34: Sword Mastery

Three days meant exactly three days. No one had anticipated that Chen Longshi would take the ultimate trial’s legacy and clinch victory in the graduation trial in such fashion. Although this resulted in the permanent closure of a secret realm that could once be endlessly challenged, there was no blame to be placed upon him. After all, the purpose of the trial realm was to select a worthy inheritor.

Of course, there was jealousy and envy, but the Xuan Yuan Military Academy belonged to the royal family, and military discipline had been ingrained from the very first day. If you lacked backing, you could only show your resentment in private; no one dared defy rules in public. This was also why Chen Longshi had spared others’ lives again and again within the primordial secret realm.

Yet, what everyone was most curious about was what legacy he had actually obtained.

Thus, on the journey back, Chen Longshi became the center of attention. Already devastatingly handsome, he now bore the halo of first place in the trial, making him blindingly brilliant. In the eyes of the men, he was cold and arrogant, unwilling to engage in conversation. In the eyes of the women, he was impossibly attractive, a campus idol so dazzling they felt unworthy to approach him.

Still, those familiar with him came to offer their congratulations. Chen Longshi responded to each with a gentle smile. Most of these classmates would soon be dispatched to the front lines; who could say how many would one day fight by his side? He also caught sight of Song Yuanxian and his cousins. They looked healthier than when they entered the trial, but now kept a low profile, avoiding even Chen Longshi’s casual gaze. The stark contrast piqued his suspicion and made him secretly wary.

Chen Longshi’s acquisition of the secret realm’s legacy made Nie Renxiong even more excited than if he’d won himself. Slapping Chen Longshi heartily on the shoulder, he said, “Didn’t I say you were my roommate for a reason? I thought this exam would just be a formality. Good thing you broke the secret realm; otherwise, I’d probably have ranked dead last.”

“As long as you returned safely, that’s what matters most,” Chen Longshi replied. “In any case, your original goal wasn’t as good as it is now.”

“That’s true,” Nie Renxiong grinned. “Now you’re the undisputed top, and everyone else is lumped into second place with no scores at all. How will they even calculate the results for this trial?”

Chen Longshi shot him a sidelong glance. No wonder Nie Renxiong was in such high spirits—he actually had a shot at second place.

Once back at the academy, the matter quickly escalated. The school leadership held an emergency meeting; Chen Longshi’s first-place victory in the trial was indisputable. But could everyone else truly be tied for second place?

While they deliberated, Chen Longshi finally had a moment to return to his room and take stock of his gains from the trial.

First and foremost, his soul nourishment soared to 2,630,000. The little Swallow, too, was sated and had once again fallen into deep slumber.

Next came the auxiliary legacy star sigil, “Sword-Devouring Technique,” obtained from Ou Yezi’s mine.

He’d also acquired a second-tier star artifact—a flying axe—and two shattered divine swords of unknown quality. It was a pity the divine swords had broken, but keeping them had been impossible; passing the trial required their sacrifice, no matter his reluctance. Fortunately, the spirit within the star artifact had not been completely destroyed, leaving a chance for restoration. With the “Sword-Devouring Technique” in hand, it was entirely possible for the “Zhi Jiang Sword” to regain its former glory.

Other items like star cores could be set aside for now; the most precious gain was undeniably the final legacy from the first-clear reward.

“Swordmastery”:

This art, though called minor, may be practiced even without a cultivated spirit.

Yet it is also a grand art; pursued to its apex, it leads to the Dao. To master the sword is to pierce the heavens, delve into the earth, gaze upon the cosmos, and roam the universe. This is true mastery—wielding inexhaustible power, capable of rending the void and cleaving sun and stars.

Grade: Black Iron (Upgradeable Star Technique) (0/5)

Can freely absorb the essence of various sword styles, even those that are mutually incompatible. Whether “heaven, earth, inner, outer, yin, yang, creation, destruction, cause, effect, the five elements”—all can be harmonized and comprehended, allowing the user to develop their own sword techniques and increase the art’s level.

Can rule over all methods, derive myriad arts, and command the sword with the spirit—one sword shattering ten thousand techniques.

Approaching the Dao itself, the higher the art’s level, the wider its range, the greater its power, but also the more it drains one’s spiritual will.

A growing technique, rare in that it uses the spirit to command the sword.

In Chen Longshi’s hands, this star technique was as though bestowed by the heavens. Still, it should be remembered that, aside from his fortuitous inheritance of the “Soul Sutra” which allowed him to cultivate his spirit from a young age, most others—save for a few rare psychic supernaturals—could not develop their spiritual sea before reaching the Starlit Sea realm.

If another martial artist obtained this “Swordmastery,” it would help them access the spiritual domain ahead of time, tempering their mind with all the attendant benefits.

Without hesitation, Chen Longshi learned and absorbed “Swordmastery.” “It seems I’ll have to adjust my future cultivation accordingly,” he thought.

He was still pondering his life’s path when he heard Nie Renxiong outside, announcing that Instructor Hua wanted to see him.

It seemed the deliberations had finally yielded results.

Quickly changing into a fresh set of clothes, Chen Longshi hurried over, expecting to be summoned by Instructor Hua alone. Instead, the entire upper echelon of the school was waiting for him. Principal Sikong Yan stood in the center, hands behind his back, smiling warmly at him.

Chen Longshi strode briskly forward and snapped a salute. “Salute! Good day, Principal!”

He then turned to each side, saluting in turn. “Good day, teachers. Chen Longshi of Class Ten, Year Four, reporting as ordered!”

“At ease,” Sikong Yan said. “No need to be so formal, Chen Longshi. I simply wanted to meet the top scorer of this year’s assessment in person.”

“Yes, sir,” Chen Longshi responded.

Sikong Yan looked him up and down. “Your spirit is robust, your body well-honed, your star energy surging—you seem ready for advancement at any time. Impressive. Among all Bronze-ranked lifeforms, you’d be considered the best of the best. It’s no wonder you took first place in the graduation trial. But you must realize, your success has created a major headache for the academy.”

“It was my actions that caused the problem. I am willing to donate all the rewards I gained in this trial to the school to make amends.”

Sikong Yan waved him off. “This isn’t your fault. The secret realm has been there for years—those old fellows have sent people time after time, yet no one succeeded. When fate arrives, what’s meant for you cannot be seized by others. Besides, the trial’s legacy is unique; it cannot simply be given away. Though our Nine-headed Bird Xuan Yuan Military Academy isn’t as powerful as the capital’s, we do not hold you responsible.”

“Thank you, Principal, for your understanding. Still, my desire to make amends is sincere, as the academy has nurtured me these past four years.”

“Good, good. That’s all I could ask for,” Sikong Yan said with a smile. “You are the top graduate of our first ever class. Have you considered where you’d like to be assigned after graduation?”

“I am willing to accept whatever the organization decides. If I could be sent to the front lines, that would be best.”

Sikong Yan nodded without further comment. “Go back and wait for further news.”

Chen Longshi returned to his quarters, and the school soon announced the measures for a supplementary examination.

“To ensure everyone graduates smoothly, the academy has decided to hold another ranking trial for those who have already passed the primordial secret realm. The final results of this supplementary trial will determine post-graduation assignments.”

The student body reacted with mixed feelings.

But as the saying goes, momentum fades after the first surge. No matter how well the supplementary exam went, it would always be a fight for second place.

The number one spot had already been claimed—quietly, and completely.