Chapter 122:
Chapter 122:
White Sword Island Sun(白劍閃海).
Meaning a white sword swiftly cutting through the sea like light, was not difficult to implement.
While it certainly required a high level of basic skills, there was nothing more to it.
It felt like a technique that swiftly slashed the target as if pulling space for a moment.
Of course, I inwardly thought that what I felt might not be the correct answer, but judging by White Crane Sword Saint’s reaction, it seemed different.
At least to the extent that I could follow along, White Crane Sword Saint’s face turned pale.
I slowly lowered my sword and voiced the curiosity that had arisen in my mind.
“You follow the technique quite well, so why do you seem displeased?”
“Sungyeun, you might not fully understand how remarkable this is.”
“……..?”
“I must admit it’s a bit awkward, but the White Sword Seven Styles(白劍七式) contains more advanced mysteries than the Blue Sky Sword Style (蒼天劍形).”
“…….”
“It goes beyond the basic mysteries of ‘fast’ and ‘slow’ like the Blue Sky Sword Style, encompassing a composite mystery that directly affects space itself.”
“I see.”
“But Sungyeun, you effortlessly followed White Sword Island Sun seeing it just once, and you’re at a level similar to the originator.”
I nodded in response, but in truth, I didn’t fully comprehend it.
It was understandable, though, as “fast” and “slow” in the mysteries didn’t resonate with me.
I had practically started learning martial arts on the 12th floor, so it wasn’t surprising that terms like “fast sword” and “slow sword” from murim novels sounded unfamiliar.
Of course, I could deduce their meanings through various experiences.
“So, is it because I have a broader range of martial arts I can follow than I thought?”
“It’s a bit different but similar. Sungyeun’s a genius among geniuses.”
White Crane Sword Saint’s evaluation of my talent, after some contemplation, was as follows.
“Sungyeun is a genius of intuition.”
Emphasizing having exceptional intuitive abilities.
“Recognizing the essence of a technique without relying on experience or judgment but seeing it in the moment is not a common talent.”
It was safe to say that one was not an ordinary genius.
“Doesn’t something change if it’s not an ordinary talent?”
And…….
“It does. And many things change.”
White Crane Sword Saint’s eyes began to shine even brighter than before, as if he had discovered a pearl inside a seashell picked up from the beach.
“You don’t need much time for it. Just one day is enough. ”
And……..
During this day, Sungyeun will learn most of the martial arts.”
The real learning process had begun.
»————- ★ ————-«
One day.
In a relatively short time, I could learn quite a lot.
I learned not only White Crane Sword Saint’s martial arts, the White Sword Seven Styles, but also various other techniques.
Body techniques (身法), Fist techniques (拳掌法), and even Movement techniques like Grappling…..
I learned everything I could get my hands on.
“No, can I even call this learning…..?”
In the explanation of the basic theory, White Crane Sword Saint mentioned something called “Ways” that was important in martial arts.
However, I wasn’t learning martial arts through the Ways.
I was just mimicking it.
White Crane Sword Saint showed me a martial art once, and I had to reproduce it,
of course, while learning how to manipulate mana for that specific technique……
“Apart from mana manipulation, she’s not telling me anything.”
It felt like she considered explanations a waste of time.
“Seongyun doesn’t need explanations of Ways. Just watch and mimic, that’s enough.”
When I asked her directly, she confirmed that she thought this way.
“Well, the person teaching it finds it efficient, so I have no complaints.”
I had no intention of staying in this place for long, so I kept my mouth shut and learned martial arts.
Through the teachings of just one day, the most useful martial art I learned was the White Sword Seven Styles, which involved sword techniques.
Currently, I can only perform the first three out of seven forms…..
but as the top martial artist in the previous generation, White Crane Sword Saint’s swordsmanship was exceptional.
White Sword Island Sun(白劍閃海) was a technique that, by piercing through space itself, rendered evasion impossible.
White Sword Pierce (白劍貫天) specialized in penetrating defenses with powerful thrusts.
White Sword Fold(白劍摺空) was a defensive technique that distorted the space around the sword.
Even though I had only learned three of the styles, I felt a significant improvement in my overall strength.
This was because all of the styles in the White Sword Seven Styles possessed effects comparable to skills and abilities.
The first form, White Sword Island Sun, directly punctured space, while the others, including White Sword Peirce and White Sword Fold, went beyond pure swordsmanship into manipulating the sword’s attributes.
To truly penetrate defenses or manipulate space, imbuing attributes into the sword was essential.
However, it was intriguing to learn that even without attribute imbuing, the inherent power of the forms could be harnessed to a certain extent.
By using mana manipulation specific to certain techniques, effects comparable to penetrating defenses or bending space could be achieved, making it a valuable lesson.
Nevertheless, the time for learning flowed like an arrow and soon came to an end.
“I believe I’ve taught you everything I can for now,” said White CranevSword Saint, and I nodded in agreement.
In just one day, I had learned everything I needed to know, not an exaggeration.
I had received comprehensive training, from theory to practical skills.
Even my knowledge of martial arts had expanded considerably, thanks to White Crane Sword Saint.
“Thanks to you, I’ve learned a lot.”
I said it openly, and I had no regrets about calling her my master.
“M-Master… Hehe, it’s nice to hear that. I’m glad you think of me that way.”
White Crane Sword Saint’s expression softened as she heard me address her as “master.”
After a brief moment of laughter, she looked at me and spoke again.
“Well then, I’ll be leaving now.”
There was no need for me to stay here any longer since I had learned everything.
“Oh… Already? You could stay a bit longer…”
“It’s alright. I’ve learned everything I needed to.”
However, there was a tinge of regret on Baekhakgeomseon’s face.
“I’ll come back later.”
However, I had no intention of not returning.
“Master, please take care in the meantime.”
Mentioning that she was her master, which White Crane Sword Saint liked, seemed to please her.
“Haha, yes. You take care too, Sungyeun. With your talent, if you put in the effort, your skills will improve rapidly.”
Just a moment ago, White Crane Sword Saint had been showing a bit of regret, but now she was smiling, albeit slightly.
I found it easy to like a master who was easy to get along with.
»————- ★ ————-«
“You have entered the 14th-floor waiting room.”
As I returned to the waiting room after just one day, I drew my sword and focused my mind.
I was doing this to activate the new ability I had acquired.
“……….”
White Crane Sword Saint had explained that the “Sword Master’s Path” ability allowed the development of skills.
If you had enough proficiency in a technique, you could transform it into an officially recognized skill.
Until now, I had relied on the knowledge of a skill called Demon Slayer for my swordsmanship…….
but now, after learning the complete martial art from White Crane Sword Saint, Demon Slayer was just an extra skill.
Of course, the skill’s effects were quite outstanding, so I had no intention of discarding it as a useless skill.
However,
“It’s not very efficient.”
That’s how I felt about Demon Slayer, except for the increase in cutting power.
Even just the two forms I learned from the Blue Sky Sword Style that I borrowed from NamGung hyuk were more valuable than Demon Slayer.
The White Sword Seven Styles I had just learned from White Crane Sword Saint, on the other hand, was incomparable to Demon Slayer.
So now, I intend to develop my own skills.
I would combine everything I had seen and learned up to this point.
” ‘Iron-Blooded Sword’ activated. “
“Skill ‘Combat Focus’ activated. “
In no time, a sword appeared in my left hand as well, and time seemed to slow down.
Holding a pair of swords, I unleashed the styles I had learned in a perfect martial art, which had improved since my last attempt.
However, despite all this, no skill was created.
“White Crane Sword Saint
said that a skill development system needs to be recognized as such.”
I concluded that these two sword techniques hadn’t been officially recognized, which was why no skill had been created.
“Then I just need to refine them into a system that can be recognized.”
I decided to completely remove the distinctive features of the Blue Sky Sword Style from my swordsmanship.
Even though I didn’t know all the forms like the White Sword Seven Styles, accommodating my swordsmanship to the Blue Sky Sword Styles features would be inefficient.
So…….
“I need to base it on the sword techniques I know.”
I decided that the two forms from the Blue Sky Sword Style could be regarded as supplementary forms.
However, even though I removed the distinctive features, I kept the improved dual-sword techniques I had learned from White Crane Sword Saint.
The possibility of a versatile attack demonstrated by my replica on the 12th floor was quite useful.
I couldn’t abandon the concept that attacking with dual swords is the best defense in itself.
Unconsciously, the twin swords in my hands began to take on the characteristics of White Sword Seven Styles, and it now appeared to be in good shape.
However, I still felt that it was lacking.
Continuing, I slowly began to adapt the Flying Sword of Blue Sky , Blue Sky Sword Style to White Sword Seven Styles.
With a few more slashes and thoughts brushing through my mind, I made the three forms of White Sword Seven Styles interchangeable with the two styles of the Blue Sky Sword Styles.
Now, it was a perfected state with no visible flaws.
“The Authority ‘Sword Master’sPath’ is strongly activated.”
Finally, I released my focus on combat and opened the description of the newly acquired skill.
“Skill – Sword Master’s Path (A-)” “Proficiency – 0%”
“Description – A martial art formed by combining White Sword Seven Styles and Blue sky Sword Style. ”
“Basic Effect – When using bladed weapons, it provides adjustments to both White Sword Seven Styles and Blue Sky Sword Style’s techniques, elevating the level of technique implementation.”
“Detailed Effect – When using dual sword techniques, the attack speed and effectiveness of certain techniques White Sword Seven Styles double.”
“Was this how skills are developed like this…?”
Looking at the newly created Sword Master’s Path skill window, I felt a slight sense of inadequacy.
While it was good that the Tower had acknowledged my martial art as a skill and provided various adjustments,
I couldn’t help but feel that it fell short of being an A-graded skill.
“It’s a bit disappointing, but there’s nothing I can do.
I can’t remove the skill, and I can’t evolve it either.”
However, in that moment of resignation, a good idea came to me.
“Wait, maybe I can actually raise the skill’s level…?”
There was a unique Authority that allowed the direct improvement of skill levels
“There was skill synthesis.”
The ability to combine skills to create better ones existed.
“But using it to combine Demon Slayer’s skills would be a waste.”
So, I briefly hesitated and then took out an elegant book from my inventory.
“Random Skill Book”
“Grade: A+”
“Using this will grant one random B+ grade skill.”
“Only challengers can use this item, and it cannot be transferred to others.”
It was the Random Skill Book (A+), which I had received as a reward from the 13th-floor trial.
Of course, I hadn’t even considered using it since I had gone to see White Crane Sword Saint, but…….
“Using the Random Skill Book (A+) to obtain a random B+ grade skill.”
While I was at it, I decided to use it right away.
“The Authority ‘Hero’s Protection’ is strongly activated.”
“
Luck is temporarily increased dramatically.”
And then…..
“The skill ‘Blood Spirit Demon Sword (B+)’ has been created.”
I unexpectedly acquired a fairly good skill thanks to the increased luck from the Hero’s Protection Authority.
“Skill – Blood Spirit Demon Sword (B+)” “Proficiency – 0%”
“Description – A unique sword technique that only successors of the Blood Demon Sect can learn.”
“Basic Effect – When using bladed weapons, it imbues the blade with the attribute of ‘demon,’ providing harmful effects to living beings.”
“Detailed Effect – Using the skill’s techniques triggers a unique effect, ‘Twin Strike,’ which doubles the effectiveness of the technique.”
It seemed to encourage synergy with the Blood Demon Hole Technique, but…
“The unique Authority ‘Skill Synthesis’ has been activated.”
Since I was quite pleased with the skill’s effects, I immediately activated Skill Synthesis.
“Please check your skill list.”
“Select the skills you want to use as fusion materials from your current skills.”
I selected Sword Master’s Path(A-) and Blood Demon Spirit Sword (B+),
and then…..
“The levels of the fusion materials do not match.”
“The skill ‘Sword Master’s Path’ will be the center of the fusion.”
Sword Master’s Path was designated as the central skill for fusion, and the probability of skill synthesis came to mind.
“Skill synthesis will proceed with ‘Sword Master’s Path as the center.”
“The current probability of obtaining a higher-grade skill is 88%.”
“Do you want to proceed with the synthesis?”
88%.
Considering the skill synthesis probabilities I had encountered so far, it was a quite high chance.
Thanks to the increased luck from the Hero’s Protection Authority, I felt that I could take a gamble.
“This should be a reasonable opportunity for a gamble, right?”
Of course, the chances of failure were not that high.
The probability of obtaining a higher-grade skill was also high……
“The Authority ‘Hero’s Protection’ is strongly activated.”
“Luck is temporarily increased dramatically.”
Thanks to the Hero’s Protection Authority, which increased my luck
“Skill synthesis has been completed.”
“A new skill has been created.”
Checking the newly created skill, I couldn’t help but smile deeply.
“The skill ‘Mixed Demon Sword (S-)’ has been created.”
It was a gamble that had paid off.
[To be continued.]