Chapter 32: Chapter Thirty-One; Having a Name Sword

Luofeng this time coincidentally went to 003 with captain Gao Feng and others; Xu Gang had been trying to find him for a while but couldn't, so Chén Chén simply took responsibility and directly handed Luofeng's communicator over to Xuxin; as for apologizing in person, it was only later that things were smoothed over a bit.

Luofeng's matter settled, Chén Chén and Jiāng Jiāng returned home and began secluded cultivation.

Chén Chén's first-stage reputation task has ended; thereafter there's no need to go out and busy oneself, and maintaining a certain sense of mystery before the public is also a method of operating popularity.

As for Jiāng Jiāng, she naturally would love to have a cat at home for a lifetime.

Jiāng Jiāng's talent, comprehension, and even the personality that Chén Chén had worried about are all compensated by her own fervent state; the talent of a mental cultivator, while not said to surpass Luofeng, is not far behind.

This little rice worm of mine is even more talented than I imagined; if Chén Chén's previous incarnation hadn't died, given the potential of that former body, he'd probably have developed into a "soft-rice story".

Since Jiāng Jiāng has displayed such talent, Chén Chén cannot let her waste it, especially regarding her personality, which after all are the consequences of his own deeds.

Chén Chén decided to spare some free time to tell Jiāng Jiāng more stories, through which he tells her: the era of the Asura, of enduring, is over.

Be pragmatic; in short, first get a clear grasp of the notion that "martists must strive".

……

Upon returning home, the first thing to do naturally is to properly test the results of this period's training.

Jiāng Jiāng, under normal conditions, has a punching force of 12,138 kg; relying on the Bloodstrike eruptive state can reach about 17,000 kg. Neural reaction speed is mid-level warrior officer—excellent, speed 103 m/s.

Unlike the common person's imagination, the Bloodstrike, which specializes in close combat, means that when a martial artist attacks in actual combat while maintaining close proximity, they cannot fully exert their whole-body strength, and since short weapons inherently have less killing power and striking force than long weapons, it becomes even more necessary to pursue maximum explosive power in a short time and short distance.

This is the so-called "dark energy", "inch energy" concept; the Bloodstrike dark energy that Jiāng Jiāng uses is not as clearly layered in amplification as the Ninefold Thunder Blade, but the overall amplification is not inferior to Ninefold at all. Especially in terms of body technique, the Bloodstrike's technique is more refined and meticulous; after less than three months, Jiāng Jiāng has already mastered the "perfect-level" body technique.

As for the fervent state, according to Chén Chén's estimate, it should be able to boost all of Jiāng Jiāng's physical qualities by 1.5 to 2.5 times, which would already be the stat panel of a high-level warrior officer.

As for Chén Chén, under normal conditions his punching force is 19,700 kg; neural reaction speed is high-level intermediate warrior officer—excellent, speed 147 m/s; using tactical amplification, Chén Chén can unleash the utmost combat power below the War God level, which is also the current true strength of this human body of his.

Compared to Jiāng Jiāng's Bloodstrike and Luofeng's study of the Ninefold Thunder Blade, Chén Chén's Having a Name amplification may be even stronger; moreover, this is the most perfect and fitting Secret Manual created by Chén Chén based on this body, or rather, this body exists precisely because of Having a Name.

Although this cultivation method currently only has a single move, its power amplification will never fall behind, no matter when or what realm one reaches.

Since Jiāng Jiāng returned, she has begun to strive hard in cultivation; although it was like that before, her aura after returning is noticeably different.

Especially after seeing Luofeng, that expression of "I'm still not strong enough" is something anyone who knows Jiāng Jiāng (namely Chén Chén) can see at a glance.

Battle can certainly stimulate potential to the greatest extent, but the subsequent settling is also crucial. If an ordinary martial artist can score sixty in this aspect to be considered qualified, then Luofeng's score in this area is eighty to something—excellent—while Jiāng Jiāng's is over ninety, nearly perfect, a prodigy.

Discussing battle, he might be timid, but when it comes to making summaries, I fucking go all out; in the realm of self-summary, Jiāng Jiāng is so professional it's insane.

At this rate, before next year's evaluation, Jiāng Jiāng's physical qualities can at least stabilize at the general level of a mid-level warrior officer, and her specific combat power will reach the limit of an ordinary warrior officer.

As for Chén Chén's side, there's no need for further summary, after all this outing was just slicing melons and cutting vegetables; all leisure time has already been summed up.

Chén Chén's next plan is naturally to continue perfecting his Having a Name.

After the sniper rifle, the next weapon for Chén Chén to comprehend is also the quintessential king of all weapons, the sword.

Since ancient times, the sword has been the instrument of a gentleman; as a weapon it also symbolizes authority, status, and identity, and on the battlefield it does not have many advantages over knives and some polearms, so with the changing times it appears more often as a ceremonial ornament or sidearm.

However, with the return of the martial artist era and the arrival of the age of individual strength, the sword's excellent and versatile attack variations have gradually made it one of the most widely chosen weapons among martial artists, only a hair's breadth away from the top-ranked blade category in the current weapon rankings.

"Chén Chén, why are you changing weapons again? I think your halberd is just fine—overbearing aura leaking out, chopping monsters is as easy as slicing vegetables."

Practicing guns, Jiāng Jiāng can understand, after all firearms are also constantly improving, and having high-end firearms counts as a backup measure. Therefore, Jiāng Jiāng intends to equip herself with a small firearm; although her aim is poor, as a strategic deterrent it is still valuable.

But Chén Chén suddenly starting to practice the sword is something Jiāng Jiāng cannot comprehend, after all Chén Chén's halberd technique has already reached the "technique-less" realm; now starting from scratch to practice another weapon isn't that just wasting time?

"All laws converge, all paths are one; only by merging and penetrating all things can one seek higher breakthroughs beyond the limit."

Although Chén Chén spoke quite cryptically, Jiāng Jiāng still understood.

Chén Chén's halberd realm is high, so to break through he must seek inspiration from other weapons. Basically, after learning the sword, he would absorb and comprehend the ways, habits of sword users, then integrate them into his own system; that way, when facing sword-wielding opponents, he could gain the utmost advantage.

Should I try it out?

Or rather, forget it; I'm still too far from Chén Chén's level. When I can forget all the moves of Bloodstrike and enter the "technique-less realm", then starting cultivation again won't be too late.

Chén Chén watched Jiāng Jiāng's strange gaze shifting back and forth several times, and he always felt that this little rabbit brat had thought up something strange again.

"How's your Bloodstrike training going?"

"I've already forgotten half of it."

"Forgotten half?"

"That's right, I went to train martial arts, striving to forget it all as soon as possible."

Jiāng Jiāng mustered twelve parts of fighting spirit and turned away excitedly.

Chén Chén rolled his eyes, this kid… he had originally wanted to discuss with Jiāng Jiāng letting her practice the sword together with him.

After all, in the area of swords and daggers, Chén Chén hasn't had much contact either; if Jiāng Jiāng helped, he should be able to get started more quickly.

But… it seems this guy doesn't want to help; if so, I'll just practice on my own.

Chén Chén's Earth body has thus far only truly trained the long halberd as a weapon, and this sword practice is not starting from scratch; having Having a Name first, then the sword, so Chén Chén is not practicing the sword, but Having a Name Sword.

The way of swordsmanship, myriad changes, chopping, thrusting, pointing, flicking, stabbing, collapsing, striking, cutting.

Unlike halberd technique, the so-called changes in moves are few, and the so-called offense and defense all lie in a single "momentum" character.

All sword arts require entering through a move and exiting through a move; the realm of move variation is also the realm of swordsmanship, and the so-called highest realm is a sword with infinite variations, where infinite variation exists solely within that one sword.

Therefore, compared to the superficial dabbling of gunmanship, swordsmanship for Chén Chén should be a long-term study.

Using Having a Name as an introduction to the Way, while the Way of swordsmanship ultimately is also part of Having a Name's Way, serving as nourishment for Having a Name's Way.

Chén Chén focused his mind and gathered his strength, one chop aimed at the fleeting world, one thrust aimed at the vast sky, under the continuous moonlight, again and again.

While practicing the sword, the spare energy was directed to the other side of the courtyard; Jiāng Jiāng also only under the moonlight bitterly practiced one move after another, separated by the distance of two rooms, the two people's movements barely achieved some kind of synchrony, and as the Earth's viewpoint pulled back, simultaneously the two people in the two courtyards had movements that also became different.

Speaking of which, if it weren't for that little brat, in this evaluation, excluding myself, the World Tree would actually end up at the bottom.

Unlike the situation in the previous life where Luofeng stood out alone, this era seems poised to produce even more talents.

All in all, it's a good thing.

……

Fengdu's No. 9 training ground.

This match is an elimination round from eight to four; as long as one passes this stage, they get the chance to compete for the War God quota, and even if they lose the next match, they still have a chance to vie for third place; Mo Fan has prepared for this day for over two months.

Just this morning, the liberal arts exam scores came out; Mo Fan's score was considerably better than I had imagined, he got over seventy points, roughly a mid-level standing, and as long as I pass the round of eight, the points from the semifinals ranking match can pull me ahead of everyone outside the top sixteen by twenty-five points.

In that case, I could almost throw aside everyone outside the top 16, leaving only competitors within the top 16.

Moreover, among the ten spots in the top sixteen, there was still a fifteen-point gap to the top four, enough for Mo Fan to stand out among the remaining thirteen.

After all, the academic scores weren't that high either; among the top 16, only a few scored above 90, and out of several hundred peers, only five or six got perfect scores, while the top 16 had just one.

That person is Mo Fan's opponent in this match, and besides Mo Fan, the only hometown fellow who made it to the top eight alongside him—Ji Heng.

Ji Heng's old habit of showing up at the last minute meant she only arrived fashionably late when the preparation time was almost over.

"Sorry, I'm a bit late."

At first I thought she was genuinely sorry, but after knowing Ji Heng a bit longer I realized she almost always says that whenever you meet her, just like a standard greeting.

Of course, no one really blames her, after all Ji Heng is never late.

Ji Heng was indeed checking her weapons and gear when she casually said something to Mo Fan.

"I didn't expect you to be this strong, making it this far."

Mo Fan also smiled and replied:

"You're even stronger."

Among all the top-eight competitors, Mo Fan lacked confidence facing only one person—Ji Heng.

Ji Heng seemed to nod, directly acknowledging it, then after confirming with the referee, she walked straight to her ready position.

"You'd better make good use of your talent."

While Ji Heng spoke, the referee also checked with Mo Fan; Mo Fan looked at Ji Heng, signaled the referee, and answered at the same time.

"Of course."

I, Mo Fan, possess more than just talent.

"Match, begin—"

Almost as soon as the referee's whistle blew, both shot forward like arrows.

Mo Fan wielded a blade, Ji Heng a spear—coincidentally the weapons used by the world's current number one and number two powerhouses.

After exchanging several blows, they were still evenly matched, and this made Mo Fan the only player so far who had endured over a minute against Ji Heng without losing.

Below the stage.

"I really didn't expect Ji Heng to be this strong when I came; our Jiangnan trio of special recruits this time... tsk tsk, we'll be able to brag about them later."

"Yang Yuan, you and Ji Heng aren't neighbors, right? Who do you think will win between them?"

Mo Fan isn't the type to hide his abilities; although Zhang Fei and the others don't know Mo Fan's hidden cards, they roughly have an idea, while Ji Heng—aside from public gatherings, you hardly see her, and her previous matches were mostly over in two or three moves, making it impossible to gauge anything.

Yang Yuan looked at the stage and shook her head:

"My understanding of Ji Heng's strength isn't much better than yours, but I can be certain that Mo Fan is definitely no match for Ji Heng."

After saying that, Yang Yuan gazed deeply at the arena above.

"She is a very hardworking person."

Yang Yuan didn't elaborate, but a female voice beside her chimed in to analyze for everyone.

"Her guess is correct."

"Mo Fan himself knows he's no match; right from the start he went all out. His cultivated secret art is called the Wave-Stacking Blade, a sword technique where the force returned from each strike is retained and added to the next……"

Just as the analyst said, Mo Fan's blade became faster and heavier.

"Wouldn't that mean Mo Fan keeps gaining an advantage then?" Jiang Zhou asked.

The woman explaining shook her head.

"If the force could keep stacking, it wouldn't be called wave-stacking; the stacked force is like ocean waves—after each impact it returns to the body, and using a specific stance, one channels that force into the next attack."

"But when the returning wave force exceeds the limit of a frontal strike, surpassing what Mo Fan can bear or correct, he would lose even without that girl lifting a finger."

Meanwhile on the stage, Mo Fan also felt the pressure, having exerted all his strength, yet so far Ji Heng's defenses have remained merely at normal levels.

That is to say, even forcing Ji Heng to use her full strength is out of the question, let alone defeating her.

Wave-Stacking Blade—Tenfold Wave Stack.

This is already the limit of my usual training; going further……

What Mo Fan didn't expect was that, facing this strike, Ji Heng still chose to meet it head‑on.

By the time they clashed, Mo Fan already knew his strike had failed again, but perhaps an eleventh stack could still be unleashed……

The two figures collided, and the crowd below still couldn't tell who was winning.

"I concede."

Mo Fan finished speaking, slowly eased his force, and raised a hand to signal.

Mo Fan is a very pragmatic person—"Pursuing further wave‑stacking wouldn't increase his chances of victory; it might even hurt him. Although the World Tree's healing is remarkable, who can guarantee it won't affect the upcoming matches? The losers' bracket placement match is the only—and last—thing Mo Fan can still do to secure this spot."

"Keep going."

Ji Heng opposite showed no pretension either; after all, the result of this match was already settled, and after speaking she simply left the venue.

As Ji Heng turned with her heroic bearing, the referee then slowly announced:

"Top‑eight match, first round—winner: Ji Heng."