22: Martial arts breakthrough, Yanyang Demon-Suppressing Sword

Looking at the light screen in front of him, Jiang Lan pondered for a while.

Ultimately, he decided not to advance his Martial Dao Realm for now.

Advancing his Martial Dao Realm now would be a bit of a loss for him.

He clearly remembered that when he broke through from Qi Gathering Realm second level to Qi Gathering Realm third level, it consumed a full forty-five years of his lifespan.

If he wanted to Break through again now, two hundred years of lifespan would probably only be enough for him to Break through to Qi Gathering Realm sixth level.

If things went well, he might even be able to Break through to Qi Gathering Realm seventh level.

But even at Qi Gathering Realm seventh level, those he couldn't deal with, he still wouldn't be able to deal with.

It would be better to use that lifespan to first improve his Martial Skill.

Coincidentally, Jiang Lan was also quite curious about what Realm came after a Martial Skill reached Return to Simplicity.

Thinking of this, Jiang Lan softly said, "Yan Military Saber Technique, twenty years."

On the light screen, lines of text appeared.

"Year 1: For some unknown reason, whenever you Cultivate the Yan Military Saber Technique, you always recall the great sun you saw hanging high in the sky."

"Year 2: You vaguely gained some insight, and the image of that great sun in your mind became clearer."

"Year 10: You comprehended a brand new Martial Skill and named it "Blazing Sun Demon Suppression Blade"."

"Year 12: You practiced "Blazing Sun Demon Suppression Blade", and its Realm advanced to 'Initial Glimpse'."

"Year 17: Your practice became increasingly proficient, and the "Blazing Sun Demon Suppression Blade" Realm advanced to 'Minor Achievement'."

"Year 20: Your saber technique improved further, but you still failed to enter the next Realm."

As the text slowly disappeared, Jiang Lan's personal panel in front of him also changed.

The original "Yan Military Saber Technique" disappeared, replaced by "Blazing Sun Demon Suppression Blade".

Jiang Lan slightly closed his eyes and carefully experienced it.

Although the "Blazing Sun Demon Suppression Blade" was only at the Minor Achievement Realm, in terms of combat power it could unleash, it would probably leave the previous Return to Simplicity Realm "Yan Military Saber Technique" far behind.

Now, he could attach True Qi to his saber, making the weapon even sharper and more powerful when fighting demons.

Opening his eyes again, a hint of surprise appeared in his gaze.

He hadn't expected that after the Return to Simplicity Realm, a Martial Skill would transform into a self-created martial art, and its power would also increase significantly.

Suppressing the urge to go out and test it, Jiang Lan spoke again.

"Wild Goose Step, twenty years as well."

On the light screen, the text scrolled again.

"Year 4: Through your diligent Cultivation, the Wild Goose Step Realm advanced to 'Return to Simplicity'."

"Year 7: You felt that Return to Simplicity was not the limit and continued to research."

"Year 13: One day, while watching fish swim by the river, you had an epiphany."

"Year 20: You finally gained something, comprehending a brand new movement technique based on the Wild Goose Step, which you named "Flood Dragon Swim"."

A hint of joy flashed in Jiang Lan's eyes.

It worked again!

He eagerly flipped out of bed.

In an instant, he stood perfectly upright on the ground.

This sudden sensation startled Jiang Lan.

Why was his body so much lighter?

At this moment, Jiang Lan felt as if he were in water, so light that he could barely feel his own weight.

Moreover, while feeling weightless, he also felt no resistance that one would typically feel in water.

He took a step.

"Whoosh—"

When he stood firm again, Jiang Lan realized that he was already outside his room door.

His face lit up with joy.

This movement technique was unexpectedly effective.

Perhaps because it was only comprehended in the twentieth year, Jiang Lan didn't have much experience with this "Flood Dragon Swim" in his mind.

His chest rose and fell for a moment, then he looked outside the courtyard.

Having made progress, it was natural to test it out.

Jiang Lan's figure was like a phantom, disappearing from the courtyard in an instant.

A moment later, he stopped at a somewhat familiar place.

In front of Jiang Lan was a… half-severed locust tree.

The upper half of the locust tree had vanished without a trace.

Logically, with the entire top gone, one shouldn't be able to identify the tree species.

But Jiang Lan could confirm that this half was indeed a locust tree.

There was no other reason; it was simply because the upper half of this locust tree had been snapped off by his palm strike.

Jiang Lan drew his long saber.

"Hoo…"

As he breathed, a faint golden light subtly emanated from the long saber.

The long saber gradually turned red, and within a few breaths, it became like a branding iron used for execution.

"Hiss—"

A golden-red light flashed.

The half-severed locust tree in front of him remained motionless, only with some scorched marks in the middle.

Jiang Lan sheathed his saber and stepped forward.

With a gentle poke at the locust tree, a section of the trunk neatly broke off.

The cut was remarkably smooth and even, but it was completely charred, as if it had been scorched by a fierce fire.

Just as Jiang Lan was satisfied with his saber technique, suddenly.

"Hiss…"

He instantly unbuckled his saber and dropped it to the ground.

Lifting his clothes, a large patch of his skin was already red.

Jiang Lan looked at the long saber with a strange expression, then at the skin on his waist.

It was a good thing he reacted quickly; in two more seconds, he would have started smelling like cooked meat.

Even the Qi Gathering Realm couldn't withstand a branding iron.

The Blazing Sun Demon Suppression Blade was indeed hot.

He stepped forward, grabbed the hilt, and pulled out the long saber.

On the long saber, there was still some faint, dull red.

Jiang Lan raised an eyebrow slightly, reinserted the long saber into its sheath, held the hilt, activated Flood Dragon Swim, and his figure instantly vanished.

Inside the civilian house in front of the locust tree, candlelight flickered.

"Old man, did you hear anything?"

"What sound?… You're half-asleep… *huff… huff…*"

…Returning to the courtyard, Jiang Lan directly pressed the long saber, sheath and all, into the water cylinder.

"Hiss—"

A faint sound arose, then quickly disappeared.

"Clang—"

Pulling the long saber out of the water cylinder, Jiang Lan examined it carefully.

He didn't know if it was his imagination, but after this quenching, his standard-issue long saber was actually a bit shinier than before, perfectly usable as a mirror.

Jiang Lan clicked his tongue in wonder, reinserted it into its sheath, put it back at his waist, and then walked towards the house.

As for the heat issue, Jiang Lan didn't pay too much attention to it.

He would find a blacksmith another day and ask if the saber sheath could be modified.

Entering the house, Jiang Lan sat cross-legged on the bed.

At this time, he still had one hundred and sixty-seven years of lifespan.

But he didn't plan to use it now; instead, he intended to wait until tomorrow to visit the Demon Suppression Division's Scripture Pavilion.

Since he could create his own Cultivation Technique, he definitely needed to acquire a few more.

Not only would it increase his strength, but it would also give him more trump cards.

And trump cards, at certain times, could produce unexpectedly powerful effects.

After pondering for a while, Jiang Lan lay directly on the bed, sleeping in his clothes.

As for his saber, he held it in his hand.

He hadn't forgotten that inexplicable sound… The night passed without a word.

The next morning.

A faint sound reached Jiang Lan's ears.

"Which damn person did this? Hacking at the big tree by my doorstep, huh? Don't let me catch you!"