The smell of freshly cut grass came with a light breeze. The sun is up in the sky, but I'm not feeling hot, thanks to the shade of an oak tree.

I'm lying on my back, gazing up at the sky full of clouds. I can feel the grass poking my back, yet I don't seem to mind.

Beside me, I can hear someone talking. She has short curly black hair and large almond eyes. She is beautiful, but nothing special. Still, her smile is so infectious I can't help but share a smile of my own.

She is talking while pointing at the clouds. Though I can't hear what she is saying, she speaks with so much energy and passion.

What surprised me is I can hear her giggle now and then. The sound of her laughter is the most beautiful sound I had ever heard. That sound makes me want to say a promise; I vow to protect that smile.

The dream reminds me of many romantic movie scenes. Where couples have a romantic picnic under a tree, on top of a grassy hill. But hey, this happens, in reality, more often than not. Maybe...

I woke up with a smile on my face. This is one of the rare moments where I don't want to wake up and stay dreaming.

I apologize for wasting a few hundred characters in this chapter. But I just need to share that wonderful dream. It seems important...

The day started as always, but the atmosphere is a little different. New members are excited while the rest (I included.) are anxious about the coming tournament.

The senior members are anxious because they know the tournament is an assessment. But, I'm anxious for a different reason.

This is a significant turning point in the story because the evil Sect will strike again. This will result in an all-out war between the good and evil Sect.

As I have warned you before, It turns out that the Sect is deeply infiltrated by the evil Sect.

The tournament provides a perfect opportunity for the evil Sect to start its plans. Their aim this time is to steal a forbidden technique that the Sect is protecting.

Of course, they will fail thanks to Bo Jin thwarting their plans, but many lives will be taken as a consequence. That's why I need to do something, somehow.

Warning the elders and the sect members of the upcoming attack is not a good strategy. It didn't help last time, so I expect it won't help this time. I need to come up with a better plan; I need to be smart about this.

I racked my brains while eating my breakfast, but no idea comes to mind. Thankfully, I still have a few more days until the tournament. Concentrating on my training is the best course of action, for now. I should have at least the strength to protect myself during the attack.

The whole morning I focused on learning about the new technique given to me by mistake.

To my disappointment, It's a technique for hand to hand combat style of fighting. From my understanding, the technique employs every part of the body as a weapon. Fingers, hands, elbows, feet, knees, and even the shin can be used as blades, spears, and shields. Basically, it says the whole body is a weapon.

It sounds well and good, but I don't know if it's compatible with my dagger martial tool. Even if it's compatible, I prefer having a weapon than nothing at all. What's more, invisibility is way cooler than this technique.

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Well, I can complain about it, but nothing will change. All I can do is use what resources I have. I mean, can get another technique from the pavilion, but I lack contribution points at the moment. It such a shame I wasted 3 months without earning some contribution points.

As I read further. It turns out that the bladed hand technique does not only focused on hand to hand combat. But also with weapons training. If mastered, the ability to fight with weapons or empty hands interchangeably. The ability to turn everyday items into lethal weapons are also developed.

The bladed hand is divided into three stages of training. First is hand to hand combat training. The second is impact weapons training, and lastly is the bladed weapons training.

Somehow, the phrase "the weapon is part of your body." is repeated several times within the text, whatever that means.

There a lot more complicated things that I don't understand. But, if I'm reading this right. Mastering this technique will allow me to use any weapon effectively. I call it a "jack of all trades" kind of technique.

Sounds pretty cool, but it also sounds tough to learn.

The first part includes basic tactical ranges, methods, and unarmed tactical methods. All of which is highly technical for me to understand. I need some help with this technique, so I went to one of the instructors for help, but he brushed me aside. It seems he has a more important student to teach.

I have no other choice but to ask again for Lou Yi's help.

"That's only natural; most of the teachers see no value in teaching red talent students, no offense."

This is the reply she gave me when I good her what happened.

"Don't be so blunt about it. It's kinda hurt, you know."

"In what way should have, I told you then? I'm just telling the truth."

Lou Yi feels like a younger sister to me, but sometimes she has no filter when talking with people. Especially when it comes to cultivation.

"Just help me with this, will you?"

"Technique scrolls can't be shared with other sect members. If it is, there is no point for us to earn contribution points when we can just borrow techniques scrolls from each other. "

"It's okay, old man Song permitted me to show it to you since he made a mistake in the first place."

"Elder song is really easy-going."

"Well, that's one way of putting it,"

Lou Yi seems to not sense my sarcasm and proceeded to read.

After reading for some time, she murmured:

"This technique is interesting. However, to be good at many weapons but not mastering one is a disadvantage. Hmmm... What part don't you understand?"

Woah! That's deep!

"Don't really understand the first part, about right here," I said while pointing at the scroll.

"Did you try infusing it with your Qi?"

"...."

Blood rushed on my face, making me blush... I guess. Why didn't I think of that?

Lou Yi smiled at my lack of response and handed back the scroll.

"I think this technique is quite simple, and it suits you well since it has step by step instructions."

What that's supposed to mean?

"You will find it easier to understand the words after you infuse your Qi. It's a good technique, but I think this is not for me."

"Thanks! I'll go to start my training." I scampered away to scape her teasing smile.

I spent every hour of the day cultivating and training my bladed hand technique. I also spar with Lou Yi, which I ended with my ass being kicked. She has higher cultivation than me, so it's only natural, but it sucks that my ass is being handed to me by a little girl.

After 3 days of cultivation, I finally have a breakthrough. I start noticing significant changes in my body. Mostly my skin looks healthier and smoother than before. My malnourished-looking body, due to years of neglect and starvation, Is starting to gain more muscle.

I also feel my body is more flexible and has a higher tolerance for low and high temperatures. This, I guess, is the effect of my water technique cultivation.

Ashley is getting bigger by the day, but it has been so long when I saw her awake. She just floats there with closed eyes; only the faint movement of her chest signifies she is alive.

Wait, that's the first time I noticed this. Ashley is becoming like a real human baby. I don't know if I should be excited or be worried...

The tournament day is getting near, and yet I don't have any idea how to prevent or mitigate the upcoming attack. I know some of the evil sect spies, but I don't think I'm strong enough to take them out. But I could follow their movements, and maybe I could have an opportunity to disrupt their plans.

When I was writing this part of the story. I focused solely on the event itself, not on the specific circumstances leading to the successful infiltration.

There is only one thing I know. The jerk I warned you about before will be the one who will deactivate the formation that protects the Sect. I could stop that traitor before he can, but I'm not sure how.

I have to stake him out...