âEarth-rank technique?â Chu Huaixu looked at the few pages in his hand, surprise flashing across his face.
As far as he knew, Heaven-rank techniques in this world were incredibly rare.
âDonât be fooled by the many Heaven-rank cultivation methods Han Shuangjiang and I could choose from at the Scripture Pavilion. That was only because we were in the First Level. Those were techniques for lower realms.â
âBut techniques and cultivation methods are different. A good technique could be used for a lifetime.â
In this context, Earth-rank already counted as a very precious technique.
What was even more notable was that this ăSix Formations of the Broken Arrayă was currently incomplete, yet it still rated as Earth-rank?
âThatâs a bit terrifying.â
Chu Huaixu glanced at the systemâs âSkill Description,â which indicated that this ăSix Formations of the Broken Arrayă was currently 82% complete.
âIn Borrowed Sword, some techniques and methods arenât 100% complete for two main reasons.â
âOne, theyâre genuinely missing a few pages.â
âTwo, the creator hadnât fully grasped the method themselvesâmeaning itâs still a semi-finished product.â
Usually, if a skillâs completeness was over 70%, it was considered learnable.
However, it likely came with obvious flaws and might even have negative side effects after use.
âIn fact, many techniques are classified as semi-finished precisely because of these side effects.â
According to the system, this ăSix Formations of the Broken Arrayă had power that nearly reached Heaven-rank technique levels.
Butâthere was a price to pay.
âThis is a bit like the âSeven Wounds Fistâ that harms a thousand enemies but injures oneself by eight hundred,â Chu Huaixu thought.
In Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber, Seven Wounds Fist was described as: one practice, seven wounds.
âHarming oneself before harming the enemy.
This ăSix Formations of the Broken Arrayă was similar.
When circulating spiritual energy, wherever the energy passedâwhether flesh or meridiansâwould suffer varying degrees of damage.
But the final burst of power would be astonishing!
For someone like Chu Huaixu, who hadnât learned any technique yet, this was a pressing need.
âThough this ăSix Formations of the Broken Arrayă has clear flaws, itâs undeniably fierce.â
âIt could serve as a last-resort killing move,â he quickly assigned it a role in his heart.
Moreover, overall, it actually fit him quite well.
Due to the Dao Canon, his self-healing ability was continuously improving.
âItâs just... Am I really walking further and further down this path of self-abuse?â Chu Huaixu sighed inwardly.
âSystem, can you please give me back my ăPain Regulationă feature?â he lamented in his heart.
Chu Huaixu put down the papers and looked up at the visibly nervous Xu Ziqing.
Little Xu was clearly offering a gift voluntarily, yet he wasnât sure if his senior would like it.
He wanted to repay his senior but had no idea if this offering was enough.
As someone new to cultivation, he had little idea of what tier this ăSix Formations of the Broken Arrayă truly belonged to.
âIf senior doesnât think highly of itâŚâ Xu Ziqing felt it would be quite awkward.
At last, Chu Huaixu spoke, âWhere did you get this technique?â
âIt was when my family and I went hiking on a mountain. I stumbled upon it by sheer luck,â he answered honestly, providing a few details.
Chu Huaixu listened carefully. Though the specifics were somewhat clichĂŠ, he couldnât help but muse to himself, âThe World Protagonists truly are blessed with great fortune.â
But suddenly, a thought flashed in his mind: âDoesnât Little Xu also have a revenge subplot?â
With that thought, he looked again at the papers in his hand, and a faint suspicion arose in his heart.
He began to feel as if these pages were stained with blood.
âDo you know this is a sword technique?â Chu Huaixu asked again.
Upon hearing that, Xu Ziqing clenched his fists, his nails digging into his flesh, and lowered his head. âAt first, I didnât know. But later, I found out.â
âOh? How did you find out?â Chu Huaixu kept probing.
âBecause a thief broke into my home, slaughtered my entire Xu family, and stole that booklet! I wasnât home that dayâI had been dueling with a friend in the city the night before and stayed over at his place. Thatâs how I survived.â
The handsome young manâs eyes were bloodshot, his voice filled with gritted fury.
Chu Huaixu didnât press further, nor did he ask why a thief would know his family had obtained a mysterious sword technique.
Because, in this world, there were simply too many fools who couldnât keep their mouths shut.
Many times, the carefully laid plans of villains paled in comparison to one stupid moment of indiscretion.
The Xu family was a large clan with many membersâit wasnât unusual.
If he dug too deep into the details now, it would only add to Xu Ziqingâs pain and drag him back into those memories.
Chu Huaixu had developed a habit from his time as a seasoned play companionâhe was very mindful of othersâ emotions.
After some thought, he looked at him again and asked, âLittle Xu, did you memorize the sword technique and then write it down?â
âYes.â
âThen let me ask you: your entire family died because of this. Are you sure you want to give it to me?â
âSenior saved my life and changed my fate. Without your help, I wouldâve never stepped into the path of cultivation!â He raised his head, eyes red, his voice full of emotion.
The young man continued, âI know Iâm dull and probably canât keep up with seniorâs steps for life. I donât even know if Iâll be able to repay your kindness someday.â
âI have nothing else but this technique I came across by luck.â
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âI hope senior wonât dislike it!â
At that, Xu Ziqing hurriedly added, seemingly afraid he had said something wrong:
âI know your kindness isnât something a sword technique can repay. I never meant to offset my debt with this.â
âIâll remember seniorâs kindness for life!â His attitude was deeply sincere and earnest.
Seeing this boy pour his heart out like that, Chu Huaixu actually felt a bit overwhelmed.
âDamn it, kid, are you messing with me? Now I feel guilty as hell,â he muttered inwardly.
Heâd always disagreed with that sayingââSincerity is the ultimate killer move.â
Chu Huaixu believed sincerity was a suicide move.
Well, heâd just witnessed it today.
The boy wept with trembling shoulders, tears streaming down as he cried out, âPlease rest assured, senior. Iâll give my all in cultivation, never disappoint your teachings. Whatever you command, I will do!â
Chu Huaixu was stunned.
âDamn it, stop talking! The more you say, the more I look like a scumbag,â he muttered to himself.
He looked at the boy and said, âLittle Xu, you do realize this technique is no ordinary street-tier rubbish.â
âThough I saw at a glance that it has severe drawbacks and obvious flawsâŚâ
âBut its power is astonishing. Its rank is not lowâthis is a highly valuable technique in the cultivation world.â
Chu Huaixu felt he had to be honest with him.
Upon hearing that, Xu Ziqing became even more excited. âSenior, truly?â
A smile quickly bloomed on his face. âThen itâs good that you donât mind it.â
âWhat I mean isâitâs truly precious.â Chu Huaixu was speechless.
âStill not as precious as seniorâs kindness!â The boy remained stubborn.
Chu Huaixu had originally planned to mold him in his own image. Now that he really had, he felt a bit ashamed.
Felt a little like getting schooled by his own pupil.
He looked down at the paper that, though unstained, suddenly felt heavy. âBut⌠your whole family died because of this.â
Xu Ziqing gave a relaxed smile and quickly said, âDonât worry, senior. Iâve already asked them.â
âHmm?â Chu Huaixu froze.
Asked? How?
What the hellâcan this kid commune with the dead? Or did they appear in his dream?
Seeing his senior so puzzled, the young man felt embarrassed to mention he used a silk pouch. So he glossed it over and said, âAnyway, senior, just keep it with peace of mind.â
Having said that much, Chu Huaixu nodded and stopped refusing, already planning to give Little Xu something nice in return.
He looked at the boy who had just shed tears over his painful memories and asked, âLittle Xu, do you know who your enemy is?â
âSenior, I donât.â He shook his head.
Then quickly added, âBut if anyone ever uses the ăSix Formations of the Broken Arrayă, they might be my enemy!â
âHmm. If this technique really was lost long ago, then very few people would know it. When the time comes, itâs possible to investigate.â Chu Huaixu nodded slightly.
He actually knew who Xu Ziqingâs enemy was.
Because when he played Borrowed Sword, his main character had apprenticed under one of the Four Great SectsâSpring and Autumn Mountain. And Xu Ziqingâs enemy⌠was someone from Spring and Autumn Mountain.
Chu Huaixu had watched Xu Ziqing seek revenge in-game with his own eyes!
To be precise, four World Protagonists had shown up together!
That enemy had deep roots in Spring and Autumn Mountain.
But so what?
By that time, both Xu Ziqing and Han Shuangjiang were True Disciples of the Dao Gate.
The other two World Protagonists? One was a royal of Moon Country.
The other came from the largest noble clan in Moon Country.
In Mirror Country, the Four Great Sects stood above the court, but Moon Country was differentâthere, the royal family reigned supreme!
Chu Huaixu had seen it allâthe moment Xu Ziqing avenged his family.
At this moment, he asked, âSo your desire to cultivate comes from this hatred in your heart?â
âYes.â The boy nodded firmly.
âThen let me tell youâit wonât be easy. Youâll suffer much along the way.â Chu Huaixu knew well that World Protagonists grew through hardship.
âThis vengeance is irreconcilable. No matter the cost, I must see it through!â the boy growled through clenched teeth.
âNo matter how strong your enemy is? No matter how deep their background?â Chu Huaixu pressed.
âYes. I must kill him!â the boy answered with unwavering determination.
Chu Huaixu looked at him, gently patted his shoulder, and decided to discreetly drop him some clues when the time was right. He said aloud:
âTrain hard. You can do this.â
âIf you wish to kill him, then kill him.â
A few minutes later, Xu Ziqing had packed up everything by the water pool.
âSenior, we can go now,â he said.
Unexpectedly, Chu Huaixu replied, âNo rush.â
He pulled something from his Storage Token and tossed it to Xu Ziqing.
âEat it,â he said.