As Zhou Yun left the study, Fang Si hurried inside the study shutting the door with a snap. Curiosity grew in Zhou Yun and if it wasn't for the fact that the door was designed to stop people from eavesdropping, he wouldn't hesitate to do so.
Zhou Yun began walking in the opposite direction of his room, instead it was the direction of the training ground. While he understood that he was about to go into an environment that could very easily kill him especially if he was tired. However he understood more that if he didn't get accustomed to his weapon and if he made a lunge that would have been possible with a spear but not with a sword, then his life could very possibly end at that moment.
Zhou Yun arrived at the training ground which was only light by the soft gently light of the moon and some small torches. Centering himself in the training ground, Zhou Yun drew his newly acquired sword from its scabbard.
The blade was a meter long and was as wide as two fingers. It had a simple cross guard and its handle was twenty five centimeters. Zhou Yun held it firmly in his hand as he grew accustomed to the balance.
Closing his eyes Zhou Yun began to think of a sword stance and movements that he had once studied while in the library of his mobile abode. Zhou Yun could only thank the stars that Setting Yin was a sword user, in fact Sun Luyu considered her a sword fanatic, and the sword movement that he was going to use was developed by her personally.
The stance went by the name Stanceless. As the name suggested there was no starting stance in fact there was no stance at all. The Stanceless was physically demanding as in order to fully utilize it to its max potential, one must be able to punch, kick and even be able to jump in the air while on one foot, all while using the sword. This stance gives up defense and instead focuses on an highly aggressive and unpredictable form of offense. Zhou Yun knew this stance was going to be difficult to master but once it was mastered no one would be his match.
Zhou Yun opened his eyes and pictured an enemy in front of him, this enemy took on the form of redfang. Even though he knew that the enemy in front of him Zhou Yun could not help but feel a raging anger swell inside him.
No longer containing his anger Zhou Yun lunged forward and slashed at the throat of redfang. Of course since it was training he had to make Redfang dodge even though he wanted to kill him. Redfang ducked underneath the slash and responded with a fast thrust toward Zhou Yun's eye.
Zhou Yun executed a fast spin and again slashed at the chest of Redfang. Redfang stepped back while cleaving his blade down on Zhou Yun. Zhou Yun blocked the blade and locked their weapons together. Zhou Yun rose his leg and delivered a high kick toward Redfang's head.
Redfang unlocked his weapons from Zhou Yun's and leaned to avoided the kick while he also did he own slash at Zhou Yun. Zhou Yun mustered as much strength as he could and pushed himself off the ground with one leg. Zhou Yun could only be thankful that he was strong enough to jump high enough to allow the blade to pass underneath him.
Of course even though it was all in his imagination he treated as if it was real combat and was using his full strength. As he was now in the air this actually made vulnerable to attacks. If one did not have yuan qi then the would not be able to completely dodge in mid-air as such one needed to have excellent body control to evade attacks before he landed on the ground.
However dodging was not what went through Zhou Yun's head instead he mustered up all his strength and gripped his sword with two hands and drove it down onto Redfang. Redfang could only dodge because he was caught off guard at Zhou Yun moving to a position that would not only leave him vulnerable but also he attacked which made it impossible to block a blow.
Since Redfang was caught in a position that made it difficult to block he could only push backwards in order to dodge. Zhou Yun's blow passed through the area were Redfang had just been.
Zhou Yun softly landed on the ground and cleared Redfang out of his mind and began to ponder over the Stanceless sword stance. He found the stanceless to be useful however it was plagued by a disadvantage for him right now as it required the use of yuan qi to be able to maneuver in mid-air. But this didn't dissuade him from using it as he will soon be able to use yuan qi.
Zhou Yun quickly imagined another opponent in his head as he began to train and improving as each hour passed. Each opponent was one that he fought in his past life, even the moves they made were from their fights.
As Zhou Yun was training another meeting was occurring not far away but this meeting was not between his father and Fang Si. Instead the meeting was between a father and a son.
Shi Gan was standing with his back straight in his father's study. He was looking at a middle age man that bore the same resemblance as him, the only difference was that this man had an extraordinary aura. This was Shi Gan's father, The city lord of Fire Faith City, Shi Tain.
Shi Gan had only just got home after spending the day with his friends when his father summoned him to his study. Shi Gan knew that he could not ignore the summon otherwise he would be severely punished.
Shi Gan has now been standing in front of his father who was reading a report on his desk for five minutes. Shi Gan was growing impatient as each second passed this was something he was not use to. But he knew he could not say a word so he just pushed down is displeasure.
Shi Gan actually didn't like his father, his father had always been hard on him, comparing him to his talented older sister and always telling him that he was trash. These things had turned a once cheerful boy into a miserable one who took pleasure in bulling others.
Before he could think further a voice interrupted. "I heard you challenged the Zhou boy." said Shi Tian finally turning his attention away from the report.
"Yes father, He insulted Li Qingzhao." said Shi Gan.
"That little girl will be the death of you. The worst part in her eyes your only second best. She tried so hard to get engaged to the Zhou boy." mocked Shi Tian as he sat back in his chair."
Shi Gan tightened his fist in anger, his father had always mocked him on this point. "Once I kill him then she will see how much better I am." replied Shi Gan coldly.
"And that is why I summoned you here." said Shi Tain. "Did you know that boy's birthday was only yesterday?"
"Yes father its also while I'm confident I can beat him in the tournament." said Shi Gan.
"Usually you will be right however, that boy is already at the bone strengthening stage after only two days." said Shi Tain as he studied his son's reaction.
Shock appeared on Shi Gan's face, after all how could he not be shocked. He had been cultivating almost two years and yet he was only at the Organ Fortifying stage, which was two stages above Zhou Yun. "That's too fast!" thought Shi Gan "Even sister was only able to reach the bone strengthing stage after three weeks."
"I'm glad you have realized the situation that you are now in." said Shi Tian. "I called you in here for a couple of reasons. The first reason is probably the most important, in the fight you can not kill or cripple Zhou Yun no matter what!"
Shi Gan quickly recovered after hearing this. "Why can't I!?" Shouted Shi Gan. "He has Li QIngzhao's heart and everyone mocks me becuase of it! Now your telling me that he has a talent that is even better then Shi Yao!"
"Control yourself." said Shi Tian as he released his aura and brought it down on Shi Gan. Shi Gan had no way of resisting as he was brought down to his knee by the weight that his father's aura brought down on him due to the massive difference in strength.
"Why you obsess over that girl is beyond me. You have just as many girl fawning of you as Zhou Yun." said Shi Tian as he shook his head at his son's foolishness. "As for Yao'er she would easily match Zhou Yun if it wasn't for our background being so shallow and now that she is part of a sect her cultivation will soon over take mine."
"Now before you opened up your mouth again we will on to the other reasons why I called you." said Shi Tian as he receded his aura. "Now, the second reason I called you here for you can not lose to the Zhou boy."
"The Zhou family power has grown far to fast and need to realize who is in charge of this city." said Shi Tian it was unknown why he kept switching from Zhou Yun and Zhou boy. "With the defeat of the Zhou boy they will realize that no matter what generation is in charge they will always be beneath us. As such I will train you personally to make sure there would be no way for you to lose."
When Shi Gan heard that he couldn't help but actually feel excited this was the most that his father had devoted to teaching him to train. "Thank you father I will give you a hundred percent of my effort."
Shi Tian nodded his head in approval. "I expect nothing less." said Shi Tian.
"Now for the third reason." said Shi Tian as his voice took on a serious tone. Hearing this how is father changed his tone, Shi Gan listened with great intent. "The Night Shift has begun to kidnap the nobles children in order to force me to meet with their demands. Since its other kids getting I do not care, but should it be you, your mother will very much give into their demands."
"So in order to avoid that whenever you go out you will go out with guards is that understood." said Shi Tian with authority.
"Yes father I understand." Bowed Shi Gan.
"Now go rest, tomorrow we start." said Shi Tian as he waved his hand dismissing his son.
Shi Gan bowed before leaving the study. Once he was outside Shi Gan clenched his fist tightly as he thought of Zhou Yun. "Just you wait I will crush you underneath my boot, and for the rest of your life you that would be your place." thought Shi Gan as he walked to his room.