Chapter 16: First Limit Martial Arts, Power Surges

Chapter 16: First Limit Martial Arts, Power Surges

[Easy Mode Activated: Perform fifty sword swings to advance the Raging Waves Blade Technique to Minor Mastery.]

After topping up his account, the Raging Waves Blade Technique unlocked Easy Mode.

However, Su Chen didn’t immediately start practicing. Instead, he focused on the Progress Panel:

[Raging Waves Blade Technique: 0 uses (5 Silver Taels/Use)]

Seeing the displayed amount, Su Chen felt reassured.

"It’s about the same cost as the Iron Thread Fist and Iron Sand Palm. No changes there. Then the next tier should be ten taels."

A quarter-hour later, the Raging Waves Blade Technique reached Minor Mastery.

Su Chen topped up again, and as expected, the next Easy Mode activation for the Raging Waves Blade Technique required ten Silver Taels.

Without hesitation, he practiced, paid, and powered through until the Raging Waves Blade Technique reached perfection.

Finally, the Progress Panel displayed:

[Raging Waves Blade Technique: 0 uses (10 Gold Taels/Use)]

"Too fast! Too easy!"

Su Chen couldn’t help but exclaim. He had to admit—the Progress Panel was incredibly effective for cultivation.

A martial arts technique like the Raging Waves Blade Technique would normally require years of practice to master.

Yet he had perfected it in just a single evening.

From a crescent blade novice, he’d become an expert overnight, his understanding of crescent blade techniques skyrocketing.

"Three Easy Mode activations cost me sixteen taels total. I still have one hundred and fifty-four left. More than enough. Time for another Gold-Fueled Enhancement!"

He muttered to himself. But this time, something strange happened—the Progress Panel didn’t respond.

Staring at the unchanging interface, confusion flickered across his face. Soon, realization struck.

"Could it be… this tier only accepts Gold Taels now? Not Silver?"

The Progress Panel displayed ten Gold Taels instead of ten Silver Taels. The more he thought about it, the more plausible this seemed.

To test his theory, Su Chen went to the Gold Exchange, converting one hundred Silver Taels into ten Gold Taels—after deducting a one-tael handling fee.

Back home, he eagerly initiated the top-up. This time, the Progress Panel reacted.

[Easy Mode Activated: Perform five hundred sword swings to advance the Raging Waves Blade Technique to Limit.]

Seeing this, a smile tugged at Su Chen’s lips. His guess had been correct.

He immediately began swinging his blade in the courtyard. Five hundred swings took roughly half the night.

As the final strike landed, Su Chen’s entire body jolted.

A profound comprehension of the Raging Waves Blade Technique surged through his mind. All eighteen forms solidified into pure instinct.

"Even Liu Tong himself probably hasn’t advanced this technique to Limit!"

After completing the full combo, drenched in sweat, Su Chen’s face radiated pure joy.

Now that he’d mastered the Raging Waves Blade Technique to its Limit, he recalled his earlier duel with Liu Tong. Comparing their skills, he quickly assessed Liu Tong’s cultivation realm.

The opponent lagged behind his current strength by several years’ worth of refinement.

And that was assuming Liu Tong had talent. Without it, the gap might be decades.

"No wonder it requires Ape’s Might as support. While the Raging Waves Blade Technique is powerful, it inflicts severe arm damage. Without prior arm conditioning, one’s limbs would collapse under repeated use."

Feeling the tearing sensation in his arms, Su Chen mused thoughtfully.

He had hoped the Progress Panel would eliminate the technique’s drawbacks. Now he realized—it only bypassed the cultivation cost during practice.

Once mastered, if Su Chen wanted to use it extensively, he’d still need to cultivate Ape’s Might.

"Good thing I still have over fifty Silver Taels left. More than enough to perfect Ape’s Might."

As he thought this, he turned to the Progress Panel. Just as he was about to activate Gold-Fueled Enhancement for Ape’s Might, his expression froze.

[...Raging Waves Blade Technique (Limit)]
[...Raging Waves Blade Technique: 0 uses (Any Complete Crescent Blade Art/Technique)]

Then his face lit up. "Could it mean… if I acquire another complete Crescent Blade Art, the Raging Waves Blade Technique can unlock Easy Mode again?"

He stood stunned. He’d assumed the technique had reached its peak at Limit.

But the Progress Panel had just delivered a massive surprise.

By acquiring another Crescent Blade Art, the Raging Waves Blade Technique could activate Easy Mode once more.

"Wait—I shouldn’t celebrate yet. It only says Easy Mode activation, not necessarily an upgrade."

Despite his words, Su Chen had already decided. He’d look for an opportunity to find a Crescent Blade Art and test this theory.

Moments later, he muttered, "Progress Panel, directly activate Easy Mode for Ape’s Might three times."

After waiting a while with no response, Su Chen chuckled bitterly. "Guess the Progress Panel isn’t that intelligent. Guess I’ll have to do this the old-fashioned way."

Cultivating Ape’s Might wasn’t difficult—just repetitive arm movements. Each stage required about the same number of repetitions as sword swings.

An hour later, Su Chen perfected Ape’s Might.

He rolled up his sleeves, staring at his arms.

Though visually unchanged, he could clearly feel his defensive capabilities had tripled. His arm strength had also surged dramatically.

Grabbing his steel saber, he practiced the Raging Waves Blade Technique in the courtyard. This time, his arms felt no strain at all.

Gurgling sounds erupted from his stomach. After two consecutive hours of cultivation, he was ravenous.

"Only thirty-odd Silver Taels left!"

Looking at his dwindling reserves, Su Chen sighed. Gold-Fueled Enhancement truly burned through resources!

"Whatever. Time for a feast tonight!"

Without hesitation, he freshened up, changed into clean robes, and left his courtyard.

He headed straight to a reputable restaurant, feasting until full before returning home.

The setting sun draped the city in golden gauze, softening the edges of the day’s labors.

"Senior Li Mo?"

Before reaching his doorstep, Su Chen spotted Li Mo approaching. Seeing him, Li Mo’s face brightened.

"Junior Su Chen, you’re quite the busy man! I’ve waited days to see you."

But his smile quickly faded. Looking at Su Chen, his eyes carried a faint trace of grievance.

Su Chen suddenly remembered—he’d stood Li Mo up once before. He scratched his head sheepishly.

"Senior Li Mo, did you come looking for me about something urgent?" Su Chen asked.

Li Mo sighed. "Would you ever step foot in the Martial Arts Institute if I didn’t come find you?"

"Uh…" Su Chen struggled for words.

Seeing his expression, Li Mo sighed again.

"Su Chen, if you have free time, visit the Martial Arts Institute more often. They provide herbal decoctions to help stabilize your bloodline.

Qin Hao stabilized his bloodline quickly precisely because he consumed multiple doses of Blood Qi Elixirs. That’s why Master took notice.

Also, cultivating martial arts shouldn’t be pure solo practice. You need sparring partners to improve Combat Proficiency.

Starting tomorrow, come to the Martial Arts Institute. I’ll spar with you."

After speaking, Li Mo watched Su Chen. Noticing his reluctance, he asked, "What? Don’t want to?"

Su Chen opened his mouth, then sighed inwardly.

Ever since their meal together, Senior Li Mo had been unusually attentive.

But truthfully, he no longer needed the Martial Arts Institute!

Faced with the well-meaning Li Mo, he couldn’t bring himself to refuse outright.

In that case—no more pretense. Time to reveal his hand.

Su Chen extended his arm, rolling up his sleeve before Li Mo’s eyes.

"Senior, look at this!"

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end