C27 You Don't Need to Learn This

Bloodlines can be inherited, particularly after reaching the Third Grade. Beneficial changes to the bloodline acquired through cultivation can even be passed down to the next generation. This is precisely why many prominent families place such a high emphasis on marriage.

The strong remain strong. A careless union with a lower-grade bloodline would only result in a decline in the strength of their progeny, generation after generation.

Lee Yu observed the woman on the stage speaking eloquently. The curriculum of the Early Childhood Education Guidelines was extensive and complex, yet not a single child seemed overwhelmed. Even the five or six-year-olds were engrossed in listening.

This was because none of the children in this class came from a lineage of the weak. Their formidable bloodlines had bestowed upon them an exceptional precocity.

An hour later, the woman concluded with a sense of lingering enthusiasm, "Alright, that's the end of my lesson. Now, go on to whatever classes you've got next."

"Goodbye, Teacher!"

Subsequently, the children dispersed in small groups. Lee Yu tuned in to their chatter: some were off to learn swordsmanship, others to study etiquette, and a few were headed for an herbal bath.

It was akin to attending various extracurricular classes, with the notable difference that these kids were extraordinarily proactive. Their conversations even carried an air of 'little adults,' their interpersonal skills impressively advanced.

Once the room had nearly emptied, Lee Yu picked up his blanket and stepped out.

Cui stood by the door, her expression one of regret. Upon seeing Lee Yu emerge, she hurried over, "Young Master, please allow me to carry that for you."

Her demeanor suggested she was ready to accept any reprimand, eager to make amends. Lee Yu, seeing this, decided not to comment further. Instead, he asked, "Anqi, what brings you here?"

Qing Anqi scuffed a stone with her foot, replying, "I was waiting for you. We have the next class together."

That's when it hit Lee Yu—the grueling days of schooling were just beginning. As Cui had explained the night before, there was an overwhelming amount to learn in the time ahead.

The curriculum was categorized into three main areas: Martial Arts, Control, and Etiquette.

Of these, Martial Arts was his favorite subject. This field focused on teachings related to the Divine Path and Martial Arts. It was this enthusiasm that had made Lee Yu so eager to embark on his studies.

In the Martial Arts category, the focus was on mastering the art of command and military training exercises.

The Civilization category encompassed two main aspects: the etiquette of hosting guests, which involved the formalities of international relations and hospitality, and the etiquette of personal interaction, which facilitated communication and fostered relationships.

Despite feeling like he might vomit if he studied any more, Lee Yu wasn't ready to throw away this chance. The curriculum provided by the Qing's was a deep dive into this world, far surpassing anything he'd experienced in Stone Village. It was an opportunity he couldn't afford to miss.

Plus, he had a cheat code up his sleeve. Once he learned something, he could master it with absolute certainty.

With this in mind, Lee Yu gave Qing Anqi a sympathetic look. "Anqi, it's tough for you, isn't it? So young and already buried in endless studies."

Qing Anqi brushed off his pity with a hint of scorn. "Dad says these are things ordinary people can only wish for." She swatted Lee Yu's hand away. "And stop patting my head. It'll stunt my growth."

Lee Yu was taken aback. The belief that head-patting could hinder growth seemed universal. He had thought it was unique to Blue Star. And were all children in this Otherworld so eager to learn?

He remembered his own childhood, going to great lengths to avoid studying, even feigning illness. He had become quite skilled at that.

The two made their way into another building, where numerous elders with powerful spiritual energy were waiting. Each one was at least a Sixth Grade practitioner. Lee Yu realized that Anqi was right; this was indeed a coveted opportunity. An ordinary family could never afford such personalized instruction from a Sixth Grade cultivator.

Lee Yu, eager to learn an elegant sword technique, parted ways with Qing Anqi for the time being.

He now stood before a towering figure nearly two meters tall, wielding a three-foot-long sword.

"Really? Doesn't this clash with the aesthetic?" Lee Yu couldn't help but wonder. Qing Shan, the sword instructor, seemed more suited to wielding massive weapons, like a pair of giant hammers, given his mountainous build and name.

Qing Shan, sensing Lee Yu's thoughts, flicked his wrist and gracefully maneuvered the sword to create a stunning flourish. His voice resonated as he explained, "My specialty is the Gentlewoman's Sword. With each strike, it's as though a noble lady is dancing. The technique is serene, ideal for concentrating spiritual energy and refining the meridians."

No sooner had Qing Shan's words fallen than he leaned forward at a 45-degree angle, brandishing his long sword in a sweeping spin that brought him back to a standing position.

"Watch closely," Qing Shan instructed.

Lee Yu was already captivated by Qing Shan's initial flourish. With those words, Lee Yu was all the more riveted, his gaze locked on Qing Shan's swordplay without so much as a blink.

To Lee Yu, Qing Shan, trailing afterimages, seemed to transform into a lithe dancer, each gesture exuding an ineffable grace.

Eventually, Qing Shan sheathed his sword and explained, "This sword technique can be cultivated up to Fifth Grade. It's a Fifth Grade technique. Practiced before reaching Seventh Grade, it can help open up meridians in conjunction with certain circulation methods. From Sixth Grade onwards, combined with the release of spiritual energy, this technique becomes incredibly lethal!"

Lee Yu then realized that opening meridians wasn't limited to mere meditation; it could be synergized with various secret manuals for multiple benefits—not only opening meridians but also integrating time to master offensive skills.

"Can all secret manuals produce such effects?" Lee Yu inquired, intrigued.

Qing Shan shook his head. "Only a select few can," he replied. "How much of that first set did you retain?"

"Alright," Lee Yu pondered before responding, "I'll give it a try."

Selecting a sword from the diverse array on the rack—each with its own length and design—Lee Yu found one that felt right in his hands.

Qing Shan watched with interest as Lee Yu returned to the center, took a deep breath, closed his eyes to recall the sequence, and then began to move.

What was I expecting? Qing Shan's initial anticipation gave way to astonishment and then to a loss for words.

Lee Yu clumsily executed the sword technique, growing more confident as he declared, "I've mastered this technique completely!"

Qing Shan was about to object, but then paused. Had there really been no mistakes in the movements? As a Fifth Grade cultivator, Qing Shan reviewed the sequence and, despite the halting execution and moments where Lee Yu paused to reflect, he had to admit there were indeed no errors.

Qing Shan was momentarily at a loss for words. It seemed that Lee Yu's earlier assertion wasn't wrong after all.

"I'll give it another go," Lee Yu declared.

He gave the long sword in his hand a shake and swung it anew.

"Holy smokes!"

Qing Shan's jaw dropped as the young man before him moved with the grace of someone who had practiced the Buddhist Sword Technique a thousand times over—his swordplay was flawless, as refined as fire!

Initially, Qing Shan had suspected that an elder from the boy's family might have already taught him the technique, and that Lee Yu was merely feigning ignorance to amuse himself. Yet, in the youth's swordplay, Qing Shan recognized his own style.

Though the sequence of movements was the same, each person's rendition carried their unique habits. Qing Shan was certain that several of the youth's movements bore a striking resemblance to his own.

This suggested that the young man had, in all likelihood, learned from Qing Shan himself.

'What kind of extraordinary talent is this?' he wondered.

Unaware of the thoughts swirling in his swordmaster's head, Lee Yu had his own strengths. Having passed the college entrance exam at fifteen, he was already known for his exceptional memory, which was further enhanced by consuming two Purification Pills. The pills had boosted his memory, among other things.

After committing the movements to memory and practicing them once more, he applied the proficiency he had earned that day. That's when he truly felt he had achieved mastery.

Lee Yu wasn't one to let a good opportunity—or a cheat code—go to waste. With a final flourish of his sword, he sheathed it and stood up straight.

Qing Shan was dumbfounded. That last flourish wasn't necessary. He had originally added the sword flower at the end for a bit of flair, a habit he had since been unable to shake.

Qing Shan opened his mouth to speak, but the critique he had in mind morphed into praise: "Not bad, very good!"