"Hmm? What do you mean?"
Jing Yuan didn't understand why March 7th would suddenly say that.
The three of them had just experienced the Proud Soul Fragment's effect. It was like being placed inside an illusory realm of the user's swordplay, where perceived time flowed countless times slower than in the outside world.
If one were a martial arts prodigy, they could indeed achieve what Fu Zhu had claimed: learning all of Jingliu's sword techniques within a single system hour. As for the results of that learning, that would depend on the learner's specific talent.
Since Fu Zhu had dared to make such a bold claim, Jing Yuan had reason to believe his martial arts talent was by no means low. Yet, March 7th had suddenly said it wasn't that simple, which couldn't help but pique the curiosity of the three.
Could it be that they had missed something?
Seeing Jing Yuan and the others looking at her, March 7th turned and pointed at Fu Zhu, who was busy working at the crafting table.
"If Fu Zhu was going to use the method you mentioned, General, he wouldn't be busy with who-knows-what right now."
And more importantly, when Yanqing had discovered that the Proud Soul Fragment could be used to transmit martial arts, Fu Zhu had looked surprised. He clearly had no idea about it before. Which meant that the fragment's martial arts transmission ability didn't work for Fu Zhu.
Even though everyone thought she was a bit of an airhead, March 7th thought she was being very clever right now!
While they were talking, Fu Zhu suddenly pulled a sword stand out of thin air and placed it before him. He then set his personal sword, the Demon Blade "Hiruko", on top. In his right hand, he held a Proud Soul Jewel, which he then tapped against the Demon Blade "Hiruko".
There was no sound or movement. The instant the Proud Soul Jewel touched the Demon Blade "Hiruko", it vanished—or rather, it merged into the blade.
Fu Zhu nervously took the Demon Blade "Hiruko" from the stand, holding it and examining it carefully.
[Demon Blade "Hiruko"]
[Enchantments: Durability III, Smite I, Fire Aspect, Sharpness II]
[SA: Jingliu's Sword Techniques]
"It worked!"
Seeing clearly that the Demon Blade "Hiruko's" SA had changed from Phantom Blade to Jingliu's Sword Techniques, Fu Zhu could finally relax.
So the Proud Soul Fragment really could replicate the skills of other swordsmen! He had successfully found a new BUG! No, this should be called a feature!
Fu Zhu let out a happy "yahoo!", drew the Demon Blade "Hiruko" from its sheath, and swung it at an empty spot. Several azure, crescent-moon-shaped sword qi instantly struck the ground, leaving behind sharp pillars of ice.
"Is that... my Glacial Stream, Reflecting Moon?"
Seeing this, Jingliu couldn't help but exclaim in surprise. Fu Zhu's previous move had perfectly replicated her technique, without the slightest deviation.
Even if she were to execute it herself, she couldn't achieve such flawless precision. It was as standard as a textbook example.
For a moment, she was actually a little confused as to whether this "Glacial Stream, Reflecting Moon" was a technique developed by Fu Zhu or by her.
Jing Yuan and Welt were also quite astonished. After witnessing the wondrous effect of the Proud Soul Fragment, they had guessed it would take Fu Zhu about one system hour to learn all of Jingliu's techniques, and their guesses had been fairly close.
But even if Fu Zhu were a genius, there had to be a limit. Even if you brought in a member of the Genius Society, they probably couldn't achieve such a flawless result in just a few short minutes, could they?
Fu Zhu tested out his newly acquired skill and was very satisfied.
Seeing the ice pillars left behind after the move hit the ground, this sword technique might even have a control effect. Compared to the Potion of Weakness and Golden Apple he had to use, this was a huge gain!
Fu Zhu happily sheathed the Demon Blade "Hiruko" and turned to the other four with a smile, asking, "How long did I take?"
March 7th lit up her phone screen. She had checked the time when Fu Zhu started "learning," so she glanced at it again before answering.
"Two minutes and thirty-seven seconds."
Fu Zhu smacked his lips and muttered with some regret, "I forgot to use the JEI item management mod. Otherwise, the time could have been even shorter. I could've pushed it further!"
After his surprise, Jing Yuan was filled with endless admiration. "Fu Zhu, when you said you needed a system hour earlier, I initially thought you were bragging. I never expected that you were actually being far too modest..."
"I wasn't being modest." Fu Zhu pointed to Jingliu at the side and said, "The system hour I mentioned was to ensure that she, Jingliu, had enough time to execute all her sword techniques and break the [Kugutsu] I gave her. It wasn't for me."
Jing Yuan and Jingliu were stunned. So that system hour was prepared for me (Jingliu)?! Fu Zhu knew from the very beginning that he didn't need a system hour's worth of time at all?!
"That really is... impressive." Jing Yuan couldn't help but praise in admiration. Although he could see that this wasn't true "learning" on Fu Zhu's part, the end result was that Fu Zhu could now use all of Jingliu's sword techniques. And that itself was Fu Zhu's goal from the start.
As long as the result was good, who cared if Fu Zhu was "learning" or not?
Jing Yuan also had no intention of probing into how Fu Zhu did it. It surely involved his own personal abilities, and he had never been fond of prying into other people's secrets.
Jingliu also couldn't help but let out a light sigh, murmuring in a voice only she and Jing Yuan could hear.
"Indeed, our era has already passed."
Jing Yuan lowered his gaze, making no response.
The atmosphere was silent for a good while before Jing Yuan finally raised his head again, his lips once again curved into their usual smile.
"Alright, since Fu Zhu has successfully learned the sword techniques, let's not linger here any longer. After all, this is a place for martial practice, not very suitable for conversation. Why don't I book a restaurant, and we can sit down, eat, and chat?"
"Let's skip that."
Fu Zhu immediately declined Jing Yuan's offer. He glanced at the time on his phone; it was already noon. Ever since leaving the guesthouse this morning, he had been planning to go shopping with March 7th to buy the fireworks he needed, but they ran into Jingliu and Luocha halfway through.
The matter of buying fireworks had been put on hold until now.
"I still have things I haven't bought yet, so let's make it another time. March, want to continue shopping together?" After declining Jing Yuan, Fu Zhu once again extended an invitation to March 7th.
"Okay!"
March 7th agreed without a second thought. Her date with Fu Zhu had been interrupted this morning, and she was still thinking about the streets they hadn't finished exploring. Naturally, she wouldn't refuse.
Seeing the two of them like this, Jing Yuan couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. He then turned his head and invited Welt.
"Well then, Mr. Yang, how about you join me for a cup of tea?"
"With pleasure."