Surprise

Shi clan, Logistics Hall.

Ding ding!

Shi Xingwan went up to the only counter found within the hall and tapped on the bell twice to notify the one in-charge that people were here.

"Yes, yes. Coming," a melodious voice could be heard which surprised Shi Xingwan who has only heard the person in charge speak with a deep voice. Not long after, a young man appeared in front of Shi Xingwan and Shi Li.

"Oh, if it isn't the patriarch and Young Master Shi Li," the young man's eyes widened and bowed respectfully to the two. "What kind of assistance may I offer to give?"

Shi Xingwan composed himself and said in a calm voice, "Bring me a training sword. My son needs it to practice his sword technique."

"Alrighty then," the young man smiled as a wisp of qi travelled to the room behind the counter as soft sounds of metal clanging could be heard.

"Is there anything else I can help you with?" The young man then turned his head to face Shi Li eye to eye. A small glint flashed through the eyes. "Specifically, Young Master Shi Li?"

"Uh..." Shi Li didn't know why the young man behind the counter asked him, but all of a sudden he felt an aura that wanted to kill him come from the young man. Although he could endure the aura that came from his father, he was sure that his father suppressed his aura as a test. This young man in front of him might not be suppressing his aura at all, letting Shi Li feel true terror from him.

Noticing the aura that emanated from the young man, Shi Xingwan instantly released the full power of his aura which somewhat lacked in front of the young man's aura but wasn't far off. "Stop it. He's just at the second Martial Novice stage."

The young man looked at Shi Xingwan and sighed as he helplessly smiled. "As expected from his father, you won't hesitate to protect him from harm." At this moment, a deep yet melodious voice could be heard coming from the man as he retracted his aura. The young man then looked at Shi Li and smiled apologetically. "I'm sorry, Young Master Shi Li. That was just a test."

Hearing the young man's voice somewhat stunned him since he was used to the previous voice, but nonetheless, he was able to easily adapt to it and replied, "It's fine. It's fine."

The young man laughed at the fact that Shi Li was able to maintain his composure from the pressure he endured. He then looked at Shi Xingwan and asked, "Xingwan, shouldn't he know my true identity? Though he knows that I'm the one in charge of the Logistics Hall, you know I'm more than that right?"

Shi Li tilted his head from confusion and looked at his father. "Father, what does he mean?"

Shi Xingwan looked at his son and sighed. He then pointed at the young man. "My son, this person right here is actually one of the six Elders of the Shi clan. No one knows his true name, but we all call him Elder Yan."

"E-Elder?!" Shi Li looked at the young man with shock. Shouldn't the elders look extremely old just like in the novels he has read? Also, an elder that is in charge of the Logistics Hall? Is the clan short-staffed?

"Elder?" Shi Li looked at his father and asked, "Are you sure about that Father? Although his aura was extremely overbearing, he must not be that strong compared to you, right?"

Shi Xingwan looked at his son's eyes and sighed. "Shi Li, don't underestimate Elder Yan. He's the strongest Elder within the Shi clan, and the strongest member as well."

Hearing his father say such words, Shi Li felt like his reality crumbled in front of him. But then again, from the start of his transmigration, everything didn't go as planned so he just took a few deep breaths and nodded. "I see, Father."

"Here you go." A wooden sword floated in midair through the wisp of qi Elder Yan released and positioned itself over Shi Li's palms. Not long after, the wisp of qi dissipated and the sword that floated dropped exactly on Shi Li's palms. Since he had more strength compared to before, the sword he was holding felt like a branch in terms of weight.

"Thanks Elder Yan," Shi Xingwan said as both him and his son walked towards the door. "My son might come back sooner or later, so please help him as much as possible."

"Okay," Elder Yan smiled. He then shouted to Shi Li, "You better get first place in that Martial Novice tournament."

Shi Li turned his head and nodded.

"I will."

...

Shi clan, Shi Li's courtyard.

After parting ways with his father, Shi Li went back to his courtyard with the two techniques he handpicked from the library.

Deciding on whether he would cultivate the sword or the hammer technique first, it took him a while to come to the conclusion to cultivate the sword technique first.

"The [Three Element Sword Technique]," Shi Li muttered as he started to read the book.

"Focusing on the three elements of fire, water, and earth, one must imitate the properties of the element in their slash to truly show the technique's prowess."

"Once the cultivator has successfully executed the Flame Slash, the cultivator has reached the Novice level. Once the cultivator has successfully executed the Water Slash, the cultivator has reached the Adept level. Once the cultivator has successfully executed the Elite level." Shi Li continued to read.

"Once the cultivator has successfully executed a slash infused with two elements, the cultivator has reached the Master level. And once the cultivator has successfully executed the slash infused with all three elements, more commonly known as the Tri-elemental Slash, the cultivator has reached the Perfect level."

Shi Li placed the book down after he finished reading through its content. He was eager to start since he wanted to see the power of the final slash.

He grabbed the wooden sword he recently obtained and lifted it up as he grasped on the sword's hilt tightly.

"To execute the first slash, the Flame Slash, one must imagine their sword being filled with intense energy, wanting to be released in one go."

Shi Li then slashed down with his full power.

Bang!

A large gust of wind was created after he slashed, creating a small sonic boom within his courtyard.

He then pondered over his slash for a bit before adjusting his slash to try it once more.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

He slashed multiple times, creating multiple gusts of wind that collided with each other. Yet for some reason, there was a frown on his face.

"I can't seem to successfully execute the slash."

Well, of course it was a given he wouldn't be able to do it in one go. Many cultivators cultivate their techniques arduously over long periods of time just to gain a small bit of progress.

And to think that Shi Li would complain after only slashing a few dozen times?

He definitely has a long way to go.

"Hmm..." Shi Li pondered over his slash before recalling something. "I remember that a part of Senior Tian Zhenfei's memories were unsealed. I wonder if Senior cultivated a technique similar to my [Three Element Sword Technique] when he was at the Martial Beginner realm."

He rummaged through Tian Zhenfei's memories and successfully found a memory fragment that showed sword techniques that looked similar to Shi Li's current sword technique.

He then opened it and watched it as reference...only to be surprised.

"This is..."