Traductor: TheFluentWhisper
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As soon as those words were spoken, the surrounding students were filled with terror.
These martial arts students, who usually trained their bodies using various weapons and had never experienced a bloody scene, were all pale with fear at such a cruel sight.
Li Changye cast a cold glance at the crowd, his eyes as icy as the winter chill, devoid of any warmth.
With a ruthless demeanor, he walked away.
The students around him were intimidated by the invisible pressure radiating from him and instinctively made way, not daring to block his path, watching helplessly as he departed.
Guan Jiali trembled as she looked at him, her eyes filled with resentment.
Li Changye returned to Class 2 of Body Refinement.
The Tianxuan Martial Academy was divided into the outer and inner courts, and Li Changye was in the outer court.
In comparison, the inner court was where the true disciples of the Tianxuan Martial Academy resided, enjoying more resources and privileges and having access to higher-level martial arts and secret techniques.
Compared to the Inner Academy, the Outer Academy was mostly filled with students of lesser status, often those admitted through connections or individuals with average talent. To enter the inner court, one must undergo rigorous examinations.
Class 2 of Body Refinement was the lowest class in the outer court, most students here were spoiled sons with no ambitions.
When they saw Li Changye return unscathed, these young masters were all astonished.
"He actually came back unscathed?"
"Could it be that He Tian didn't kill him?"
"After all, he's the eldest son of the Southern Warlord; He Tian wouldn't dare."
"Wait, no. I heard he killed He Tian."
"What?!"
"Oh my god, when did Li Changye become so ruthless?"
The students whispered among themselves, their expressions filled with fear. They discussed quietly while stealing glances at Li Changye.
Li Changye ignored them, his mind occupied solely with thoughts of how to become stronger.
Though the idea of increasing one's power by killing living beings seemed straightforward, weaker beings could not provide much experience.
He needed to defeat opponents who were stronger than himself or at least equal in strength.
At that moment, Li Changye realized how poor his actual combat skills were.
Although his realm had barely reached the fourth level of Body Refinement, which was considered good among these students, his swordsmanship was terrible. If He Tian hadn't been even less skilled, Li Changye wouldn't have managed to kill him.
Thinking of this, Li Changye headed towards the outer court's Scripture Pavilion.
He wanted to find a powerful sword technique to learn.
With high expectations, he stepped into the Scripture Pavilion, a place that housed many martial arts manuals. Although they were not divine techniques, they were far from ordinary.
Inside the pavilion, light streamed through narrow windows, and the air was thick with the scent of old paper and the passage of time.
In one corner of the Scripture Pavilion, an old man was sleeping with his head on the table. He had graying hair and a face full of wrinkles, with long brows that framed eyes that, though closed, still hinted at a sharp and deep intelligence.
He wore a gray robe, somewhat worn but still clean. The sleeves of his robe were slightly rolled up, revealing a pair of dry yet powerful hands, one of which bore an ancient ring.
Inside the Scripture Pavilion, rows of tall bookshelves were neatly arranged, exuding the aroma of aged wood.
Sunlight filtered through stained glass windows, casting colorful patterns on the floor.
Li Changye's gaze wandered over the shelves, where numerous manuals exuded a mysterious aura.
His attention was first drawn to a manual titled "Sun Flame Overlord Blade Technique."
He picked up the manual and flipped through it briefly, amazed:
This was an incredibly domineering sword technique, renowned for its immense power. When executed, the blade's momentum resembled the blazing sun, scorching hot, and its energy seemed capable of incinerating everything in its path.
Each swing carried intense heat and a sense of oppression. Even hard rocks would be easily shattered by this overpowering sword energy.
In a direct confrontation with an enemy, its formidable power could instill fear and trepidation.
However, cultivating the "Sun Flame Overlord Blade Technique" required fire-based True Qi
and also demanded a hundred contribution points.
Next, Li Changye picked up another manual called "Frost Shatter Blade Technique," known for its coldness, which was similarly impressive.
Once this technique was executed, the blade light fell like frost, chilling to the bone. Where the blade energy passed, the air seemed to crystallize, instantly freezing enemies in place and slowing their movements. This too required a hundred contribution points.
Looking at the two manuals in his hands, Li Changye was filled with admiration.
Indeed, this was the Tianxuan Martial Academy; any one of these techniques, if placed outside, would be a treasured technique of any family, capable of being passed down for generations.
Li Changye continued to search through various manuals, hoping to find the most powerful one.
Among all the techniques, the one that most satisfied Li Changye was a manual called "Thunderbolt Wind Breaking Blade Technique."
This technique was impressive, filled with the might of thunder. Each swing was accompanied by deafening thunder and dazzling lightning, seemingly capable of tearing the sky apart. Its blade energy was as swift as lightning, making it nearly impossible to evade.
However, to cultivate the "Thunderbolt Wind Breaking Blade," the practitioner needed a special physique or true Qi related to thunder.
Otherwise, attempting to practice it would result in a backlash from the lightning.
Li Changye shook his head, reluctantly putting down the manual.
He practiced the "Five Elements Arts," which allowed him to cultivate all five types of true qi, meaning he could practice most techniques, except those involving thunder
Looking at the remaining manuals, Li Changye sighed.
The techniques he had selected were all powerful, but the downside was that they required contribution points.
He had been too focused on selecting techniques and hadn't noticed earlier, but now he realized it and wished he could slap himself.
Contribution points were a unique aspect of the Tianxuan Martial Academy; any disciple could earn contribution points by completing tasks assigned by the academy, such as hunting beasts, pursuing bandits, or guarding gardens.
Even donating money to the academy could earn contribution points.
Since Li Changye was weak and had only been at the academy for six months, he hadn't earned a single contribution point.
He could only turn his gaze toward the free techniques.
These free techniques were so common they were practically worthless, the sort of techniques that everyone knew.
For example, the "Taizu Long Fist" he learned; it was something that everyone in the academy could perform.
"Wild Wind Blade Technique," "Flowing Cloud Blade Technique," "Mountain Splitting Slash," "Water Cutting Blade Technique."
Standing in front of these free techniques, Li Changye was torn, unsure which one to choose.
His brow furrowed, and he weighed the pros and cons of each technique in his mind.
As he was lost in thought, an idea struck him: he remembered the old man who had been sleeping.
He slowly approached the old man, who was still asleep, and respectfully bowed, softly saying, "Senior, I apologize for the disturbance. I'm new to the Scripture Pavilion and truly don't know which of these free techniques is the most effective. I kindly ask for your guidance."
The old man was awakened by Li Changye's voice, slightly opening his eyes.
He glanced at Li Changye, recognized his identity, and immediately sneered, "Another spoiled brat, and one who's not even welcome at that."
Ignoring his mockery, Li Changye maintained a respectful demeanor: "Please, senior, I seek your guidance."
The old man glanced at the sword manuals in Li Changye's hand, waved his hand impatiently, and dismissively said, "Hmph, they're all common items; it doesn't matter which one you choose. Just pick any."
Li Changye's heart sank. Unwilling to simply choose at random, he sincerely replied, "Senior, I understand that these techniques may seem trivial to you, but for me, they are the key to changing my fate. I sincerely ask you to tell me which of these techniques is the strongest."
The old man slightly raised his head, gave Li Changye a scornful glance, and after a moment of silence, slowly said, "You're quite persistent. Since you want to choose so badly, I'll tell you: you can select the 'Five Tigers Break the Door Blade.'"
"It is said that if one can master the 'Five Tigers Break the Gate Blade' to perfection, something incredible will happen. However, this is merely a legend."
"This technique is easy to learn but difficult to master, and few have ever reached mastery. Let alone perfection. If you choose it, don't come crying to me later."
Hearing this, Li Changye was overjoyed and quickly bowed in gratitude: "Thank you for your guidance, Senior. I will strive to cultivate diligently and not disappoint your expectations."
With that, he eagerly made his way to the shelf displaying the "Five Tigers Break the Gate Blade" manual, clutching it tightly as if it were a priceless treasure.
He understood that this manual was, in fact, just a common item among the manuals, but for him, who was in urgent need of a sword technique, it felt like a life-saving straw.
Watching Li Changye's departing figure, the old man shook his head, a look of reflection on his face: "A strong-willed character; he's a good seed. It's a pity his foundation is too poor. What a pity, his own father schemed against him."
"Indeed, such a father truly exists."
He shook his head and fell back asleep.
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