Listening while sleeping?
Niu Zhan took a deep breath, suppressing the shock in his heart, and nodded. “Young Master Xia, then I’ll explain it to you again from the beginning.”
Before, he had only done it reluctantly under the pressure of the five top Holy Maidens. But this time, he was fully willing and explained the technique with great care and detail.
He wanted to see just how heaven-defying Xia Feng could truly be.
Xia Feng’s talent was undeniably poor. As the explanation went on, it sounded more and more like a foreign language to him. No matter how hard he tried, he simply couldn’t fall asleep this time.
“Forget it, Master Niu. Let’s leave it at this for today. You should rest early,” Xia Feng eventually gave up, stood up with the Iron Horn Art manual in hand, and took his leave.
Niu Zhan frowned slightly as he watched Xia Feng’s back.
What was going on with this kid?
If his talent were good, he should’ve been able to understand at least some of it.
But if his talent were poor, how did he jump nine cultivation stages in a single nap, all the way to the 1st stage Earth Realm?
Could it be that he only progresses when he’s asleep?
That’s just too bizarre…
After leaving Niu Zhan’s courtyard, Xia Feng headed straight to the Xia family’s Martial Pavilion.
That place housed all of the Xia family’s martial arts and techniques. Though the highest was only High-grade Peak Tier, it was more than enough for Xia Feng right now.
“Young Lord!”
The one guarding the Martial Pavilion was an elderly man with white hair, a 9th stage Yellow Realm Martial King.
“Elder Xia,” Xia Feng greeted respectfully.
It was said that this old man had come to Xingyu City alongside his grandfather and was given the Xia surname as a reward. He had been loyal to the Xia family ever since.
Xia Feng’s father treated him like a father, so naturally Xia Feng showed him great respect as well.
Seeing Xia Feng rush over, Elder Xia asked curiously, “Young Lord, what’s the matter?”
“I’ve come to choose a martial technique,” Xia Feng smiled.
Xia Feng nodded. “Yes.”
“Good, good, good!” Elder Xia’s face was full of joy as he patted Xia Feng’s shoulder, laughing heartily. “Good lad! I knew you could do it. Come with me, I’ll personally help you pick something.”
He turned and walked into the pavilion, with Xia Feng following behind.
“This Thunderclap Fist is quite good. Although it’s only a Low-grade Basic Tier technique, it suits Yellow Realm cultivators very well,” Elder Xia said as he picked a technique off the shelf and handed it to Xia Feng.
Xia Feng shook his head and replied, “Elder Xia, I’m no longer in the Yellow Realm. I’m a 9th stage Earth Realm cultivator. I’d like to learn the Flowing Light Sword Technique.”
Now that he was certain the Dream Pearl affected reality, there was no need to pick low-tier martial techniques anymore. The Flowing Light Sword Technique was the only High-grade Peak Tier sword technique in the Xia family’s Martial Pavilion.
He also realized that the reason those five Holy Maidens had become so obsessed with him was likely due to the Dream Pearl’s influence.
Since that was the case, he no longer resisted accepting the dowries they had offered.
He was especially fond of the Clear Snow Sword given by the Heavenly Sword Holy Maiden.
He had hesitated before, worrying the Holy Maidens might have ulterior motives. But now, that worry was gone.
As for the Violet Thunder Fruit, its energy was too strong. He planned to wait until the five Holy Maidens returned before consuming it, so they could protect him during the process.
If he was going to use the Clear Snow Sword, he naturally needed a sword technique to go with it.
“9th stage Earth Realm?” Elder Xia was shocked. He grabbed Xia Feng’s arm and used true essence—something only Martial Kings possessed—to investigate.
“To think you’ve really reached the 9th stage Earth Realm… Young Lord, weren’t you still at the Martial Disciple stage just yesterday?”
“To be precise, I was still a Martial Disciple just two hours ago,” Xia Feng said with a cheerful grin.
He didn’t hide it from this elder, who had protected the Xia family for three generations.
Besides, everyone in the Xia family—and even all of Xingyu City—knew about his previous state. It wasn’t something he could hide, not unless he never used inner force again.
“Two hours? From Martial Disciple to 9th stage Earth Realm?” Elder Xia’s eyes widened to the limit, his face filled with disbelief.
“Haha! Good! If the old master knew of this in the afterlife, he’d be so proud!” Elder Xia laughed heartily, tears streaming down his face.
Xia Feng smiled and said, “Elder Xia, could you help me understand this Flowing Light Sword Technique?”
“Of course! Absolutely!” Elder Xia nodded and picked up the manual, beginning to explain in detail.
Xia Feng sat in a chair, resting his chin in both hands, and reminded him, “Elder Xia, if I fall asleep while listening, don’t stop. Don’t wake me either. Just keep going.”
“Uh… alright.” Elder Xia was startled by the strange request but still nodded and began explaining, “The Flowing Light Sword Technique focuses on speed—swift as flowing light, leaving enemies defenseless. It’s also quite powerful…” Enjoying the story? Read on at novelping dot com.
Xia Feng truly tried to listen carefully, but his talent was just too poor. As Elder Xia continued, Xia Feng quickly felt a headache come on and eventually drifted off to sleep.
The sound of soft snoring echoed through the Martial Pavilion.
Elder Xia, who had been passionately explaining, suddenly froze.
He fell asleep?
His mouth twitched slightly as he was about to close the manual, but then remembered Xia Feng’s earlier instruction. Gritting his teeth, he continued reading.
He had taught many guards in the Xia family, but this was the first time he had to teach someone who was fast asleep. It felt bizarre beyond words.
At the same time, deep within Xia Feng’s soul, the Dream Pearl began to emit a faint white glow again, weaving a dream world around him.
Elder Xia’s voice became like the sound of the Great Dao itself, echoing in that dreamscape.
Following the explanations, Xia Feng practiced the Flowing Light Sword Technique again and again within the dream world.
Five hundred years passed in that dream.
Xia Feng slowly awoke on his own.
Seeing the tired Elder Xia still explaining, he asked, “Elder Xia, how long did I sleep?”
Elder Xia snapped awake. “Young Lord, it’s been about an hour and a half. High-grade Peak Tier techniques are a bit too advanced for you now. Why don’t I get you a Low-grade Peak Tier sword technique instead?”
“No need. I think… I’ve already mastered it,” Xia Feng said with a faint smile.
Elder Xia was stunned. Learned a sword technique in his sleep? And not just any technique, but a High-grade Peak Tier one?
Was that even possible?
He clearly didn’t believe it. Shaking his head, he assumed Xia Feng was joking.
He had never heard of anyone learning a martial technique by sleeping.
He’d heard Xia Feng snoring loud and clear.
And besides, mastering a technique couldn’t be done while just sitting still.
Xia Feng smiled and said no more.
But at that moment, countless memories surged through his mind—every movement, every stance of the Flowing Light Sword Technique. It was as if he had practiced it for decades… centuries.