Chapter 70 Reply
Fang Xingjian did not give an immediate reply to Kyle’s words, but consecutively chugged down three big gulps, finishing the fragrant and fresh fish stew in one go. He inspected how his potential points had increased by over 50 points all at once, then wiped his mouth before giving his reply.
He threw a glance at the manual on the table, knowing full well that if he were to take a quick glance through it, he might be able to acquire the first stage of this Killing technique. However, he did not pick it up. Right now, the first stage of a Killing technique was no longer something he needed.
If he still had a few decades left to live, then it would be a good idea for him to get exposed to sword arts from various factions, extending his knowledge and being able to combine them together. However, to the Fang Xingjian, who was only left with four years and three months’ time, the fastest way was to specialize in a particular style of sword arts and climb up to the pinnacle with it.
Therefore, he paused for a moment and said, “Teacher Kyle, the Empire is the greatest faction, and to be honest, all factions operate like a weaker version of the Empire. You said that I will not be able to get freedom in the Empire; but would it really be any different if I were to join The School of Sword Arts?”
“For this, I can guarantee…” Kyle wanted to continue, but was stopped by Fang Xingjian who had raised his hand.
“Teacher Kyle, the price to pay for the freedom that you had mentioned… is it to be in a destitute state, like you are now?” Fang Xingjian saw Kyle’s expression change, but he did not stop. He emptied all the delicacies on the table and said at a very fast pace, “To gain something, it is natural to have to pay a price.
“Since I want access to other people’s resources, other people’s support, then it’s only natural that I’d have to pay the price, by giving up some of my freedom.
“The Empire is like this, but so is The School of Sword Arts. I don’t believe that The School of Sword Arts will invest their resources in me without any restraint, not asking for anything in return. Even if some people will not do so, there are so many members in the upper echelon… So many family members, kin, disciples… Would they agree to this?
“Talents won’t have true freedom no matter where they would go, even more so for geniuses. Even if I were to become the Headmaster of The School of Sword Arts, would there really be nothing that could restrain me?
“Therefore, this bargaining chip by the name of freedom doesn’t attract me at all. And in terms of resources, The School of Sword Arts could never compare with the Empire.”
Kyle furrowed his brows and said, “What you say may make sense, but you have never experienced how dark the tussles in the Empire’s higher echelon are. If you were to head there recklessly…”
“Teacher Kyle.” Fang Xingjian stopped eating, lifting his head, and looking at Kyle he said, “Trust me, I’ve seen too much darkness and devastation. But now, I have the confidence that I’ll be able to slash through them with my own sword now.”
Kyle looked at him calmly, and the two locked gazes for a while. Kyle let out a sigh and said, “Your heart is more determined than mine. You are more suitable for sword arts than I am.”
Fang Xingjian lowered his head and continued his lunch. His thoughts were freezing cold, but there were no problems with what he had said. He tried to imitate an ordinary man’s tone and said, “I’m thankful for your enlightenment in my sword training. If there’s anything you need my help for, as long as it’s within my abilities, I’ll do it.”
Kyle sighed, saying, “Next month, I’ll be participating in the Tournament of the Sword Heroes. No matter if I were to succeed or fail, I won’t be coming back.”
Fang Xingjian nodded, and Kyle continued, “What I’m most worried about is those students from the school. I’ve temporarily handed everything over to Lambert. If he faces any difficulties, I’ll need you to help look after them.”
Fang Xingjian calmly replied, “Don’t worry, I’ll do that.”
“Thank you.”
Kyle left, his eyes seemingly saying that he had understood something, but at the same time, disappointment shone stronger in his eyes.
Fang Xingjian did not know if Kyle could make it through the Tournament of the Sword Heroes. The only thing he could do was to take care of himself and allow himself to get stronger.
After finishing his meal, the servants led Fang Xingjian to a bedroom. Even before entering, he was hit by a strange fragrance. Fang Xingjian inhaled deeply, and felt a never before known sense of refreshness charging into all parts of his body. Even his mind seemed to be clearer.
Opening the door, the strange fragrance got even stronger. It came attacking into Fang Xingjian’s every cell, making him feel as if all the fatigue in his body had been completely wiped out.
The Headmaster and Huang Lin had long been standing there. They looked at the tub, which was the height of a human, a pitch-black medicinal liquid continuously warmed up inside it.
The Headmaster said, “Take off all your clothes and get in there.”
Fang Xingjian did not show the slightest hesitation as he took off his clothes and entered the tub.
“Circulate your Waves and mental cultivation method. Don’t stop, and absorb as much of this medicinal properties as you can,” Huang Lin said.
Fang Xingjian had been circulating the Waves for twenty-four hours to begin with, so there was no problem with that at all. Each muscle in his body, each bone, were all moving at extreme speed. His emotions stayed clear as he maintained his calm and rationale.
Circulating the Waves, he felt as if the medicinal liquid was boiling, flaming auras crazily making their way into his body, as if they were burning away his organs, his vessels, and his nerves.
“Bear with it!” the Headmaster said. “These are grounded medicinal herbs with the Loulan Beast as the base.
We have matched various medicinal herbs to allow you to absorb the Loulan Beast’s essence and to change your body. You’ll gain a ferocious beast’s recovery abilities, endurance, and body toughness.”
Looking at Fang Xingjian’s pained expression and at the black auras dispersing on the surface of his body, the hint of a pained expression flashed across his face as well. “Even with the academy’s financial powers, we’ll only be able to provide such treatment for a month. During this month, you must soak in this medicinal liquid everyday. If you’re lucky, it’ll not only raise your endurance attribute, but also give you the specialty ‘Berserkness’.
Do your best to absorb everything. Don’t waste even a tiny bit of it.”
Fang Xingjian nodded, his breath and blood flow continuing to circulate as per the Sonido Sword Zephyr Waves. He could feel increasingly scorching energies drilling into his body, as if they were going to melt and dissolve every piece of his flesh.
The Headmaster looked at Fang Xingjian’s expression, and although his heart ached to bring out such medicinal liquid, bright light shone in his eyes.
‘Good, good, good. I’ve spent so much effort to reduce the academy’s expenditure for the following three years just so that Fang Xingjian could produce results.
‘As long as he can win first place in the Regional Selection, or even become a Divine level expert in the future, all these will be worth it.’
Regional Champion, National Champion, and a Divine Level expert from Kirst Royal Academy. Just the mere thought of it made the Headmaster feel extremely excited.
‘Absorb it, absorb it all! Even if it means heaping it all, I must heap it all to you so that you will become a Regional Champion!’
Just like that, Fang Xingjian would go through training for his sword techniques, Waves, and Killing techniques, as well as consume various medicinal foods and ferocious beasts’ essences. The Headmaster was investing an immense amount of resources on him, something which he had never done before.
On the other hand, Huang Lin sparred daily with Fang Xingjian, imparting him his understanding in the sword arts, as well as his experience in using them.
Regardless of whether it was attributes, specialties or techniques, Fang Xingjian progressed at an unbelievable speed, one which had never before been seen. He became stronger and stronger.
Of course, during this whole process, Huang Lin and the Headmaster dutifully guarded and protected Fang Xingjian, preventing him from being bothered in the least. They also did not allow him to kill any monsters in order to prevent him from leveling up too soon, gaining job progression but wasting his potential.
…
One month later, just as Fang Xingjian had made tremendous progress.
On a mountain slope on the Empire’s west coast, a long-haired man wearing Knight’s attire was looking towards a small city thousands of miles away.
Suddenly, he turned his head and looked towards the adjutant, saying, “What did you say? Windstorm Sword Hero?”
“That’s right.” An adjutant similarly dressed in a Knight’s attire confirmed, “Based on reliable sources, Fang Xingjian has successfully transitioned into a Windstorm Sword Hero.”
