Moments later, Dick requested a change of opponent. His current one was far too weak.

Within ten minutes, a new adversary arrived, this time a fifth-level warrior.

The battle lasted less than ten minutes before Dick once again demanded a new challenger. Ordinary warriors no longer met his needs; he had the strength to surpass his level long ago. Now, with the added power of his bloodline momentum, a mere fifth-level warrior couldn't push him to his limits. Without sufficient pressure, what was the point of the fight?

The family mentors were remarkably efficient. After a short rest, Dick’s next opponent was ready.

A fourth-level warrior?

No matter. Gripping his warblade, Dick launched into another frenzied assault. This opponent had more to offer — though also a fourth-level warrior, his foundation was far deeper, likely a bloodline warrior of the family as well.

Dick refrained from using fireball magic to aid his combat. This was training, not a fight to the death. His focus now was to push his *Blazing Blade* technique to its limit.

With the addition of twenty percent water-based magic enhancing his *Blazing Blade*, coupled with his *Flamecloud Step*, Dick’s prowess surged. Only with an opponent like this could he truly sharpen the practical application of his skills.

Momentum! Could it be as simple as the bloodline-induced aura? Damn it! His opponent’s momentum felt even more oppressive than his own. Was Dick’s fire-and-water dual affinity too simplistic? Shouldn’t fire-infused combat include some sort of heat-based intent? But how could he manifest such an aura?

As the battle wore on, Dick’s stamina waned. His opponent’s accumulated experience seemed to outweigh his own. Fire-based combat aura? Why not fire-based magic?

Feeling the pressure, something clicked within Dick, his mind grasping at an elusive insight. His warblade paused mid-air.

This was combat. His young opponent didn’t stop. The greatsword continued its arc towards Dick.

A force intercepted the blade.

Surprised, the youth looked up to see the supervising elder, a sixth-level warrior, signaling him to halt. With a wave, the elder dismissed the disheartened youth from the platform.

Dick stood there, warblade raised, motionless as though frozen in place.

The elder gestured, and a few attendants activated the arena’s formation, summoning a red barrier.

“Cao Yun, what’s going on?” Meng Qing rushed over, breathless.

“Fortunate child—he’s having an epiphany!” The supervising elder grinned with satisfaction.

“An epiphany, Dick?” Meng Qing, having personally introduced Dick to the family, was well-acquainted with him. “The fire-based aura?”

“Indeed. I’m not that senile!” The red barrier’s magical formation hummed with fire energy, subtly aiding Dick’s breakthrough.

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On the battle platform, Dick finally moved, swinging his blade with newfound understanding.

“Haha…” Meng Qing burst into laughter. “Cao Yun, you’re getting old! Can’t even distinguish between water and fire auras?”

“What the—?” The seasoned warrior frowned, quickly realizing the truth. The aura emanating from Dick’s blade carried a distinct blue rhythm. If not water, what could it be?

Dick glanced around after delivering his strike, then bowed deeply to the elder. “Thank you for your guidance, mentor!”

Cao Yun nodded awkwardly before dispelling the red barrier.

Dick hurried off the platform. The tidal momentum of water had just sparked a vague idea in his mind, but it still needed further refinement.

Returning to his chambers, Dick immersed himself in the jade pendant space.

Water—rivers, oceans, waves. Calm waters weren’t fearsome, but towering waves? That was power. His blade must strike like a tidal wave...

The jade pendant space, with its intense stimulation of his spiritual strength, deepened Dick’s understanding of the tidal momentum.

Picking up his blade, Dick unleashed another strike. Only one wave? Fine. For now, a single wave of momentum was his limit. But that was progress enough.

This wasn’t just the instinctive momentum of a bloodline warrior; it was a new understanding of nature itself, a momentum of his own. The sense of achievement filled Dick with an even stronger desire to delve deeper into the world of cultivation.

After a few intense battles, Dick was exhausted. He lay on his bed and fell into a deep, satisfying sleep.

The next morning, a strange longing overtook him—a yearning to see the ocean.

He left his chambers and ascended the mountain’s steps. Was Yao Guang family’s mountain really so tall? After half an hour of climbing, Dick reached the summit, gazing down upon the cliffs below. The waves crashed violently against the rocks. The sea — this was the tide, waves rising dozens of meters high. The raw power of nature reverberated through his soul.

Unconsciously, Dick drew his warblade and began swinging it: two waves, three waves!

Each wave built upon the last, but alas, the fourth wave remained elusive.

Still, it was an unexpected gain, and Dick felt content with what he had learned.

“New here?” A young man appeared at the summit, his silver hair flowing elegantly.

“Yeah,” Dick nodded, “I’m Dick.”

“Fisher,” the youth replied coolly. “You’re attuning to water-based intent?”

“Yeah.”

Fisher had little interest in continuing the conversation. He turned to gaze out at the sea, and with his newfound insight, Dick decided not to linger and disturb him. He sheathed his warblade and descended the mountain.

Instead of returning to his quarters, Dick made his way to the battle arena to observe other family warriors. There was always something to learn. He was a newly advanced fourth-level warrior, and much remained for him to study and absorb.

He wasn’t alone in his thinking. Many of the family’s disciples gathered at the arena to spectate. The battle zone was rarely short of an audience.

“Dick! You’ve grasped the water-based intent?” His battle from the previous day had caused quite the stir.

“Not fully,” Dick responded, not averse to making new acquaintances. “And you are...?”

“Guo Huai, fifth-level warrior!”

“Cousin!” Unsure of Guo’s age, but knowing his superior cultivation, Dick addressed him with the appropriate respect.

“No need for formality. Among the family’s mid-level warriors, we just call each other by name. Being too polite only creates distance.”

Fair enough. Following the customs here, Dick dropped the formalities.

Through his conversation with Guo Huai, Dick gained a deeper understanding of the Yao Guang family. From Guo’s attitude, it was clear that superiority in cultivation level didn’t breed arrogance here. Whether fourth, fifth, or sixth-level warriors, all were treated as equals.

“Dick, it’s fortunate you’ve grasped water-based intent. Otherwise, the family mentors would’ve been quite displeased with you.”

“Why? I’ve just arrived and haven’t offended anyone.”

“Dick, during your first public duel on the battle platform, your combat aura was infused with water-based magic. You know our Yao Guang family has always upheld the pure cultivation of bloodline qi. A few mentors were not too happy with what they saw.” Guo Huai’s explanation clarified things for Dick. It was the traditionalist mindset of the family, dedicated to their principles.

The lack of mages within the family was already a telling sign.