Chapter 3: Cultivation Techniques and Secret Arts

Before long, Su Xin returned to his residence.

“Young master, there are less than twenty days left until the Sword Order Contest. According to tradition, all young disciples participating must pass a family-administered assessment at least half a month in advance. The minimum requirement for this assessment is to have reached the Eighth Level of True Martial Realm. The deadline for the family assessment is in three days,” said the attendant in the red robe.

“I understand. You may leave now,” Su Xin replied.

The attendant obediently left.

Inside the room, Su Xin sat cross-legged, his mind flooded with numerous memories.

These were inheritance memories that appeared in his mind when his supreme bloodline awakened, containing a cultivation method and a forbidden technique.

The cultivation method was the legacy technique for bloodline awakeners, unnamed.

Although Su Xin’s bloodline had awakened for three full years, he had spent that entire time imprisoned in the Magic-Forbidden Prison, with no chance to cultivate. However, he had long since mastered the way to practice this method thoroughly. Only now did he truly begin to cultivate according to this technique.

As he cultivated...

Su Xin immediately felt the surrounding spiritual energy of heaven and earth rush toward him at an astonishing speed, as if the entire space trembled.

In just a moment, he sensed his cultivation level had risen considerably.

“This is incredibly fast. The speed at which I absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth is tens of times faster than before my bloodline awakened,” Su Xin whispered in surprise.

Moreover, he could clearly feel that this cultivation method greatly compressed and enhanced the quality of his spiritual power, allowing him to unleash strength far surpassing before in an instant.

If previously, with an initial entry at the Seventh Level of True Martial Realm, he had been at a disadvantage in a head-to-head confrontation with Zhao Qing, who was at the peak of the Seventh Level, now—even though he was still just at the initial Seventh Level—he was definitely stronger, able to contend evenly with Zhao Qing.

“No wonder every bloodline awakener is exceptionally gifted. Just this one cultivation method alone allows their progress to be tens of times faster than ordinary people. How can anyone compare?” Su Xin sighed softly.

As for the forbidden technique...

It was called “Divine Annihilation,” a method that forcibly burns the power of one’s bloodline to dramatically boost one’s strength for a short time.

Of course, as a forbidden technique, it came with significant side effects and could only be used in life-or-death situations for survival.

“My cultivation once reached the very peak of the Tenth Level of True Martial Realm. It only fell because I went so long without absorbing spiritual energy. Now, restarting cultivation should be much easier. Besides, my current cultivation speed is probably tens of times faster than normal. Three days should be enough for me to reach the Eighth Level of True Martial Realm,” Su Xin thought confidently.

Su Xin clenched his fists slightly and began to focus on his cultivation.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

...

A vast martial arena was packed with people.

Today was the last day of the Su family’s Sword Order Contest assessment. Regardless of whether they were direct descendants bearing the Su surname or younger disciples from external guest factions, many had gathered here. Those whose strength met the minimum standards all hoped to try their luck.

After all, the Su family’s Sword Order Contest was held only once every few years. Though most knew they were unlikely to claim the Sword Order and become the leader of the younger generation, simply participating in the contest was an achievement in itself.

Boom!

A tremendous sound echoed.

In the center of the arena, a towering figure over two meters tall wielded a massive club and brutally struck Zhao Qing, a contestant from one of the guest factions, sending him flying.

Zhao Qing landed near the edge of the arena, looking utterly defeated.

“Haha, Zhao Qing, your strength is still lacking. An ordinary Eighth Level True Martial cultivator can withstand this war automaton’s attacks for over twenty breaths, yet you barely lasted eighteen. You’ve embarrassed us,” a few nearby onlookers teased.

Zhao Qing, getting up, scowled at them. “I only broke through to the Eighth Level yesterday. My realm is still unstable, so of course I can’t compare to you all—especially you, Hong Fang, who’s already at the peak of the Eighth Level.”

The others said no more.

Zhao Qing retreated to the side and stood with Hong Fang and a few others, feeling a bit resentful. “It’s a pity. If I had broken through a few days earlier and stabilized my realm, and refined that palm technique my elder brother taught me to a beginner level, I might have passed today’s assessment.”

While Zhao Qing was lost in thought, Hong Fang suddenly approached. “Zhao Qing, it’s this late already. Do you think Su Xin will show up?”

“Su Xin?”

At the mention of Su Xin, Zhao Qing’s expression turned bitter.

Three days ago, he had been defeated by Su Xin and even lost a tooth from a slap. This incident had spread widely, and Hong Fang and the others had heard about it.

They had also heard that Su Xin not only defeated Zhao Qing but boldly declared he would participate in the Sword Order Contest and even vowed to kill Zhao Qing’s elder brother, Zhao Ling, during the battle.

Zhao Ling was the undisputed strongest among the younger generation of the two major factions in the Su family.

As for Su Xin, though three years ago he had been the top genius, outshining even Zhao Ling, everyone knew he had been ruined after spending three full years locked away in the Magic-Forbidden Prison.

Especially since it was known that during his fight with Zhao Qing, Su Xin had only displayed power at the Seventh Level of True Martial Realm.

Naturally, no one took Su Xin’s words seriously; many even regarded him as a joke.

Hong Fang and the others had come today precisely to see Su Xin fail.

“Su Xin is just an arrogant fool,” Zhao Qing sneered.

“Three days ago, when he fought me, he barely reached the Seventh Level. The Sword Spirit Contest requires at least the Eighth Level to even qualify. He can’t even meet the minimum threshold, yet he talks about challenging my elder brother and killing him. What a joke.”

“I’m actually looking forward to seeing him show up today. If he dares come, I’ll make sure to humiliate him in front of everyone and avenge my shame!” Zhao Qing thought viciously.

He had now broken through to the Eighth Level of True Martial Realm, his strength greatly improved, and he was confident he could defeat Su Xin.

After all, only three days had passed, and he doubted Su Xin’s cultivation had advanced much.

At that moment...

“Hmm?”

Zhao Qing turned toward the side, where a figure was slowly walking toward the center of the arena.

“Su Xin—he really dares to come!” Zhao Qing’s face immediately twisted with rage.

At that moment, all eyes in the arena turned toward the Su family’s so-called top genius, who had been locked away in the Magic-Forbidden Prison and wasted three whole years.