63: Cut me with a knife

Xiao Weiqing returned to his Villa and went to the cultivation room.

He began to Cultivate the Samadhi True Fire Spirit Refining Art until his state had fully recovered.

He opened the panel.

Realm: Initial Realm

Extraordinary Talent: Samadhi True Fire (Samadhi True Fire Spirit Refining Art)

Mental Energy: 10.2

Spiritual Qi: shenque acupoint

Physique: Mortal Realm

First Samadhi Qi Fire: (608/1000) wisps

"Meditation is a bit difficult, but it really has a significant effect on improving Mental Energy."

"It's about time."

"I'll go find Teacher Zhao to learn saber techniques."

He picked up the Red Dragon and headed out.

Before returning, he had already made an appointment with Zhao Jia. Zhao Jia had given him an address and told Xiao Weiqing to find him at three in the afternoon.

Following the address given by Zhao Jia.

Xiao Weiqing arrived at an indoor training ground.

At this moment.

Zhao Jia was teaching several Trainees; looking at their school uniforms, they were all second-year Trainees.

"You're here? Have a seat first, it'll be over in a moment."

"It's fine, Teacher Zhao."

Xiao Weiqing sat to the side and watched Zhao Jia's teaching. For him, this was also a great learning opportunity.

Twenty minutes later.

Zhao Jia dismissed those few second-year Trainees.

"Xiao Weiqing, come here."

Zhao Jia didn't waste any words and went straight to the point.

"Last time I taught you some basic movements. Come try them out."

"Slash me with your blade."

Xiao Weiqing nodded. "Alright!"

Clang!

Red Dragon unsheathed, Xiao Weiqing drew his blade and slashed.

"Hey... hey... what are you doing?"

Zhao Jia glared at him.

Xiao Weiqing stopped in his tracks, his face full of confusion. "Teacher Zhao, didn't you tell me to slash you?"

"I told you to slash me, I didn't tell you to slash me with the Red Dragon."

"What if you slash and break these teaching blades of mine? Go to the rack and get a wooden saber."

"Oh, okay."

Xiao Weiqing sheathed the Red Dragon and set it down, then picked up a wooden saber. It felt heavy in his hand and had a good texture.

"This is made of Ironwood. It's even better than average alloy weapons and is most suitable for teaching."

"Come on, slash me. Don't use Spiritual Qi."

Xiao Weiqing nodded, his eyes narrowing. He stepped out in a lunge and delivered a diagonal slash.

Clang

The two ironwood sabers actually made a metallic sound.

Xiao Weiqing's attack was also easily parried by Zhao Jia.

"Not bad. Your posture is very standard. It seems you've practiced seriously in private."

Xiao Weiqing didn't stop. He followed the momentum with a forward step and a horizontal sweep.

No hit.

He turned and delivered a downward cleave.

No hit.

He followed with an upward swing, all of which were easily blocked by Zhao Jia.

"Stop, that's enough. Very good."

"You have a lot of talent for the saber."

Xiao Weiqing withdrew his blade and waited for Zhao Jia's next instruction.

"Did you see my parrying movements clearly just now?"

Xiao Weiqing nodded slightly and then shook his head.

"I remember a little bit."

"Let me demonstrate for you again."

"First, you must understand that parrying requires more technique and timing than attacking. Attacking can overpower all techniques with sheer strength even without technique, but parrying cannot."

"When parrying with a saber, remember three main points."

"First, for you Technique Cultivators, try not to take a parry head-on. Instead, use the diagonal angle of the blade to deflect the enemy's attack or reduce the impact on yourself."

"Second, a parry must guard the body's centerline; otherwise, it's an ineffective parry. Simply put, you must protect the centerline of your body to avoid exposing vital areas like the throat, heart, and groin."

"Third, after parrying, you must quickly pull away or counterattack immediately. Otherwise, it's also an ineffective parry because you'll fall into the opponent's offensive rhythm."

"As the saying goes, 'a long defense must eventually fail.' The purpose of parrying is not the parry itself, but to enable your next counterattack."

Xiao Weiqing's eyes lit up. As expected of a weapon Great Master, he was concise and to the point.

Zhao Jia continued, "Now that you know the theory, let's learn the basic Moves."

"Watch closely."

"Lifting Parry, to deal with lower-body slashes or sweeps."

"Head-Wrapping Parry, to deal with attacks from the side or back."

"Diversion Parry, using the diagonal surface of the blade to take the attack and then guide it away from its original direction."

"..."

"Finally, there's the Intercepting Blade, using the blade horizontally to intercept and stop a straight thrust. It's mostly used against swords or spears, then seeking an opportunity for a close-range counterattack."

Xiao Weiqing nodded, watching Zhao Jia's movements meticulously while constantly mimicking them.

Zhao Jia added, "As for the Stance, I'll demonstrate it for you, but try not to use it."

"Why?"

"Because when you encounter a Martial Cultivator, their strength is great, and you generally won't be able to hold the stance. Opening your center would be a fatal flaw. When encountering other Technique Cultivators or Spirit Cultivators, using a stance doesn't mean much anyway; those few Moves above are enough for you."

Xiao Weiqing bowed his head. "I understand. Thank you, Teacher Zhao."

"Mm, let's try it. This time I'll attack and you'll defend. I won't use Spiritual Qi either; my strength and speed will be maintained at a level similar to yours."

Xiao Weiqing's gaze shifted slightly. "Alright, Teacher Zhao, come on."

Zhao Jia took a step to the side and delivered a simple diagonal cleave. It was extremely fast, accompanied by a whistling sound.

Xiao Weiqing subconsciously held his blade horizontally to parry.

Clang!

Bang!

Xiao Weiqing was struck by the blade and his arm went numb.

"Wrong, the angle is wrong."

"Again!"

Another strike, a simple horizontal slash.

Xiao Weiqing used the Lifting Parry.

"Blocked it!"

He felt a surge of joy in his heart.

Thud!

"Hmph!"

Xiao Weiqing let out a muffled groan as his shoulder was struck again.

"What are you doing? After parrying, either pull away or counterattack."

"Again!"

Clang!

Thud...

"Again!"

...Two and a half hours later.

Xiao Weiqing was covered in bruises.

There was hardly a single intact muscle on his upper body, and his whole body ached.

"Alright, that's enough for today. Go back and digest this well."

Xiao Weiqing nodded, grimacing in pain. "Teacher Zhao, am I too poor at this?"

"Poor?"

"Why would you think that?"

"You explained it so clearly and even taught me step-by-step, but I can't even block two out of ten strikes."

"Hahaha..."

Zhao Jia laughed loudly. "What are you thinking? It would be scary if you could block them. Even if my strength and speed were at the same level as yours, you couldn't possibly be my match. My experience and reactions are not something you can compare to."

"That you've held on for so long has already surprised me."

"Do you know that those few kids just now couldn't even last half an hour in my hands at the beginning? They were crying and shouting in pain, and they're Martial Cultivators."

Xiao Weiqing suddenly realized that he had been overthinking. He hadn't considered who was standing opposite him.

Zhao Jia patted Xiao Weiqing's shoulder, making him gasp in pain.

"Go back and try it with your classmates, then you'll know."

"Alright, Teacher Zhao."

Then Zhao Jia took out a bottle of medicine.

"Take this. It's for bruises. Rub it on yourself when you get back, and use it sparingly."

"Thank you, Teacher Zhao."

"Mm, right."

"Find some time to take on some missions. Go outside the academy to kill some Yao Beasts and see some blood. Your blade lacks killing intent."

Xiao Weiqing nodded, bid farewell to Zhao Jia, and dragged his aching body back to the Villa.

He happened to run into Wei Lan at the entrance.