High-Martial World: System Arrives 30 Years Late-Chapter 58: Cultivating Blade Qi, Assessment Moved Forward

Chapter 58: Chapter 58: Cultivating Blade Qi, Assessment Moved Forward
"Su Mu, congratulations on comprehending Sword Momentum."
"Teacher, what is Sword Momentum?"
"Momentum is the embodiment of entering the realm of subtlety, where a martial artist, upon mastering any weapon or martial technique to Basic Great Perfection, has a certain probability of entering this state, which is known as Momentum, such as Sword Momentum, Blade Momentum, Spear Momentum, and Fist Momentum."
"Momentum originates from martial techniques, but its level is higher than martial techniques. Now that you’ve comprehended Sword Momentum, you won’t be constrained by this Sword Technique. If you wish, you can unleash Sword Momentum with any casual swing."
"With the blessing of Sword Momentum, you can unleash an attack with the power akin to or even surpassing martial techniques with just a casual swipe. You have a huge advantage against opponents who have not comprehended Sword Momentum."
Su Mu’s eyes shone brightly, his breathing became slightly rapid. Having such an advantage with the blessing of Sword Momentum was indeed astonishing.
"Momentum is a manifestation of martial arts talent, something many find difficult to reach in a lifetime."
"More accurately, Momentum is the key to the Grandmaster Realm, crucial for condensing the Martial Arts Flower. Without comprehending Momentum, the Grandmaster Realm is out of reach in this lifetime."
"The first realm of martial art attainment is Momentum; the second is Intent."
"Your talent in the Sword Dao is not low, and this piece of Iron has undergone a thousand refinements. You can cultivate on your own now, give it your all. I’ll notify you as soon as the sword is reforged," Elder Wang encouraged.
"Thank you, Teacher!"
Watching Su Mu’s departing figure, Elder Wang smiled and crumpled up several completed inscription designs, as such inscriptions were unworthy of Sword Momentum.
And even more unworthy of his disciple, Wang Shuheng!
...
"So that’s it, I understand now."
"Previously, I wasn’t even qualified to cultivate the Sword Nurturing Technique."
"The starting point for cultivating the Sword Nurturing Technique is... comprehending Sword Momentum!"
In the underground cultivation room, Su Mu suddenly realized as if a cloud had been lifted, revealing the clear sky.
Previously inaccessible, the Sword Nurturing Technique now opened its doors to Su Mu, everything falling into place. This time, Su Mu faced no obstacles while engaging the Nurturing Blade Chapter’s secret technique.
Sigh.
Between breaths, Su Mu’s spirit, energy, and essence reached a remarkably high state. An invisible force flowed at Su Mu’s fingertips, three parts domineering, seven parts sharpness, it was Blade Qi transformed by Sword Momentum through the operation of the Nurturing Blade Secret Technique!
Even if the weapons obtained from the battlefield were damaged, Su Mu wouldn’t mind. Immediately, he flashed out a Third Level sword and laid it across his knees, lightly brushing the blade with his right hand.
Buzz!
After the Blade Qi infused the blade, the sword on his knees trembled, emitting a pleasant blade hum.
After repeating this several times, Su Mu felt a bit pale, experiencing a slight dizziness.
"Let’s test the power!"
But with what to test the power...
Su Mu thought for a moment before taking out a shield, the Tier Five Ink Stone Shield obtained from the Magic Box, then grabbed another Third Level Long Saber without Cultivating Blade Qi.
In the next second, he swung a cut.
Clang!
Sparks flew, a strong countershock echoed through the tiger’s mouth.
Su Mu glanced at the small shield, finding only a very slight, shallow cut.
"What a tough shield."
For the second cut, Su Mu switched to the Long Saber with Cultivating Blade Qi, swinging once again. As the Nurturing Blade Secret Technique operated, the Blade Qi within the blade surged out, concentrating at the edge.
Suddenly, an overwhelming sharpness revealed itself.
Clang!
After sparks flew, a much deeper cut was left on the shield’s surface.
"The power has nearly doubled!"
Su Mu felt ecstatic, very impressed with the sword in his hand, thoroughly sensing it. A single cut had almost depleted all the Blade Qi within the blade.
"The teacher said under the blessing of Sword Momentum, a casual strike can rival martial techniques. What if the Blade Qi from the Sword Nurturing Technique is added?"
Su Mu eagerly anticipated, taking a deep breath. This time, a wave of sharpness radiated from him and then concentrated on the blade. Following the infusion of Sword Momentum, the last remnants of the much-depleted Blade Qi were activated.
He took a swing.
Amidst the scattering sparks, there was a crisp sound as a piece of the blade broke off, blood splattering suddenly.
Su Mu wiped his face, feeling the warmth of the blood, but he paid no mind, looking down at the small shield, even a Tier Five shield was relatively fragile when not activated.
That strike left a gap on the shield’s surface.
And the Long Saber in his hand was unable to bear the blow, breaking apart.
Gazing at the Broken Blade in his hand, a bright light flashed in Su Mu’s eyes.
...
In the morning, the ringing of the phone woke Su Mu.
Su Mu took a slight breath, and upon opening his eyes, a sharpness appeared faintly.
"Su Mu, there’s been a change, in short, the assessment has been moved up. Come to the Martial Arts Association right away, and I’ll tell you the specifics."
"Okay."
After a night of nurturing swords, upon standing, Su Mu’s steps were still a bit unsteady. Following some quick grooming, he first called Miaomiao.
"Miaomiao, your face doesn’t look quite right... did something happen?"
"No, I just had a nightmare last night."
After a few brief exchanges, Su Mu went to the Forging Academy, where Elder Wang spoke directly, "I can’t finish in time for this assessment; I’ll need at least twenty more days. For now, take this blade."
"Thank you, Teacher."
Without modesty, Su Mu accepted the Fourth Level Long Saber handed by Elder Wang.
...
Martial Arts Association.
Wang Heng was momentarily stunned upon seeing Su Mu again, having sensed a sharpness from him a moment ago, now vanished.
"Could it be an illusion?"
None of it mattered, as Wang Heng soon began to speak.
"Last night, the Vice City Lord of Linjiang Base, Chang Yuanqing, was attacked and killed..."
"What did you say... Linjiang Base?!" Su Mu blurted out, interrupting Wang Heng.
"Yes. The Vice City Lord of Linjiang Base, Chang Yuanqing, had his eyes gouged out and tongue cut off, a brutal method typical of a Demon Cultist’s style, hence the test has been moved forward."
"Known clues suggest at least three opponents, capable of silently assassinating a Fourth Level Martial Artist like Chang Yuanqing. Their strength is at least Fourth Level, possibly Tier Five."
"You’ll be acting with nine others, aiming to assist Linjiang Base’s City Lord Lu Lin in eliminating the Demon Cultists. Your performance during the operation will determine entry into the Training Camp."
"What is their motive for murdering?"
"It’s unclear for now, but they’re active around the new district. The assessment starts in two days... Su Mu, where are you going?"
"I’m leaving right now; I’ll meet at the City Lord’s Mansion."
"That’s fine; it’ll give you a chance to familiarize yourself with the environment. This is your Identity Token for the assessment, losing it means elimination."
Wang Heng handed over a black token, with the words ’Shenjiang’ engraved on one side, and a silver cross on the reverse. Tokens are ranked by strength, number one being the highest, number ten the weakest.
After leaving the Martial Arts Association, Su Mu called Miaomiao once more, "Miaomiao, I’m coming home today, and I’ll send you and Xiaoyue to stay at Grandma’s for a while."
"Alright."
...
Su Mu first went to the Elixir Medicine Academy to purchase a batch of elixirs, then hurriedly headed to the airport.
Inside the plane’s cabin, Su Mu sat cross-legged, eyes closed, hands resting on his sword.
[Repeatedly cultivating Blade Qi ten times, your Sword Momentum slightly improved!]
[Repeatedly cultivating Blade Qi a hundred times, your Sword Momentum slightly improved!]
The Blade Qi emerged faintly, and the killing intent grew strong.