As Wang Lan's dedicated coach, it was essential to have a detailed understanding of his abilities. Not only did Huang Feilong need to be intimately knowledgeable about them, but he also had to clearly recognize Wang Lan's advantages and shortcomings to devise specialized training accordingly.
So, based on Huang Feilong's judgment, this kick should have struck Wang Lan's chest and sent him flying. Of course, the force had to be controlled, just like in martial arts movies where kicks look fierce but don't land with full power.
But in the next instant, Huang Feilong suddenly felt his foot kicking into thin air. Startled, he caught a glimpse from the corner of his eye of Wang Lan inverted, supporting himself on the ground with one hand.
A thought exploded in Huang Feilong's mind. Damn it!
Wang Lan's foot, coming from below, fiercely kicked upward at Huang Feilong's chin, sending him flying into the air.
THUD—
A dull sound echoed as Huang Feilong fell backward onto the ground, thoroughly dazed.
Of course, an ordinary person would have been severely injured by such a blow, but for Huang Feilong, a Star Martial Warrior, there wasn't much of a problem other than a bit of pain in his chin and a somewhat numb tongue from biting it.
Wang Lan approached Huang Feilong and helped him up.
"Mmh mmh mmh mmh..." Huang Feilong's tongue was somewhat unresponsive. Although he was attempting to speak, Wang Lan couldn't make out the words clearly.
"Master Huang, are you sure you're a Star Shine Stage Star Martial Warrior?" Wang Lan asked with a hint of skepticism.
"Of courth I'm thure!"
"I'm only at the Starlight Stage and I took you down. You weren't just bluffing me before, were you?"
"That'th becauth I underethtimated you... With your combat level from the day before yethterday, you definitely couldn't have made that move... The way you dodged, counterattacked, and executed your moveth wath extremely fluid and impeccable... Have you had an epiphany in the latht two dayth? Wait, what did you jutht thay?"
"Me? I asked if you were bluffing me before."
"No, the thententh before that!"
"You, a Star Shine Stage warrior, were taken down by me, a Starlight Stage warrior?"
"You're Starlight Stage? When did you reach Starlight Stage?"
"Just today."
"Come on, Open Star Palace for me to see..."
Wang Lan trusted Huang Feilong a great deal; the man was straightforward and had been teaching Wang Lan for five years. Besides, opening the Star Palace was the most direct proof of being a Star Martial Warrior, and it wasn't something they typically concealed.
Opening the Star Palace came as naturally to a Star Martial Warrior as instinct; no learning was required. Wang Lan summoned the Star Power within his entire body, causing it to surge and circulate powerfully. Waves of shimmering light immediately radiated around him.
Above his head, within a flickering void ripple, a radiant star, like a gemstone, was embedded.
Watching this scene, Huang Feilong was anything but calm. "Mr. Lan? You're sixteen years old?"
"Mm."
"Two years ago, you underwent Soul Resonance Stimulation, right? Even that couldn't awaken your Star Martial Warrior talent, yet now you've managed to awaken it on your own?"
"Ah, what about it? Awakening is just awakening; there's no need to be surprised. But you, shouldn't you be adjusting my training plan now?"
'No need to be surprised?' That's too stiff an act, thumbs down! Huang Feilong roared internally.
Soul Resonance Stimulation was scientifically certified to help 99.8% of those with Star Martial Warrior talent to successfully awaken, with the remaining 0.2% existing only to prevent arrogance from a perfect score. For those whose Star Martial Warrior talent couldn't be awakened even by Soul Resonance, it was generally considered that they possessed no such talent at all.
Since the advent of the Soul Resonance Instrument, there was no precedent of anyone awakening later if they had undergone Soul Resonance without success. Even a hundred attempts would be futile.
Truly talented individuals don't need Soul Resonance assistance; they usually awaken on their own before the age of thirteen. Those who awaken through Soul Resonance tend to have relatively mediocre aptitude. But what in the world is this situation? Soul Resonance couldn't make him awaken, yet damn it, he actually bloomed like an iron tree flowering?
"To be able to awaken on your own at sixteen? Such demonic talent would certainly make the news, wouldn't it? 'No need to be surprised?' I might not be surprised, but the folks at the Star Martial Research Science Institute should be thrilled to invite you to join their research. Your existence proves that Soul Resonance Awakening isn't infallible and might even lead to a second method of awakening being discovered through you, possibly even achieving mass awakening for everyone. Heh heh heh..."
Wang Lan shuddered. "Don't scare me. Our scientists are humane, after all."
"Hmm, but sacrificing one person for the everlasting benefit of human civilization would be worth it," Huang Feilong said with a sly smile. Seeing he had genuinely frightened Wang Lan, he clapped his hands. "Alright, I won't tease you anymore. Although your case is special, it's not enough to shake the foundations of science; they won't do anything to you. Since you've successfully awakened, it's time for me to adjust your training. Come, let's have a real Star Martial Warrior fight."
The two stood five meters apart and bowed with clasped fists.
"Master Huang, please guide me!"
"Mr. Lan, please guide me!"
SWISH! Both figures moved simultaneously. As soon as they engaged, fists and feet flew, their movements too fast to see clearly. If captured with a high-speed camera and slowed down three times, one could perhaps make out each move and counter in their exchange.
Huang Feilong's combat skills were quite solid; otherwise, Wang Lan wouldn't have chosen him as a personal coach. Being kicked into the air by Wang Lan earlier was due to his momentary lapse in concentration, coupled with Wang Lan's free combat skills upgrading from Black Iron to Bronze.
Bronze-level skills were professional-grade. Reaching this level meant one had moved beyond the learning phase; further progress could only come through practice and enlightenment. After sparring quickly for two minutes, Huang Feilong suddenly accelerated his movements, and his power climbed another notch.
BOOM—
Wang Lan's defense was broken open by Huang Feilong with a single Bagua Chop, leaving his chest exposed. Huang Feilong pressed forward, sending Wang Lan flying backward with a palm strike.
Wang Lan crashed into the railing of the arena, beads of sweat dripping down his forehead. He took a few deep breaths, climbed down from the railing, and said, "The gap between Master Huang and myself is still so apparent."
"Mr. Lan, I don't know if it's because the amplification from your awakening as a Star Martial Warrior was too great or because you experienced an epiphany, but your combat ability has indeed reached an advanced level. I dare say that even those so-called geniuses who have undergone strict training from a young age and became Star Martial Warriors many years before you might not possess a higher level of combat ability."
"Is that so?" Wang Lan's face remained calm, not showing the joy typical of a young person receiving praise.
Seeing Wang Lan's lack of expression, Huang Feilong thought he didn't care and his face became serious.
"Of course. Although you were an ordinary person before, your training has always followed the standards for a Star Martial Warrior. I don't know how high your talent is, Mr. Lan, or what Star Martial Skill you've awakened. But I've told you more than once that talent and Star Martial Skills can only determine how far a Star Martial Warrior can go in the future, whereas Basic Skills are what absolutely determine the minimum distance a Star Martial Warrior can travel. In the world of Star Martial Warriors, especially before reaching the Galaxy Stage, Basic Skills remain the primary means of combat. Fighting techniques, sword skills, movement techniques, strength, and endurance are the fundamentals for a Star Martial Warrior to survive on the battlefield. Mastering Basic Skills doesn't guarantee becoming a powerful Star Martial Warrior, but a powerful Star Martial Warrior must have mastered Basic Skills. You must not underestimate Basic Skills just because you've awakened your Star Martial Warrior talent."
"I understand," Wang Lan nodded. "But Master Huang, what is the most important among the Basic Skills?"
"Naturally, it's the martial techniques for killing enemies. Star Martial Warriors are not for show; they fight against Exotic Beasts and, when necessary, against their own kind. Hand-to-hand combat is important, but it's too inefficient for killing. Among the martial techniques for killing, the sword is the most practical."
Indeed! What used to be the most meaningless skill for Wang Lan immediately became the most important after becoming a Star Martial Warrior. Fortunately, he had already improved his sword skill to the Bronze level; his strength in it should be no less than his free combat ability, right?
"Then let's practice sword skills."
Wang Lan took down two training swords from the rack. Their weight and style were exactly like real swords; the only difference was that these swords hurt when they struck but couldn't kill.
Huang Feilong secretly felt relieved. It was a good thing Mr. Lan hadn't focused much on learning sword skills before; his skill level was still lacking in many areas. Otherwise, I would really have nothing left to teach Mr. Lan. Although it would be an honor for me if Mr. Lan distinguished himself in the future thanks to my teachings... seventy thousand a month... If I have nothing left to teach, wouldn't I be out of a job? In a moment, I must use all my strength, determine the winner with a single decisive exchange, and show Mr. Lan that I still have true skills that will take him years to learn.
With this thought, Huang Feilong gripped his sword tightly. "Mr. Lan, come at me."
"Alright!"
Sword skills are straightforward: it's all about chopping motions. The so-called hacking, slashing, upward strokes, and paring are just ways to utilize the blade's edge. This differs from techniques for a double-edged straight sword, where thrusting is the primary attack. In a direct confrontation between this type of sword and a double-edged straight sword, the latter absolutely cannot meet this sword head-on. This sword generates significant force in a swing; using a double-edged straight sword to block such a swing would shatter it in minutes.
Wang Lan charged at Huang Feilong with large strides, slashing downward at a forty-five-degree angle—a most common opening move for sword users. It's hard to judge skill from the first move; good sword use lies in the subsequent responses.
If Huang Feilong were to simply block this blow with his sword, it wouldn't demonstrate any particular skill. Therefore, Huang Feilong instantly reversed his grip and sliced towards Wang Lan's wrist. If Wang Lan continued his downward slash, his entire hand would have been struck.
However, since the swords were practice weapons, there was no fear of truly severing Wang Lan's hand, though it would certainly hurt quite a bit.
But in an instant, Wang Lan changed his move. Although his sword still came slashing down, it rotated ninety degrees nimbly in his hand and thrust straight towards Huang Feilong's wrist.
What the—
Huang Feilong's heart skipped a beat, and he hastily changed his own move.
CLANG— The two swords collided with a crisp sound.
CLATTER CLATTER CLANG—
In a blink, sword light burst forth from Wang Lan's hands. The hacking, slashing, upward strokes, and paring unfolded from his hands like blooming fireworks, each strike aggressive, sharp, and impeccably executed, leaving no openings.
At least in Huang Feilong's eyes, Wang Lan's adaptations were able to keep pace with his rhythm.
He's a demon of talent! Huang Feilong parried Wang Lan's sharp onslaughts calmly, but his heart was utterly shocked.
He had taught all of Mr. Lan's combat skills; he knew perfectly well what level Wang Lan was at. Wang Lan absolutely did not possess such proficiency in sword skills before. But then...
Suddenly, Huang Feilong felt his position was seriously challenged. Wang Lan had learned sword skills from someone else—it must be... Damn it, what scoundrel dares to poach from me? They have no sense of professional courtesy at all!
With that thought, Huang Feilong couldn't afford to hold back any longer. He unleashed his trump card skills at once. His killing intent, complemented by sharp sword techniques, instantly suppressed Wang Lan's attack and launched a counteroffensive.
CLANG CLANG CLANG—
CRACK—
With a crisp sound, the swords in their hands suddenly snapped.
Fake was fake, after all. Under the intensity of their genuine fight, the blades ultimately couldn't withstand the stress and fractured.
The two men looked at each other, panting. The five minutes of intense engagement had been a spectacular display of sword skill combat. There were no tactics, no give-and-take; both were aggressively attacking in a fierce head-on clash.
Wang Lan fought with exhilarating vigor, while Huang Feilong was on tenterhooks.
The one who taught Wang Lan his sword skills is the real deal! Not just for show, but genuinely skilled.
"Master Huang is truly deserving of his reputation, formidable! If it weren't for the swords giving out, I was about to give out..."