"Wind Montum."
Fang Han’s knowledge was no longer what it had been back in Liangshui City. He was no longer completely ignorant about "Montum."
"Montum" was a major dividing line in Martial Techniques.
It was incredibly difficult to comprehend. Even with his Eightfold Swordsmanship Talent Amplification and guidance from a Qingxuan Sect Steward, it had still taken him a long ti to grasp it.
But once comprehended, even just touching the threshold of "Montum" would increase one’s power several tis over.
Mastering Wind Montum ant the power of his Sword Dao had multiplied, truly stepping into a new realm.
After a long while, Fang Han finally cald his turbulent emotions.
The surge in his strength brought him imnse confidence, dispelling much of the gloom that had been weighing on his mind.
’Even against a Late Stage of Ninth Grade expert like Zhao Qianjun, I’m not completely powerless now!’
Fang Han’s eyes were as sharp as a sword.
When he had achieved Great Success in Xunfeng Swordsmanship and his Cultivation reached the Middle Stage of Ninth Grade, he had been confident he could fight an ordinary Late Ninth Grade Martial Artist.
But Zhao Qianjun was a Qingxuan Sect disciple, after all—a victor from their year’s fierce competition. The level of his Martial Techniques was certainly not low.
Even if he wasn’t considered outstanding among his peers, he was still beyond what an ordinary Late Ninth Grade Martial Artist could compare to. Fang Han hadn’t been confident he could stand against him.
Now that his Xunfeng Swordsmanship had reached Perfection and his combat power had skyrocketed after grasping "Montum," he finally had the strength to truly contend with Zhao Qianjun.
’I must be more careful!’
The thought of luring Zhao Qianjun out and eliminating him surfaced in Fang Han’s mind, but he quickly suppressed it.
If he launched a surprise attack now, he might be able to kill Zhao Qianjun, but it could also fail.
When you strike a snake, you must hit its vital spot. He didn’t want a possibility; he wanted an absolute certainty.
He wouldn’t act unless he was sure. Once he did, he had to eliminate the threat of Zhao Qianjun completely.
Besides, he wanted to capture Zhao Qianjun alive and interrogate him to find out why he was being targeted.
’My Xunfeng Swordsmanship has reached its peak. To continue improving my Sword Dao, I need to switch to a Middle Grade Sword Technique, but my current Contribution Points...’
Fang Han’s brow furrowed slightly.
The Contribution Points for his current mission of guarding the Beast Garden would only be settled after a full month.
He only had fifty Contribution Points in his Identity Jade Token, at least fifty short of what he needed to redeem a Middle Grade Sword Technique.
Just as he’d feared, his Xunfeng Swordsmanship had reached Perfection, but he still didn’t have enough Contribution Points to exchange for a Middle Grade Sword Technique.
He decided to borrow so Contribution Points from Wang Miao. What was a little pride compared to increasing his strength?
But after so thought, he realized there was a better way.
He went straight to the Beast Garden’s administration office and found Steward Zhang, who was in charge.
"Nephew Fang, is there sothing I can help you with?"
Seeing Fang Han arrive, Steward Zhang asked with a rather friendly attitude.
Fang Han had handled the previous Demon Beast rampage well, so he had a good impression of him.
"Steward Zhang, I’ve co to ask if it’s possible to withdraw the contribution for this mission in advance?"
Fang Han inquired.
"Nephew Fang, according to Sect rules, mission contributions can only be distributed after the mission is complete. Withdrawing them now would be against the regulations."
Steward Zhang said, his brow slightly furrowed.
"Steward Zhang, please understand. This disciple has no intention of making things difficult for you. It’s just that my Cultivation has reached a critical point, and I urgently need a better manual, but I’m short on Contribution Points."
Fang Han clasped his hands and spoke with a sincere expression.
"You handled the Demon Beast rampage last night and prevented the Sect from suffering a loss... Fine. I’ll make an exception this one ti. Give your Identity Jade Token."
After a mont of thought, Steward Zhang chose to be accommodating.
The Sect did indeed have a rule that Contribution Points could only be disbursed upon mission completion. However, these points belonged to Fang Han anyway and would be given to him sooner or later.
By releasing the Contribution Points a little early, he could foster so goodwill. There was no need to refuse such a request.
"Thank you, Steward Zhang! This disciple would also like to request an hour’s leave to go to the Library Pavilion and select a manual!"
A great weight lifted from Fang Han’s heart. He quickly took out his Identity Token and bowed solemnly.
"Go on, but return as soon as you can."
Steward Zhang took Fang Han’s Identity Token, swiped it over the black, inkstone-like device, and waved his hand.
"This disciple will return as quickly as possible!"
Fang Han took back his Identity Token and, without further delay, turned and hurried away.
Once out of the Beast Garden, he imdiately executed the Startled Swan Step. His figure moved like a wisp of green smoke, heading straight for the Library Pavilion on the mountainside.
He arrived at the Library Pavilion and went directly to the third floor.
Behind the counter sat the sa stern-faced, middle-aged Steward as before.
"Steward, this disciple has co to select a Martial Technique."
Fang Han said, stepping forward.
The middle-aged Steward pointed to the *Qingxuan Martial Vault: Middle Grade Martial Technique Summary* on the desk, gesturing for Fang Han to browse and choose for himself.
Fang Han picked up the thick summary and eagerly flipped to the Swordsmanship section.
The Qingxuan Sect possessed quite a few Middle Grade Sword Techniques, each with distinct characteristics and belonging to various attributes.
Having already comprehended Wind Montum, Fang Han naturally wanted to maximize this advantage.
He skipped past the Swordsmanship of other attributes, his sights set squarely on Wind Attribute Middle Grade Sword Techniques.
Soon, several Wind Attribute Middle Grade Sword Techniques ca into view.
*Willow-Whipping Sword*: Its Sword Techniques were delicate, excelling at using Skill Overcos Force and redirecting an opponent’s strength, but its power was on the weaker side for a Middle Grade Sword Technique.
*Gale Swift Sword*: Pursued the ultimate sword-drawing speed, with an offense as fierce as a sudden storm, but its moves were sowhat simplistic and easily seen through.
*Wind Returning Sword*: Its Sword Montum was fluid, balanced between offense and defense, but it was rather diocre, excelling in neither.
Fang Han browsed through them one by one, carefully comparing their pros, cons, Cultivation requirents, and required Contribution Points.
Most of these Swordsmanship techniques required between one hundred and one hundred fifty Contribution Points.
Suddenly, his gaze was captured by the description of one particular Wind Attribute Sword Technique.
"*Wind-Splitting Swordsmanship*."
"Gathers wind into a blade, splits the sky and breaks gold. The sword strikes like a tear in the wind—swift, unpredictable, and incomparably sharp."
"Attribute: Wind."
"Characteristics: Ultimate speed and piercing power. Its Sword Techniques are fierce and excel at breaking through defenses. When cultivated to a high level, the sword’s wind can shatter tal and stone."
"Pros: Its single-target lethality is considered top-level among Middle Grade Sword Techniques. It has an extrely strong suppressive effect against hard-style techniques."
"Cons: Extrely difficult to cultivate, with exceptionally demanding requirents for comprehension."
"Cultivation Requirent: Recomnded for those who have so comprehension of Wind Montum."
"Evaluation: A Sword Technique of imnse power but also imnse difficulty. Choose with caution!"
"Contribution Points Required: One hundred."
After reading the description, Fang Han’s heart was instantly captivated. This was exactly the kind of Swordsmanship he wanted.
As for the con of requiring extrely high comprehension, he didn’t see it as a problem.
His Swordsmanship Talent Amplification had already reached Eightfold, aning his Talent in Swordsmanship was already exceedingly high.
What’s more, he was certain he could continue to increase the multiplier of his Swordsmanship Talent Amplification in the future, giving himself even greater Swordsmanship Talent.
For others, the need for extrely high swordsmanship comprehension was a huge constraint, but for him, it was nothing.
’This is the one!’
Fang Han made his decision almost instantly.
In terms of power, this Sword Technique was among the most top-level of all Middle Grade Sword Techniques. Normally, it wouldn’t be available to borrow for a re one hundred Contribution Points.
It was only "sold cheap" for just one hundred Contribution Points because its extre cultivation difficulty had scared off too many people.
For him, this was an incredible bargain!
"Steward, this disciple would like to borrow the *Wind-Splitting Swordsmanship*."
Fang Han closed the summary and handed his Identity Token to the middle-aged Steward.
"One mont."
The middle-aged Steward gave Fang Han an odd look, took his Identity Token, swiped it on the inkstone-like object, and rose to enter the book room behind him.
Having guarded the third floor of the Library Pavilion for many years, he was well aware that the *Wind-Splitting Swordsmanship* was an extrely difficult technique. Many disciples had tried it only to give up, wasting their Contribution Points for nothing.
’But what does that have to do with ? He’s no friend or relative of mine. I’m not going to be kind enough to dissuade him.’
’I wouldn’t gain anything from it and might even make an enemy.’
’After all, these new disciples are all arrogant, thinking they’re the best. How could any of them admit their comprehension isn’t up to par?’
A short while later, the middle-aged Steward returned with a dark, almost black, booklet in his hand.
The booklet was made of a material that was neither paper nor silk; it was cool and tough to the touch. The cover bore only four ancient seal script characters, written with silver hooks and iron strokes that seed to exude a rending aura: *Wind-Splitting Swordsmanship*.
"You should know the rules. Private circulation is strictly forbidden, and violators will be severely punished. Also, this is the original copy. It must be returned within one month!"
The middle-aged Steward handed the Swordsmanship booklet to Fang Han, issuing a stern, routine warning.
"This disciple understands and would not dare to disobey!"
Fang Han accepted the booklet with both hands, suppressing the urge to flip through it imdiately. After bowing respectfully to the Steward, he turned and went downstairs.
Leaving the Library Pavilion, Fang Han imdiately headed back to the Beast Garden.
Upon returning to the Beast Garden, he found a clearing in the woods, eagerly sat down with his back against an old tree, and carefully took out the *Wind-Splitting Swordsmanship*.
He opened the dark cover. The first thing that t his eyes was not a diagram of specific techniques, but a section on the General Heart thod.
The handwriting was fierce, as if the ink itself was about to tear through the page:
"Wind is formless and intangible, its gathering and scattering unpredictable. Yet, a gale can topple cities and uproot fortresses, while a gentle breeze can seep through the tiniest cracks."
"The essence of splitting the wind lies in condensation! Condense the wind into a line, gather qi into a blade, and in a single instant, unleash ultimate piercing power and speed. Nothing is too hard to be destroyed, nothing too fast to be broken..."
Fang Han held his breath, concentrating as he read on, word by word, sentence by sentence. The deeper he delved, the more shocked and delighted he beca.
Just as the summary had described, this was indeed a Sword Technique that pursued ultimate speed, with power that could be considered top-level among Middle Grade Sword Techniques. It was perfectly suited for a Martial Artist like him who sought ultimate offense and velocity.
He continued flipping through the pages and ca to the Nine Sword Techniques.
The first technique: "Returning Wind and Shadow." It emphasized the coordination of Body Technique and Swordsmanship. The sword attacks were unorthodox, unpredictable, and specialized in launching fatal strikes while on the move.
The second technique: "Wind Rolls Up the Clouds." A small-area-of-effect Sword Technique. The Sword Montum rotated to form a tearing field of sword wind, used for dealing with being surrounded.
...
The ninth technique: "Sky Splitting Gold-Breaking." A direct thrust that pushed speed and piercing power to their absolute limits. It was both the foundation and the essence of the entire sword art.
Each technique ca with detailed diagrams of Inner Qi circulation routes, force-application skills, and graphical annotations. Although there weren’t many techniques, each one had complex Transformations and demanded extre attention to detail.
Fang Han beca completely imrsed in this exquisite Swordsmanship, losing all track of ti.
He only snapped out of his trance after he had read through the entire manual from beginning to end.
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