novelraw Chapter 107
Chapter 107
At Song Minshu’s suggestion, Su Wangchuan not only cultivated 《Basic Saber Technique》, but also took the opportunity to obtain 《Gale Saber Art》 and 《Crocodile-Mouth Saber Art》 from the Martial Vault.
Song Minshu’s reasoning was simple:
Although Su Wangchuan had already cultivated 《Wind-Splitting Sword Art》, and cultivating 《Gale Saber Art》 might seem redundant, different martial arts often shared underlying principles. Perhaps there would be techniques worth borrowing from. If he trained long enough, he might even achieve a breakthrough.
In any case, with their status, taking manuals from the Martial Vault cost them nothing.
Su Wangchuan followed his advice and opened three martial arts.
Combat Skill 《Basic Saber Technique》 — Entry Level;
First-Rank Martial Art 《Gale Saber Art》 — Entry Level;
Second-Rank Martial Art 《Crocodile-Mouth Saber Art》 — Entry Level.
Song Minshu personally instructed him in the cultivation methods.
Saber techniques, in truth, were similar to sword techniques, but felt more natural and forceful.Besides carving three-inch gashes into wooden stakes through downward chops, one could also achieve the same effect through lifting cuts, thrusts, and stabs.
In fact, 《Gale Saber Art》 was easier to train than 《Wind-Splitting Sword Art》.
Using the same methods he had applied to sword training, Su Wangchuan raised both techniques to Practice Makes Perfect within just two days.
However—
《Basic Saber Technique》 and 《Gale Saber Art》 belonged to the same category as their sword counterparts. Even after reaching Practice Makes Perfect, they granted no attribute bonuses whatsoever.
Still, Su Wangchuan did not consider the time wasted.
At the very least—
His sense of the saber had formed;
His muscle memory had deepened;
And he had gained a solid understanding of saber techniques.
With that foundation, cultivating 《Crocodile-Mouth Saber Art》 became far smoother.
Yet Second-Rank martial arts differed from First-Rank ones.
Second-Rank arts emphasized structured forms and internal breath control. Through regulated breathing and precise force mobilization, they unleashed far greater destructive power.
Su Wangchuan stood before a wooden stake, saber in hand.
Following the breathing method of 《Crocodile-Mouth Saber Art》, he adjusted his stance, circulated his breath, stepped off-line, and raised the blade.
A dull, heavy shockwave tore through the air—like the sudden snapping jaws of a crocodile.
The saber slammed into the stake.
The strength of a First-Rank Martial Artist combined with a Second-Rank martial art erupted in terrifying force. An ordinary saber bit nearly four inches deep into the stake.
Su Wangchuan’s eyes widened.
The stake was six to seven inches thick. The deeper the blade penetrated, the greater the resistance. Even his Practice Makes Perfect 《Gale Saber Art》 could not easily achieve such depth.
And this was only Entry-Level 《Crocodile-Mouth Saber Art》.
He quickly opened the details of both martial arts.
Gale Saber Art — Practice Makes Perfect:
Current Realm: Delivers close-range impact damage. On hit, grants +7 Attack. Upon striking an enemy, has a certain probability of rapidly unleashing a second strike. High chance to inflict Bleeding. When striking a vital point, deals triple-depth damage. Attack +21. Bleeding effects can stack.
Next Realm: Entry-Level Mastery.
Next Realm Effect: Delivers close-range suppression. On hit, grants +9 Attack. Certain probability to unleash second and third strikes. High chance to inflict Bleeding. Triple-depth damage on vital hits. Attack +27. Bleeding effects can stack.
Then he examined 《Crocodile-Mouth Saber Art》.
Crocodile-Mouth Saber Art — Entry Level:
Current Realm: Deals close-range damage. On hit, grants +5 Attack. Certain probability to deal double-depth damage. Attack +10. Guaranteed Bleeding effect. Certain probability to cause Crippling. On striking a vital point, deals triple-depth damage, Attack +15, and triggers Wound Rending and Severe Injury.
Next Realm: Minor Mastery.
Next Realm Effect: On hit, grants +10 Attack. Certain probability for double-depth damage. Attack +20. Guaranteed Bleeding. Certain probability to cause Crippling. Triple-depth damage on vital strikes, Attack +30, and triggers Wound Rending and Severe Injury.
Su Wangchuan drew in a sharp breath.
The attributes of 《Crocodile-Mouth Saber Art》 were tyrannical.
Even at Entry Level, it guaranteed Bleeding, carried a chance to cripple, and inflicted devastating triple-depth damage to vital points with additional Wound Rending and Severe Injury effects.
No wonder Zhao Jinhu had ruled the mountains for so long without fully reaching Second Rank.
No wonder he had suppressed Hall Master He in battle.
Second-Rank saber arts were truly formidable.
“Hall Master He must have already obtained 《Crocodile-Mouth Saber Art》 as well…”
At that thought, Su Wangchuan’s competitive spirit ignited.
Again!
If four inches of penetration was not enough to raise its level, he would train until he could sever the stake outright.
He stilled his breath and entered a focused state.
Both hands gripped the saber.
Muscle memory returned.
The experience from 《Basic Saber Technique》 and 《Gale Saber Art》 surfaced piece by piece.
Grip tighter.
Increase force.
Let the blade follow through with momentum.
Keep the trajectory smooth.
Then combine it with the breathing circulation and momentum-gathering method of 《Crocodile-Mouth Saber Art》.
He slashed.
Though it appeared slow, it was in truth swift.
A hoarse tearing sound split the air.
Crack!
The stake snapped cleanly in two.
As if bitten apart by a massive crocodile.
Su Wangchuan stared in disbelief.
A stake over six inches thick had been severed in a single strike.
The motion had felt perfectly fluid.
“As expected!”
“It works!”
“That strike fully embodied the essence of 《Crocodile-Mouth Saber Art》.”
“The experience from 《Basic Saber Technique》 and 《Gale Saber Art》 can be integrated into it…”
He quickly summoned his Status Panel.
The experience of 《Crocodile-Mouth Saber Art》 had indeed advanced from 0/100 to 1/100.
“Ergou!”
“Immediately bring a batch of stakes from the storeroom to the training ground!”
At his command, Chen Ergou led several men, carrying round wooden stakes and fixing them upright in the training ground.
Once they withdrew, Su Wangchuan resumed training.
He searched for that earlier sensation.
Another vicious, ferocious slash—
Fully unleashing the edge of 《Crocodile-Mouth Saber Art》.
Stake after stake fell.
Experience ticked upward point by point.
Even when he failed to sever one in a single strike, he quickly recovered the feeling. The second strike would finish it.
An hour passed.
“Ding!”
System notification:
“《Crocodile-Mouth Saber Art》 has advanced to Minor Mastery. Reward: 1 Agility.”
“Next Realm: Practice Makes Perfect.”
A smile spread across his face.
With the advancement of 《Crocodile-Mouth Saber Art》, his understanding deepened noticeably.
The destructive power surged.
Its momentum grew more savage.
Its edge more ruthless.
The stakes fell more easily.
The cut surfaces became increasingly smooth.
When the final stake was severed—
“Ding!”
System notification:
“《Crocodile-Mouth Saber Art》 has advanced from Minor Mastery to Practice Makes Perfect. Reward: 2 Agility.”
“Next Realm: Entry-Level Mastery.”
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