Chapter 597: Proving the Dao with Force

On the Jin Gang Fort playground.

Lei En sits on the stone steps at the edge of the field, watching the battle.

Four people are engaged: one side is Ouroin Master, the other side is Wei Lien, Xika Liusi and An Weila. Both sides use no spells, only the purest swordsmanship.

Ouroin Master holds a cross longsword, facing three opponents, showing no sign of defeat and instead taking the upper hand. Relying solely on footwork, he easily breaks through their encirclement; his sword thrust looks light, his swordsmanship shows little flourish yet contains clever and potent strength.

Xika Liusi wields the thousand‑pound greatsword forged by Lei En, bearing a ninth‑level power Element, each swing unleashed at full force, but when the greatsword meets Ouroin Master's cross longsword, his motions instantly warp, and his towering heavy body is knocked back, losing his defensive posture.

Wei Lien's "Storm Tear" is no better.

No matter how intricate and dazzling his sword technique variations are, Ouroin Master always breaks through with a single sword, hitting the vital point and leaving him looking very disheveled.

An Weila is the weakest of the three; despite her extreme speed, to Ouroin Master she is like a snail, and no matter from which angle she flashes out to ambush, a casual sword blocks her.

Figures dart, sword lights cross.

The longsword clash produces a succession of metallic ringing.

Ouroin Master's swordsmanship is always so plain and unadorned, appearing unremarkable and using no spells, yet he pins the three fairly strong opponents down tightly, leaving them no chance.

Lei En at the edge of the playground and hundreds of Extreme Warriors and Spearwing Knights watch in awe; even though they've seen such scenes many times, they still find it extremely thrilling.

A few minutes later.

Wei Lien, Xika Liusi and An Weila have their swords knocked away, and the fight ceases.

If this were a life‑or‑death battle, the three would have been killed dozens of times.

Wei Lien pants heavily, raises his hand in salute and says, "Thank you, Master, for your instruction." He is a Legendary Peak, the strongest of the three, yet also the one under the greatest pressure; each sword feels like treading the brink of life and death, stimulating his Willpower and refining his swordsmanship.

Ouroin, while engaging the three at once, applies pressure that differs; the stronger the opponent, the greater the pressure, and it is just right.

Xika Liusi and An Weila also express thanks.

"Thank you, Master, for your instruction."

Ouroin smiles, breathes evenly, not a drop of sweat on his body, as if defeating the three was as simple as a wave of his hand, requiring no effort.

"You all are improving quickly."

He first offers a compliment, then begins to evaluate each one: "Wei Lien, I can understand your yearning for Holy Soul Ascension, so you always try to use the Blade Storm in battle, which affects your mindset and prevents you from unleashing your full strength. All sword Elements are actually composed of the most basic swordsmanship, Blade Storm is no exception. When you hone other sword techniques, you can also boost Blade Storm, so you need not be bound to using Blade Storm; perhaps the promotion from other sword techniques is even more effective."

Wei Lien nods thoughtfully, and Ouroin Master has never used sword Elements.

"Xika Liusi, your situation is exactly opposite to Wei Lien's," Ouroin says, looking at the tall barbarian, "You are overly confident in your strength, preferring power‑burst Elements, and you still lack some training in the fundamentals of swordsmanship; you should spend more time to remedy that."

"Thank you, Master, I have taken note," Xika Liusi says with a look of having been taught.

Previously, Xika Liusi thought the Makurag people's swordsmanship, especially with greatswords, was the strongest in the world, and only the clan chief Marius's swordsmanship was a little stronger than his.

But after days of sparring, he finally truly witnessed what the strongest swordsmanship is!

Power, speed, technique, footwork—the strength Ouroin Master displayed left Xika Liusi awestruck, his former arrogance completely shattered, now fully humbled.

Ouroin's gaze lands on An Weila, praising, "An Weila, your swordsmanship talent is the best I've seen, your rapid progress even surprises me. I hope you ascend to Legendary soon; when that happens, we can spar again, and you should give me a surprise."

He does not conceal his fondness for An Weila.

Moreover, offering only praise without critique indicates An Weila has already reached the limit of her own strength, leaving no issues to point out.

After all, An Weila is only a seventeen‑year‑old girl; even with a cool demeanor, being praised by a Holy Soul Wizard makes her very delighted, and she happily says, "Master, you flatter me!"

Wei Lien and Xika Liusi both feel a bit envious of her sword talent, and they both clearly sense it.

Ouroin shakes his head.

He glances at An Weila, then at Lei En by the side, sighing, "I've never taken a formal student; if I could meet you in the morning, An Weila you could be the first, but unfortunately Lei En won't give up his claim…"

An Weila's beautiful face shows a hint of difficulty, and she shakes her head firmly: "Sorry, Master."

"Master, you can't poach my recruit," Lei En walks over. In recent days he has repeatedly sensed Ouroin Master's intention to take disciples, and today he finally can't hold back, apparently testing himself, and says with a smile, "When the 'X Combat School' is completed, Master you will be the principal, all the students will be your students, and there won't be a lack of An Weila."

"I doubt there will be another student as good as An Weila," Ouroin says, still feeling regret.

Lei En's mind shifts, "Master, rest assured, An Weila will also enter the X School later; you can continue to mentor her, which is no different from her being your student."

"Fine," Ouroin says, his eyes slightly brightening, "Then it's a promise."

He isn't trying to compete with Lei En for a student; he simply feels An Weila is perfectly suited to inherit his techniques, and teaching her himself can better draw out her talent and potential.

An Weila feels very delighted inside.

She loves learning swordsmanship from Ouroin Master, but if it means giving up her status as his student, she'd rather forgo it.

Entering the X School is a win‑win solution.

Ouroin, having fulfilled a wish and feeling quite good, suddenly says, "Lei En, you've been watching for so many days, would you like to spar with me as well?"

In the past few days at Jin Gang Fort, many people have sparred with him.

Including Legendary Peak Extreme Warriors and several of the most outstanding captains among the Spearwing Knights, each clamored to step up, but Lei En only watched, remaining a spectator.

Lei En shakes his head repeatedly, "I'm accustomed to using a war hammer, I only know a little swordsmanship, so I won't make a fool of myself in front of the Master."

A little swordsmanship...

Around, Xika Liusi and the Extreme Warriors wear somewhat odd expressions.

The Spearwing Knights also exchange puzzled looks.

They have all witnessed Lei En's swordsmanship and have personally instructed the Spearwing Knights; their keen eyes always pinpoint flaws in sword techniques. Although they haven't personally seen Lei En duel with a sword, it's certainly not 'just a little'; likely, aside from Ouroin Master, no one present has swordsmanship stronger than his.

Lei En's gaze sweeps over his followers, silencing them with a look.

He truly does not wish to spar with Ouroin Master.

It's meaningless.

Both are battle Wizards, yet their combat styles differ.

Ouroin Master develops strength and agility in balance, placing greater emphasis on technique and swordsmanship, much like the old novel saying 'one sword shatters ten thousand methods'; whereas he (Lei En) centers on pure force, technique being less crucial—once a certain realm is attained, it's enough, supplemented by power‑burst Elements, belonging to 'prove the Dao with force'!

The war hammer is his destined weapon.

He can fight with a sword and mentor others' swordsmanship, but there's no need to pour excessive time and effort into swordsmanship; that would be neglecting the fundamentals.

Moreover, Lei En believes his swordsmanship is not as good as Ouroin Master's, and does not want to...

Even if it's just friendly sparring, he refuses to lose. In his whole life he has never been defeated in a direct duel, and hopes to keep it forever.

Ouroin didn't know the reason; he just said it offhand, and when Lei En really didn't want to fight, he called it off.

At that moment an Extreme Warrior emerged from the teleportation hall fortress, holding a stack of newspapers, handed them to Lei En, and reported: "Boss, this is what Butler Fabian asked me to pass to you."

"Hmm."

Lei En took the newspapers; Fabian had already highlighted the key information in red ink.

In total just over ten minutes of papers, all from the Empire's largest‑circulation newspaper, which also ran a news item: Ouroin Master will establish a combat wizard school, open to the entire Empire, and will set up enrollment sites in the Empire's eighteen major cities within a month; more detailed enrollment regulations will be announced soon.

At the end of the notice, Ouroin Master's words were attached, recruiting a dozen wizards he has mentored, asking them to come to Glamorgan.

"Take a look as well."

Lei En handed the newspaper to Ouroin Master and Weili En.

This was agreed upon by the three: publish the enrollment plan in the paper to pre‑heat promotion, and once the school is initially established, the news will spread throughout the Empire.

With Ouroin Master's reputation and Lei En's involvement, clearly stating that Lei En will serve as Director of Instruction at the combat school, it will surely attract those gifted new‑born super‑humans.

So many newspapers carried it, already proving its authenticity.

Enrollment proceeds in tandem with construction.

Lei En has been busy these days; besides watching sword sparring at Jin Gang Fort, he has already begun preparations for the school. Yesterday he visited the Giant Dragon Forest, selected an unremarkable low‑lying mountain range there, and will build the school amid the hills, asking Kaidejia to set up the teleportation array.

Mo Du is also purchasing building materials; the territorial officials have the cooperation of the Luogesi family, making supply allocation easy.

On the construction side, Lei En contacted the dwarf craftsmen who built Jin Gang Fort for him, settled the price, and had Anxiwodasi design the school's protective formation, then commissioned a wizard from Weizelan to arrange the array; they will start work once the teleportation array is finished.

Gold Shield flowed out like water; within days a hundred‑million Gold Shield was spent, but efficiency was gained.

Lei En estimates the school will be completed before the New Year.

Three months to finish a school.

This pleased Ouroin greatly; as principal he need not do much, everything is left to Lei En, so he has time to spar with others.

After reading the paper, he said joyfully, "Good, now we wait for future teachers to come to me. Weili En, you also hurry, set up enrollment sites in every city, and officially start recruitment."

"Very well, Master," Weili En replied, "I have already dispatched people to work on it at full speed."

"Excellent."

Ouroin set the newspaper down, raised his cross‑guarded sword, and solemnly said, "You've rested enough, right? Come again."

Weili En, Xikalius and Anweila all nodded, gripping their swords tightly.

Lei En stepped back silently.

He watched for a while then left, teleporting back to Glamorgan Castle, entering his study, and gave a command to the gun‑wing knight at the door.

Fabian entered quickly, "Lord, you summoned me."

"Has anything happened in the territory lately?" Lei En asked, "Or have you noticed any anomalies?"

The wind‑elf butler, unaware of the count's reason for asking, thought carefully and said the biggest current matter in the territory was Ouroin Master's visit, then slowly shook his head, "Lord, nothing special, everything is normal." Seeing Lei En's furrowed brows, he feared he had erred and cautiously asked, "Lord, is something wrong?"

"Not for now."

Lei En gave no explanation, reminding, "Increase patrol vigilance lately; you go out first."

"Yes." Fabian left the study, bewildered.

"Strange."

After the wind‑elf left, Lei En muttered to himself: it's been almost ten days since returning from BrewotzAcademy, and nothing has happened; this isn't like Duke Hong Shi's vengeful nature.

In a few days the Consul will lead the formal establishment of a supervision committee.

Lei En had thought Duke Hong Shi would use this time to find trouble for him; could it be that because Ouroin Master is in Glamorgan, he dares not act rashly?

He had just been to Kangjiatuo this morning, to Jinsilan's Aimilisi and child, and to the Augustus Principality; everything was as usual.

Lei En does not think Duke Hong Shi will swallow his pride.

The current calm may merely be the prelude to a storm.

If Duke Hong Shi has not struck at Glamorgan or the Augustus Principality, then is he planning action against me personally?

Lei En does not believe Duke Hong Shi would defy the goddess's Willpower and personally eliminate him.

Suddenly a thought struck him; he took a delicate diary from the Nebula Ring, it was written by Feilis before she died.

Feilis was Duke Hong Shi's secret lover; in the diary she noted that shortly after Duke Hong Shi returned from Longshande to ParrasFloatingCity, he began an important magical experiment, warning her not to cause trouble for ten years, especially not to provoke anyone connected to Holy Soul wizards.

Lei En carefully leafed through the diary.

"An important magical experiment? Over ten years…?" He calculated; three years have already passed, so the experiment surely isn't finished.

Could Duke Hong Shi's restraint be related?

He sat in his study for a long time, still unable to discern the truth, but that does not stop him from deciding. Whatever Duke Hong Shi intends, or whatever scheme he has, he will not let him succeed.

"You want a peaceful magical experiment? No way!"

Lei En decided that before heading to Nuosiruier, he would present a grand gift to Duke Hong Shi and his ParrasFloatingCity, one that he would never forget.

(End of Chapter)