For the next two days, Yang Wenqing’s life settled into a brief routine.
During the day, he would show up at the precinct on time to handle the third squad’s daily paperwork and listen to briefings from Wu Yan and the others about surveillance in the Port District. At night, Vice Director Gao would take him to a manor outside the city, where he continued to nurture his spirit and practice the first form of the Jingzhe Secret Technique.
Thanks to countless simulated corrections in the Golden Core World, coupled with precise guidance from an experienced teacher like Vice Director Gao, Yang Wenqing’s progress was incredibly fast.
「Early on the morning of the third day, on the training grounds.」
Yang Wenqing stood with focused concentration. The short sword, Cyan Blade, hovered before him, its body vibrating slightly with a low hum. Compared to two days ago, Cyan Blade’s brilliant aura was now restrained. Only a single point of cold light at its tip remained, condensed and unwavering, as if all its power had been compressed to the absolute limit.
Vice Director Gao stood more than ten paces away, facing him. He held an ordinary green bamboo branch, his expression serious.
"Come, let’s see the fruits of your last two days of training," Vice Director Gao said. "Attack me with the strongest version of your Jingzhe’s first form. Let’s see if you can make it thunder!"
"Yes!"
Yang Wenqing took a deep breath, a sharp light flashing in his eyes.
He formed a seal with his hand for the Sword Formula. The Spiritual Power in his Qi Sea roared to life, surging along the pathways dictated by the Jingzhe technique. It became highly compressed and condensed, like a fully coiled spring, and was instantly channeled into Cyan Blade.
The short sword immediately let out a sharp, high-pitched hum, and the cold point of light on its blade suddenly flared!
With a low shout in his mind, Yang Wenqing thrust his hand seal forward. ’Go!’
WHOOSH—
Tearing through the air, the short sword transformed into a streak of cyan light, nearly too fast for the naked eye to follow. It carried an unstoppable, piercing momentum as it shot straight for Vice Director Gao’s chest.
A flicker of approval flashed in Vice Director Gao’s eyes. He infused the bamboo branch in his hand with Spiritual Power, making it instantly harder than refined iron. He swept it before him in a smooth, perfect arc of light to precisely intercept the streak of cyan lightning.
CLANG!
A crisp sound of metal on metal rang out!
A ripple of dense Spiritual Qi burst from the point of impact. The bamboo branch in Vice Director Gao’s hand trembled, and the sheer, focused piercing force actually knocked it back half an inch.
He also subconsciously took half a step back to disperse the force of the impact.
The flash of light vanished. Cyan Blade was knocked back, and Yang Wenqing barely managed to catch it. It continued to tremble violently in his grip.
Vice Director Gao glanced at the distinct sword mark on the bamboo branch in his hand, then looked over at Yang Wenqing, who was panting but had bright, clear eyes. A delighted smile spread across his face.
"Excellent! A fine ’Thunder That Shakes the Nine Heavens’!"
Vice Director Gao laughed heartily. "You’ve already begun to grasp the essence of this first form—its ’sharpness’ and ’speed.’ Before the Sixth Refinement of the Qi Cultivation Stage, battles are decided by technique and experience. Your innate talent keeps your Qi Sea brimming with Spiritual Qi, which will drastically increase your chances of victory."
"Thank you for your guidance, Director Gao!" Yang Wenqing said between breaths, his gratitude sincere.
"That’s a credit to your own high comprehension and hard work."
Vice Director Gao walked over and gave him a customary pat on the shoulder, his eyes filled with satisfaction. "Over the next few days, in addition to continuing to refine this form, you’ll also need to practice finding the right moment to use this strike in a real fight."
Yang Wenqing nodded firmly. He now felt much more confident about the upcoming tournament.
"Go on, get some breakfast."
As always, the breakfast at the manor was excellent.
Afterward, Vice Director Gao once again piloted the Flying Shuttle to take Yang Wenqing back to the precinct.
Just like the past few days, Yang Wenqing started his day handling paperwork and listening to briefings, his mind at ease. However, that peace was shattered at around ten in the morning.
Vice Director Gao summoned Yang Wenqing to his office, explicitly stating that the specialist from the city bureau in charge of the Soul Search had arrived.