85 Basics of Combat
For cultivators, there were countless factors that could influence the outcome of combat.
First of all, the most obvious attributes would definitely be an individual's power, speed, dexterity, and durability. All these would be affected by one's innate physique and bloodline, cultivation level, as well as their training regime.
Next, an individual had to understand how best they could use these attributes to gain an edge in combat, and this was where techniques came into play.
Combat techniques, movement techniques, and auxiliary techniques – these were the three main classifications of techniques in this world.
Many only knew how to blindly pursue the higher ranked techniques, but that was not always the ideal approach.
Instead, one had to learn where their strengths and weaknesses lay, using that information as a basis to choose the most suitable techniques for themselves.
That would mean amplifying their strengths and covering their weaknesses.
Those were not the only factors either.
Even when armed with the right techniques, it would be useless if an individual did not know the ideal time and situation in battle to execute it in order to gain the greatest advantage.
A battle was filled with countless possibilities and variations, so it was nigh impossible to learn a single move and be able to apply that to every situation.
Or at least, that would be the excuse of the weak.
In fact, if an individual practised a single technique so much, to the point of truly making it theirs, they would know exactly how to vary the execution, applying it to almost all sorts of situations.
That was the final factor – adaptability.
Therefore, in order to get stronger, the most direct method was for an individual to simply focus on a specific technique that suited them the best, training and honing it to absolute perfection.
That was actually how most of the great powerhouses had gotten to where they were today.
But did that mean cultivators only needed one technique to conquer the world?
The answer was yes, but only if the individual became so proficient with a technique that it could be hailed as unbeatable under the heavens.
Unfortunately, that was something far out of reach for most.
Until an individual could reach such a level, there would still be situations where they would need to complement their main technique with other techniques to help create opportunities in battle.
Therefore, it was best to invest time and effort in learning some other techniques as well, but only if they complemented the main technique and did not affect the training of the main technique too much.
That was adaptability as well, just expressed in a different manner.
Yes, one could view it as the way of the weak.
However, there was no shame in being weak.
After all, the world was large and limitless. Even elders of the Black Tortoise Sect had a chance of encountering opponents whom they feared.
As disciples, that was all the more the case.
This was why everyone had to put more thought into things when considering what to focus on in their training.
Talent, resource, environment, and even personality.
Basically, anything that could eventually impact not just the ease of execution of the techniques, but also the ease of learning the techniques themselves and the training required to execute these techniques to perfection.
How many situations would the techniques be effective in?
Would the individual be comfortable in such situations in the first place?
In other words, it was best for an individual to first ask themselves all these questions before deciding on what they preferred as their style of battle.
Once all that was clear, the path to follow would naturally show itself...
He Luoxuan's lecture addressed the very fundamentals of combat, first explaining how combat worked and how best to approach the issue of getting stronger.
Zhao Yunxiao listened intently to every word, and not just because it was a precious opportunity to learn from the elder.
Coincidentally, he had been trying hard to decide on the most effective combat style for himself, so He Luoxuan's lecture was like a light beacon in the middle of the night, giving him a much-needed push in the right direction.
What were his strengths?
Out of the different attributes stated – power, speed, dexterity, and durability – Zhao Yunxiao did not think that he was considered exceptional in any of them as compared to his peers.
But if he really had to choose, then the one he was most confident in would have to be durability.
After last night, Zhao Yunxiao had become much clearer about this.
In fact, it was not just physical durability that he was confident about, but also his mental fortitude.
But how on earth was he supposed to base his combat style off of that?
He could not possibly win a fight just by being good at taking hits!
Or... could he?
Zhao Yunxiao fell into deep contemplation as he thought back to his previous fights.
Back when he was 'sparring' against Sun Minhao, the only reason why he managed to land a punch against the inner disciple at the end was only because he had seen enough of the latter's moves to guess his next moves.
In a way, that was similar to the adaptability that He Luoxuan was talking about.
By the time the battle was nearing its end, he finally managed to adapt to Sun Minhao's style, and that was made possible only because he had somehow managed to last long enough in that fight.
That was his durability coming into play!
Zhao Yunxiao suddenly felt like he could see the gate to a new path slowly opening up in his head.
The direction was there, but he still had to decide how he should approach the matter.
No matter how durable he was, there was simply no way that he could just take his opponents' attacks and hope to last till the end!
If he did that, the result would likely end up just like how it was when he faced Sun Minhao – him being completely spent by the time he managed to figure the opponent out.
In that case, he had to think of ways to help him survive long enough in combat... to at least last till the end.
Zhao Yunxiao knew that he definitely did not possess the talent to execute tons of flashy techniques in battle to overwhelm his enemies.
Therefore, what He Luoxuan said truly resounded with him.
Focusing on just one main technique was exactly what he had in mind from the start.
It was okay for the technique to be simple, as long as he was able to adapt to different situations and use them in the most effective manner.
But what He Luoxuan said after that made sense as well.
Before he could truly master a single technique, he would have to depend on suitable complementing techniques that could enable his preferred fighting style.
Only then would he be able to maximise his combat efficiency.
That's it.
Now that he had identified his strength and general path, there were a few ways to approach this.
To drag out a fight by taking hits better.
To drag out a fight without having to take as many hits, or any at all.
To be able to reliably strike his opponent despite being spent at the end.
These were the options that he could think of for now.
Zhao Yunxiao clenched his fists in determination.
After listening to He Luoxuan, he now had a much clearer idea on how to approach this matter!
The lecture felt much shorter than it actually was.
When it ended, every attendee could not help but let out a sigh of disappointment.
That was because in this short period of time, many of them had gained epiphanies and benefits far greater than what they would have had by cultivating by themselves for months, or even years!
How they hoped that this lecture would never end!
"Carefully ponder over what I said," He Luoxuan concluded. "Even if you eventually decide to walk a different path, I hope that you will do so only after considering everything that I have mentioned today. In the end, cultivation is about believing in yourself. As long as you have absolute confidence in what you are doing, sometimes it is all right to diverge from the commonly tread path. The only thing I ask is that in your pursuit of strength and power, do not lose yourself and fall to dark temptations. As orthodox sects, we always need to have the common good in mind. With that, I thank you for your attention today."
"Thank you for the guidance, Elder He!" the attendees quickly stood up and bowed respectfully towards He Luoxuan.
All of them were filled with heartfelt gratitude after such an enlightening lecture.
"I hope to see you on the main stage of the world soon," He Luoxuan nodded with a smile before standing up to leave.
As He Luoxuan left the stage, the last words he said rang in the heads of everyone present, Zhao Yunxiao included.
The main stage of the world!
It was a vague concept, and everyone had their own perspective of what it meant.
Zhao Yunxiao naturally had his own idea as well.
One day, he would be strong enough to walk freely through the lands just like any accomplished cultivator.
And just by hearing his name alone, other cultivators would already feel a certain level of apprehension, not wanting to bother him without good reason.
To him, that was what it meant to have joined the main stage of the world!
Zhao Yunxiao could not help but feel the fire of motivation burning in his heart.
He could not wait to hurry up and return to the sect so that he could start training!
Even then, he did not forget his current station.
Zhao Yunxiao walked forward without needing to be told. Together with the other disciples of the Black Tortoise Sect, they followed closely behind He Luoxuan as they left the lecture hall.
"Hu Nan, Xiaoqiao. You will be coming with me to have a chat with Sect Leader Dan. Yunxiao, you come along as well," He Luoxuan said after they left the lecture hall. "The rest of you have my permission to go enjoy some free time. Just make sure you stay out of trouble."
"Yes, Elder He!" the disciples answered loudly.
At the same time, the other two outer disciples could not help but steal envious looks towards Zhao Yunxiao.
This was already the second time that he had been chosen to accompany the elder, so it was obvious that he had gained the favour and trust of the elder, at least more so than the two of them.
And that was despite going missing the night before!
"Elder He, please come with me," Ming Leishang appeared before them at this point. "Let's head over to the main hall. Sect Leader Dan and the other elders are already waiting there."
"Please lead the way," He Luoxuan agreed with a smile.
With that, the group returned to the main hall where He Luoxuan and the inner disciples had been chatting with the upper echelons of the Origin Lake Sect last night.
It was as Ming Leishang had said.
When they arrived at the grand hall, they could see that Sect Leader Dan Juexing and the other sect elders were already seated and waiting.
Just like when they first arrived, He Luoxuan's seat had been arranged level with the other sect elders.
But the one thing different this time was that there were several empty seats prepared behind each elder's.
Zhao Yunxiao immediately understood what that meant as he had helped to set up similar settings back in the Black Tortoise Sect before.
These extra seats were likely for the direct disciples of the elders, or at least the disciples whom they believed deserved to be present.
The same was prepared behind He Luoxuan's seat, though there were only two extra seats prepared.
That much was not surprising either.
Rather than a participant of the discussion, Zhao Yunxiao was here more as an attendant. Because of that, it was only natural that he did not have his own assigned seat.
Rather than that, there was something else that truly bothered Zhao Yunxiao.
In fact, it bothered him to the extent that when Zhao Yunxiao stepped into the main hall, he almost froze up in terror!
That was because apart from Dan Juexing and the various Origin Lake Sect elders, he could also see a familiar sea serpent lying lazily on the altar of offerings placed behind Dan Juexing's main seat.
From atop the altar, Cha opened his eyes and grinned as it noticed Zhao Yunxiao's arrival.
"What a coincidence. We meet again so soon!" Cha's voice sounded out in Zhao Yunxiao's head.
