Martial Dao: I Can Enhance My Talents

"Oh?" Chu Feng’s gaze sharpened as he looked at Song Xiang. "Let’s hear it."

"We can find a disciple ranked higher than Fang Han on the overall list, promise them a hefty reward, and have them find some pretext to provoke him. Then, they can ’accidentally’ injure him in the ensuing conflict."

A sinister smile appeared on Song Xiang’s face.

"Although they’ll be punished by the Sect afterward, as long as the compensation we give them far outweighs their losses, I’m sure someone will be willing to take this ’deal’."

Upon hearing this, a sharp glint flashed in Chu Feng’s eyes. He leaned forward slightly, and his fingers stopped tapping the desk.

The air in the study seemed to freeze in that instant, and even the candlelight wavered.

He stared at Song Xiang and slowly asked.

"This plan... is feasible. But are you sure you can find a suitable candidate?"

"Someone ranked high enough to reliably overpower Fang Han, who is also willing to take risks for resources, and can withstand the Sect’s investigation afterward?"

Seeing that Chu Feng was tempted, Song Xiang quickly replied.

"Rest assured, Senior Brother. As long as the price is high enough, someone will be tempted."

Chu Feng fell silent, his expression flickering indecisively. His fingers resumed their unconscious tapping on the desk, clearly weighing the pros and cons of the plan.

After a long moment, a decisive, ruthless glint flashed in his eyes. He spoke in a cold voice.

"Good! We’ll go with your plan! You find a candidate. Remember, they must be ranked within the top seventy, at least. Make absolutely sure it’s foolproof!"

"Take the necessary resources from my account. Make sure it’s done cleanly, and don’t leave any loose ends!"

Song Xiang hurriedly bowed to accept the order, a cold, sinister smile on his face.

"Yes, Senior Brother. I’ll be sure to handle it perfectly. I won’t let you down!"

Chu Feng waved his hand. Taking the hint, Song Xiang respectfully withdrew from the study.

...

In the morning, the light of the rising sun spilled across the Sub-Branch.

After a simple breakfast in the dining hall, Fang Han picked up his Cyan Blade Sword and walked with a steady gait toward the forest clearing where he usually practiced.

The crisp morning air, filled with the scent of grass and trees, was invigorating to breathe in.

Just as he passed through a bamboo grove, a familiar figure came into view around a bend in the path ahead.

The man was dressed in a Silver-Striped Cyan Robe, an attire reserved for core disciples. He had an upright posture and a handsome face, with a gentle yet commanding heroic air about him.

It was Wang Miao, currently ranked ninety-third—no, ninetieth now—on the Celestial Pride List.

Wang Miao seemed to be on his way to Yun Meng’s residence. Upon seeing Fang Han, he paused for a moment, a gentle smile gracing his face.

"Junior Brother Fang Han."

Wang Miao spoke first, his voice clear and resonant.

"Senior Brother Wang Miao."

Fang Han stopped and clasped his hands in a salute, his tone respectful.

He had always felt a sense of gratitude toward this senior brother, who had spoken out justly on his behalf when he was being suppressed by Chu Feng.

If Chu Feng hadn’t later ascended to the Celestial Pride List, thereby making his status no lower than Wang Miao’s, Wang Miao’s words of justice alone would likely have been enough to deter Chu Feng and the Stewards and Elders friendly with him.

"Off to train so early? No wonder your progress is so miraculously fast. You’re already eighty-seventh on the overall list, a name known throughout the Twelve Courtyards."

"Even though I’m in the True Inheritance Courtyard, I often hear your name. You’ve done very well; you haven’t let your talent go to waste."

Wang Miao’s gaze lingered on Fang Han for a moment, an imperceptible flicker of amazement in his eyes as he smiled.

His praise was heartfelt. Looking at the youth before him, who was as calm as still water, he recalled his little sister Wang Meng’s assertion: "He can’t become a prodigy like my brother." A complex ripple stirred in his heart.

Who could have imagined that in just over a year, this once seemingly ordinary youth would have already displayed such astonishing potential? His rise was even more rapid than his own had been back in the day.

Given time, his ascent to the Celestial Pride List was a near certainty.

Thinking of his little sister, a faint trace of regret quietly stirred in the depths of Wang Miao’s heart.

’If only back then... Alas, it’s a matter of fate. The opportunity was ultimately missed.’

"You flatter me, Senior Brother," Fang Han said humbly.

"Diligence is fundamental, but you also need balance. Well, I won’t keep you from your training. I’m off to have a word with my sister."

Seeing this, the admiration in Wang Miao’s eyes deepened, and he nodded.

"Please, go on ahead, Senior Brother."

The two clasped their hands in farewell. Fang Han watched Wang Miao’s figure disappear deep into the bamboo-lined path before turning to continue toward the clearing.

When he arrived at his usual training spot, the clearing was deserted. The only sound was the rustle of the morning wind through the treetops.

Fang Han slowly drew his Cyan Blade Sword. In the morning light, the cool metal of the blade shimmered with the luster of clear autumn water.

However, his brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.

As his fingertips gently caressed the blade, he could clearly feel that something was amiss. With his Cultivation now at the Sixth Grade, his Inner Qi had become far purer and more condensed. The Cyan Blade Sword, which had been with him for so long, was now struggling to fully contain the immense Inner Qi he channeled at full power.

The blade let out a faint, subtle hum, as if groaning under the strain.

For a Middle Third-Grade Martial Artist, a Low-grade Weapon’s durability and capacity to channel Inner Qi were already proving insufficient.

If a weapon were to be damaged or even shatter during a fierce battle, the consequences would be unimaginable.

’I need to get a better sword...’ Fang Han thought.

But a longsword suitable for his current Cultivation would cost at least several hundred Contribution Points to redeem.

His Identity Jade Token currently held only seventy Contribution Points—nowhere near enough.

’I’ll just have to wait until next month’s Contribution Points are distributed.’

Suppressing the thought, Fang Han collected himself and focused his attention on his Swordsmanship practice.

With a flick of his Cyan Blade Sword, he began to execute the Wind Shadow Annihilation Sword technique.

The blade flashed, its movements treacherous and unpredictable. A sharp killing intent emanated from it, causing the surrounding air to howl.

His understanding of the technique’s three core principles—deception, lethality, and speed—was deepening. As he moved through the Sword Techniques, a sense of fluid grace and burgeoning intent became increasingly apparent.

It wasn’t just his Cultivation that had broken through to the Sixth Grade. Thanks to his relentless training, day and night, amplified by the terrifying boost from his sixty-four-fold Swordsmanship Talent, his Wind Shadow Annihilation Sword had also progressed by leaps and bounds.

Although he had yet to break through to the next realm of proficiency, he could clearly feel that the paper-thin barrier to the Mastery Realm was on the verge of tearing.

’I’ll definitely break through within three to five days at most!’

Fang Han estimated. His Sword Momentum grew sharper and swifter as he became completely immersed in the world of his Swordsmanship.

...

「A few days passed in the blink of an eye.」

This morning, a sword wind howled across the clearing.

The Cyan Blade Sword in Fang Han’s hand became a blur of afterimages. The flashing sword light was at times like a viper striking—cunning and vicious; at others, it was like a gust of wind, a fleeting shadow in constant flux.

His mind was clear and empty, having forgotten both himself and the world around him. There was only the ultimate pursuit of Swordsmanship.

Suddenly, as he executed the "Shadow Kill" technique to its absolute limit, the sword light split, becoming a phantom-like illusion, impossible to track—

HUMMM!

The Cyan Blade Sword let out a clear, lingering hum, as if it had resonated with some fundamental rhythm of the world.

Fang Han felt as though a thunderclap had exploded in his mind, and a bottleneck that had long plagued him was instantly shattered.

The Sword Techniques he wielded transformed with the momentum; every casual swing now embodied the true essence of Wind Shadow Annihilation.

The Wind Momentum drawn out by his Sword Momentum suddenly surged, explosively increasing from ten percent to fifteen percent!

His sword speed was faster, its trajectory more deceptive, its killing intent more focused!

Within a radius of several meters, the air seemed to be sliced apart by an invisible Sword Intent, letting out a low whine.

The fallen leaves on the ground lifted without a breeze, swirling and dancing, only to be instantly shredded to dust by the fierce Sword Momentum!

’Wind Shadow Annihilation Sword, Mastery!’

Fang Han slowly sheathed his sword and stood tall, gently exhaling a breath of turbid air. Deep in his eyes, a glint as sharp as a sword flashed for an instant before disappearing.

At the Mastery Level, the Wind Shadow Annihilation Sword was at least fifty percent more powerful than it had been at the Minor Achievement level.

Now, with this Swordsmanship alone, he was confident he could raise his rank on the overall list by a significant margin.

Not far away, in another clearing, Yun Qianyue, dressed in purple, was also practicing her sword. The light from her blade flowed as coolly as moonlight.

Unlike Fang Han, she didn’t have a fixed practice spot—anywhere with few people would do. This time, she had chosen a spot not far from him.

"Hm...?"

The sudden explosion of intense Sword Momentum and the change in airflow from Fang Han’s direction instantly caught her attention.

She stopped her practice and stood, turning to look. Her cool gaze fell on Fang Han. Above her purple veil, her dark brows furrowed almost imperceptibly, and her pupils contracted.

’His Swordsmanship... Did he break through to Mastery?’

Turmoil stirred in Yun Qianyue’s heart.

She had started learning a Top Grade Sword Technique long before Fang Han, yet she had only managed to reach the Minor Achievement level.

’Fang Han is practicing the Wind Shadow Annihilation Sword, a technique renowned for its difficulty. Logically, it should be even harder for him to practice than mine. How could he have possibly broken through to Mastery so quickly?’

’Should I go over... and confirm?’

After a moment’s hesitation, she began to walk lightly in Fang Han’s direction.

When she got closer and observed him executing his Sword Techniques, feeling the immense Wind Momentum he was mobilizing, all doubt in her heart vanished.

’Fang Han’s Swordsmanship has truly reached the Mastery Realm!’

’First his Cultivation surpassed mine, and now his Swordsmanship has as well.’

An indescribably complex emotion welled up inside her. There was shock, unwillingness to concede, and a faint sense of loss, but more than anything, there was the solemn awe one feels when facing a monstrous genius even greater than oneself.

Fang Han finished familiarizing himself with his newly improved Swordsmanship and was about to conclude his morning practice. When he turned, he saw Yun Qianyue standing quietly to the side.

"I noticed you were practicing over there earlier. Are you finished for the day?"

Fang Han’s expression was normal as he greeted her.

They were both top-level disciples of the Sub-Branch and had participated in the Seven Sects tournament together. While they weren’t close, they were certainly acquaintances.

"I sensed your Sword Qi surge just now, as if you’d had a breakthrough. I grew curious and came over to take a look. I didn’t mean to disturb your practice."

Yun Qianyue nodded slightly. Her cool voice, carrying a faint hint of apology, came from behind her veil.

"You didn’t. I’ve already finished practicing," Fang Han said, shaking his head.

"I was about to head to the dining hall for a meal."

"What a coincidence. I was just about to head there myself," Yun Qianyue replied.

As they walked toward the dining hall together, her gaze fell upon Fang Han, carrying a probing quality.

"Now that your Swordsmanship has broken through, your strength must have improved greatly. When do you plan to test it at the Overall Martial Arts Stele?"

"I was planning to go this afternoon," Fang Han said after a moment of thought. "Since it’s almost the end of the month, it’s a good time to test my rank. If I can improve it, next month’s Contribution Point reward will be more generous."

A flicker of interest appeared in Yun Qianyue’s eyes. "I had the same idea. Since that’s the case, shall we go together?" she suggested.

She had taken the initiative to invite him because she wanted to observe his current strength up close and gauge the gap between them.

"Alright."

Fang Han glanced at Yun Qianyue and nodded in agreement.

The two walked side by side toward the dining hall. Along the way, other disciples who had finished their training were also heading to the hall in twos and threes.

Chen Ying, now Song Xiang’s informant, was mixed in with the crowd. He kept his head down, but his gaze darted occasionally toward Fang Han and Yun Qianyue walking side by side up ahead.

When he faintly overheard words like "afternoon," "Overall Martial Arts Stele," and "test," Chen Ying stopped short. A cunning glint flashed in his eyes.

He stopped heading for the dining hall. Instead, he quickly changed direction and hurried away, heading out of the Sub-Branch. His figure soon vanished at the end of a forked path.