Chapter Seventeen: Choosing the Tactics of War

Yang Fan felt the blood and energy within his body had calmed, and the effects of the Grade One Blood Restoration Pill were nearly spent. He rose to his feet.

It was already midnight. Yang Fan walked to the window, gazing at the stars outside. The Magic City Cultivation Academy lay in the suburbs, far from the city. With the freshmen yet to arrive, the campus was quiet, with a lingering chill in the air.

After a while, Yang Fan turned and left the training room. Cultivation must proceed step by step; one cannot gain everything in an instant, and proper rest is essential.

He entered his bedroom to rest. In truth, he had not yet slept in the grand bed of this villa, despite staying here for two days. The first night, he soaked in the bathtub all evening; now, on the third day since entering the academy, he finally lay on the bed.

The night passed without incident.

...

For the next month, Yang Fan remained between cultivation and rest. Except for meals in the cafeteria, he hardly ventured out, save for two visits from Zhou Yiyi, during which they strolled together and familiarized themselves with the layout of the Magic City Cultivation Academy.

During this month, he had long since finished his supply of Grade One Blood Pills, but he had not sought more. Now, Yang Fan could control the flow of his blood and energy without relying on the pill's effects.

His mastery over this control had grown proficient in the past fortnight. He could now guide the circulation of his blood and energy, allowing it to nourish his physical body.

At present, Yang Fan's cultivation was nearly at the peak of Grade One Martial Apprentice, lacking only the full nourishment of the head's flesh and blood.

But it would not take much longer. Yang Fan estimated another week or so would suffice. The head's meridians—namely the Three Yang Meridians, Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian, Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian, and Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian—intertwined complexly, coursing from the head down through the body and limbs to the feet. There were also the Hand Yangming Large Intestine Meridian, Hand Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian, and Hand Shaoyang Triple Burner Meridian, collectively known as the Three Yang Meridians of the hand, which ascend from hand to head.

Thus, nourishing the head was the slowest process and required careful control of blood and energy. Excessive force could lead to dire consequences.

Now, with less than a month before the semester began, some students had already arrived early at the Magic City Cultivation Academy. The dormitory area was gradually filling with residents, and the once-desolate quarters were coming to life.

Yang Fan stood at the window of the second-floor training room, watching people pass by.

Faces full of youthful excitement and curiosity, much like Yang Fan himself when he first entered the academy.

...

A few days ago, Zhou Yiyi had come to visit, boasting about a Yellow Grade combat technique her sister had taught her. Upon learning Yang Fan was nearly at the peak of Grade One, she left in embarrassment, claiming she needed to train, and had not returned since.

Yang Fan felt it was time to learn a combat technique himself. He was eligible to select techniques from the first two floors of the Combat Technique Tower. Previously, as a newcomer with little strength, he thought there was no point in choosing techniques he could not yet practice—they would only tempt him.

So he had never claimed his benefit from the Combat Technique Tower. Now, his cultivation had reached a bottleneck, and progress would depend on time and effort.

With no classes before school started and plenty of free time, Yang Fan decided it was the right moment to visit the Combat Technique Tower.

He acted on his thought, donning his coat and leaving his dormitory.

December in Magic City had fully embraced the cold. The vast Cultivation Academy was divided into several areas for upperclassmen and freshmen. Although new students continued to arrive, they were few compared to the academy's immense size. Apart from the freshman dormitory area, the rest of the campus was almost deserted.

Soon, Yang Fan arrived once more at the nine-story pagoda-shaped Technique Tower.

At the entrance sat the same elderly man, his hair white as snow. Despite the winter chill, he seemed impervious to the cold, dressed lightly as always, as if the weather had no effect on him whatsoever.

The old man, his eyes still closed, seemed to sense Yang Fan’s approach and spoke, “Hmm? Back again, little one? What brings you here this time?”

“Greetings, teacher. I’ve come to the Combat Technique Tower to study combat techniques,” Yang Fan replied respectfully.

His respect stemmed from two reasons: first, he believed it necessary to honor his elders, especially since this man had advised him before; second, Yang Fan suspected the old man was far from ordinary, his cultivation likely above Grade Four. Even Zhou Ting, a Grade Four Martial Master, wore a heavy coat against the winter cold, while this elder had sat here for days in thin clothing. If he were not a master, Yang Fan would be the first to disbelieve it.

“Oh? You wish to learn combat techniques now?” The old man opened his eyes, regarding Yang Fan with interest.

This young fellow had come a month ago to claim his foundational technique. Now, after just a month, he thought himself ready for combat techniques? Even the weakest technique required sufficient blood and energy to be effective.

“Yes, teacher. I am nearly at the peak of Grade One, with only my head left to fully nourish. I thought I could practice combat techniques while finishing the nourishment of my head’s meridians and flesh. When I entered the academy, I was granted access to the first two floors of the Combat Technique Tower. I can choose techniques, correct?” Yang Fan asked.

The old man nodded. “Not bad, reaching Grade One peak in a month. Let me clarify: access to the first two floors does not mean you can choose freely. You may select only two techniques to take away. No more. My suggestion: pick one offensive technique and one movement technique. You can check the introductions inside and choose for yourself. Remember, this is your chance; once used, you'll need credits to exchange for more techniques.”

“Only two?” Yang Fan was prepared for this. After all, it was unreasonable to expect unlimited choices. As for one offensive and one movement technique, that matched his own thoughts—he had already planned to learn a movement technique. If you can't win, you run; Yang Fan felt no shame in that. Why wait around if you can't win? But without a movement technique, how could he escape? The old man’s advice felt kindly, befitting a teacher.

...

The old man rose, opened the door, and let Yang Fan inside. Once Yang Fan entered, the old man closed the door and sat again, muttering, “A bit early, isn't it? No mentors assigned yet, so the boy has no guidance in picking techniques. I wonder what he’ll choose. There are some good things on the first two floors, but will he find them? Well, everyone has their own fate. To reach Grade One peak in such a short time, he must have strong ambition. A little hardship will do him good.”

He smiled, closing his eyes again.

In truth, the old man did not realize Yang Fan’s ambition was not as lofty as he imagined. Yang Fan simply had not considered this approach; had he thought of it, he wouldn’t have come so soon. Ambition? It hardly mattered compared to strength.

Eighteen years as an orphan had taught Yang Fan the realities of society. Without strength, what use is ambition?

...

The Combat Technique Tower was not as Yang Fan had imagined, filled with bookshelves lined with techniques.

The first floor seemed spacious, but its furnishings were simple. In the vast room, there was only a table, a computer, and several portable hard drives beside the computer.

This was entirely different from Yang Fan’s expectations. He had assumed that, if not bookshelves, at least there would be paper books.

But this scene overturned his assumptions—just a computer?

With doubts, Yang Fan approached the computer.

On the screen was a single folder. Upon opening it, he found a list of combat technique names.

“Diamond Fist”

“Cloud-Stepping Kick”

“Blood Blade Technique”

“Cloud-Breaking Sword”

“Wasteland Palm”

“Thunderbolt Fist”

“Five Elements Spear”

...

One after another, these fantastical names left Yang Fan dumbfounded.

Who came up with these names? Such creativity!

Suppressing his bewilderment, Yang Fan continued looking.

He had no clear idea of what would suit him, so he focused first on movement techniques. Judging movement techniques was relatively straightforward—by checking the descriptions, he could tell how fast each technique allowed one to move.

Though speed was not the sole measure of a movement technique’s quality, it was a useful comparison.

Yang Fan focused on the movement techniques.

“Crouching Spring Shadow”

“Stepping on Water”

“Eight-Step Cicada Chase”

“Dragonfly on Water”

“Star-Plucking Step”

“Phantom Mind Step”

...Yang Fan reviewed the descriptions. In the end, he selected Crouching Spring Shadow, a technique that could unleash extreme speed over short distances. He believed it would be useful both in close combat and in pursuit or escape, the sudden burst of speed catching opponents off guard.

Still, Yang Fan decided to check the second floor.

The second floor was no different: same table, same computer, same portable hard drives. However, the techniques listed on the computer were fewer than on the first floor.

The first floor offered no fewer than one hundred fifty techniques, while the second floor had fewer than one hundred.

...

Over an hour later, Yang Fan emerged from the Combat Technique Tower holding two portable hard drives.

“Finished? What did you pick?” the old man asked as Yang Fan exited.

Yang Fan did not hide his answer: “Following your advice, I chose one movement technique and one offensive technique. For movement, I picked Crouching Spring Shadow; for offense, Thunderbolt Blade. I think these two will complement each other well.”

“Interesting. Crouching Spring Shadow is a Grade One Yellow movement technique, but its full-speed burst is nearly Grade Two Yellow. Thunderbolt Blade is a Grade Two Yellow offensive technique, known for its speed, though its attack power is lacking. However, combining your bodily speed with your attack, the power will increase. You chose well.”

The old man nodded. Though neither technique was the best on the first two floors, as Yang Fan said, their synergy would enhance their effectiveness, albeit within limits.

He could not expect too much—Yang Fan was not versed in combat techniques, but his thoughtful selection was admirable, especially without guidance. The result was satisfactory.

Yang Fan then headed toward the Resource Exchange Building with his two portable hard drives.

With techniques in hand, it was time to acquire a weapon.

He still had enough credits, so of course he would exchange them for a weapon.