Chapter 17: Youth Without Diligence, Later Leaps with Sword Qi

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Studying the skill tree of the "Sword Soul Template," Liang Yue didn’t rush to allocate points on the spot. Only after confirming that the current environment was completely safe did he find a place to rest briefly and review the skills he could learn upon leveling up.

"Triple Slash"
"Level Requirement: 15"
"Cost: 10 SP"
"Skill Description: Launches a three-hit consecutive slash attack towards the target in front."

—

"Moonlight Slash"
"Level Requirement: 15"
"Skill Description: Executes a crescent-shaped slash towards the target ahead."

—

"Backward Jump Slash"
"Level Requirement: 15"
"Skill Description: Dodges an attack by jumping backward while releasing a sword energy slash."

—

After raising the Sword Soul profession level, many new combat techniques became available to Liang Yue, including some skills originally belonging to the Ghost Swordsman class.

Upon closer inspection, a key detail emerged.

Skills like Ghost Slash, Fiery Wave Slash, and the Blade Soul Kazan did not fall under the "Sword Soul Template."

The growth path offered was purely and absolutely that of the Sword Soul!

"Learning a skill costs 10 SP."

"I can still afford it..."

Compared to the "Inner Ghost Sword Technique" currently in use, these new skills provided Liang Yue with more options in battle, and the cost was clearly worth it.

Having been familiar with these skills in his past life, Liang Yue quickly mastered their practical combat applications as he spent his SP points.

The once empty skill template gradually became enriched.

"Skills: Inner Ghost Sword Technique (Mastery), Triple Slash (Lv1), Moonlight Slash (Lv1), Backward Jump Slash (Lv1)."

The newly acquired skills all came with level indications. The setup was no different from a game—later, leveling up would allow further point investment to enhance the overall effect of the skills.

"I'm quite familiar with Triple Slash..."

"Using Moonlight Slash in dagger form—would it also unleash the Inner Ghost Sword Technique’s sword energy?"

Liang Yue’s gaze swept over the Sword Soul Template. It only provided the tools; how to wield them depended on his understanding.

Combining and integrating all techniques would unleash even greater power.

With eager anticipation for his new skills, he took out the prepared lunchbox to replenish his energy. At this point, the experience gained from monsters on the sixth floor was gradually diminishing.

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Exploring deeper into the dungeon had become an inevitable task. Moreover, anyone who could hold back from showing all their skills right away was undoubtedly a prodigy.

"Let's push the progress down to the seventh floor; that should be enough exploration for today."

"..."

The dungeon’s overall dimness, coupled with the lack of any timekeeping device, left Liang Yue uncertain about the exact time.

His stamina had been briefly replenished, allowing him to make his next decision. Gripping his dagger, he pressed onward toward the deeper levels. The journey went smoothly for the most part.

However, upon approaching the passage to the seventh floor, the situation noticeably changed.

No other adventurers were encountered, but the so-called "Rookie Killers"—the Shadow Beasts—were lying in wait.

A small number were crouched here, seemingly attracted by other adventurers.

"Perfect for some practice!"

Though familiar with the Shadow Beasts’ attack patterns, facing so many at once was a novel battle experience for Liang Yue.

His eyes burned with fierce determination.

Grasping his dagger firmly, he didn’t start with the usual Inner Ghost Sword Technique, but instead unleashed the Triple Slash, which allowed for rapid forward dashes.

Bending slightly, he focused all his strength into his legs.

With a sudden burst of power, Liang Yue sprinted toward the nearby Shadow Beasts at incredible speed.

His blade struck diagonally from above.

The slash carried the sword energy of the Inner Ghost Sword Technique, sweeping through the Shadow Beast blocking his path, tearing the creature’s body apart like a storm.

He quickly pulled back his blade.

Changing direction, he slashed and charged again at a nearby monster that had not yet reacted. There was no dazzling sword afterimage this time.

The solidified white sword energy slash interrupted the Shadow Beast’s attack wind-up.

"..."

The Triple Slash could be released in a single move, with additional attacks chained as needed. Of course, the actual use depended on the battlefield situation.

He efficiently dispatched two Shadow Beasts.

Without giving Liang Yue a moment to adjust, five Shadow Beasts launched a swift encirclement attack.

Though the skill had no cooldown, repeated use took a toll on his body—a fact Liang Yue had already experienced.

Facing the Shadow Beasts’ encirclement, neither their speed, lethality, nor strength was comparable to ordinary goblins.

For other adventurers, this would be a truly perilous situation.

Yet no panic showed on Liang Yue’s face. Noticing the monsters surrounding him from the sides and front, his battle-honed skills allowed him to react decisively.

He gathered his strength and leapt several meters backward to evade the encirclement, simultaneously slashing downward in front of him.

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Sword energy burst forth.

It swept across the Shadow Beasts converging due to their attack, the sharp sword energy even carving deep grooves into the ground.

Not to mention, these creatures were essentially shadows.

All were torn apart by the sword energy. Magical stones and Shadow Beast claw fragments dropped to the ground, while their bodies dissipated into black dust.

They were then reabsorbed by the dungeon, awaiting their next reincarnation as monsters.

"That’s it!"

"Exactly the feeling I needed..."

Liang Yue’s hands grew warm as excitement welled up inside him. As primary combat techniques, Triple Slash and Moonlight Slash offered tremendous utility for both charge and sweeping attacks.

Meanwhile, the functionality of Backward Jump Slash gave him a defensive counterattack option when facing larger numbers of enemies.

"With the skills I have now..."

"Pushing to the twelfth floor shouldn’t be a problem."

Rare dungeon monsters hadn’t appeared yet, and the powerful floor bosses were still a distant concern.

Judging by the current situation, if he encountered an unbeatable monster, the issue would definitely be that his weapon wasn’t sharp enough.

The dagger form of the Inner Ghost Sword Technique unleashed sword energy based on his stats and the weapon’s sharpness.

This was probably analogous to attributes in a game.

For now, he didn’t delve deeper. Liang Yue knew he had plenty of time to explore the functionalities of the Sword Soul Template.

He collected the items dropped by the monsters.

Feeling considerably lighter in spirit, he kept his weapon at the ready and advanced cautiously toward the path leading to the seventh floor.

"I hope the seventh floor brings some surprises—preferably with more experience points!"

"..."

Without hesitation, Liang Yue ascended the stairs leading to what could be considered a safe zone, entering a familiar environment.

Upon arriving at the new floor, he was drawn to a figure in the distance fighting a killer ant.

When he recognized the adventurer’s appearance, a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes.

Because this adventurer was someone Liang Yue knew all too well!

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