Chuan Gong Pavilion, Iron Sword Sect.
There are four levels in the Chuan Gong Pavilion.
Only the Sect Master and his direct disciples were allowed to enter the fourth floor.
Since Ning Chuan was a miscellaneous disciple, he could only select techniques from the first floor.
...
"After this incense stick burns, return to the entrance. Don't stay too long."
Seeing Ning Chuan's waist badge, the Elder of the Chuan Gong Pavilion spoke without looking up.
A smile spread across Ning Chuan's face as he rushed to the first floor to begin his selection!
...
As the first floor of the Chuan Gong Pavilion was only adorned with a few bookshelves, it was not particularly significant.
The shelves contained only a dozen scriptures, which were in shabby condition.
The moment Ning Chuan entered the place, he noticed a number of disciples picking out various techniques.
After observing them, Ning Chuan casually picked up the books on the shelves and began reading them.
[Children's Fighting Manual: How to Fight and Win Against Bullies.]
[The Spotted Sparrow's Technique for Softening his Hard Spear.]
[Eight Methods to Achieve Long Legs: A Manual for Women.]
[Ancient Breathing: A comprehensive guide to developing Inner Qi.]
[The Art of Sword-fighting: A Step-by-Step Guide to Becoming The Next Sword God.]
Ning Chuan turned through the books with an anxious look on his face. These so-called martial arts manuals were not extraordinary at all.
Childish techniques were all that were available.
No matter what, he had to pick something before the time ran out. He didn't choose the Spotted Sparrow's Manual. Despite the ease of practice, Ning Chuan did not wish to be an old virgin.
On the other hand, the Qi-Breathing Art is the most fundamental martial art technique. But it's still better than Spotted Sparrow's Technique and poses no risk of going "off track."
As a virtuous person, you must lead a stable life!
Moreover, practicing the Breathing Technique involved no risks. Although it was a little slow initially, with Ning Chuan's endless life span, it had no downsides.
He suddenly remembered a quote from his previous life but could not recall where he had read it.
"Even a pig could become immortal if it had an endless life span!"
And now, Ning Chuan firmly believed in this saying.
A few minutes later, he grabbed the Breathing Technique in his hands and continued to look for other martial arts.
The Art of Sword-fighting?
An odd look flashed across Ning Chuan's eyes as he stared at the Sword-fighting Technique. There was only one page in the sword-fighting manual.
And it contained only one move!
[Don't stop swinging the sword! Swing it once, twice, and thrice!]
[Feel the sweat drip off your butt as you swing!]
[No matter how long it takes, never stop swinging!
"..."
His mind blanked as he spoke, "There's nothing fancy about this."
However, when Ning Chuan's saw the Sword-fighting manual's instructions, his eyes immediately lit up!
[The Art of Sword-fighting: Sharpening your fundamentals takes ten years, becoming proficient takes twenty, and achieving perfection takes thirty. Moreover, it takes forty years to injure a Master-realm cultivator with a single cut, one hundred years to defeat a Grand-Master, and one thousand years to dominate the Profound Realm Masters!]
[Note: When practiced to the fullest, one sword move can kill Profound Realm Cultivators with ease.]
The sight of this caused Ning Chuan to burst into ecstasy. He immediately stuffed the sword-fighting technique into his pocket without hesitation.
Perhaps the sword-fighting technique was tasteless to others, but to Ning Chuan, it was a treasure beyond measure!
Due to his infinite lifespan, he would never die of old age and could practice this technique to its full potential!
However, Ning Chuan wondered, if the sword-fighting technique was so powerful, why was it placed on the first floor of the Chuan Gong Pavilion for all disciples to use?
It didn't take Ning Chuan long to figure it out!
One sword strike could end a person's life in the Profound Realm...
This sounds like a foolproof scam technique!
Suppose there was no scam. How many mortals would have lived a hundred years?
The truth is, no one would practice this sword technique for even ten years, never mind a hundred years. Since everyone wants to breakthrough realms, who in their right mind would devote their life to a sword technique? This is why 99% of cultivators haven't grabbed this book.
Even though swordsmanship may seem terrifying, cultivators consider it a scoffing matter in the profound realm.
Because of this, this particular sword-fighting technique has not yet been practiced. One would already die of old age before becoming a master!
It was just as Ning Chuan guessed.
However, there was more to the story.
This sword technique was initially acquired by Bai Qinghe, the Sect Master while exploring a secret cave in a valley.
Bai Qinghe was initially overjoyed when he discovered the treasure.
However, despite practicing hard for three years, he failed to make any progress.
He finally gave up the sword art after believing the claims in the manual to be false.
Throwing it away was a pity, and keeping it was useless, so this book suddenly became a waste of space.
After returning to the sect, Bai Qinghe threw this sword technique on the first floor of the Chuan Gong Pavilion. He had no idea somebody else would greatly benefit from it.
In the end, Ning Chuan chose this martial art and went directly to the Elder of Chuan Gong Pavilion to register it.
...
"Oh, that sword-fighting manual... I've seen it before."
"Kid, are you sure you want to learn this martial art?"
A slight frown appeared on the Elder's face as he looked at Ning Chuan.
"Yes, this disciple is certain. Please finish the procedures, Elder."
Ning Chuan smiled modestly.
"Okay. You made your own decision, don't regret it."
"Your Blood Refining Pill for the first six months is here. Keep it somewhere safe."
The Elder threw a porcelain bottle filled with Blood Refining Pills towards Ning Chuan and registered it for him. Having finished the paperwork, he waved goodbye to Ning Chuan.
The Medicinal Garden was Ning Chuan's destination. Instead of wandering around, he walked straight there.
Watching this miscellaneous disciple leave, the Elder coldly said, "I was also ambitious back then. Did you really think this is a technique that can be practiced by mortals?"
As the Elder shook his head helplessly, he sat over his chair.
Throughout his life, he has seen a lot of people like Ning Chuan.
There were always people who chose to practice this sword-drawing technique, but without exception, everyone returned it with a sad face. They wasted several years of their lives in vain.
For him, seeing it today was nothing new.
***