Not long after departing from the Lo estate in Edge City, Tyler found himself marveling at the opulence of the entire property.

Spanning a vast expanse of at least 30 acres, the estate comprised eight distinct lavish residences constructed from an array of precious stones. It also featured a communal outdoor garden adorned with fragrant flowers and robust wooden structures, such as gazebos and ornate archways that served as pathways.

This expansive outdoor garden served a dual purpose as both a scenic landscape and a cultivation area for the estate.

Situated at the outskirts of Edge City, the compound was enclosed by a security formation all along its perimeter that deterred unauthorized access and overlooked Serenity Lake. Adjacent to it stood the city's correctional facility with a section that served as a courtroom, which they were in charge of.

In hindsight, Tyler had glimpsed the estate a few times while sprinting back to the beach, but he had never linked it to the Lo family's base in Edge City.

According to Wang, Shen's right-hand person in Edge City, this was the Lo family's most modest property among those scattered across Sword King Mountain.

In contrast, the nearby prison was the largest out of all the cities and fell within their responsibility, as they held the reins of law and order in the area.

However, due to Edge City's unique characteristics, it was a rare occurrence for the prisoners' cultivation levels to surpass the 20th level.

Hence, just a few formidable family members were more than capable of managing affairs at this location and in case of a truly strong cultivator causing issues, they could always be sent to Permanence City.

Tyler was being led through the city while his guide was being mostly silent for over half an hour. Wang, being a cultivator, naturally moved quite quickly and Tyler, to keep up, had to jog after the man at a speed that he would have ran a marathon at in the past.

Now however, he wasn’t that affected by it and he saw no issues with this since the Qi within his body helped tremendously with speed, stamina and recovery.

He was well accustomed to seeing many people walk around at speeds where he’d have to sprint to achieve.

Movement techniques that had very low Qi costs were quite common and useful after all and he had seen his fair share inside the restricted section of the library. Sadly though, none of those he looked through resulted in anything for him. The system’s help was just too much on most of those difficult techniques.

It was still early morning as after his talks with Lin Jian yesterday he had gone back to the library to rest and relax for the rest of the day, in preparation for a full day at the Radiant Fist Dojo.

Under the rising sun of Edge City, Tyler found himself in the presence of a structure that seemed to have emerged straight from Japan's Edo period, constructed entirely from wood—a striking contrast to the stone edifices that surrounded it.

The building itself stood as a testament to the mastery of traditional Japanese architecture. Its weathered wooden framework showcased the intricate craftsmanship of the Edo Period.

A lofty, slanting roof adorned with dark wooden tiles elegantly curved downward at the eaves, casting profound shadows upon the tatami mat-covered floor beneath.

At this juncture, Wang bid Tyler farewell, leaving him with a communication crystal for potential future contact, which he promptly put away in his pocket which now housed two communication crystals. He would certainly benefit from researching storage bags sometime soon, he thought.

As Tyler stood there, he was entranced by the captivating scenery before him. The hallowed doors of the establishment slowly creaked open, revealing a venerable figure adorned in traditional Japanese martial arts attire.

This elder, known as Master Tanaka, possessed the dignified countenance of a man in his fifties, his head gleaming with baldness and his sharp eyebrows and soft features framing a face filled with wisdom.

"You must be Tyler. I've been expecting you," said Master Tanaka.

"And you must be Master Tanaka Shen told me about. A pleasure to meet you," replied Tyler in a respectful tone. "I must say, I didn't expect to see such a beautiful structure in such a busy sector of the city."

Smiling, Master Tanaka answered, "Thank you, Tyler. My dojo has stood as a bastion of martial arts and discipline amidst the bustling city for more than a hundred and seventy years now. It serves as a reminder that amidst the chaos, one can always find serenity and purpose in the pursuit of martial arts. Please, come in. You’re the first to get here and it’s sure to be busy in the next few hours."

Tyler, strode right in lead by Master Tanaka.

Upon crossing the threshold into the expansive dojo, Tyler was immediately embraced by a profound aura of history and tradition. This dojo, a sacred haven for martial artists, radiated an atmosphere steeped in reverence and discipline, just like the old man had said and if he didn’t know any better he’d think that he was back a few years ago when he visited Japan for the first time.

The interior space was expansive, meticulously designed for the practice of martial arts. Its walls were adorned with finely crafted wooden panels, each bearing a unique calligraphy scroll or the portrait of a revered martial arts master performing a technique or demonstrating a certain form.

Dimly lit lanterns hung gracefully from the ceiling, casting a warm and intimate glow that enveloped the area, creating a perfect ambiance so one could find serenity and focus.

In one corner, an alcove showcased an ornate kamidana, a petite Shinto shrine with a picture of a beautiful young woman and burning incense. In another corner, a meticulously maintained ikebana arrangement added a touch of grace to the otherwise austere surroundings.

At the heart of the dojo, a gleaming wooden dais stood prominently, serving as the focal point for training and instruction. It was here that students would assemble to learn the techniques and profound philosophies of martial arts. Towards the back wall stood many such dummies for individual practice.

As Tyler absorbed the grandeur of the expansive dojo, he could feel the profound respect that the proprietor held for the martial arts—a reverence for the traditions that had thrived within these walls and for the ideals it represented. It was a sacred realm where warriors refined their skills and nurtured their spirits.

Tyler's admiration endured for a few minutes as he stood in silence, absorbing every detail.

Eventually, he turned to Master Tanaka, who stood there with his hands behind his back, silently appreciating the view as well. "I haven’t seen one of these in a while, but if I had to guess, this would be the perfect representation of an authentic Japanese dojo."

Surprised that this mortal possessed actual knowledge of one of the pre-shattering martial arts centers in the world, Master Tanaka's opinion of Tyler significantly elevated. "Indeed," he responded, his voice reflecting his newfound respect.

"This establishment was constructed following the doctrines of a Shattering Ancestor's dojo, far in the eastern continent where I am from. That you would know its origin is impressive; not many on this continent even know of the land of the rising sun."

"The land of the rising sun, Japan..… Nothing in the library in Edge City alluded to it. I thought most of the eastern world had disappeared from this earth... I see not everything was lost to history," Tyler said with a sad smile. "Can you tell me about it? Your home country?" he asked.

Master Tanaka was somewhat surprised that a mortal in the westernmost part of the world would even have heard of his home country, but he seemed to speak about it with a touch of nostalgia in his voice, much the same way he himself reminisced.

"Maybe later," Master Tanaka replied. "From sunrise to sunset, this dojo is for martial arts practice. If you make it through the day, maybe we can discuss it over tea. How does that sound?"

Tyler didn't answer verbally and simply nodded. He wasn't in the mood for reminiscing right now either, as that would disrupt his entire day.

"Good," said Master Tanaka. "Tell me, what do you seek from coming here?"

"Honestly," Tyler replied, "a good gym to work out at and to use your teachings as a path to advance my cultivation. My jiu-jitsu is rusty, and the only other combat experience I've had in the past was with… long-range weaponry."

“You know jiu-jitsu?” asked the old man, even more surprised than before.

“A bit. I was taught as part of my… training a decade ago and I had kept at it with friends every now and then.”

“Show me. I won’t use any of my cultivation and match your strength.” Said the old man, taking a fighting stance.

Tyler's initial bout with Master Tanaka resembled a novice grappling with a seasoned master. The elderly martial artist moved with a grace and precision that belied his age, showcasing an intimate grasp of martial fundamentals.

As the sparring commenced, Tyler cautiously approached, aiming to apply his modest jiu-jitsu knowledge.

He initiated a straightforward takedown, but Master Tanaka effortlessly sidestepped the maneuver, sending Tyler stumbling. In a swift and unexpected move, the old master countered with a rapid joint lock aimed at his right arm, rendering Tyler briefly immobilized.

The execution was so precise that Tyler felt as though he had unwittingly walked into an intricately laid trap.

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Unyielding in his determination, Tyler adjusted his tactics and launched a swift grappling move.

This time, instead of an immediate repulsion, he opted to utilize a unique advantage—his divine sense. He cast his divine sense over Master Tanaka, gaining an extraordinary insight into the old man's movements.

To his astonishment, Tyler realized that before he had even taken half a step, Master Tanaka had already initiated a calculated response as he could see the man’s weight being shifted naturally with little input.

The elderly master showcased his expertise, subtly shifting his weight and evading Tyler's grasp with effortless finesse. Tyler's divine sense proved indispensable when it came to avoiding a counterattack, as he detected, almost like he possessed eyes in the back of his head, a low sweeping kick headed towards his left foot.

With a last-second dodge, he raised his foot, narrowly escaping the blow that would’ve taken him down without a doubt.

Frustration welled up within Tyler as he acknowledged that this minor victory was achieved through an advantage the old martial artist lacked—divine sense. It underscored the remarkable power of this ability in the world of cultivation.

Several more exchanges followed, some with the assistance of divine sense and others without, yet Tyler's attempts to gain the upper hand without divine sense were repeatedly thwarted, demonstrating Master Tanaka's unwavering mastery.

Each technique Tyler executed was met with a composed and calculated counter from the old master, who seemed to effortlessly dictate the flow of their engagement. Tyler found himself outmatched at every juncture, grappling with the enormity of the skill and experience possessed by the man before him.

Master Tanaka nodded approvingly and said, "Mmh. Not bad. You’re better than most cultivators that step through here relying on nothing but their cultivations and Qi techniques to strike."

Having heeded the Sword King's warning, Tyler chose not to disclose his use of divine sense.

Instead, he wore a bitter smile on his face as he recollected a polite custom in Japanese culture: bowing to one's opponents and training partners as a gesture of respect.

Tyler extended this courtesy to Master Tanaka and his establishment, acknowledging the rich culture and the old master's willingness to accommodate him. He bowed softly, facing the man directly, before providing his response.

"Thank you for the compliments. While my grappling skills were somewhat useful in controlling ordinary people, it appears they would fall short in a true confrontation against cultivators. Therefore, if it's possible, I'd be honored to learn martial arts from you."

Warmth filled the old man's heart when he saw the young man display proper etiquette, something he always had to teach youths that stepped into a dojo for the first time.

"Considering that you were personally referred to as an important individual by Young Master Shen, and the fact that you managed to enter my dojo without even needing to lift the formation, I can certainly accommodate your request," replied Master Tanaka with a smile that hinted that he knew much more than he let on.

Feeling somewhat awkward for not even realizing that the inconspicuous token hanging from his waistband had granted him direct access, Tyler returned the smile. "When do we start?"

"Right now," replied Master Tanaka. "Observe."

Master Tanaka embarked on Tyler's martial arts tutelage by introducing a set of foundational striking techniques meticulously tailored for cultivators. He had called this martial art the Radiant Wave Stance.

These techniques extended beyond mere physical precision, delving into the intricate art of harmonizing one's inner energy, the elusive qi, to amplify the power and effectiveness of each strike. He emphasized that these were authentic martial techniques, each bearing a distinct system name.

The first technique was "The Iron Fist." Master Tanaka demonstrated its execution, elucidating that the pivotal element lay in concentrating qi into the striking hand, endowing it with the hardness of iron upon impact.

The resulting force possessed the capacity to shatter bricks and sustain heavy hits against oncoming attacks.

Tyler watched closely as Master Tanaka's fist made contact with a wooden practice dummy, which seemingly withstood the assault without flinching.

However, Tyler, thanks to his divine sense, discerned an immense reservoir of Qi within the strike, exemplified by the thick membrane of Qi covering the man’s fist and the large displacement of air left in its wake.

Next was "The Whispering Palm," a technique that honed precision and control. Master Tanaka guided Tyler on how to strike with the palm in a manner that allowed it to infiltrate an adversary's defenses as quietly as a whisper, effortlessly piercing through their guard.

It was a method designed for delivering swift, precise, and debilitating blows.

Tyler observed as the Qi flowed down from his arms, into each of Master Tanaka's fingers and as he folded his fingers into his palm, almost like he was executing a technique he recalled from various martial arts movies known as Tiger Palm.

The Qi coalesced into the central point of his palm before releasing a concentrated stream of energy into the wooden dummy, manifesting from the palm's epicenter.

Transitioning to kicks, Master Tanaka demonstrated "The Soaring Crane Kick." This dynamic move involved a potent upward kick aimed at an opponent's chest or chin.

He expounded on the art of channeling qi into the leg to amplify both the force and agility of the kick.

The motion resembled the graceful flight of a crane, but the impact belied its gentleness.

As Master Tanaka shifted his weight, the Qi flowed from his dantian, surged through his leg, and erupted with such force that the once-resilient dummy finally showed signs of giving way.

The final technique, "The Flowing River Sweep," directed attention to the lower body, emphasizing leg sweeps and trips. Master Tanaka illustrated how this technique could unbalance an opponent, creating opportunities for subsequent attacks.

The core principle was maintaining equilibrium while executing the sweeps, ensuring the practitioner remained poised for the next move.

In this instance, Master Tanaka's Qi wasn't forcefully propelled forward or employed as a barrier to harden the fist like iron. Instead, it fortified the legs and core muscles, heightening speed to catch opponents off-guard and execute swift takedowns.

As Tyler observed these techniques, Master Tanaka's verbal explanations resonated deeply.

The seamless integration of martial expertise and qi manipulation within each technique underscored the profound depth of martial arts in the realm of cultivation.

It invoked memories of Tyler's own journey with the One Finger, One Sword technique. This initiation into martial arts was just the beginning, and Tyler eagerly anticipated plunging further into the realms of this age-old and potent discipline.

“If I may, Master Tanaka. Can I have your insights into the only technique I actually have?” asked Tyler, tentatively.

“Sure. This will give me an idea of what I have to work with. You can even use your full cultivation if you wish, this dummy is tougher than you think.”

Without uttering another word, Tyler assumed his stance once more, a picture of unwavering determination. He stood tall, his left hand positioned on his lower back while his right hand's index and middle fingers formed a sword-like shape.

A fleeting moment was spent consolidating the various components of his technique, and then it happened—a brilliant blue sword materialized, enveloped by wisps of white clouds that swirled around his arm and fingers.

With a sharp, controlled thrust forward and a synchronized exhale, the sword transformed into a vivid yellow hue, hurtling towards the wooden dummy with unrelenting force.

Yet, to Tyler's astonishment, the dummy remained entirely unscathed, the impact seemingly having no effect at all aside from a loud thud.

Master Tanaka, once more taken aback by the remarkable display he had witnessed, couldn't help but express his astonishment. "Is that the Mortal-Grade One Finger, One Sword technique?"

Tyler nodded affirmatively. "Yes, I did add some modifications to it, but the core essence remains rooted in the One Finger, One Sword technique."

Curiosity piqued, Master Tanaka inquired further. "If I may ask... What exactly did you add to it, and how did you do so?"

Tyler complied with a concise explanation, his speech already pre-prepared. "Long story short, I incorporated principles from the Thundering Winds and Sword Clouds Methods."

Master Tanaka's face grew noticeably more solemn.

However, before the old master could voice anything, Tyler chimed in. "Yes, yes, I know. Don't worry; it's fine."

Undeterred, Tyler pressed on. "The release segment of the technique aligns with the fluid movements of the Thundering Winds, while the wisps of clouds that envelop my finger signify the manifestation of my acupoints’ sword clouds into reality through the conduit of my Qi through them."

Uncertain about how to respond, Master Tanaka let out a sigh. "I already suspected your background was exceptional based on what Young Master Shen had mentioned. But being a direct disciple of the Sword King is a bit... Odd.”

“Why did you seek me out for martial arts training because from this technique alone I’m not sure I am able to provide much guidance that you couldn’t get from a much better teacher in Profound City?"

Tyler shook his head slightly. "I'm not a direct disciple, and my situation is somewhat unusual. I won't delve into the details. As for why I chose you, that’s easy. You were recommended by Shen, and I happen to be in need of a teacher and a gym near my lodgings at the library in Edge City."

Tyler's response left Master Tanaka genuinely speechless.

It was clear that this young man in his late twenties possessed the means to access the entire Veridian Peaks, yet he had chosen to reside in Edge City's library and seek out the first martial arts establishment recommended by a friend.

It was a testament to Tyler's apparent indifference toward status and adulation, prioritizing practicality and the pursuit of knowledge and martial expertise above all else.

This unexpected revelation left Master Tanaka with a profound sense of respect for Tyler's character and values.

In truth, reality wasn't too far from what Master Tanaka had speculated. Tyler did possess the potential to have everything handed to him on a platter by the Sword King.

However, his inherent nature and values wouldn't permit such a course of action. Moreover, his relatively short time in this world meant that he hadn't fully grasped the true weight of the position that was available to him.

Tyler's character and disposition served as a resounding testament to his unyielding commitment to carving his own path and not depending solely on someone else's generosity.

Initially, he had grappled with feelings of guilt regarding his living arrangements, as he lacked a stable source of income and couldn't afford to cover his expenses.

However, after a candid discussion with the Sword King, an agreement was reached, and Tyler accepted the modest lodgings and regular meals as a form of payment for his invaluable assistance in aiding Lin Jian's breakthrough.

The Sword King had even casually mentioned that if anyone else had offered an insight that led to such a significant breakthrough, he would likely reward them with his own Eternal Palace.

In light of this, the modest monthly cost for lodging and meals amounted to nothing in comparison, appeasing Tyler’s mind.

"Now, if you agree to teach me, I hope you'll treat me like any other customer who might walk through your doors. I am a debutant on the path of martial arts." Tyler said, bowing towards the man once more.

Coincidentally, a few seconds after Tyler finished speaking, voices resonated from outside with a single one standing out amongst the rabble. "Grand-Pa Ryuji! Open up the formation! You're usually never late!"

Interrupted from his contemplation, Master Tanaka swiftly waved his sleeves, undoing the sealing formation around his dojo and addressed Tyler. "That arrangement suits me. However, before you depart today, I expect to witness progress in those four techniques. Until you've attained the Discerning stage in any of them, you are forbidden to use Qi while training those techniques and your training partner shall remain the wooden dummy.”

Pausing for a second in consideration, he added. “If you need any guidance, look at the walls for the technique’s descriptions and if that’s not enough, seek the youngster that just yelled out, her name is Tanaka Sakura."

“Thank you, Sensei.” Tyler added as he slightly bowed once more before slinking away towards the corner of the dojo, his mind set on practicing these few moves for the foreseeable future.

With this understanding, Tyler had a set path for the next few months under the guidance of Master Tanaka, keeping his connection to the Sword King discreet.