Infinite Professions from a Pearl Collector

Although his Thorn Blade Technique was technically a Basic Saber Technique, it had been augmented by his Slaying Blade Asura Profession and his own insights, making it far superior to common Saber Techniques.

Besides, Chen Ye wasn’t worried about the technique being leaked. The main reason the Thorn Blade Technique was so powerful in his hands was due to the boon of his Asura’s Eye, which allowed him to spot an opponent’s weaknesses and flaws at a single glance.

’Without that, knowing the principles of the Saber Technique is useless.’

’So, if I were to trade this knowledge with that Mad Swordsman, I wonder if he’d be interested?’

At that thought, Chen Ye glanced at the closed door. Without further hesitation, he walked straight up and raised his hand to knock.

KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK.

"Who is it?" a hoarse, deep voice called from within.

The voice carried a sharpness that seemed capable of slicing through the very air.

A shiver went down Chen Ye’s spine. ’I’ve found the right place.’

The Sword Intent contained in that voice alone was enough to prove that the master of this room was an expert who had been immersed in the Sword Dao for many years.

"I have a secret concerning a Saber Technique that I wish to trade with you, sir," Chen Ye said in a deep voice, his tone neither servile nor overbearing.

There was a moment of silence from within the room.

"Come in."

CREAK. The door swung open on its own.

Chen Ye glanced back at Su Yuan. "Wait here for me."

"Oh." Su Yuan nodded obediently, her large eyes filled with curiosity, wondering what Chen Ye was up to.

Chen Ye straightened his clothes and stepped into the private room.

The light in the room was dim, and the furnishings were spartan—just one table and two chairs.

A tall, middle-aged man in black fitted clothes was hunched over, wiping a long saber that lay flat on the table.

The saber was about four feet long with a wide blade, its entire body crimson, as if a Flame flowed within it.

Even just looking at it, Chen Ye could feel a searing, domineering aura washing over him.

It was clearly a weapon of an extremely high grade.

Chen Ye’s gaze, however, fell upon the man himself.

His was a figure as solid as a mountain; merely sitting there, he exuded an unshakeable, oppressive presence.

The aura he emanated was unmistakably that of a Sea Condensation Realm master—and a top-tier one at that.

"Sit." The Mad Swordsman didn’t look up, uttering just that single word.

Chen Ye did as he was told and sat down in the chair opposite him.

"You said you have a secret about a Saber Technique?" the Mad Swordsman asked while meticulously wiping the blade with a piece of deerskin.

His movements were slow and focused, as if that saber were his entire world.

"Yes," Chen Ye nodded.

"Let’s hear it." The Mad Swordsman’s tone remained level. "If your information satisfies me, the price is negotiable."

Chen Ye mulled it over for a moment before speaking. "I have a Saber Technique, called Thorn, that focuses on ’piercing a surface with a single point.’ It’s about concentrating all of your body’s strength into the tip of the blade for a single explosive burst, pursuing the ultimate in piercing power."

The Mad Swordsman’s polishing movements paused slightly.

"’Piercing a surface with a single point?’ Interesting. Continue."

Chen Ye then briefly explained his understanding of the Thorn Blade Technique, along with some of his Cultivation insights.

He explained in great detail, from how to channel one’s energy to how to exert force, and even how to combine Sword Intent with Sword Techniques. He held nothing back.

Of course, he omitted the enhancements his Slaying Blade Asura Profession provided to the Saber Technique, claiming it was all his own comprehension.

For a time, only the steady sound of Chen Ye’s voice filled the private room.

The Mad Swordsman never looked up, but Chen Ye could sense a subtle fluctuation in his aura.

Clearly, his words had piqued the man’s interest.

After a long while, Chen Ye finished speaking.

He picked up a teacup from the table, took a sip, and quietly awaited the other man’s reaction.

"This Saber Technique of yours... while its path is a bit unorthodox, it certainly has its unique merits."

Finally, the Mad Swordsman spoke, slowly raising his head.

Only then did Chen Ye get a clear look at his face.

It was a weathered, square-jawed face, with two thick eyebrows that slanted up toward his temples. His eyes were as sharp as a blade, and a vicious scar ran from the corner of his eye to the corner of his mouth, giving him a fierce and rugged air.

"Did you create this Saber Technique yourself?" the Mad Swordsman asked, staring at Chen Ye.

"Yes," Chen Ye replied, his expression unchanging.

A flash of surprise flickered in the Mad Swordsman’s eyes.

He could tell that Chen Ye was young, twenty at most.

To be able to create such an imaginative Saber Technique at this age, and to have comprehended it to such a degree... his Talent was nothing short of astonishing.

"Not bad," the Mad Swordsman nodded, acknowledging Chen Ye’s worth.

"What do you want?" he asked directly.

Chen Ye’s heart leaped with joy. ’This is going to work.’

"I need money."

Chen Ye didn’t name a specific price, as he wanted to see how much the man was willing to offer.

The Mad Swordsman raised an eyebrow at his words.

He hadn’t expected the young man to be so direct, but he nodded anyway. "Alright. Your Saber Technique is a bit extreme, but it’s a decent concept and has given me some inspiration. I can give you five hundred taels."

Chen Ye’s eyes lit up.

To be honest, he hadn’t expected to get so much money for it and was quite pleased.

"But I have one condition!"

"What condition?"

"Spar one move with me."

Before Chen Ye could even agree, the Mad Swordsman snatched a writing brush from the table. Using the brush as a blade, he thrust it straight at the center of Chen Ye’s brow.

Although it was just an ordinary, worn-out brush, in Chen Ye’s eyes, it was like a colossal blade capable of sundering the heavens, slashing down at him.