Chapter 008: Genius (Part One)

After hesitating for a moment, Gao Ling set down the long sword and only took the short one. As she drew the short blade, it instantly gleamed like autumn water, emanating a chilling aura that was hard to ignore

I have it. Tang Xiaoyan thought to himself, feeling a warmth in his palm, accompanied by an overwhelming sense of invincibility

Tang Xiaoyan realized after taking it that the knife was very light, weighing at most a few taels

Gao Ling shook her head and said: "It's useless. If he were to face an opponent of the same level, his actions would naturally give the opponent a greater chance of winning. Even against someone slightly weaker, he might still lose. However, the gap between you two is too significant, so it makes little difference whether he binds his hands or not"

Gao Ling's gaze is both seductive and sharp, making it truly difficult to lie under such scrutiny, especially for young individuals with very little social experience

Tang Xiaoyan nodded firmly once again

However, even this sword technique requires at least ten years of practice to pose a threat to Linghu Shou, yet this is already the best option among the available methods

Then I will start learning from now on. Before I compete with him, I will first have a match with you. If I can win against you, I will then face him. If I cannot win against you, I will concede immediately

Following the same trajectory, Tang Xiaoyan accelerated this time and struck down fiercely

Indeed, he is quite formidable. However, his reputation does not stem solely from his prowess; rather, it is due to his exceptionally ruthless methods and his cunning, cold demeanor. Even those who are technically superior to him may suffer severe injuries. Engaging in a casual spar with him often results in broken bones and torn ligaments. Coupled with his powerful family background, warriors throughout the entire province are currently quite hesitant to confront him. Gao Ling remarked, "He is the most outstanding heir of the Linghu family’s collateral line, excelling in both literary and martial arts, as well as in power and strategy, making him truly one in a million. Within the next decade, his name will undoubtedly be among the top experts in our country of Haitang."

Tang Xiaoyan immediately closed his eyes, seeking that current-like sensation, and then suddenly struck with his knife. Upon opening his eyes, he found a knife mark half a centimeter deep on the incredibly hard wooden pole.

In fact, Gao Ling held no hope at all; it was merely Tang Xiaoyan's insistence that prompted her to present the best plan.

Gao Ling opened her eyes and saw Tang Xiaoyan staring intently at her chest. Her expression immediately turned cold, and she angrily said, "What are you looking at?"

Tang Xiaoyan shook his head

"Are you really not going to give up?" Gao Ling asked Tang Xiaoyan again

Tang Xiaoyan exerted all his strength and struck fiercely with his blade. In an instant, only a shallow knife mark was left, and Gao Ling was immediately filled with disappointment. However, this was entirely within her expectations

Continuing on, Tang Xiaoyan pursued this sensation, and then distinctly felt it. In his mind, he actually visualized an arc representing his movements. This arc should be the most accurate, the fastest, and the one with the highest efficiency of force utilization

En. Tang Xiaoyan nodded, not continuing to speak, but instead gazing at the departing figure of Gao Ling. The waist and hips of this violent yet alluring individual were simply too enticing, especially when walking with a captivating sway.

"No way, treating me so well, and I can learn one of the top ten classic martial arts for just 5,000 yuan? These top ten classics must be too mediocre." Tang Xiaoyan was filled with doubt, wondering if it was published by the same publisher that sold the book 'Rulai's Divine Palm' to Stephen Chow for ten yuan.

Gao Ling gently pushed the wooden pole in front of her with her hand, causing the upper half to tilt and fall to the ground. It turned out that it had already been cut in half. However, Gao Ling's speed was too fast; after the cut, the upper half of the wooden pole remained upright and did not fall.

Gao Ling brought Tang Xiaoyan to the rooftop terrace of the martial arts school. This terrace is approximately fifty square meters, covered with wooden planks, and surrounded by potted flowers and plants.

Because it took her a full three months to break this wooden rod, even Tang Xiaoyan, being a genius, could not possibly accomplish it in a single day

You practice here alone; if it gets late, you can return by yourself. With that, Gao Ling left on her own.

Tang Xiaoyan nodded firmly

The knife was plunged halfway in with a loud "thud".

"To give up without even trying is absolutely unacceptable," Tang Xiaoyan said immediately

Yes, he is very famous

Therefore, the fact that Linghu Shou binds his eyes makes Tang Xiaoyan appear to have an advantage, but in reality, there is no difference at all

Gao Ling's breathing suddenly became heavy, her astonished chest rising and falling erratically, becoming even more robust and firm, as if it were about to burst through her clothing, leaving Tang Xiaoyan in a state of shock.

Third time, fourth time

While speaking, Gao Ling's gaze was fixed intently on Tang Xiaoyan

Tang Xiaoyan did not answer immediately, but instead asked: "Who is more formidable, Linghu Shou or you?"

When Gao Ling had completely vanished, Tang Xiaoyan turned around, first shifting aside his already uncomfortable lower body before beginning to practice with the knife

The second downward strike was executed. Once again, it left no trace whatsoever

To be precise, you only need to spend 5 yuan to purchase this assassination technique manual. Gao Ling was quite frank, stating: "Because this is the only publicly available one among the top ten classic martial arts. Anyone can learn it, and anyone can master it. If learned well, it is nearly invincible; if learned poorly, it is no better than wielding a knife haphazardly"

Oh, it's nothing. Tang Xiaoyan immediately averted his gaze, but inwardly he thought, such ample breasts look so breathtaking; I wonder what it feels like to touch them.

Gao Ling looked at Tang Xiaoyan for a while and said, "You might as well give up; you cannot win."

Extinction Assassination Technique! One of the top ten classic martial arts of the contemporary era

I am a seventh dan, and I have trained for a full 23 years to reach this level. My talent is the highest my father has ever seen, and you have only five days.

However, the horizontal cut is indeed much more difficult than the diagonal cut... Tang Xiaoyan was able to directly sever it, but the horizontal cut left not even a trace...

Tang Xiaoyan was extremely astonished to discover that there seemed to be a subtle electric current coursing through his arm

Gao Ling asked: "Have you really not learned anything before?"

Gao Ling's gaze sharpened once again as he fixed his eyes on Tang Xiaoyan and said, "Very well, let us give it a try. However, we will not practice Wing Chun; even if Wing Chun has 8 sections, it may not necessarily defeat Linghu Shou. We will practice with the knife."

Gao Ling furrowed her brows and asked, "What is his name, and how formidable is he?"

"If you go, what difference does it make from seeking death?" Gao Ling said, "Even if by some chance you defeat him, the Linghu family will definitely not let you go. Although Linghu Shou is merely a collateral member of the Linghu family, the Linghu family is one of the most prominent powers in the entire alliance. They could eliminate you as easily as crushing an ant."

Next, begin practicing cross-cutting

However, nothing related to the book matters occurred

Is it him?" Gao Ling's brows immediately furrowed even more deeply

Moreover, this knife has only three moves, all of which are treacherous assassination techniques. On the day of the duel, you will have only three seconds to defeat him; if you have not won after three seconds, you must immediately abandon the knife and surrender

This wooden pole, after being exposed to the sun and soaked in oil, is several times harder than ordinary wood. Gao Ling said: "I know you have strong arms, but how to direct your strength onto the blade is something you must practice a thousand times; perhaps then you will begin to feel it. Moreover, speed is far more important than strength."

Thus, Tang Xiaoyan continued to seek that sensation of electric current, persistently grasping the angles and curves of the cross-section

"Tell me the truth, have you ever practiced any form of martial arts before? Whether it be traditional martial arts, karate, taekwondo, or something similar?" Gao Ling asked, fixing her gaze on Tang Xiaoyan.

By the way, he fought me with his eyes blindfolded, and I could use any weapon I wanted, Tang Xiaoyan added, although saying this was somewhat embarrassing

This is simply astonishing

Starting from scratch in just 5 days, if I can reach the 7th level, I can take advantage of some benefits from Linghu Shou. However, if I can reach the 7th level in 5 days, then the difficulty of advancing to the 8th level will not be very great.

"This is called a short knife, which was used by American martial artists for suicide in the past. As a beginner, using a long knife is rather inconvenient; it is better to use a short knife," Gao Ling said.

Then, Gao Ling walked to the wall and took down two knives, one long and one short

Three feet long, more than one and a half feet short

"Wow, that's amazing!" Tang Xiaoyan excitedly picked up the broken wooden pole

Gao Ling did not respond immediately. After observing Tang Xiaoyan for a while, he said to Tu Shuer: "In terms of the number of rounds, I am slightly stronger than him, but in actual combat, I may not necessarily win against him. Moreover, I am ten years older than him."

"Align the wooden pole and strike downwards." Gao Ling said: "It is to split, not to cut. First learn to split through, then learn to cut through"

Tang Xiaoyan shook his head and said: "No."

When learning those three knife techniques, first accomplish what I am currently doing; otherwise, there is no need to learn anything at all. Gao Ling said: "I started learning at the age of fifteen, and it took me two years to cut through this wooden rod. It took me five years to achieve cutting the wooden rod while ensuring that the severed part does not fall down"

"Because in five days, I am to duel with someone. If I lose, he will incapacitate me, and his methods are extremely cruel," said Tang Xiaoyan.

Then, Gao Ling arrived in front of a row of wooden poles. Each pole was as thick as an arm, neatly nailed into the ground. Gao Ling swiftly sliced with her short knife, and Tang Xiaoyan did not even see it clearly; he only felt a flash of white light

Only by being able to cleave can one cut; cutting is at least one hundred times more difficult than cleaving

"Do you know him?" Tang Xiaoyan said in surprise

"Is he really that formidable?" Tang Xiaoyan asked in astonishment

Especially with such a short and light knife, cutting through relies entirely on speed and wrist strength

"Then why did you come here to learn martial arts, especially since you mentioned that you might only study for 5 days to a month" Gao Ling said

Tang Xiaoyan naturally understood this principle. According to Gao Ling, a seven-segment master would lose in a battle against Linghu Shou, while an eight-segment master would win

Indeed, the wooden pole was斜着劈断, the cut surface is smooth, with no rough edges or fractures.

"His name is Linghu Shou, and it seems he has won fourth place in the Eastern Regional Fighting Competition" said Tang Xiaoyan

"Give it a try." Gao Ling handed the knife to Tang Xiaoyan