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nTranslator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

nIn fact, Zhou Heng had already guessed that the application of martial arts during combat with humans would actually increase his level of proficiency.

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nIt made perfect sense too.

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nHowever, he had not expected actual combat with an opponent to grant him levels of proficiency.

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nIf he were not mistaken…

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nIf his level of proficiency for Eighteen Divine Power Styles reached level 1, he would officially learn this martial art!

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nIn other words, as long as he prolonged the fight, he could even acquire the opponent’s form of martial arts!

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nGenerally, the martial arts school would only educate students on three types of ninth class martial arts, one type of Inner Strength Stance Technique, one type of body movement technique, and one type of offensive martial art. This was because they wanted to avoid the apprentices from becoming a Jack-of-all-trades but master of none, which subsequently led to complications in advancing to the ninth class.

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nOf course, one could learn more if he wished to.

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nBut one could only learn by observing others while they sparred.

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nHowever, given an apprentice’s limited experience in martial arts, they had to be a ridiculously insightful prodigy to self-teach themselves ninth-class martial arts.

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nIt was nearly impossible.

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nWithout the guidance and explanation of a ninth-class practitioner, one could even cripple himself for life.

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nPersonal tutoring required even more expenditure.

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nIt could burn a hole through pockets.

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nAt the very least, it would cost tens of taels of silver. At most, it could reach hundreds of taels of silver!

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nThe fee was much unlike that of a foundation learning course.

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nSuch were the rules of a martial arts school.

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nBut now, he could acquire new martial arts via combat!

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nThis was as good as a windfall of money!

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nAs he thought of this, Zhou Heng’s eyes instantly brightened.

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nAt that moment, Lin Cang stepped forward and smiled as he asked, “What’s the matter, Zhou Heng? One palm from me was enough for you to waver, huh?”

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n“Who’s wavering now?!” Zhou Heng raised the saber in his hand, laughed out loudly and said, “Master Lin, it’s not over yet! Let’s continue the battle for three hundred rounds!”

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nBuzz!

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nClank!

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nThe sound of the palm-generated wind collided with the saber, and the sound of the saber cutting through the air intertwined inside the big hall at Prosperity Martial Arts School.

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nZhou Heng and Lin Cang kept moving about, intersecting with each other as they attacked. It was a very fierce battle.

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nIt was difficult to distinguish who had the upper hand right then.

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nThe people were watching the match very closely.

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nIt was a rare opportunity for the apprentices at the martial arts school to take notes from live combat such as this.

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nAs Yu He watched Zhou Heng holding his own against Lin Cang, he could not help but heave a sigh and said, “I didn’t realize he has become that strong.”

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n“Zhou Heng is amazing!” Yun Xiu was very happy as she watched Zhou Heng’s movements. She said to herself, “An unranked martial artist with only one saber technique under his belt actually fighting on par with a ninth-class martial artist. He’s indeed a martial arts genius.”

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n“You’re applying Ninth Class Prosperity Inner Strength Stance Technique to neutralize the attack power. The level of proficiency has increased by 1.”

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n“You’ve applied the Ninth Class Twelve Mountain Splitting Saber Techniques and executed a marvelous attack. The level of proficiency has increased by 3.”

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n“You’ve applied the Ninth Class Eight Flying Grass Steps to narrowly avoid an attack. The level of proficiency increased by 2.”

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n“Lin Cang’s applying the Ninth Class Eighteen Divine Power Styles on you. You successfully defended against his attack. Your level of proficiency with the Eighteen Divine Power Styles increased by 0.006.”

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n“Lin Cang’s applying Ninth Class Eighteen Divine Power Styles on you. You’ve perfectly defended against his attack. Your level of proficiency with the Eighteen Divine Power Styles increased by 0.2.”

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n“Congratulations! After a fierce battle, your level of proficiency with the Ninth Class Eighteen Divine Power Styles has reached 1, and you have officially learned the martial art skills!”

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n“Since you’ve completed the cultivation of Ninth Class Twelve Mountain Splitting Saber Techniques and have gained certain insights in palm techniques, the level of proficiency with Eighteen Divine Power Styles has automatically advanced to the middle phase.”

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nAs Lin Cang persisted with his ferocious palm techniques, Zhou Heng employed various defensive skills to deflect and evade them. Eventually, he managed to grasp the ninth-class palm technique.

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nAs such, the level of proficiency instantly advanced to the middle phase.

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nThis was not something new. All the lower third-class martial arts related to sabers, spears, swords, halberts, fists and kicks were similar to one another. Eighteen Divine Power Styles could be seen a a saber technique performed with bare palms.

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nJust then, Lin Cang got more shocked as he continued the fight with Zhou Heng. In the beginning, Zhou Heng had a hard time deflecting his attacks, but soon, he became proficient at it. He was even getting so familiar with his form to the point of predicting his next moves.

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nHe was only an apprentice. Not only was he holding his own against a ninth-class martial artist in combat…

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nHe was gaining strength as they continued, and he could last for a very long time in the fight!

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n‘Could this kid have acquired Eighteen Divine Power Styles during the very battle?’ A very absurd thought suddenly popped up in Lin Cang’s mind.

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nHe quickly shot down the notion.

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nHow was that possible?!

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nNinth-class martial arts were not that particularly groundbreaking, but it was still not easy for an unqualified apprentice to officially pick up those techniques.

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nThus far, he had never seen a genius picking up skills through the mere exchanging of blows!

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nBut it was also evident that Zhou Heng was gaining more confidence at handling his palm attacks.

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nWhat was going on?

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nLin Cang felt really puzzled.

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n“Master Lin, you’re distracted!”

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nZhou Heng noticed Lin Cang’s emotional change. He shouted, and the saber in his hand slapped aside the oncoming palm-generated wind. It bypassed all defenses and slashed at Lin Cang’s face!

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n“Ho! Splendid saber technique!”

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n“Is he going to win?!”

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n“That’s awesome!”

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n“Oh my God!”

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nThe people surrounding them could not help but watch the scene in awe. Their eyes widened, and they looked on in disbelief.

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nZhou Heng was actually going to win?!

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nHe had only practiced martial arts for two years. He was not qualified as a martial artist. Was he actually going to prevail against a ninth-class martial artist with more than a decade’s experience?

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nEven if Master Lin was at a disadvantage against the saber-wielding Zhou Heng because he was only using his palms, his physical strength, power, and skills could all trump an unranked martial artist!

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nThere was also the matter of having more than a decade of experience in battle skills and martial arts!

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nEven so, Zhou Heng was actually going to win?!

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nThat was unbelievable!

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nBuzz!

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nAt that moment, a deep and loud sound burst out. The air surged violently.

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nAgainst Zhou Heng’s slash, Lin Cang brazenly held up his palm to defend!

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nThe palm attack delivered was very powerful. It was akin to an immortal descending from the realm of divinity. The immortal’s mere presence would move mountains and churn seas! The very air ten feet around Zhou Heng was caught up in the palm-generated wind. His movements were completely limited.

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nZhou Heng could sense that the attack power from the boundless palm force carried an all-encompassing killing intent!

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nThe danger was unavoidable!

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nHe could only defend himself against the attack.

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nClank!

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nThe palm and saber clashed against each other!

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nThe saber in Zhou Heng’s hand trembled and released a sad whine!

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nThe moment Lin Cang’s palm struck the middle of the saber, Zhou Heng felt a vast and majestic power overwhelming him. His purlicue was in pain due to the shock, and the saber in his hand was blown away.

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nIt appeared that the winner was in sight.

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nAs the onlookers watched this, their euphoria just now quickly faded away.

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nIn the end, he still lost.

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nNonetheless, this was as expected, for the gap between an unranked and ninth-class martial artist was too huge.

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n“Phew…”

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nLin Cang exhaled. He had given his all in that palm strike. He thought to himself. ‘This kid’s really not easy to deal with. How could he be so familiar with the Eighteen Divine Power Styles, as if he had just acquired the skill himself?’

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nAt that moment…

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nSuddenly, Zhou Heng raised his left hand. He closed his five fingers tightly and gestured as if wielding a saber. He dashed forward as swift as lightning. With a knifehand strike, he touched the side of Lin Cang’s neck.

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nEighteen Divine Power Styles!

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nThis was a saber strike executed by an amazing person!

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nZhou Heng had won!

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nLin Cang looked startled.

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nYu He and the other apprentices in the martial arts school were struck dumb!

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nThe big hall in the martial arts school was in pin-drop silence.

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nAt the same time, Zhou Heng heard a series of prompts.

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n“Congratulations! You’ve defeated the equally matched Lin Cang. You’ll be granted a Silver Lucky Bag.”

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n“A Silver Lucky Bag is a bag equipped with literally everything. Once you open it, you’ll gain a reward you will not expect.”

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