First, a cultivator must have absolute control over their body, with strength perfectly balanced between hardness and softness, and even more importantly, achieve flawless unity between body and sword. Therefore, this realm is also called ‘man and sword as one,’ ‘man and blade as one,’ ‘man and spear as one,’ and so on.

In short, one word.

Difficult!

At the very least, in the current Martial Academy, there has not yet been a student who can train their weapon skills to the subtle level.

“Among the millions of people in Donghe County, although there are few martial artists, there are still several hundred, but those who can reach the subtle level are extremely rare—hardly one among dozens of martial artists.” Henry Young knew this well in his heart: “Anyone who reaches the subtle level can truly be called a martial arts expert.”

Martial body tempering is about forging the body, making one’s strength greater, speed faster, and agility higher, but this is only the foundation. Not everyone can fully unleash their physical strength.

For example, among the many teachers in the Martial Academy, in terms of body tempering, several are not inferior to the headmaster, but even if they joined forces, they would not be a match for him.

Why?

Because the headmaster’s combat skills are extremely strong, able to perfectly utilize his martial cultivation. Looking across all of Donghe County, he ranks among the top five most powerful martial artists.

If it were a life-and-death battle, some clumsy martial artists of the same level might be killed by the headmaster in a single encounter.

“In the Martial Academy, as for weapon mastery at the subtle level, aside from the headmaster, only Master Young has achieved it.” Henry Young pondered: “According to Master Young, merely being proficient in the sixty-four forms of the Wind Feather Sword is not enough. To truly reach perfection, one must comprehend it with the heart, truly achieve ‘unity of heart and technique.’ Only then can one reach the subtle level.”

Unity of heart and technique.

This was something Young Tower said to Henry Young two years ago when he first taught him the “Wind Feather Sword.”

However, as time passed, although Henry Young’s sword techniques grew ever stronger—now even considered at the peak of the basic level—he still had not fully grasped the meaning of that phrase.

“Perhaps, whenever I truly comprehend the unity of heart and technique, my swordsmanship will reach the subtle level.” Henry Young mused.

Easier said than done.

Henry Young had no better method, so he could only follow Master Young’s advice, diligently practicing his swordsmanship every day, seeking the opportunity for ‘unity of heart and technique.’

“Even the subtle realm is so hard to reach.” Henry Young thought to himself, “I wonder what kind of wonder and mystery the third realm of swordsmanship that Master Young mentioned will be.”

Previously, during a lecture, Young Tower had mentioned to Henry Young that the subtle realm is not the end of swordsmanship. Above it, there is an even higher realm, called ‘momentum.’

That is, the momentum of the sword.

Momentum can be called the momentum of heaven and earth; this realm is beyond ordinary imagination, truly unfathomable.

According to Young Tower, even among the great martial masters who have reached the tenth level of returning to the aperture, few can attain such a miraculous realm.

Of course, Young Tower only briefly mentioned the third realm of swordsmanship, hoping that Henry Young would have higher aspirations, but did not explain in depth, since Young Tower himself was only at the subtle level.

“I just wonder if the sword strike I saw by the river years ago was the sword momentum that my teacher spoke of.” In his mind, Henry Young suddenly recalled an experience from several years ago.

It was a scene he still found unforgettable.

With one sword, the great river was split.

With one sword, a horde of monsters was beheaded.

“My strength is considered good among my peers, but even in the Martial Academy I’m not the best, and I can’t reach the subtle realm, let alone compare to that godlike sword.” Henry Young shook off his distracting thoughts and murmured to himself, “Hmm, for now, I’ll focus on achieving a good result in this Six Counties Competition and getting into the County Academy.”

With that, he continued practicing the Wind Feather Sword technique.

Time passed.

All afternoon, Henry Young remained in the martial hall, practicing his swordsmanship. Even when tired, he did not stop for a moment.

In cultivation, diligence comes first.

It was not until dusk that Henry Young left the Blazing Fire Hall and walked toward the teaching building on the other side of the Martial Academy to collect his monthly academy stipend.

……

Leaving the Martial Academy, night gradually deepened.

“This month’s academy stipend is a full fifteen taels of silver, five more than usual. It’s probably because the Blazing Fire Hall trial is coming up. Plus the five taels of diligent study silver I earned at the camp this month, that’s twenty taels in total.” Henry Young grinned and muttered to himself, “Hmm, I’ll take it home—my big brother and sister-in-law will surely be very happy.”

Thinking of this, Henry Young couldn’t help but smile even more, his steps growing lighter.

Whoosh~

After leaving the Martial Academy, Henry Young suddenly sped up, moving with a rather peculiar gait, quickly crossing the academy’s front street, which was over a hundred meters long. This seemingly odd gait was actually a footwork technique, used to train his own agility.

Whoosh~ very quickly.

Henry Young entered Feng’an Avenue.

The sounds of bustle filled his ears, and everywhere he looked there were vendors. On both sides of the street were all kinds of restaurants, teahouses, money exchanges, brothels, and shops, with a constant stream of people coming and going.

Although night was gradually falling, Feng’an Avenue, as the most prosperous street in Donghe County, was filled with commercial activity and would remain lively until late at night.

“It really is lively.” Henry Young sighed sincerely, but he didn’t linger to admire the restaurants around him, instead using his footwork to quickly weave through the crowd.

In truth, as a young man, how could Henry Young not enjoy such excitement?