This news had already spread throughout much of the academy.

Of course, the reason for this situation was nothing else but the fact that Samuel Grant was simply too famous, having entered everyone’s field of vision, so that most students and instructors in the academy would pay some attention to anything related to him.

“Heh, it seems you’re quite confident. Samuel Grant is an advanced mid-level swordsman, one of the outstanding seed students in our entire Xuan Zhong Advanced Swordsman Academy, a genius expected to become a high-level swordsman before graduation. If I’m not mistaken, you’re only a high-level martial artist right now.”

William Carter glanced at the young, beautiful instructor and said calmly, “Professional rank does not represent everything.”

Jane Howard nodded with interest. “If you were an official swordsman, you might have a slight chance of defeating Samuel Grant, but right now, you’re not even an official swordsman—just a high-level martial artist.” With that, she shook her head again.

William Carter understood the gap between a high-level martial artist, who tempers their strength, and a mid-level swordsman, who has refined their power into their bones. Under normal circumstances, even if he had the most exquisite swordsmanship, there was no way he could turn the tables. Samuel Grant could defeat him simply by relying on his two-rank advantage in profession—a single force can overcome ten skills.

But don’t forget, besides being a high-level martial artist, he was also a sixth-rank psychic.

In the world William Carter came from, swordsmanship cultivation had completely declined, replaced by the cultivation of psychic abilities. In other words, standing behind William Carter and supporting him was a complete cultivation system.

At the sixth psychic scale, although he couldn’t project his mental power or control objects with his mind, he could use his keen psychic sensitivity to air currents to predict most attacks.

With this ability—almost able to predict the trajectory of bullets—he wasn’t entirely without hope against a mid-level swordsman.

“There is indeed an insurmountable gap between mid-level swordsmen and high-level martial artists, but as for the final result, we’ll only know after the fight.”

“William Carter, I can hear the strong confidence in your tone. Although I don’t know where your confidence comes from, allowing you to face the challenge of a mid-level swordsman without fear, it has piqued my interest. If you don’t mind, in these five days, I can teach you a sword technique—the Burial Sword Technique—a technique that will at least keep you from losing too badly.”

“The Burial Sword Technique!? The so-called miracle sword technique?”

When Quinn Harris heard this name, her eyes immediately filled with indescribable joy.

Even some students nearby showed looks of surprise on their faces.

“You’ve heard of the Burial Sword Technique?”

“Of course! The greatest legendary swordsman of our Taixuan Kingdom, Feng Sui, used this very technique in the battle that earned him the title of legend. It was thanks to the wonders of the Burial Sword Technique—burial, strike, and kill in one blow—that he defeated the sword master Lei Nuo in a single move, and was granted the title of Legendary Swordsman by the Lord of the Divine Sword.”

“That’s right, it’s the Burial Sword Technique performed by the legendary swordsman Feng Sui back then.”

Jane Howard’s gaze fell on William Carter: “If you can master the basics of the Burial Sword Technique in these five days, at least you won’t lose too badly. If you can reach the introductory level, you might even have a sliver of hope to win. However, this technique is extremely difficult to learn—some people can’t master it in a lifetime. There was once a sword master who spent three whole years and still couldn’t get started. Now you only have five days, and after that you’ll face a tough battle. You can choose to handle the duel your own way, or you can try this Burial Sword Technique.”

“It would be my honor.”

A sword technique that even sword masters couldn’t master was enough to ignite William Carter’s fighting spirit.

“However, I have another question. I hope Instructor Jane Howard can clear up my confusion.”

“I know what you want to ask. You should recognize this.”

As Jane Howard spoke, she took out an exquisitely crafted gemstone ring, engraved with a delicate needle-point pattern.

“This is the crest of the Xi Feng family. The Xi Feng family is the ruling family of our Bihui City… Instructor Jane Howard, are you a member of the Xi Feng family?”

“Xi Feng is my great-grandfather. The current lord of Bihui City, Xi Mang, is my father. My great-grandfather Xi Feng was one of the personal disciples of the legendary swordsman Feng Sui. William Carter, as the most outstanding genius martial artist in this year’s Bihui City exams, I don’t want you to fall before you have a chance to shine at Xuan Zhong Advanced Swordsman Academy. That would be a great loss for our entire Bihui City.”

“Yes, Miss Jane Howard, your decision is truly wise.”

Quinn Harris responded with some excitement. Being able to converse with the daughter of Bihui City’s lord was a tremendous honor for her as someone of common birth.