Within the Marquis Manor.

The winding stone path, like a lively ribbon, weaved through the blooming flowers.

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Spring had just arrived, yet some flowers couldn't resist blooming, competing in beauty and fragrance. A gentle breeze spread their rich scent, refreshing the heart.

Xia Qian and Cui Mengrou suddenly stopped in their tracks, turning to look at Xia Chen, their voices filled with surprise.

"You've broken through to the eighth rank?"

If it were anyone else breaking through to the eighth rank, they wouldn't even bat an eye.

Though the eighth rank is commendable, especially since Xia Chen is only 17 years old, making him a genius in the outside world.

But this is the Marquis Manor, where geniuses abound. Even among the collateral branches, there are several young talents in Xia Chen's generation.

The eighth rank is not particularly impressive.

However, the fact that it was Xia Chen who broke through is indeed surprising.

Especially for Xia Qian and Mengrou, who knew Xia Chen's talents well.

Over the years, although Xia Chen's biological parents hadn't sent any treasures or medicines from the Eastern Wasteland, Xia Qian had provided Xia Chen with many good things to temper his flesh and hone his physique.

Yet, despite the Marquis Manor's abundant resources, Xia Chen had only barely advanced from an unranked state to the ninth rank of the Body Refining Realm.

This made Xia Qian lament that the reputation of a martial waste was well-deserved.

And now, Xia Chen had broken through to the eighth rank?

"These past few days, I felt something within me. As I practiced, I unknowingly had an epiphany, realizing something from the basic saber techniques, and my realm unknowingly advanced!"

Xia Chen spoke truthfully, though he withheld some key details. Now was not the time to remain too low-key; he needed to quickly gain the Marquis Manor's support to rise.

"Show me!"

Upon hearing this, Xia Qian's expression turned serious, feeling uncertain. An epiphany from practicing basic saber techniques?

The basic saber techniques of the Marquis Manor were not ordinary low-level techniques. They had been refined over 600 years, even referencing the royal family's strongest ninth-rank saber techniques, ultimately creating the most suitable saber techniques for the ninth rank Body Refining Realm.

It was the most effective for honing the physique, hence named the basic saber techniques.

These basic saber techniques had long reached a point where they couldn't be further improved. Even Xia Qian, in his youth, had aspired to contribute to the family by improving these techniques, but he never attempted it.

Not only him, but Xia Chen's biological father Xia Yuan, and their father, the true master of the Marquis Manor, Marquis Zhendong Xia Chutian, couldn't do it either.

"Bring me a saber!"

Xia Chen instructed his attendant.

"Use mine!"

Without hesitation, Xia Qian drew a long saber from his side, its chilling gleam astonishing, its entire body jet-black.

The moment the saber was unsheathed, Xia Chen seemed to see a black flood dragon leaping from the abyss, its cold scales seemingly capable of devouring one's heart.

This vision flashed by, and the black saber quickly returned to calm. Xia Chen knew that what he saw was no illusion; this was a divine weapon, the black flood dragon at least a third-rank great demon, and this black saber was born from being bathed in the blood of a demon above the third rank, with the demon's soul suppressed within the blade.

This was one of the Marquis Manor's treasures.

Xia Chen gripped the long saber with both hands, yet still felt its weight. Even though the saber had restrained its mystical nature, its blade was still incredibly heavy. If he were still at the ninth rank, he could barely lift it, let alone wield it.

This saber was a test of his realm.

Seeing Xia Chen steadily take the saber, Xia Qian nodded approvingly.

This kid really had broken through to the eighth rank.

With this realization, Xia Qian couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation for Xia Chen's so-called epiphany.

Xia Chen held the black saber, his eyes blazing with fervor. His entire body seemed to boil, strands of blood and energy coursing through his physique, a great sun's shadow rising behind him.

"The energy in the sky has changed slightly!"

Cui Mengrou's eyes also shone with light. Coming from the prestigious Cui family, she followed the path of an arcanist and was extremely sensitive to the energy of heaven and earth.

A surge of extreme yang energy was absorbed by Xia Chen, finally injected into the black saber in his hand.

"Shouyang Demon-Breaking Saber!"

With a loud shout, Xia Chen stood in the garden, yet it seemed as if he faced thousands of troops, countless demons. He turned his back to the crowd, saber poised against the abyss!

His momentum reached its peak, his blood boiling, essence, qi, and spirit at their zenith. With one slash, the heavens and earth changed color.

***

Xia Qian watched as a great sun flashed in his palm, the dazzling saber light caught with a single hand. Though it didn't even break his skin, Xia Qian couldn't hide his joy, unable to remain calm.

"You really improved the basic saber techniques?"

Though his tone was questioning, Xia Qian already believed it. Having witnessed it firsthand, the saber technique was entirely different from the basic saber techniques, yet its essence remained unchanged.

It was undoubtedly an advanced version of the basic saber techniques.

"Drawing on solar essence, condensing a killing aura, repelling all evil, it's both a method of killing enemies and a foundation for tempering flesh!"

Cui Mengrou succinctly revealed the essence of the Shouyang Demon-Breaking Saber. To her, its enemy-killing aspect was secondary; more importantly, it could communicate with heaven and earth, drawing solar essence to temper flesh.

Could such a technique be achieved by a mere martial warrior?

"This saber technique resembles a fusion of martial warrior and arcanist methods. How could such a wondrous saber technique exist in this world?"

Cui Mengrou's heart was unsettled.

Though not an arcanist, Xia Qian quickly grasped the key point. The ninth rank Body Refining Realm, eighth rank Essence Refining Realm, and even the seventh rank Spirit Refining Realm all prioritized honing the physique and tempering flesh.

Martial warriors couldn't communicate with heaven and earth energy, relying on hard work and time, or consuming treasures. But now, this saber technique could actively communicate with heaven and earth energy to temper flesh, greatly accelerating the cultivation speed from the ninth to the seventh rank.

Xia Qian quickly realized the value of this saber technique.

"Keep your understanding of the saber technique confidential, and don't spread this saber technique."

Xia Qian said sternly, glancing at the attendants and maids behind him.

Fortunately, these attendants and maids were trustworthy family members; otherwise, today would have seen more bloodshed...

"Would you be willing to offer this saber technique to the family?"

"I leave it to you, Uncle!"

Xia Chen didn't hesitate. He revealed the saber technique to gain advancement.

Moreover, the family had indeed invested a lot of resources in him over the years. Even if he gave it to the family for free, he had no complaints.

"Very well, Chen, your improvement of the saber technique is a great merit to the family. I will report your achievement to the Merit Hall and inform the elders. Meanwhile, you may visit the Cultivation Pavilion to select another technique. Additionally, regarding your desire to seek a position outside, I will help you plan it."

Xia Qian declared firmly. The family's six-hundred-year prosperity was due to a comprehensive merit system that never neglected anyone who contributed greatly to the family.

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Proofreader & Editor: Peter Pan