In the martial arts world, the Six Meridian Swords are not real swords. Originally, they were the sword energy transformed from the force of the Yi Yang Finger, which has substance but no form and can be called formless sword energy.
The Six Meridian Swords were created by the founding emperor of Dali, Duan Sipeng, who, after encountering a peculiar situation, gained supreme internal power and mastered the Yi Yang Finger with ease.
However, Duan Sipeng had a love for sword techniques, and through continuous effort, he discovered and created six sets of sword techniques. He won many duels, but he was still unsatisfied and wished for his sword technique to be invincible.
Duan Sipeng realized that because the six sets of sword techniques were not connected, there were flaws when switching between them. But, with his exceptional intelligence, he thought of using the finger to replace the sword.
Using pure and high-grade Yang Qi as the foundation of the Yi Yang Finger, he shot out sword energy with his fingers instead of using a real sword. The wrist movement was flexible, making the switch between sword techniques flawless, and the six sword techniques, when rotated and utilized, were far stronger than using only one sword.
From then on, Duan Sipeng's name spread across the world, and the Six Meridian Swords became invincible in the martial arts world. However, due to the immense internal power required as a foundation, few in later generations were able to master it.
Xiao Yan knew that his version of the "Six Meridian Swords" was only possible because he had connected his meridians from a young age, allowing his internal power to flow freely through the six meridians. He understood how to release energy through his meridians.
Since the internal power circulated and the points targeted varied, the power was almost identical to the real Six Meridian Swords. However, there were still considerable gaps to achieving the true form.
First, he didn't understand swordsmanship, so the energy he released was just a direct shot, and he couldn't replicate the breathtaking sword techniques recorded in the real Six Meridian Swords.
It worked well against soul beasts, but against humans, he feared that his flaws would quickly be exposed.
Thus, he needed to create some techniques to make his fake swordsmanship more authentic.
Secondly, the rotation of the six sword techniques was essential.
His meridians were connected, so rotating and utilizing the techniques wasn't hard, but to unleash the full power, it would require immense perseverance and hard practice.
Remembering all the things he needed to do, Xiao Yan knew that he couldn't afford to slack off just because he was entering the Soul Master Academy.
The next day.
Xiao Yan went with Old Jack to the Notting Junior Soul Master Academy. Along the way, Xiao Yan had to explain his drastic change in appearance.
On the road, Old Jack was munching on a roasted rabbit leg with a smile of enjoyment on his face: "Xiao San, your cooking skills are good enough to open a restaurant."
Taking the opportunity, Xiao Yan replied, "Grandpa Jack, you can just call me Xiao Yan from now on. Dad allowed me to change my name since I'm going to school."
"Xiao Yan?" Old Jack was taken aback. "Although your previous name, Tang San, wasn't very pleasant, it wasn't bad enough to change your name completely, right?"
Xiao Yan replied, "Who knows?"
Old Jack shook his head. "Tang Hao is getting stranger and stranger."
Sighing, Old Jack took another bite of rabbit meat. "But, Tang Hao did do something right – sending you to the Notting Junior Soul Master Academy to learn. In this Douluo Continent, only by becoming a soul master can you stand out."
Xiao Yan smiled but said nothing. He already had the strength of a Soul Saint, far surpassing what Old Jack referred to as standing out. Now, he just wanted to understand this world and make himself even stronger.
It wasn't far from Holy Soul Village to Notting City. After half a day of travel, they stopped for more rabbit meat along the way. By midday, they could already see the city walls in the distance.
Of course, this was because Xiao Yan was adjusting his pace to match Old Jack's speed. If he traveled alone, he could reach the city in less than an hour.
Although Notting City wasn't a huge city, because it was so close to the border of the Heaven Dou Empire, the city walls were still quite sturdy.
After the usual inspection, Xiao Yan and Old Jack, like other travelers, entered Notting City.
"Xiao Yan," Old Jack said, "I'll leave you at the academy and head back. While you're at the academy, you need to listen to the teachers and never leave the school on your own. When the term ends, I'll come pick you up. By then, it will almost be the New Year."
Xiao Yan glanced at the high-hanging sun. Knowing that the round trip would take about seven hours, he asked, "Grandpa Jack, are you leaving so soon?"
Old Jack smiled bitterly. "Hotels are not something poor people like us can afford. You have to work hard, Xiao Yan. When I see you next time, I hope you're a soul master. That way, our Holy Soul Village will be proud of you."
Xiao Yan nodded slightly, but in his heart, he knew that Old Jack's deep desire for a soul master in the village was more than just hope. Although he could become a soul master—and even a powerful one—he wasn't really from Holy Soul Village. He had come from the outside. If he left in the future, it would be hard for the village to produce another soul master.
After all, soul masters' inheritances were based on bloodlines.
Looking at the aging Old Jack, Xiao Yan relaxed a little. At least while Old Jack was alive, he would be happy. As for decades later, when Old Jack was gone, it wouldn't matter much.
The Notting Junior Soul Master Academy was located in the western part of Notting City. Old Jack asked a passerby for directions and brought Xiao Yan to the academy's entrance.
From a distance, Xiao Yan saw a grand archway. The archway was twenty meters wide and over ten meters high, constructed from solid stone. Below were two iron gates, dark and imposing.
Through the gates, Xiao Yan could see a winding path leading deeper into the academy, with tall trees lining both sides.
In the center of the arch, there were four large characters: "Notting Academy."
Looking at it, Xiao Yan thought to himself that the Notting Academy was quite wealthy. It was much more refined than the universities he had attended in his past life.
Just from the main gate, it was evident how extraordinary the profession of a soul master was in the Douluo Continent, and this was just a junior soul master academy.
As they reached the entrance, Xiao Yan and Old Jack were immediately stopped by a young gatekeeper: "What are you doing here? Do you think people from your little village are allowed here?"
Although Old Jack was dressed very well in Holy Soul Village, his attire was rather rustic when compared to the more urban standards of Notting City.
As for Xiao Yan, despite his handsome looks after awakening the Blue Silver Emperor, he cared nothing for his appearance, focusing solely on martial arts. He wore simple robes, which seemed out of place compared to others.
In the eyes of the gatekeeper, the two looked like they didn't belong. He looked at them with disdain.
Being reprimanded, Old Jack wasn't angry. He even smiled and said, "Brother, we're from Holy Soul Village, and this child is a worker-student sent from our village today. Could you please tell us what formalities we need to complete?"
The gatekeeper furrowed his brows, his tone sarcastic as he replied, "Can a grass hut produce a golden phoenix? A small village has someone with soul power? There haven't been worker-students in years. You're not impostors, are you?"
Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed. The gatekeeper was truly unreasonable. The academy was so luxurious, yet the person guarding the gate was like this?
(End of Chapter)