Just like the ranks of warriors, martial skills are categorized from the weakest first-tier to the strongest ninth-tier.
At the entrance of the Martial Skill Pavilion, many warriors were coming and going. As Lin San approached, some of them looked at him with disdain.
A second-tier peak warrior might have been impressive four years ago when Lin San was sixteen. But now, at twenty years old, the overall strength of the warriors had increased significantly.
Lin San was now considered inferior even to some outer disciples.
"Oh, Lin San, are you heading to the second floor?"
A middle-aged man named Zhang Chao, one of the pavilion's overseers, noticed Lin San approaching and called out to him. Zhang Chao had witnessed Lin San's rise as a prodigy and his subsequent fall.
"No, I'm going to the third floor," Lin San replied, shaking his head.
"The third floor!?" Zhang Chao was taken aback by Lin San's response.
"But…"
The third floor required one to be a third-tier warrior to enter. Even if Zhang Chao wanted to make an exception for Lin San, he couldn't. The rules had to be strictly followed.
Wait, could it be…?
Zhang Chao suddenly realized something and focused his senses on Lin San.
"I've reached the third tier."
Lin San smiled faintly. The term "third tier" had once seemed so distant to him, but now he had finally reached it, all thanks to the extraordinary sword he now wielded. He gripped the scabbard of his sword firmly.
"So, this is the Martial Skill Pavilion. It's really grand," Ye Fan marveled at the towering structure before them. Building such a massive edifice in the mountains was truly impressive.
Inside, there were likely countless martial skill manuals. If only Ye Fan could read them all, he would be able to memorize every single one.
"Third tier? You've really reached the third tier!?" Zhang Chao was shocked. With his heightened senses, he could clearly feel that Lin San had indeed attained third-tier strength.
"Does that mean your meridians have been unblocked!?"
Lin San's blocked meridians had been the reason he couldn't progress in his cultivation. Despite trying many methods, nothing had worked.
"Yes," Lin San confirmed with a nod.
"That's great news!" Zhang Chao smiled. "Since you've reached the third tier, you can now access the third floor."
"Thank you."
Lin San nodded and proceeded to the third floor.
"Even though his blocked meridians have been cleared, it's been four years. Catching up in his cultivation won't be easy."
"What a pity," Zhang Chao thought, shaking his head. Lin San was now twenty years old. A twenty-year-old third-tier warrior wasn't remarkable. Unless he could reach the fourth tier, his future was bleak. However, that seemed unlikely. Advancing from the second to the third tier was already a significant challenge, let alone reaching the fourth tier.
…
Lin San soon reached the third floor, where numerous martial skill manuals were displayed.
Most of them were sword techniques, though other martial skills were also present.
"I need to find a sword technique that suits me."
Lin San's eyes scanned the shelves filled with manuals.
"This one looks good."
He quickly found a manual that caught his eye: [Third-Tier Martial Skill: Nine Swords Stance].
As Lin San flipped through the manual, he learned that the Nine Swords Stance consisted of nine forms. Each form was stronger than the last. The martial skill required the practitioner to execute the first form before moving on to the second, third, and so on. As the sword forms were executed in succession, their power compounded, with the ninth form unleashing an incredibly powerful sword force.
However, this martial skill was highly complex and difficult to master.
"I've memorized it all."
Ye Fan, after a glance, had already memorized the entire manual. His memory was as sharp as ever, like a photographic memory.
"Although this skill is challenging to master, the benefits of mastering it would be tremendous."
Lin San thought to himself. While the other third-tier sword techniques were powerful, they lacked something. This one, however, felt right for him.
He decided to choose this manual.
As a third-tier warrior, Lin San was allowed to choose only one third-tier martial skill per month. He took the manual and started heading downstairs.
"Well, well, Lin San?"
Just as he was about to descend, a group of people appeared in front of him, led by Sun Ran, an inner disciple.
"Someone else here to pick a fight?"
"Damn, this Lin San has had it rough, huh?"
Ye Fan observed the situation with a hint of exasperation. It seemed like Lin San had been dealing with one challenge after another ever since he became the new swordmaster. The past four years must have been filled with similar incidents—what a miserable existence.
"What do you want?"
Lin San asked calmly, looking at Sun Ran, who was blocking his way.
"A mere second-tier warrior daring to enter the third floor? If you're caught, you'll surely face punishment."
Sun Ran sneered at Lin San.
"Tsk, tsk. This isn't a place for someone like you."
"We should report this to the pavilion master. You'll regret this!"
The people around Sun Ran also laughed coldly. Just bullying Lin San, a so-called failure, made them feel superior.
"I'm allowed on the third floor."
Lin San stated calmly.
Ignoring them, he turned to leave.
"Stop right there!"
Sun Ran was infuriated by Lin San's indifference. How dare Lin San ignore him?
Sun Ran quickly moved to block Lin San's path again.
"What's that third-tier martial skill you're holding? Let me see!"
He demanded, reaching out to snatch the manual from Lin San.
Whoosh—
But in that instant, Lin San swiftly dodged, causing Sun Ran to grasp at empty air.
"You…"
Sun Ran was momentarily stunned, surprised by Lin San's quick reflexes.
But this only fueled his anger.
A mere failure, and now he dares to resist me!? "You're asking for it!"
Sun Ran growled, launching a punch directly at Lin San.
Lin San narrowed his eyes as the punch came toward him. Without hesitation, he formed a fist with his right hand and struck back.
Bang—
Their fists collided, and the impact echoed with a dull thud.