116: A strike that always hits

Seamless Slash.

This move does not rely solely on physical speed or technique; Cultivating it requires a multi-faceted ability involving Spiritual Qi, the Physical Body, and Mental Energy. One must condense their consciousness, perceive the vibrations of all things, and even interfere with the consciousness of others.

The first stage: The Strike That Must Hit.

Lock onto the target with Mental Energy, while the user must sever all stray thoughts to achieve ultimate purity of mind. When drawing the blade, there should be neither joy nor sorrow, only the absolute conviction of 'Must Hit'.

As the saying goes, 'The spirit arrives before the blade moves,' thus achieving a strike that must hit.

The second stage: Severing the Divine Soul.

The third stage: Seamless!

"I've hit the jackpot!"

Xiao Weiqing had only one thought at this moment.

Strong!

Too strong!

This isn't just any ordinary Innate Skill. Just the first stage, 'The Strike That Must Hit'—what kind of concept is that?

Not to mention it can sever the Divine Soul.

And finally, 'Seamless'. What does that mean? Ignoring space or ignoring time?

Without hesitation, Xiao Weiqing picked up Red Dragon and began to practice.

One hour later.

Putting down the blade, Xiao Weiqing didn't feel the slightest bit of his previous joy.

His heart was filled only with confusion; in one hour, he hadn't even scratched the surface.

"It's normal for such an awesome Innate Skill to be difficult."

Xiao Weiqing consoled himself.

However.

One day passed.

Two days passed.

The entire following week passed.

Xiao Weiqing was a bit dumbfounded.

The more he practiced, the more confused he became, and the more his confidence waned. Now, even his basic blade draws felt unnatural.

"No, I can't keep practicing like this."

"I'll go ask my teacher."

Xiao Weiqing sheathed his blade and headed to Ning Xing's courtyard.

"Need something?"

Ning Xing was still dangling a cigar from his mouth, lazily drinking tea. Every time he took a sip, he would even chew the tea leaves a couple of times before swallowing them.

Xiao Weiqing briefly explained his experience in the Eerie Cry Ruins and his recent cultivation troubles to Ning Xing.

"You're saying you obtained an Innate Skill where the attack must hit and ignores distance?"

"Teacher, that's just how it's described. I haven't even scratched the surface yet."

Ning Xing's initial laziness vanished, replaced by a serious expression.

"Perform it for me to see."

Xiao Weiqing gave a bitter smile. "Teacher, I've practiced for a week, and now even my basic strikes aren't up to standard."

"It's fine. Just think of the move in your mind and swing your blade."

Xiao Weiqing nodded. With his teacher's great strength, he would surely be able to see something.

He no longer hesitated.

Xiao Weiqing swung his blade in a single cleave.

The blade energy, carrying a sharp force, whistled as it flew forward.

A flash of amazement crossed Ning Xing's eyes, followed by a solemn look.

"Teacher, how was it?"

Ning Xing nodded. "Hmm, it feels very powerful, but I can't tell exactly where the power lies."

"Strange!"

“...”

Xiao Weiqing was a bit speechless. Wasn't that just nonsense?

Ning Xing added, "Go find Zhao Jia. He should be able to see something."

"Alright then."

Xiao Weiqing had no choice but to leave and seek out Zhao Jia.

At Zhao Jia's training hall.

There were still several people practicing with weapons, with Zhao Jia giving pointers from the side. As a Great Master of weapons, Zhao Jia's private lessons were always full.

"Xiao Weiqing?"

Someone recognized Xiao Weiqing; he was a first year Trainee from the Middle Academy.

Xiao Weiqing nodded to the person, walked to the side, and sat down to wait for Zhao Jia's teaching session to end.

Half an hour later.

Zhao Jia finished his teaching, and the Trainees left.

Only Zhao Jia and Xiao Weiqing remained.

"Weiqing, what brings you here today? What do you want to learn?"

"Teacher Zhao, my teacher sent me to find you. I obtained an Innate Skill—a blade technique—but no matter how I practice, I can't make sense of it..."

Xiao Weiqing briefly explained his situation.

"Oh? Obtained during the ruins' trial? Come, let me see."

Zhao Jia was immediately interested; most things from ruins were extraordinary.

Zhao Jia picked up an Ironwood Blade.

Xiao Weiqing did the same.

He swung his blade.

Clang!

Zhao Jia blocked it easily, but there was a hint of surprise in his eyes.

Xiao Weiqing didn't strike again, waiting for Zhao Jia.

"Interesting. It even carries a trace of Mental Energy fluctuations."

Xiao Weiqing nodded.

"Try again."

Xiao Weiqing swung another strike.

This time, Zhao Jia didn't parry. Instead, he struck second but arrived first, using an Intercepting Blade technique.

Smack!

The tip of the Ironwood Blade struck Xiao Weiqing's hand.

The blade in Xiao Weiqing's hand flew out. He looked at Zhao Jia with a face full of resentment.

Zhao Jia, however, looked serious and was lost in thought.

After a long while.

"Weiqing, one more strike."

Cling!

The two blades collided. Zhao Jia gradually increased his swing speed. This time, the tip of his blade struck two centimeters behind the tip of Xiao Weiqing's blade.

"Strike again!"

Cling!

One centimeter away.

"Strike again."

Cling!

Half a centimeter away.

"Strike again."

“...”

"Strike again."

Xiao Weiqing shook his head. "I can't, Teacher Zhao. I can't strike anymore. My Mental Energy consumption is a bit high, and I can't concentrate."

Zhao Jia nodded. "Hmm, I've more or less seen the problem. Weiqing, this Innate Skill of yours is very powerful."

"Just now, the first time I used the Intercepting Blade, I actually failed."

Xiao Weiqing said crossly, "You succeeded; you even hit my hand."

Zhao Jia shook his head. "With that Intercepting Blade, I originally intended to strike the hilt of your sword."

"You mean?"

"Yes, I actually misjudged the distance."

"Even though my swing speed wasn't fast, such a situation should be impossible."

Xiao Weiqing nodded. Even if Zhao Jia was only using his Second Realm strength, it still shouldn't have been like that.

"The problem isn't with me; it's with your strike. It made me perceive the blade's position incorrectly. It seemed to be there, but in reality, it was already closer than I thought."

"The subsequent strikes proved my hypothesis. I gradually increased my swing speed, using Third Realm strength, before I could hit the tip of your blade."

"Weiqing, this Innate Skill of yours is very powerful. It can actually influence an opponent's judgment. Although I didn't use my full strength, my inherent physical attributes, reactions, and experience are still there."

Xiao Weiqing understood what Zhao Jia meant. Even if Zhao Jia hadn't even used a tenth of his power, a Sixth Realm was still a Sixth Realm. Not to mention Zhao Jia himself was a master of the blade; such a thing shouldn't happen.

"Then Teacher, how should I practice? Lately, cultivating it has felt more and more awkward."

Xiao Weiqing voiced his doubt, which was also his biggest frustration.

"Follow me."

The two of them went to an adjacent training room.

It was empty.

On the wall was an incredibly smooth metal plate, made of an unknown material.

"Can you see what's on there?"

Xiao Weiqing focused his gaze.

"There's nothing."

"Use your Mental Energy."

Xiao Weiqing nodded and sent out his Mental Energy.

"There's a tiny red dot the size of a sesame seed."

"Not bad, your Mental Energy is decent."

"What you need to do from now on is to swing your blade and hit this small dot."

Xiao Weiqing asked, "To what extent?"

Zhao Jia thought for a moment. "If you can hit it a hundred times in a row within a set time, I estimate you'll be able to reach the entry level of that Innate Skill of yours."

"That simple?"

"Simple? You'll know once you try. Even with your talent, it will be difficult to achieve within two months," Zhao Jia said with a smile.

Hearing this, Xiao Weiqing stepped forward.

He prepared to try.

Zhao Jia, meanwhile, walked out of the training room.

Ding!~

A soft sound rang out.

The tip of the Ironwood Blade in Xiao Weiqing's hand accurately struck the red dot.

The next moment.

The red dot changed position.

"Eh? The position changes?"

Ding!~

Xiao Weiqing hit it again.

Ding~~

The tapping sounds in the training room were incessant.

After the tenth time.

"It's starting to move?"