Comprehending Myriad Techniques as Woodcutter

Xie Yuan, holding Zhanyue, walked to the training ground in the courtyard.

This training ground in the high-ranking Darts Masters’ shared courtyard was paved with large cyan bricks. It was one hundred feet square, extremely spacious, and second in size only to the main training grounds in front of the main building.

It was fully equipped with stone locks, stone barbells, plum blossom poles, and training dummies—all high-grade equipment suited for the Second Training, each of considerable weight.

However, on the vast training ground, only Xie Yuan was present, so he had the entire place to himself.

Most of the high-ranking Darts Masters had their own residences in the city and rarely stayed here. With the Escort Agency being busy recently, they were either out on missions or resting at home, which left Xie Yuan to enjoy the large courtyard all by himself.

Xie Yuan, holding his axe, stood in the center of an open space, away from the equipment, and slowly raised the weapon.

He took a shallow breath, then, just as he had done countless times before, he brought the axe down with practiced fluidity.

First a chop, then an upward slash, then a horizontal cleave.

The axe head traced a clear, simple, yet rhythmic path. In an instant, a cold glint flashed like lightning.

The three strikes seemed to merge into one, carving a jagged line through the air with a piercing shriek.

A moment later, the axe head froze three feet from the ground, perfectly still.

While the axe head transitioned from extreme motion to absolute stillness, the surroundings did the exact opposite.

A whirlwind suddenly stirred in the air. The mere force of the axe head cutting through the air caused it to detonate. BOOM! A shockwave erupted, blasting forward and actually tearing a large cyan brick loose from the ground in front of Xie Yuan, sending it spinning toward the moon gate ahead!

Xie Yuan had used this move many times, but never had it been so fast, so sharp, so fierce.

It even surpassed his own expectations!

His gaze followed the flying brick, and he suddenly froze.

’I didn’t notice before. Why are there five people standing over there... The Chief Leader and all the Leaders?’

Shen Longteng raised a hand and deftly caught the large cyan brick, which had been spinning with a heavy whistle. He then looked Xie Yuan up and down, back and forth, a look of utter astonishment on his face.

The four men behind him—Wei Zhen, Chu Sheng, Lu Zhenyu, and Zhao Xingyang—all stared at him in unison, their gazes fixed and unblinking.

Seeing their strange looks, Xie Yuan scratched his head, a little embarrassed.

"My apologies, Chief Leader. I didn’t see you there."

’Even I’m surprised,’ Xie Yuan thought. ’I only used half my strength, yet it produced such an effect.’

’The axe was still so far from the ground, yet the wind it generated alone was enough to send a brick flying—a brick that even a Second Training Martial Artist couldn’t break by stamping on it.’

’The power of this move is beyond anything I expected. If I’d been this strong before, I would have cut down that third-in-command from Chicken Mountain in a single exchange. Why would I have needed so much scheming?’

’And for that move, I only used fifty percent of my power. What would it be like at full strength?’

’I’m afraid all the bricks in front of me would be sent flying!’

Shen Longteng held the cyan brick, his fingers subconsciously squeezing it, feeling its solid weight. He was silent for a long moment.

Then, he shook his head and remarked with emotion:

"You were all wrong. That ’acting’ title can be removed today."

The four Leaders had varied expressions as they nodded in silence.

The Third Training!

Xie Yuan had already reached the Third Training!

The power of that axe strike, the intensity of the projected energy—it was all unquestionably at the level of the Third Training!

No matter how many storms the Leaders had weathered, they couldn’t suppress their looks of shock.

Of course, it wasn’t just the Third Training realm that surprised them; each of them had reached that level long ago.

The key was, how old was Xie Yuan? And how long had he been cultivating the Martial Dao?

Zhao Xingyang’s breakthrough to the Third Training had been unprecedentedly fast for the Escort Agency, yet Xie Yuan was a good seven or eight years younger than him!

Previously, Zhao Xingyang and Lu Zhenyu had made a bet that Xie Yuan would break through in the next few years. Their talk had made Old Leader Chu Sheng curious but skeptical.

But now, coming over to see for himself, he found that the two of them hadn’t been right—they had been too conservative.

The four Leaders wore different expressions. Lu Zhenyu shook his head in disbelief. The two Old Leaders, Wei Zhen and Chu Sheng, exchanged a glance of amazement. Even Zhao Xingyang’s face was a mixture of emotions—he was gratified and happy, but also felt a strange sensation.

’It’s only been a few months since we picked this kid up, and he’s already about to catch up to me.’

Shen Longteng tossed the brick aside, breaking into his first truly joyful smile in days.

"Xie Yuan, when did you break through to the Third Training?"

"Just now, Chief Leader. After the breakthrough, I was just coming out to get a feel for my new strength."

Xie Yuan answered honestly.

Shen Longteng nodded repeatedly, his expression full of praise.

"To have such power right after breaking through... your talent truly is extraordinary, truly extraordinary!"

Xie Yuan remained silent. ’In truth, that was only half my strength...’

’It’s good I didn’t go all out. This is still within an acceptable range. Being too exceptional might not be a good thing.’

The other Leaders showered him with praise. The tall, stout Leader Chu Sheng sighed with admiration.

"No wonder everyone’s been praising this kid. The new generation truly surpasses the old. Making him a Leader? I’m all for it!"

Hearing this, Xie Yuan paused for a moment.

"A Leader?"

"That’s right. Why else did you think we all came to find you? We were originally going to have you act as leader of Xu Mo’s Escort Team, but now it looks like we can drop the ’acting’ part."

"Xie Yuan, from this moment on, you are the newest Leader of the Longteng Escort Agency!"

Seeing Zhao Xingyang and the others clasp their hands in congratulations, Xie Yuan’s reaction was a beat slow before he returned the gesture with a smile.

"Thank you for your trust, Chief Leader. Thank you, everyone. I will not let you down!"

’It’s not that I’m being modest, it’s just so sudden,’ Xie Yuan thought.

But he immediately thought that this was a good thing. A Leader’s compensation was naturally much higher than a Darts Master’s, and it came with easier access to merits, greater authority, and better exchange discounts—all of which would help him increase his strength.

Xie Yuan even felt like reciting a line of poetry. ’Lay low...’

Seeing Xie Yuan accept the promotion with a calm and composed demeanor, neither arrogant nor impetuous, Shen Longteng grew even more impressed and said with a laugh:

"Xu Mo’s Escort Team is not easy to manage. The Darts Masters are senior and numerous. Are you confident?"

"The more the better."

Xie Yuan replied with a smile and four words.

’I can’t say I’m an expert at management, but in the world of the Martial Dao, strength reigns supreme. With that as a foundation, the rest is just a matter of carrot and stick.’

’All things come back to the same principle. That’s all I need to know.’

Shen Longteng stroked his beard and laughed heartily.

"Just like a young man—bold words and high ambitions! Excellent!"

"In that case, go take up your post with them as soon as possible and get the Escort Team moving. The Escort Agency is busy, and we need everyone to contribute."

"Yes, sir!"

Xie Yuan clasped his hands and replied.

Shen Longteng nodded, then exchanged another look with the other Leaders and suddenly raised an eyebrow.

"Xie Yuan, you’re aware of the Escort Agency’s recent situation, yes?"

"I have a general idea."

Xie Yuan nodded.

’The Vajra Sect is watching us like a tiger. They’ve been pulling all sorts of tricks ahead of the arranged duel, making business difficult for the Escort Agency. The Agency has naturally responded, and friction between the two sides has been increasing, but with the duel looming, neither side has crossed the line.’

A glint flashed in Shen Longteng’s eyes.

"Those bastards are up to no good, just itching to make a move. I know they’re secretly contacting mountain bandits, hoping to deal us another heavy blow. We might as well play them at their own game."

"Xie Yuan, how about you keep the news of your breakthrough quiet for now?"