50: Third Life: How Am I the Villain? (Fifteen)

Xu Yuan's guidance was like clearing away the clouds to reveal the sun.

In an instant, it illuminated many obscure, and even previously unrealized, issues in Zhao Zheng's years of Cultivating!

"Exert seven parts of strength, reserve three... contain softness within hardness..."

Zhao Zheng muttered to himself. Subconsciously following Xu Yuan's instructions, he readjusted his breathing and the circulation of his spiritual power, attempting to swing his blade once more.

This time, he deliberately controlled his strength, relaxed his shoulders, kept some reserve power in his mind, and focused on the smooth transition between Moves.

Hum!

The sound of the blade slicing through the air seemed different; it lacked the wild screeching from before and gained a sense of composure and restraint, yet the blade speed seemed even faster by a fraction.

When the blade's momentum descended, the power was more concentrated, and the ability to retract and release felt significantly more natural and smooth, reducing the burden on himself greatly!

Although it was only his first attempt and far from perfected, the effects were immediate!

"This...!"

Zhao Zheng looked at the blade in his hand, his eyes erupting with a glow of incredulous surprise!

The power had indeed increased!

And more importantly, he felt an unprecedented sense of smoothness and control!

It was as if he had been dancing in shackles before, and now the shackles had been loosened just a bit!

Zhao Zheng suddenly looked up at Xu Yuan, his shock beyond measure.

He had been Cultivating the Mountain Splitting Blade Technique for nearly ten years and had consulted several Elders at the Foundation Establishment Stage.

The Elders' guidance was mostly high-level, focusing on spiritual power infusion, Aura cultivation, or even how to combine it with more advanced Cultivation Techniques, but no one had ever so precisely pinpointed the subtle flaws in his most fundamental exertion techniques and the transitions between Moves!

It was not that the Elders lacked insight, but rather that they had long passed this stage and perhaps had forgotten the most basic yet crucial problems they encountered during their own Qi Condensation Stage.

Or perhaps their Realm was already too high, making it difficult for them to perceive and point out these subtle inadequacies of a Qi Condensation Stage Cultivator with such meticulous detail.

Yet Daozi Highness... he could see through it at a glance!

And he pointed it out in the simplest, most straightforward way, with astonishing results!

What did this mean?

It meant that Daozi Highness's understanding of Saber Dao had reached an unfathomable, terrifying Realm that might even surpass some Foundation Establishment Elders!

Daozi Highness's attainment in Saber Dao was by no means solely dependent on talent, but rather built upon a Foundation so solid it was hair-raising, with perfect control over the most minute details!

No wonder Daozi Highness could defeat him with a single finger while at the 7th Layer of Qi Condensation!

No wonder Daozi Highness could trigger the earth-shattering phenomenon of Ten Thousand Blades Resonating!

Zhao Zheng had previously held a trace of unwillingness and a desire to compare, but now it seemed so laughable and ignorant!

To follow such an unfathomable, promising Prodigy who was also willing to guide his subordinates was truly a massive Opportunity!

The last shred of distracting thoughts in Zhao Zheng's heart completely dissipated, replaced by immense relief.

"For Your Highness's guidance, Zhao Zheng... is eternally grateful!"

Zhao Zheng bowed deeply once again. This time, he bent lower, his tone even more respectful, and even tinged with a hint of gratitude.

Xu Yuan accepted his bow calmly and smiled faintly. "Senior Brother Zhao, there is no need for such formalities. It was merely a casual remark; that you were able to gain something from it is due to your own good fortune."

Zhao Zheng shook his head repeatedly and said solemnly, "To Your Highness, it may have been a casual pointer, but for Zhao Zheng, it was like clearing away the clouds to see the sun, saving me years of hard work! I dare not forget this kindness!"

Xu Yuan said no more, simply standing with his blade, and said, "Since that is the case, then practice again. Integrate what I just said."

"Yes! Please instruct me, Your Highness!"

Zhao Zheng's spirits were greatly lifted. Knowing this was a rare Opportunity, he immediately suppressed the excitement in his heart, focused his mind, and attacked with his blade once more.

This time, he no longer pursued extreme ferocity but deliberately tried to control his strength, keeping some reserve power, and focusing on the connection and changes between Moves.

At first, it was still a bit awkward and unnatural; his control of strength was unstable, sometimes too conservative, and sometimes subconsciously overexerting his strength.

But Xu Yuan could always, at the very moment his exertion went awry, provide a "response" with the simplest basic Move, either gently deflecting his force or using a deft technique to vibrate the uncomfortable points of his exertion, while occasionally pointing out a sentence or two.

"Lower your left shoulder by three parts."

"Circulate Qi to the Dantian, do not let it stop at the arm."

"This Move has exhausted its power; change when you must, do not force it."

"Let your intent follow the blade, do not let the blade Move according to your intent."

"..."

Every one of Xu Yuan's sentences was extremely concise, yet always managed to pinpoint Zhao Zheng's most subtle issues at that moment.

Zhao Zheng, like the most devout student, was fully absorbing and adjusting.

Under the constant correction and guidance of this "wise teacher" Xu Yuan, his control over strength and understanding of blade techniques were improving at a visible rate.

The blade he swung gradually had less of the previous irritability and strain, and more fluidity and composure.

Although the power did not seem to skyrocket instantly on the surface, Zhao Zheng could clearly feel that every bit of strength was being used more efficiently, and his combat endurance and adaptability were greatly enhanced!

This seemingly "peaceful" blade technique actually possessed potential and threats far greater than before!

This "sparring" session lasted for about the time it takes to burn a stick of incense.

When Xu Yuan once again used a simple block to nimbly neutralize a wave of Zhao Zheng's continuous attacks, he sheathed his blade and stepped back, saying lightly, "Let us stop here for today."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Zheng immediately sheathed his blade and stood at attention. Although his breathing was a bit rapid and there was sweat on his forehead, his eyes were frighteningly bright, filled with excitement and the joy of gain.

He felt that the gains from this short incense-stick's time were greater than three months of burying his head in hard practice!

"Thank you for your careful guidance, Your Highness!"

Zhao Zheng bowed deeply again, his tone filled with sincere gratitude.

"Every word Your Highness spoke was a pearl of wisdom; Zhao Zheng needs some time to properly digest and comprehend them. Without Your Highness's guidance, I do not know how much longer I would have been fumbling down the wrong path!"

Zhao Zheng now wished he could immediately return to seclusion to thoroughly integrate what he had gained today.

He had a premonition that if he could fully digest it, his strength would surely rise to another level!

"Mm, go. Consolidate what you have gained; only then will you have achievements in the Secret Realm."

Xu Yuan waved his hand.

"Yes! This subordinate will take his leave! If Your Highness has any orders, call for me at any time!"

After respectfully bowing, Zhao Zheng suppressed the urge to immediately run back to Cultivate and left Daozi Hall with steady yet quick steps.

Watching Zhao Zheng's departing back, a trace of satisfaction appeared in Xu Yuan's eyes.

To discipline and subdue subordinates, relying solely on crushing strength was not enough; one also needed to provide tangible benefits and guidance.

After this incident, this general Zhao Zheng could finally be considered truly won over.

Through this sparring session, Xu Yuan also had a clearer understanding of his current actual combat power.

After integrating thousands of basics, even without using the Heavenly Tribulation Blade, his practical combat ability had reached a whole new level.

If it were a life-and-death struggle, even if he only used the most basic blade techniques, an ordinary 9th Layer of Qi Refining Cultivator would probably not be able to last ten rounds against him!

"Blackwater Secret Realm... Black Water Spirit Lotus... I hope you do not disappoint me."

Xu Yuan was even more looking forward to the upcoming trip to the Blackwater Secret Realm.