Chapter 8: The Fourth of Yan Hui's Three Blades (Third Update)

Chapter 8: The Fourth Blade of the Swallow’s Return (Third Update)

Xiao Jie relayed exactly what Ning Xuan had said to Zhang Erquan, without adding or omitting a single word. She did so without any emotion, using the most formulaic attitude and the most respectful tone possible.

Zhang Erquan was not surprised in the slightest. He simply nodded and said, "Understood."

The young master, after all, was someone who would "fish for three days and dry his nets for two." Today just happened to be the third day.

He had originally wondered if the young master had been stimulated by something, otherwise why would he have persisted for so long? It turned out he had overthought it; the young master was still the same young master.

***

Afternoon.

Beneath the waterfall in the valley on the side of the Ning family estate.

Boom!

Boom!

Boom!

The "monster," standing a zhang tall, drove the trunks of nine large trees deep into the shallow pool below, then leaped up, chanting under its breath.

"Knees slightly bent like a swallow on a branch, center of gravity flowing with the blade's momentum.

Form condensed like a mountain, spirit soaring far, intent like a light feather skimming the water."

The "monster" chanted, then grabbed a similarly massive long-handled blade.

This type of blade, with a blade and handle of similar length totaling about one zhang, was called a "Beast-Slaying Blade." It was similar to the *mo dao* or horse-chopping swords from before Ning Xuan had transmigrated.

Since he knew he might be practicing outside, Ning Xuan naturally wouldn't wait until the last minute to prepare.

He had prepared long ago.

The Ning estate had many hidden cellars in the surrounding area, stocked with easily preserved dried meat and fresh water. As the young master, he naturally knew of a few of these locations.

Therefore, he had found an opportunity a few days ago to place the weapons suitable for him in one of these cellars.

At this moment, Ning Xuan was already gripping the Beast-Slaying Blade, running back and forth on the tree stumps beneath the waterfall, taking three steps forward and three steps back.

The cascading waterfall fell like ten thousand horses plunging off a cliff; the impact was immense, no less slippery than tung oil.

However, his current physique was a full 3.7, which had elevated his reflexes, constitution, and speed to an incredible degree, surpassing that of a normal human.

He had been cautious at first, but as he practiced, he discovered that with this physique, cultivating the "Swallow’s Return Secret Steps" was extremely simple!

Soon, he was moving as if flying, like a ferocious beast darting beneath the waterfall. The bulging muscles and skin thicker than a rhinoceros gave his figure a terrifying aura.

After practicing for a while, he suddenly stomped on a tree stump and leaped down into the pool, the splash shattering and spraying in all directions.

He lifted a giant rock from the water, strapped it to his back with a rope net to replace a sandbag, then leaped back onto the stumps to continue his training.

He practiced for the entire afternoon.

At dusk, Ning Xuan’s massive body lay flat on the ground beside the waterfall.

He deactivated the Heavenly Demon Record.

His figure immediately shrank by two sizes.

However, the results of his training remained.

Through this bizarre method, he allowed his body to endure training it otherwise could never have withstood, while simultaneously enjoying the benefits that came with it.

Perhaps for the Ning Xuan with a 3.7 physique, this training wasn't much and only brought a tiny bit of progress, but for a Ning Xuan with a 1.0 physique, this tiny bit of progress was enough to make him advance by leaps and bounds.

He glanced at the panel.

【Life (Physique): 1.1】

【Mountain-Crashing Bear】 (Provides an additional 2.65 to Life attribute when summoned)

After only half a day of training, his physique had actually increased by 0.1.

However, the bonus provided by the 【Mountain-Crashing Bear】 had dropped from "2.7" to "2.65."

He pondered the values before and after, and immediately found the answer.

The bonuses from the "Heavenly Demon Record" were divided into two tiers.

For the portion within his own physique, the bonus was halved; only the portion exceeding his physique was added directly.

Assuming his base physique reached 3.2, the same as the Mountain-Crashing Bear, the strength the bear could provide him would become 1.6.

And assuming his base physique exceeded 3.2, perhaps the strength the bear could provide would decrease even further.

In other words, demons weaker than him could not provide much of a bonus.

***

Night fell.

In the room, the candle was blown out, followed immediately by Xiao Jie’s giggling.

"Young Master, don't..."

A long time passed.

The laughter changed, taking on a note of surprise.

Then, the surprise turned into pleading.

"Young Master! No more, really, no more! I beg you!"

A long time, and then even longer.

Xiao Jie’s sobbing voice drifted out.

Ning Xuan, however, felt quite calm.

Although it was only a "0.1" increase, it made him feel full of vitality, giving his body an itchy sensation that had to be vented, otherwise, it would be hard to sleep.

Just now, he had added a bit more to Xiao Jie’s daily workload.

Though it was difficult for Xiao Jie, she had completed it, only now she was crying from exhaustion.

"Starting tomorrow, you'll receive ten extra taels a month," Ning Xuan said.

Xiao Jie sniffled and said, "In Young Master's eyes, am I that greedy for money?"

"Then how much do you want to add?" Ning Xuan asked.

Xiao Jie went quiet.

She wanted a promotion; she wanted to be a concubine!

"Hmph!"

She snorted angrily, turned her body away, and faced away from Ning Xuan, saying, "Not a single cent!"

Ning Xuan asked in surprise, "Really, no increase?"

Xiao Jie’s heart was bleeding, but she gritted her teeth and said, "Young Master, you know me; I don't like money."

"Go to sleep first," Ning Xuan said. "I have to go out to 'gather inspiration' tomorrow."

A long time passed.

The air remained quiet.

Just as Ning Xuan was about to fall asleep, Xiao Jie’s voice suddenly came from beside his ear.

"Young Master, really no increase?"

"Ten extra taels a month," Ning Xuan replied.

Xiao Jie bargained, "Fifteen taels. Once I've saved enough money, I'm going far away!"

"Fifteen taels it is. You'll be going far away soon anyway, so the Ning family can afford that much," Ning Xuan yawned and said, "Sleep."

***

Several days passed.

Ning Xuan continued his secret training as usual.

In the spring, there were actually many venomous snakes and wild beasts.

But ever since this mountain-like "monster" arrived at the waterfall, the surrounding wild beasts and venomous insects had quietly "moved out."

Animals possessed a sense of territory; if an enemy invaded, they would attack, but if that enemy radiated an aura that was completely insurmountable, they would "move house."

Ning Xuan felt his progress slowing down, eventually settling at 【Life (Physique): 1.4】.

The attribute provided by the 【Mountain-Crashing Bear】 had also dropped from the initial "2.7" to "2.5," which further confirmed his previous hypothesis.

As for the strongest killing move of the "Swallow Chasing Wind Blade" that Zhang Erquan had mentioned—the Swallow’s Return Three Blades—he had completely mastered it.

No!

It couldn't be called mastery.

Because he had also realized a fourth blade.

This blade could only be used when he summoned the Heavenly Demon Record.

【Innate Demon Art: Bear-Crushing Mountain: Its speed is like the wind; the faster it is, the more ferocious the momentum. A single collision can shatter a person's physique.】

Under the Swallow’s Return Secret Steps, his speed would instantly increase significantly.

This meant that at any moment, he could use his blade to execute "Bear-Crushing Mountain."

And this was his fourth blade.

Combining lightness, speed, and terrifying power.

He named it

Flying Swallow Crushing Mountain.

***

Note: Many thanks to book friend "Ling Yu Mo_Tian Hua" for the 10,000 Qidian coin tip. I feel encouraged, thank you!

(End of chapter)