a slim hope for you after all, reaching the martial arts rank is a hard requirement, and there are only about two and a half months left before the Inspection Bureau opens"
"If you can progress quickly in the Five Animals Fist and achieve perfection, mastering the Five Animals Force"
"Then it's not impossible!"
"Achieving perfection in the Five Animals Fist and mastering the Five Animals Force will greatly increase your efficiency in tempering your skin and connecting your body, making it much easier to reach the martial arts rank!"
"If you can achieve perfection in the Five Animals Fist, I will also lend you a hand to help you seize this life-changing opportunity!"
Jiang Ning cupped his hands respectfully. "Thank you, Master!!"
Wang Jin waved his hand. "Go now! Practice diligently!"
After leaving Wang Jin's room, Jiang Ning opened his panel.
[Skill]: Canglang Sword Technique (Not Started 0/10)
"Just as I thought," Jiang Ning nodded slightly, muttering to himself. "Ten experience points, the same as the Five Animals Fist. It seems that whether it's a low-tier or mid-tier martial art, the experience required for a breakthrough is the same!"
"From this perspective, the Internal Elixir Cultivation Technique undoubtedly surpasses mid-tier martial arts. I wonder if it's a high-tier martial art or something even higher?"
Then, he closed his eyes, instantly recalling everything he had just read.
The thousands of words and countless diagrams from the Canglang Sword Technique manual appeared vividly in his mind, without any blurriness or forgotten details.
"Photographic Memory This trait is incredibly helpful for me."
"I wonder if, with the help of the panel, I can master this sword technique early and grasp the Ninefold Force!"
As Jiang Ning walked back to his courtyard, he fell into deep thought.
Just as he stepped out of Wang Jin's backyard, he suddenly paused.
"I don't have a sword. How can I practice the Canglang Sword Technique?"
He glanced back at Wang Jin's backyard.
Should I ask Master for a sword?
After a moment's hesitation
Yes!
Even if I don't get one, there's no loss.
If I do, it's a huge win!
With that, Jiang Ning turned around and headed back.
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