Chapter One Hundred and One: As Foolish as a Pig, as Fierce as a Wolf

The puppet’s attacks were impressively executed, not particularly refined in technique, but swift and fierce. Xiao Nan, uncertain of his own strength and wary of damaging what was clearly a precious instrument, responded cautiously, dismantling each move as it came. He used only thirty percent of his power—that is, five hundred pounds.

A menacing aura surged forward. The puppet struck with its sword, advancing and slashing in a smooth, natural arc. Even in the gravity chamber, where the force was tripled, its movements remained quick and fluid, seemingly unaffected. Xiao Nan was forced back half a step but felt no urge to increase his strength; it was just right. He cycled through basic sword forms, occasionally employing the Silk-Spinning Rain Slash or the Withered Blossom Three Forms, but never resorted to the Triple Sword Curtain for defense.

He had come to test his sword, harmonizing his learned techniques with his body, adjusting to the nuances of power, muscle, and bone in the rhythm of attack and defense. There was no rush to defeat the puppet.

After blocking twenty strikes, he unleashed the Blood-Draining Ten Swords twice. Then, to his delight, the puppet’s style shifted—each thrust remained within a three-foot radius, advancing and retreating as one, weaving back and forth.

“What sword style is this? It sounds familiar—Three-Foot Sword, Unbreakable Three Feet.”

He realized the puppet had been programmed with various offensive techniques from different schools. Though the moves seemed basic and didn’t incorporate the flow of internal energy, it was still impressive. Jiang Yu was ambitious; she wanted the puppet to help students learn the forms of all sects, so they could then dismantle them with the Four Seasons Sword.

It was a sound strategy. Encountering myriad techniques, even if imperfect, was valuable experience; seeing the original versions later would not leave one at a loss, and they could respond with ease.

In just five minutes, Xiao Nan had faced three sets of sword styles, five sets of blade techniques, and four sets of spear forms. These basic moves were not profound, but the varied concepts within them gave Xiao Nan much inspiration.

His Four Seasons Sword cycled through Silk-Spinning, Rain Slash, and Withered Blossom; occasionally, he thrust forth a Startling Thunder Sword, sealing the area around him tight. His strikes alternated between heavy as a mountain and gentle as water, the transition between forceful and subtle seamless and uncontrived.

Swordplay flowed at his whim, effortless and free.

He was thoroughly enjoying the practice.

Suddenly, the puppet’s sword paused and stopped. The iron door creaked open, and a girl poked her head in, calling softly, “Xiao Nan, sorry, but time’s up. The main control panel has cut off the energy supply.”

The attendant’s face was full of apology, as if she had wronged Xiao Nan terribly.

Xiao Nan exhaled deeply, suppressing his disappointment, and composed himself with a smile, “It’s fine, I’ll come again next time.”

In his heart, he wondered just how many sets of techniques the puppet contained. One day, he would have to try them all from start to finish.

“The Empire’s mechanical technology is impressive—I may have underestimated these auxiliary devices.”

As he left the Four Seasons Sword Hall, Xiao Nan glanced back, a question suddenly coming to mind.

“If the second-generation puppets here are this responsive, able to pre-load various commands and demonstrate diverse techniques, what improvements do the third, fourth, and fifth generations have? And the so-called Berserk Ape puppet at the school—what generation is that?”

The Alliance of Colleges could rival the traditional sects in both resources and technology; they shouldn’t lag behind. He suddenly felt a surge of anticipation.

...

Not long after Xiao Nan left, Jiang Yu appeared at the corner on the second floor.

“Master.”

Gao Yuan hurried forward. “Xiao Nan spent an hour in the training room and practiced swordplay with the puppet for ten minutes.”

“How did it go? What’s his strength like? Did he seem reluctant to leave?” Jiang Yu asked with a smile.

It was her idea to send an invitation card to entice him to train—a subtle tactic like the Spring Sword, silently nurturing approval.

Everyone has desires, and as a high school student about to face exams, Xiao Nan was no exception.

“You guessed right, Master. When Xiao Nan was leaving, he looked very disappointed—I think he wanted to practice more; he almost didn’t want to go,” Gao Yuan recalled the gentle smile of the young man, feeling quietly guilty. “Don’t blame me—I’m just doing my job. Besides, it doesn’t hurt you. Not one bit.”

With her resolve reinforced, Gao Yuan entered a side room and opened the door.

Inside, a light screen was frozen on an image: a young man wielding a long sword, pointing it diagonally forward. A jade-white puppet, eyes glowing red, slashed its sword, as powerful as a halberd or battle-axe...

“In a triple-gravity environment, to wield a sword so effortlessly and smoothly—he is truly a natural talent for my Four Seasons Sword,” Jiang Yu nearly drooled as she replayed the recording.

“Gao Yuan, what about the strength calculations and blood energy assessment?”

“All done. His strength is about five hundred pounds, and his blood energy fluctuates between 2.4 and 2.5, according to calculations. Of course, he may be holding back. It was just practice—no need to go all out.”

“A blood energy below 3.0 is a bit low... But judging by his confident demeanor and his eagerness to take the blood energy test, he must have broken through 3.0. Clever boy—he hides his power during training, even when no one’s watching. Is he guarding against me?”

Jiang Yu’s expression shifted, then she smiled again. “Let him guard if he wants; I mean him no harm. Rather than wasting years in a second- or third-rate martial university, he could help expand the Four Seasons Sword’s domain.

Lin Anguo is a treacherous man. The blood energy test will certainly be troublesome...

When he’s seen the dark side of human nature, and is lost and disheartened, I’ll personally invite him—then, he won’t refuse.”

The very thought of securing such a gifted individual before others even noticed made Jiang Yu almost ecstatic with pride.

Gao Yuan observed, feeling that Jiang Yu’s mood was somewhat off, and cautiously asked, “Master, what if Lin Anguo’s schemes don’t work? Xiao Nan seems quite formidable—even Jiang Lin couldn’t match him.”

“That’s because Jiang Lin didn’t give his all; they were comparing sword skills, not raw strength.” Feeling good, Jiang Yu explained a bit more than usual.

“Heh, Gao Yuan, you don’t understand people like Lin Anguo. I heard that during a martial contest, when Lin Hao was gravely injured, Lin Anguo flew into a rage and personally attacked Xiao Nan.

From that, you can see—he’s crazy.”

Facing a power-hungry madman’s targeted assault, Xiao Nan would be hard-pressed to cope.

Jiang Yu’s smile grew strange.

Gao Yuan’s mouth fell open, incredulous, “Such a person could rise to the position of vice principal at Yuanjiang First High? Are the officials in the College Alliance blind?”

“That’s where you’re mistaken. Do you think officials rely on deep scheming and cunning? Gao Yuan, every year so many are investigated and fall from grace—look at what they actually did. Each is as stupid as a pig, as ruthless as a wolf...

Blinded by profit, they do all sorts of foolish things.

So, getting ahead depends on methods and connections—nothing else matters. As long as you eliminate all rivals and crush those who offend you, you can rise above all. Understand?”