Chapter 10

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Early in the morning, Vail was about to prepare to go to the mountains to start today's cultivation, but was stopped by Nice.

"Vail, you have been in the sword hall for more than a year, and you have been getting stronger, but your training has remained the same. There has been no qualitative improvement. Moreover, even if you cultivate strength, it's only a shelf. What you need now is actual combat," Nice said, pausing as if contemplating something.

"Yes, Master, I don't feel that I can keep training like this forever. Even if I practice Sword Technique and Body Technique, I lack actual combat experience. If I encounter an enemy in the future, it must be me," Vail agreed with Nice, expressing a desire to increase his practical combat experience.

"That's good. In that case, I'll give you two proposals. The first is to go to Loguetown and challenge the swordhouses on the surrounding islands, but in your own name. This method is safer, but the effect is not obvious. The second is to learn survival skills in the wild. It will take about two months. Afterward, go to a nearby desert island and fight and survive against the beasts there. This will enhance your actual combat skills, toughen your spirit, accustom you to the taste of battle, and improve your survival abilities. Think about it and come to me," Nice proposed, leaving the decision to Vail.

"Master, please teach me the survival skills in the wild. I choose the second option," Vail promptly replied without much deliberation.

Nice turned back and looked at Vail with an expression he hadn't shown before. He indicated for Vail to follow him.

Vail followed Nice to the middle of the room, entering through the door. Unlike usual, Nice didn't take the innermost cushion but stepped on it lightly, then heavily. Two iron bars popped up above the door, locking it back in hidden grooves on both sides. The wall opposite the door slowly separated, revealing a chamber of about 30 square meters.

The interior was simple, with a large round table and six chairs. One of the chairs was more luxurious than the others, presumably Nice's seat.

Entering the secret room, Vail saw Nice press a circular mechanism on the lower wall. The two walls behind them slowly closed.

Seated in the main position, Nice gestured for Vail to sit down and began to speak.

"Vail, when you first came to the sword gym, I didn't like you too much. I dismissed you as an errand apprentice. However, in a year, you've proven your character and talent. As for where you came from, your identity, and the fact that you can use Lightning without being a Devil Fruit Ability User, I don't want to ask. I just want to know, are you willing to be my apprentice? My apprentice in Longliang, not just an apprentice in the Nice Pavilion," Long Liang addressed Vail by his real name.

In East Blue and even in the first half of the Grand Line, only three people knew their true names. Vail became the fourth person to know because Long Liang saw hope in him, hope to fulfill a dream that had eluded him in his lifetime.

"Teacher, from the time you taught me Sword Technique every night, you became my master. You are the only master in my life, no matter what you call yourself," Vail sincerely answered, looking at Long Liang.

"Hahaha, good. From today, you are the apprentice of Longliang, not just an apprentice in the swordhouse," Long Liang said happily, continuing to speak to Vail.

"My name is Long Liang, from the United Kingdom of the New World. Later, because I inadvertently learned the secret of the country and the moon, I was chased by Guangyue Yutian. The Guangyue family is the Royal Family of the country. So I could only escape to East Blue with this secret. Specifics are beyond your current understanding, but it involves a murder.

The brains of the Guangyue family, the Congress, and the monster are already aware. My family used to be a vassal of the Guangyue family, and one of my ancestors was the Swordman, Longma! Unfortunately, my family has fallen.

Guangyue Yutian didn't single-mindedly try to kill me. It was more of a chase, an expulsion from New World.

I know that my Sword Technique is lacking compared to my family, and various incidents prevented me from making efforts. So I came to East Blue, opened a sword gym, taught Sword Technique, and sought out talented young individuals as Disciples. I hope that one day, my Disciples can help me achieve my mission and dreams.

So far, I've taken in five Disciples, two of whom have passed away. You know the remaining two, Rom Roy and Olivia Ann.

The two, even though married, are brother and sister. Originally, I intended to train Roy as the top Swordman, but fate had other plans. We'll talk more about that later.

I've said enough for now. Wait until you return from the desert island. Over the next two months, I'll personally teach you Survival Skills in the wild, broadening your horizons. I must mention that I am from the New World. Although Strength is common there, it's not without its challenges," Long Liang spoke to Vail, reminiscing.

Listening to Long Liang's words, Vail was stunned. Before he could say anything, Long Liang waved his hand.

"Go back for now. I need to prepare something. Come over tomorrow morning. In the next two months, aside from nighttime practice, spend all your time learning survival knowledge," Long Liang instructed as he opened the secret room's door.

"I'll go first, Master," Vail said and left the secret room, turning around to walk back to his own room.

"Don't disappoint me, Vail. I've given you my last hope. I don't have the energy or time to train another Disciple," Long Liang muttered to himself as he watched Vail's departing figure.

Back in his room, Vail lay on the bed, his heart unsettled. Discovering a sword in the sword hall had led him to a formidable master. Although the master claimed not to be exceptionally strong, his identity carried significant weight. Could it be that the legendary 'crossing aura' truly existed in travelers? Perhaps it was just a coincidence.

The Longma lineage seemed fine, but being privy to the secrets of the Guangyue family was incredible.

The Guangyue family's identity might be perceived as the Royal Family of the country by the average person. However, their other identity was perilous. Eight hundred years ago, the Guangyue family wasn't initially a Royal Family but a 'Masonry' family with advanced stone processing technology. Their most renowned work was the indestructible book, "History."

Their ancestors crafted the history documented in this book. Should Longma's accidental discovery be kept within the pages of history?

The more Vail thought about it, the more intriguing it became. In any case, decisions about the future would be made later. For now, he would continue developing the core of Ray.

Vail noticed that the Lightning intensity of Ray's core couldn't be increased. However, the stronger he became, the higher the Lightning intensity. It was intricately linked to Vail's body quality.

Getting up and sitting down, he resumed studying the core of Thunder and his secondary Ability.

As the second day approached, Vail arrived at Long Liang's room. He was greeted by a mountain of books and various materials strewn about. Was this some kind of entrance examination?

Over the next two months, Vail faced the greatest challenge of the Pirate World. Daily practice of various skills was manageable, but the real struggle was dealing with the environmental changes on different islands, encountering various animals and plants, evaluating the levels of danger, distinguishing toxic and non-toxic elements, and determining the practicality of different items. Learning how to avoid dangerous animals on desert islands, especially various insects and cold-blooded creatures, and gathering information about wild seasonings were some of the topics he delved into.

Without his past experiences, enduring this would have been inconceivable for Vail. If it weren't for the master's advice to enhance memory and utilize it for practicing his Ability, he might not have persevered.

After two months of hardship, Vail completed his studies and prepared for the next phase. The success of implementing this knowledge would now depend on Vail. Unfortunately, Loguetown couldn't provide the necessary conditions.

Vail set his sights on an island a little farther from Loguetown—'Arabella.'

'Arabella' had been discovered by a marine branch in East Blue. Initially, the local marine had aspirations to develop the island. However, the abundance of powerful beasts posed a significant challenge. Clearing the island with cannons would destroy the land, making development impractical. Consequently, the marine branch abandoned the small island, giving it the name 'Arabella' as part of its title.

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If you want to read 5 chapters ahead go to

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