"A book?"
Beside Chongyun, Xingqiu's eyes lit up when he saw the item fall from the jar.
Xingqiu loved books more than anything.
Though curious, he didn't pick it up. It belonged to Chongyun, and taking things without permission was rude. He would wait for his friend to examine it first.
"This book..."
Chongyun picked it up, puzzled. "Six Arts of the Cold Arrogance? What does that mean?"
"Six Arts of the Cold Arrogance (Ao Han Liu Jue). It's a saber technique," Felix explained slowly. "You can try practicing it. It works best when paired with a weapon infused with Cryo elemental energy."
In the world where the technique originated, it was most potent when used with the legendary blade Snow Drinker (Xue Yin Kuang Dao)—a three-foot-seven-inch saber forged from "White Dew," a remnant of the stone Goddess Nüwa used to mend the heavens.
"Paired with a Cryo weapon for maximum effect?"
Xingqiu raised an eyebrow.
Chongyun didn't have a Cryo-infused saber. He used a claymore, and while he could infuse it with his Vision, a dedicated Cryo weapon would be better.
I'll have to check the Feiyun Commerce Guild's inventory later. If we have any Cryo blades, I'll secure one for him.
As Chongyun's best friend, taking care of him was only natural.
"A saber technique?"
Chongyun looked intrigued. "I've never heard of a martial art that specifically requires Cryo weapons."
Most Vision holders fought with swords, claymores, or polearms based on personal preference. Dedicated "saber techniques" were rare in Liyue.
Thinking this, Chongyun opened the book.
Immediately, text and illustrations of a small figure performing stances appeared in his mind.
First Art: Glancing at the Cold — A strike of absolute cold, dominance, and directness!Second Art: Three Feet of Ice — Blade energy condenses into ice, three feet thick, capable of trapping enemies or oneself for defense!Third Art: Red Apricot in Snow — The blade carries hatred, and the will is even more hateful!Fourth Art: Peach Branch in Bloom — A move as soft as a peach branch in snow; seemingly bladeless, yet incomparably fierce!Fifth Art: Treading Snow Seeking Plums — Using legs to control the blade; blade and legs attack in unison, unpredictable and strange!Sixth Art: Cold Blade, Ice Heart — The supreme technique.
The book was thin, only a dozen pages. Chongyun finished it quickly.
As he read, he felt an indescribable sensation wash over him—a profound understanding of cold.
"So elemental energy can be channeled like this... not just through the Vision."
Chongyun's eyes shone.
This method of manipulating Cryo was unheard of. It opened a door to a new world.
Though he had never practiced saber arts before, he felt he could master this.
"Seems like a big harvest."
Seeing the joy on Chongyun's face, Xingqiu smiled.
Saber techniques were rarer than sword techniques.
He knew of many sword masters—Keqing of the Qixing, the Wolf Knight of Mondstadt, the Acting Grand Master. He himself studied the Guhua Arts.
But famous saber masters? Rare.
"Mhm."
Chongyun nodded.
Even if he hadn't cured his Pure Yang Spirit yet, this technique alone made the trip worth it. It was a massive gain.
He didn't hesitate. He smashed the second jar.
Crash.
A stone fell out.
[Noctilucous Jade] — A rare mineral that glows in the dark. Said to be a mutated gemstone condensed from flourishing elemental energy.
"Not bad."
Xingqiu commented. "Noctilucous Jade is hard to mine. It's valuable."
"Right."
Chongyun nodded and smashed the third jar.
Crash.
A glowing white orb of light floated out.
"What is this?"
Chongyun stared at it. It looked strange.
[One Thousand Sword Swings Experience] — The experience of an unknown sword master swinging their sword one thousand times.
"Experience orb," Felix chuckled. "Touch it to absorb. You'll instantly gain the muscle memory and understanding of swinging a sword a thousand times. It improves your control."
"That amazing?"
Xingqiu was surprised.
Jars can contain experience?
That meant you could mass-produce sword masters.
Chongyun touched the orb. Knowledge flooded his mind, instantly assimilated.
"Incredible."
He flexed his hand, feeling the difference.
Crash!
He smashed the fourth jar.
Another book fell out.
"Treading Snow Without Trace?"
Chongyun read the title. Another strange name.
[Treading Snow Without Trace] — A mysterious footwork technique from another world. One of the ultimate skills. When used with Cryo energy, it renders the user traceless and shadowless. Even wearing iron shoes, one can walk on snow without leaving a footprint.
Felix saw the description and smirked.
Tsk. Another martial art. And a movement technique this time.
Chongyun was pulling a full wuxia starter pack.
Chongyun opened the book. He meant to glance at it, but instantly fell into a trance. His mind entered a state of absolute clarity.
"Hm?"
Xingqiu narrowed his eyes.
That state... it resembled the "Martial Epiphany" described in ancient Guhua texts. A state of spiritual silence where one grasps the essence of all techniques.
Xingqiu had experienced it once—the state of "One Law, Ten Thousand Laws."
But that required years of reading and comprehension. Chongyun achieved it just by opening a book?
What exactly is in 'Treading Snow Without Trace'?
Curious, but respectful, Xingqiu stayed silent, watching his friend.
Felix did the same. The shop fell deathly silent.
...
BOOM!
Inazuma Sea. Nazuchi Beach.
Endless lightning tore the sky apart.
The world seemed to crack under the pressure. Terrifying shockwaves rippled outward, shaking not just the beach, but disturbing the distant Yashiori Island.
"Look over there! What is happening?!"
"Nazuchi Beach is covered in lightning!"
"Is it the Raiden Shogun?"
"So terrifying."
...
On Yashiori Island, Shogunate samurai watched the distant storm in horror.
"Did the Musoujin Gorge act up again?"
"Who knows? But we can't go there now. It's suicide."
While they panicked, the battle at Nazuchi Beach reached its climax.
Kujou Sara hovered in the void, summoning bolts of lightning as thick as mountains to bombard Beidou.
BOOM!
Beidou stood her ground, swinging her massive Zanpakutō. Every slash shattered the incoming lightning.
Simultaneously, she fired blades of Electro energy back at Sara, absorbing the ambient lightning to fuel her counterattack. It was a torrential exchange of power.
Rumble!
Black lightning tore the sky, illuminating the darkness. The wind howled like a beast, churning the sea into a frenzy.
Sara stood amidst the chaos, lightning coiling around her like vines, threatening to drag her down.
"Glory to the Shogun! Eternal Narukami!"
Her voice, cold and absolute, echoed across the heavens.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
As the chant finished, the lightning from the sky intensified.
"Storm" was no longer an adequate description. It was a waterfall of plasma.
Countless bolts smashed down toward Beidou.
Every ounce of Electro energy around Sara surged like a breaking dam, crashing down with the force to obliterate everything in existence. Nothing could withstand it.
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