Ten Thousand Dragons Technique-Chapter 34: Swordsmanship Mastered!

Zhang Yang was overjoyed. This was the benefit of becoming a Direct Disciple—an Elder could guide him at any time. As for the other new disciples, they could only receive an Elder’s guidance during class. The Elder held class only once every ten days, so it was nearly impossible to receive guidance ordinarily. Naturally, Lin Xuan did not have such a privilege.

After class, Lin Xuan returned to his small wooden cabin. He then spent three days practicing the two sword techniques. Although he didn’t have an Elder to guide him, he had the big black dog. The big black dog’s skill was ten thousand times greater than Elder Feng’s. With the big black dog’s instruction, Lin Xuan’s cultivation speed was incredibly fast.

In a single day, he cultivated the two sword techniques to the Small Success Realm. In three days, he reached the Great Success Realm. Lin Xuan didn’t continue cultivating them, as this was already sufficient.

For the rest of his time, he began cultivating his own Martial Arts. In the morning, he practiced the Ninefold Swordsmanship. In the afternoon, he practiced the Alchemy Technique. At night, he contemplated the Extreme Dao Ten Thousand Dragons Illustration. Lin Xuan kept to a very full schedule and hardly ever went out.

「In the blink of an eye, ten days passed.」

It was time for the Elder’s class again. Lin Xuan opened his eyes and sighed. Truthfully, he didn’t want to go, because to him, it was a waste of time. However, according to the Heavenly Dao Institute’s regulations, he couldn’t skip class without the Elder’s permission. I have to find a way to get Elder Feng to let me skip class, he thought while walking out of his cabin and heading to the Martial Arts Arena.

At the Martial Arts Arena, the new disciples were discussing with each other. Over the past ten days, they had all been practicing the White Cloud Sword Technique and Gale Swordsmanship, and everyone had made some progress. They had surely all learned the fundamentals, reaching the introductory level, but the exact degree of mastery they had achieved was uncertain. These new disciples were still somewhat nervous, as Elder Feng would definitely be testing them during class.

Zhang Yang had also arrived, his chin held high and his face full of confidence. He had cultivated the sword techniques to the Small Success Realm. Over the past ten days, he had received personal guidance from the Elder for five days and cultivated on his own for the other five. He had finally brought both sword techniques to the Small Success Realm. In his opinion, he had surpassed all the other new disciples. Naturally, that included Lin Xuan.

Not long after, Elder Feng arrived. He swept his gaze over the crowd and said, "After ten days of cultivation, how are your sword techniques coming along? I will now test you. Wang Hao, you come and demonstrate."

Soon, a boy stood up and began to perform the swordsmanship. After finishing, Wang Hao looked nervously at Elder Feng.

Elder Feng said, "You’ve reached the introductory level. That’s a pass. Next, Zhang Tao."

He called them out one by one. Zhang Tao, Meng Qi... Those disciples stepped forward to demonstrate the sword techniques. They had all reached the introductory level, but that was as far as they had gotten.

These were top-tier Yellow Rank swordsmanships. In an ordinary city, they would be considered ultimate sword techniques. It would normally take a Martial Artist several months to even reach the introductory level. The fact that these disciples managed it in just ten days was a testament to their status as top-tier geniuses.

"Zhang Yang!" Elder Feng called another name.

Zhang Yang stood up and began to demonstrate the sword techniques. The moment he began, he was completely different from the others. The other new disciples could only barely perform the two sword techniques in their entirety. Zhang Yang, however, was different. His swordsmanship was already becoming fluid and integrated, carrying exceptional power.

The other new disciples were stunned when they saw this.

Wang Hao exclaimed, "Fluid and integrated... his swordsmanship has reached the Small Success Realm!"

Meng Qi’s face was also full of envy. "Zhang Yang is so amazing! He’s truly worthy of being a Ninth Grade Martial Artist."

"Not bad, not bad," Elder Feng nodded in satisfaction, a smile finally appearing on his face. This disciple of his was truly impressive. Although he had privately tutored him for many of those days, reaching the Small Success Realm in just ten days was still no easy feat.

"Good!" Elder Feng said with a smile.

Hearing Elder Feng’s praise, Zhang Yang excitedly clenched his fists. He said to the elder, "I believe true swordsmanship can only be improved through actual combat. I’d like to spar with my peers."

"You’re right," Elder Feng nodded. He then looked at the crowd. The new disciples all lowered their heads. They were only at the introductory level; how could they possibly defeat Zhang Yang?

Elder Feng’s gaze swept over the disciples and soon settled on one person. He said coldly, "Lin Xuan, you will spar with Zhang Yang."

All the new disciples turned to look at Lin Xuan, breathing a collective sigh of relief before feeling a twinge of pity for him. He was in for it now. Who told him to offend both Zhang Yang and Elder Feng? He had contradicted Elder Feng in the last class, so the elder surely wouldn’t let him off.

Elder Feng said, "During the spar, only the White Cloud Sword Technique and Gale Swordsmanship are allowed. No other Martial Arts, understand?"

The crowd erupted in whispers again upon hearing this.

"Lin Xuan is indeed powerful, and he beat Zhang Yang before," someone said, "but that was with a Mysterious Rank sword technique. Now that he can’t use it, he’s no match for Zhang Yang."

"Exactly. Zhang Yang has already cultivated the two sword techniques to the Small Success Realm, making them immensely powerful."

"Lin Xuan is at the introductory level at best. How can he fight? There’s no way he can win!"

"Just watch. He’s going to suffer a crushing defeat."

Zhang Yang was also full of pride. "Lin Xuan, weren’t you so arrogant before?" he jeered. "Didn’t you claim in the last class that you had already mastered both sword techniques? Then come and prove it against me! What’s the matter? Are you scared now?"

Elder Feng crossed his arms, a cold smile on his face. If Lin Xuan can’t even perform the techniques completely, I’ll have the perfect excuse to punish him. Thirty lashes and confinement to reflect on his mistakes. And even if he can perform them, so what? My disciple can still defeat him and teach him a lesson. Either way, Lin Xuan will be punished. How foolish to oppose me, Elder Feng snorted coldly.

From within the crowd, Lin Xuan stood up and walked forward. As he walked, he said calmly, "There’s nothing to be afraid of. If you want to spar, then I’ll oblige you."

"Hmph! Face my sword!" Zhang Yang snorted and thrust his sword at Lin Xuan. He used Gale Swordsmanship right from the start. The strike was extremely fast, reaching Lin Xuan in an instant.

The crowd gasped; they hadn’t even had time to react. In their eyes, Lin Xuan wouldn’t be able to react either and would be defeated in a single move.

But at that very moment, Lin Xuan moved. Though he acted second, his speed was far greater, allowing him to strike first. He instantly blocked his opponent’s longsword and countered with a thrust of his own.

With a loud BANG, Zhang Yang was forced back five steps. His arm trembled, and he stared, dumbfounded.

The others also stared with wide eyes, unable to believe what they were seeing. Even Elder Feng’s pupils constricted sharply.

He exclaimed, "Gale Swordsmanship... at the Great Success Realm!"