Volume One: First Signs of Brilliance Chapter Eighty-Three: The Secret Art

“This…”
“It seems to be a secret art, doesn’t it?”
“My goodness, the teacher is already teaching Wang Jue secret arts?”
“That power is terrifying. I can’t even imagine what would happen if it struck a person.”

At that moment, a few heads peeked out from outside the courtyard, their eyes wide as they watched Zhao Qingming instruct Wang Jue in secret arts. They wanted to learn as well, but found that neither their bodies nor their comprehension could keep up.

They had entered the martial academy much earlier than Wang Jue, yet their grasp of swordsmanship was still only at the minor accomplishment stage. Now, Wang Jue had already reached the point where he could train in secret arts. They couldn’t help but feel envious.

Meanwhile—
While most of the students, whether they practiced swordsmanship or not, were busy envying Wang Jue, a group of young men in a far corner looked on with dark expressions.

One of them, wearing glasses, complained bitterly, “The teacher is so biased. I’ve been here for three years, and it’s the first time I’ve seen him care for a student like this! He’s teaching him secret arts so easily—back then, I begged him for over half a year before he allowed me to learn, but how many days has this guy even been here?”

Beside him stood a tall, well-built young man with fair skin, arms crossed and face expressionless.

His name was Chen You, the second senior brother of the academy, who had entered alongside Wang Bin. However, his talent far surpassed Wang Bin’s, and he had begun studying secret arts half a year ago—making him the first student in the academy to do so, and granting him a high status among his peers.

A nearby boy whispered, “This Wang Jue seems pretty arrogant, almost as if he owns the place. Counting today, he’s only been here three times since joining, and never once bothered to greet us. I really can’t understand why the teacher would hand a secret art over to him.”

Someone else chimed in, “For someone who doesn’t even respect us, we should teach him a lesson, remind him of the rules around here.”

“Senior Brother Chen, what do you think?”

Chen You snorted coldly, “Is that all you aspire to?”

At his words, the dissatisfied boys instantly fell silent, respectful expressions settling on their faces.

Chen You glanced indifferently in Wang Jue’s direction before withdrawing his gaze. He spoke coolly, “The exams are in twenty days. With time so tight, you’re still worrying about irrelevant people? If you want to stand above others, get a good score.”

“If I were you, I’d focus on improving myself, not paying attention to someone who barely even shows up.”

The lackeys immediately bowed their heads. “Thank you for your guidance, Senior Brother Chen.”

Chen You then dismissed them and picked up his wooden sword, resuming his practice with full concentration.

…

Inside the courtyard—
Zhao Qingming demonstrated the moves to Wang Jue several more times, explaining every detail thoroughly. “Sky-Cleaving isn’t a martial skill; it’s a secret art, far more powerful than any technique. Did you remember what I just taught you?”

“I need some time to think it over,” Wang Jue replied calmly.

“Alright, practice here for now. If you have any questions, come find me.”

“Thank you, teacher,” Wang Jue said sincerely.

Zhao Qingming said no more, leaving the courtyard and shooing away the students peeking at the gate—he clearly didn’t want anyone disturbing Wang Jue’s practice.

In truth, while Wang Jue appeared utterly focused, his attention was secretly absorbed by the information displayed on his panel.

[Acquired Secret Art: Sky-Cleaving (Incomplete), Not Yet Initiated]

A glint appeared in Wang Jue’s eyes. This was exactly the opportunity he needed to grow stronger.

Secret arts surpassed martial skills; even an incomplete secret art was superior. Besides, secret arts were not limited by rank—the higher one's cultivation, the more formidable the secret art’s power!

Gaining a secret art was equivalent to acquiring another trump card; of course he wouldn’t let this chance slip by.

He didn’t know how many Star Essence points or how much experience was needed to learn Sky-Cleaving, but without hesitation, he chose to study it at once.

The next instant, a torrent of knowledge flooded into his mind, and his comprehension soared. His understanding of swordsmanship deepened dramatically.

With a swoosh, Wang Jue swung his wooden sword.

A force several times stronger than before erupted, crackling like thunder.

Bang!

Unable to withstand the power, the wooden sword shattered in midair.

Staring at the hilt left in his hand, Wang Jue was momentarily stunned.

It broke?
And he hadn’t even used Star Force! How did it break so easily?

A moment later, regaining his composure, Wang Jue’s lips curved in a slight smile. “Tsk, such raw power really is exhilarating.”

Suppressing his delight, he opened his panel for a look.

[Name: Wang Jue]
[Cultivation: Body Tempering, Eighth Layer]
[Talent: Crimson Grade (Superior) 0/500]
[Art: Astral Soul Technique, First Layer (Unknown) 0/1000]
[Secret Art: Sky-Cleaving (Incomplete)(Initiated) 0/10000]
[Martial Skill: Basic Sword Technique (Master) 0/10,000,000]
[Martial Skill: Basic Fist Technique (Master) 0/10,000,000]
[Movement Technique: Basic Footwork (Master) 0/10,000,000]
[Star Essence: 227]
[Experience: 12,312]

“As expected, it requires Star Essence to initiate,” Wang Jue thought, noting the depletion. Sky-Cleaving would need ten thousand experience to reach minor accomplishment, so he chose to upgrade it immediately.

When he saw that advancing Sky-Cleaving from initiation to minor accomplishment required a hundred thousand experience and he didn’t have enough, he closed the panel.

Feeling his strength soar, Wang Jue was in high spirits. With no one around, he gathered up the splintered remains of his wooden sword and tossed them in the trash, then fetched a new one and continued his practice.

By the time Zhao Qingming returned, Wang Jue had reverted to his beginner’s demeanor.

Zhao Qingming quietly observed Wang Jue’s movements, unaware of what had happened earlier in the courtyard, occasionally offering pointers. “Wang Jue, when you attack, try to recall the feeling of the basic sword technique…”

“Yes, just like that.”

Seeing how quickly Wang Jue grasped the essentials, Zhao Qingming spoke earnestly, “A secret art is called such because the more Star Force you channel, the greater its power. But remember—never use all your Star Force on a secret art, unless you’re fighting for your life.”

“I understand. Thank you, teacher,” Wang Jue replied, resuming his practice.

…

Evening soon fell.

When Zhao Qingming called him from the gate, Wang Jue finally sheathed his sword.

“You have great talent. Don’t worry if you can’t master it right away—reflect on it, and you’ll get there,” Zhao Qingming said with approval in his eyes. “Alright, class is over for me as well. Be careful on your way home.”

Just as Wang Jue was about to speak, Zhao Qingming suddenly shouted to one side, “Monkey, get out here! Where have you been all day?”

Wang Jue looked over to see Monkey emerge sheepishly from behind the door, protesting his innocence, “Teacher, I was just busy with something, but as soon as I finished, I came right back.”

Zhao Qingming glanced him up and down, then laughed, “Your clothes are spotless, and you say you were busy? More like slacking off, I’d say.”

“No, really, I wasn’t! Don’t accuse me, Master!”

“Maybe I don’t know others, but I know you. Anyway, enough talk—later, you’ll escort Junior Brother Wang home.”

“No problem.”

Monkey, relieved to have escaped punishment, turned to Wang Jue with a grin, “Good thing I drove today. Where do you live, Junior Brother?”

Wang Jue, not used to such familiarity, instinctively declined, “No need for the trouble. I live nearby; it’s a quick walk.”

“Don’t refuse. Let Monkey take you,” Zhao Qingming said firmly. “It’s been a bit unsafe lately; best not to go out alone at night.”

“That’s right, Junior Brother. Listen to Master and let me drive you,” Monkey added persuasively.

Seeing their insistence, Wang Jue relented. “Alright, I’ll trouble you then, Senior Brother.”

“Don’t mention it,” Monkey replied with a casual wave.

The two of them bid Zhao Qingming farewell, and once they’d left the academy grounds, Monkey sneaked a glance behind, then told Wang Jue to wait a moment. He dragged out four or five large burlap sacks from the shadows, calling quietly, “Junior Brother Wang, give me a hand, will you?”

When Wang Jue approached, he saw several more sacks in the shadows, a few of which he recognized. He couldn’t help but smirk, “Looks like your business is going well, Senior Brother.”

“It’s nothing, just enough to scrape by,” Monkey replied.

“You’re married already?”

“No, just a figure of speech.”

“….”

With Wang Jue’s help, they hauled the sacks to Monkey’s van, which resembled the ones back on Earth. Wang Jue was struck by a sense of déjà vu.

Beep—

Monkey set down a sack, pulled out a key, unlocked the anti-theft device, and opened the van. One by one, he loaded the bags inside.

Wang Jue glanced in—almost the entire van was packed full. He commented, “Senior Brother, I wasn’t wrong—your business really is booming.”

“It’s just a small operation,” Monkey said, not pausing his movements. “I’m only making a bit on the price difference. It’s not much, but it beats working for someone else—at least it gets food on the table.”

“No wonder you missed the academy today—you must’ve been out collecting goods,” Wang Jue remarked thoughtfully.

Monkey shook his head, “Can’t be helped. There are too many people in this line now. When the prices are the same, it doesn’t matter who sells, so I have to act fast or risk getting undercut.”

Wang Jue smiled silently, watching as Monkey squeezed the last few bags into the already crammed van.

After about five minutes, Monkey finished loading, and then he and Wang Jue got in and drove away…