Zhong Ming realized that his only hope of being rated A Class depended on his Cultivation Technique. Yet, even if his technique broke through, an A Class rating wasn't guaranteed—Zhong Ming couldn't be certain that a breakthrough would grant him a new characteristic, much less one that would accelerate his cultivation speed.
Despite these many hurdles, Zhong Ming didn't feel overwhelmed by negativity.
'At least I still have a glimmer of hope. That's already much better than most.'
And so, with a resolute gaze, he picked up his longsword and walked to the side.
*Inhale...*
Standing still, Zhong Ming first took a deep breath to calm his emotions. Then, his body lowered slightly, one foot forward and one back, into a half-crouch.
As he crouched, Zhong Ming gripped his scabbard with his left hand, while his right hand hovered over the hilt, ready to draw the blade at any moment.
While assuming this stance, Zhong Ming also turned his body slightly, concealing the longsword at his waist behind him.
This was a characteristic of the Sword-Drawing Technique—using one's body to hide the longsword made the draw more sudden and the attack's trajectory difficult to predict.
'The Sword-Drawing Technique really does maximize the element of surprise.'
After that brief thought, the half-crouched Zhong Ming did not draw his sword immediately.
*Inhale...*
He took a deep breath.
And as he inhaled, he visualized a stream, visualized a draconic form, imagining he wasn't drawing a sword, but a rapidly Flowing stream, a... soaring Flood Dragon.
When his momentum had built to its peak, Zhong Ming finally drew his sword from its sheath with a sudden jerk.
CLANG!
As Zhong Ming drew his blade, a sharp glint of cold light flashed and vanished on the mountainside.
But this was still not a complete cycle of practice.
*Exhale...*
After drawing the sword, Zhong Ming let out the long breath he had been holding.
At the same time, he slowly sheathed his longsword.
The Longxi Sword-Drawing Technique required both drawing the blade and calmly returning it to the scabbard. Only then was one cycle of practice complete.
[You have completed one full practice of the Longxi Sword-Drawing Technique. Skill Level +3]
Ignoring the system log's notification, Zhong Ming stood up after drawing his sword, then crouched down again, repeating the previous actions.
His training in the Sword-Drawing Technique had officially begun.
*Exhale, inhale...*
CLANG!
*Exhale, inhale...*
CLANG!
*Exhale, inhale...*
CLANG!
Once, twice, three times, ten times, a hundred times...
With a reverent attitude, Zhong Ming continuously crouched and drew his blade.
And with every draw, he gave it his all, pouring all of his Heart Power into the visualization process.
To make every draw perfect, Zhong Ming's speed was not particularly fast.
Inhaling, crouching, drawing, exhaling, sheathing the sword... this entire sequence took Zhong Ming at least half a minute to complete.
But practicing in this manner, Zhong Ming's progress was not slow at all.
He knew that the core True Intent of the Longxi Breathing Method was the dragon, which meant that every time he drew his sword, he visualized the dragon's power and might.
This visualization, which pointed directly to the True Intent, already made his progress in the Sword-Drawing Technique extremely fast.
More importantly, his reverent attitude ensured that he made no mistakes with each draw.
[You have completed one full practice of the Longxi Sword-Drawing Technique. Skill Level +3]
[You have completed one full practice of the Longxi Sword-Drawing Technique. Skill Level +1]
[You have completed one full practice of the Longxi Sword-Drawing Technique. Skill Level +2]
[...]
Each time, Zhong Ming gained 2 to 3 Skill Level points.
As Zhong Ming trained, sharp glints of cold light bloomed one after another on the mountainside of Longxi Peak.
Not many people noticed this scene...
This was mainly because by the afternoon, everyone's meridians could no longer withstand the Flowing of Spiritual Qi. As a result, nearly all the Daoist Children had stopped practicing the Longxi Breathing Method and had instead switched to practicing various Swordsmanship and Magic Techniques.
Among them, quite a few were practicing the Longxi Sword-Drawing Technique.
Zhong Ming, blending in with the crowd, didn't seem out of the ordinary.
But he only *looked* ordinary—before the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Zhong Ming discovered that his Longxi Sword Drawing Technique... had advanced.
The speed was so great that even Zhong Ming himself was a little stunned.
'So fast... As I thought, a short and simple move like this is the most suitable for me and best utilizes the Heaven Rewards Diligence characteristic.'
Zhong Ming's musing did not last long.
The moment it advanced, a wave of enlightenment suddenly surged through Zhong Ming's mind.
He now knew how to draw his sword to make it faster, swifter, and sharper.
At the same time, the information about the Longxi Sword-Drawing Technique on his data panel also changed.
[Longxi Sword-Drawing Technique: Second Realm - Insight (1/3300)]
[Skill Characteristic: Quick Eyes and Swift Hands]
'Quick Eyes and Swift Hands, a characteristic that enhances neural response... An extraordinary Swordsmanship technique is truly extraordinary. It gave me a surprise at just the Second Realm of Insight.'
Now, Zhong Ming was even more curious about what characteristic the Longxi Sword-Drawing Technique would grant him at the Third Realm of Refinement.
'I hope it can create a synergy with my Cultivation Technique...'
Holding on to a sliver of hope, Zhong Ming was about to continue practicing the Longxi Sword-Drawing Technique.
However, just as the thought arose, Zhong Ming's brow furrowed.
The practice method for the Longxi Sword-Drawing Technique at the Second Realm had changed.
Although Zhong Ming had the Heaven Rewards Diligence system, it didn't mean he could just casually practice and his Cultivation Technique's progress would increase indefinitely.
His cultivation process needed to be focused, complete, and correct for his Cultivation Technique's progress to increase.
Just like with Reading, if Zhong Ming only read half a book, or missed a dozen words, he could read as much as he wanted with such carelessness, and his Skill Level wouldn't increase one bit.
Zhong Ming needed to read the book completely and correctly for it to count.
And as his Reading realm advanced, the requirements of Heaven Rewards Diligence would also rise accordingly.
At the Initiation realm, Zhong Ming could gain Skill Level just by reading the same book over and over.
But upon reaching the Second Realm, he needed to read new books.
At the Third Realm, he had to read useful and insightful books to increase his Skill Level.
Now, at the Fourth Realm of Minor Achievement, it was even more necessary for Zhong Ming to comprehend truths from books—and as long as he activated his Talent for Mind Reading, he was certain to comprehend some.
It was the same for Reading as it was for the Longxi Sword Drawing Technique.
'To advance from the Second Realm to the Third Realm, I can't just draw my sword. I have to strike a high-speed moving object to complete a full practice cycle.'
'And the faster the object moves and the more precisely I strike it, the faster the Longxi Sword-Drawing Technique's progress will increase.'
Zhong Ming didn't complain about the increased requirements.
Possessing Heaven Rewards Diligence, he was already countless times better off than others.
In normal cultivation, forget about striking moving objects; even striking people or fighting to the death wouldn't increase one's Skill Level by much.
'But practicing on high-speed moving objects will be inconvenient if I'm alone.'
Thinking this, Zhong Ming looked over at Dong Sea.
He had also finished his cultivation and was currently resting. Seeing this, Zhong Ming called out to him:
"Great Sea, can you do me a favor?"
"Of course."
Dong Sea was more than willing to help Zhong Ming. After entering the Seven Profound Sect and learning he would face life-and-death crises, he had been living in constant fear.
And Zhong Ming was practically his only hope for survival.
Under these circumstances, he was terrified of being abandoned by Zhong Ming.
Now, discovering that he could still be useful to Zhong Ming made him so happy he almost jumped for joy.
Seeing he was willing, Zhong Ming immediately explained his request.
"Throw stones at you?"
"Yes, and the faster, the better."
At Zhong Ming's urging, although still a little uneasy, Dong Sea went to the stream's edge and picked up a few smooth pebbles.
The next moment, WHOOSH... a feebly thrown stone landed in front of Zhong Ming.
...
This scene left Zhong Ming speechless and exasperated.
"Great Sea, don't be afraid of hurting me. I'm not that fragile. Throw as hard as you can."
"Alright."
After realizing Zhong Ming wasn't joking, Dong Sea threw the second stone with great force.
WHOOSH! This time, a stone flew at high speed... right past Zhong Ming.
Even though Zhong Ming had said he'd be fine, Dong Sea still didn't dare to throw it directly at him.
Fortunately, the stone was still within Zhong Ming's attack range.
*Inhale...*
As the stone flew towards him, Zhong Ming had already dropped into a half-crouch, one foot forward and one back. His right hand was already resting on the hilt, ready to draw the blade at a moment's notice.
However, to strike a moving object, Zhong Ming's slash needed to be not only fast, but also precise.
Therefore, he didn't draw his sword at the first instant. Instead, he locked his eyes onto the stone's incoming trajectory.
HUM...
His intensely focused Heart Spirit, combined with the [Quick Eyes and Swift Hands] characteristic, allowed Zhong Ming to lock onto the stone completely.
In less than the span of a breath, he predicted the pebble's path. And the instant he did...
CLANG! As Zhong Ming's arm swung violently, the clear ring of a sword suddenly echoed.
Accompanying the sword's ring was a flash of cold, swift light.
...