The catch inspired my entry: Persistence will eventually lead to invincibility.

"Is this Sanli Town?"

Chen Shi slowed down and gently brought the boat to rest on the shore.

He drove a boat stake, as thick as a forearm, deep into the mud, tightened the mooring ropes to ensure the sampan wouldn't be swept away by the current, and then turned and left.

This was his first time visiting Sanli Town.

In this world with extremely underdeveloped transportation, even if two towns are only a few miles apart, many people never leave their own town in their entire lives.

Once ashore, Chen Shi asked an old man who was farming for directions.

Upon hearing that they were looking for Shen Lang, the steward of the Canglang Gang, the old man immediately became enthusiastic. If he hadn't been busy with farm work, he would have almost led the way himself.

"Canglang Gang... what kind of gang is this?" Chen Shi couldn't help but wonder on his way to Canglang Hall.

Such a sincere tone and gaze could not be achieved through pretense. What good deeds must a gang have done to earn the heartfelt gratitude of the entire town's inhabitants?

He couldn't come up with an answer for the time being, so he continued on his way.

Unlike Baishui Town, Sanli Town is much poorer.

This can be seen from the road beneath your feet.

The streets were not paved with bluestone slabs, but rather with lumps of yellow mud that had been trodden on countless times until they became hard and smooth, thus forming a network of roads.

It took Chen Shi almost an incense stick's time to arrive at the entrance of Canglang Hall.

Not far away, a man with a sword at his waist stood with his hands behind his back.

"Deacon Shen!" Chen Shi jogged forward and clasped his hands in greeting.

Shen Lang nodded slightly and asked, "After returning yesterday, did you carefully study the swordsmanship?"

Chen Shi nodded, "I watched it several times and learned a few moves."

"Oh?" Shen Lang raised an eyebrow, immediately showing interest.

He drew his long sword from his waist and handed it to the young man in front of him.

"Try to practice your swordsmanship based on your understanding," Shen Lang said.

In his imagination, Chen Shizhen was truly talented, and after a night of study, he was currently somewhere between "knowing" and "not knowing." Then, he would guide him through the confusion, and finally, he would have a sudden realization and successfully master the first level of the "Canglang Sword Technique."

But now, this young man in front of me actually says he knows it?

Shen Lang was skeptical.

He considered himself to have some martial arts talent, and it took him three days to successfully master the first level of the "Canglang Blade Technique." Although he thought highly of Chen Shi and believed that the other party also had martial arts talent, he did not consider him a peerless genius, but simply wanted to cultivate him as a younger version of himself.

"It's understandable that young people are competitive. However, this mentality is not conducive to martial arts cultivation. I need to spend some time correcting it later." Shen Lang thought to himself as he looked at Chen Shi, who had taken a stance.

"Let's begin," he said loudly.

Chen Shi hummed in agreement and began practicing his swordsmanship. This was not a difficult task for him.

After his [Canglang Blade Technique] was upgraded to the second level, he gained memories of the first two levels. His body also seemed to have undergone some kind of modification; whenever he held a blade, he would naturally use the blade technique.

"Swish! Swish! Swish!"

Chen Shi swung his sword extremely fast, and the sound of it cutting through the air echoed through the air.

The movements are fluid and natural, seemingly effortless, and are by no means crude imitations.

"This...how is this possible?" Shen Lang stood there dumbfounded.

"Could this kid really be a diamond in the rough?" he muttered to himself.

Then he suddenly laughed, feeling like he had found a treasure.

Although this sword technique isn't exactly top-notch, learning it in one night, and reaching the second level without any guidance, requires exceptional martial arts talent.

"Born with great strength, indicating excellent aptitude; self-taught, demonstrating exceptional comprehension. Tsk tsk tsk... Such a promising talent, yet he wasn't taken as a personal disciple by those self-proclaimed grandmasters, but instead, I, Shen Lang, stumbled upon him. I really don't know whether you're blind or I have a discerning eye."

"Stop," Shen Lang waved his hand.

"Your swordsmanship has now reached the second level."

"It should be as Deacon Shen said, that we have reached the second floor," Chen Shi replied.

If the entry didn't have a corresponding description, he wouldn't actually be able to distinguish between the first and second levels.

"Very good." Shen Lang nodded slightly.

"Your martial arts talent is quite good, but you haven't joined a martial arts school. I don't know the reason why, nor do I want to know. I only have one thing to ask you right now. I'm willing to take you as my disciple. What do you think?"

Shen Lang wouldn't miss this golden opportunity.

Who knows if we'll ever encounter such a promising talent again?

He hoped Chen Shi would agree, so that in his lifetime he might witness someone else cultivate the "Canglang Saber Technique" to the ninth level again.

Seeing that Chen Shi remained silent, Shen Lang added:

"Even if you refuse, everything I promised before will remain unchanged. But I hope you will agree. Although my martial arts level is not high, I believe I have some expertise in swordsmanship. No martial artist in your White Water Town can surpass me in this aspect."

Furthermore, with my guidance, your martial arts training will be much smoother. If one day you feel I can no longer teach you anything, you are naturally free to disown me as your master, and I, Shen Lang, will not stop you. I only hope that after you, Chen Shi, learn better martial arts in the future, you will still be able to continue practicing the *Canglang Saber Technique*.

Shen Lang genuinely wanted to take Chen Shi as his disciple.

He wasn't doing this for any reason other than to provide for someone in their old age; he simply wanted someone to cultivate this martial art to its peak once again. And Chen Shi was the person he saw as the most promising.

"Should I accept his proposal?" Chen Shi pondered.

"This martial art has become part of my skill set. I don't need to practice hard to level it up. Shen Lang's guidance on swordsmanship is useless to me. However, his martial arts level is comparable to the martial arts masters in town. Although I have swordsmanship, I don't know how to hone my martial arts physique."

If I agree, I will be able to learn the corresponding cultivation method from Shen Lang, and my relationship with Shen Lang and the Canglang Gang will become closer. If I encounter any trouble, I may even get help.

Unlike joining a martial arts school, this doesn't affect my fishing catch. Besides, Shen Lang doesn't seem to care much about taking on disciples; judging from his tone, he just wants me to continue practicing this sword technique…”

After a brief silence, Chen Shi nodded: "No problem."

It was a choice he made after careful consideration.

In this world, connections matter, especially when you're on the decline. Tying yourself to Shen Lang is like having a safety net.

Upon hearing this answer, Shen Lang's tightly furrowed brows relaxed.

He felt like a cunning fox who had finally tricked the treasure into his hands.

After that, Shen Lang gave Chen Shi another long sword.

Unlike the swords carried by ordinary gang members, this long sword is sharper and more exquisite, and is something only deacons are qualified to possess, but now it has been given to Chen Shi.

"Go back and cultivate diligently. With your talent, I believe you'll surpass me very soon." Shen Lang smiled and patted Chen Shi on the shoulder.

"Professor Shen, you flatter me!" Chen Shi clasped his hands in a gesture of apology.

"Master Shen?" Shen Lang said with a smile, "You're quite clever, changing your tune so quickly."

Just as the two were joking around, a member of the gang rushed over.

He approached Shen Lang, his expression serious, and clasped his hands in greeting:

"It's terrible, Steward Shen! A group of sea thieves have suddenly appeared at the river mouth!"