https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-28-Clash-with-Ma-Kusi-The-Power-of-Piercing-Edge-/13535159/
Chapter 27: "Piercing Edge" Ability & The Thief
Chapter 27 "Piercing Edge" Ability & The Thief
Sunlight streamed through the window lattice, bathing the room in golden light. Luo En had just completed his daily meditation and stood ready to practice the Solar Corona Swordsmanship.
Ever since his deadly encounter with Darend, his mastery of this sword art had taken a quantum leap forward.
Especially during that life-or-death battle, he had attained a profound realization of the synergy between sword techniques and breathing methods.
"Let's begin."
Adjusting his breath, Luo En slowly raised his wooden sword. Guided by the Solar Corona Breathing Technique, every movement now flowed with an intrinsic rhythm.
First Cycle – Inhale Seven Times
The wooden sword carved an elegant arc upward, its tip pointing to the heavens like a knight saluting the sun. This was the "Morning Dawn Circle" technique from Solar Corona Swordsmanship, designed to neutralize attacks from any angle through smooth, circular motions.
Second Cycle – Hold Breath Three Times
The blade leveled horizontally, his hands gripping it firmly across his chest in a classic defensive stance. This ancient posture, inherited from forgotten lineages, redirected incoming force outward.
The sword's surface glowed brighter as energy from the Solar Corona Breathing Technique accumulated along its length.
Third Cycle – Exhale Five Times
The sword suddenly shifted from horizontal to a piercing thrust, its tip striking with viper-like speed. This was "Dawn Cross" – a rare transitional technique in Solar Corona Swordsmanship that combined defense and offense.
The blade sliced a perfect cross through the air, capable of deflecting attacks while channeling powerful counterattacks.
As the final form concluded, the wooden sword traced a graceful arc that harmonized perfectly with his breathing. Unlike before, each movement now felt fluid and effortless.
[Current Progress: Foundational Swordsmanship (Novice 49/50)]
"Just a bit more..."
Luo En inhaled deeply, launching into the final sequence.
This was the most complex set of movements in Solar Corona Swordsmanship, requiring rapid directional shifts. Yet this time, his body seemed to move autonomously.
Every turn was precise, transitions seamless.
Completing the form, Luo En felt an unmistakable transformation within.
[Foundational Swordsmanship Breakthrough!]
[Foundational Swordsmanship (Novice 50/50) → Foundational Swordsmanship (Proficient 1/100)]
[Additional Trait Acquired: Piercing Edge (Increased penetration when using sword techniques)]
He lifted the wooden sword, testing its swing.
The blade's trajectory seemed to ripple through the air, sending invisible waves that made the atmosphere tremble.
If he faced Darend now, victory would come within a single exchange.
"Is this the difference between Novice and Proficient?"
Luo En mused. The interface's classifications – Novice, Proficient, Master – were arbitrary labels, but he felt his current swordsmanship already rivaled the champions of the kingdom.
Sheathing the sword, he prepared for today's physique forging.
As the Solar Corona Breathing Technique coursed through his meridians, his familiarity with the Breathing Physique Forging process deepened.
[Breathing Physique Forging Experience +1]
[Current Progress: Breathing Physique Forging (Novice 43/100)]
Though barely halfway, Luo En remained patient.
Physique forging required special elixirs and recovery periods between sessions. Rushing such foundational training would only invite disaster.
After finishing, drenched in sweat and essence oils, he decided to head to the public bathhouse.
Gathering his belongings, he paused at the door, recalling Andie's warning.
In this world, even a bath required vigilance – moments of relaxation were when danger often struck.
"Let's hope today stays quiet."
Luo En muttered, stepping into the corridor.
The bathhouse steamed with warmth. Choosing a secluded corner, he rinsed off the oils and sweat.
Warm water cascading down his chiseled physique, his muscles – now taut and defined from rigorous forging – relaxed gradually.
As several apprentices entered, they instinctively avoided his area, choosing distant stalls instead.
Since the Darend incident and Andie's intervention, rumors had spread. This neighbor who could kill a mutation with a wooden sword inspired both reverence and fear.
Dressing quickly, Luo En gathered his toiletries for the return. The corridor lay silent, illuminated only by flickering magical crystals.
Approaching his room, a figure suddenly emerged from the shadows.
"Luo En, sir."
It was a well-dressed young woman. He recognized her as one of Ma Kusi's servants.
Unlike common servants, her attire shimmered with opulence, a gemstone necklace adorning her neck.
"I am Lady Danni, Ma Kusi's personal attendant." She curtsied gracefully, her voice melodic.
"I heard you work at Madame Ellen's Herbal Medicine Shop?"
Luo En regarded her expressionlessly. "To the point."
"It's like this", Danni smiled politely. "My master has great interest in alchemy. Hearing of your recent achievements, he wonders if..."
"No." Luo En cut her off bluntly.
He knew their tricks too well – feigned casual inquiries followed by attempts to extract secrets.
Besides, his contract with Madame Ellen prohibited disclosure. This clumsy probing only irritated him.
"But—" Danni's face tightened. "If it's a matter of price, we can negotiate. My master is willing to—"
"Not interested. Move aside."
Luo En stepped past her, ending the conversation.
As their shoulders brushed, Danni's eyes flashed coldly, her lips curling in triumph.
Her fingers traced a hidden gesture beneath her sleeves, silently chanting a spell.
This was Light-Handed Theft, a zero-ring spell with no overt effects – yet its greatest strength lay in its imperceptibility.
A dark energy tendril slithered from her fingertips, insidious as smoke, creeping toward Luo En's bulging waist pouch.
At this distance, even seasoned apprentices would struggle to detect the subtle disturbance without prior knowledge.
As the energy neared the pouch, Danni's gaze locked onto its target – inside lay mana shard fragments and several painstakingly crafted potions.
One more instant, and the theft would succeed.
——At the critical moment, Luo En's Spirit Perception flared.
A strange dissonance vibrated through his spiritual senses, an irritation that screamed of danger.
Seeing the young apprentice abruptly halt, Danni's heart lurched.
Too late. The wooden sword flashed faster than lightning. For the first time, the Proficient-level Solar Corona Swordsmanship demonstrated its terrifying potential.
Blade-light streaked. A piercing scream followed.
Danni's right hand and the dark energy tendril it channeled were severed simultaneously, blood erupting like a fountain.
Staring in horror at her severed wrist, she gasped for breath. Before she could scream again, Luo En's boot sent her flying without hesitation.
Simultaneously, his reflexes snatched his falling pouch mid-air – mana shards and potions safely secured.
"If not for these 'watching eyes' in public areas..."
Flicking blood from the wooden sword, Luo En's gaze turned icy. "You'd already be dead."
Danni crumpled to the ground, her once-elegant attire now stained with filth and bearing a fresh bootprint.
Clutching her bleeding stump, her face contorted between terror and pain. "How...how could you—"
A cold, mocking voice cut through the tension from the corridor entrance.
"Hmph. Just as rumored – all brawn, no brain!"
Ma Kusi's silhouette emerged, his deep gray apprentice robes concealing nothing of the sinister gleam from his emerald pendant.
"I witnessed everything – how cruelly you injured my servant."
This squat, homely figure grinned viciously. "The school strictly prohibits internal violence. And you – a mere candidate apprentice – dared harm property belonging to a formal apprentice like me..."
(End of Chapter)
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