Chapter 95: Mutual Appreciation Between Geniuses

Chapter 95: Mutual Appreciation Between Geniuses

The list of combat skills he had given Ji Jingqiu that day only included five lower-rank sword techniques.

However, in the recent battle, Ji Jingqiu had displayed skills far beyond that number, and he even seemed to have vaguely found his own path.

Could it be that this young man had been deliberately hiding his abilities in the past few days?

But this was obviously impossible, as it wouldn't have escaped his eyes, unless Ji Jingqiu's skills had surpassed his own.

"Thirty-one lower-rank sword techniques, plus some mediocre ones, that's all."

Ji Jingqiu calmly replied, his breathing rapid, and his physical exhaustion was evident. He sat cross-legged and wolfed down a high-energy nutrition bar, feeling a sense of his own decline while also tossing one to Zhuang Budong.

Strictly speaking, there were only thirty-one sword techniques.

He didn't count the mediocre ones.

This wasn't his limit; it was the limit of the Starlight Corporation's branch's martial arts library.

As he learned, he found that with swordsmanship, the more he learned, the faster he progressed, as if aided by the gods.

If he hadn't guessed wrong, this meant that he had made a leap in his skills and was no longer a complete novice in swordsmanship.

After gaining his own understanding of swordsmanship, the lower-rank martial arts were not just visible at a glance, but they also allowed him to make connections and reflect upon each other, rather than starting from scratch.

Afterward, he spent a lot of time trying to integrate these sword techniques into one with the help of the Supreme Wisdom Light, but his current progress was minimal, and he could only summarize it as a single strike.

This strike had also surprised Senior Brother Zhuang in the previous battle.

Zhuang Budong subconsciously caught the energy bar, still muttering:

"In three days, thirty-one lower-rank sword techniques completed, plus many mediocre ones..."

Zhuang Budong slowly straightened his chest and back, and a glimmer of brilliance flashed in his eyes, as if he had regained a trace of his former glory. He spoke in a deep voice:

"I must have misjudged you. Your talent is no less than mine! You are worthy to stand shoulder to shoulder with me in my heyday!"

"I'll ask you this, what is your goal now?"

Ji Jingqiu's gaze was firm: "I want to conquer the Seventh Level!"

"The Seventh Level?" Zhuang Budong pondered for a moment, finally remembering, "You mean the Seventh Level of the White Jade Capital?"

"Yes!"

Zhuang Budong couldn't help but be speechless.

Has no one told this young man how difficult the Seventh Level is nowadays?

The virtual warrior images in the White Jade Capital are fearless of life and death, so their combat style is extremely wild and unrestrained. There is no circling or testing, only killing moves.

Therefore, starting from the Sixth Level, one only needs to persist for three minutes to pass.

According to Zhuang Budong's knowledge, in the past hundred years, those who could fight head-on with the fearless and ferocious state of the Seventh Level for three minutes...

Were fewer than one hand's count! The rest of the pass-throughs relied on their agility to dodge and persist for three minutes, passing through with cleverness.

But this young man actually wants to conquer the Seventh Level?

He truly is a fearless young bull...

A hint of nostalgia flashed in Zhuang Budong's eyes.

He, too, had once harbored such ambition.

Unfortunately, it never came to fruition.

"It's very difficult," Zhuang Budong said directly, "That person has reached the pinnacle in both the Body Forging and True Seed realms, and their martial arts are so profound that they are almost inhuman!"

"Doesn't Senior Brother Zhuang have any confidence?" Ji Jingqiu asked.

"I..." Zhuang Budong hesitated, "In a head-on battle, I probably wouldn't have been able to do it back then. If we were of the same age, that person is superior to me in terms of physique, but I do have some confidence in my martial arts. However, who is stronger or weaker can only be determined through a fight."

"As for now... there's no point in comparing."

"You said your physique is comparable to a naturally endowed martial bone?" Zhuang Budong paused, "In that case, you do have hope. As long as you can bring your martial arts to the peak of what can be achieved in the Body Forging period, you will have the qualification to challenge him head-on."

Ji Jingqiu sat upright with a solemn expression.

"Actually, there's another way."

Zhuang Budong suddenly said:

"Have you heard of the Celestial Six Limits?"

Ji Jingqiu's heart trembled.

Is the main quest about to trigger on his second visit? Indeed, only among geniuses is there such mutual appreciation! Senior Brother Zhuang is about to open up to him! Ji Jingqiu chose to be frank: "Actually, I heard rumors before coming here, and I personally felt the existence of the Sixth Limit."

Zhuang Budong showed no surprise at all.

In his opinion, it was only natural for someone who could match him to be at the Sixth Limit.

Zhuang Budong said, "Tell me about your perception of the Sixth Limit."

Ji Jingqiu described it, that feeling of being so close yet so far, separated by two worlds.

"Not bad," Zhuang Budong said softly, "Because the Sixth Limit has not truly integrated with the lower-level rules of the world. You should have heard of the saying that the Mind Ocean is transforming the world, and this statement is correct as of now."

Ji Jingqiu said, "I'm more curious about what someone said, that the Sixth Limit appeared because of you, Senior Brother."

Facing this question, Zhuang Budong fell silent for a moment, then nodded and said,

"It can be said that way. I once had the ambition to open a new path for the Federation's martial arts, and the world responded to me."

"Responded?"

Ji Jingqiu's heart trembled.

What kind of statement is this? Zhuang Budong suddenly shook his head and said, "Don't delve too deep into this question; it will only give you more trouble. Let's get back to the topic."

Zhuang Budong paused, and a firm light suddenly lit up in his eyes, containing a power that reached deep into the heart.

He spoke with conviction, as if each word embodied the unwavering belief he had held throughout his life, never wavering or retreating:

"In a week, I will sever the separation between the Sixth Limit and the world, making the Sixth Limit the foundation of martial arts in this era!"

At this moment, in Ji Jingqiu's eyes, Zhuang Budong stood like an unyielding mountain, unmoved by the clamor of the outside world, his faith unshaken.

Stubbornly, like an unyielding rock, unmoved by wind or rain.

Standing atop the mountain peak.

Ji Jingqiu slowly exhaled and asked, "Senior Brother, how do you plan to sever the separation?"

"Just like the predecessors ten thousand years ago, who severed the five heavenly gates one by one, allowing the Celestial Five Limits to descend upon the world!" Zhuang Budong's eyes were deep and fervent, "If they could do it, we have no reason to fail!"

Ji Jingqiu fell silent for a moment: "Senior Brother, with thirty-one years of accumulation, how confident are you?

"In a week, there's a three-in-ten chance." Zhuang Budong said calmly.

This success moved Ji Jingqiu, not because it was too low, but because it was too high!

With only one person's strength, there was a three-in-ten chance of opening a new path for the world's martial arts. What kind of extraordinary talent and beauty did the former Zhuang Budong possess?

Ji Jingqiu couldn't help but ask, "What if you fail?"

Zhuang Budong gazed at him, "Then, let those who come after me carry on my will."

The one being stared at, Ji Jingqiu, was stunned. He whispered, "Are you referring to... me?"

Zhuang Budong did not deny it. He spoke slowly, "Actually, if it were a month later, I might have a better chance, but there are too many variables now. After seeing your talent today, I've finally made up my mind and decided not to delay any longer."

"Your talent is no less than mine. If I can't achieve it in a week, then I'll trouble you to give it a try later. If you're unwilling, it's fine too, as long as you pass on this method."

Ji Jingqiu said, "As far as I know, many people want to obtain the secret of breaking through from you, Elder. Since you're willing to teach me, why not make it public?"

The original text can be found in Chapter 69 of the book.

Zhuang Budong's answer was unexpected:

"I've already made it public. I've never hidden anything from them regarding this matter. But they don't believe me."

"The young man from the Moonlight Dojo who came a few days ago was here for this very reason. He's a junior of an old friend of mine. I taught it to him as well, but with his talent, I'm afraid he won't have much hope in this lifetime."

"This person is not only dull but also cunning. He thinks I'm like them, intentionally hiding something and unwilling to see someone ahead of him."

At this, Zhuang Budong, whose face was usually as calm as a well, revealed a trace of unconcealed ridicule.

Ji Jingqiu was speechless.

He had originally thought that the Administration was sending people to gather intelligence because Zhuang Budong was keeping secrets.

For example, there might be hidden secrets that were not easy to reveal, or it could be purely personal factors...

But he never expected the answer to be this.

Could the Federation not confirm whether Zhuang Budong was hiding something? Wouldn't any Grandmaster be able to easily discern it with their Heart Reflection cultivation?

Zhuang Budong slowly said,

"In the coming week, if it's convenient for you, you can come here every day. I will hone your sword skills, and you will serve as my whetstone, sharpening my blade, in preparation for the path I will open in a week."

"At that time, if you don't mind, you can come and observe."

Ji Jingqiu nodded, "Junior will definitely be there!"

"Now, I will pass on my secret technique to you. This technique is also related to psychic energy..."

Under Zhuang Budong's guidance, Ji Jingqiu quickly grasped his secret method of breaking through.

This secret technique gave him a strange sense of familiarity.

After a moment of recollection, Ji Jingqiu raised his eyebrows and asked, "Elder, have you also learned the Eternal Blade Technique?"

Zhuang Budong was taken aback and nodded, "Not bad. This method is based on the Eternal Blade Technique, but I've made significant changes. I didn't expect you to notice."

Ji Jingqiu was secretly amazed. The method had been altered beyond recognition, with only a hint of the original intent remaining.

This Elder Zhuang was indeed talented. Even in the Body Forging Realm, he could modify and develop this method to such an extent.

Under Zhuang Budong's modifications, this method had already merged with psychic energy.

"Elder Zhuang, what exactly is psychic energy? I still don't quite understand." Ji Jingqiu asked for guidance. "I've heard that psychic energy is the product of the mind's power being catalyzed by the peculiar magnetic field of this planet."

"You can say that, but in reality, psychic energy is the power of the mind."

Zhuang Budong raised a finger, and a cluster of electric sparks blazed at its tip, surpassing Ji Jingqiu's by a hundredfold in both quality and quantity. He continued to explain,

"Beyond the Four Guardian Stars, unless you can break through the Mind Image Realm, with your physique and mind reaching perfection, your mind's power will never break free from the body's constraints. The external manifestation of the mind's power is the privilege of Mind Image Warriors and Grandmasters."

"But the Four Guardian Stars are different. The underlying rules here have changed compared to the outside world, and psychic energy is one of the manifestations of the mind's power being released."

"That's why the Four Guardian Stars are crucial for the Federation's martial arts. Only here can True Seed Realm practitioners gain an early understanding of the essence of the mind's power and cultivate supreme body techniques."

Zhuang Budong thought for a moment, "I once heard that there might be a few other special realms that can achieve this, but in terms of size and difficulty, they are far inferior to the Four Guardian Stars."

Ji Jingqiu spread his five fingers, and psychic energy flickered at his fingertips. He asked curiously, "Does the strength of psychic energy depend on the level of mind cultivation?"

He had already entered a state of meditation, but his psychic energy was far inferior to Zhuang Budong's.

Zhuang Budong shook his head,

"The rules of the Four Guardian Stars are not as perfect as you imagine. They merely create a loophole for your mind's power to escape the body's constraints."

"Initially, everyone is just a spark. What you need to do is make this spark flourish. The upper limit of the spark is determined by your mental realm."

"Does making the spark flourish refer to combat?"

"Combat is the fastest method, but it's not the only one. For example, inviting the divine into the temple. If you can gain the favor of the gods, your psychic energy will also benefit. Additionally..."

Zhuang Budong hesitated for a moment, then shook his head and said, "Remember, combat is the best method. Other methods are unreliable and dangerous."

Ji Jingqiu did not inquire further. He said, "Elder, I've already grasped the basics of your method, but I still need to study the part about using psychic energy."

Zhuang Budong nodded, "You can contemplate it more this week. With your talent, you might be able to gain some inspiration from it."

After speaking, he glanced at the door and said, "When you go out today, there might be some trouble. Be careful on the way."

Ji Jingqiu stood up and bid farewell.

As soon as he stepped out of the door, a prompt suddenly appeared on his terminal.

"Your account ending in 402X has received a transfer of 488,134.23..."

Ji Jingqiu stopped in surprise and turned back, only to see that Zhuang Budong had already entered a state of meditation.

He silently calculated the difference and found that it was roughly the cost of a few high-energy nutrition bars.

Was Elder Zhuang...

cutting off his retreat?

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end