Nobody told me this wasn't a game.

Mayumi smiled slightly: "You know quite a lot."

"Your ancestors were wealthy."

"Past glories are not worth talking about."

Mayumi avoided the topic.

She stood up and said, "Let's go to the dojo. I also know the Gale Sword Technique. You can master the skill first, and if there's anything you don't understand, I can teach you."

"Easy to say."

Zuo Chang picked up the wooden box and followed behind Zhen Gong to the dojo.

The dojo was a large, empty room with a floor that shone like a mirror. There were wooden dummy dolls on the side, and several weapon racks were filled with all kinds of weapons, including swords, knives, and clubs.

Mayumi took off her wooden clogs in the entryway and stepped on them barefoot.

She wasn't wearing socks, and her pink toes looked rather alluring.

She tossed a bamboo sword to Zuo Chang and said, "The true power of the Gale Sword Technique lies not in the skills themselves, but in 'Whirlwind Around Your Back.' When you use it, you can summon the power of the wind to enhance your speed! However... just like learning to drive, you need to get used to the bonuses granted by Whirlwind Around Your Back."

Zuo Chang crushed the skill stone directly.

The blue round stone cracked, and a ray of blue light emerged and entered Zuo Chang's forehead.

The next moment——

You have mastered the skill 'Swift Wind Sword Technique'.

With the blessing of 'prodigy', you have mastered all the moves under this skill.

You have grasped the essence of 'a whirlwind around your back'.

You have mastered 'Steel Slash', 'Forward Slash', and 'Wind Barrier'.

[You have mastered the ultimate technique of the Gale Sword, 'Whirlwind Slash'.]

In just a moment, Zuo Chang had mastered the Gale Sword Technique!

He closed his eyes and looked at the panel:

Name: Zuo Chang.

Skill: Gale Sword Technique (Level 1, Initial Stage of Mastery).

Evolution point: 7.

I just learned the Gale Sword Technique, and the skill level is only one.

Besides diligent practice, the only way to upgrade a skill is by using evolution points; one evolution point equals one level.

Zuo Chang initially had only 1 evolution point, but his current cultivation level is at the third realm. Advancing to the next realm grants him three evolution points, so he now has 7 points.

I don't need to explain why this is necessary, right?

The Gale Sword Technique was already quite good, and it was Zuo Chang's only skill at the moment.

Evolution points don't accrue interest when kept; resources are meant to be converted into combat power.

Zuo Chang did not hesitate and invested all his evolution points.

[Consumes one evolution point to upgrade skill level. Swift Wind Sword Technique (Level 1, Initial Mastery → Level 2, Basic Understanding of Variations).]

Notification messages kept popping up one after another.

In a short while, all 7 evolution points were used up.

[Skill level increased. Swift Wind Sword Technique (Level 7, Divine Skill → Level 8, Unfettered Control).]

Level 8!

"So? How much have you grasped?"

Seeing Zuo Chang's expression, Mayumi couldn't help but ask a question.

Zuo Chang opened his eyes and said, "Not many."

"Don't be discouraged, this is normal. The Gale Sword Technique isn't a top-tier skill, but it's not bad either. It's not easy to understand."

Mayumi offered a word of comfort.

She smiled and picked up another bamboo sword: "Want to try your skills? I'll hold back, I won't hurt you."

Zuo Chang glanced at her and asked, "What level are you in the Gale Sword Technique?"

"Level 5. My main focus is on the 'Mountain Mist Style,' and my understanding of Gale Sword Technique is superficial and not very advanced."

"...Should we just forget about it?"

Mayumi raised an eyebrow and laughed, "Scared? That won't do! Zuo Chang, you should face the storm; only hardship can make a person grow."

Zuo Chang hesitated.

He is at the third realm, while the True Bow is at the fifth realm. If it were a life-or-death struggle, he would clearly not win.

However, his Gale Sword Technique was already level 8, while his True Bow Technique was only level 5, so the difference was quite obvious.

Judging solely by sword techniques, I'm afraid...

Mayumi is no match for him.

While it's satisfying to show off and get slapped in the face, Mayumi isn't the kind of villain who jumps in to slap someone.

She invited Zuo Chang to her home, tied his belt, and even taught him some skills!

Zuo Chang felt it was wrong to embarrass her. She was being so polite; he should give her face.

"Look at the sword!"

However, Mayumi did not give him a chance to back down.

Seemingly to demonstrate his swordsmanship, Mayumi, with a sly smile on her face, thrust her sword toward Zuo Chang's chest.

Zuo Chang raised his sword and deftly deflected the bamboo sword.

Zhen Gong's eyes lit up; he thought Zuo Chang's sword was extremely skillful!

Calm and composed, he moved with ease and precision, his movements clean and swift, without the slightest hesitation, displaying the composure of a master.

Zuo Chang had already demonstrated his basic skills at the elite soldier assessment site.

Mayumi, unsuspecting, laughed and said, "Very good, now... comes the real move!"

The wind howls!

She used the Gale Sword Technique, and a blue stream of wind swirled around her, creating a whirlwind around her back.

With the added boost of the swirling gusts of wind, the speed of the True Bow is significantly increased.

The "speed" here actually refers to "body movement".

Zhen Gong stepped on the Seven Stars and nimbly circled around to Zuo Chang's side, his speed so fast that he even left an afterimage behind him.

Zuo Chang remained calm in the face of danger and also activated a whirlwind around his back.

In an instant, a strong wind rushed towards my face!

The east wind prevailed over the west wind, and Mayumi realized the difference in an instant. Her golden eyes widened in horror as she thought, "Zuo Chang's swirling gale... seems to be stronger than mine?!"

This is impossible!

Mayumi previously said that she focused her main efforts on the "Yamaran School," which is actually true.

Her Mountain Mist Style was almost at level 10, about to reach a qualitative leap.

but……

She also devoted a great deal of effort to mastering the Swift Wind Sword Technique.

Level 5 Gale Sword Technique is already quite excellent, after all, unlike Zuo Chang, she doesn't have a skill panel and can use evolution points to quickly upgrade her skill level.

Her abilities were forged through sheer sweat, aching muscles, countless broken bamboo swords, and relentless effort, one strike at a time!

How could Zuo Chang, who had just learned the "Swift Wind Sword Technique," possibly—

More skilled than her?

"Oh!"

The two swords clashed, but Zuo Chang was just a fraction faster, striking the weak spot and disarming Zhen Gong.

"pat-"

Mayumi's wooden sword slipped from her hand, landed on the ground, and spun as it glided away.

Mayumi followed the gaze, her face filled with horror.

as well as……

Slight disappointment.

Zuo Chang looked at her slightly pale face and said, "Makoto, what kind of look is that?"

Mayumi realized her lapse in composure.

She was strong and quickly smiled, looking up at Zuo Chang: "Zuo Chang, you are amazing. Although I suppressed my abilities just now, my performance was above the third realm. Your Gale Sword Technique... is better than mine."

“Everyone has their strengths, and I am good with swords. The Gale Sword Technique suits me very well, thank you for teaching me.”

"……what!"

Mayumi let out a long, affected breath, her full chest heaving noticeably.

She looked at Zuo Chang and smiled, "With a skill level like this, I'm no longer qualified to give guidance. Let's go eat! I've already had the meal prepared."

"it is good."

The two put away their bamboo swords and walked out of the dojo together.

"what?"

Once outside, Mayumi looked up and gazed at the main entrance.

There--

A woman in a black kimono bent down to get into the car; her back view was slender.

Mayumi tilted her head and said, "It's so late, why is my mother going out? That's strange."