Chapter 117 - 115: Experience Pack
Song Changming pondered for a moment, noticing that Liu Dingsheng seemed interested, and without hesitation, he unleashed his saber once more.
This time, he held nothing back, seamlessly switching between the Flying Swallow Technique and the Soul-breaking Saber, the blade winds changing incessantly, giving it his all!
Gradually, this forced Liu Dingsheng to draw on his higher Body Refining Realm’s power to suppress Song Changming.
On one side of the courtyard, two figures in white quietly watched the duel between the old and the young, having arrived unnoticed.
Liu Yan’Er’s gaze was flowing, paying more attention to Song Changming.
"Xue Yu, how does this Song Guard Captain’s skill and strength compare to the senior brothers in our Wangyue Pavilion?"
"The Song Guard Captain’s sword skill is exceptionally brilliant, but it’s a pity that his body refining skills are still lacking. Overall, among the young disciples of our Wangyue Pavilion, I’m afraid he wouldn’t make it into the top ten," Shen Xueyu commented, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
She then added another point.
"If he had the same body refining cultivation, with the Song Guard Captain’s sword skill, he might very well be among the top in the pavilion’s young disciples!
That’s already very impressive, among the younger generation, I’ve never seen anyone with such remarkable sword skill before..."
Liu Yan’Er nodded, saying nothing, her gaze still fixed on Song Changming, somewhat lost in thought.
A moment later, as Liu Dingsheng intentionally maintained the pace, the two exchanged over a hundred rounds.
Afterward, Liu Dingsheng flicked his saber again to knock Song Changming back, nodding, "That’s enough."
Upon hearing this, Song Changming immediately stopped.
By this time, he was already out of breath, drenched in sweat.
It must be said, dueling with a strong opponent like Liu Dingsheng was indeed quite exhausting.
Being suppressed at every turn, he had to exert all his strength to ensure he didn’t lose at any moment.
There were often flashes of inspiration for extraordinary performances.
Despite the exhaustion, Song Changming felt the experience was extremely rewarding!
What seemed like an ordinary sparring session had surpassed the benefits he gained from many previous real battles!
Whether it was his flashes of brilliance while being suppressed or the exquisite saber techniques displayed by Liu Dingsheng, they all provided him with great inspiration.
"Thank you for your guidance, senior, I’ve learned a lot!" Song Changming panted and cupped his hands toward Liu Dingsheng.
In his opinion, this sparring session was enough to qualify as guidance.
In fact, not only did he think so, but this was also concretely reflected on his personal panel.
His Flying Swallow Knife Skill, after this sparring, had its experience value increased by over a hundred points, now very close to the final Perfection Realm.
Besides that, his Light Body Skill martial arts experience value also increased by more than fifty points at once.
This was much faster than the one or two points he painstakingly gained from practicing at home.
If Liu Dingsheng hadn’t called a stop, he wouldn’t have wanted to stop.
"This can’t really be considered guidance, just a small bit of help," Liu Dingsheng shook his head, then went on to detail Song Changming’s current learning.
"A set of superior blade skills similar to the Ghost Blade Faction, already perfect, plus a top-notch fast blade, and a top-notch light body skill, all having reached great perfection!
With attack and defense balanced, and advance and retreat at ease, your martial arts skills are already very complete, flawless, even far exceeding your current Body Refining Realm.
In other words, your true strength is limited by your Body Refining Realm, unable to fully unleash all you’ve learned; it’s somewhat unfortunate..."
Song Changming heard this and thought, truly an expert.
In just one sparring session, Song Changming almost had even the color of his underwear seen through.
And with just a few words, his current shortcomings were pointed out.
"Senior, is there a way to speed up my body refining progress?" Song Changming couldn’t help but ask.
Liu Dingsheng flicked his hand, the long saber accurately landing back on the weapon rack not far away.
"There certainly is, it’s just a matter of finding some heavenly and earthly treasures to consume. The rarer and more precious they are, the more significant the nourishment to your body."
Upon hearing this, Song Changming sighed inwardly.
Those superior top-grade martial arts medicinal materials indeed had great use for his body refining but were just too rare.
He either couldn’t find them, or even if he did, he often couldn’t afford them due to lack of money and silver.
"Moreover, I observed you seem to be practicing other body refining skills?" Liu Dingsheng suddenly frowned slightly and mentioned.
"Yes," Song Changming had nothing to hide, nodding directly in acknowledgment.
"Senior, do you think this is hindering my cultivation progress?"
"Practicing multiple body refining skills is inevitably slower than specializing in one path; this is a certainty," Liu Dingsheng nodded and said.
Then he shifted the topic.
"However, this path isn’t a wrong one. I have observed that those who stand at the pinnacle of the Martial Tao, those truly powerful figures seated above the clouds, all have achieved Martial Arts Great Perfection, with bodies that are perfect and flawless.
They all walked this path, proving that it is the path of ultimate strength!
Everyone understands this point; the Four Realms Great Perfection will ultimately be stronger than those who specialize in one path. Yet, there are very few who can truly achieve Martial Arts Great Perfection.
Talent, opportunity, and luck are all indispensable. If you do not wish to waste your life, while you are still young, carefully plan, and consider changing your mindset, it’s not too late."
Liu Dingsheng’s words were mainly a reminder and warning.
In fact, Zhuang Ren had also mentioned this matter to Song Changming several times.
The pros and cons of practicing multiple body refining skills, Song Changming himself was well aware.
If he didn’t have the panel to grind Experience Value, if he didn’t have immortality, without these extraordinary advantages, he certainly wouldn’t be overly ambitious and cling to this so-called perfect and flawless state.
And these unique advantages he possesses are unknown to others.
With endless years ahead, he can freely experiment and err on the Martial Tao path without worrying too much.
"Thank you for the advice, senior," Song Changming nodded and said.
Liu Dingsheng noticed Song Changming’s unwavering expression and couldn’t help but chuckle.
He looked at Song Changming with a bit more unique appreciation in his eyes.
Whether it’s youthful arrogance or high self-regard,
every young prodigy’s rise begins this way. Their hearts need to be stronger and more robust than their peers, rarely swayed by the outside world, always clearly knowing what they want.
Those who hesitate and are indecisive are destined not to reach the pinnacle!
Based on Song Changming’s current performance, in Liu Dingsheng’s view, he is likely to reach that highest realm of the Martial Tao which he himself couldn’t attain!
Afterward, Song Changming asked, and Liu Dingsheng answered.
They discussed matters related to the Martial Tao for a long time, until the sun set and evening arrived, only then did they conclude.
Liu Dingsheng glanced at the sky and said, "It’s getting late, let’s stop here for today. If you want to find me in the future, feel free to come anytime."
He originally intended to patiently guide Song Changming once, as a repayment for a previous favor.
But after today, he changed his mind.
Song Changming is undoubtedly promising—a high-quality jade somewhat carved but not finely so. Liu Dingsheng has inexplicably developed some expectations for him.
For him, having more interactions with such a young junior in the future wouldn’t hurt...
On this, Song Changming was naturally pleased. He had gained a lot from Liu Dingsheng today.
Zhuang Ren was right, Liu Dingsheng’s martial arts experience was indeed like a treasure trove, where a few words could enlighten Song Changming, benefiting him greatly.
Besides, Liu Dingsheng for Song Changming was like a walking human-shaped experience pack.
Sparring with the purpose of guidance genuinely increased Song Changming’s Martial Arts Experience Value, which was an unexpected delight.
Previously, Song Changming practiced martial arts alone without a sect or faction and had never been guided by anyone.
Therefore, it was his first time experiencing the benefits of being guided.
In the courtyard.
"Why is Yan’Er still there? Could it be she has taken a liking to that boy?" Liu Dingsheng looked at his granddaughter and joked.
"Grandpa, what are you saying?" Liu Yan’Er approached, her tone with a touch of coquettishness, yet without the usual shy embarrassment of a young girl.
"What’s wrong with that? If you like him, you like him. That boy is still unmarried, has potential and skills, his looks aren’t much different from when your grandpa was young.
The only thing lacking is a background, but that’s no big deal. As long as he maintains this spirit and drive, he will surely become renowned in the future, becoming someone of significance. Grandpa’s judgment won’t be wrong," Liu Dingsheng laughed heartily.
Liu Yan’Er did not argue any further, instead asked, "If Grandpa sees such promise in him, why not take him as a disciple?"
Upon hearing this, Liu Dingsheng shook his head and said, "I’ve never taken a disciple in my life, and there’s no need in my later years. However, if that boy truly suits my taste, I wouldn’t mind teaching him some skills in the future."
Hearing this, Liu Yan’Er no longer discussed the departed Song Changming, she only said,
"Grandpa, Wangyue Pavilion has sent a message asking all the disciples to return as soon as possible. I came today to say goodbye."
"Yes, go ahead," Liu Dingsheng nodded and said, "Recently, there have been some rumors from the Imperial Capital. I’m afraid it won’t be peaceful in this world anymore. It’s good that you’re leaving early. Wangyue Pavilion is a Hidden Sect; it might be able to avoid this great turmoil."
"Alright, take care, Grandpa."
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