Chapter 28: Heaven-Rank Martial Skill

“Brother Jiang, thank you for the Longevity Greenery.”

“No worries. You handle the auction for me, I supply you with goods. We’re even.”

Chen An sighed. “Brother Jiang, now that you’ve tested as an SS-grade Talent, just say the word and the Martial Artist Tower will be scrambling to help you sell it. This time, I’m really taking advantage of you.”

Jiang Yan was probably the type who loved to spoil the mood, or perhaps he just disliked sentimental displays.

“Then consider it that you owe me. Show me what you’ve got—send me fifty?”

Chen An: …

In the afternoon, Jiang Yan returned to Uncle Wang’s house.

“You finally decided to come back, kid? I thought you’d died out in the Wilderness.”

The first words upon meeting were nagging.

Jiang Yan interrupted the spellcasting, taking out the carefully wrapped Longevity Greenery. “Uncle Wang, this is Longevity Greenery I obtained only after risking life and death. Brew it into a soup and drink it—it can cure your aftereffects.”

All the pent-up frustration Old Wang had accumulated over the past few days suddenly clogged in his chest. He wanted to vent but couldn’t find the words. In the end, he swallowed what he wanted to say, his mouth opening and closing before he finally managed, “I’ll go cook a dish for you.”

Jiang Yan shouted through the kitchen door, “While you’re at it, mop the floor too!”

“Get lost, you brat! No respect for your elders!”

Wang Zhong’s grumbling voice echoed back.

Jiang Yan chuckled and returned to his familiar, warm little nest.

Now, his Martial Artist account had been granted the privilege to freely select any Heaven-Rank Martial Skill. Combined with the three bottles of Body-Tempering Liquid in his possession, strengthening himself before the College Entrance Exam was completely feasible.

He browsed through the official website, filtering the category to Saber Technique Martial Skills.

Chasing the Sun Saber Technique

Heavenly Nine-Linked

Life-Severing Thirteen Sabers

…

Heaven-Rank Saber Technique Martial Skills kept popping up endlessly, dazzling Jiang Yan.

In the past, he had relied solely on a copy of Basic Saber Technique to cut his way through the Wilderness. Now, with a Heaven-Rank Martial Skill, it would undoubtedly be like adding wings to a tiger.

After looking for a while, adhering to the principle of “buying expensive, not necessarily right,” his eyes kept drifting toward the priciest options.

I have free selection privileges now, so what’s wrong with picking an expensive one?

Yan Thunder Destruction Slash

“It’s decided—you’re the one.”

Jiang Yan was immediately drawn to the imposing name. After briefly skimming the introduction, he selected this Martial Skill.

Yan Thunder Destruction Slash contained four special mechanisms: Yan Thunder, Falling Thunder, Startling Thunder, and Thunder Domain Inundates the World.

When Proficiency reaches Control, one can generate thunder and attach it to the saber blade.

When Proficiency reaches Subtlety, one can release the generated thunder externally, achieving an effect similar to Saber Qi.

When Proficiency reaches Major Achievement, one can further expand the range and damage of the thunder.

When Proficiency reaches Perfection, one can transform into an Incarnation of the world-destroying Thunder God. With a single slash, heaven and earth change color, and the entire area will be enveloped in a Thunder Domain.

Within the Thunder Domain, annihilating thunder sabers are everywhere. At that time, Jiang Yan will become a walking killing machine.

After the meal, Jiang Yan chatted casually with Uncle Wang.

“I heard you tested as an SS-grade Talent?”

“That’s right. Pretty impressive, huh?”

“Heh, no matter how impressive you are, you still have to call me Uncle.”

Jiang Yan protested, “Let’s each go by our own terms…”

“Get lost!”

Wang Zhong then brought up the matter of Liu Hairen with Jiang Yan.

“I heard that Old Undying is under investigation. Probably going to spend some time behind bars.”

“Oh? Have you ever thought about becoming principal yourself?”

“You really don’t wish me well, kid. I’m about to retire soon. Why would I go through the trouble of becoming principal?”

“Hahaha, just joking around.”

Jiang Yan cracked sunflower seeds, looking relaxed.

Wang Zhong gave him an unamused kick: “The College Entrance Exam is the day after tomorrow, and you’re not nervous at all?”

Jiang Yan shrugged: “What can nervousness do? Just gotta fight with this lousy life.”

Wang Zhong felt a bit dazed, never expecting that the little kid from back then had already reached the age of the College Entrance Exam.

He stopped joking around and earnestly advised Jiang Yan:

“You’d better be careful in the exam. If you encounter someone you can’t beat, just run. Sometimes luck is part of strength…”

Almost every parent says something like this to their child before the College Entrance Exam. It was the same in his past life, and it’s the same now. Jiang Yan is still that Jiang Yan.

This scene plays out in every household.

In the evening, Jiang Yan drank three bottles of Body-Tempering Liquid and, after studying Yan Thunder Destruction Slash for a while, entered the Divine Martial Space.

He decisively entered the Battle Space.

[Thousand-Vine Flower Demon]: Third-tier Perfection Fierce Beast.

Description: Terrifying vitality.

“Proceed with challenge?”

It still wasn’t a creature from Blue Star. Jiang Yan had never heard of it before.

Looking at the “flamboyant” little Flower Demon, Jiang Yan wore a bitter smile: “I really have no way to kill you~”

The Thousand-Vine Flower Demon possessed nearly unsolvable regenerative abilities. Jiang Yan’s saber slashes couldn’t inflict the slightest fatal damage on her.

He realized that every creature appearing in the Battle Space had some abnormal ability, except for that utterly ordinary Sharp Ruler Tiger.

One could fly, one could teleport, and this one was freaking unkillable!

The Battle Space truly lived up to its name, specifically picking difficult opponents for Jiang Yan.

However, Jiang Yan’s current goal wasn’t to kill this Thousand-Vine Flower Demon. His main objectives were to digest the recently consumed medicine’s effects through combat and to practice his newly learned Martial Skill.

“You are in intense combat. The Body-Tempering Liquid’s effects are rapidly enhancing your Physical Body.”

“You used Yan Thunder Destruction Slash. Your Martial Skill Proficiency has increased.”

“You used Yan Thunder Destruction Slash. Your Martial Skill Proficiency has increased.”

…

Jiang Yan’s body grew hot. The Body-Tempering Liquid’s effects fully activated, causing wisps of steam to rise from his head, like a steaming train.

Body-Tempering Liquid was remarkably effective for Martial Artists below the Innate realm. Even without the System Log’s prompts, Jiang Yan could feel his Physical Body rapidly improving.

“So hot! So hot!”

Jiang Yan swung his saber rapidly, the Hengdao in his hand creating After-Images. The devastating Blade Momentum severed the Thousand-Vine Flower Demon’s vines again and again, repeating the cycle endlessly.

The Thousand-Vine Flower Demon’s regenerative power was astonishing. Every time its vines were cut, they quickly regrew. However, its offensive capabilities were relatively weak. Since engaging with it, Jiang Yan had never been killed once.

“Huh? Why do I feel like not being killed is a rare occurrence?”

Jiang Yan shook his head. This kind of preference was not good.

He continued swinging his saber and fighting.

The night passed. Jiang Yan felt his Physical Body undergo unprecedented enhancement. If he were to test his strength on the instrument again, he estimated it could increase by several thousand kilograms.

“Good. To Breakthrough to the Innate realm, one must comprehend the legendary Qi.” Jiang Yan felt he had reached the critical point for a Breakthrough. All he needed was to absorb the first wisp of Qi to step into the Innate realm.

The Innate realm was no longer a contest of pure physical strength. A more magnificent Martial Way world unfolded from here.

Exiting the Divine Martial Space, Jiang Yan looked at his Character Panel.

[Host]: Jiang Yan

[Talent]: Battle Saint Armor (Awaiting Evolution)

[Realm]: Blood Coagulation Perfection

[Martial Skills]:

(Unranked) Basic Saber Technique – Perfection

(Yellow Grade Low) Wild Bull Strength – Perfection

(Yellow Grade High) Burst Step – Perfection

(Mystic Grade High) Nine Leaps Continuous Steps – Perfection

(Heavenly Grade High) Yan Thunder Destruction Slash – Proficient

[Traits]:

Heaven Rewards Diligence (Destined)

Truth of Desperation (Blue)

Haste (Blue)

Wind Riding (Blue)

Blade Bearer (Purple)

Life and Death Moment (Orange)

Demon Scale (Purple)

[Special]: Blade Momentum (Can Breakthrough to Saber Intent)

“I am growing more and more eager for the battle with the prodigies of the two capitals.”

Jiang Yan’s eyes shone brightly, gleaming with fervent excitement.