After finishing this practice, he switched to his left hand, positioning the wooden sword at his right waist. Ensuring his posture was correct, he performed the sword draw technique to target the right side of the log. He repeated this sequence 100 times until it grew dark. Once he completed his training, Madara meditated to focus and restore his energy, then went to sleep.

The next morning, Madara set out to practice the final basic sword skill: the sword block. He had previously used this technique while defending himself against arrows shot by one of his pursuers. Although he managed to use the block, he realized he needed more practice, as some of the qi-based arrows still grazed his arms and legs, leaving scars that eventually healed into permanent marks.

To effectively master the sword block, he needed a way to simulate attacks, but since he was alone and couldn’t use his Wood Clone Technique (which would raise questions if someone saw it and he wasn’t sure of its grade in the xianxia world), he decided to create an improvised manual catapult. This catapult would use small stones as projectiles. He came up with this idea after recalling the difficulty he had faced while trying to block Qi-based arrows.

He went to the log he had cut down the previous day and, using his qi-infused wooden sword, cut it vertically to create a plank. Afterward, he stored the plank in his storage ring and collected two large stones from a nearby area, along with small stones to be used as projectiles. Upon returning, he took out the large stones and set one in his training area. He placed the plank on top of the large stone, positioning it like a seesaw.

On the opposite end of the plank, he placed one of the small stones. To test his setup, he quickly tossed one of the large stones from his storage ring onto the elevated end of the plank. As he did this, the opposite end, where the small stone was positioned, lifted up. As a result, the small stone was launched upwards and, after a few seconds, fell back to the ground. Madara quickly approached the spot where the stone had landed and picked it up. He marked the distance where the stone had fallen with his foot.

Madara then returned to his catapult setup and reset it for the next throw. He placed a small stone on the lower end of the plank and tossed a large stone onto the elevated end. When the small stone was launched into the air, Madara used his Body Flicker Technique to quickly move to the marked distance.

As the small stone approached, he swiftly drew his wooden sword from his storage ring with his right hand to block it. To avoid damaging the stone, he chose not to infuse the sword with qi. As the stone came closer, Madara successfully intercepted it using his sword block technique, all while maintaining his Guard Position at the intermediate stage.

---Guard Positions: Different stances and positions of the sword that provide protection and readiness for offense, like high guard, low guard, and middle guard.---

Afterward, Madara repeated the exercise, this time using his left hand to hold the wooden sword for blocking the stones. Once he successfully blocked the stones with his left hand, he added another small stone to the setup, gradually increasing the number of stones he needed to block. Despite the challenge of managing multiple stones and limited visibility due to the falling snow, he was able to block each stone effectively. With each successful block, Madara added another stone, continuing this rigorous training until the evening.

The next day, he focused on practicing the feint technique. The following day, he concentrated on the sword draw and then the sword block, establishing a routine with these exercises. Alongside his practical training, he reviewed the advice from the book:

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~As a sword cultivator, you need unwavering dedication and discipline, fully committing to the path of swordsmanship (Sword Dao). Perseverance is crucial, as you will face numerous challenges that test your mental fortitude.~

...

After 11 months (summer)

Inside the house, a 12-year-old boy is meditating in a cross-legged position, with his wooden sword lying in front of him. He is shirtless and wearing a leaf skirt that gives him a forest-dweller appearance. His long black hair reaches down to his waist, with bangs on the right side of his face framing his features and partially covering his eyes. The hair is parted slightly off-center.

As he opened his eyes, he muttered to himself, "It seems I need to experience a real battle. Maybe then, my mastery and progress will improve." Two months ago, he had advanced his three basic sword skills—feint, sword draw, and sword block—to an intermediate stage. Despite his efforts to further develop his skills over the last two months, he had made no progress toward reaching the advanced stage. "I also need to conquer that fear of dying that I felt before," he continued, reflecting on the fear he had experienced in the presence of the three men in black and the gray gorilla.

---Advanced Stage: At this stage, the practitioner’s mastery becomes evident. They can execute the technique effortlessly and with great power. They may even begin to integrate it with other techniques or martial skills.---

After making this decision, Madara looked at the calendar hanging on one of the walls of his house, noting that it was Day 516 (0-5-1-6). "I only have three years left." He took the calendar and placed it in his storage ring. Stepping outside, he placed his hand on the ground and said, "Release." As he spoke the command, his house slowly sank into the ground until it completely disappeared, leaving no trace that it had been there. Satisfied that he hadn’t forgotten anything, Madara began searching for opponents to hone his fighting skills and make progress.

As he ran, he headed back to the tree where he had previously seen the red chimpanzees and gray gorillas. Unfortunately, neither the creatures nor the yellow fruit were there, so he continued his search. After several hours of running and using the body flicker technique, he found himself at a mountain. Not far off, he spotted what appeared to be a cave—a feature that hadn't been there during his first visit.

Approaching the cave entrance, he noticed large bats sleeping on the ceiling, each roughly the size of a human. As he looked down, he saw skulls and skeletons of both humans and monster beasts scattered on the ground. Judging by the Qi they emitted, the bats were at a level similar to his own, which was in the early stage of Qi condensation.

---Bloodfang Bat: A colony of oversized, bloodthirsty bats with razor-sharp fangs and blood-red eyes. They often swarm in dark caves and sleep during the day.---

Madara thought this cave could be a good place for training. However, before he began, he needed to check the interior of the cave to determine any potential advantages or threats. As he cautiously entered, he heard only the groans of sleeping bats and the dripping of water. “Maybe it’s urine? ”He wondered. As he ventured deeper, he ignited fire in his right hand and continued further into the cave.

After several hours of walking, he came across a human skeleton leaning against the cave wall, with a red crystal embedded in its chest. He was about to approach it when he heard an old voice say, "Child." The voice startled him and made him stop in his tracks.

Madara frowned, puzzled because the voice seemed to come from the skeleton itself. His attention was then drawn to the red crystal, which began emitting a black mist.

...

Meanwhile...

The old man had activated his technique, Demon's Insight of the Abyss.

---Demon’s Insight of the Abyss: This malevolent technique used by demon cultivators allows them to peer into and assess the fundamental qualities of other cultivators. It reveals hidden attributes of a cultivator’s spiritual root, bone marrow, and bloodline with chilling accuracy. It is often used to gauge the potential threat or value of other cultivators.---

Unaware of what was happening, the young boy was being scrutinized by the old man, who was examining his spiritual root, bone marrow, and bloodline.

“Uchiha? Sharingan? ... Susanoo? ...Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan? ... Hahaha, magnificent bloodline! ”The old man laughed heartily at his discovery.