53: A weapons shop

"If possible, try not to choose a sword. Whether facing a Yao Beast or an enemy, it doesn't hold an advantage."

"Teacher, why?" Fei Xiaobao asked.

"No reason, it's just that its lethality is on the weaker side."

"Oh, alright."

Upon hearing this, Fei Xiaobao ran to the rack and swapped for a Tang Dao just like the one Xiao Weiqing had.

Zhao Jia nodded in satisfaction. "Not bad."

Fei Xiaobao chuckled, "Hehe, Teacher, I'm the type of person who listens to advice."

Zhao Jia nodded, "Hmm."

Next, the teaching officially began.

"Take the blade as an example. Even most one-handed weapons are the same. It comes down to one word: fast!"

"Fast speed, fast strikes, fast reactions."

"Those of you who possess 'Art' and 'Spirit' Extraordinary Talent don't need to learn those flashy Moves."

"When an enemy gets close, you only need to parry. In an instant, you can use your Innate Skill to counterattack."

"However, how can one react quickly and strike quickly to attack and parry?"

Fei Xiaobao said, "Yeah, how?"

Zhao Jia nodded at Fei Xiaobao.

"Fast reactions, Body Tempering, and honing the Physical Body can also be innate. For example, people with naturally sensitive nerves. Of course, it can also be trained in the Acquired stage, but this requires gradual progress."

"Fast strikes mean constantly practicing fixed movements, using the simplest way to draw the blade."

As he spoke, Zhao Jia continuously drew and sheathed his blade, demonstrating both forehand and backhand strikes several times.

Everyone watched very attentively. A true expert shows their skill with a single Move; Zhao Jia's movements were too concise, one could even say simple, without a single wasted motion.

"Next, let's do some practical drills."

"What is your name?" Zhao Jia asked Fei Xiaobao.

"Teacher, my name is Fei Xiaobao."

"Alright, Trainee Fei Xiaopang, take your blade and attack me."

Fei Xiaobao felt a stir in his heart, "That's exactly what I intended!"

He took a step forward and brought his blade down in a straight slash.

"Clang!"

Zhao Jia sidestepped and used the back of his blade to strike the hilt of Fei Xiaobao's Tang Dao. Fei Xiaobao immediately felt a massive force from the back of the blade, and the Tang Dao flew out of his hand.

"Idiot, did the movements I just taught you include this Move?"

"'Cleaving Mount Hua' is either used by a master of the blade or it is the stupidest Move. It leaves your center wide open, attacking without defense. Even if I hadn't struck just now, you would have tripped over yourself. When striking, you must have residual force to use for changing Moves."

Fei Xiaobao realized suddenly: "So this Move of mine is called 'Cleaving Mount Hua'."

"..."

Zhao Jia cursed, "Get to the side and practice the blade-drawing stance I just taught you one thousand times."

"Oh, I understand, Teacher."

Fei Xiaobao was all about being obedient. He took his blade, walked to the side, and began practicing over and over, meticulous and gradually looking the part.

Zhao Jia said again, "Who is Xiao Weiqing?"

"Teacher, I am Xiao Weiqing."

"Come here. Your Extraordinary Talent is fire, right? You can use your Art abilities."

Fei Xiaobao, listening from the side, was unhappy, "Teacher, why?"

"Add 200 times."

Fei Xiaobao: "..."

Xiao Weiqing nodded; he didn't refuse, as the opportunity was rare.

Without hesitation, he gripped the Tang Dao at his waist with his right hand.

"Clang!"

With a light hum, the Tang Dao left its sheath.

From bottom to top, he slashed out, and at the same time, the blade was instantly covered in flames.

"Boom!"

It created a whistling sound from friction with the air as he attacked Zhao Jia.

"Well done!"

Zhao Jia praised him inwardly.

"This kid really has some skills. It's hard to imagine that someone who only recently experienced Awakening could possess such control over flames. No wonder he was able to defeat several Geniuses with Level 5 Extraordinary Talent."

"Clang!"

Zhao Jia blocked horizontally with his blade, and the two blades collided, making a crisp sound.

One strike. Two strikes. For several consecutive strikes, it was Xiao Weiqing attacking and Zhao Jia defending; it was clearly a sparring session for Xiao Weiqing.

Xiao Weiqing didn't have any wasted movements either; he was simply learning to strike just as Zhao Jia had taught, though he was using a fire blade.

"Not bad. Your learning ability is very strong. Come again, use your full strength," Zhao Jia encouraged.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Weiqing didn't delay. He slashed at Zhao Jia, and at the same time, his left hand released Spiritual Qi, his palm slamming fiercely toward him.

Fire Owl—!

Zhao Jia's pupils constricted, "Good lad."

He felt that he had still underestimated this Xiao Weiqing; this Level 3 True Art was surprisingly strong.

Zhao Jia's gaze changed, his temperament turning cold, instantly becoming a warrior who had fought for a long time on the battlefield.

He stepped back slightly.

"Cross Slash!"

Zhao Jia didn't have a burst of Spiritual Qi; he simply and seriously slashed twice, agitating the airflow and forming a blade aura.

Boom!

The two attacks collided, triggering an explosion, and a strong air wave spread to the surroundings.

It caused everyone to look over.

"This Xiao Weiqing, I haven't seen him for a day, how does it feel like his strength has improved another step?" Duan Shuyu looked incredulous.

Yin Tiantian nodded blankly; she had felt this Move before, and it was indeed much stronger than a few days ago.

Zhao Jia sheathed his blade in satisfaction, "Very good. Your reactions are quite good, you have a lot of talent for blade training. Remember to practice more in private."

"Understood, Teacher Zhao."

Afterward, Xiao Weiqing walked to the side and practiced drawing and striking with the blade along with Fei Xiaobao.

"Alright, you who are practicing with swords, come over."

"The sword is all about..."

In the A-4 training ground, a hundred Trainees were constantly swinging their weapons, practicing, and some were sparring. The morning passed quickly.

"Alright, that's it for today's class. Go back and practice well. The teaching videos are also on the school website; search for my name, and you will find them."

"Trainees of 'Art' and 'Weaponry', if you have questions about Cultivation, come here half an hour early for the next class, and I will answer them all at once."

"Dismissed."

Everyone left.

Xiao Weiqing, however, found Zhao Jia.

"Teacher, do I need to pay for this blade?"

Xiao Weiqing looked helpless.

During the fight just now, he had injected 10 strands of Qi Fire, and this blade made of refined steel couldn't handle it; it was severely deformed.

Zhao Jia looked at the Tang Dao in Xiao Weiqing's hand in surprise.

Although the weapons used for training in the academy were only made of alloy Materials, they were generally hard to damage with ordinary fire. How did Xiao Weiqing make it look like this in just a few minutes?

Zhao Jia took the Tang Dao; the hilt was still very hot to the touch. He reached out and lightly flicked the blade.

"Clang!"

The blade actually cracked.

"Teacher, this can't be counted on me."

For a moment, Xiao Weiqing wondered if Zhao Jia was trying to swindle him.

"..."

"Rest assured, you don't need to pay. The Upper Academy isn't short of those few points you have."

"However, this is indeed a problem. Your Extraordinary Talent is clearly not ordinary fire," Zhao Jia affirmed.

After thinking for a moment.

"How about this, I'll give you an address. Go to him and get a Spiritual Qi weapon, just say I referred you."

Xiao Weiqing nodded, and information from Zhao Jia came through on his Wristband, which contained an address.

"Thank you, Teacher Zhao."

After leaving the training ground, he sent a message to Wei Lan, telling her to go Cultivate Spiritual Qi on her own, as he was going out for something.

Half an hour.

Xiao Weiqing arrived at a weapon shop.

The shop was very large, nearly a thousand square meters. This was the Upper Academy, the place closest to the center of the academy; one could imagine the strength of this shop.

Upon entering, a beautiful receptionist walked up.

"Hello, Trainee, welcome to A Weapon Shop."

"Is there anything I can help you with?"