Chapter 89: Evil-Repelling Sword Technique

Zu An thought to himself that these two women were quite something, each asking the same question behind his back. "I'm doing fine, I suppose," he mused. "After all, I'm so handsome and dashing, what woman wouldn't be charmed?"

Shang Liuyu was speechless.

"Don't say things like that in front of the headmistress in the future. She's never been fond of glib people," Shang Liuyu couldn't help but remind him after a moment's thought.

Zu An was taken aback. He thought to himself, 'The beautiful headmistress seems quite fond of me. Could my charm truly be that potent? After all, when someone falls for another, even their flaws become endearing.'

"Sister Shang, I'm truly flattered by your concern," Zu An chuckled.

Shang Liuyu let out a soft huff. "That was just a thank you for your excellent song last time. But the favor's been used up; I won't be helping you again."

She expected him to be disappointed, but instead, his eyes lit up. "That's easy," he said. "I have plenty of songs. I can play them for you one by one whenever we have the chance."

Shang Liuyu's usually serene expression suddenly showed a flicker of excitement. "Really?" she asked. "You have more songs of that caliber?"

"Of course. Let's find an evening or some other time, and we can exchange ideas," he replied. "By the way, where's your dorm? I have a teacher's dorm now, too, so maybe our rooms are next to each other." Zu An mused to himself, 'Those transmigrator seniors copied poems to show off and put people in their place. It should be fine if I copy some tunes instead of poems, right? Pfft, this isn't copying; this is promoting Earth's culture to other civilizations across the cosmos!'

Shang Liuyu said with a knowing half-smile, "Can't it be during the day? Why does it have to be at night?"

"I have classes during the day. Now I'm not just a student but also a teacher, so I only have time at night," Zu An said earnestly. "Besides exchanging tunes, you could also tutor me. I've been at school for so long, and I still haven't attended a single one of your lessons."

"Tutoring?" Shang Liuyu's expression was peculiar. "We'll see if the opportunity arises." Seeing students gradually emerging, she didn't want to appear overly familiar with him in public, so she left after a few more words.

Watching her graceful figure as she departed, Zu An thought to himself that this woman was certainly a bit hot and cold.

Due to the recent bet, the "foreign language class" had concluded, and it was soon time for the next cultivation lesson.

Zu An's spirits instantly lifted. Compared to the haphazard lessons of the past few days, he was far more interested in the cultivation class. Although he now had a cheat system that allowed him to level up unconventionally, he lacked systematic knowledge of cultivation, so he eagerly sought information in this field.

The cultivation class teacher was Bai Susu. He entered, swaying his hips with an "exceedingly seductive" gait, and the previously boisterous classroom instantly fell silent.

This was no ordinary class taught by a third-rank part-time teacher; it was a lesson from a sixth-rank powerhouse. While the former lessons might have been more practical for students in the Yellow Class, human nature dictated that no one dared to be disrespectful in the presence of such strength.

Moreover, Bai Susu's seductive and unsettling aura made few students willing to provoke him. Should anyone inadvertently be called to his office for a private chat, who knew if their "chrysanthemum" would remain intact.

Bai Susu ascended the podium, his gaze sweeping across the entire classroom before finally settling on Zu An. He couldn't help but chuckle. "I've taught in your class many times," he began, "but never has it brought me such a delightful surprise as today. To think, one of my colleagues is actually seated among you."

Upon hearing his words, everyone cast glances of envy, jealousy, and resentment towards Zu An. Zu An offered a modest smile, while inwardly calculating the anger points he was receiving from Yi Xiaobo in the system.

Bai Susu cleared his throat. "Getting back to the main topic, I have an announcement for today's class: the Yaoguang Secret Realm is about to open. While most of you in this class probably won't qualify, those who are interested can still sign up."

Upon hearing his words, the classroom immediately erupted into a buzz of excited whispers, faces alight with enthusiasm.

Zu An mused, 'So these guys already know about the Yaoguang Secret Realm. It seems I need to brush up on my general knowledge of this world. Well, another excuse to get more tutoring from Shang Liuyu...'

"Huh, the Secret Realm is opening much earlier this year," someone remarked.

"Yeah, it seems to be at least half a year ahead of schedule!" another chimed in.

Some of the more informed students couldn't help but voice their confusion.

Bai Susu explained, "Secret realms are inherently mysterious. Our previous research on them might not have been entirely accurate, and some of the opening patterns we've summarized previously could very well contain errors. However, the timing of this secret realm's opening is indeed unusual, so it will likely be more dangerous than before. Therefore, if you lack the necessary ability, it's best not to covet what's inside. The academy will not be held responsible if you die upon entry."

"Teacher Bai, you're overthinking it; we know our limits," a student said.

"Exactly," another added. "Every time, only those from the Heaven and Earth Classes qualify to enter the Secret Realm. How could anyone from our Yellow Class possibly get in?"

"We're just here to watch the excitement," a third chimed in.

Bai Susu nodded. "As long as you understand. Alright, let's begin today's lecture. Although most of you students here will likely pursue civil professions in the future, our Great Zhou was founded on martial prowess, so some fundamental skills are still essential. It would be quite embarrassing for the academy if you couldn't even handle petty thieves later on."

"I've already taught you the basic cultivation mind method; how far you can cultivate depends on your individual fortune. Today, I'll teach you a set of combat techniques. After all, even with cultivation methods, while your strength and speed may surpass ordinary people, it's meaningless if you can't fully utilize them."

Zu An's eyes lit up. In his previous fight with Xue'er, he had clearly felt the disparity between them. After he was severely wounded, however, his raw strength and speed, thanks to the unique effects of the Phoenix Nirvana Sutra, were no longer significantly inferior to hers.

However, the moment his opponent unleashed her combat techniques, he was entirely on the defensive, passively taking blows. It was like a wild ox and a tiger: in terms of raw strength, the ox might even be superior, yet it ultimately becomes the tiger's prey. This clearly illustrates how the ox's immense power wasn't fully utilized. Zu An was now facing this very same issue.

Therefore, upon hearing that Bai Susu would be teaching combat techniques, he immediately paid his full attention.

Bai Susu lifted the hem of his robe, fumbled underneath for a moment, and then produced a three-foot-long sword. The entire class stared, wide-eyed. He hadn't been carrying a sword when he entered. Where had he possibly hidden it?

Many students instinctively lifted the hems of their own robes and fumbled around, wondering where such a long object could possibly be concealed. *Cough*, it couldn't be hidden *there*, could it?

A flush of excited color spread across Bai Susu's fair face. "Alright," he announced, "the combat technique I'm teaching you today is called 'Thirteen Forms of Beginner Swordsmanship'."

Zu An nearly choked. Upon hearing "combat technique," his mind conjured up countless grandiose names from the wuxia novels he'd read in his past life. He'd imagined that a prestigious institution like Brightmoon Academy would at least teach something on the level of the "Nine Swords of Dugu" or the "Six-Meridian Divine Sword."

Who would have thought it would be such a pedestrian name? "Beginner Swordsmanship"—it sounded incredibly weak, didn't it?

Clearly, he wasn't alone in his thoughts, and soon a chorus of boos filled the classroom.

Bai Susu had clearly anticipated their reaction. Once the boos subsided, he slowly spoke. "Do not underestimate these Thirteen Forms of Beginner Swordsmanship," he began. "You must understand that these thirteen forms are the fundamental basis of all sword techniques. Indeed, it can be said that any miraculous sword art has evolved from these very thirteen forms."

"Furthermore, these thirteen forms have been honed and refined over centuries to achieve peak efficiency, focusing on inflicting damage to the enemy with the shortest distance and fastest possible speed. The world's most formidable experts, in their mastery, eventually return to the essence of simplicity, with each of their ultimate moves resembling these very thirteen forms."

Hearing him explain this, the students finally perked up and listened with earnest attention.

Bai Susu nodded with satisfaction, then, lifting his sword with an elegant gesture, he announced, "These thirteen forms are 'Thrust, Chop, Point, Raise, Lift, Collapse, Block, Slash, Wipe, Shave, Cloud, Hook, Parry'. Each form is distilled to its absolute essence, devoid of any unnecessary flair. Though seemingly simple, achieving mastery is quite challenging. I will now demonstrate all thirteen forms once, and in subsequent classes, I will teach them to you in detail, one by one."

His demeanor instantly transformed. Gone was the previous effeminate aura; the sword in his hand became a streak of chilling light, and the formidable sword qi caused every student in the classroom to shiver.

As he watched the figure dancing with the sword on the podium, poetic lines involuntarily formed in Zu An's mind:> "Once, Lady Gongsun, a beauty renowned,> Her sword-dance swayed the world around.> Like mountains, onlookers stood in dismay,> Heaven and Earth rose and fell at her sway.> Swift as Yi shooting nine suns down from the sky,> Graceful as emperors on dragons that fly.> She came like thunder, gathering wrath's might,> And ceased like rivers and seas, a pure, still light."

*Sigh*. What a pity he's a man; such a fine physique utterly wasted. Otherwise, it would undoubtedly be a scene of a beautiful woman gracefully wielding a sword.

The demonstration of the thirteen forms concluded swiftly. Seeing the students' entranced expressions, Bai Susu asked with a delicate smile, "Isn't it impressive?"

"Absolutely incredible!" someone exclaimed.

"So this beginner swordsmanship is actually so powerful!" another chimed in.

"I think it just looks impressive; it'd be perfect for wooing girls," a third mused.

"Pfft," someone scoffed, "that's because Teacher Bai is good-looking. Don't you know your own face?"

Bai Susu took out a small mirror to check his hair, then continued, "I've just discussed the advantages of this sword technique. Now, I must also explain its drawbacks, to prevent you from acting rashly and getting into trouble later."

"Don't be mistaken into thinking this sword technique is powerful because I wield it effectively," he warned. "That's because my cultivation is higher than yours, and my speed and strength are sufficient to unleash its maximum power. If your cultivation is insufficient, using this sword technique will expose all sorts of obvious weaknesses. Its primary goal is to inflict damage on the enemy as efficiently as possible, which means its defensive capabilities are consequently full of vulnerabilities."

"However, you needn't worry too much. It's unlikely you'll encounter high-level cultivators in the future. This sword technique is quite effective for maintaining public order and apprehending thieves."

A collective "Tsk" filled the air.

Upon hearing his explanation of the sword technique's drawbacks, the many students who had been initially enthusiastic immediately lost interest. 'I knew it,' they grumbled. 'What good combat technique could they possibly teach us in the Yellow Class?'

Zu An, however, felt a surge of inspiration. This basic swordsmanship, with its clear advantages and disadvantages, might be a gradual learning process for ordinary people, but for him, it was exceptionally valuable. He lacked neither strength nor speed, and furthermore, he could summon powerful winds to achieve a teleportation effect. Combined with these simple yet ferocious sword moves, wouldn't their power be limitless?

He couldn't help but recall the Bixie Sword Manual mentioned in *The Smiling, Proud Wanderer*. Its sword techniques were direct, prioritizing offense over defense, and appeared riddled with flaws to true masters. However, when paired with specific, eerie movement techniques, this seemingly flawed swordsmanship became the most bizarre and potent.

As long as one's speed was sufficient, those flaws ceased to be weaknesses; instead, the offensive power could be unleashed to its fullest potential.

The more Zu An pondered, the more excited he became. Then, he suddenly realized something, looked down at his "little brother," and nearly burst into tears. 'Am I truly this compatible with the Bixie Sword Manual?'