I can only beat noobs.

Chapter 22 The Perfection of Sword Skills

Chen Ming upgraded the "Eight Trigrams Knife Technique" to "Mastery" in one go, spending only a little over two hundred points.

Suddenly, countless insights into this sword technique flooded his mind. It was as if he had practiced it diligently for ten years.

【Level: 10】

Current points: 714

[Techniques: Iron Horse Stake (Fifth Level Perfection), Three Yang Body Forging Technique (First Level 2/1000)]

[Martial Arts Skills: Three Talents Fist (Proficiency 27/500+), Eight Trigrams Saber Technique (Proficiency 5/500+)]

For safety's sake, Deng Ziyang had someone fetch a wooden knife.

With the knife in his hand, Chen Ming felt a surge of confidence welling up inside him.

In the Huo family mansion, one must study martial arts for at least three years before being allowed to handle weapons.

For low-level martial artists, mastering a weapon can potentially allow them to defeat stronger opponents. However, since they are all made of flesh and blood, being struck in a vital area by a blade will result in injury and death.

Of course, to achieve this, one's skill in weaponry must be far superior to that of the opponent.

In reality, for ordinary martial arts practitioners, gaining genuine combat experience is not easy. Finding someone you trust, knowing they won't hurt you, won't achieve the desired effect of real combat training.

Seeking out someone you can't trust is risky; swords have no eyes, and you'll end up hurting yourself or the other person.

Generally speaking, only when one has mastered a weapon to a very high level, and it is difficult to make further progress by continuing to practice in that way, will one venture out into the world, a practice commonly known as "graduating from the master's training".

Qi Jun was a gangster; he had killed people and seen blood years ago. That was his strength. Today, emboldened by alcohol, he wanted to regain face from Chen Ming.

I may not be as good as you in fists and feet, but surely I can outsmart you in swordsmanship?

"please."

When Chen Ming gestured for him to proceed, he did not hesitate, raising his wooden sword high above his head and slashing it down at Chen Ming.

Benedict——

Chen Ming precisely deflected the attack.

Qi Jun immediately changed tactics, and the two fought with lightning speed, tap tap tap...

The wooden swords clashed repeatedly.

Those watching were getting excited and exclaimed how thrilling it was.

Even with wooden swords, if two people were to actually strike each other, they would inevitably be injured, making it far more dangerous than a fistfight.

At the banquet, Guan Peng didn't pay much attention at first, but after watching for a while, he suddenly exclaimed in surprise, "This Brother Chen's swordsmanship is so free and easy, it's truly remarkable!"

This was the first time Deng Ziyang had seen Chen Ming use a sword, and his skill was in no way inferior to his fist techniques. He was also full of amazement.

This Senior Brother Chen has such outstanding talent in both fist and sword techniques.

Zhuang Xiaotian sighed, "What a pity, without becoming a martial artist, one is ultimately useless."

For martial artists, realm is fundamental. Once you reach a certain level, you can easily crush ordinary people. No matter how exquisite your techniques are, I can knock your weapon away with a single strike. What can you do then?

Snapped!
At this moment, the wooden sword in Qi Jun's hand flew out of his grasp and was knocked away.

He stood there stunned for a moment, then said bitterly, "I lost."

You have defeated another level 7 enemy, gaining 2 experience points.

Chen Ming asked, "Is there anyone else who wants to give it a try?"

"I come."

Someone immediately responded and stepped forward; it was Peng Ruizhao.

……

Thus, what was originally a fist and foot sparring session turned into a swordsmanship competition.

Most of these people did not learn the "Eight Trigrams Knife Technique," so he dared not be careless and treated them cautiously. He would wait until he understood the changes in their knife techniques before launching a counterattack.

After eight battles, the experience points for the "Eight Trigrams Knife Technique" actually increased by two points, which was a pleasant surprise.

Just as he was about to return to his seat, he suddenly saw Guan Peng stand up, looking drunk, and say, "Your swordsmanship is quite good. Do you still have the stamina? Spare me a few moves."

Before Chen Ming could speak, Deng Ziyang quickly said, "Second brother, how could Senior Brother Chen be your match? If you want to spar, I'll accompany you."

Guan Peng laughed heartily, "Brother, don't worry, I was just itching to try my luck. I won't hurt him. Brother Chen, would you dare to exchange a few blows with me?"

Chen Ming smiled, "It would be wonderful if Brother Guan were willing to offer his guidance."

He was just looking for a worthy opponent of the ninth rank. This was a perfect opportunity to test his strength.

However, this estimate is not very reliable.

He opened the panel and maxed out his proficiency in the "Eight Trigrams Knife Technique" once again.

【Level: 10】

Current points: 231

[Techniques: Iron Horse Stake (Fifth Level Perfection), Three Yang Body Forging Technique (First Level 2/1000)]

Martial Arts: Three Talents Fist (Mastery 27/500+), Eight Trigrams Saber Technique (Mastery)

Great swordsmanship!
Chen Ming felt countless insights into swordsmanship flooding his mind.

When he held the wooden sword again, the feeling was completely different. The wooden sword felt incredibly familiar to him, as if it had become an extension of his body.

Guan Peng had a vague feeling that this person was a little different, but he didn't take it to heart and asked, "Do you need to rest for a while?"

"No need," Chen Ming said with a smile. "By the way, there's something I need to tell you. I am also a ninth-rank official."

"what?"

Guan Peng was slightly taken aback.

The scene suddenly fell silent, and everyone stared at him in surprise.

puff--

Deng Ziyang, who was drinking, spat out his wine and almost choked. He asked in shock, "You... what did you say? When did you reach the ninth rank?"

Chen Ming didn't explain much, but simply stretched his muscles and bones slightly, and immediately his body crackled.

Muscles and bones roar together!

This caused an uproar among those around.

Senior Brother Chen actually reached the rank of Martial Arts Master?

He's a member of the elite class, and he's even been our sparring partner every day?

My God, I'm actually sparring with a ninth-rank martial artist every day?
Benevolence and righteousness!
That's so kind and righteous.

Qi Jun and Peng Ruizhao were all incredibly excited.

……

"It truly is a ninth-rank item."

Guan Peng's eyes cleared, and he was completely sober. His face became more serious, and his fighting spirit intensified. He threw the wooden sword aside and said, "This thing is not easy to use. How about we use our own weapons?"

"it is good."

Chen Ming agreed and asked Deng Ziyang for a long knife.

Guan Peng wielded a large sword with an exceptionally long handle, exceeding fifty centimeters, which could be held with both hands. The blade was also thicker and wider than that of an ordinary sword.

This knife looks incredibly powerful.

The downside is that it's not flexible enough.

Before the two could make a move, Deng Ziyang stood up and said, "Listen to me, both of you. One of you is my sworn brother, and the other is my senior brother. You may spar, but you must stop before it's too late. I do not wish to see either of you get injured."

Chen Ming and Guan Peng naturally agreed.

"please."

Guan Peng was quite gentlemanly; he was the one who took the initiative to challenge him, so according to the rules, he should naturally let the other party make the first move.

Chen Ming gently ran his fingers along the blade, feeling its streamlined shape and center of gravity. He then used a "Hidden Sharpness in Earth" technique to show humility and not to take advantage of him.

"Well done!"

Guan Peng swept his longsword, displaying a speed that seemed utterly incongruous with the size of the large blade.

To dare use such a peculiar knife, one must indeed possess extraordinary skills.

Chen Ming countered with a move called "Dragon Appears in the Clouds," barely managing to block the attack.

A loud clang rang out.

His hand went numb, and a notch appeared on the blade.

The opponent has the advantage in both strength and weaponry, so it is not advisable to engage in a direct confrontation.

brush brush...

He then followed up with "Qian Yuan Three Slashes," each strike hitting Guan Peng's weakest point, forcing him to retreat three steps.

In just a few moves, the blade flashed.

The onlookers were mesmerized. Such a martial arts contest was a rare opportunity. Unfortunately, the two fighters moved too fast for them to see clearly.

The only two people who could be clearly seen were Deng Ziyang and Zhuang Xiaotian. They stared intently, then suddenly clapped their hands and shouted, "Bravo!"

In the blink of an eye, the two had already exchanged more than ten moves.

The fight was back and forth, and the two sides appeared evenly matched.

Deng Ziyang, however, felt that Chen Ming seemed to be handling things with ease. Guan Peng, on the other hand, had already used his most trump card.

He was even more shocked.

This kid has been hiding his abilities far too well; he broke through to the ninth rank without a sound. And he also possesses such exquisite swordsmanship.

At the same time, a deep question arose in his mind: Chen Ming was so talented, why didn't Huo Chengkun notice it back then? Why did he let him leave like that?
Chen Ming is different from him; he comes from a respectable family and has a stable personality—an excellent candidate for apprentice. Huo Chengkun has no reason to let him go…

Amidst the ebb and flow of their thoughts, the two on the field had reached a fever pitch.

After fighting for more than fifty moves, the two figures suddenly separated, standing four or five meters apart, and neither made another move.

"Why don't you fight?"

This was the idea of ​​those eight subordinates.

"Is the winner determined?"

This is what Deng Ziyang and Zhuang Xiaotian are wondering about.

At this moment, Chen Ming cupped his hands and said, "Thank you for your kind offer."

He actually won?

(End of this chapter)