Swallowed Star: Six Eyes Chapter 7 - Signing the Contract!
The next day, early in the morning.
It was drizzling, and the weather in August felt a bit hot and humid.
At the Gu Family Manor, on a flat ground.
"Xiao Ce, you've reached the peak of swordsmanship. The second level of the Changsheng Sword Technique should be within your grasp. Next, I'll demonstrate it for you. Watch my movements carefully!"
Gu Hechang stood opposite Gu Ce, holding a Changsheng Sword, and began demonstrating the sword moves.
The Changsheng Sword Technique is difficult to comprehend and hard to master.
Whether it's using force against force or unleashing hidden power, everything is incorporated into this swordsmanship.
Gu Hechang had arrived in Jiangnan Base City at midnight the previous night. After learning about Gu Ce from Gu Hesheng, he had woken Gu Ce up early this morning to begin teaching him the sword technique.
The heavy Changsheng Sword in Gu Hechang's hands moved effortlessly, almost like a fish gliding through water. It could unleash tremendous power when needed.
Changsheng Sword Technique doesn't have fixed moves or routines; instead, it focuses on a specific skill. The sword moves are simply tools to help practice the skills.
Gu Hechang first performed the complete set of sword moves and then, based on his understanding, applied the skills from the second level, paying attention to the many tiny details.
Gu Ce opened his six eyes and recorded Gu Hechang's every movement, trying to unravel the secret.
"Xiao Ce, practice alone is not enough. Actual combat is a crucial step in breaking through skills. Come, I'll use the physical abilities of a high-level warrior and only apply the second level of Changsheng Sword Technique. Pay attention."
"Clang!"
Almost as soon as he finished speaking, Gu Hechang struck. Gu Ce's pupils narrowed slightly, and he instinctively swung his sword to block the attack.
"Not bad, you're quite quick to react," Gu Hechang praised, as his hands continued to move without pause.
Gu Ce retreated to parry the attacks while studying the movements and force techniques of Gu Hechang.
"Whoosh!"
That's it!
After four swift exchanges, Gu Ce used the momentum from Gu Hechang's attacks to evade the sword strike and ended up behind him.
Whoosh!
The long sword rested against Gu Hechang's neck, and Gu Hechang stopped moving.
"Impressive, Xiao Ce, you're truly my nephew!" Gu Hechang laughed.
Gu Ce also lowered his sword and smiled. "It's all thanks to my uncle's teachings!"
"You brat, you think so little of my teaching abilities, don't you!" the bald-headed Lei Shen glared at Gu Ce.
"Thor, could you master the perfect swordsmanship in an hour?" Gu Hechang said disdainfully. "If you can't, you're not qualified to teach Xiao Ce! I'll handle it!"
"You!" Thor fumed but was at a loss for words.
During the Great Nirvana period, Gu Hechang and Lei Shen were contemporaries and both were key figures in battling the monsters. Gu Hechang had understood the essence of swordsmanship faster than Lei Shen, and had always overshadowed him in their competitions.
It was only because Lei Shen had discovered some ancient relics and broken through to the planetary level that he later became the second strongest in the world. Otherwise, it would have been difficult to say who was truly stronger.
Thinking about this, Lei Shen felt a tinge of regret. If Gu Hechang had been luckier and had reached the planetary level, he might now be competing for the third spot in the world.
"Xiao Ce, the third level of the Changsheng Sword Technique requires mastering the artistic conception to perform it. There's not much I can help with here. At best, I can let you experience my own artistic conception. The rest, you'll need to figure out on your own." Gu Hechang told Gu Ce.
Gu Ce nodded, "Thank you, Uncle!"
"Thank me for what? When you're stronger, beating Lei Shen will be the best way to thank me," Gu Hechang replied casually.
"Gu Hechang! Do you dare to compete with me!" Lei Shen roared, his usually calm demeanor slipping as he unsheathed his weapon, ready for a fight.
Gu Hechang dodged and retreated to a distance. Lei Shen didn't immediately fly after him and deliberately slowed his speed, chasing after Gu Hechang. The two began to spar, almost as if they were young again.
Gu Ce shook his head helplessly and turned to head back into the house.
...
After their playful exchange, they returned to the living room.
The four of them sat on the sofas and chatted. Just then, Wang Heng arrived and stood awkwardly to the side.
"Brother Wang, sit down."
Gu Ce invited him, and Wang Heng cautiously took a seat.
Lei Shen didn't even glance at him. He turned to Gu Ce seriously. "This is the contract I asked Brother Hong to help draw up. Take a look and see if it includes the 'resources' you require. If not, I can add more!"
Gu Ce took the paper and examined it carefully.
"After Party B joins the elite training camp at the global headquarters of the Thunderbolt Martial Arts School, before September 1, 2056, if the combat power increase reaches 4, you can receive: any set of secrets, 9-series combat uniforms, weapons, and a drop of chalcedony worth 30 billion."
"Before January 1, 2057, if the combat power increase reaches 8, you can get: any three sets of secrets, SS-level combat uniforms, weapons, and a set of dragon blood worth 80 billion."
"Before December 1, 2057, if the combat power increase reaches 12, you can get: a thousand-year ice marrow crystal worth 120 billion, and an ancient civilization relic 'Frost' (long sword)."
"Before December 1, 2058, if the combat power increase reaches 16, you can get: any secret viewing rights, access to the ancient civilization ruins of the Thunderbolt Martial Arts School in Antarctica, and a set of ancient civilization ruins 'Black God'."
"Party B can obtain: one 10,000-year ice marrow crystal if the combat power increase reaches 20 before August 1, 2060."
This contract was similar to Luo Feng's original one, but with much more difficult requirements and a tighter time frame.
"Combat power amplitude is calculated as 'fist force level' multiplied by 'trial tower level'. The trial tower is an ancient relic that allows one's consciousness to enter a virtual space. You'll learn more about it once you get to the training camp," Lei Shen explained.
"Isn't this too little? I can afford combat uniforms and weapons myself," Gu Hechang commented. "Add something that can't be bought outside, like the spirit of plants and trees."
"...Step!" Lei Shen glared at him, snatched the paper, and made some modifications.
The 9-series combat uniform and weapons were replaced with a purple source crystal.
The SS-level combat uniform and weapons were replaced with a thousand-year-old wild ginseng.
These were valuable items that could enhance physical fitness. The purple source crystal and chalcedony had similar effects, both aiding in body strengthening. The thousand-year-old wild ginseng was a plant spirit that could enhance toughness and stimulate medicinal power.
With these changes, if Gu Ce fulfilled the first two contract conditions, he could use these resources to reach the level of a War God.
"Not bad," Gu Hechang nodded. "Lei Shen is actually being generous."
"Alright, kid, come with me to the training camp today!" Lei Shen looked at Gu Hechang with some dissatisfaction but then turned to Gu Ce.
"No problem, Master."
Gu Ce readily agreed.