Chapter 7 Betting

After Elder Le departed, a mischievous glint flashed in Zhao Tianchen's eyes. He chuckled and spoke, "Brothers, now that matters have turned out this way, why don't we test our skills against one another? Let's place a wager—whoever loses a duel must pay ten Foundation Establishment pills to the victor. With our esteemed alchemy master here, it shouldn't be a problem, right, Xiao Chen? Ha… ha…"

The others nodded in agreement but Yang Ran hesitated, voicing her concern, "But Senior Tianchen, your cultivation is the highest among us. Isn't that a bit unfair?"

Zhao Tianchen waved his hand dismissively. "No need to worry. I'll suppress my cultivation realm to match yours."

With a faint smile, Xiao Chen simply said, "I'm in."

The first round of sparring was Tianchen vs Wei Junhao, Both clashed with swords 

They exchanged strikes and counters. Tianchen's blade shimmered with a delicate light, each swing carrying the scent of spring flowers. His Blossom Sword Strike was ethereal yet deadly, embodying the essence of the Cherry Blossom Sword Art — a 6-step technique rooted in Taoism, where every strike flowed like a petal in the wind.

Wei Junhao's eyes narrowed as he sensed the incoming pressure. Channeling Qi into his Sword, he unleashed the Blazing Sword, a fiery word technique known for its sheer force like its palm version. His Sword glowed with intense heat, flames bursting forth as he aimed to disrupt Tianchen's rhythm.

"Blazing Sword art!" Wei Junhao roared, sending a wave of scorching fire nature sword toward the incoming sword strike.

Tianchen's eyes remained calm. With a gentle twist of his wrist, his sword danced in the air, redirecting the flames as if parting a curtain. The cherry blossom petals around him seemed to shimmer, absorbing the fiery assault. In the next instant, Tianchen's blade moved like a falling petal — soft, yet carrying overwhelming power.

"Blossom Scatter!"

The sword's energy dispersed, sending a torrent of petals swirling around Wei Junhao. He tried to raise his palms in defense, but the petals were too swift, bypassing his flaming aura and landing solid blows on his body.

With a final sweep of his blade, Tianchen closed the distance and struck with the flat of his sword. Wei Junhao staggered back, the impact reverberating through his bones. His flames flickered out, leaving him defenseless.

Tianchen's blade hovered just inches from Wei Junhao's throat. With a nod, he sheathed his sword, his victory clear.

As they were getting out of the arena .

"Senior Tianchen and Wei Junhao could you show me your martial arts skill books that you guys use" asked Xiao Chen

As they stepped out of the arena, Xiao Chen turned to them and asked, "Senior Tianchen, Brother Wei Junhao, could you show me the martial arts skill books you both use?"

The two exchanged glances and nodded. After watching their battle, Xiao Chen had already gained a solid understanding of their techniques.

Flipping through the pages of the Blazing Art and the Cherry Blossom Art, Xiao Chen's eyes narrowed. He quickly identified the root of the problem—it was in the Blazing Art. The technique was incomplete and riddled with flaws. The primary issue lay in its yang-devouring nature; while it granted explosive power, it was difficult to control. Prolonged use would deplete the practitioner's yang energy, turning any male cultivator into a eunuch. Originally, Xiao Chen suspected it to be a palm art, but it seemed someone had tried to merge it with a similar fire-attributed sword technique, resulting in this chaotic and self-destructive method.

Xiao Chen asked AI to analyze both arts.

[Ding ..Detecting both as Earth Grade technique and found abnormalities in Blazing Palm art ..trying to fix the flaw....partially fixed Blazing art]

AI also agreed with his view

[Ding ..Cherry Blossom art changed from 6-step to 12-step art, Now considered 8-star Earth Grade Martial Technique ]

"Wait...Star..Why have I never heard of this categorization in martial arts, " Xiao Chen asked in puzzlement usually it's the low/mid/high Grade of technique.

[Ding .. Its categorization is made up by AI for techniques under the same grade based on its damage, evasiveness, speed, and other factors]

Xiao Chen agreed. Indeed, that's true, he mused. There are no precise standards when it comes to evaluating techniques of the same grade.

The original, crude judgment of art is often based on the fights a user has won against others using similar art. Typically, this assessment is categorized simply into low, medium, and high.

Many martial arts boast superiority over others of equal rank, yet there's no way to validate these claims. This disparity becomes especially problematic with weapon arts — sword, saber, halberd… each weapon art of these weapons claims supremacy over others, but how can we measure which is truly stronger? Now that problem is solved by AI.

Before inconsistency in measurement made it difficult to truly gauge the value of techniques, and practitioners often found themselves relying on biased opinions rather than objective evaluation in this matter.

Without AI in this regard, To establish such a categorization, Xiao Chen needs to practice each weapon art himself and test it. However, this is impossible because one person cannot practice every art they encounter solely for categorization. Additionally, individual talent varies in this area, meaning that we cannot consider two people practicing the same technique for categorization, even if they are in the same realm.

By using AI, Xiao Chen can now improve any art without practicing that martial art as AI can emulate the same thing.

A sudden AI notification wakes him up from his thoughts

[Ding .. Completed upgrading Blazing Martial Art, upgraded from 1-star art to 4-star, Blazing art contains Blazing Crane Palm and Blazing Sword, Recommended to assimilate with at least Perfect grade flame to counter negative effect ]

Then Xiao Chen got into the arena, he just showed everyone Blazing sword art. Which was more elegant and yet had a destructive nature, other's were stunned at this progress. The blazing art he showed only scratched the surface of the real one as he didn't learn it, just kept it to make a tailormade martial art for himself.

And he said, "I improved both of your martial arts" and continued "I also made a new sub-grading of our martial arts in the sect and explained a new grading mechanism", hiding the fact about AI.

All others also accepted the new sub-grading mechanism as it was easier.

"I will get a copy of this version to you guys after verifying it with Elder Le," said Xiao Chen.

Witnessing such remarkable improvement in martial arts, Yang Rong earnestly requested, "Younger Brother Xiao Chen, could you also take a look at us sisters' martial arts?"

Mei Ling supported the request.

Mei Ling showed her techniques - Serene Lotus Palm, Frost Lotus Sword, and Whispering Breeze Step and passed her technique book to Xiao Chen

Similarly, Yang Rong showed her techniques - the Moment of Shifting Petals, Moonlit Ribbon art which is a whipping technique, and Whispering Breeze Step and passed her martial arts book to Xiao Chen

Both were analyzed but AI and their technique were improved but 2 - 4 stars. Whispering Breeze Step is considered 6 - star Earth grade technique

"Whispering Breeze Step is fine as I already improved based on my current knowledge, I will able to refine it further after breaking through the next realm, for other techniques, I took a mental note, and I will give you a copy by tomorrow"

After that match continued Ultimate Victor was Zhou Tianchen, Others were in the gloom because of losing their pills in a bet.

Afterward, Since He now has knowledge of 3-star Alchemy recipes and is officially a 2-star Alchemist, 1-star recipes like Qi pills, and Foundation pills are easy for Xiao Chen to make now.

Also made a batch of Blood Vitality Pill which enhances the body's blood circulation, replenishing vitality and boosting overall physical recovery after severe injuries or battles.

Xiao Chen made a copy of the enhanced martial arts techniques and met Elder Le. He presented the improvements along with the newly developed grading system. Elder Le was delighted to see the changes and, impressed by the innovative sub-grading method, he enthusiastically agreed to implement it for all techniques.

Moment of Shifting Petals, and Serene Lotus Palm are upgraded to 7 star Earth grade techniques, Frost Lotus Sword is also now a 6 star Earth grade technique, Moonlit Ribbon art is upgraded to 7 star Earth grade technique. Xiao chen also removed the flaws of the these techniques using AI.

Now he presented the upgraded techniques and pills to Elder le

"It seems sect owns you lot now, Elder Xiao Chen" keeping the Technique, he was taken back by Blood Vitality Pill which is a grade 3 pill, usually made by 3 - a star alchemist not by a 2 -star alchemist and There is another batch of Perfect Grade 1 pills. 

After that, he started practicing sword art, and he asked AI to compile current art tailored and made for him.

[Ding .. A new martial art based on current knowledge is being created....completed. Please name it]

Xiao Chen named his technique the "Heavenly Art," a 9-star Earth-grade cultivation method uniquely crafted for him. It encompasses the Heavenly Sword, Heavenly Steps, and Heavenly Palm techniques, perfectly suited to his strengths. This art will serve as the foundation of his journey toward becoming an immortal cultivator.

Xiao Chen began practicing the Heavenly Art, and the amount of Qi he could intake instantly doubled compared to his previous technique. Not only had the quantity increased, but there was also a profound qualitative change—the Qi was far purer. His dantian absorbed this refined Qi voraciously, like a ravenous beast. Compared to this newfound purity, his earlier Qi now seemed murky and foul, as if he had been cultivating with tainted energy all along.