Chapter 24: Major Success
In the warm afternoon light, Xiang Yu moved with practiced efficiency through the pavilion’s kitchen, preparing the midday meal with methodical precision. The familiar ritual had become a cornerstone of his daily routine, offering a brief respite from his relentless training regimen. The aromas of simmering broth and fresh herbs filled the space, creating an inviting atmosphere that soon drew his junior sister to the dining area.
Li Yao arrived with her usual punctuality but displayed none of her typical exuberance. She ate with uncharacteristic haste, her attention seemingly focused on matters beyond the present moment. Though her behavior struck Xiang Yu as peculiar, he refrained from prying. Whatever occupied her thoughts was her business—questioning would only risk entangling him in potential complications he desperately wished to avoid. After finishing her meal with remarkable speed, she departed without lingering, leaving behind a silence laden with unspoken curiosity.
Elder Guo, who had observed the girl’s unusual demeanor with equal interest, likewise chose discretion over inquiry. Instead, he turned his attention to Xiang Yu, producing a carefully wrapped bundle from within his robes.
"Here, this is for you," the elder announced, extending the package with casual dignity.
Xiang Yu accepted the offering with appropriate reverence, his fingers carefully unwrapping the protective cloth to reveal a sword nestled within. Xiang Yu’s eyes widened. A sword—not a practice weapon of wood or dulled metal, but a genuine blade. Though only classified as a low-level magical treasure in the grand hierarchy of weapons, the significance wasn’t lost on him. In a world where equipment was ranked meticulously—Common, Magical, Spiritual, Divine, Heavenly, and Immortal, each further subdivided into low, mid, and high tiers—even this modest blade represented substantial progress. Besides, he wasn’t going to use it to fight so it didn’t matter.
He tested the sword’s weight and balance, executing experimental swings that cut through the air with satisfying whispers. The weapon felt natural in his grip, neither too heavy nor too light, responding to his movements with intuitive harmony. Whether this comfort stemmed from the sword’s superior craftsmanship or his growing familiarity with sword techniques remained unclear—but ultimately irrelevant. What mattered was the undeniable improvement over his previous training sword.
With brief but sincere thanks to his master, Xiang Yu returned to his practice ground, eager to continue his advancement with this newly acquired asset. The afternoon passed in a blur of focused repetition, each movement honed through countless iterations as the sun traced its arc across the azure sky.
Evening brought another shared meal, during which Li Yao maintained her unusual reticence. Though Xiang Yu noticed her continued preoccupation, he deliberately avoided dwelling on potential causes. Whatever had captured her attention represented precisely the kind of protagonist-centered drama he strived to avoid. Better to focus on controllable variables—like his own cultivation progress—than speculate about matters beyond his influence.
After dinner concluded, he returned to his solitary practice, his new sword cutting through the darkness with precise arcs that gradually refined with each repetition. The night deepened around him, stars wheeling overhead as he maintained his relentless pace until the familiar blue screen materialized before his eyes:
[Calculating Settlement]
[Calculation Complete]
[Mountain Heart Scripture: 2nd Layer (32/200) (+10/200)]
[Basic Knife Technique: Intermediate (200/300)]
[Basic Sword Technique: Beginner (50/100) (+50/100)]
[Experience Points Doubled]
[Basic Sword Technique: Beginner (50/100) → Minor Success (0/200)]
[Basic Knife Technique: Intermediate (200/300) → Major Success (0/400)]
[Mountain Heart Scripture: 2nd Layer (32/200) → 2nd Layer (64/200)]
[Next Settlement: 23:59:59]
Xiang Yu studied the notification with undisguised wonder. Fifty points accumulated in his sword technique after just one day of practice? The progress defied conventional expectations, though logical explanations existed. His extended practice session—stretching from midnight to midnight—certainly contributed, but the primary factor likely stemmed from technique transference. His intermediate mastery of knife techniques had created foundational understanding that transferred naturally to the similar discipline of swordsmanship.
This revelation opened intriguing possibilities. Similar techniques might advance with comparable efficiency, creating potential pathways for accelerated growth. However, what truly captured his attention was his knife technique’s advancement to Major Success—a milestone few cultivators achieved, at least not in such a short time.
For a brief, indulgent moment, pride flickered through him—he didn’t believe that people at the second layer of Body Refining possessed a technique at Major Success mastery. This meant that he was practically invincible in the same realm.
The thought brought a brief smile before his disciplined mind tempered the satisfaction. What value was there in being invincible in the same realm when he had no intention of testing it? Besides, his goal wasn’t invincibility within the same realm, but rather invincibility in the entire world.
With this sobering perspective, Xiang Yu adjusted his mindset, reinforcing his fundamental principles before finally permitting himself rest. As sleep claimed him, his thoughts already reached toward tomorrow’s training and the incremental advances it would bring.
...
The dawn light painted the mountain in soft hues as Xiang Yu emerged from his humble dwelling, his movements practiced and purposeful. The familiar path to the secluded river beckoned, offering its daily ritual of purification before training. The cold water embraced him with bracing clarity, washing away lingering fatigue and preparing both body and mind for the challenges ahead.
As rivulets traced paths down his increasingly defined physique, Xiang Yu noted subtle changes in his form. Muscles once soft had gained density and definition, while movements that had required conscious effort now flowed with natural precision. The transformation, though gradual, spoke to his relentless dedication—physical evidence of his advancement along the cultivation path.
Refreshed and focused, he made his way to the training ground, the morning dew still clinging to grass beneath his feet. Rather than immediately beginning his practice, however, he paused to summon his status screen, examining his current progress:
[Name: Xiang Yu]
[Realm: Body Refining 2nd Layer]
[Species: Human]
[Spiritual Root: null]
[Techniques: Basic Knife Technique: Major Success (0/400); Basic Sword Technique: Minor Success (0/200)]
[Scriptures: Mountain Heart Scripture: 2nd Layer (74/200)]
[System Function: Double Exp (Cooldown: 24hrs)]
Satisfaction flickered briefly across his features as he noted his Mountain Heart Scripture’s steady advancement. At this rate, he would likely break through to the third layer after just two more daily resets—an impressive pace by any standard. Next, he evaluated his techniques, both currently showing zero experience points following their recent advancements.
This presented a tactical dilemma. With limited hours available for training and two techniques demanding attention, which deserved priority? The knife technique had reached Major Success—a significant milestone representing mastery that few cultivators achieved. Conversely, his sword technique remained at Minor Success, offering potentially easier advancement but less refined capability.
Xiang Yu’s brow furrowed as he contemplated his options, weighing relative benefits. After thorough consideration, inspiration struck: why not do both? Nothing mandated exclusive focus on a single technique each day.
A strategy materialized in his mind. He would begin with knife practice during morning and afternoon sessions, when his energy remained at peak levels. The technique’s Major Success status demanded greater concentration and precision, making fresh focus essential for meaningful progress. Following the evening meal, he would transition to sword practice, applying insights gleaned from the more advanced knife technique to accelerate his sword mastery.
Decision made, Xiang Yu retrieved his knife with purposeful movements, settling into his stance with practiced ease. The blade cut through morning air with fluid precision, each movement flowing naturally into the next with harmony that belied the discipline’s difficulty.
From his private chambers, Elder Guo observed his disciple with growing bewilderment. When he noticed Xiang Yu practicing with his knife again instead of the sword, he initially wondered if the boy was struggling with the new weapon. But as he watched more closely, his confusion transformed into shock.
"What? How can this be?" he muttered, leaning forward for a better view. The disciple’s movements told an impossible story.
"There is no way, right?" he thought, unable to trust his own eyes. Yet the evidence was undeniable—the precision, the fluidity, the perfect execution—Xiang Yu was demonstrating knife technique at the Major Success level.
The elder couldn’t comprehend how his supposedly talentless disciple had advanced so rapidly. He had expected such progress to take a month or two, if not longer. Was the boy secretly a genius after all?
Elder Guo stroked his beard thoughtfully. First his female disciple concealing her true abilities, and now this. Both his disciples were clearly hiding extraordinary secrets. But as their master, his role wasn’t to forcefully uncover their mysteries—only to guide them when needed and observe their development.