Chapter 587 - 583: Perfection of the Sky-Splitting Sword Technique
Chapter 587: Chapter 583: Perfection of the Sky-Splitting Sword Technique
In the afternoon, Fang Han took out a Vajra Pill, placed it in his mouth, and began his Cultivation of the Xuanwu True Skill.
He assumed a strange posture, his muscles tensing like iron as his bones emitted soft CRACKING sounds.
The scorching Medicinal Power seeped into his muscles, bones, and skin, getting refined and absorbed bit by bit, strengthening every inch of his flesh and blood.
Over two hours later, he ceased his practice and stood up.
Then, his footwork changed. Activating the Wind God Step, his green-robed figure darted silently through the courtyard, turning without the slightest pause, so fast that he was a blur to the naked eye.
As night fell, he returned to his chambers after dinner and sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion.
He cultivated two Secret Techniques in succession: Netherworld Guide and Ghost Shadow.
Day after day, time slipped by quietly amid his focused Cultivation.
「A few days later.」
Fang Han stood in the courtyard, the Cloud Splitting Sword pointed diagonally at the ground, his eyes closed in concentration.
The principles of the Sky-Splitting Sword Technique flowed slowly through his mind.
For the past few days, he could clearly feel himself getting closer and closer to Perfection.
A breakthrough could happen at any moment.
He took a deep breath, slowly opened his eyes, and began practicing the Sky-Splitting Sword Technique.
He swung the Cloud Splitting Sword again and again, repeating the Sword Techniques of the Sky-Splitting Sword Technique over and over.
Thrust, hack, slash, pare...
It seemed tedious and dull, but he didn’t find it boring in the slightest.
With every swing of his sword, he could feel tangible progress, feel himself drawing ever closer to Perfection.
Then, at a certain moment, a deep HUM erupted from within him as an indescribably profound fluctuation burst forth from his body.
In that instant, his Wind Sword Intent underwent a qualitative change. It became several times more condensed than it had been at Great Success, and its sharp intent, which could tear through anything, grew deeper and fiercer.
The azure-gold light on the blade’s surface suddenly transformed into a nearly transparent, almost tangible sharpness.
Wherever the sword tip passed, a long, fine tear silently appeared in the air, lingering for a long time.
"Sky-Splitting Sword Technique, Perfection."
A glint of joy lit up Fang Han’s eyes, and an irrepressible smile touched his lips.
’This Sky-Splitting Sword Technique... a Grandmaster-level Swordsmanship that ordinary Martial Artists struggle even to reach Entry Level in, and I’ve actually cultivated it to Perfection.’
’And it only took me a little over a year in total. If anyone else knew, they’d be shocked beyond belief.’
’Not good!’
Remembering that he was at home, Fang Han’s expression shifted slightly. He hurriedly contained the overflowing Sword Intent within the bounds of his practice yard, preventing it from spreading further.
With his current strength, even the mere release of Sword Intent was more than an ordinary person could withstand.
If the released Sword Intent were to strike Fang Ying and the servants in the courtyard, who had not yet started their Cultivation, they would surely suffer mental trauma and pass out.
’The power now...’
Fang Han took a deep breath and activated the Sky-Splitting Sword Technique at the Realm of Perfection once more.
This time, he used only a sliver of Inner Qi, merely to practice the Sword Techniques.
The Cloud Splitting Sword slowly thrust forward.
Its tip moved inch by inch, moving very slowly, but the moment the blade cut through the air—
SHIIING—
A fine crack appeared out of thin air, lingering for a long time.
With a twist of his wrist, he changed Sword Techniques, the Cloud Splitting Sword slashing diagonally, sweeping horizontally, and rising in an upward slash.
Each strike left a fine, lingering tear in the air. The crisscrossing tears formed what looked like an invisible spiderweb.
A few withered leaves, carried by the wind, drifted lazily into the courtyard and inadvertently bumped into one of the yet-to-dissipate sword tears.
Silently, they were shredded to dust.
’The Sky-Splitting Sword Technique at Perfection... its power has increased by more than ten times compared to when it was at Great Success.’
Fang Han sheathed his sword and stood, a flicker of satisfaction in his eyes as he gazed at the air in the courtyard, which was still scarred with fine cracks.
With the Sky-Splitting Sword Technique at Perfection, his combat power had increased by at least tenfold.
Moreover, as the final Realm of Perfection, the magnitude of this enhancement was even greater than the jump from Mastery to Great Success.
If the increase from Mastery to Great Success was about eleven or twelve times, then the increase from Great Success to Perfection was fifteen or sixteen times.
’With my current strength... I’m comparable to a Second-Breakthrough Martial Artist, maybe even stronger.’
This assessment was not born of blind confidence.
Before this, Fang Han could already contend with a First-Breakthrough Martial Artist head-on without being at a disadvantage, and could even surpass them.
Now that the Sky-Splitting Sword Technique was at Perfection, his combat power had surged by more than tenfold, definitely enough to rank among Second-Breakthrough Martial Artists.
And even among them, he would absolutely be in the top tier.
Sheathing his sword, Fang Han stood in the courtyard with his hands behind his back.
Beyond the courtyard walls, the bamboo forest rustled in the gentle breeze. A few withered leaves drifted into the courtyard and landed near the sword tears that had not yet fully faded, silently splitting in two.
Fang Han glanced at them, then turned and walked toward his chambers.
His pace was unhurried, his green robes fluttering gently in the cold winter wind.
’The Sky-Splitting Sword Technique has reached Perfection.’
’The next step is to consider cultivating the Void Wind God Sword, a Mid-grade Realm Martial Art.’
’But before that, I should relax a little. After all, it’s the beginning of the year. I need to spend some time with my parents and little sister.’
...
The charcoal fire in the living room burned brightly, its cozy warmth dispelling the winter chill.
Having just finished his Cultivation, Fang Han was chatting with his parents and younger sister in a warm atmosphere.
"Father, Mother."
Fang Han set down his teacup and looked at his parents.
"Before the new year, I went to the Yun Family and the Hundred Treasures Pavilion to discuss marriage proposals with the elders of both families. Everything has been settled. I plan to formally propose in the second half of this year."
The hand Fang Zheng was using to hold his teacup paused slightly. He then stroked his beard and smiled, his eyes filled with delight.
"The young lady from the Yun Family and the young lady from the Lan Family are both excellent choices. Your mother and I can rest easy now that you’ve settled the matter of your marriage."
Lin Wan was even more overjoyed, her gentle eyes brimming with a wide smile as she said repeatedly:
"This is a major event; we can’t be careless! As for the proposals, you just focus on your Cultivation. Leave the arrangements to your father and me."
"The betrothal gifts, the matchmaker, the auspicious dates... Mother will arrange everything perfectly for you. I’ll make sure those young ladies aren’t wronged in any way."
As she spoke, she was already mentally calculating the list of betrothal gifts.
Fang Han had many affiliated factions under his name. Over the years, he had brought a considerable amount of silver back to the family, more than enough for the betrothal gifts.
Hearing the conversation between Fang Han and their parents, Fang Ying perked up. She ran over to Fang Han, her eyes sparkling as she asked:
"Brother, is it those two pretty big sisters who visited us last time? Are they going to be my sisters-in-law?"
Fang Han smiled and ruffled her hair.
"Yes, it’s them."
"That’s wonderful!"
Fang Ying clapped her hands and spun around on the spot. She then moved a little closer, her big, dark eyes darting back and forth.
"Does that mean I’ll have two sisters-in-law to play with me in the future?"
The more she spoke, the more excited she became, tugging and shaking Fang Han’s sleeve.
Watching this scene, Fang Zheng and Lin Wan couldn’t help but smile.
Just as Fang Han finished discussing the marriage proposals with his parents, the sound of footsteps came from outside the hall. A maid in a green dress hurried in, bowed, and reported:
"Young Master Han, Elder Fang Yuan from the Martial Hall has arrived. He is at the gate."
"Elder Yuan is here?"
Fang Han was slightly startled, then immediately stood up.
He had always been grateful to this Elder, who had looked after him when he first entered the Martial Hall. Hearing the news, he didn’t dare to be slow, and immediately went with his parents to greet him at the mansion gate.
An old man in a gray robe stood before the Fang Mansion’s gate with his hands clasped behind his back.
It was Elder Fang Yuan. Although he was over sixty, his back was still ramrod straight, and his eyes remained bright and sharp in the cold winter light.
Beside him stood a young woman of seventeen or eighteen.
She wore a light-blue cotton dress. Her features were delicate and her posture was upright. Though she seemed a bit green, she already possessed some of the heroic air unique to a Martial Artist.
"Elder Yuan, Happy New Year."
Fang Han walked up quickly and cupped his hands in a salute.
Seeing Fang Han come out to greet him personally, a smile bloomed on Elder Fang Yuan’s face. He said repeatedly:
"Fang Han, you are a True Inheritor of the Qingxuan Sect now. How could I dare trouble you to come out and greet me?"
"Elder, you’re being too kind. If not for your care back in the Martial Hall, I would not be where I am today."
Fang Han’s tone was sincere.
"It’s cold outside. Please, come in and talk."
Fang Zheng and Lin Wan also stepped forward with smiles to greet them, and the group entered the Warm Pavilion of Tingyu Pavilion together.
After a maid served hot tea and withdrew, Elder Fang Yuan picked up his teacup, took a sip, and looked at Fang Han, sighing with emotion.
"Number one on the Celestial Pride List... I never thought you would make it this far."
"Something generations of our Fang Family wouldn’t have even dared to dream of, you actually achieved it. Our Fang Family has truly produced a real dragon."
"You praise me too much, Elder."
Fang Han shook his head. His gaze fell on the slightly reserved young woman sitting beside Elder Fang Yuan, and he asked:
"Elder, may I ask who this is?"
Elder Fang Yuan set down his teacup, stroked his beard, and chuckled.
"Ah, my memory is getting bad in my old age. I almost forgot to introduce you."
He gestured toward the young woman, a hint of pride in his expression.
"She is the most outstanding disciple from the Martial Hall in the last two years. Her name is Fang Yingxue. She just turned eighteen and is already a Bone Forging Realm Martial Artist."
"Bone Forging Realm?"
A trace of surprise flashed in Fang Han’s eyes.
’Setting aside a cheater like me, the Fang Family has actually produced a true genius.’
Although the overall progress of the younger generation had far surpassed previous years due to the huge increase in Cultivation Resources over the past year or two.
Still, to reach the Bone Forging Realm at eighteen was enough to be called a genius.
He looked at the young woman and said in a gentle voice:
"To achieve this much in the Martial Hall, your Talent is truly impressive."
Fang Yingxue quickly stood up and lowered her head, saying:
"Yingxue does not deserve such praise. Compared to Brother Han, my meager progress is not worth mentioning."
Her voice was clear, tinged with a bit of nervousness and an excitement she couldn’t quite suppress.
Ever since she entered the Martial Hall, she had heard constant legends about Fang Han. Now, the legend was standing right before her eyes.
Fang Han smiled and said no more. He called over a servant.
"Go to my chambers and bring five bottles of Qi Blood Pills."
The servant acknowledged the order and left, returning shortly with a bag containing five bottles of Qi Blood Pills.
Fang Han took the cloth bag of Qi Blood Pills. Before leaving the sect, he had made a special trip to the Pill Hall to exchange for some Qi Blood Pills precisely for the purpose of rewarding the disciples of his clan.
Handing the cloth bag to Fang Yingxue, Fang Han said:
"Here are five bottles of Qi Blood Pills, which are most suitable for Bone Forging Realm Martial Artists. Take them."
Fang Yingxue was taken aback. Her gaze fell on the five Jade Bottles. She had heard how precious this type of Elixir was and didn’t know if she should accept it.
Elder Fang Yuan said with a smile:
"Go on, take them. It’s a reward from your Brother Han."
Only then did Fang Yingxue carefully accept the cloth bag. She bowed deeply, her voice trembling with excitement.
"Yingxue thanks Brother Han for the gift of these pills!"
She looked up, her clear eyes filled with unconcealed adoration.
To her, the name Fang Han represented the figure all the young disciples of the Martial Hall looked up to—the legend who had walked out of a remote little city and ascended to the top of the Celestial Pride List.
Fang Han looked at the young woman, his heart stirred.
’For someone from a family with a weak foundation like the Fang Family to reach the Bone Forging Realm at eighteen, her Talent is definitely not inferior to that of most Qingxuan Sect disciples.’
’However, with her current strength, it would be quite difficult for her to pass the Qingxuan Sect’s assessment. It’s not that her Talent is lacking, but that the resources she has obtained in her Cultivation so far are inferior to those of the other candidates.’
’But if she stays in a small place like Liangshui City, she will just be wasting her time.’
He pondered for a moment before asking:
"Would you be willing to enter the Qingxuan Sect to cultivate?"
As soon as he said this, Elder Fang Yuan’s hand, which was raising his teacup, froze. An expression of incredulous joy instantly flooded his face.
Knowing what a precious opportunity this was, he urgently prompted the young woman beside him.
"Quick, what are you waiting for? Thank your Brother Han!"
Fang Yingxue froze for a moment. A dazed look appeared in her eyes, which was quickly submerged by overwhelming joy.
She clasped her hands together and bowed low, her voice trembling with excitement.
"Yingxue... thank you for your guidance, Brother Han! I will not disappoint you. I will train diligently and practice hard in the Qingxuan Sect!"
Fang Han nodded slightly, accepting her bow, and said:
"When I return to the sect, you will travel with me to the Qingxuan Sect."