Chen Ming instantly upgraded "Eight Trigrams Saber Technique" to "Proficient," spending just over two hundred points.
Suddenly, countless insights about this saber technique filled his mind, as if he had practiced arduously for ten years.
[Level: 10]
[Current Points: 714]
[Cultivation Technique: "Iron Horse Stance" (Fifth Level Perfection), "Three Yang Body Refining Skill" (First Level 2/1000)]
[Martial Skill: "Three Talents Fist" (Proficient 27/500+), Eight Trigrams Saber Technique (Proficient 5/500+)]
For safety's sake, Deng Ziyang asked someone to fetch wooden sabers.
Chen Ming held the saber in his hand, and a natural confidence surged in his heart.
In the Huo Mansion, one had to learn martial arts for at least three years before handling weapons.
For the lower-level martial artists, mastering a weapon could allow them to overcome stronger opponents. Bodies of flesh and blood, when struck at a vital point by a blade, would still be injured, could still die.
Of course, to achieve this, one's weapon mastery must surpass the opponent's by a large margin.
In fact, for ordinary martial artists, acquiring real combat experience isn't easy. If you find someone you trust, knowing they won't hurt you, it fails to simulate the effect of real combat training.
If you find someone you don't trust, a blade has no eyes, and whether you get injured or injure them, neither is good.
Generally speaking, only when one has refined a weapon to a high level, continuing to practice without seeing much improvement, does one venture out into the world, commonly called "graduating."
Qi Jun, involved in gang activities, had attacked and seen blood several years ago. That was his confidence. Today, emboldened by alcohol, he wanted to regain his face from Chen Ming.
"I can't beat you in hand-to-hand combat, but can I not win against you in saber techniques?"
"Please."
When Chen Ming made a hand gesture of invitation, Qi Jun did not hold back, lifting the wooden saber over his head and slashing it straight down towards Chen Ming.
Thud—
Chen Ming precisely deflected this strike.
Qi Jun immediately changed his move, and the two exchanged blows quickly, thud thud thud...
The wooden sabers clashed ceaselessly.
Those watching on the sidelines were somewhat excited by the sight, exclaiming at the thrill.
Even though they were using wooden sabers, given their strength, if they were truly hit, they would surely get injured; it was much more dangerous than a fistfight.
At the banquet, Guan Peng was originally not very interested, but after watching for a while, he suddenly exclaimed, "This brother Chen's saber technique is free-flowing, truly outstanding."
Deng Ziyang had also seen Chen Ming use the saber technique for the first time; this level of mastery was in no way inferior to his fist technique. He, too, found it remarkable.
This Senior Brother Chen had such exceptional talent in both fist and saber techniques.
Zhuang Xiaotian sighed, "What a pity, without becoming a martial artist, it's ultimately useless."
For martial artists, cultivation level is fundamental. Once entered into the ranks, they can crush ordinary people. No matter how exquisite your moves, I can knock your weapon away with a single strike; what can you do?
Smack!
At this moment, Qi Jun's wooden saber flew out of his hand, knocked away.
He stood there, dumbfounded for a moment, and said bitterly, "I lost."
[You defeated an enemy of LV7 again, gaining 2 experience points.]
Chen Ming asked, "Does anyone else want to try?"
"I'll go."
Immediately someone responded, it was Peng Ruizhao.
...
Thus, the initial hand-to-hand spar turned into a saber technique competition.
Among these people, most did not study "Eight Trigrams Saber Technique," so he dared not be careless, treating each encounter cautiously, waiting to discern the opponent's saber technique changes before counterattacking.
After eight battles, the experience points for "Eight Trigrams Saber Technique" surprisingly increased by two, which was an unexpected delight.
Just as he was about to return to his seat, he suddenly saw Guan Peng stand up, slightly drunkenly saying, "Your saber technique is well-practiced, do you still have the stamina? Spar with me for a couple of moves."
Before Chen Ming could speak, Deng Ziyang hurriedly said, "Second brother, Senior Brother Chen is not your opponent; if you want to spar, I'll accompany you."
Guan Peng laughed heartily, "Don't worry, big brother, I'm just excited to see such skill, feeling an itch to move. I won't injure him. Brother Chen, do you dare to spar with me for a few moves?"
Chen Ming smiled, "If Brother Guan is willing to instruct me, that would be excellent."
He was indeed worrying about not finding a Ninth Grade opponent. This was a great opportunity to test his own strength.
However, this would not suffice.
He opened the panel and filled up the proficiency of "Eight Trigrams Saber Technique" again.
[Level: 10]
[Current Points: 231]
[Cultivation Technique: "Iron Horse Stance" (Fifth Level Perfection), "Three Yang Body Refining Skill" (First Level 2/1000)]
[Martial Skill: "Three Talents Fist" (Proficient 27/500+), Eight Trigrams Saber Technique (Mastery)]
Saber Technique Mastery!
Chen Ming felt endless insights in saber techniques rise up in his mind.
When he held the wooden saber again, it felt completely different; this wooden saber felt incredibly familiar, as if it was an extension of his body.
Guan Peng vaguely felt there was something different about Chen Ming, but he did not mind, and asked, "Do you need to rest a bit?"
"No need."
Chen Ming smiled and said, "By the way, there's something I need to tell you, I am also Ninth Grade."
"Ah?"
Guan Peng was slightly shocked.
The scene suddenly fell silent, everyone stared at him in astonishment.
Poof—
Deng Ziyang, who was drinking, sprayed the wine from his mouth, almost choked, and asked in shock, "You... what did you say? When did you reach Ninth Grade?"
Chen Ming did not explain much, just stretched his muscles a bit, and instantly, his body crackled.
Muscles and bones resonated!
With that, an uproar arose beside him.
Senior Brother Chen actually entered the grade?
He entered the grade and still acts as a sparring partner for us every day?
Oh my, I've been sparring with a Ninth Grade Martial Artist every day?
So righteous!
Truly righteous.
Qi Jun and Peng Ruizhao were all extremely excited.
...
"Indeed, Ninth Grade."
Guan Peng's eyes cleared, the wine completely sobered him, his face became more solemn, and his battle intent intensified as he threw the wooden saber to the side, "This thing isn't handy, how about we use our own weapons?"
"Alright."
Chen Ming agreed and borrowed a long saber from Deng Ziyang.
What Guan Peng used was a large saber, with a handle especially long, over fifty centimeters, suitable for two-handed grip, and the blade was thicker and broader than a usual saber.
This saber, at a glance, appeared enormously powerful.
The disadvantage was its lack of flexibility.
Before the two could move, Deng Ziyang stood up and said, "Let me say something, you two. One of you is my sworn brother, the other my senior brother. You can spar, but please, keep it controlled. I don't wish to see either of you hurt."
Chen Ming and Guan Peng naturally agreed.
"Please."
Guan Peng was quite graceful; since he was the one initiating the challenge, following the rules, he naturally let the opponent make the first move.
Chen Ming gently ran his fingers over the blade, feeling the saber's contour and balance. Then he performed a "Thick Earth Conceals the Blade" stance, indicating modesty, not taking advantage.
"Well done!"
Guan Peng swept his long saber, displaying a speed that mismatched that of the large saber.
Daring to use such an unusual weapon, he indeed has extraordinary skills.
Chen Ming responded with "Cloud Dragon Showing Scales," barely blocking that strike.
With a loud clang.
His palm tingled, a notch appeared on the saber edge.
The opponent had advantages in strength and weapon, direct confrontation was unwise.
Swipe, swipe, swipe...
He followed with "Qianyuan Three Slashes," each slash targeting Guan Peng's weakest point, forcing him back three steps.
In a few swift moves, the blades flashed.
Those present were mesmerized by the spectacle. This kind of martial artist contest isn't often seen. Unfortunately, the two moved so fast that they couldn't clearly see.
Only Deng Ziyang and Zhuang Xiaotian could see, their eyes fixed, suddenly clapping and exclaiming "Good!"
In the blink of an eye, the two had exchanged over a dozen moves.
Both seemed to be evenly matched.
Deng Ziyang felt, however, that Chen Ming seemed quite composed, while Guan Peng had already used his ultimate skills.
He was even more astonished.
This guy, hid so deeply, silently breaking through to Ninth Grade, and possessing such exquisite saber technique.
At the same time, he couldn't help but wonder deeply, Chen Ming had such talent, why didn't Huo Chengkun realize this when they were together? How could he let him leave like this?
Chen Ming was different, from a clean family background, stable character, an ideal choice for a disciple. Huo Chengkun had no reason to overlook this...
As thoughts swirled, the battle in the arena had reached a fever pitch.
After over fifty moves, the two suddenly separated, standing apart by four or five meters, no longer attacking.
"Why aren't they fighting anymore?"
This was the thought of the eight subordinates.
"Have they decided the winner?"
That was the question of Deng Ziyang and Zhuang Xiaotian.
At this moment, Chen Ming cupped his hands and said, "Thank you for letting me win."
Was it actually his victory?