Ethan Brooks took a deep breath, his gaze toward William Harper changing dramatically, and said, “I really underestimated you before. The Sword Origin Technique is extremely difficult to cultivate. In nearly a hundred years, only the young sect master Raymond Miller has succeeded, and you are the second person in a century to master it. Truly worthy of a perfect sword talent. It seems your physique is also extraordinary.”

William Harper smiled calmly. In terms of physique... his Immaculate Sword Body was the strongest physique in the way of the sword—who could compare to him?

“Deacon Brooks, can you recommend the strongest sword technique to me now?” William Harper said.

Ethan Brooks grinned and said, “There really isn’t a single ‘strongest’ sword technique. Some are the most powerful, some are the fastest, some have the best defense, and some have the most variations. It depends on what you need.”

William Harper thought for a moment. “The fastest one.”

William Harper’s physical strength was more than enough, and his reactions were quick. For him, the fastest sword technique would be the most lethal.

Ethan Brooks said, “For the fastest, there’s a technique called ‘Gale Sword Technique.’ It’s also divided into upper and lower volumes. Practicing both together makes it an advanced sword art, but for now you can only practice the upper volume, which is an intermediate sword art!”

William Harper nodded. “Then I’ll take the Gale Sword Technique!”

Very soon, Ethan Brooks brought over the manual for the ‘Gale Sword Technique’ and handed it to William Harper.

The rules of the Ancient Sword Sect stated that cultivation method manuals could only be read in the Martial Pavilion, while martial skill manuals could be borrowed for extended practice.

This was mainly because martial skills were too complex to cultivate, requiring constant reference to the manual and instructor guidance.

Of course, some cultivation methods were also difficult, but since they were fundamental to martial cultivation and more important than martial skills, the Ancient Sword Sect forbade disciples from taking cultivation method manuals out of the Martial Pavilion. The main reason was to prevent leaks.

“William Harper!”

Just as William Harper received the ‘Gale Sword Technique’ manual, a cold shout came from behind.

William Harper turned around and saw David Cooper glaring at him like a fighting rooster. “I... David Cooper, challenge you!”

“You’re at the sixth level of the Condensing Origin Realm, and I’m at the fourth. You’re challenging me?” William Harper looked at David Cooper indifferently and shrugged. “Is there any point?”

David Cooper’s fighting spirit was intense. He said, “The sect rules state that as long as the difference in cultivation is within two levels, a challenge is allowed, and the challenged cannot refuse. William Harper, you must accept!”

Just now, when William Harper revealed his ‘Sword Origin Qi,’ he had thoroughly humiliated David Cooper, causing him to lose face and become furious.

News of William Harper mastering the ‘Sword Origin Technique’ would soon spread throughout the Ancient Sword Sect, and with it, the story of David Cooper being humiliated by William Harper.

William Harper would rise to fame by stepping over David Cooper, while David Cooper would become a laughingstock.

David Cooper was highly talented and known as a genius—how could he swallow this humiliation? After a moment’s thought, he came up with a solution: challenge William Harper.

No matter what David Cooper had done before, or how much of a genius William Harper was for mastering the Sword Origin Technique, as long as David Cooper defeated William Harper in the challenge, then... he would be the victor.

Victors are always praised. No matter how much face he had lost before William Harper, as long as he defeated him, he could regain his honor.

So... David Cooper was determined to win this battle.

William Harper naturally understood David Cooper’s intentions. Having already broken through to the fourth level of the Condensing Origin Realm, he didn’t take the sixth-level David Cooper seriously at all.

However, he had come to the Martial Pavilion today to study cultivation methods and sword techniques. Since his business wasn’t finished, William Harper had no interest in fighting David Cooper.

“No time right now!” William Harper glanced indifferently at the rooster-like David Cooper, then sat down on a chair to study the ‘Gale Sword Technique’ manual.

The Ancient Sword Sect’s rules forbade fighting in the Martial Pavilion.

As long as William Harper didn’t leave the Martial Pavilion, David Cooper could do nothing but wait.

“The Martial Pavilion has to close eventually, William Harper. Let’s see how long you can hide!” David Cooper looked at William Harper coldly and said,

“I’ll wait right here. When you leave the Martial Pavilion, I’ll show you that your so-called perfect sword talent is a joke in front of me, David Cooper!”

Martial skill manuals could be taken out of the Martial Pavilion. William Harper had obtained the ‘Gale Sword Technique’ manual, but instead of leaving, he stayed to read it. In David Cooper’s eyes, it was obvious he was trying to hide in the Martial Pavilion to avoid the fight.

William Harper glanced at David Cooper, a faint smile on his lips. “If you want to wait, go ahead! But let me remind you—if you lose... you might not have the face to see anyone for a while!”

David Cooper sneered, his voice full of confidence. “Me, lose? If you think you can scare me off, don’t waste your effort!”

William Harper ignored him and focused on reading the ‘Gale Sword Technique’ manual.

Just like when he read the ‘Sword Origin Technique’ manual, William Harper understood the ‘Gale Sword Technique’ at a glance. All its subtle and profound aspects were easily grasped by William Harper.

As he studied the Gale Sword Technique, a figure appeared in William Harper’s mind, practicing swordplay and performing the very Gale Sword Technique. Even though William Harper was sitting still, it was as if he were practicing the sword himself.

After finishing the upper volume of the Gale Sword Technique, the figure in William Harper’s mind had practiced every move in the manual, leaving William Harper with a sense of deep familiarity.

This feeling... was as if he had practiced the Gale Sword Technique countless times!