38: Professional Courses

The incident of the man-eating monsters in Gusu University Town fermented online for an entire night, and was eventually suppressed by powerful means.

But Li Heng knew, this was just the beginning.

The revived Spiritual Qi, like a giant rock thrown into a calm lake, was bound to stir up monstrous waves. Demons and monsters, goblins and ghouls, these things that only existed in ancient texts and legends, would crawl out of the legends one by one.

He had to speed up.

These students were the first and only line of defense against the monsters in the future.

Therefore, in the following days, Li Heng locked himself in the Principals Office, dedicating all his energy to creating Immortal Cultivation courseware for various majors.

The basics and advancements of Sword Control Technique, three hundred and sixty basic Spell models, the Body Tempering and Bone Forging chapters of Body Refining techniques, the Spiritual Energy conduction for Talisman drawing... He relied on the System's vast knowledge reserves, breaking it down and transforming it into teaching materials that students could understand and learn from... Time flew by, and it was Monday.

Inside the main teaching hall, two hundred new students stood solemnly, the aura around each person significantly more solid than a week ago.

Li Heng stood on the high platform, his Divine Sense sweeping across the entire hall, quite satisfied with the students' progress.

"Not bad."

He spoke, his voice not loud, yet it clearly reached everyone's ears.

"Most of you have already successfully Broken Through to the second level of Qi Refining."

"Lin Xiao, Zhang Qiqi, you two are only one step away from the 'Pinnacle' realm of the third level of Qi Refining."

Lin Xiao, whose name was called, remained expressionless, but his clenched fists showed the Battle Intent in his heart. Zhang Qiqi, on the other hand, stuck out her tongue a little, feeling somewhat embarrassed.

The other students cast envious and jealous glances, especially Han Li and Liu Lian, feeling that they had been mercilessly crushed again.

"From today onwards, you can truly be considered to have shed the category of Mortals, and are qualified to begin your true Immortal Cultivation professional courses."

Boom!

Li Heng's words were like a bomb, instantly igniting the entire hall.

"Holy crap! Is it finally happening? I've been waiting for this day until the flowers withered!"

"Professional courses! Sword Control Technique! I'm coming!"

"Magic Cultivation Department is number one in the world! No arguments accepted!"

The students couldn't suppress their excitement, discussing animatedly.

Li Heng didn't stop them; only when the clamor in the hall subsided slightly did he continue: "The specific course schedule has already been sent to the class group, check it yourselves."

As soon as his voice fell, all the students eagerly pulled out their phones.

【Kunlun Cultivation Academy 2024 Freshmen Class】

【Group File: Kunlun Cultivation Academy First Semester Course Schedule.xlsx】

The students immediately downloaded the file and opened it to view.

"Let me see... Sword Cultivation Department, Monday to Wednesday, mornings are all 'General Principles of Swordsmanship - Sword Holding Chapter', afternoons are 'Basic Sword Moves', evenings are 'Spiritual Energy Body Tempering'... Oh my god, why are they all basic courses? Where's Sword Control Technique?"

Liu Lian looked at the course schedule, his expression changing from anticipation to constipation.

The course he imagined should have been the principal standing with his hands behind his back, casually waving, and thousands of swords flying out, then they would follow suit, looking incredibly cool.

But why was it sword holding, basic sword moves, things that sounded incredibly boring?

"Stop complaining."

Xie Wangsheng from Dorm 404 pushed up his glasses and spoke calmly.

"A tall building starts from the ground up; basics are the most important. If you can't even hold a sword steady, how do you expect to learn Sword Control?"

"I..." Liu Lian was choked into silence.

On the other side, Lin Xiao of the Sword Cultivation Department looked at the course schedule, a fervent Battle Intent appearing on his face.

"General Principles of Swordsmanship"!

This was what he had dreamed of!

Li Wanxi and Dong Wanying of the Magic Cultivation Department huddled together, looking at the schedule.

"'Fundamentals of Five Elements Spells', 'Spiritual Energy Shaping and Control', 'Mental Energy Meditation Method'... Wanying, do you understand? I feel like my head is going to explode," Li Wanxi whispered.

"It's okay, we'll learn together, we can definitely do it," Dong Wanying encouraged her.

And Lu Miaomiao of the Refining System, looking at her packed schedule of "General Principles of Body Refining - Skin Tempering Chapter," "General Principles of Body Refining - Bone Forging Chapter," and "Combat Practice," not only showed no fear but instead rubbed her fists and was eager to try.

The entire Kunlun Academy, due to the appearance of a course schedule, was completely immersed in an excited and tense learning atmosphere.

Everyone knew that the real challenge had just begun... Monday morning.

Over a hundred students from the Sword Cultivation Department gathered in the vast white jade practice plaza.

Li Heng stood at the very front with his hands behind his back.

"Sword Cultivators, tempered into steel, are number one in killing."

"But all killing techniques originate from the sword in your hands."

"So, for the first class today, we won't learn sword moves, we won't learn Sword Qi, we'll only learn one thing."

Li Heng paused, then uttered two words.

"Holding the sword."

The plaza erupted in an uproar.

"Huh? Holding the sword? Is the principal joking?"

"Does this even need to be taught? I used chopsticks at three, a kitchen knife at five, holding a sword is just a matter of having hands, isn't it?"

A boy with a buzz cut even raised his hand directly, his face showing undisguised doubt.

"Principal, I feel that this teaching content is a bit... too basic? We're here to cultivate immortality, not to be kindergarten children."

These words expressed the feelings of many, immediately drawing a chorus of agreement.

Liu Lian also whispered in the crowd: "Exactly, hurry up, I'm still waiting to learn Sword Control Technique to show off in the Mortal world... ahem, to slay demons and monsters."

Li Heng looked at the buzz-cut boy, his face expressionless.

"What's your name?"

"Reporting, Principal, my name is Wang Qiang!" The buzz-cut boy stood tall and proud, quite pleased with himself.

"Wang Qiang." Li Heng nodded, "You think holding a sword is very simple?"

"Of course!" Wang Qiang confidently patted his chest, "Isn't it just gripping the hilt with your hand? What else can you do with it?"

"Is that so?"

The moment Li Heng's voice fell.

Wang Qiang only felt an irresistible invisible force suddenly act upon the longsword in his hand!

That force came without warning, utterly overbearing!

"Ugh!"

Wang Qiang let out a cry of surprise. He used all his strength, the veins on his arms bulging, trying to grip his sword tightly.

But it was useless.

"Clang!"

With a crisp sound, the longsword flew out of his hand, was shaken more than ten meters into the air, spun a few times, and then precisely reinserted itself into the scabbard in front of Wang Qiang.

The entire process was as fast as lightning.

No one saw how Li Heng made his move; he didn't even move a finger.

The plaza instantly became silent.

Everyone was stunned by this unfathomable technique.

Wang Qiang's face flushed then paled, his forehead covered in cold sweat, looking at Li Heng with both shock and fear.

Li Heng then slowly spoke, his voice cold.

"The sword is a Sword Cultivator's second life."

"If you can't even hold onto your own life, what kind of sword are you cultivating?"

These words were like a heavy hammer, striking hard at the heart of every student in the Sword Cultivation Department.

Those who had just thought holding a sword was simple now all hung their heads in shame.

They finally realized how incredibly wrong they had been.

"Now, does anyone still think holding a sword is very simple?" Li Heng scanned the entire plaza.

No one answered.

Everyone's attitude changed from being lackadaisical to unprecedented focus and reverence.

"Very good."

Li Heng nodded in satisfaction.

"There are four basic methods for Sword Cultivators to hold a sword. The first is the Hidden Edge Stance."

He casually picked up a standard longsword from the nearby weapon rack.

"Relax your palm, align the tiger's mouth with the sword guard, bring your four fingers together, lightly clasp the hilt, and gently press with your thumb."

"Spiritual Energy starts from the Dantian, circulates along the Meridians of the arm, with seven parts directed to the palm and three parts remaining at the fingertips."

"Man and sword, intent and Qi, become one. Your sword is no longer an inanimate object, but an extension of your arm."

Li Heng explained and demonstrated simultaneously.

His movements were fluid and graceful; though it was the simplest sword-holding posture, it exuded an indescribable Dao rhythm.

"Now, begin practicing."

At his command, all the students immediately imitated Li Heng's posture and began to practice.

For the next four hours.

On the entire plaza, only the heavy breathing of the students and the sound of sweat dripping could be heard.

From the initial ease, to later arm soreness, then muscle trembling, and finally, the entire body protesting.

But no one complained, and no one gave up.

Wang Qiang, in particular, gritted his teeth, his arms shaking like a sieve, but he stubbornly maintained his posture, not moving an inch.

Li Heng's move of seizing the sword with "Gale Wind" completely shattered his arrogance and ignited the competitive spirit in his bones.

Four hours later, Li Heng announced the end of the morning class.

Many collapsed directly to the ground, feeling as if their arms no longer belonged to them.

"Today's homework."

Li Heng's cold voice rang out again, making the students, who had just relaxed, tense up.

"For each of the four sword-holding methods taught today, go back and maintain the posture for one hour."

"Tomorrow morning, I will personally inspect."

"Those who fail will run fifty laps on the track."

With that, Li Heng turned and left, leaving behind a chorus of wails.

One hour is two hours.

Four postures mean eight hours!

This homework was simply deadly!