The so-called Sun and Moon Martial Arts School is an institution established by the Sun and Moon Sect in the towns at the foot of the mountain, designed to teach children from various regions martial arts and physical fitness. On one hand, this allows the people, once grown, to be able to handle some weaker demons on their own; on the other, it helps the sect cultivate new talent and lays a foundation in spiritual arts for children everywhere.

Among them, those who excel with spiritual aptitude may also have the chance to enter the Spirit Gathering Class for further cultivation.

The spiritual master acting as referee on the stage clearly couldn’t bear to watch any longer. As soon as the sixty-breath time limit passed, he immediately waved the flag: “Begin!”

A glint of sharpness flashed in David Foster’s eyes: “Be careful, Brother Bolton!”

His first sword strike was a direct thrust to the center, a sword like a rainbow piercing the sun, stabbing straight at David Bolton’s chest and abdomen. The sword light was incredibly swift, almost too fast for the eye to follow.

David Bolton only glanced at it, and a look of admiration flashed in his eyes. This person, who boasted of being one of the Ten Supreme Swordmasters, truly had solid sword skills.

Then he stepped back, withdrew, and swung his blade. When the blade stopped, it was already right in front of David Foster’s nose—just an inch away, not a hair’s breadth off!

“Eh?”

David Foster maintained his thrusting posture, blinking in disbelief. Only after a moment did he realize that if the blade had continued forward, it would have slashed right into his face.

After a brief thought, David Foster realized he had lost, and a look of frustration appeared on his face. However, he was a straightforward person. He immediately sheathed his sword and said in a low voice, “It is I, David Foster, who have lost. Today, the Ten Supreme Swordmasters are no match for the Mad Blade!”

David Bolton also sheathed his blade. Seeing David Foster looking so dejected, he couldn’t help but feel a little guilty, as if he, an adult, was bullying a child.

But after a moment’s thought, he gave up on comforting him and instead burst out laughing: “Your swordsmanship is good, but you’re too bound by convention—not my match! This time on the path of the spiritual master, I, the Mad Blade, will take the lead. Six years from now, at the Sun and Moon Mountain Grand Competition, I hope to face your Ten Supreme Swordmasters again!”

David Foster’s expression brightened, his eyes seeming to shine: “Brother Bolton, your blade skills have truly convinced me. But on the path of the spiritual master, I will not lose to you. I also look forward to meeting the Mad Blade again in six years!”

The referee had originally wanted to hurry them off, but seeing the two of them appreciating each other so much, his stern face softened a little, and he let them “exchange” a bit longer.

In the audience, Robert Carter was stunned, staring blankly at the two on stage. He thought, no way, that was way too fast a defeat!

David Bolton actually won! Clearly, this guy had a gap of nearly three years in his training and only resumed cultivation two months ago.

And that David Foster, wasn’t he supposed to be invincible at Jiuli Slope? So why did he lose in just one move?

—No, that’s not it! It must be that this guy’s blade skills are too formidable. Could he have already reached that level?

Matthew Cooper was also a bit surprised, his brows tightly furrowed, seemingly unable to understand.

As for Emily Clark, her face relaxed, as if she had realized something. She thought, that’s right—three years ago, it was Brother David who saved her from that desperate situation. Although she didn’t know what happened at the time, it must not have been easy, right? Later, when David Bolton occasionally woke up, he also gave her pointers in swordsmanship, which benefited her greatly. It was precisely during that period that her sword skills improved by leaps and bounds, allowing her to be recommended for the Spirit Gathering Class. Some of Brother David’s advice is still useful to her even now, even surpassing many of the teachers in the Spirit Gathering Class.

How could someone like David Bolton possibly be weak?

Thinking about it, before the collapse of Guangling Mountain three years ago, Brother David must have been outstanding in the martial arts school as well, only to have his progress delayed by an accident for three years.

Chapter 0005: Unity of Intent and Action

At this moment, in the center of the martial arena, William Thompson was also watching a certain figure on platform seventy-five, his gaze fixed and entranced.

This made the deputy examiner beside him, Olivia Carter, quite curious: “Junior Brother Thompson, what are you looking at?”

“Over there, platform seventy-five—there might be unity of intent and action!” After snapping out of it, William Thompson’s eyes showed a hint of surprise.

Olivia Carter was also shocked: “Second realm, unity of intent and action? Junior brother, are you sure? Who is it?”

Unity of intent and action is a realm in mortal martial arts and spiritual master combat. There is the first realm, intent precedes action; the second realm, unity of intent and action; the third realm, action precedes intent; and later, the fourth realm, ultimate action conceals intent, and so on. It refers to the combat awareness and instinct of a spiritual master, also known as the battle realm.

With equal cultivation, differences in battle realm can result in more than a tenfold difference in combat power.

The first realm, intent precedes action, is easy to understand—it’s just slightly above the level of ordinary people. Normally, when ordinary people fight, they just flail their fists around without much thought or technique. But with intent preceding action, one has a clear intention before making a move. Unity of intent and action goes a step further, with one’s awareness and actions occurring simultaneously. This is extremely difficult to achieve and requires a deep understanding of spiritual arts and combat methods, even to the point of making the execution and response to various spiritual arts instinctive.

Among the more than 1.4 million spiritual masters below the fifth rank in the Sun and Moon Sect, fewer than one in ten can achieve unity of intent and action. As long as a spiritual master reaches this battle realm, their strength increases dramatically. Against ordinary spiritual masters of the same rank, they can usually fight ten at once, or even challenge those of higher rank.