Ch. 24
Chapter 24: Undercurrent! Vortex! Tidal Cross Sword
“First, I’ll give you a choice.”
With a sharp shing sound,
Eve Sova drew the sword in her hand—it turned out to be a transparent crystal sword.
It was clearly a decorative piece meant for display.
Seeming to notice the confusion in Leo’s eyes, Eve Sova deliberately kept him in suspense. “There are two sets of sword techniques. One has lower talent requirements, but its upper limit is also low. The other is easy to learn but difficult to master. However, once you grasp its true essence, it can greatly enhance your combat ability.”
“Teacher Eve Sova, can I learn both?” Leo felt speechless. Why did she always make things sound so profound?
For an adult, was there even a need to choose? Of course, he wanted to learn everything.
Eve Sova blinked her large eyes, momentarily stunned.
Why did this student always refuse to follow the script, making it hard for her to show off?
“Spreading yourself too thin without mastery is detrimental to combat,” she said seriously.
“Then I’ll choose the stronger one.”
“You’re not afraid you won’t learn it well?”
“If I can’t learn it well, I’ll just go back and learn the easier one. If I start with the easy one from the beginning, how could I be worthy of being your student, Teacher—the genius?” Leo flattered her subtly, without overdoing it.
Eve Sova looked at him. She had originally wanted to put on a show, especially since this second sword technique was something she had created over more than ten years.
But Leo was like a slippery eel.
“Hmph, smooth talker. But you do have some ambition.”
She quite enjoyed his flattery.
It wasn’t blind praise—there was a sense of balance that made it pleasing.
“Then watch carefully. This sword technique is the most exquisite set in Blackstone City. It’s called the Tidal Cross Sword.” Eve Sova held the crystal sword in one hand, a proud smile curling at her lips. “Watch closely. Observe what’s different about these three strikes. I’ll only demonstrate once.”
The moment Eve Sova took her stance, Leo felt a sharp, oppressive aura rush toward him.
“Don’t worry, I know my limits.” As soon as her words fell, the sword in her hand slashed horizontally.
Leo immediately raised his sword to block.
Bang!
In that instant, the crystal sword collided with the iron sword in Leo’s hand, producing an unexpectedly dull sound.
Leo froze for a moment. It didn’t seem like there was anything special about this strike.
Eve Sova’s attack appeared light and casual, as if it carried little force. Yet, a faint smile curved her lips.
In that very instant—
Leo felt as if he had been swept away by an undercurrent.
His feet couldn’t hold their ground at all, and he staggered backward repeatedly.
His entire body went numb, as if struck head-on by a charging carriage, only barely stopping after retreating more than ten meters.
He was completely stunned.
That strike had looked effortless, yet the force carried by the crystal sword was like a collapsing mountain and surging sea.
It was impossible to resist.
Eve Sova flicked her wrist, tracing a sword flourish, then with a crisp sound, sheathed the short sword.
She remained composed, waiting for Leo’s reaction.
Leo steadied himself against the wall, staring at his palm in disbelief.
The power of that strike had been terrifying—and Eve Sova clearly hadn’t used her full strength.
“What I’m teaching you today consists of only three moves. What I just used was the first move of the Tidal Cross Sword—Undercurrent Force!”
“Undercurrent Force…” Leo recalled the strike just now. It had indeed been extremely dangerous.
It appeared calm on the surface, yet concealed within was a force like the surging undercurrents of the sea—capable of completely swallowing a person.
“The essence of this strike is not in strength, but in… sword momentum.
Once you truly grasp sword momentum, every strike you deliver will contain power beyond your physical limits.
At that point, even if you hold only a branch—or fight barehanded—you can still cut through metal.”
As Eve Sova spoke, she gestured with the crystal sword.
When it came to swordsmanship, she spoke with complete authority.
Meanwhile, Leo recalled the scene in the Training Room when Eve Sova had shattered a heavy sword with her bare hands.
Back then, the sensation had been the same—his entire body numbed from the shock.
That iron sword hadn’t been cut—it had been shattered.
‘Yes… that was Undercurrent Force. The Breathing Technique gave her the strength in her hands, while Undercurrent Force gave her terrifying destructive power.’
As Leo thought this, Eve Sova continued, “The first move is for offense. Now, the second move—defense. Attack me.”
Leo gritted his teeth and tightened his grip.
This time, he used his full strength, wanting to see the gap between his maxed-out Basic Sword Techniques and Eve Sova.
Whoosh!
A sharp tearing sound cut through the air.
Leo rushed forward in two steps, his iron sword gathering all his strength, tracing a bright arc.
Rising Slash!
Facing Leo’s full-powered strike, Eve Sova remained calm and unhurried, as if everything was under control.
“Good movement, but that’s all.” Her expression didn’t change as she lightly raised her crystal sword.
Strangely, there was no clear sound of blades colliding this time.
At the moment the swords met, Leo felt a tremendous twisting force surge in, trying to wrench the sword from his hand.
It felt as though his arm had been seized and violently twisted.
“Damn it!”
With a clang, the iron sword flew out of his hand, spinning off to the side.
Leo stared at his palm, unable to understand what had just happened.
Eve Sova had clearly blocked his attack directly—
yet it produced a massive lateral twisting force.
Looking down, he saw that the originally sturdy iron sword had visibly bent.
Eve Sova was very satisfied with Leo’s shocked reaction.
“This move—Vortex Force. It can twist and neutralize any incoming attack, like a massive vortex in the ocean that devours everything.”
Back when she named it, she had spent a long time flipping through ancient books.
Feeling secretly pleased, Eve Sova continued instructing, “This is the second stage of the Tidal Cross Sword. Judging by your level, these two moves are already enough for you to ponder. As for the third move—come back to it after you’ve mastered the first two. You might not even get the chance to learn it in your lifetime.”
She clasped her hands behind her back, adopting the posture of a master.
Leo picked up the crooked iron sword from the ground, looking at her rather clumsy attempt at acting profound.
He really wanted to hit her.
However, what she said was true.
He had observed those two moves very carefully. Even relying on his memory to replay every detail of her movements—
he still couldn’t grasp the essence.
Leo tried to imitate her actions, but the result lacked her effect entirely—only the form, without the substance.
“These sword techniques require you to constantly think and feel during actual blade exchanges. Simply imitating movements is useless.” Eve Sova pointed out the key. “The movements aren’t important. What matters is sword momentum.”
Leo felt that he had indeed chosen a more difficult path.
However, this sword technique was truly exquisite.
If he could master it, it would surely be at least a Green-tier sword technique.
Or perhaps even higher?