Standing before Leon, Hall Master Chu’s stern face showed a hint of a smile, but it quickly faded, turning into seriousness and solemnity.
He was also not wearing any protective gear, just holding a bamboo sword, striking a middle-level stance.
On the middle-aged man’s face, his two eyes seemed to light up: “Come, help me stretch my bones and muscles, let me see how strong you’ve become.” “Please instruct me.” Leon had no extra nonsense, bowed, held the sword with both hands, and stood quietly in place.
And then— “Hah!” Along with a loud shout, the bamboo sword was like a flood dragon coming out of the sea, bringing a sharp wind sound and stabbing straight at Leon’s face.
The people around all let out a gasp of surprise.
Master is so merciless right from the start today?!
However, Leon’s reaction was completely different from what everyone expected.
He abruptly started moving from a state of stillness, also surging forward with a mirror-like posture.
In everyone’s sight, two figures rapidly approached each other, as if the outcome would be decided in an instant.
At the same time, the wooden sword in Leon’s hand was casually thrust forward.
Yet the stability and power it carried were beyond everyone’s imagination.
Clack.
With a crisp sound, Hall Master Chu’s wooden sword was knocked off course.
The two men’s movements came to an abrupt halt.
Leon had only slightly turned his body, and his bamboo sword was still steadily stopped in front of the other man’s Adam’s apple, less than one centimeter from the skin.
While Master Chu’s decisive stab had been easily parried away, completely missing its mark and brushing past Leon’s ear as if perfectly coordinated.
The training hall fell instantly dead silent.
The new student’s jaw dropped, and he didn’t even notice the sword in his hand falling to the floor.
“One move?!
This…
how is that possible?” The senior student also looked as if he had seen a ghost.
“Master just said he could at least hold out for another year!” Hall Master Chu stiffly withdrew his wooden sword, looking at the calm-faced teenager before him, unable to hide the shock in his eyes.
“Such a fierce gaze, such a fast sword.” But amidst the shock, he also revealed a trace of realization.
“Just as I suspected when you were instructing them earlier…” Master Chu took a deep breath, his tone struggling to remain calm.
“You’ve achieved Enlightenment?” The saying “fists fear the young and strong” was indeed a truth.
Leon was still in his growth period, while Hall Master Chu’s body had already begun to decline.
Thus, it was inevitable that Leon would eventually surpass him.
But that last strike was clearly not a simple crush in physical ability; even his experience had been seen through.
The feeling was exactly like facing a grandmaster who had immersed himself in the way of the sword for decades, reading every one of his movements perfectly.
This was utterly ridiculous.
“Reviewing the material these past few days calmed my mind, allowing me to gain some insight.” Leon sheathed his sword and stood there, his tone as flat as if he were saying “what I ate for lunch today.” This was the reason for his visit today.
Besides testing his physical abilities in a safe place after breaking through his limits, he also grasped his own reaction speed through repeated instruction, gradually becoming familiar with his new power.
The effect of the [Precision Operation Engine] was truly terrifying.
In fact, Leon’s own original body was also considered within the scope of a [Humanoid Construct].
After all, humans could be said to be flesh golems constructed by their parents.
Aside from being much stronger physically, controlling it was as natural as moving his own limbs, and he could even see through others’ movements and force.
After these few hours, he had completely adapted to his current body, and that feeling of absolute freedom had returned.
Excellent.
“Good!
A fine ‘some insight’!” Master Chu showed no anger at losing to a junior.
Instead, his face was full of excitement, even glowing with a healthy flush.
“This is how our generation of swordsmen should be!” These words rang out with a resounding force, full of spirit.
But the new students couldn’t help but freeze for a moment, confused expressions on their faces.
Isn’t that a line from that novel that’s been so popular lately…
Leon’s expression remained calm and proud.
“Of course.” “Without this resolve, why even come to learn the sword?” As soon as these words came out, the old students were thrown into an even greater commotion.
Regardless of age, whether they were adults or teenagers, regardless of gender.
“Kwah!
Senior Brother, we adore you!” “Senior Brother won against Master!
Senior Brother is invincible in Vanden!” “Senior Brother, you are the pride of our Vanden Activity Center!
A once-in-a-century genius!” The scene was incredibly lively, as if they had broken into a psychiatric hospital.
The old student beside the new student showed a slightly unnatural expression, explaining a bit awkwardly: “Ahem, you’ve just arrived, so you might not know…
our Sword Hall has always been like this.” Families who could afford to let their children learn the sword for a long time were never ordinary families lacking food and clothing to begin with.
Those who could persevere were all a bit unusual in some way.
Simply put, they all harbored a certain amount of Chuunibyou in their hearts, with endless fantasies of being so-called Sword Cultivators, Swordsmen, and the like.
“When you train to the top, can you fire a saber beam or fly on a sword?” When Leon asked this question back then, what he received was not an awkward exchange of glances, but Hall Master Chu’s gaze, as if he had found a kindred spirit.
“I am also looking for a way to achieve that.” The reason why Leon stayed was actually because Hall Master Chu had given him this heartfelt answer.
And since the two of them stopped pretending, the others naturally couldn’t be too normal either…
The old student wanted to explain a few more words for them, only to find that the new student’s expression was as if he had discovered a new continent.
“Woah!
So badass!
Senior Brother!” Hall Master Chu looked at Leon and suddenly shook his head with a bit of regret.
“Leon, sometimes I really feel it’s a pity.
If you’re willing to inherit the Sword Hall and continue your advanced studies, your future achievements will be enough to shock the whole country, or even found a sect.” “But…” He shook his head, seemingly a bit disappointed that Leon’s ambitions didn’t lie here, “For you, a normal founding of a sect is definitely not enough.” Leon nodded, his tone incredibly serious: “We’ll talk when I can fly on a sword.” “Heh.” Hall Master Chu waved his hand, signaling that Leon could go and rest.
But as Leon turned around, he seemed to remember something, his expression suddenly became a bit grave, and he lowered his voice to stop him: “By the way, Leon.” Leon paused and turned his head.
“What is it?” Hall Master Chu glanced around, making sure no one was paying attention, before lowering his voice.
“It’s been unrestful in this area lately.” “A few of my friends at the police station said they’ve already received several missing person reports this week.
They all happened at night, and…” Master Chu paused, his expression grave and his eyes flashing with a sharp light.
“There are even witnesses who claim to have seen some unclean things.
Some people have even gone insane because of it.” Leon was slightly stunned.
“I rushed there myself at the time, but I didn’t find anything.
But the disappearances are definitely real.” “I don’t know if it’s right or wrong to tell you this…
I’m afraid you might not be able to resist investigating if you hear about it.” “Even though you’re skilled, kid, and already stronger than me, don’t let your guard down.” Unclean things?
Leon’s heart suddenly stirred.
Hall Master Chu was the same type of person as him, always paying attention to these things, just like how many people in his past life believed in Feng Shui and gods and ghosts.
With his personality, he wouldn’t just spout nonsense.
He must have actually heard something through his police connections.
If it were before, Leon might have thought it was just a rumor, after all, he had come up empty-handed countless times before.
But after absorbing that Mana Crystal and witnessing true supernatural power…
Leon knew very well that this world might truly have a so-called dark side.
“I understand, thanks for the warning.” Leon nodded, without showing too much emotion.
But the moment he turned to leave, a glint flashed in those black eyes, like a hunter who had caught the scent of prey.