Worldwide Class Change: An Invincible Swordsman

Chapter 397: Chapter 396, Realizing the Power of the Badge_1

Experts always like to act profound, only revealing their identities at the last moment. Then they make their move, showing off as they do—so full of tired old tropes...

"Since you won’t admit it, Elder, let’s just say it’s my treat."

"You are intriguing. I’m very curious about the Heroes of the Continent of All-Gods."

"Elder, may I ask you something?"

"I hear that on the Continent of All-Gods, cultivators use Badges?"

"Yes, that’s correct."

"How is it different from Wanderers cultivating True Qi?"

"There’s no significant difference; both are forms of energy. Heroes have different professions and Skills. For example, Magicians on the Continent of All-Gods use magic, which is one form of energy. Meanwhile, the True Qi of Wanderers can be transformed into Sword Qi, which is also a form of energy."

"The activation methods simply differ. Wanderers rely on the True Qi within their bodies to activate it, whereas Heroes draw on their spiritual power. This spiritual power could also be called Magic Power, or even attributed to their Badges."

"Different Martial Arts are equivalent to Heroes having different Skills."

The elder smiled. "It seems you have a thorough understanding. The Swordsman profession evolved from the Wanderer. But can it truly surpass the Wanderer?"

Jiang Chen shook his head. "I’m not sure."

"You’ve even killed a six-stage powerhouse. You must have surpassed Wanderers."

"Not necessarily. Those two old men weren’t true experts and didn’t possess powerful Martial Arts. In the end, they only had strong True Qi."

Xie An and Lian Hongliang were comparable to regular Sixth-stage warrior-profession Heroes, wearing ordinary equipment. Their Levels were high, but their gear and profession were subpar, making them merely average.

That was Jiang Chen’s understanding.

"Then what makes you so sure I’m an expert?"

"Your breathing is even, your breaths are long."

"That’s it?"

Jiang Chen looked at the busy Waiter and said, "Every time he inhales, he starts gently and ends with force. Every time he exhales, he starts heavily and ends lightly."

"His breathing is uneven, varying in length, and each breath is different. He’s just an ordinary person."

"Experts, however, are different. Their breathing is like a river flowing from a high mountain—smooth and continuous. They maintain a consistent frequency with each breath. While the Waiter’s heart might race, an expert’s heart maintains a steady rhythm."

The elder was greatly surprised. This fellow is incredibly perceptive! He can even sense that?

From Jiang Chen’s words, the elder sensed that this man, who called himself Dong Fang Unbeaten, wasn’t just bluffing but possessed genuine strength.

The elder sighed. "The Continent of All-Gods is indeed full of talented individuals. You truly are remarkable. No wonder you’re qualified to challenge anyone below the Sixth-stage. I imagine you can sense any enemy below that level."

"My name is—"

"There’s no need to tell me your name. A chance encounter is destiny. Since we were fated to meet, I’ll drink to you as a sign of respect."

Jiang Chen walked to the elder’s table and raised his cup in a toast.

The elder: ???

Jiang Chen chuckled inwardly. What’s this? Trying to impress me by revealing your name? Too bad, I’m not giving you the chance...

"Well said. It was I who was presumptuous."

He grumbled internally, I am the Vice President of the Floating Association, and you’re not interested in knowing me? Kid, you’ll regret this...

The elder before him was indeed Nangong Xin, the Vice President of the Floating Association, and a Ninth-Stage Master.

He had come specifically to investigate after hearing that a Swordsman expert had appeared here.

Just then, a voice rang out, "Dong Fang Unbeaten, I, He Qiu, have come to challenge you!"

Jiang Chen walked to the window and looked down at a young man below.

"He Qiu! It’s actually him."

"That’s He Qiu, who recently rose to fame! They say his sword is lightning fast, too quick for the naked eye to follow."

"Among the younger generation of Disciples, he’s ranked eighty-eighth. He’s a very powerful expert."

"I wonder if Dong Fang Unbeaten will accept the challenge?"

"Finally, someone is stepping up!"

He Qiu looked up at Jiang Chen, his expression full of arrogance. "Dong Fang Unbeaten! Today, you’ll be Dong Fang Defeated!"

He Qiu tensed his legs.

He then leaped onto the roof of the building opposite, landing gracefully.

Hmph. Bullying me because you think I don’t know Qinggong, is that it? Daring to show off in front of me? Just wait, I’ll beat you so badly you won’t know which way is up!

"I accept your challenge. Let’s battle outside the city."

"Alright."

Jiang Chen hurried downstairs and headed towards the city outskirts. A large crowd of cultivators flew onto the rooftops, eager to watch the fight.

He Qiu gripped his sword hilt, his stance radiating readiness.

Jiang Chen observed He Qiu’s stance, recognizing it as a preparation to gather power for a decisive, lethal strike. His sword draw will be incredibly fast, but that won’t be a problem for me.

Jiang Chen also grasped his sword hilt. I’ll use this opportunity to practice the All Wan Jian Gui Clan’s technique. I need to train my movement technique, especially for close combat, to enhance my abilities in such fights.

With the Sky Flash Skill, this is entirely achievable.

He Qiu was fast, but Jiang Chen was no slower.

He Qiu charged at Jiang Chen. A faint smile touched Jiang Chen’s lips as he, too, charged forward.

Every subtle movement He Qiu made was within Jiang Chen’s Perception. When they were merely a meter apart, He Qiu suddenly drew his sword, aiming a lightning-fast strike at Jiang Chen’s throat.

Jiang Chen leaned back, deftly evading the attack, and immediately countered with a sword strike of his own.

Jiang Chen’s attack was equally swift. He Qiu, being a Wanderer, excelled in close combat and faced danger without flinching. Seeing Jiang Chen’s counter, He Qiu smoothly maneuvered his sword to parry the blow, deflecting Jiang Chen’s blade.

He Qiu twisted his wrist, thrusting at Jiang Chen’s throat once more.

Jiang Chen quickly retreated to dodge the thrust. Close-quarters combat is my weak point.

Jiang Chen was fast, but he lacked the True Qi of a Wanderer. Wanderers often condensed True Qi into their swords to enhance their Attack Power.

Without True Qi, Jiang Chen could only rely on his physical prowess to defend.

He Qiu’s strike missed, so he pressed his advantage with another close-range attack.

Jiang Chen casually countered with a sword strike, unleashing a beam of Sword Qi.

[Basic Swordsmanship: Unleashes a beam of Sword Qi at the enemy.]

He Qiu smoothly dodged the Sword Qi and countered with his own sword attack, sending a beam of Sword Qi towards Jiang Chen. Jiang Chen used Sky Flash Skill to instantly evade it and then released another beam of Sword Qi.

The two exchanged blasts of Sword Qi in the clearing, moving back and forth.

Snowflakes danced in the air. Onlookers watched as the two figures clashed in the snowy expanse, seemingly evenly matched.

Jinhua watched, puzzled. "Why isn’t he using the Wan Jian Gui Clan swordsmanship? That boy wouldn’t be able to withstand it."

"He must be trying to improve his own strength."

Li Chanji had discerned Jiang Chen’s intention. He’s aiming to achieve a breakthrough in close combat, training his movement technique, Perception, and reflexes.

Seeing that they were evenly matched, He Qiu lunged at Jiang Chen once more, intending to deliver a finishing blow in close combat.

A realization struck Jiang Chen. The Badge... it’s my own power, and it’s not immutable...

True Qi can be gathered in the Sword Body, condensed but not released. Why can’t Skills do the same?

Skills are essentially Sword Qi transformed through one’s own spiritual power. Since spiritual power is mine to command, if I can control my spiritual power, I should be able to control my Skills!

An idea sparked in Jiang Chen’s mind. He activated Basic Swordsmanship.

CLANG!

The weapons clashed.

Jiang Chen didn’t retreat a single step. Instead, he looked at He Qiu and smiled. It actually worked!

By using spiritual power to generate Sword Qi for Skills, I can delay their activation! I can imbue the Sword Body with the spiritual power that transforms into Sword Qi, keeping it there without releasing it immediately—just like how True Qi can adhere to the blade.

If True Qi can do this, then Skills can too!

Now, let’s try it with other Skills!

The two continued their fierce close-quarters combat.