95. A Step to Mastery

Chapter 95: A Step to Mastery

Sun Hongdian was a bit surprised but didn't dwell on it. After releasing Li Hao's hand, he turned to the students and announced:

"Everyone, this is the new guest instructor of our academy, Young Master Li Hao from the Li family!"

Wow! As soon as the name "Li Hao" was mentioned, the students, who were already curious, erupted into whispers.

Over the past few days, this name had been the talk of the town.

Teahouses, taverns, and even brothels and inns buzzed with discussions about him.

In the larger world, he might have been just another figure stirring small ripples. But within Qingzhou, he had become a household name.

A fifteen-mile boundary warrior at fourteen, a millennium's first prodigy!

This living legend was standing right before them?

Everyone stared wide-eyed, examining Li Hao as if he were a rare treasure.

Li Hao felt a bit helpless but had anticipated such reactions. He could only get used to it.

"From now on, Young Master Li will be teaching you. He only has three teaching sessions per year, so listen carefully and do not make any noise or disturbance!"

Sun Hongdian announced loudly.

The students' eyes sparkled. This legendary youth was going to teach them? What could he teach, his cultivation experiences? Many were excited. Though they didn't expect Li Hao to teach them much, they were eager to see how this young genius spoke and carried himself.

"Young Master Li, the floor is yours."

Sun Hongdian said to Li Hao with a smile before leaving.

Li Hao smiled and nodded, waiting for the room to quiet down before he began.

"Since you all know who I am, there's no need for much introduction."

Li Hao smiled, "What do you want to learn? Swordsmanship, fist techniques, or movement skills?"

"You're going to teach swordsmanship?"

Song Yueyao's eyes lit up. Most of them practiced swordsmanship.

Li Hao knew that swordsmen and blade masters were like literature and mathematics—the main subjects. Most warriors practiced one of these two disciplines.

Historically, the most common martial arts techniques passed down were swordsmanship and blade techniques.

"If you want to learn, I'll teach." Li Hao smiled.

"Are you going to teach us your family's Tianyu Tower technique?" A bold youth asked, full of expectation.

They were all from noble families with good backgrounds. After completing their studies here, they would either make a name for themselves in the martial world or return to inherit their family businesses.

With Divine Wanderers level cultivation, they could suppress many threats and were strong among their peers.

"Sorry, the Li family's secret techniques are not for outsiders."

Li Hao smiled, "But I can teach you what the White Hall mainly practices. Which sword technique do you use? I can teach you."

"You haven't learned it, how can you teach?"

Someone questioned, finding Li Hao's words too casual, and their impression of him changed.

"I can learn now."

Li Hao smiled, asking, "Who has a sword manual? Lend it to me."

Hearing this, everyone was stunned, and then some became dissatisfied. Li Hao's words seemed too arrogant, as if he didn't take the lesson seriously.

Their initial expectations suddenly felt unmet.

Song Yueyao frowned, feeling her impression of Li Hao change. He seemed too presumptuous.

"Young Master Li, we genuinely want to learn."

Someone kindly reminded him.

"If so, then let's start quickly. Is there a sword manual?" Li Hao asked.

Seeing Li Hao still so insistent, many felt disappointed and frowned.

Teaching by glancing at a manual? Even if he could teach well, this attitude was terrible.

Song Yueyao's eyes also showed disappointment. The young genius was real, but so was his arrogance.

Everyone's faces showed dissatisfaction, but no one spoke up.

If he didn't want to teach, fine. Why pretend? Being a young master of the God General's Mansion was impressive, but...

These thoughts remained unspoken. No one dared to openly offend Li Hao, not being foolish.

Li Hao looked around, seeing their expressions, and understood their thoughts, feeling a bit helpless. He scanned the room, his gaze landing on Song Yueyao: "Hey, Song Yueyao, do you have a sword manual? Let me see."

Song Yueyao, called out, felt a bit awkward, especially with the eyes on her. She frowned:

"I didn't bring a sword manual. I've nearly mastered this sword technique."

"Then find me one."

Li Hao said.

Song Yueyao was speechless, pouting reluctantly. About to ask her friend Lin Feifei for one, a young man spoke up:

"Young Master Li, I have one."

He quickly handed the sword manual to Li Hao, smiling obsequiously: "Young Master Li, I'm Ma Jing."

He wore a flattering expression.

Li Hao nodded.

As Ma Jing returned, light chuckles and snickers could be heard, clearly mocking his sycophancy.

Ma Jing didn't care. Regardless of Li Hao's attitude, this was a chance to curry favor. Only a fool would miss it.

"Give me a moment."

Li Hao said, taking the manual and addressing the students.

He then lowered his head to read.

Page by page, the words and diagrams made sense to him with his profound understanding of swordsmanship. By the time he reached halfway, he could almost deduce the rest.

This was an upper-grade sword manual called "Yin-Yang Inversion Sword."

[Basic understanding acquired, would you like to record?] Record.

Li Hao silently confirmed.

Soon, a torrent of information flowed into his mind. With his current cultivation, he absorbed and processed it easily, closing his eyes briefly before fully assimilating it.

He glanced at his interface: Yin-Yang Inversion Sword (True State) · Yin-Yang Reversal.

Yin-Yang Reversal was the sword technique's ultimate move. Most techniques, with his Dao realm comprehension, revealed their ultimate moves. Like the ultimate move of Falling Snow Sword Technique, Avalanche! "You at the door, come in and join us."

Before teaching, Li Hao didn't forget the young man standing outside.

The young man, having heard Sun Hongdian's introduction, had been eavesdropping and peeking in.

Surprised to be called in, he felt a sense of warmth and surprise.

As for learning swordsmanship, whether Li Hao intended to teach seriously or not, he had no interest. He had never liked martial arts, being forced by his martial family background.

"Thank you, Young Master Li. I'm Zhou Zheng." The young man said.

Li Hao nodded, "Take your seat."

After Zhou Zheng returned to his seat, Li Hao said, "I'll demonstrate a perfect-level 'Yin-Yang Inversion Sword' for you. Try to absorb as much as you can."

What? The students, already losing interest, were stunned, some covering their mouths to stifle laughter.

Just by glancing at a manual, he claimed to teach them a perfect-level technique?

This was an upper-grade technique. Even for a prodigy, it would take months to master perfectly.

Hearing such bold words, they were ready to see a show.

Song Yueyao frowned deeply. Li Hao didn't seem like a braggart, but today's interaction was disappointing.

Maybe the brief encounter in Cangyu City had been misleading.

Sighing, she turned away, not even wanting to watch, finding it uninteresting.

On stage, Li Hao casually summoned a sword from the weapon rack.

The use of object manipulation drew a bit more seriousness from some initially mocking students.

Regardless of his attitude, this young master's cultivation was formidable.

Holding the sword, Li Hao, with his usual calm demeanor, sent the manual back to Ma Jing's desk and began to perform.

The Yin-Yang Inversion Sword had moves alternating between reality and illusion, intertwined with complexity.

It was three degrees more difficult than the Falling Snow Sword Technique.

But now, as Li Hao casually swung his sword, his figure was as elegant as jade, his sword strikes like a rainbow. The intricate Yin-Yang Inversion Sword unfolded flawlessly before the students.

In an instant, the mocking smiles froze.

The sneers faded, replaced by wide-eyed astonishment at the exquisite, intricate swordplay.

The hall fell silent, leaving Song Yueyao puzzled. She turned back to see Li Hao, who she thought was about to perform tricks, now dazzling with the Yin-Yang Inversion Sword.

Stunned, she froze.

She had practiced this technique almost to perfection, but she couldn't replicate the exquisite performance before her.

Reality and illusion, which was which?

Or perhaps, they were both real, both illusions?

She couldn't distinguish anymore, lost in the mesmerizing swordplay.

As Li Hao finished the demonstration, the hall remained silent for a while.

He sheathed his sword, glancing at the students, waiting for them to process before breaking the silence:

"Did you all get it?"

"…"

"…"

The students snapped back, speechless and silent.

Get it?

Just by watching once, you ask if we got it?! We want to, but… we can't remember it all! "Um... Young Master Li, did you really just learn this sword technique?"

Someone couldn't help but ask.

The realization dawned on everyone, eyes widening, staring at Li Hao like he was a ghost.

Just one glance at the manual, and he had learned it?

And not just learned, but perfected it in one go?!! Song Yueyao was also stunned, her lips slightly parted, throat feeling blocked, unable to speak.

Li Hao sighed, "Though the Li family has many techniques, Tan Palace Academy's methods are not shared. We wouldn't dare to steal them."

Even if we did, I wouldn't tell you... Li Hao silently added.

Hearing this, everyone looked at each other. It was true.

Every sect had its secret techniques, and if someone tried to steal them, it would be a grave offense, bringing repercussions.

"So you..."

Everyone was confused. If he didn't steal it, did he really master it on the spot?

By just looking once? "Let's not dwell on that. Recall as much as you can. Once you've absorbed what you remember, I'll demonstrate it slowly again." Li Hao said.

Realizing this, the students quickly began recalling the demonstration.

The hall returned to silence.

With nothing else to do, Li Hao brought in his painting board from outside.

He set up the board and started painting in front of the students.

As for what to paint, Li Hao already had an idea.

He would paint all the students.

Even though they were all Divine Wanderers and not highly ranked, a large group would still provide valuable experience.

Seeing Li Hao's strange behavior, some were curious, but no one interrupted, focusing on their recollections.

After a while, Li Hao finished his painting, estimating half an hour had passed.

Those who could absorb the demonstration likely had done so. Those who couldn't had probably forgotten by now.

Clearing his throat, he said, "I'll demonstrate again, slowly this time. Watch carefully."

The students, immediately attentive, fixed their eyes on Li Hao.

Li Hao picked up his sword and began another demonstration, this time much slower.