It wasn't just Tao Zhi, almost everyone looked at Xu Ning in amazement.
Although they were not as perceptive as Tao Zhi, they all discovered that Xu Ning's Gale Knife Technique was far beyond their level.
Xu Ning was inside the circle, so he did not notice the commotion of those around him.
All of his attention was focused on tussling with Tao Yunmeng.
The blades slashed together, rustling in the wind.
"A newcomer beating a master, Xu Ning is a talented man!"
Tao Yunmeng felt that if he continued to fight, he would be forced to use his internal skill, otherwise he would lose face.
Bang!
Tao Yunmeng flicked Xu Ning's knife with a fierce blow.
"Done!"
Tao Yunmeng looked at Xu Ning with a smile on his face. "Intermediate Gale Knife Technique, not bad Xu Ning!"
'Intermediate realm Gale Knife Technique…'
There was an uproar in the surrounding crowd.
Everyone realized that Xu Ning's battle against Tao Yunmeng just now was a true demonstration of his superior Gale Knife Technique.
It turned out that everyone had underestimated Xu Ning.
They couldn't believe that an outsider like him had appeared in the Tao Village.
Guo Ye's mouth twitched.
"No wonder this kid dares to pick Heal-all Plants in the inner circle—he's this strong!"
Guo Ye felt that he finally understood Xu Ning's behavior. 'No wonder this kid bought the Swallowtail Flower. Because of his great achievements in his external skill, he needed to prepare for the practice of his internal skill… I can't believe this kid concealed his progress…'
'No… I have to practice more after I go back!'
After seeing Xu Ning show his intrepid strength. Guo Ye's heart suddenly exploded with motivation.
Xu Ning was relatively calm.
After the battle, he was certain of one thing.
His intermediate realm in the Gale Knife Technique was stronger than Tao Yunmeng's intermediate realm.
Tao Yunmeng had been cultivating the Gale Knife Technique for more than ten years.
But even after cultivating for so long, he was not as good as Xu Ning.
This was the terrifying power of the Martial Arts Panel.
'This Martial Arts Panel really is amazing…'
Xu Ning was calm on the surface, but emotions were bubbling in his heart.
"Kid, at first I thought you signed up for the training camp to learn, I didn't expect you did so just to test your strength…" Tao Yunmeng stepped forward and patted Xu Ning's shoulder. "Go collect the reward later, and get a refund of your training camp fee."
"Test my strength? Reward?"
After hearing Tao Yunmeng's words, Xu Ning was stunned. "What do you mean?"
Looking at Xu Ning's puzzled look on his face, Tao Yunmeng smiled. "It seems that you are still unaware…"
"Here's the thing…" Tao Yunmeng explained, "Anyone who participates in the training camp, as long as they reach the elementary realm and pass the assessment, will no longer have to participate in the training camp. In addition, they will also be rewarded with a steel knife and an internal skill. This would allow you to start a new chapter in your martial arts practice."
"An internal skill as a reward?"
Xu Ning was intrigued.
Compared to external skills, internal skills were the true essence of martial arts in this world.
To a certain extent, external skills were just techniques, while internal skills were the fundamental way to stimulate one's own potential from within and truly master martial arts.
Prior to this, he still felt unfortunate for not being able to obtain an internal skill, but now, an internal skill was being gifted to him.
Xu Ning was quite pleased with this outcome.
But immediately, Xu Ning's eyebrows tightened. "Uncle Meng, the internal skill reward you mentioned, can an outsider receive it too?"
This was Xu Ning's concern.
In Xu Ning's opinion, internal skills were a precious resource.
Tao Yunmeng laughed out loud when he heard these words. "You worry too much. Your brother-in-law is from the Tao Village, and you are also from the Tao Village, so you are naturally eligible for the rewards."
"Is that so… I see, thank you Uncle Meng."
Xu Ning was quite moved.
At the same time, Xu Ning began to feel thankful for the Tao Village.
The Tao Village's culture was quite liberal. The reason why his predecessor had not been able to integrate into the village might be due to his lack of talent.
"You don't need to thank me—these are all rules of the village." Tao Yunmeng waved his hand. "But you, you have reached the intermediate realm after three years of practicing the Gale Knife Technique. That's quite eye-opening."
"It's all luck…"
Xu Ning said modestly.
"Well, this is the end of the morning training session!"
Tao Yunmeng was in a good mood. Although he had only been Xu Ning's instructor for half a day, he was happy to teach such a talented individual.
The only unfortunate matter was that he had not discovered Xu Ning's talents earlier.
Tao Yunmeng said to Xu Ning.
"Oh yeah, go to the old clan church to receive your reward. You can go right after dismissal."
"Noted, Uncle Meng."
Although they had only met for a short period of time, Tao Yunmeng showed his sincerity towards Xu Ning.
"Guo Ye, come here!"
After that, Tao Yunmeng glanced at Guo Ye in the crowd and shouted.
"Uncle Meng."
Guo Ye leaned forward with a smile on his face.
Tao Yunmeng said to Guo Ye.
"Pack up the knives and take them to the armory. When we come back in two hours, bring them back again."
"It's too heavy…"
Guo Ye immediately tried to make excuses.
But after seeing Tao Yunmeng's threatening look, Guo Ye finally compromised.
Soon after, the crowd dispersed.
Only Xu Ning and Guo Ye were left.
"I'll help you carry the steel knives to the armory."
Xu Ning was ready to help Guo Ye.
"It's fine, no need."
Guo Ye waved his hand. "Go to the old clan church, don't worry."
"You can carry it alone?"
Xu Ning asked.
"I can't, but I'll just make multiple trips."
Guo Ye smirked. "I've decided, I will also practice the Gale Knife Technique."
Xu Ning was amused. He knew Guo Ye must have been motivated by him.
"It's not too late, work hard."
Xu Ning said with encouragement.
"In the future, if I don't understand anything, I'll come and ask you—you have to teach me."
Guo Ye said.
"Of course."
Xu Ning nodded in response.
"Okay, go to the old clan church."
Guo Ye urged.
Xu Ning didn't waste any more time. He bid farewell to Guo Ye and quickly walked towards the old clan church.
…
Xu Ning walked along the path in his memory and came to the old clan church.
The old clan church was the high-level decision-making body of the Tao Village.
Every member of the old clan church was not only strong, but also had a high status and influence in the village.
All major decisions in the Tao Village were made by these clan elders.
There were more than a dozen clan elders in the old clan church. They gathered on special occasions, but usually they were on duty in rotation and were responsible for small matters inside and outside the clan.
Two guards holding weapons stood in front of the old clan church. Xu Ning walked forward, and before he could speak, one of the guards asked Xu Ning, "Did you pass the training test and come here to collect the reward?"
"Yes."
Xu Ning responded.
"Go on in."
The guards let him in easily.
Xu Ning walked through the front yard and went inside.
The decoration in the old clan church was simple, but the place was huge.
There were seats arranged on both sides of the hall.
Xu Ning came in and saw that there were already three people inside. It was obvious that they came from other training groups to collect their rewards.
Xu Ning recognized two of them.
One was a young girl, with strong makeup and a domineering posture. She was Tao Ye, the granddaughter of Tao Jingxing, who was the head of the Tao Clan.
The other person Xu Ning recognized was Tao Qingfeng, an energetic youngster.
Tao Qingfeng was famous in the Tao Village. Previously, it was rumored that he was extremely talented, and had made great progress when he first started practicing the Hurricane Spear Technique.
He wasn't even 13 years old yet.
'I wonder if the Gale Knife Technique is stronger than the Hurricane Spear Technique…'
Xu Ning wondered in his mind.
The Hurricane Spear Technique and the Gale Knife Technique were the two main external skills practiced by the younger generations of the Tao Village.
The main reason was that learning them was relatively simple and practical.
Aside from Tao Qingfeng and Tao Ye, Xu Ning did not recognize the third person.
When Xu Ning looked at the three of them, they were also looking back at Xu Ning.
Obviously, they did not recognize Xu Ning.
Although Xu Ning knew of Tao Ye and Tao Qingfeng, they did not know Xu Ning.
There were more than 3,000 people in the Tao Village. Moreover, Xu Ning was just an ordinary outsider with no social presence.
But since everyone was here together, they all nodded politely to greet each other.
Because this was the old clan church, it was not appropriate for them to chat or sit, so they stood there quietly.
After a while, there was a hearty laugh outside the old clan church.
Soon after, a high-spirited old man with white hair walked in.