42: Chapter 42, "Flowing Cloud Sword Technique," the Ultimate Martial Art
Transforming the original one-meter-long cyan steel broadsword into a sword and a blade—this forging technique was beyond reproach.
Standing to the side, Zhang Fan seemed to have seen through Chen Yichuan's thoughts.
He stood with his hands behind his back and said proudly, "Don't be surprised. My master's craftsmanship is, if not the best in all of Shuangjiang County, at least easily within the top three."
"Plus, he added two pieces of hundred-refined steel, which is what allowed these two weapons to break through 10 attack power."
"You should be secretly happy to have met a blacksmith like my master."
Whenever Blacksmith Zhao was mentioned, a look of pride and self-satisfaction would appear on Zhang Fan's face; it was a kind of affirmation stemming from his master's school.
"Haha, not bad, not bad at all. I am very satisfied with these two weapons."
"Thank Blacksmith Zhao for me." Chen Yichuan was ecstatic and slung the two weapons onto his back (it came with a scabbard for back-carrying, capable of holding three weapons at once).
The night began to brighten.
The bright moon hung high, and the fragrance emitted by the purple flower fruit, a second-grade treasure medicine due to ripen tomorrow, grew increasingly intense.
Just a whiff of it made one feel joyful.
Zhang Fan stood at the gap in the cliff, his eyes vacant, but his thoughts drifting toward the purple flower fruit.
"Hey, what are you thinking about? The Ultimate Martial Arts, Flowing Cloud Sword Technique."
"Take it out and let me have a look." Chen Yichuan suppressed the excitement in his heart regarding the two weapons and hurriedly stepped forward to ask.
Compared to weapons.
Martial arts increased attributes, and it even increased a single strength attribute... Chen Yichuan was immensely expectant.
"Hehe, look at how impatient you are. Here, your big treasure, take it!"
Pulling his thoughts back, Zhang Fan tossed the Flowing Cloud Sword Technique toward Chen Yichuan, which landed steadily in his hands.
Immediately after, Zhang Fan spoke with a hint of melancholy, "The Flowing Cloud Sword Technique requires 30 points of strength, 25 points of spirit, and 20 points of agility."
"The conditions are too harsh; I can't open it, so I don't know the martial arts content inside either."
"This Ultimate Martial Arts was only mentioned a few times in my family's heritage."
"Rumor has it that the Flowing Cloud Sword Technique not only increases a single strength attribute but also contains four martial arts moves, which are extremely precious."
"As for what the moves are? I have no idea... Chen..."
Zhang Fan stood with his hands behind his back and turned around, originally intending to give Chen Yichuan a few pointers.
When he saw that Chen Yichuan had actually opened the Flowing Cloud Sword Technique and was... reading the martial arts content inside.
He was instantly dumbfounded.
30 points of strength, 20 points of agility, 25 points of spirit? Just like that, reached so easily?
Strength and agility were understandable, but 25 points of spirit... This... this.
With a shocked face and an expression of disbelief, he stared fixedly at Chen Yichuan.
"You—you, your spirit reached 25 points? This... how is this possible? Did you ever take pills to increase your spirit attribute?"
Zhang Fan was completely confused, and the look he cast toward Chen Yichuan carried three parts envy and jealousy.
Hearing this.
Chen Yichuan closed the martial arts manual and smiled slightly, "Don't misunderstand, I haven't taken any drugs. My talent comes with 10 points of spirit attribute."
"Hehe, don't be envious!"
Thump!
As soon as those words were spoken.
Zhang Fan was completely stunned.
Built-in talent??
This made it somewhat hard for him to accept for a moment.
His green talent only added 5 points of speed.
Adding 10 points of spirit?
Doesn't that mean the talent Chen Yichuan awakened is at least purple?
"Envious!! Can I say that I'm not envious?" Zhang Fan rolled his eyes, then revealed a bitter expression and gave a wry smile:
"Hehe, Chen Yichuan. Your talent is purple, right?"
Upon hearing this.
Chen Yichuan paused for a moment, took the opportunity to go along with it, and nodded, "Haha, damn, you guessed it right, that's correct! It is purple."
"I knew it." Zhang Fan murmured softly.
He let out a long, heavy breath.
After pondering for a moment, Zhang Fan looked up, his expression sincere, and said, "Chen Yichuan, can you tell me—what are the four martial arts moves that come with the Flowing Cloud Sword Technique?"
"That way, I can consider it giving the 'Zhang Family' an answer, and I'll burn it down for them in a few days."
Zhang Fan gave a wry smile.
It wasn't just that for decades, no one in the 'Zhang Family' had reached the threshold to practice the Flowing Cloud Sword Technique; more importantly—
Zhang Fan also wanted to see how strong the so-called martial arts moves were.
Hearing this.
Chen Yichuan nodded and did not refuse.
However, before that, Chen Yichuan needed to ask what exactly martial arts moves were.
Chen Yichuan had practiced several martial arts, including non-graded and First-grade ones.
Among them, only the Broken Feather Archery came with martial arts moves, but... Chen Yichuan didn't feel they were that strong.
One Breath, Two Shots.
It only allowed him to speed up his archery and improve efficiency at most.
"Zhang Fan, can you tell me about martial arts moves? You know... someone of my status doesn't have much of a background."
"I don't have as much martial arts knowledge as a 'young master' like you whose family was wiped out, hehe." Chen Yichuan said.
Thump.
Hearing these words, Zhang Fan glared fiercely at Chen Yichuan, filled with envy and jealousy.
What kind of talk was that.
Just look at Chen Yichuan's background: a Jailer in Shuangjiang County who also knew so many influential people in Taoyuan Village.
Yet he was actually envious of him, a young master whose family had been wiped out.
'Does he think I'm Sasuke Uchiha?' Zhang Fan thought helplessly, silently complaining.
Although he thought that, the two of them were now partners.
There was no need to hide such things.
"Where should I start? Anyway, Chen Yichuan, just remember one thing. A martial art containing moves is extremely precious."
"For example, using the corresponding moves with the Flowing Cloud Sword Technique not only doubles the attack power of the moves but can even unleash some unexpected abilities."
"Generally speaking, martial arts moves are something that only at least a fourth-grade martial art can possess, and even then, it's not guaranteed."
"Of course, special martial arts like Ultimate Martial Arts are the exception."
Zhang Fan stroked his chin and spoke in a deep voice.
Fourth-grade martial art?
'Damn, looking at it this way, martial arts moves are fierce.' Chen Yichuan's heart was churning.
At the same time.
He also secretly pondered why the Broken Feather Archery would have martial arts moves.
It was only a First-grade Martial Art, not some Ultimate Martial Arts.
'Could it be that the Broken Feather Archery is hiding some secret?'
Chen Yichuan thought to himself, then shook his head.
Forget it.
He would know the answer to this kind of question next time he asked Tian Yushan.
For now.
The Flowing Cloud Sword Technique was the top priority.
"Only fourth-grade martial arts have martial arts moves? Tsk, in that case, this Flowing Cloud Sword Technique is really badass."
"Fan-zi, you wait on the side for a moment. Let me master this martial art in a bit."
Chen Yichuan sat cross-legged and began to read carefully.
The martial arts moves were not recorded in the book; they could only be known after mastering it, when the martial arts manual turned into energy information.
Hearing Chen Yichuan's words.
Calling him Fan-zi one moment after another.
From just a moment ago calling him Brother Fan, to now Fan-zi.
Zhang Fan was speechless.
However, he didn't say anything, leaning against a tree, hugging a snow-white longsword, and watching quietly.
"25 points of spirit. I wonder how many minutes it will take to master it with such comprehension."
...
Three minutes later.
Chen Yichuan had finished reading the Flowing Cloud Sword Technique.
Flowing Cloud Sword Technique.
Just from the name, one could tell that although this sword technique was an Ultimate Martial Art, it was not a martial art of grand, sweeping movements.
Flowing Cloud Sword Technique.
Instead, it was a set of elegant, agile martial arts that emphasized the combination of footwork and strength.
In summary—flashy, showing off skills.