“If I have offended you, I ask for your forgiveness, Miss Clark. Based on your physique and the diagonal of your shadow, I estimate your height to be 1.71 meters, arm circumference 21 centimeters, leg circumference 43 centimeters. From the inner courtyard to the outer courtyard, you took twelve steps in total, with each step measuring 39 centimeters, 36 centimeters, 38 centimeters… When you faced off against Young Master Matthew Hill, every sword strike was from left to right, which shows you favor the left side, or rather… that direction is your attack center. In rapid swordplay, you generally start from that direction… The minimum angle of your sword strikes is 21 degrees, the maximum is 64 degrees, with a difference of no more than 40 degrees. This shows you are cautious in your swordplay, prioritizing stability over risk, and you never attempt wild, unpredictable sword moves…”

　　Liam Carter spoke slowly, the sheer amount of data he produced leaving everyone utterly dumbfounded.

　　Finally, he gave his conclusion: “Therefore, although Miss Clark’s Thirty-Six Thunderbolt Sword Techniques are incredibly powerful and as swift as lightning, the moment your body moves to strike, I have already deduced your sword trajectory from your bodily changes. That’s how I am always able to react after you and still block your attacks…”

　　“You… are you a monster…”

　　Xuanxin, after hearing Liam Carter’s words and his final summary, couldn’t help but mutter under her breath.

　　“Is this… really a sword technique a human can learn?”

　　Andrew Green, who had originally hoped to learn this sword technique from Liam Carter and make a name for himself in the Suhe Sword Sect, swallowed hard, his eyes going blank.

　　“I always thought my Celestial Exile Sword Technique was hard to master, but now I realize, compared to this, it’s nothing at all! If I had to practice Liam Carter’s sword technique, the sheer amount of calculation would make my brain explode.”

　　Daniel Morgan looked completely at a loss for words.

　　The others felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over them.

Chapter 10: Perfection

　　“In fact, this sword technique is quite effective in sparring, duels, and practice matches, but in an encounter or a life-and-death battle, it may not be able to display such remarkable results. After all, in an encounter, the enemy won’t give you so much time to observe them, and in a life-and-death fight, once you’re pushed to the brink, your opponent will use every trick they have. Those moves are completely outside the calculations of my sword technique.”

　　Liam Carter looked at the stunned crowd and offered an explanation, not wanting to draw too much attention.

　　His current goal was to cultivate quietly and wait for the right moment to make his mark. Until then, he didn’t want to be bothered by unnecessary trivialities.

　　“That’s true…”

　　Hearing his explanation, everyone’s interest in his seemingly godlike sword technique diminished a little. Matthew Hill, who secretly harbored hostility toward Liam Carter, made a mental note: “Taking risks! Unpredictable sword moves are the only way to break his technique. As long as I remember this, his sword technique may not be as terrifying as I imagined.”

　　“Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated. Your sword technique has taken this principle to the extreme!”

　　Emily Clark gave a brief summary of Liam Carter’s sword technique and nodded in approval. “What is this sword technique called?”

　　“Yi Sword Technique.”

　　“Yi Sword Technique? A good name. Throughout our duel, it felt as if you were calculating every move. Life is like chess—chess can be played, swords can be played, and so can people. If you had already cultivated true qi and had a hundred-refined treasured sword in your hand, the winner today would not have been me, but you!”

　　After speaking, Emily Clark turned to her maid Evelyn and said, “Go, bring me my Cloudsteel Sword.”

　　“Yes.”

　　Evelyn quickly withdrew, and in no time, brought over a sword that was clearly extraordinary and handed it to Emily Clark.

　　Emily Clark took the sword but immediately handed it to Liam Carter: “Since your sword was destroyed, it’s only right to compensate you. This Cloudsteel Sword is my gift to you. It contains some cloud essence stone, making it as strong and sharp as a hundred-refined treasured sword, but only half the weight. It’s perfect for you.”

　　The reason Liam Carter had spent so long sparring with Emily Clark was to earn her recognition and obtain a spot as a disciple heading to the Kunlun Sect.

　　The Wang family’s trading company was already part of the Shenlong Commerce Association and would be of great use in the future. He didn’t want to strain his relationship with the Wang family.

　　Therefore, Liam Carter did not refuse the Cloudsteel Sword that Emily Clark offered him: “Thank you.”

　　“Damn it! This brat actually…”

　　Matthew Hill’s face was full of gloom.

　　Andrew Green, Daniel Morgan, Samuel King and the others, on the other hand, looked calm with a hint of admiration. Clearly, Liam Carter’s performance had already won them over.

　　“Now that your internal energy is complete, and from the way you use your sword and channel your energy, it’s clear you’ve already grasped the principles of illusion and reality. All you lack is a true qi tempering method, and you’ll be able to cultivate true qi and become a master in your own right. If you’re willing, I can write you a letter of recommendation to bring you into the Kunlun Sect as a servant disciple to start with. What do you think?”

　　“Join the Kunlun Sect?”

　　Liam Carter was a bit surprised, not expecting Emily Clark to go this far for him.

　　“That’s right! Unfortunately, my master, the ‘Thunderbolt Swordmaster’ Ashley Brooks, does not accept male disciples. Otherwise, with my recommendation and your talent in creating the Yi Sword Technique, my master would surely not mind taking you as a disciple.”