Joy of Life: Invincible Starting from Basic Swordsmanship

Chapter 95: Breaking Through to Grandmaster?

The next day at noon, Zhan Doudou came to find Ye Chengfeng anxiously, wanting to tell him what had happened the day before.

He was also extremely worried, fearing that this would affect Ye Chengfeng's breakthrough to the Grandmaster level.

"You mean replacing the old sword with the new one?"

"That's right. Won't this affect your breakthrough to Grandmaster?"

"No, there's no need to collect new swords anymore. Let's replace them all with old ones, preferably swords used by highly skilled swordsmen. It doesn't matter if the quality of the swords is lowered."

Ye Chengfeng stated his requirements.

Zhan Doudou asked with a mixture of curiosity and worry, "Why is this? Has something gone wrong with your cultivation?"

Whether Ye Chengfeng can break through to the Grandmaster level is crucial for Zhan Doudou and Northern Qi.

Don't be fooled by the fact that Northern Qi and Southern Qing are currently evenly matched; it's just that Emperor Qing doesn't want to suffer too much loss in the process of unifying the country.

If Emperor Qing truly wanted to forcibly take over Northern Qi, it wasn't entirely impossible.

Putting aside everything else, the generals in the Southern Qing army are far better than those in the Northern Qi.

The Northern Qi only had Shang Shanhu as a general who could serve as a figurehead.

In contrast, in Nanqing, whether it's the Qin family, the Ye family, or the younger generation of Nanqing Xun Gui.

They all have a lot of potential.

This is actually related to the founding methods of the Southern Qing and Northern Qi states.

In the Northern Qi dynasty, the Zhan family seized the throne through a coup.

As for the Southern Qing Dynasty, it was only the third generation under Emperor Qing, and Ye Qingmei had even healed it up in between.

"No, I only discovered it yesterday. A sword that has been used by a swordsman enhances me more. If the swordsman's swordsmanship is high enough, I can even comprehend the swordsman's techniques from it."

Zhan Doudou was completely bewildered by these words. She couldn't imagine how Ye Chengfeng could comprehend someone else's sword technique from an "inanimate object"!

But seeing Ye Chengfeng's serious expression, it didn't seem like he was lying to her.

"Okay, I'll take care of the arrangements."

They knew that Ye Chengfeng would not hinder his cultivation by using the old sword.

Zhan Doudou felt relieved.

She actually wanted to ask if it would be acceptable to use weapons like swords or spears instead.

If feasible, she could use the pretext of updating the army's equipment, which would greatly reduce opposition in the court and even gain the support of the military generals.

Unfortunately, among the troops in the army, only the Imperial Guard had some who used swords.

"Yes, I might be able to replace some of the Imperial Guard's equipment, and some weapons that were replaced in previous years should still be in the armory!"

-----------------

Sean learned from Zhan Doudou that she was training a Grandmaster.

This is a great opportunity to befriend a future Grandmaster, so he has no reason not to do his best to help Zhan Doudou.

Unfortunately, he didn't know who was breaking through. If he knew that it was Ye Chengfeng, Sean would have thought something.

The next morning at court, Shen Zhong thought that Xiao En would stop the young emperor from continuing to collect swords.

However, they discovered that Sean hadn't mentioned the matter at all, and even when several censors offered their advice, Sean actually sided with the young emperor.

Although Shen Zhong didn't know the reason, he guessed that this matter would benefit Northern Qi.

Leaving aside the various disputes in the Northern Qi court.

Meanwhile, Ye Chengfeng discovered a new way to improve, and his strength changed almost every day.

On this day, a giant sword that blotted out the sky suddenly appeared above the Northern Qi imperial palace.

The sword was initially very ethereal; it was almost imperceptible without careful observation.

It wasn't until later, when the giant sword began to emit a humming sound, that the people of the capital city realized what had happened.

Zhan Doudou wanted to keep this a secret, but with such a huge commotion, it was impossible to do so.

This news would naturally be discovered by spies from various factions.

Among them, the majority were secret agents from Nanqing, and it was also the secret agents from Nanqing who were the first to pass on the news.

Zhan Doudou looked anxiously at the palace gate, worried about Ye Chengfeng's safety and even more worried that he would fail to break through to the Grandmaster level.

Just then, an old man suddenly appeared beside Zhan Doudou.

The old man's aura seemed to be in harmony with heaven and earth; this man was none other than Ku He, the Grandmaster of Northern Qi.

"Who is in the bedchamber?"

"Imperial Preceptor, what brings you here?"

Answer my question.

Ku He's tone was unusually cold as he pressed for an answer.

Zhan Doudou couldn't determine Ku He's attitude towards Ye Chengfeng, so she naturally wouldn't tell him.

Seeing that Zhan Doudou remained silent for a long time, Kuhe was about to break into the palace to check on her.

But Zhan Doudou stopped him, and Zhan Doudou didn't know where she got the courage.

"Your Excellency, this is my bedchamber. As an elder, isn't it rather disrespectful of you to force your way into my bedchamber?"

Just as the two were at an impasse, Haitang Duoduo arrived.

Seeing his master and Zhan Doudou at each other's throats...

He quickly stepped forward to smooth things over.

"Master, and Your Majesty, what are you doing?"

Haitang Duoduo clearly had a better relationship with Zhan Doudou, and she stood in front of her master.

Haitang Duoduo understands the Grandmaster better than Zhan Doudou.

She had been by Ku He's side since she was a child, and all her martial arts skills were taught to her by him.

After spending so much time together, she naturally noticed that her master was becoming increasingly indifferent to emotions.

Haitang Duoduo knew that things were usually fine, but Kuhe was a hermit by nature.

This was also a manifestation of his obsession, but the situation is different now.

Haitang Duoduo was also a martial artist, and she could sense the supreme sword intent of the transparent giant sword above the palace.

"That's definitely grandmaster-level sword intent!"

Of the four grandmasters in the world, apart from Ye Liuyun, the other three share a tacit understanding.

That is, the world cannot accommodate a fifth Grandmaster.

Unfortunately, how could these two possibly stop a grandmaster?

Ku He merely raised her eyes slightly, and the next moment she appeared in the palace.

The moment Ku He entered the palace, Ye Chengfeng spotted him.

"Oh, isn't this Grandmaster Kuhe? This is our first meeting, I've heard so much about you."

"You've already broken through? How could it be so fast?"

Ku He frowned deeply; he had originally intended to stop Ye Chengfeng from breaking through to the Grandmaster level.

Now that Ye Chengfeng has broken through, he can't do anything about Ye Chengfeng.

Ku He is the most defensively capable among the four grandmasters.

In other words, he is also the one with the weakest attack power among the four grandmasters.

Before Ye Chengfeng breaks through to the Grandmaster level, he is confident that he can suppress Ye Chengfeng and even kill him.

But Ye Chengfeng broke through, and he really had no way to stop him.

Moreover, if two grandmasters were to clash, the imperial palace would likely be razed to the ground.

The battle between Grandmasters is not like the one between the Temple Envoy and Wu Zhu in the original work.

Their fight was merely a clash of physical strength.

Just like when Ye Chengfeng was in Jiangnan, he hadn't yet broken through to the Grandmaster level.

The aftershocks of his fight with Ye Liuyun could cut off the flow of the river.

Now, the destructive power is at least several times stronger.

"Heh, a lucky breakthrough. Master Kuhe, are you here to congratulate me?"

Ye Chengfeng had no intention of persuading Ku He to join him in fighting against Emperor Qing.

Of the four grandmasters, Ye Chengfeng knew that the only one he could win over was Ye Liuyun.

Ku He snorted coldly, turned around and left the palace.

Immediately afterwards, Zhan Doudou and Haitang Duoduo walked in.

Are you alright?

"What could possibly happen? That old man Kuhe is a complete coward."

Watching Zhan Doudou groping him, Ye Chengfeng said half-jokingly.

Ye Chengfeng's performance greatly surprised Haitang Duoduo!

Haitang Duoduo's extremely aggressive gaze frightened Ye Chengfeng, causing him to retreat repeatedly.

"What kind of look is that? And besides, aren't you having an affair with Fan Xian?"

"Me? You? If I weren't outmatched right now, I'd love to chop you to pieces with this axe."

Upon hearing Ye Chengfeng say that he had an affair with Fan Xian, Haitang Duoduo instantly broke down.

"Also, who said I have anything going on with Fan Xian?"

"That's what everyone says, isn't it? You can ask DouDou if you don't believe me."

Ye Chengfeng pulled Zhan Doudou in front of him to act as a witness.

Haitang Duoduo said with a dark face, "It wasn't me, it was Li Lisi, the one you know, Si Lili. She likes Fan Xian, I was just a messenger!"

"Really? I don't think so. I'm quite familiar with Fan Xian, and he's deeply in love with you. Don't you want to consider it?"

"Don't think you're so great just because you've broken through to the Grandmaster level. Believe me, I'll fight you to the death!"

Zhan Doudou quickly stepped forward to smooth things over, saying, "Alright, stop teasing your junior aunt."

"Guards, prepare a feast!"

Next, Zhan Doudou ordered a banquet to be prepared. How could she not be happy now that Ye Chengfeng had broken through to the Grandmaster level?

She's pregnant with Ye Chengfeng's child now, so she doesn't believe Ye Chengfeng won't stand by her side.

After the three of them sat down, Haitang Duoduo still couldn't quite believe it.

He then asked, "You've really broken through to the Grandmaster level?"

"I may disappoint you, but I haven't made a breakthrough."

Ye Chengfeng helplessly shrugged.

He himself doesn't know whether his current state qualifies him as a grandmaster.

"Ah, then why did my master leave in such a hurry after just one glance at you?"

"You mean this? Although I haven't broken through to the Grandmaster level, before I came here, I was already able to fight against Grandmasters without being defeated."

As he spoke, Ye Chengfeng arrogantly waved his hand, and all the remaining swords in the palace that had not been absorbed by Ye Chengfeng flew up as if summoned by him.

"You still claim you haven't broken through? Isn't this the work of a Grandmaster?"

Haitang Duoduo had fought Ye Chengfeng before, and at that time, she was able to suppress Ye Chengfeng with her strong cultivation.

Moreover, Ye Chengfeng already found it very difficult to control several flying swords back then.

Now, he can control hundreds of flying swords with just a casual gesture.

"What? You think my methods are impressive? I can teach you!"

"Really? Aren't you afraid I'll also break through to Grandmaster?"

Before Haitang Duoduo could say anything more, Ye Chengfeng pulled out a secret manual and tossed it to her.

Although Ye Chengfeng has made further breakthroughs, he also taught Fan Xian the art of sword control.

Fan Xian's talent is indeed high, but he is still a bit inferior to Haitang Duoduo.

"I don't ask for much. Just remember to give me a copy when you have some insights later."

Haitang Duoduo took the manual, still somewhat at a loss!

"Is this true?"

The manual for the Sword Control Technique is not thick; even though three or four versions have been recorded so far, it only contains a mere ten pages.

In just a short while, Haitang Duoduo finished reading.

"Of course, you don't think just anyone can master this kind of secret technique, do you? Remember the sword manual for the Four Directions Sword Technique that I gave you?"

Ye Chengfeng suddenly mentioned the sword manual of the Four Directions Sword Technique. Of course, Haitang Duoduo knew that this was a birthday gift that Ye Chengfeng presented to the Empress Dowager on her birthday.

"Of course I remember, I've even seen it, but my master told me to watch it less often."

At the time, Haitang Duoduo didn't understand why her master told her to look at the Grandmaster's sword manual less often.

Even now, Haitang Duoduo still cannot understand its deeper meaning.

"Haha, when I sent you the sword manual, I didn't have any good intentions. I just wanted to ruin some of the martial arts geniuses in Northern Qi, especially you."

"Huh? The sword manual is fake?"

"The sword manual is real, but what can you glean from it?"

Haitang Duoduo recalled that she had tried to comprehend the sword manual.

The result was self-evident: despite her talent, she still failed to grasp any of the true essence of martial arts that was useful to her.

"Let me put it another way. Did your master, Ku He, directly reveal the true essence of his martial arts to you so you could comprehend it?"

Haitang Duoduo was slightly taken aback.

"Judging from your expression, you definitely don't have it, because only grandmasters are qualified to comprehend it. Below the grandmaster level, one can never comprehend it in a lifetime and will only waste time."

"Then what about the secret manual you gave me? Was it for the same purpose?"

Haitang Duoduo said with a dark face, "Who would have thought that when they received this birthday gift from Ye Chengfeng, they would secretly say that Ye Chengfeng was a spendthrift?"

"The sword control technique is certainly different. I have recorded everything from the beginning of my creation to the later versions in the manual. As for my own insights on how to break through to the Grandmaster level, I have absolutely no understanding of it."

Then, Haitang Duoduo fell silent, or perhaps she entered a state of sudden enlightenment.

Ye Chengfeng ignored her, but when he turned to look at Zhan Doudou,

Then he saw Zhan Doudou looking at him with a resentful expression.

"Did you really treat all of us, the civil and military officials of Northern Qi, like fools back then?"

Although this "fool" also included herself, after all, she had initially thought Ye Chengfeng was a bit of a spendthrift.

Now it seems that all of this was part of Ye Chengfeng's plan, which makes her look like a clown.

During that time, Zhan Doudou also thought that she could use this sword manual to train a group of sword masters. Even if they couldn't break through to the ninth rank, she could at least train a group of eighth-rank swordsmen!

"Haha, well, we didn't know each other before!"

Ye Chengfeng awkwardly chuckled and explained.

"Help me train a group of swordsmen, and I'll forgive you."

"What? I didn't hear you clearly."

Zhan Doudou thought Ye Chengfeng hadn't heard her clearly, so she repeated it again.

But Ye Chengfeng pretended not to hear.

"Are you faking it?"

"Maybe this seat isn't good; I can't hear what you're saying. Why don't you come sit here and try?"

With that, Ye Chengfeng gave his seat to Zhan Doudou.

Zhan Doudou had no doubts and waited for Ye Chengfeng to prove it to her.

Ye Chengfeng whispered in Zhan Doudou's ear, "Give me one hundred million taels of silver, and I'll train swordsmen for you!"

"Huh? What did you say?"

Zhan Doudou actually wanted to express disbelief, but when she saw Ye Chengfeng's outstretched hands, she immediately understood what was going on.

I can't hear you, I just don't want to do anything.

"Fine, I won't help then."

"Didn't I send Pianpian with the eight sword attendants to the capital? You can have them help with the training!"

"They won't listen to me because of what happened last time!"

Zhan Doudou complained.

While the two were chatting, Haitang Duoduo finally came to her senses.

At this moment, she looked radiant, as if she had grasped something.

"You've broken through? Judging from your current true qi cultivation, you're probably no weaker than Hong Sixiang of Nanqing!"

"Hong Sixiang? Isn't he a Grandmaster of Nanqing? Am I now on par with a Grandmaster?"

Ye Chengfeng rolled his eyes and said disdainfully, "You're overthinking it. Hong Sixiang isn't a Grandmaster, but he's definitely the strongest ninth-rank expert right now."

"I see. That's already very good. The number one person below the Grandmaster level, I'm satisfied."

Haitang Duoduo wasn't particularly passionate about martial arts, so this breakthrough is already quite remarkable.