Improve by Leaps and Bounds, Ning Biluo . . .
It was a night that saw three different individuals experiencing sleepless nights, each for unique reasons in distinct places.
A swift and precise thrust of the sword sent blood splattering across Ning Biluo's attire. In mere seconds, he had taken a man's life, plunging the blade into the middle-aged man's throat at a challenging angle. The lifeless body of the man lay before him.
One sword, one life taken.
With an unrelenting focus, Ning Biluo immediately launched himself into a hasty retreat, leaving the scene behind. The crowd erupted in astonishment as they processed the sudden and brutal act before their eyes. Before the astonishment had even settled, several individuals pursued Ning Biluo, driven by a maddening determination.
"Kill him! Don't let him escape!"
Ning Biluo fled in a frenzy, with no time to savor the satisfaction of a swift and deadly strike.
His current predicament was the result of an incident that had transpired three months prior to this fateful night. In that ill-fated encounter, he had intervened to thwart a young man attempting to assault a young woman. However, this young man was not merely a weakling in terms of cultivation; he happened to be the youngest son of the Prime Master of the Sky Voyage Sect, one of the most formidable sects in the world.
Ning Biluo had been taken aback by the young man's powerful backing, but there was no reversing the course of events. Regret was a futile emotion, and his only option was to fight for survival.
Over the three months that followed, he had led a life fraught with chaos and misery, confronting life-threatening situations on a daily basis. The Sky Voyage Sect had launched an unrelenting pursuit, with the intent of eliminating Ning Biluo once and for all. His life had transformed into a relentless battle for survival, and his surroundings resembled a living hell.
Remarkably, he had achieved an impressive cultivation level of Dream Origin Stage, merely three months after reaching the realm. His life had been thrown into turmoil, and every day brought multiple instances of life-or-death struggles.
Ning Biluo had fought for his life with unwavering determination, and the constant danger had contributed to a rapid improvement in his combat skills. Enlightenment had struck during each moment of peril, deepening his understanding of the martial art he had been practicing. With each brush with death, he uncovered new facets of the martial art's profound intricacies.
Ning Biluo now recognized the remarkable potential of the martial art given to him by Cha Eun Xiao. The true strength of this martial art was laid bare through his dire circumstances, and he marveled at its potency.
In this perilous journey, he owed his survival to Cha Eun Xiao and the martial art. His relentless training, coupled with a series of life-and-death experiences, had forged him into a formidable cultivator.
The value of the martial art became evident in the crucible of adversity, and Ning Biluo appreciated the gift bestowed upon him by Cha Eun Xiao.
The martial art had been a perfect fit for him, and as he continued to evolve in his cultivation, he couldn't help but feel profound gratitude to Cha Eun Xiao for the invaluable opportunity.
In truth, most of the trials he faced could be attributed to Cha Eun Xiao. Yet, it was his own tenacity and determination that had ultimately brought him to this point.
Cha Eun Xiao had recognized the martial art's worth and had presented it to Ning Biluo because he knew it was an opportunity not to be squandered. The prospect of Ning Biluo achieving the pinnacle of this martial art was an exciting one, for it could unlock the three supreme phases mentioned by the three great elders of the Cold Moon Palace.
Indeed, this martial art possessed the potential to become a supreme martial art with boundless possibilities.
Primarily centered on the art of swordplay, the martial art demanded three essential qualities: speed, precision, and concentration. These seemingly straightforward requirements encapsulated the pure essence of martial arts, and it was this simplicity that concealed its incredible depth.
Cha Eun Xiao had already displayed great proficiency in martial arts during his time in the Land of Han-Yang. His skill with a sword proved invaluable when he avenged himself by plunging his sword through Boundless Saint's heart, a moment where the martial art played a significant role.
While the prerequisites appeared straightforward, mastering this martial art was no easy feat. Success was heavily contingent upon a robust foundation in cultivation, yet it wasn't solely about having a strong foundation. The most critical factor was the cultivator's ability to execute with swiftness, accuracy, and unwavering focus. Attaining the necessary standard posed a significant challenge, and most practitioners fell short of making substantial progress.
Ning Biluo, on the other hand, was exceptionally well-suited to this martial art. His innate purity of heart perfectly aligned with its principles. The three fundamental requirements originated from consistent practice and actual combat experience. Known as the world's premier assassin in the Land of Han-Yang, Ning Biluo possessed a commendable record in daily training as an assassin. However, a deficiency became apparent when it came to real combat.
It might appear inconceivable that a renowned assassin lacked practical combat experience, but this was the reality. As an assassin, his modus operandi involved swift, one-strike kills followed by a rapid escape. Consequently, he seldom engaged in face-to-face confrontations, making it difficult to practice the martial art effectively. To truly master the art, he needed to strike a delicate balance between his personal cultivation level and that of the martial art. The disparity might not be evident at lower cultivation levels, but as he progressed, the martial art must keep pace. Should he fail to address this issue promptly, it could prove detrimental when he reached the Dao Origin Stage, rendering it nearly impossible to correct.
Fate intervened, providing an unexpected opportunity for Ning Biluo. He killed a young lord from a prominent sect who was at a similar cultivation level. This single act triggered a relentless pursuit, forcing him to teeter on the precipice of life and death. Those in pursuit consistently surpassed him in cultivation, leaving him no option but to fight fiercely for his survival. These life-and-death battles propelled his improvement, offering new insights into the essence of "fast, accurate, and concentrated."
In each encounter, he was compelled to refine his skills:
- Swiftness: To execute his moves so swiftly that his opponents couldn't react in time. This ensured he struck first and achieved the element of surprise.
- Precision: Every strike had to land with pinpoint accuracy, targeting the most vulnerable and vital areas for maximum lethality.
- Concentration: Breaking through the enemies' formidable spiritual energy shields necessitated an unyielding focus. Each attack required the utmost purity and concentration of spiritual power to deliver the most effective blow.
Repeated life-and-death confrontations pushed him to new heights. At this moment, he had reached the fourth level of the Dream Origin Stage, marking a significant leap in his cultivation journey.