Swallowing the Stars: The Wind Sword Master.

Chapter 3 Returning Early

Ning Ze was cleaning up the monster's remains.

Yang Chao and the others, who had been watching from a distance, also ran over.

Zuo Xingyuan said sourly, "Kid, you're pretty good. You managed to solve that. Has your movement technique reached the 'Subtle Level'?"

"It's a pity about this cat monster's fur. It was worth some money, but now it's covered in sword marks and is not even as valuable as its claws."

Ning Ze smiled brightly and replied, "I have to thank Uncle Zuo for finding me this opponent. He's excellent, but the later parts didn't seem very difficult, so I could only practice for a little while."

"This cat's skin is very soft. I don't intend to sell it. I plan to have someone make a glove for my sister, and make a bag from the blood-red wildebeest skin to give to my mother."

Zuo Xingyuan grinned and said irritably, "Even if he's strong, can you handle him?"

Ning Ze chuckled awkwardly.

Yang Chao said with a smile, "I knew you were something special when I saw the hungry look in your eyes this morning. I didn't expect you to give us such a big surprise. A nineteen-year-old martial artist with 'Microscopic' movement skills, your talent is among the best in the entire Yangzhou city."

Zhang Chen's eyes shone brightly as he said in a deep voice, "A movement technique at the 'Subtle Level' is more valuable than physical talent!"

Xu Liang also chimed in with a smile, "That's right. Mastering movement techniques is a combat talent, a combat genius, which is much stronger than mere physical talent."

As he spoke, his gaze swept towards Zuo Xingyuan. His regretful look seemed to say, "This one is indeed a mid-level warrior, but unfortunately his movement technique isn't at the 'Subtlety Level'."

Zuo Xingyuan looked embarrassed, cleared his throat twice, and said, "Xiao Ze is excellent, able to comprehend the 'Subtle Level' movement technique, but he can't be arrogant. Your strength and speed are still your weaknesses. No matter how good your movement technique is, it still needs strength and speed to support it. You should still work hard to cultivate and not be overly ambitious."

"You even wanted to go stronger just now. If it were a real F-rank Shadow Cat Monster, you wouldn't even have a chance to reach the 'Subtle' level of movement technique."

Ning Ze felt a chill run down his spine, suppressing his joy. He had genuinely wanted to fight a higher-level monster.

But if you deliberately put yourself in a life-or-death situation, who can guarantee that you will live?

If his movement technique hadn't been on the verge of a breakthrough this time, he probably would have struggled in vain and ultimately needed Uncle Yang's help. If he were to risk his life to cultivate in the future and no one came to his rescue, he would only face certain death.

He nodded solemnly. "Uncle Zuo, thank you. I will be vigilant."

Zuo Xingyuan regained his confidence as an elder, "Since your movements are so subtle, why don't you go back and practice a bit?"

Ning Ze refused, saying, "I feel that my movement technique is already very proficient, and I don't need to practice it."

Upon hearing this, everyone turned to look at Ma Yu with somewhat strange expressions.

This person spent a month honing his skills and another two months adapting before he could fully unleash his full combat potential!

Ma Yu's lips twitched slightly. How could these be the same?

These guys don't even have subtle movements, they know nothing!

Zuo Xingyuan defuses the situation by saying, "Brother Ning probably didn't expect you to be so talented. Although the 'Hundred Steps of Spiritual Rhinoceros' and 'Swift Wind Sword Technique' you've cultivated are quite practical, they're not good enough for your talent."

"You can't let your youth hold you back. Your main task when you get back is to acquire better techniques."

At this point, Zuo Xingyuan's eyes were filled with excitement.

Yang Chao and the others seemed to have thought of something as well, and they exchanged glances, becoming somewhat excited.

I initially thought he was just a novice junior, but I never imagined that Boss Ning's son was a genius!

On his first trip into the wilderness, his movement technique reached the "Microscopic Level"—what an incredible talent!

Having gone through life and death together for so many years, their bond is incredibly deep. They share both glory and disgrace; when one achieves success, even his chickens and dogs benefit!

As long as he lives, how far can Ning Ze go?

Ning Ze's expression faltered slightly, then he fell silent.

Which serious martial artist doesn't cultivate a sword technique or movement technique to perfection, and only after reaching a certain level of skill do they cultivate an even more powerful secret manual?

If you start by cultivating a powerful secret manual, you may become strong, but that's only because the manual is powerful. If the user can't learn it or utilize it, what's the use?

One should have self-awareness. His comprehension was quite good before, but if we're talking about cultivating secret manuals of the level of "World Destruction", "Nine-fold Thunder Blade", and "Phantom Seven Absolute Sword", he might have been able to master the first move after several years if he didn't die, thus completely missing the golden age for cultivation.

If you regret it later, there won't be another chance.

Now the situation has reversed; the low-level techniques are limiting his progress.

"I'll listen to you uncles, but we've only just come out today, so it'll be a bit of a hassle for you all if we go back."

Zuo Xingyuan waved his hand dismissively and said, "What's the trouble? It's just the wilderness. Just consider it a trip to relax."

"Let's go back now. It's hot, so we can just drink more water. We're going back anyway, and we have plenty of supplies."

Ning Ze smiled helplessly. Everyone wanted to go back, and he didn't want to spoil the fun.

Originally, he wanted to practice swordsmanship. Now, his basic level of "Swift Wind Sword Technique" is 985/1000. Although it is not as fast as his movement technique, it has still improved.

He wanted to experience the power of the "Swift Wind Sword Technique" at a master level.

However, upon further reflection, the thought of returning to cultivate those legendary secret manuals stirred up a sense of excitement within him.

That was what he once gave up...

They came unhurriedly and returned in a hurry.

Even when he went to the wilderness with the uncles in the martial arts team, he often felt cold all over and his hair stood on end when facing monsters, as if he would die at any moment, and life itself became cold.

Arriving at the base city again, Ning Ze felt a sense of peace as he looked at the towering city walls that reached tens of meters high.

Just then, a group of warriors walked out of the city gate, and the tall, thin middle-aged man in the lead laughed.

"Barbarian Blade and Ghost Blade, didn't you just go out last night? Could it be that this kid is too scared to stay in the wilderness?"

"Barbarian Blade" refers to Zuo Xingyuan, and "Nether Blade" is Ma Yu's code name. Martial artists who can have a name either have extremely powerful battle records or have been known for many years of adventure.

The Warfire Squad has two warrior-level experts with extremely strong survival skills. Previously, Ma Yu was the captain, and he was cautious enough.

Having made a name for himself over more than a decade, everyone except Ning Ze has a code name.

Seeing that it was an acquaintance, Zuo Xingyuan grinned and said mysteriously, "More or less. Shuangyandao, where are you planning to go this time?"

Ma Yu and the others remained calm and collected. How could they let the fact that a genius had joined their team leak out?

No matter how good the relationship is, it won't work.

After all, a genius who doesn't grow up is just a genius.

Once Ning Ze's strength improves, he will naturally make a name for himself, and it won't be too late to get to know him then.

The tall, thin middle-aged man, codenamed Double Swallow Blade, sensed something was off. He casually remarked, "The usual place. I'm more familiar with it, and it's safer there."

He then narrowed his eyes and asked tentatively, "Is this kid Jin Huoxiong's son? I saw him with a sullen face at the supply station in the city just now."

When venturing into the wilderness, people rely on their own two feet. Some travel long distances by train or plane to other cities to hunt monsters, and there are supply stations at the entrances and exits of these cities.

"Ahem!"

Zuo Xingyuan coughed twice, then corrected him, "What Golden Fire Bear? Boss Ning's code name is Gilded Blade!"

Ning Ze was stunned when he heard this, and his eyes suddenly widened.

The gilded knife—that refers to his father!

Why do other people call him Golden Fire Bear?

What kind of nickname is that?

Shuangyan Dao said with a smile, "Back when Liujin Dao's leg was crippled, wasn't it you who got drunk and shouted, 'The boss is a coward, the boss is a coward? What are we going to do with the War Squad?'"

Zuo Xingyuan hurriedly waved his hand, calling out guiltily, "Go, go, go! If you're going to leave, hurry up! Traveling in broad daylight, aren't you afraid of dying of heat!"

After saying that, he quickly walked into the city.

Shuang Yandao said smugly, "You don't need to worry about that. There's a military base over there with a supply depot."

Ning Ze followed into the city with a strange expression. He felt that if his father's leg hadn't been injured, he probably would have killed the captain!

A perfectly fine gilded sword has been turned into a golden fire bear. Martial artists value their reputation and face, so this blow is no less significant than breaking a leg.

Just like what they saw before them, as soon as they entered the city, they saw a tall man standing there, who was 1.85 meters tall.

He was wearing a T-shirt and trousers, his bulging muscles looking like they were about to burst out of the T-shirt, and the lower half of his right leg was a gilded mechanical prosthetic.

His short, jet-black hair gave him a resolute look, but his face, with its thick, fleshy features, looked somewhat ferocious, unlike the iron-blooded justice depicted on the team logo.

Ning Ze could tell at a glance that his father was angry!

He asked in a low voice, "Uncle Zuo, did you tell my dad? Why did he come over?"

Xu Liang said with a smile, "I said it."

Ning Ze nodded and said in a low voice, "He probably got beaten up at home again."

Xu Liang smiled meaningfully.

"You're back?" Ning Hua's face was a little pale, and he said apologetically, "That kid really disgraced our Warfire Squad. I'll train him properly when we get back, and once he's qualified, I'll let him hunt monsters with you."

Without giving anyone else a chance to speak, Ning Hua roared, "You little brat, get over here right now! You've only been gone for less than a day and you're already back? Just wait till I get home and see how I deal with you!"

"Cough cough."

"Actually, Ozawa is not bad."

Zuo Xingyuan explained for a moment, then added seriously, "However, he needs to hone his skills now. Boss Ning, if you have any trouble, just let us know."

Xu Liang chimed in, "Let Xiao Ze cultivate at home for a while first. Once he's adapted, he can come out with us. Boss Ning will have to work hard during this time."

Ma Yu said succinctly, "Just say so if you have any trouble."

Yang Chao smiled and said, "Yes, Xiaoze is improving quite quickly."

Even the usually taciturn Zhang Chen added, "Bring him next time."

Ning Hua looked ashamed and made another promise, meaning that next time they met, he would definitely show them a different Ning Ze.

After finishing, Ning Hua turned around and shouted, "What are you standing there for? Aren't you going to thank your uncles?"

Ning Ze frowned; he had a feeling that something was amiss.

We had planned to surprise his dad when we got home, but he seems a bit strange now.

His father seems to think he's not good enough?

"Thank you, uncles. I will definitely work hard to cultivate at home."

Ning Ze got kicked in the butt, and Ning Hua turned around and stormed off.

Ning Ze followed silently behind. When he turned around, he saw Zuo Xingyuan and the others smirking, their eyes revealing a hint of smugness.

Am I seeing things wrong?

What did they say to his father?

Forget it, I don't want to think about it anymore. I'll just go home and have a fight and find out.

Watching the two figures disappear into the distance, Zuo Xingyuan burst into hearty laughter, "Hahaha!"

Everyone else laughed too.

"This kid, his movement technique reached the 'Subtle Level' on his first time near the wilderness. I almost thought I'd been wasting my life all these years."

Zuo Xingyuan finished speaking with a look of great satisfaction.

That's terrible. He's only a mid-level warrior, and his movement technique hasn't even reached the "Subtlety Level," yet he got caught up by a newbie.

Ma Yu smiled and turned to ask, "What did you send to Boss Ning?"

Xu Liang's square face froze in a smile, and he shook his head with a heavy sigh, "Sigh!"

"Boss, let's go back today. You should let Xiaoze train properly; hunting monsters in the wilderness like this is really not going to work!"

He then made a clicking motion to indicate the end of the video.

He wore a pained expression, almost on the verge of tears. "Comparison is odious, this is too much of a blow! Let him train until he's fully recovered before coming out again. Let him show his talent all at once, instead of torturing us like this. If I keep watching him break through so quickly, I feel like my own resolve in martial arts will waver." He then turned stern. "The last part didn't go through. I'm thinking of sending it tomorrow. Let this kid get a good beating."

Everyone was both amused and exasperated. Xu Liang's acting was too realistic. The thought of the difference in talent was truly disheartening. They hoped that Ning Ze would be taught a lesson and that the kid wouldn't be allowed to get too cocky!

Yang Chao shook his head, then turned and asked, "Where do we go next?"

Zuo Xingyuan gritted his teeth and said, "To hell with 012! Damn it, a bunch of grown men were discouraged by a rookie. If we don't work hard, I feel like we'll be overtaken after leading him a few more times."

"Rest today, replenish supplies, and set off tomorrow night."

Ma Yu suggested, "Let's play it safe. 012 is too dangerous for us. We're not familiar with the area, and we don't know when that kid will finish his training. We don't want to be in poor condition by the time he's rested enough."

Zuo Xingyuan sighed. The older you get, the slower your cultivation becomes. Rushing into the rapids is not suicide. Only by surviving can you have hope. Where isn't there monsters to kill?

"Then let's go to 022. It's more dangerous for us, but it's acceptable."

Ma Yu nodded. "This is fine."

Zhang Chen said in a deep voice, "Investigate the movements of the Poison Wolf Squad. After this is over, replace the spies from last time."

Ma Yu's face darkened. He said, "I'll handle this. I'll deal with them sooner or later!"

Zuo Xingyuan smiled sarcastically and said, "They dared to scheme against us back then, causing Boss Di to lose a leg. If they knew about Ning Ze's talent, they would be terrified."

"If it weren't for the martial arts school manager intervening back then, we would have taken our revenge long ago. It's not too late to take revenge when Xiaoze grows up!" Xu Liang's face turned cruel.

Ma Yu frowned and said, "We can't be careless. Poison Wolf has taken in two tough guys, and he's made a lot of dirty money by robbing martial arts materials over the years. Now he has four generals, and even if two of them rely on gene serums, their combat power should not be underestimated."

"Alright, let's have a good time today, let's not talk about them. Let's go have a good drink, get a good night's sleep, and head out to the wilderness tomorrow in good shape," Zuo Xingyuan said.

The members of the War Squad went to drink to their hearts' content.

Ning Ze returned to his home in Mingyue Community in the base's special car.

After getting off the car, Ning Hua walked forward without saying a word, just like on the road.

Ning Ze raised an eyebrow, a calm before the storm in his eyes.

Upon hearing the sound, a beautiful woman with a pretty face and dressed in luxurious clothes rushed out and called out worriedly, "Xiaoze is back? Is he hurt?"

Ning Hua brushed past him without saying a word, his desolate figure appearing quite lonely.

Li Wan frowned, quickly turning her head to look. Seeing that Ning Ze wasn't missing any limbs, she breathed a sigh of relief and came to his side, asking with concern, "Are you having trouble adjusting?"

Ning Ze smiled slightly and said, "Mom, don't worry, I'm fine! The circumstances of my return this time are a bit special." As he spoke, he glanced towards the door out of the corner of his eye.

He faintly heard a dull thud on the floor; it was someone running wildly.

Sure enough, just as Li Wan was about to say something, Ning Hua returned, kicking the door open with a bang. Holding a gilded broadsword, he roared with overwhelming force, "You little brat, what are you good for? All you know how to do is flatter your mother. You embarrass me as soon as you leave, and you're sent here in less than a day. Today I'll teach you a lesson! Come upstairs with me!"

Li Wan's eyes were full of worry, but she didn't say anything.

Spoiling someone is a slow poison.

Li Wan could still tell the difference between being beaten a few more times now and her son dying out there later.

Ning Ze narrowed his eyes slightly and uttered a single, forceful word: "Okay!"

(End of this chapter)