Mighty Slash Trait

"Don't."
Chen Fan was startled and quickly said, "Uncle Zhang, absolutely don't."
Zhang Ren said reluctantly, "But it's truly unfair to you."
Chen Fan said sternly, "Uncle Zhang, a martial artist's fight is not a mere arena match; where is the fairness in that? Besides, the more one is in adversity, the faster one grows."
"Not bad."
Zhang Ren was moved by these words, seeing the determination in Chen Fan's eyes.
He thought to himself, perhaps it was this kind of unwavering resolve, unafraid of hardship, that allowed his progress to be so rapid.
"Then let's continue."
Chen Fan nodded, letting out a sigh of relief internally.
Although he had been constantly suppressed and beaten, it would be a lie to say he wasn't frustrated.
However, the proficiency of his Basic Saber Art was increasing at a visible rate.
12.1%, 12.8%, 13.4%...
Each block increased his proficiency by about 0.7%. The most exaggerated instance was when Zhang Ren launched five or six consecutive thrusts, and the proficiency directly jumped by 5.5%.
And how long had it been?
Only a few seconds.
If Zhang Ren were to switch to a saber, the speed would be far too slow.
Chen Fan took a deep breath, his spirits renewed, and charged forward once more.
The clashing sounds on the training ground resumed, incessant.
In less than 10 minutes, Chen Fan felt a faint warm current surge within him. Before he could savor it, it vanished without a trace.
Basic Saber Art Traits: Strength Level 3, Fierce Strike Level 3.
The Basic Saber Art had leveled up, but no new traits were unlocked.
However, the Fierce Strike Level 3 trait increased his saber drawing speed once, which was a considerable improvement.
"How is it?"
Zhang Ren saw Chen Fan pause for a moment and asked with concern, "Do you need to rest?"
"No need."
Chen Fan grinned. The speed at which this Basic Saber Art was improving far exceeded his imagination.
It seemed he could achieve his goal tonight, perhaps even raise it by one or two more levels?
A higher-level Basic Saber Art would also significantly reduce the time needed to compensate for other cultivation methods.
"Uncle Zhang, come on."
As soon as he spoke, he charged forward again.
The long spear in Zhang Ren's hand lightly shook, then thrust towards Chen Fan's chest.
A crisp clang.
Chen Fan parried the long spear, taking a long stride forward, narrowing the distance between them from three meters to about two and a half meters.
"Oh?"
A look of surprise appeared in Zhang Ren's eyes. This brat, his saber speed seemed a bit faster?
This reminded him of the last time he sparred with Chen Fan in spear arts; the latter also continuously improved during the match.
However, merely this much was still too optimistic if he wished to enter his inner circle of defense.
He retracted his spear slightly, then "swish, swish, swish" several thrusts followed in quick succession. Chen Fan was somewhat flustered, barely managing to block all of them, only to find that the distance between him and Uncle Zhang had been pulled back to over three meters.
"I still need to close the distance."
Chen Fan refocused his attention from the Skill Panel.
The previous block against Zhang Ren's spear only increased his proficiency by 0.3%, less than half of before.
However, the few times he closed the distance by half a meter, each time his proficiency increased by nearly 1%!
What if the distance was within two meters, or even one meter?
Wouldn't the proficiency increase exponentially?
Of course, intentionally having Uncle Zhang yield for his benefit was not feasible. Only by relying on his true skill to shorten the distance could he achieve this effect.
Calming his breath, he charged forward again.
A smile appeared in Zhang Ren's eyes. Last time, he had been careless, allowing this brat to rush forward half a meter. This time, there would be no such opportunity.
One minute,
Ten minutes,
Twenty minutes passed,
Almost every time Chen Fan charged forward, he was stopped at over three meters, unable to advance even a small step.
Only a few times did he manage to break within three meters.
It was truly difficult.
But each time he broke through, the gains were significant, with proficiency increasing by at least 3%, and sometimes even 7% or 8%.
After several such instances, the total increase was nearly 30%.
"Clang, clang, clang!"
The spearhead struck the saber body, and Chen Fan retreated several steps again, a look of regret in his eyes.
Just a little more, he was just short of breaking through.
But at this moment, the familiar warm current surged again, and a peculiar sensation rushed to his head.
Chen Fan's heart immediately rejoiced. Undoubtedly, his Basic Saber Art had leveled up again, and not only that, it seemed a new trait had been unlocked.
Basic Saber Art Traits: Strength Level 4, Fierce Strike Level 4, Mighty Slash Level 1.
Mighty Slash: Each time the skill levels up, the power of the saber art increases by thirty percent.
"So that's it."
Chen Fan adjusted his saber grip, and even his entire posture subtly changed, like a coiled tiger ready to pounce.
"?"
Zhang Ren narrowed his eyes. At this moment, he saw a shadow of a person on Chen Fan's body.
That person was a good friend of his, proficient in saber arts, whether it was a single saber, dual sabers, or a long saber.
However, his most formidable skill was the saber-shield technique.
He had sparred with him ten times with his long spear, winning at most seven times, with the rest usually being draws or six wins to four losses.
This was still in an open arena; if it were in a narrow alley, the outcome would be hard to say.
"Uncle Zhang, come on."
Chen Fan said, then swiftly lunged forward.
The next moment, a tearing sound of wind followed, and the spearhead instantly arrived before him.
Chen Fan gripped his saber in his right hand and launched a slash from an unimaginable angle.
"Clang!"
The spear in Zhang Ren's hand trembled violently.
Chen Fan seized the opportunity, taking a long stride, rushing forward half a meter.
The next moment, the wind rose again, and the spearhead left several afterimages in the air, fiercely thrusting towards him.
Chen Fan took a deep breath, no longer relying solely on the saber body to parry, but using the saber in his hand to meet the opponent's spearhead.
After all, the Mighty Slash trait only took effect when attacking.
A series of clashing sounds rang out again, this time with even greater momentum.
"Little Fan seems to have improved?"
Gao Yang said with wide eyes.
"Indeed, before, he was always suppressed by Old Zhang, unable to even lift his head. This time, he actually charged forward and fought Old Zhang to a draw."
"How amazing, Little Fan, this child."
A group of people exclaimed in admiration.
Chen Guo Dong's face also showed a hint of pride.
"This brat, he improves so fast?"
Zhang Ren narrowed his eyes. Using only his Body Tempering First Stage strength, he found it truly difficult to force Chen Fan back beyond three meters.
It was even hard to force him back to two and a half meters; the two of them were now locked in a stalemate around the two-meter mark.
However, in his eyes, there was more joy.
Because a saber is meant for attack; the saber wielder must advance without retreat, seeking life in death.
Some saber masters, with just a single slash, could instill a deep-seated fear in people; this was what was called momentum.
Of course,
Even so, he still held the advantage.
Because Chen Fan's physical exertion must be far greater than his.
And indeed, Chen Fan's breathing was heavy, and his saber speed was no longer as fast as before. Soon, he was struck by Zhang Ren's spear and retreated several steps.
"Rest for a while."
Zhang Ren said, retracting his spear.
"Mm."
Chen Fan gave an embarrassed smile.
He truly needed a few minutes to recover his stamina.
Basic Saber Art
In just a few short minutes, the proficiency of his Basic Saber Art had gone from approaching 20%. Naturally, shortening the distance contributed to this.
But even more, it was due to actively attacking.
At a distance of two meters, his proficiency gain from blocking once was less than 1%, but if he slashed and hit the spearhead, his proficiency directly surged by over 2%.
Moreover, if he landed a hit, he could also use that precious time to close the distance a bit.
At that point, the proficiency increase would be even greater.
At this rate, raising the Basic Saber Art to Level 5 tonight was a sure thing.
A few minutes later, Chen Fan gripped the wooden saber again.
"Ready?"
Zhang Ren asked.
"Mm, Uncle Zhang, I want to attack."
A smile appeared at the corner of Chen Fan's mouth, and he charged forward again.
Just like last time, he easily broke within two and a half meters, then another arduous stalemate ensued.
After repeating this several times,
Basic Saber Art, leveled up!
Basic Saber Art Traits: Strength Level 5, Fierce Strike Level 5, Mighty Slash Level 2.
Almost instantly upon leveling up, the wooden saber in Chen Fan's hand suddenly accelerated, streaking across the air as an afterimage, fiercely striking the spearhead.
The long spear was pushed far back, emitting a vibrating sound.
"!"
Zhang Ren's eyes suddenly widened.
This brat, his saber art improved again?
Just as he was momentarily stunned, Chen Fan was already before him, thrusting his saber.
In nearly two hours, this was the first time he had an opportunity to attack Zhang Ren.
The latter remained calm, bringing the shaft of his spear horizontally before him.
"Clang!"
The saber tip was immediately blocked.
Chen Fan was not surprised, changing his thrust into a sweep.
Zhang Ren hastily leaned his head back, while simultaneously raising his spear vertically to parry the slash.
But anyone with a discerning eye could see that the roles of offense and defense had now reversed.
Zhang Ren wanted to use the spearhead to force Chen Fan back, but the former gave him no chance. Each saber strike was fierce and fast, and Chen Fan fought with increasing vigor.
"Uncle Zhang won't lose, will he?"
Wang Ping said with wide eyes.
"It seems so."
Zhao Feng stammered.
It's true that a longer weapon has more power, but a shorter weapon also has more danger.
"Brother Fan is so amazing; it feels like Uncle Zhang is about to give up."
"How long has it been?
I remember just a moment ago, Brother Fan was constantly suppressed by Uncle Zhang, unable to move."
"Indeed..."
That scene was still fresh in their minds.
But now, it was a 180-degree reversal.
If they hadn't seen it with their own eyes, they wouldn't have believed it even if beaten to death.
"..."
Not far away, Gu Ze was also paying attention to this, unconsciously clenching his fists, feeling immense pressure.
This guy, his archery skills are already impressive, but his saber skills are also this good?
And he clearly just started practicing.
If he were to get close to him one day, wouldn't he be utterly defenseless?
"No!
I must also practice a short weapon!"
He decided.
"Alright, I concede."
Zhang Ren leaped, jumping out of the circle, saying with a wry smile.
Chen Fan was slightly taken aback. He was wondering why there was suddenly no one in front of him. Hearing this, he also smiled awkwardly, "Uncle Zhang, you're too kind. I took advantage of my realm."
After all, the opponent only used Body Tempering First Stage strength. If it were Body Tempering Second Stage or Body Tempering Third Stage, the outcome would be uncertain, or perhaps, whether he could even attack the opponent would remain unknown.
"Not entirely."
Zhang Ren shook his head, "Your progress is indeed fast; there's no faulting that."
Chen Fan chuckled, then eagerly looked at his Skill Panel.
Shadowless Quick Saber (Incomplete): Utterly Ignorant (0%)
Collection Progress: 36%
Compensation Conditions: Body Tempering Third Stage, Basic Saber Art Level 5, completed.
Time required for compensation: 24 hours. Compensate?
"One day?"
Chen Fan thought to himself. It wasn't too long, nor too short.
However, it was best to compensate in the shortest possible time.
Thinking of this, he looked at Zhang Ren and asked,
"Uncle Zhang, how about we continue?"
Zhang Ren gave him a meaningful look and said, "Alright, your saber art now has some mastery. I'll use my Body Tempering Third Stage strength to spar with you then."