Chapter 36: What Is Senior Brother Doing?

Chapter 36: Chapter 36: What Is Senior Brother Doing?

In the bamboo forest, Liu Chen followed the instructions in the Secret Manual. He pointed the tip of his sword straight ahead and executed a quick thrust, causing a proficiency notification to suddenly appear.

[Thrusting Sword Technique Proficiency +50]

’Just how basic is this?’

Liu Chen was a little speechless. The proficiency gain alone said it all. This had to be the most basic of techniques; even the swordsmanship of mortals was likely more profound.

That being said, Liu Chen continued to practice the so-called Thrusting Sword Technique. Even something this basic would surely be useful for self-defense.

Besides, compared to the Cyan Lotus Demon-Slaying Sword, which could only be practiced once in the time it took an incense stick to burn, this basic Swordsmanship was a better confidence booster and made it easier to see his own progress.

As he performed the Thrusting Sword Technique again, Liu Chen suddenly understood how to execute it more effortlessly.

A faint ripple emanated from the bamboo pole, startling a flurry of bamboo leaves into the air.

[Thrusting Sword Technique: Beginner, 0/500]

"What is Senior Brother doing?" Ji Suyao asked, stopping in her tracks a short distance away.

"Practicing his Swordsmanship, I think..." Ye Linglong replied, a bit uncertainly.

’Senior Brother’s movements do look like he’s practicing with a sword, but the problem is, he’s holding a bamboo pole. Plus, his movements aren’t exactly standard.’

"Are you sure he’s practicing his Swordsmanship? Or are you just too stingy to give him a Spirit Sword?"

In another part of the Bamboo Garden, Bai Qiulan looked hesitantly at Mo Xuan, who was sipping tea. ’This guy was once hailed as a prodigy of the Sword Dao. It’s one thing for him not to guide Liu Chen, but he’s just sitting here drinking tea and watching the show.’

’Most importantly, Liu Chen doesn’t even have a decent sword—he’s practicing with a bamboo pole! If word of this got out, forget Mo Xuan; even I would be too embarrassed to leave the house.’

"Qiulan, after all this time, have you still not gotten used to it? Just watch."

Mo Xuan was completely unperturbed. He had practiced the most basic Swordsmanship himself in the past, so he could naturally see the progress Liu Chen was making with every thrust.

After the time it took for an incense stick to burn, Bai Qiulan clearly sensed Liu Chen pause. This break lasted for about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea. When he picked up the bamboo pole again, his entire body shot away from where he had been standing.

Bamboo leaves drifting down from a Cyan Bamboo were pierced in mid-air—one, two, three... His movements were precise and elegant. It looked less like he was practicing Swordsmanship and more like he was putting on a performance.

[Thrusting Sword Technique: Minor Success, 0/1000]

"Is this talent the reason you took him as your disciple?"

Bai Qiulan couldn’t help but ask. She wasn’t skilled in Swordsmanship, but she had practiced it for a time as a Body-Protecting Technique. Even after several months, however, she had never reached the level Liu Chen was at now.

"Mhm, yes. That’s exactly it."

Mo Xuan set down his teacup, feeling quite shocked. ’Liu Chen’s Talent for Swordsmanship seems incredibly strong, far stronger than I ever anticipated.’

"Stubborn."

Bai Qiulan shook her head. The moment Mo Xuan opened his mouth, she knew. The man was bewildered again; clearly, Liu Chen’s performance had once again surpassed his expectations.

Half an hour later, Liu Chen stopped again, falling into the same state he had entered twice before. Watching him openly, Ji Suyao and Ye Linglong exchanged a glance.

Meanwhile, Bai Qiulan and Mo Xuan, who were observing in secret, also exchanged a look.

After the time it took for an incense stick to burn, Liu Chen opened his eyes again. He thrust the bamboo pole in his hand forward, and a Cyan Bamboo as thick as a bowl and infused with Spiritual Qi was instantly pierced, leaving a hole.

[Thrusting Sword Technique: Great Success, 0/5000]

Liu Chen let out a breath. He formed a hand seal for a Spell and cast the Recovery Technique. The Cyan Bamboo’s wound healed rapidly, and within a few breaths, it was as good as new.

’Time flies. It looks like I won’t have time to practice the Cyan Lotus Demon-Slaying Sword.’

Seeing that the damage had vanished, Liu Chen carried his bamboo pole back toward the main part of the Bamboo Garden and waved at his two junior sisters in the distance.

Liu Chen had noticed their arrival long ago, but since they hadn’t disturbed him, he figured there was nothing urgent and saw no need to alter his cultivation plan.

There was still some time before dinner, so it was a good opportunity to ask his two junior sisters what they needed.

"Senior Brother is calling us. Let’s hurry."

Ji Suyao prepared to run right over, but Ye Linglong grabbed her arm.

"Senior Brother just finished practicing. Let’s give him a moment before we go over."

Ji Suyao didn’t understand what Ye Linglong meant, but she slowed her pace nonetheless.

In the Bamboo Garden, Liu Chen went back to his room, used the Purification Technique to clean himself up, and changed his clothes. Only then did he open the door and take a seat in the garden.

His two junior sisters entered the Bamboo Garden at that exact moment, which made Liu Chen pause for a second, though he figured it wasn’t anything important.

"What can I do for you two, Junior Sisters?"

Liu Chen was a little puzzled. Normally, after lunch, he wouldn’t see his two junior sisters again until dinner. This was the first time they had ever come looking for him like this.

"Senior Brother, if the middle section of a plant is destroyed, can you still use the Recovery Technique on it?"

Before Ye Linglong could even speak, Ji Suyao blurted out the question.

"Junior Sister, you didn’t dig up the Purple Bamboo Grass again, did you?"

Liu Chen couldn’t resist asking. Ever since Ji Suyao had first mistaken Purple Bamboo Grass for Purple Cloud Grass and dug it up, she had made the same mistake several more times while still half-asleep. The victim, without fail, was always the Purple Bamboo Grass.

"Of course not."

Ji Suyao sounded exasperated, but she couldn’t find any way to argue. After all, every time she’d made that mistake, it was her senior brother who had helped her replant the Purple Bamboo Grass.

"That’s good, then. If a section in the middle of a plant is damaged, you can certainly use the Recovery Technique after removing that section. However, there are a few details to keep in mind..."

Liu Chen began to explain. Unsure if his two junior sisters could see the meridians of Life Force, he had to approach the explanation from a different angle.

’If they could see the Life Force meridians like I can,’ he thought, ’it would be simple. You would just need to connect the meridians of the two sections directly.’

As Liu Chen was explaining the Magic, Mo Xuan slowly got to his feet and headed outside.

"Where are you going?"

Bai Qiulan couldn’t help but ask. ’He’s not going to ruin that harmonious scene over there, is he?!’

"I’m going to the treasury to look for a suitable Spirit Sword."

Mo Xuan pursed his lips. ’A simple bamboo pole with no Spiritual Qi managed to pierce a bowl-thick Cyan Bamboo that was filled with it. If that hit a Body Tempering Realm Cultivator, it would punch a hole right through them.’

’Liu Chen will have to go out for training and experience sooner or later. I can’t expect him to find a Spirit Sword on his own, and I certainly can’t let him go out there with a bamboo pole.’

"Hurry back."

Bai Qiulan pursed her lips. She really wanted Mo Xuan to grab some protective items for Suyao and Linglong as well, but considering their current cultivation progress, she ultimately decided against it.

’Even if he gave them Spiritual Artifacts, they probably wouldn’t have enough Spiritual Power to use them yet. Better to wait.’

’It’s getting late. Time to make dinner.’

Liu Chen glanced at his two junior sisters, still practicing the Recovery Technique in the forest. His gaze then landed on a newly sprouted Bamboo Shoot.