Golden Saber Institute, Martial Arts Training Ground.
Upon hearing that their senior brother was going to spar with a young expert who came visiting, almost all the disciples of the Golden Saber Institute gathered.
The crowd instinctively stood at a distance, whispering among themselves.
"Is that the guy who’s going to spar with Senior Brother Wang? He looks so young," someone exclaimed.
"He looks decent enough, but he’s probably just an embroidered pillow, nice to look at but useless," someone scoffed.
However, some took this match very seriously.
Yu Dao stood upstairs, gazing at the distant Martial Arts Training Ground, then chuckled lightly and said, "Old Yan, do you think Tiancheng can beat this Zhao Ya?"
Yan Ruize barely hesitated, "Do you even need to ask? Tiancheng’s blade technique now is no worse than ours. I reckon besides the Dean, there are few elders in the Golden Saber Institute who could be his match. While this Zhao Ya has some skills, he definitely won’t be a match for Tiancheng."
"I don’t think this Zhao Ya will be defeated so easily," Yu Dao said.
Both were elders of the Golden Saber Institute. Upon hearing someone visit to challenge Wang Tiancheng, they both dropped what they were doing to join the spectacle.
"Why?" Yan Ruize was a bit surprised.
He knew Yu Dao wouldn’t speak without reason.
"Tiancheng mentioned Zhao Ya to me before. In his words, this youth’s talent in blade technique and the Martial Dao is extremely rare. In a poor and remote place like Yunxiao County, he could advance to the half-step Fifth Realm on his own. It shows how strong his potential is," Yu Dao said in a deep voice.
"So what? No matter how impressive, it’s just a half-step Fifth Realm. Tiancheng reached the Fifth Realm two years ago. The gap is immeasurable. I still think Zhao Ya stands no chance and will be defeated in at most twenty or thirty moves." Yan Ruize said confidently.
"If you don’t believe me, we can make a bet. The loser..."
"Shh, stop talking. It’s starting!" Yu Dao suddenly said.
Yan Ruize quickly raised his eyes to look.
Meanwhile, in the Martial Arts Training Ground, Zhao Ya and Wang Tiancheng stood facing each other.
Wang Tiancheng held a long blade, horizontal to his chest, and said softly, "This blade is called the Quenching Shadow Saber, a famous blade inherited by the Golden Saber Institute for decades. I was only granted it after entering the Fourth Realm. It has been with me for seven to eight years now."
"The Meteorite Iron Saber has no background or fame. It’s only because I’ve used it for a long time that it feels comfortable," Zhao Ya said.
Wang Tiancheng smiled, "That’s a good way to put it—just comfortable. You must know that the essence of blade technique is those four words: comfortable and attuned to the heart."
With that, Wang Tiancheng’s expression became serious, "Our Golden Saber Institute has three major blade techniques, twenty-one blade moves, with countless others yet to be organized. What I practice is the Sky-Breaking Saber technique."
"The Sky-Breaking Saber specializes in targeting the gaps in an opponent’s moves, breaking them with precision, hence the name. So, Junior Brother Zhao, be careful later."
"What I train in is the Gale Saber Technique. It’s not famous; it’s just fast!"
Introducing one’s weapon and cultivation technique before a sparring match is a sign of respect for the opponent. This tradition has a long history but is seldom observed nowadays.
However, Zhao Ya always felt this etiquette stemmed purely from sparring in a martial context. In a real battle, who stupidly announces themselves?
If they had that luxury of time, they would have already defeated the opponent.
But since Wang Tiancheng had done it, Zhao Ya had no choice but to follow suit patiently.
At this moment, Wang Tiancheng finally nodded and pointed the saber tip at Zhao Ya, "Junior Brother Zhao, make your move!"
"Excuse me!"
Zhao Ya had long been itching to go. Upon hearing Wang Tiancheng say this, he didn’t hesitate. With a flash, he charged forward, cutting down with his saber mid-air.
At this point, Zhao Ya’s blade technique had reached a level of mastery where thoughts and actions were united.
This strike encapsulated all of Zhao Ya’s understanding of the Gale Saber Technique. As soon as the saber was unleashed, Wang Tiancheng’s eyes lit up.
"Good saber technique!"
Back in Yunxiao County, Wang Tiancheng had seen Zhao Ya use the Gale Saber Technique. However, back then, Zhao Ya’s understanding of the blade was comparatively juvenile, far from the maturity it reached now.
While giving praise, Wang Tiancheng’s reaction was also quick.
He slanted his Quenching Shadow Saber to meet Zhao Ya’s Meteorite Iron Saber with impeccable timing.
Clang.
A clear, metallic clang sounded, and Zhao Ya felt his Meteorite Iron Saber jolt so violently that it almost flew from his hand.
No wonder he’s the top at the Golden Saber Institute.
The depth of skill in this Sky-Breaking Saber is truly justified.
The seemingly simple strike by Wang Tiancheng was actually quite intricate.
He struck precisely at the weakest point of Zhao Ya’s attack, causing such an effect.
This might sound easy, but it’s quite difficult in practice.
Especially since it happened within a fleeting moment, it shows Wang Tiancheng’s blade technique has reached a terrifying level.
However, Zhao Ya, though startled, didn’t panic. He swung his saber to the side and once again struck at Wang Tiancheng like a gentle breeze.
These saber moves seemed gentle and weak, but Wang Tiancheng dared not relax in the slightest.
Because only within the heat of battle can one truly understand how terrifying these seemingly gentle saber lights are.
Clang, clang, clang!
In continuous clanging sounds like blacksmithing, Zhao Ya and Wang Tiancheng exchanged over a dozen moves.
Suddenly.
The two separated, standing still.
Wang Tiancheng’s Quenching Shadow Saber still pointed slantwise at Zhao Ya, as he smiled and said, "Junior Brother Zhao, if your Gale Saber Technique is only this, then you’ve lost."
Wang Tiancheng wasn’t just boasting.
In their last dozen exchanges, Wang Tiancheng’s every strike hit the weakest points of Zhao Ya’s defense, easily breaking his moves.
Zhao Ya smiled at these words, "Such a good Sky-Breaking Saber, truly extraordinary. But that was just a probe. Next, I ask Senior Brother Wang to be cautious!"
As he finished speaking, a burst of saber light exploded from Zhao Ya’s hand and charged at Wang Tiancheng like a storm.
The disciples watching around the Martial Arts Training Ground, limited by their strength, couldn’t comprehend the power of this move.
But from afar, Yu Dao and Yan Ruize, observing from the building, their expressions changed simultaneously.
"Such powerful saber technique!" Yan Ruize exclaimed in admiration.
"I know this Gale Saber Technique, it’s merely a technique used by Jianghu escorts for self-defense, not anything profound in martial arts. Yet, this young man has practiced it to such a degree; it seems what Tiancheng said wasn’t an exaggeration!" Yu Dao was deeply moved as well.
Just now, he thought Zhao Ya was about to lose, feeling a bit disappointed in his heart.
Because the dozen or so moves Zhao Ya had executed earlier were indeed impressive, but not particularly outstanding.
If that were all, a defeat would be inevitable.
But unexpectedly, Zhao Ya gave him a pleasant surprise right afterward.
Facing the incoming saber lights from all directions, Wang Tiancheng’s expression became serious, not daring to show any negligence.
In his hands, the Quenching Shadow Saber also transformed into layers of saber shadows, meeting Zhao Ya’s incoming moves.
This time, there was no sound of metal clashing; instead, a sharp friction sound from saber blades slashing against each other was heard.
Most people’s eyes could no longer follow the changes in saber moves.
In their eyes, it was as if the sabers in Zhao Ya and Wang Tiancheng’s hands didn’t exist; only the occasional spark proved the two were still exchanging saber moves.
Suddenly.
The moves ceased and the sabers halted.
Zhao Ya and Wang Tiancheng stood facing each other, their sabers pointing forward, with blade tips touching as if fused together.
The two exchanged a glance, then suddenly smiled and simultaneously withdrew their sabers.
"Excellent saber technique!" Zhao Ya sincerely praised.
"I should be the one saying that; after all, you’ve come this far relying solely on an ordinary saber technique. In comparison, my talent is far inferior to yours," Wang Tiancheng acknowledged humbly.
He was well aware if Zhao Ya weren’t slightly inferior in saber moves, he would likely have been defeated.
Even so, he only managed to tie with Zhao Ya.
This couldn’t help but make him sigh in admiration.
Upon hearing him say this, the disciples of the Golden Saber Institute watching exclaimed in astonishment.
"Heavens, did I see it wrong? Did Senior Brother Wang lose?"
"No, it was probably a draw."
"Hiss, is Zhao Ya really that formidable? Who exactly is he?"
Amidst the discussion, a burst of laughter was heard from afar, then Yu Dao and Yan Ruize were seen flying over together.
After landing on the scene, the disciples of the Golden Saber Institute hurriedly paid their respects.
"Greetings to the two elders!"
Yet they didn’t spare a glance at these people, heading straight to Zhao Ya and Wang Tiancheng.
Wang Tiancheng cupped his hands in salute.
"Master Yu, Uncle Yan!"
Since Wang Tiancheng was a disciple of the current dean of the Golden Saber Institute, he addressed Yu Dao and Yan Ruize as masters.
Seeing this, Zhao Ya realized the corpulent and thin middle-aged men must be the elders of the Golden Saber Institute, so he also cupped his hands in respect.
The two nodded, then Yu Dao smiled and said, "We witnessed the battle just now from upstairs, and I must say, you young ones are much more formidable than we were back in the day; it was truly a splendid fight."
"Indeed, Tiancheng, your saber technique has improved considerably, and this Young Brother Zhao is also a prodigious talent, truly awe-inspiring," Yan Ruize exclaimed repeatedly.
"The two of you are too kind!" Zhao Ya said.
"Hahaha, we are all practitioners of martial arts, good is good, and not good is not good. There’s no need to be modest about it, come, let’s chat indoors!" Yu Dao chuckled.
This time they went to the Golden Saber Institute’s reception room, specifically used to entertain elders and high-level guests.
Saying nothing of the tea and snacks, there was even dried meat that replenished Qi and blood.
Zhao Ya did not hold back, picking up a piece and putting it in his mouth, finding it no less delicious than Black Flood Dragon Dried Meat.
This single piece of dried meat was valued at least one hundred taels of gold, showcasing the profound resources of the Golden Saber Institute.
After exchanging high-sounding remarks, Yu Dao asked, "Young Brother Zhao, just now Tiancheng told me you came here because your saber technique has reached a bottleneck, so you wished to observe our Golden Saber Institute’s techniques to learn from them and make a breakthrough?"
Zhao Ya nodded, "That is indeed the case!"
He quickly added, "However, do not misunderstand, I merely wish to hone myself through friendly duels, and have no intention of coveting your institute’s saber techniques."
In Jianghu, coveting other sects’ martial arts is taboo.
Zhao Ya understood this well.
Unexpectedly, after hearing Zhao Ya’s words, Yu Dao and Yan Ruize exchanged glances and then laughed.
"Young Brother Zhao, you’re too modest. Our Golden Saber Institute isn’t that petty."
"If you are willing, you can visit our Library, where we have various saber techniques collected that should be of help to you."
Hearing this, Zhao Ya was taken aback.
He never expected the elders of the Golden Saber Institute to say such a thing.
This was an enormous gesture of goodwill.
Generally speaking, for most sects, unless you’re a core disciple, you’re absolutely not allowed to enter the Library, such a crucial place.
Yet, as an outsider, he was granted permission to enter and observe, which was an incredible honor.
"That’s truly too generous of you!" Zhao Ya expressed sincere gratitude.
Yu Dao waved his hand, "Don’t be quick to thank us; we have conditions."
"Of course, as long as it’s within my ability, just ask!"
Zhao Ya certainly didn’t expect them to let him access their Library without reason, so he wasn’t surprised to hear there were conditions.
"Actually, the condition isn’t difficult, and for you, it’s quite simple. All you need to do is write down your insights into the Gale Saber Technique and leave them with our Golden Saber Institute, and the Library will always be open to you!"