Once everyone received their wooden sabers, they naturally began to recall the Head Escort's saber techniques, with many starting to practice their swings.
"Not bad, a few of you have managed to get one or two moves right," Escort Master Huang glanced at Fang Yong and Sun Qi, nodding in approval.
"Some, however, are flailing about wildly, not sure what they're trying to do," he remarked, casting a glance at Qian Dele and a few other burly men, who immediately flushed with embarrassment.
When the Escort Master looked at Jiang Ping, he noticed that the most spirited young man was standing still, holding his saber without moving, as if lost in thought.
"Hmm, perhaps we should wait for Chief Escort Liang to officially teach," he mused.
"...," Qian Dele muttered to himself. "Is there really a need for such double standards?"
"Is this the benefit of being exceptional, not having to fear criticism from seniors?" Jiang Ping thought to himself, his expression relaxed.
He wasn't daydreaming; he was meticulously recalling the Head Escort's saber techniques in his mind. In fact, the moment he grasped the wooden saber, he felt a strange sensation arise.
Jiang Ping was certain it was his first time holding such a saber, yet it felt as though he had wielded it hundreds or thousands of times before.
An innate saber saint body? He wasn't sure.
However, as he simulated the Head Escort's Flying Snow Saber in his mind, his Fate indeed underwent some changes:
[Flying Snow Saber Entry Level (3/300): Practice a hundred times daily, and you'll master it in a year.]
"The Head Escort's saber is too fast for me to see clearly, but I remembered his footwork and the force of his wrist, and then I recalled and imitated it in my mind," Jiang Ping thought.
In reality, he hadn't swung the saber even once. Relying solely on memory simulation, it was as if a little figure in his mind was practicing the saber, quickly mastering the moves.
The change in proficiency on his Fate confirmed everything. Jiang Ping not only fully learned the saber techniques but also began to improve.
The moves of the Flying Snow Saber were now like muscle memory, deeply ingrained in his body.
Thinking of this, he suddenly had a peculiar look in his eyes, muttering to himself, "Could my Martial Dao comprehension be even more extraordinary?"
After all, which child learns saber techniques without practicing, merely by recalling and simulating in their mind, and quickly makes progress?
"Alright," came the voice of the Head Escort. "You've had enough time to explore on your own. The best among you have only mastered two or three moves. Now, follow my lead."
With that, Liang Sheng began to explain and demonstrate the moves, and everyone followed along, somewhat bewildered.
Escort Master Huang moved among the crowd, helping to correct their actions.
After practicing three times, everyone stopped to rest.
Escort Master Huang commented on everyone's saber practice: "Most of you still have unstandardized movements and are prone to mistakes. Jiang Ping."
"Hmm?" Jiang Ping, who seemed to be daydreaming, suddenly looked up, as if he had been called out.
"You've made quite a few mistakes, you need to work harder," Escort Master Huang said.
As soon as the Escort Master spoke, Jiang Ping felt many strange gazes upon him.
It wasn't that he wanted to make mistakes, but he was multitasking, focusing on the little figure practicing the saber in his mind, verifying whether his comprehension was truly extraordinary. This chapter was taken from novelping.com without permission.
Of course, he couldn't possibly say such things out loud, as it would easily frighten them.
Because the results were promising, Jiang Ping was very sure that his extreme talent seemed not to lie in the Nourishing Life Art, but in Martial Dao skills:
[Flying Snow Saber Entry Level (15/300)]
Just through the 'little figure practicing the saber' in his mind, the saber technique had already shown results.
In other words, Jiang Ping could actually achieve progress without physically practicing, simply by brainstorming.
Such extraordinary comprehension!
"Alright," Jiang Ping nodded sincerely, appearing humble and obedient.
Seeing his earnest attitude, Escort Master Huang was quite satisfied and added, "If you have any questions, feel free to ask me directly."
"Okay," Jiang Ping nodded again, like a pecking chick, causing some to feel a pang of jealousy.
"Escort Master Huang's attitude towards Jiang Ping is way too favorable. For us, it's either sarcasm or criticism," Sun Zheng whispered, feeling unfairly treated.
"Well, he's at the second layer of the Nourishing Life Art, likely to become an Escort Master at the agency," Qian Dele saw clearly that Escort Master Huang's attitude depended on their level of excellence.
After all, teachers always favor outstanding students.
After discussing the 'underachievers,' Escort Master Huang also mentioned the outstanding ones, like Fang Yong and Sun Qi.
"The moves of these individuals are already standardized, and they no longer need to listen to the Head Escort's explanations; they can practice on their own," Escort Master Huang said slowly.
The praised individuals appeared calm, but their eyes unconsciously revealed a hint of pride.
Especially Fang Yong and Sun Qi, who exchanged glances, secretly competing with each other.
One was the first in fist strength, the other had risen to third place, neither willing to concede.
"However, you must not become complacent. Saber techniques are not like the Nourishing Life Art; seeing results will take time. You need to persevere, first mastering the continuity of the moves, then practicing diligently to grasp the mysteries of the Fast Saber," Escort Master Huang advised.
......
"Continue," the Head Escort said, rising after a short rest. The seated crowd had no choice but to pick up their wooden sabers and continue practicing.
Meanwhile, Jiang Ping remained immersed in his brainstorming.
"No, it's still not smooth enough, too slow, too slow, too slow, faster, faster, faster, faster!"
In truth, he could make the moves continuous, but once they were, it felt unnatural, far from the Fast Saber he remembered from the Head Escort.
"Practice, practice, practice!"
The little figure practicing the saber in Jiang Ping's mind swung the saber frantically, chopping again and again, quickly finding the rhythm, the little figure's speed increasing.
[Flying Snow Saber Entry Level (15→20/300)]
[Flying Snow Saber Entry Level (20→30/300)]
[Flying Snow Saber Entry Level (30→66/300)]
[...]
Time flew by, and soon it was mealtime. The two Escort Masters left in a hurry.
During this time, Jiang Ping made rapid progress, his saber technique advancing beyond a third, terrifyingly fast.
However, in reality, he was called out by Escort Master Huang again.
After all, multitasking, constantly comprehending and progressing in his mind, while following the Head Escort's step-by-step breakdown of moves, mistakes were inevitable.
This led to many who envied him sneering.
"This guy has some achievements in the Nourishing Life Art, but his comprehension is quite lacking," Sun Qi's mood improved significantly.
"Nothing to worry about," Fang Yong glanced briefly, then paid no more attention.
"What are you thinking about?" Liu Wensheng, who was nearby, could see clearly that this guy didn't seem to be seriously practicing the saber, as if he was daydreaming.
"Thinking about saber techniques," Jiang Ping answered truthfully, but Liu Wensheng wore a disbelieving expression, though he didn't press further.
After lunch.
Jiang Ping practiced the Nourishing Life Art as usual, only returning to the dormitory to rest when exhausted.
While improving saber techniques could certainly enhance strength, the true path lay in Martial Dao realms, and becoming a Martial Artist was the primary goal.
Moreover, by using brainstorming to comprehend saber techniques, he saved energy.
However, the mental exhaustion was considerable, and coupled with the fatigue from practicing, Jiang Ping lay in the dormitory, barely contemplating saber techniques before falling into a deep sleep.
......
Perhaps he slept too well in the afternoon, for after practicing in the evening, Jiang Ping returned to the dormitory but didn't fall asleep early, continuing to comprehend the Flying Snow Saber.
Since there was no one in the dormitory, he sat on the edge of the bed, brainstorming while holding a wooden saber, practicing.
The saber techniques he comprehended in his mind were etched into his bones, the saber in his hand swift and fluid, slicing through the air with a low hum from the friction.
Similarly, his progress was rapid, the saber technique advancing beyond two-thirds, only stopping when his roommates returned.
It wasn't that he feared revealing anything, but he was concerned the wooden saber might injure someone, as the dormitory was too cramped.