Solomon began explaining the basics of martial arts to Luke.
At the Soul Refinement Realm, a cultivator can augment their body and weapon with Qi, making it the most effective method of combat at that stage even if it doesn't directly aid in breaking through to the next realm.
"Brat, watch closely and sense the Qi around me," Solomon said as he brought his sword forward.
Luke sharpened his focus, not just to sense but also to see the Qi something he had been able to do since birth. He still didn't know whether it was because he was a transmigrator or some unique constitution of his body.
In Eldia, individuals were only categorized based on talent, not constitution, but Luke had a strong feeling that this ability stemmed more from his body's innate nature than talent.
He believed that it was this special constitution, combined with the matured mind of a 22-year-old undergraduate, that enabled him to achieve such insane breakthroughs. Otherwise, how could he have reached the Body Refining Realm at the age of one and without even using an elixir when his peers wouldn't even begin cultivation until the age of five?
Not only had he refined his soul 100 times an achievement far beyond the known record of 35, which was set by a red-tier talent in Eldia but he had shattered all expectations.
The theoretical upper limit for red-tier talents was 40 refinements, and even reaching that was considered a miracle. For someone labeled as a green-tier, whose limit was supposed to be 25, achieving 100 refinements bordered on the impossible.
Luke couldn't help but doubt his appraisal. Was he truly a green-tier? It seemed more likely he had been misclassified and was actually a red-tier. But even that assumption felt flawed. The records of the West Immortal Sect clearly stated that red-tier talents could not exceed 40 refinements.
Or else he is a green-tier talent with an insanely rare body constitution, but he doesn't have solid proof to back it up. Still, he felt deep down that this was true.
As Solomon stood still, his breathing pattern began to shift. From Solomon's body, small particles began to emerge, orderly like marching soldiers. With his will and control, the Qi particles began to coat the sword from the hilt through Solomon's hand. They covered the entire sword with the same consistency and sharpness.
"Brat, this Qi augmentation is the foundation of Qi sword fighting techniques. You need to master it before you can even begin learning proper combat techniques. Normally, it takes anywhere from a week to a month to grasp, but in your case, you have less than a week."
Solomon paused for a moment in silence.
"There's a bunch of swords like the one in your hand, along with the Qi augmentation manual. Try to learn it. If you manage to grasp it before the trial, come to me—I'll teach you further. But if you can't, ask Lord Wilson to cancel the trial. Otherwise, you're dead."
Luke understood why he'd be dead if he couldn't learn Qi augmentation in less than a week. What he didn't understand, however, was why he needed that many swords.
Swiftly, Solomon left the training ground without another word.
Luke, filled with excitement to try Qi refinement, didn't even glance at the manual. He immediately attempted to replicate what he had seen and sensed from Solomon when he coated his sword with Qi. Taking deep breaths in a rhythm similar to Solomon's, he began to draw Qi from his soul through the Qi path.
He tried to spread the Qi uniformly, just like Solomon did—but failed.
Even though he had refined his soul a hundred times, could see Qi, possessed a vast soul space, and had full control over it feats unimaginable for his peers. He still couldn't properly control Qi outside his body. The Qi flowed unevenly as he attempted to coat the blade, but he kept trying to force it into a uniform layer.
BANG!
His sword shattered again.