Chapter 47: Selecting a Swordsmanship

Chapter 47: Chapter 47: Selecting a Swordsmanship

The Soul Energy Skill Store (let’s just call it the Skill Store for convenience) wasn’t as large as the item and equipment stores, but the annual taxes it paid to the Soul Energy Alliance were no less.

The shelves were broadly categorized. The main sections included various types of weapons, martial arts, Body Techniques, and so on. Other branches included things like seafaring, pathfinding, and alchemy.

Although the Skill Store was only a single story, its foot traffic was just as high as any other shop, and the staff’s service was excellent.

The moment Li Heng stepped into the Skill Store, a pretty female attendant approached him and asked if he needed any help.

"I’d like to look at Soul Energy Skills related to Swordsmanship."

"Of course. Please follow me!"

The attendant had a great attitude and quickly led Li Heng to a long bookshelf.

Gesturing with her right hand, the attendant spoke in a gentle voice, "Here are all the Swordsmanship-related Soul Energy Skills our store carries. Every one of them has been authenticated by a master, so there are no fakes or low-quality copies. If you find any issues, sir, we offer full compensation! So, would you like me to give you an introduction, or would you prefer to browse on your own?"

Even though Li Heng was in his school uniform, the attendant still addressed him respectfully as "sir" instead of "student," smiling at him.

But as Li Heng looked at the rows upon rows of books on the shelf, he immediately noticed a very serious problem: he was poor.

Li Heng was very satisfied with the Skill Store, from the service he’d received since walking in to the vast selection of Swordsmanship techniques. He even saw tea, fruit, and snacks available for customers not far away—they were incredibly thoughtful.

Honestly, Li Heng could have given the Skill Store countless five-star reviews, but... the prices were a bit outrageous.

Thunderbolt Swordsmanship: 130,000 Alliance Coins.

Tidal Swordsmanship: 150,000 Alliance Coins.

Blazing Fire Swordsmanship: 180,000 Alliance Coins.

Gale Swordsmanship: 250,000 Alliance Coins.

...

Li Heng was suddenly reminded of a meme from his original world: It’s not the shop’s fault that things are expensive, it’s your fault for being broke.

Staring at the long string of zeros, Li Heng realized the 29,500 coins in his backpack weren’t even enough to cover a fraction of the price of the first book he saw.

And that was without even looking at the even more ridiculous prices further down the shelf.

"Pretty lady... I’m just a student. I was hoping to see if there are any Soul Energy Skills that could help me improve my strength for the secret realm college entrance exams."

Li Heng tried his best to phrase his lack of money tactfully, hoping the attendant would understand his hint.

After hearing Li Heng call her "pretty lady," the attendant not only understood his hint but also broke into an even more genuine smile. "In that case, sir, please follow me this way."

Seeing that the attendant had understood him, Li Heng couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief. At the same time, a thought crossed his mind: ’If I’m ever broke again, I’m definitely not coming back to the Skill Store!’

Following her lead, Li Heng walked all the way to the very end of the Swordsmanship bookshelf.

"Sir, please take a look at the Soul Energy Skills here. Do any of these suit your needs? If not, then it must be due to our insufficient stock, and we apologize for failing to provide you with the service you deserve. We look forward to your visit again once we’ve restocked!"

Li Heng understood the attendant’s hint as well.

’These are the cheapest Swordsmanship Soul Energy Skills we have. If you still can’t afford them, you might as well forget it and come back next time when you have enough money.’

She had also phrased it very tactfully, the smile never leaving her face.

Three-Hit Fast Sword: 20,000

Coiling Snake Swordsmanship: 30,000

Golden Thread Swordsmanship: 15,000

Turnaround Swordsmanship: 28,500

...

"Perfect! I’d like to browse on my own for a bit first. If I need anything, I’ll trouble you then."

The prices for these Swordsmanship techniques had finally gone from outrageous back to something Li Heng could accept. He let out a breath of relief, feeling a faint excitement as he prepared to choose a technique carefully.

Li Heng had two small criteria for choosing a Swordsmanship technique. First, the moves had to be cool. Second, the price had to be 29,500 or less.

After all, strength could be gained over time. With his system and Dungeons to clear, he would slowly get stronger as long as he played it safe and lay low.

But being cool? That was for a lifetime!

Below each Soul Energy Skill book was a short description of its moves. Li Heng searched within his 29,500-coin budget and finally settled on two Swordsmanship techniques that piqued his curiosity.

1. Drizzling Rain Swordsmanship: 28,000

When using this Swordsmanship, your blade is like a silent, drizzling rain. The moves are dense, swift, and continuous.

2. Mist Butterfly Swordsmanship: 20,000

When using this Swordsmanship, your blade is like a dancing butterfly. The moves are varied and deceptive. It is said that for those who master it to perfection, their sword strikes are accompanied by illusions.

After half an hour of screening, Li Heng had narrowed it down to these two Soul Energy Skills, and he would choose one. However, his gaze lingered longest on the Mist Butterfly Swordsmanship.

Li Heng had a system. As long as he spent Soul Energy points, reaching perfect mastery was just a matter of time, which was why he was so curious about this particular Swordsmanship.

’A dancing butterfly?’

’The sword strikes should look pretty cool!’

’And the moves are fast and varied. It should be pretty good in practice.’

"Pretty lady, I’d like to buy this Mist Butterfly Swordsmanship." Li Heng pointed to the book representing the Mist Butterfly Swordsmanship.

When the attendant confirmed that the Soul Energy Skill Li Heng wanted to buy was the Mist Butterfly Swordsmanship, she smiled and added quietly, "Of course! This Swordsmanship sells quite well in other stores, too. Congratulations, sir, on choosing a Soul Energy Skill you like. You can pay at the front counter." ℯℯ𝘭.

’So realistic!’

In the end, Li Heng spent 20,168 to purchase the Swordsmanship.

Twenty thousand was the price of the Swordsmanship itself; the extra 168 was the attendant’s service fee, which could also be considered a tip in a way.

’No wonder the service felt so attentive and thoughtful. It turns out they charge for it.’

Before Li Heng paid, the attendant held the *Mist Butterfly Swordsmanship* with special gloves. Only after he had paid in cash and received his receipt did she hand the book to him.

Name: Mist Butterfly Swordsmanship (Lv. 1)

Category: Soul Energy Skill

Value: Common

Effects:

1. Sword strike speed +1.

2. Upon reaching max Level: Strength +1, Agility +1.

3. Upon reaching max Level, your sword strikes have a very low probability of creating butterfly illusions.

[Would you like to spend 10 Soul Energy points to increase this skill’s Level?]

[This skill’s Level is not maxed out. It cannot be upgraded.]

’Value: Common?’

’A skill of just Common value is this expensive?!’

Before Li Heng even had time to complain about the Mist Butterfly Swordsmanship’s value and price, all the routines and moves of the technique flooded into his mind.

So, Li Heng stopped overthinking it. He closed his eyes and began to silently absorb the moves of the Mist Butterfly Swordsmanship.

Seeing the book disappear from Li Heng’s hands and watching him close his eyes, the attendant not only refrained from disturbing him but also gestured for those nearby to be quiet.

It was perfectly normal for customers in the Skill Store to have an epiphany while learning a Soul Energy Skill. The well-trained staff knew not to interfere.

However, it was extremely rare for the person having the epiphany to be a high school student in a school uniform!

Watching Li Heng enter a state of "enlightenment," the same thought popped into the minds of all the staff members present: ’This student must be a genius at his school!’