yes, that is the title
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What Makes the Blade Path Different?
Weed reflected on what truly distinguished the Sword Path from the Blade Path.
Not philosophically.
Objectively.
"Even though they share the same origin, the Sword Path is considered an excellent path."
"One of the very best when it comes to offensive power."
"Meanwhile... the Blade Path is regarded as obsolete."
"There were once Rank Eight masters who cultivated it."
"Now... they are almost nonexistent."
He continued.
"But objectively... what actually separates them?"
"Apparently, the Sword Path is the newer one, although the records in the library are somewhat contradictory."
In the end, the Sword Path possessed:
The concept of cutting, just like the Blade Path.
However, it focused primarily on double-edged swords.
And it possessed something exclusive to itself.
Piercing.
Or thrusting, regardless of what one chose to call it.
Beyond that, it had sword qi, flying swords, and long-range slashing attacks.
That combination had earned it the title of one of the greatest offensive paths.
It was a path overflowing with resources.
Meanwhile, the Blade Path...
Seemed to be in decline.
It focused solely on cutting.
Especially cutting quickly and with precision.
It also appeared to possess its own form of blade qi, something that had been almost completely forgotten.
That was probably why so few people cultivated it anymore.
Its resources had gradually disappeared.
And because its concept was so broad, it became decent at everything...
But a master of nothing.
It was possible to apply the concept of cutting and separation to almost anything.
In a way...
Its potential was even greater than the Sword Path.
Or the new kid on the block...
The Weapon Path.
"Or rather... the future new kid on the block. I haven't even heard anyone mention the Weapon Path yet."
Normally, that purity should have allowed the Blade Path to surpass the Sword Path in popularity.
Instead...
The exact opposite had happened.
"Why am I talking about this?" he asked himself.
"Well..."
"It seems today's class will be combat training."
"And thanks to my 'great achievement,' we now have enough people for an unofficial mini tournament among the four Rank One Middle Stage students."
A way to prepare students for real combat.
At the same time...
Giving experience to those already qualified to participate in the clan's official tournament.
"Yes, a mini tournament."
"Not something like the clan's grand tournament."
"Against my 'beloved classmates.'"
"The other three..."
"All of them Rank A talents."
"And all of them have already joined one of the clan's political factions."
"Which means they have probably received several Gu as br—"
"I mean..."
"As gifts."
"Most likely a complete set."
"The instructor is a bastard."
Despite his complaints...
Weed wasn't actually in a terrible position.
He possessed real combat experience.
His "opponents"...
Were still teenagers.
The instructor announced that the mini tournament would take place at the end of the week.
Five days from now.
Weed spent that time gathering information about his future opponents.
It would be a four-person tournament.
The prize...
One hundred Primeval Stones.
That was enough to make Weed abandon his original plan of intentionally losing.
The participants were:
First Round
Hao Hao
The favorite to win.
The first student to reach Rank One Middle Stage.
An A-grade talent.
A Strength Path cultivator who had chosen the Camel Strength Gu as his vital Gu.
VS
[Yichen]
The second favorite.
The second student to reach Rank One Middle Stage.
Also an A-grade talent.
Apparently, he had mixed together all kinds of Gu without caring about paths or compatibility.
However, his arsenal included at least a Rank 1 Lightning Hands Gu and a Wind Path movement Gu called Soft step Gu.
Second Round
[Zhang Wei]
The third student to reach Rank One Middle Stage.
An A-grade talent.
He specialized in the Sword Path, including a Rank One Flying Sword Gu, making him particularly troublesome thanks to his ranged attacks.
VS
[Lee Hyun]
Me.
In case you forgot.
...
But that would come later.
Today's lesson was simply combat practice for the entire class.
Everyone had to imitate and perform the movements demonstrated by the instructor.
It wasn't difficult for Weed.
In fact...
It was extremely basic.
He already had experience in martial arts.
And swordsmanship.
Not that he had any intention of standing out.
He simply performed exactly what was asked.
Nothing more.
At least...
Not until the instructor announced:
"Twenty-five Primeval Stones to the student who performs the best strike."
"No Gu."
"Technique alone."