Chapter 86: Chapter 85: Becoming a Disciple
Great achievement?
After a moment of silence, Shang Yunfang’s expression changed dramatically. He looked at Chen Ku incredulously and asked, "Bladesmanship? Your bone-chopping butcher blade technique has reached great achievement?"
His breathing quickened.
It was just as he had told Ke Yansheng. He wanted to take on an apprentice with even better talent and Root Bone than himself, so that these fine arts could be passed down from generation to generation, each growing stronger than the last. The previous master of Jinshi Academy taking Yang Luochen as his disciple was exactly such a case. His goal was to accept someone with talent and Root Bone comparable to Yang Luochen’s in his youth.
So, when he initially heard from Ke Yansheng that Chen Ku had achieved an entry-level grasp of Bladesmanship in just four or five days, he wasn’t particularly impressed because that was similar to his own experience.
To be honest, Shang Yunfang’s own Root Bone talent wasn’t actually that remarkable. It was merely considered good in Baojiao County; if he were in Qiu Dragon Mansion, it would only be considered above average. Conversely, someone like Yang Luochen, if in Qiu Dragon Mansion, would be considered top-notch. Root Bone was a matter not easily categorized precisely, but the differences between individuals were quite discernible. For instance, it had taken him, Shang Yunfang, a full year and a half to achieve great achievement in the bone-chopping butcher blade technique.
"Yes, it is the bone-chopping butcher blade," Chen Ku affirmed.
Yang Luochen became anxious.
This is bad!
He, too, found Chen Ku’s statement incredible. For a person to possess such Divine Power in their Root Bone already indicated exceptionally high Innate potential. For that same person to also possess such exceptional talent in Martial Arts techniques was truly extraordinary. He immediately wanted to interject.
"The bone-chopping butcher blade... it’s just Force Transformation Martial Arts, after all..." Yang Luochen said, feigning composure, intending to downplay the matter and brush it aside.
"You keep quiet!!" Shang Yunfang, even more agitated than Yang Luochen and disregarding his own injuries, snapped at him. Then, turning to Chen Ku, he said, "Come, let’s go to the combat showcase area."
After Shang Yunfang finished speaking, Ke Yansheng’s face flushed with excitement, and he looked at Chen Ku with immense surprise. The bone-chopping butcher blade at Great Achievement Level? In terms of proficiency with this Bladesmanship technique, I myself am only at this level!
After all, for most people, reaching great achievement in a single Martial Art was their limit. As for Perfection, that was only achievable, if at all, after a lifetime of dedicated practice in that specific discipline.
Soon enough, the combat showcase area was filled with many apprentices and workers who had come to watch the spectacle. Among them were Zhang Erniu, Che Ping, Huang Bao, and others who had shared a room with Chen Ku. They watched as Shang Yunfang handed Chen Ku a blade and then gave Ke Yansheng a meaningful look, signaling him to test whether Chen Ku’s claim was true.
"Just attack me purely with your Bladesmanship. You can also use your brute strength," Ke Yansheng said, gesturing for Chen Ku to unleash his full power. "I’ve reached the Second Realm of the Mystic Barrier Realm, so rest assured, I can handle you. Only by doing so can you fully display your capabilities, and this will also be your chance to stay in the academy."
"Yes, Disciple understands. Master Ke, please forgive my impertinence." Chen Ku then took a standard long blade from the combat showcase area. He advanced, executing the ’Whip Strike Penetrating Deep’ from the bone-chopping butcher blade technique, his blade whipping and swirling like an actual whip.
He had already secretly activated Feng Guangbian. Drawing upon his Great Achievement Level experience with the Five Tigers Breaking Gate Blade, he chose the ’Whip Strike Penetrating Deep’ move. This was because the Force Power, application of strength, and Divine Intent of this strike were almost identical to the ’Dividing Flowers and Brushing Willows’ move from the Five Tigers Breaking Gate Blade.
With this single strike, Force Power surged and Divine Intent manifested. Indeed, it was as if the attack unleashed a cascade of falling petals and flowing water, stirring up numerous fine blade winds in midair that enveloped Ke Yansheng.
"Truly great achievement!" Ke Yansheng exclaimed, overjoyed at the sight. His feet shifted in a blur, like a golden carp, his movement technique incredibly fast. He instantly vanished from beneath Chen Ku’s blade wind, simultaneously thrusting his own blade towards Chen Ku’s flank.
The hairs on Chen Ku’s body stood on end.
Such incredible speed! This is Master Ke’s true strength! I had assumed my Four Symbols Power could overpower most opponents through sheer force. But now I truly understand that advancing in Martial Arts Cultivation... involves a comprehensive enhancement of the physique. I’ve only increased my Power, but in terms of movement technique and speed, I’m nowhere near a master who wields Inner Qi.
After all, no matter how strong he was, he was still mortal. Even if he wielded a staff weighing tens of thousands of pounds, if he couldn’t hit his target, and his opponent, relying on superior speed and movement technique, could evade his attack and instantly pierce his throat with a sword, his Divine Power would be useless. In that critical moment between life and death, Divine Power would mean nothing.
However, facing Ke Yansheng’s attack, Chen Ku could sense that Master Ke was merely sparring to test his techniques. Otherwise, a strike of that caliber would have already landed. Instead, Master Ke was deliberately holding back, waiting for Chen Ku’s counterattack, solely to assess his Bladesmanship.
Since it was merely a test of his Bladesmanship, Chen Ku didn’t hold back. He channeled his Great Achievement Level experience with the Five Tigers Breaking Gate Blade into his execution of the bone-chopping butcher blade technique. He performed several moves, such as ’Mercury Pouring Down,’ ’Omnipresent,’ and ’In and Out Without Gap,’ all at a Great Achievement standard.
Finally, he came to the most crucial secret Combat Skill.
Lion Rolling Ball!
Chen Ku twirled his blade, and his entire body seemed to be enveloped by swirling blade winds.
To apprentices and workers like Zhang Erniu, Che Ping, and Huang Bao, who had not yet achieved Force Transformation, their eyes could hardly follow the movements. They could only see the blade in Chen Ku’s hands disappear, as if it had transformed into a white, hazy ball rolling around.