Chapter 14: The Sword and the Book

“People, go, dog, tree...”

In the backyard, Jiang Ding held a bound book, muttering softly from time to time.

“Thousand Character Classic”

Bored out, he went out for a stroll and acquired a beginner’s primer for children, complete with simple illustrations, specifically meant for learning the characters of this world.

Progress was swift; since the characters were square like his own, and with illustrations as reference, he occasionally visited the front yard to ask Huang Deyou for help—learning came easily.

After a moment’s thought, he took out the “Shenxiao Hundred-Step Flying Sword” given to him by Gong Caiyu from his chest.

Over these two days, he easily inquired about the circumstances of the Qixuan Sect’s founder.

Legend says that a thousand years ago, the Qixuan Elder was invincible in the martial world, founding a vast legacy—even the succession of emperors required the crown prince to ascend Qixuan Mountain and receive approval before ascending the throne.

“Master, I’m here!” Huang Deyou jolted awake.

This % novel {first; release, > Please visit { to read!

“Convinced?”

“It’s only because our immortal sect students have Spirit-Computers to assist us,” Jiang Ding sighed. “In other realms, martial artists are lucky if they can refine their sternum and lumbar vertebrae—and even then, only up to forty or fifty percent.”

Liu Qi’s gaze sharpened, as if pinned by a predatory beast.

Sweat poured from Huang Deyou’s forehead: “Master, it’s not just the monthly fee—they demand five taels just to open the door, four times more than other shops in the area. Worse, these wolf cubs are insatiable; no amount is ever enough.”

“Young Master, forgive us!”

Li Junhao beamed proudly: “Old Jiang, I, Li Junhao, am also a martial genius—late-blooming, and today is the day!”

“Convinced! Convinced! Thank you, Young Master! Thank you, Young Master!”

A green dragon tattooed on his left arm, a white tiger on his right; scars marked his chest and arms; a long, narrow object wrapped in black cloth was tied to his lower back—likely a blade.

A sudden clarity arose in Jiang Ding’s mind: “Mastery’s peak is merely executing sword techniques rigidly, like a machine’s program; but minor accomplishment means being able to subtly adjust the technique, transforming it from someone else’s art into one’s own.”

The arc remained a perfect arc, still precise—even measured with calipers, not a single flaw could be found—yet it somehow felt more alive.

Minor Accomplishment 1%!

Jiang Ding studied him for a moment, then said to Li Junhao: “You’ve broken through Flesh Refinement.”

Then, without warning, a tremendous force exploded, hurling him into the wall behind him, blood spewing from his mouth nonstop.

Every fiber of flesh, bone, and skin was refined to its utmost limit.

Jiang Ding’s smile vanished; his face was expressionless.

Jiang Ding said coolly: “We’ve been seen as soft targets. Bring them over.”

“Or I’ll kill you.”

The scarred giant Liu Qi’s expression changed; his hand shot behind him to grip his blade’s hilt—swift, practiced, clearly battle-hardened.

Liu Qi’s face twisted; he sensed something clearly.

Jiang Ding sheathed his sword, speaking calmly.

Jiang Ding sat back down, returning his gaze to the book.

They were vicious toward small traders, yet their eyes were sharp—they knew even if both of them attacked, it would be suicide.

Ignoring the blood soaking his chest, the scarred giant kept bowing his head, his movements smooth. “I’ve got business to attend to—I won’t keep you three for tea.”

Swordlight flickered, now left, now right, as if filling the entire training chamber.

【Training Subject: “Sixty-Eighth Set: Juvenile Eagle Takeoff Sword Art” (Mastery 99%)】

“Congratulations.”

The Spirit-Consolidating Bone-Strengthening Noodle Soup provided by the school was insufficient for all students.

“You’ve got good ears,” Jiang Ding smiled. “Give them what they want—it’s nothing.”

Sweat poured from every pore, soaking his clothes; he downed the Spirit-Consolidating Bone-Strengthening Noodle Soup in one gulp, then glanced at the pale blue figure before him.

Figures flew through the sky; some on tree branches used Wind-riding Technique to leap over ten meters in a single step; the two men on the ground stared straight ahead.

The two burly men who had been rushing to assist froze in place, unable to look forward.

The three men scrambled and crawled, wishing their parents had given them an extra pair of legs, fleeing the backyard like the wind.

Keng! A sliver of cold light slowly rose from the scabbard.

He gritted his teeth, slashing forward with a single stroke—steady, precise, swift. The blade’s edge whipped up a wind sharp enough to slice skin—he had earned the nickname “Shattered Wind Blade” within the Wild Wolf Gang.

The two men beside him fell silent, cursing under their breath.

Ding! He saw a silver star streak past, striking precisely three inches above his blade’s hilt—the exact weak point—not a hair’s breadth off.

In this feudal society, the government’s control was extremely limited, leaving many power vacuums filled by gangs and clans—unavoidable.

The ultimate achievement was one of the immortal sect’s most vital intellectual treasures—a creation that outsiders saw as miraculous: the prototype of an artificial Dao Body.

【Name: Jiang Ding】

Huang Deyou stole a glance and noticed the deadly aura radiating from these men had suddenly vanished—they now seemed utterly harmless.

After completing the sword form, Jiang Ding’s face turned pale, drenched in sweat.

These small gangs may seem insignificant, but they endure because they have protectors—he didn’t want trouble. After laughing, he sighed: “I took your advice, added extra training these past days, didn’t expect to break through so suddenly—I feel more energetic than ever.”

Keng! Unconsciously, his sword drew—revealing a bright silver, perfectly circular arc.

Huang Deyou hurried over, forehead slightly damp, lowering his voice: “Master, the Wild Wolf Gang has come—they’re here to collect the monthly fee. Protection money.”

“We need Spirit-boosting tonic!”

The Qixuan Elder’s most famous technique was the Hundred-Step Flying Sword—legend says he could sever heads from a hundred paces away, even against primordial martial artists—his terror was legendary.

“Training? Impossible. Indigenous martial arts carry too many risks—they cut off your future.”

This world is not peaceful.

Jiang Ding sheathed his sword, rested for a long while, then bathed, changed clothes, and returned to his class.

Jiang Ding’s mind grew hazy—endless nights and days of unbroken sword practice, images of sword training since acquiring the broken tip, and the scene of one man, one sword, charging into bandits, blood and flesh flying everywhere.

“No, Minor Accomplishment ‘Sixty-Eighth Set: Juvenile Eagle Takeoff Sword Art’ is too efficient—it’s too destructive on the body. Forcing further practice will harm it!”

“That’s right.”

…

At that moment, silence suddenly fell.

“I’ll let you slash me once.”

!.

The two men behind chimed in: “How dare you?!”

【Student ID: 1246215】

Inside the high school training chamber.

The Three Stages of Body Refinement emit no discernible aura, but can be judged by stride, skin luster, etc.—especially Li Junhao, newly broken through, unable to fully control his strength, walking awkwardly.

In the front yard, Huang Deyou was directing a group of temporary hires cleaning and building a new counter—clanging and banging.

“Young Master, we had no idea who we were dealing with...”

Jiang Ding stood up—no arrogance of “swords don’t strike the nameless”; Qiangzhekesha ， Louyiyebuxianqi 。

In the once-stagnant sword technique, something new had emerged.

In the martial world, eyesight matters most.

【Realm: Peak Bone Refinement】

School dismissed.

The mastery level on the panel flickered slightly, leaping to 100%, then blurred into change.

A deadly aura radiated from every inch of him—no wonder Huang Deyou couldn’t handle them.

“Manager Huang.”

“Hah!”

Jiang Ding touched the pistol grip hidden in his sleeve: “But if I can master the immortal sect’s Hundred-Step Flying Sword, my self-defense capability will skyrocket—I won’t have to worry about exposing modern firearms and drawing unknown trouble.”

Soon, three burly men, deliberately displaying their muscular chests, kicked the door open.

“Come on. Slash me once.”

Countless accumulations erupted, shattering a certain bottleneck.

Jiang Ding regarded these gangsters with mild curiosity.

Unfortunately, after the Qixuan Elder, the Qixuan Sect rapidly declined—no one since has mastered this sword art.

Jiang Ding said coolly: “Send them one tael monthly fee, one tael door-opening fee. Tell them—if they dare not come next month to collect, I’ll break their legs.”

Huang Deyou hurried after him.

His spine, straight yet slightly curved like a dragon or serpent, was mostly refined—only thirteen vertebrae remained at 23%, 5%, and other low levels.

Jiang Ding said.

“Yes, Master!”

The scarred leader growled: “Shopkeeper, you’ve got a big mouth. You make us brothers come to you? I, Liu Qi, I’ll tolerate it—but you’re showing no respect to the Wild Wolf Gang!”

He waited a moment; the three men still didn’t move. Liu Qi forced a smile.

“Beyond this? Impossible. Even Inner Qi or Primordial martial artists can’t perceive it, let alone refine it.”

“Liberal arts and cultivation are complementary—one theory, one practice,” Jiang Ding nodded. “Once we reach Inner Qi, our academic scores should rise slightly.”

Inner Qi may not match magic power, but it is still a form of energy.

With this foundation, understanding talismans, cultivation techniques, mountain geography, and spiritual veins becomes naturally easier.

Waving goodbye to Li Junhao, Jiang Ding boarded the bus—not heading home, but toward the downtown library.

(End of Chapter)