Exchanging Pointers

Exchanging Pointers

Qiu Mo's name resonated loudly in the Emperor Star Academy, thanks to his Yuanfu Realm status and membership in the Royal Capital's 10 prodigies.

On the other hand, Qin Wentian was a newcomer, joining the academy just a year ago. Yet, within this short span, he had risen to become a 3rd level Divine Inscriptionist.

While Qiu Mo held seniority and could offer guidance, his words felt more like targeted attacks than genuine advice. Qin Wentian felt compelled to defend himself, especially since there were several Yuanfu students at the academy. Initially, Qiu Mo had shown humility, but he soon began acting as if he were the sole Yuanfu cultivator.

"Junior Brother Qin is absolutely right," chimed in Luo Huan. "Senior Qiu Mo may have started his cultivation journey earlier, but that hardly grants him the right to act like he's the only Yuanfu cultivator in our academy. Even if we don't take into account the year he joined, his achievements last year couldn't hold a candle to Qin Wentian's."

With a smile, she continued, "If not for the fact that Senior Qiu started cultivation a few years before Junior Brother Qin, he wouldn't even be in the same league."

Jiang Xiu added his two cents, "Talk is cheap. Instead of crafting beautiful words, why don't we spar and exchange pointers? Today's gathering is about testing our skills, not boasting. After all, a silver tongue doesn't win battles."

Mountain, exasperated, snorted, "You sure have a lot to say. How about you spar against a Yuanfu cultivator yourself? Let's see how you fare."

A voice from the sidelines chimed in, "Pointers can be exchanged without relying on combat. If Senior Qiu Mo truly wishes to spar with Qin Wentian, he shouldn't use his Yuanfu cultivation base. That way, they can compete in attack techniques without using their cultivation bases to empower them. Victory would be determined by comprehension, adaptability, and reaction speed. That should level the playing field."

"That sounds fair," Qiu Mo responded, now back in his seat. He chuckled, "Apart from using our cultivation bases to power innate techniques, we can spar using our attack stances and moves without cultivation base augmentation. Success will depend on understanding, adaptation, and quick reactions. What do you say? It sounds like a reasonable solution."

Luo Huan raised an eyebrow, "While that may be true, breaking into Yuanfu enhances one's attributes and sharpens one's senses. Moreover, higher cultivation levels often yield a deeper understanding of one's innate techniques. So, Qiu Mo would still have an unfair advantage."

"In that case, there's not much of a difference," Luo Huan concluded dismissively.

"I haven't reached Yuanfu yet. Why don't I take Qiu Mo's place and have a friendly exchange with Qin Wentian?" Jiang Xiu spoke up abruptly, a challenging tone in his voice. "Qin Wentian is displaying excessive arrogance, and with Luo Huan's unwavering confidence in him, why not let me test the true extent of his abilities?"

He glanced at Luo Huan, a mocking smile playing on his lips. "Luo Huan, if Qin Wentian continues to hesitate, I won't mention this again. It seems he's not as confident as you think."

Frowning, Luo Huan turned her gaze to Qin Wentian.

After all, Qin Wentian had been at the academy for only a year, and he had dedicated a significant amount of time to studying Divine Inscriptions. His grasp of innate techniques might not be as profound as that of others. In a battle where cultivation base was disregarded and only the techniques and moves of innate techniques mattered, the advantage would certainly be with the person well-versed in various innate techniques.

Qiu Mo remained silent, content to let Jiang Xiu take over the challenge. Both senior students seemed determined to see Qin Wentian humbled.

As the crowd's eyes fixed on him, Qin Wentian remained composed, his thoughts hidden. He couldn't discern why Qiu Mo and Jiang Xiu had singled him out for such treatment. However, he chose not to dwell on it for now. He calmly rose from his seat and made his way toward the circular stone stage.

"Senior Brother, I'm ready for your guidance," Qin Wentian declared, his stance firm, his gaze unwavering as it locked onto Jiang Xiu. Actions spoke louder than words.

Jiang Xiu returned Qin Wentian's intense stare. He sprang into the air with a surge of energy, landing gracefully in front of Qin Wentian.

"No need for pleasantries," Jiang Xiu said, his eyes piercing. "I hope you don't mind if I don't hold back."

Qin Wentian's humble response caught the onlookers off guard. It was a stark contrast to his earlier attitude.

"Well, my weapon of choice is a sword," Jiang Xiu declared, drawing a sharp-edged Divine Weapon from his back. While it was indeed a Divine Weapon, it was essentially a regular blade when not infused with energy—albeit a much sharper one.

Since they had agreed not to use their cultivation bases, they opted for weapons to showcase their innate techniques. Otherwise, relying on palm-style innate techniques without the aid of their cultivation bases would be futile, as they couldn't produce the necessary energy to manifest palm prints.

"I choose the halberd," declared Qin Wentian. He retrieved an ancient halberd from his interspatial ring with a simple thought. The weapon gleamed ominously, its crescent blades emitting a cold, eerie light as they pointed towards the ground.

"Very well," Qin Wentian said, tightening his grip on the halberd. He looked squarely at his opponent.

Jiang Xiu's hands trembled slightly as his sword radiated an icy brilliance. He advanced toward Qin Wentian, every step exuding an oppressive force. Although they weren't allowed to use their cultivation bases, their well-trained bodies from years of Body Refinement still held tremendous power.

With a swift, fluid motion, Jiang Xiu's sword transformed into a shadow, a cold and swift sword light aimed directly at Qin Wentian's throat.

"Shadow Snow Swordplay," murmured some of the elites on the stage. In an instant, they recognized it as a low-tier earth-grade innate technique from the 4th level of the Heavenly Star Pavilion.

Jiang Xiu's sword, as cold as snow, struck with the grace of a shadow. It resembled a bolt of lightning targeting Qin Wentian's throat.

Qin Wentian took two steps back and thrust his ancient halberd forward, intending to clash head-on with Jiang Xiu.

"Such a wondrous technique can't be captured so easily," the crowd murmured. As expected, Jiang Xiu suddenly changed the direction of his sword. It flowed like a drifting snowflake, curving naturally to aim at the center of Qin Wentian's forehead. Jiang Xiu's body moved in sync with his sword, displaying an unmatched grace.

"Even without his cultivation base, Senior Jiang is truly astonishing. Only in such a battle can one appreciate the depth of his swordsmanship," the crowd marveled. They wondered how potent Jiang Xiu's swordplay would be if it were powered by astral energy.

Qin Wentian continued to retreat, his halberd dancing as it formed a spiral, conjuring the image of a Xuanwu Black Tortoise. Jiang Xiu's sword couldn't pierce through the defense that easily.

"That's the mid-tier, earth-grade Berserker Beast Halberd Technique," someone explained. "It's incredibly fierce and requires a user with rigorous cultivation."

But Jiang Xiu was undeterred. His swordplay shifted to the Starpoint Swordplay, the swordlight transforming into points of astral brilliance that pierced through the spiral defense of Qin Wentian's halberd. It seemed that as long as there was an opening, his attacks would reach Qin Wentian.

"The Vermillion Bird Stance of the Berserker Beast Halberd Technique," Qin Wentian countered.

His ancient halberd changed position, becoming incredibly sharp and agile as it attempted to destroy Jiang Xiu's astral points of attack. The two clashed repeatedly within moments, the sound of their strikes resonating in the air.

"Such close combat is incredibly dangerous. One mistake could lead to paralysis or even death," the crowd noted.

The speed of their close-quarters battle continued to accelerate. Despite the absence of their Yuan Energy, Jiang Xiu's sword remained tyrannical, while Qin Wentian, though mostly on the defensive, exhibited an unwavering defense. Their weapons gleamed with murderous potential, capable of ending the fight with each blow.

Since they couldn't use their Yuan Energy, victory would be determined by their understanding of their respective techniques.

Most observers thought Jiang Xiu had the upper hand due to his relentless and varied attacks. Qin Wentian often assumed a defensive posture. However, he maintained an unbreakable defense, denying Jiang Xiu any openings. Despite the constant onslaught of Jiang Xiu's explosive and ever-changing swordplay, Qin Wentian remained unscathed.

"Qin Wentian's reputation is well-deserved. Despite appearing weaker at first glance, his understanding of innate techniques and his ability to counter in critical moments are truly remarkable," the elite observers noted. They understood the nuances that the crowd might miss. There were two key factors contributing to Qin Wentian's steady performance, even when pitted against Jiang Xiu's lightning-fast attacks.

Firstly, he exhibited an exceptional mastery of his own techniques, executing them to perfection.

Secondly, his senses were razor-sharp, allowing him to anticipate and react to every move of his opponent.

"Sword Heart's Lonely Shadow."

Jiang Xiu's swordplay shifted once more. He advanced aggressively, his sword slicing like a lonely shadow, each stroke radiating an intense chill.

Qin Wentian swiftly retreated, drawing sighs from the crowd. Many believed that Qin Wentian's defeat was inevitable. Few could anticipate Jiang Xiu's mastery of the Sword Heart's Lonely Shadow technique—a strike so precise that his sword seemed to move at the mere thought.

"You're about to lose," Jiang Xiu declared, his figure resembling a sharp sword as he advanced gracefully.

"Azure Dragon Stance!" Qin Wentian roared, thrusting his ancient halberd forward with dominating force. The strike was simple, yet it embodied immense power.

"Unleash!" Jiang Xiu's gaze, sharp as swords, guided his sword through nine instantaneous transformations. The impact flung the ancient halberd from Qin Wentian's grip, and in the blink of an eye, Jiang Xiu's sword inched closer and closer.

"Qin Wentian is defeated," the crowd murmured. Jiang Xiu's sword seemed destined to claim victory in mere moments.

Jiang Xiu's victory seemed certain due to his ingenious swordplay. In contrast, the halberd's power couldn't be fully unleashed without Yuan energy infusion.

However, in a surprising turn, Qin Wentian advanced instead of retreating. He thrust his palm forward, deflecting Jiang Xiu's sword from his body.

"Foolish move," Jiang Xiu sneered. His sword's graceful arc shifted horizontally toward Qin Wentian. Yet, Qin Wentian's elusive movement technique allowed him to evade the strike. In a simultaneous retreat, he deftly caught the airborne ancient halberd. These actions, though complex to describe, unfolded in an instant.

In that moment, Jiang Xiu and Qin Wentian were mere feet apart. Both unleashed palm strikes, sending them hurtling backward on impact. Yet, in that split-second, Qin Wentian's Vermillion Bird Stance of the Berserker Beast Halberd Technique swept out, impossibly swift. The halberd's crescent blades landed on Jiang Xiu's neck, while Jiang Xiu's sword remained inches away from Qin Wentian.