Chapter 447 Phenomenal Swordplay!

Tian Du City.

Swordsman a.s.sociation.

Sword gleams shone. A dazzling glow astounded countless people.

The Swordsmen looked dumbstruck.

Phenomenal swordplay!

How long had it been since Tian Du City last saw a phenomenal swordplay?

“Hurry!

“Find out which genius did this!”

“No… It's not our people…”

The Swordsmen were baffled. Besides their fellow Swordsmen, who else would be in the Swordsman a.s.sociation, their territory?!

“It seems to be Lu Ming.”

Shus.h.!.+

There was dead silence in the a.s.sociation.

Oh, Lu Ming said he was there to comprehend an ability…

Therefore…

He came up with a phenomenal swordplay within such a short time?

At the thought of this, the Swordsmen were filled with bitterness. Looking at the advanced and surmounting abilities that they were in the midst of researching, they felt somewhat despaired…

Could he spare the lives of others?!

Forget it that you're that good looking. You have such astonis.h.i.+ng talent as well! Seriously… The difference between humans…

At this very moment…

In a certain office.

There was a glint in the eyes of one of the vice presidents of the Swordsman a.s.sociation.

Phenomenal…

This was a very special level! To be able to successfully research a phenomenal ability, the cultivator had to be extremely powerful!

As such, the a.s.sociation would normally provide some form of reward.

If it was Lu Ming…

“Let's go and take a look.”

The vice president smiled faintly.

“Perhaps…”

The a.s.sistant's eyes shone.

“Do you mean…”

The a.s.sistant made a throat cutting gesture with his hands.

The vice president was speechless.

“What's on your mind?!”

The vice president glared at and kicked him. “A transaction, do you understand?! d.a.m.n it! At this day and age, you are still thinking of killing all day! Are your brains leaking?!

“Although Lu Ming researched and created this ability, if we propose sufficient terms, we can call it a joint research and effort! Collaboration, understand?!”

“O-oh. Oh.”

The a.s.sistant was worried. “Will Lu Ming agree?”

“This is the Swordsman a.s.sociation.”

The vice president had profound meaning in his words. “Sometimes, it's not up to him.”

So…

They got up and invited Lu Ming to the office.

At this very moment…

Lu Ming had just comprehended the third move of the Lunar Shadow Legacy. Before he could explore the greatness of this move, he was invited to a certain office.

“h.e.l.lo, Lu Ming.”

The vice president nodded slightly. “I've long heard of you.”

“h.e.l.lo.”

Lu Ming felt slightly confused. What was happening?

The vice president smiled and said, “I heard that you successfully researched a phenomenal swordplay a while ago…”

“Yes.”

Lu Ming nodded.

He could not hide the purple lights earlier. Therefore, he confessed.

“Do you have any plans to sell it?” the vice president said.

“Huh?”

Lu Ming was puzzled.

Sell it?

He had not considered that!

All this while, he had treated this as a unique ability which belonged to him. Furthermore, the Swordsman a.s.sociation should have many other phenomenal abilities?

Were phenomenal abilities rare?

Yes!

Nevertheless, the Swordsman a.s.sociation had been around for a long time!

Lu Ming was certain that they had powerful phenomenal peak six-star abilities!

“If you are willing to sell, I can buy it at a high price,” the vice president said loudly.

“Why?”

Lu Ming was increasingly doubtful.

“Sigh.

“Us, vice presidents, have our problems.

“You should understand this too because you're a president. For the sake of the a.s.sociation, we have to invest a certain amount of funds in research and development every year and also achieve some research outcome.”

The vice president sighed.

“Hmm.”

Lu Ming pondered deeply.

“Understood.”

He nodded. “However, I want to keep this move for the Sword Card Master a.s.sociation.”

“I know.”

The vice president said with a gentle tone, “Therefore, I prefer that we go with the ‘joint research' model. Both the Swordsman a.s.sociation and Sword Card Master a.s.sociation can benefit from this!”

“Oh?”

Lu Ming's heart stirred slightly.

“Look.”

The vice president a.n.a.lyzed the situation for Lu Ming gently. “It is not mutually exclusive for the Swordsman and Sword Card Master. The pros of selling it will certainly outweigh the cons! The only disadvantage is that other Swordsmen may know this move in the future? Well… Even if this swordplay of yours doesn't exist, they will also buy other swordplays!

“For example—

“Zhao Yunshan from your a.s.sociation!

“If he really wants to master a phenomenal ability, he would definitely buy something else if this move didn't exist! If he encounters the move when fighting an opponent, it is easier to deal with the move because he knows it very well!

“As for the pros…

“I don't think I need to elaborate on this,” the vice president said gently.

His voice was very warm, like that of a fatherly elder.

“Look.

“Although you came up with this swordplay, there are only a few dozens of you in the Sword Card Master a.s.sociation. Even if everyone buys it, how much money can you earn? However, things will be different if you sell it to the Swordsman a.s.sociation. The number of cultivators that we have is beyond your imagination.

“This is a win-win collaboration.”

The vice president smiled satisfactorily, “Have you considered how much money you can make?”

“Huh?”

Lu Ming had a puzzled expression but he was secretly laughing in his heart.

This guy is quite evil!

He wants to gain something without risking anything of his own!

So…

He pondered for a moment and then replied, “The pros seem to outweigh the cons but I don't really need them.”

“No one from the Sword Card Master a.s.sociation will buy this ability,” the vice president reminded him.

“I don't need it. My disciple is rich,” Lu Ming replied.

The vice president was silent for a moment. “Our Swordsmen have very strong purchasing abilities.”

“I don't need that. My disciple is rich,” Lu Ming replied.

The vice president's face darkened. Suddenly, he felt an impulse to beat Zhao Yunshan up badly.

h.e.l.l… How was he going to negotiate?!

Zhao Yunshan, why didn't you focus on and take over your family business? Why did you join this d.a.m.ned a.s.sociation?!

Although Zhao Yunshan's family business was huge, it could not be compared to the Swordsman a.s.sociation. However, the Sword Card Master a.s.sociation did not have that many disciples…

Therefore, he could afford the expenses even if there were a hundred times more disciples than now!

How was he going to negotiate?!

Opposite them, Lu Ming maintained a calm expression.

Li Haoran had reflected to him the situation more than once. Since they forbade Zhao Yunshan from squandering his family resources on the a.s.sociation, their funds had been running low…

The food delivery business had solved the disciples' problem.

However…

There were utilities, facilities management, staff salary, publicity and communication between the various departments. All of these expenses required a large amount of funds!

Simply put —

A couple of days ago, a group of Energy Warriors had come and helped them to keep up appearances. There were a lot of expenses involved!

As such…

The funds of the Sword Card Master a.s.sociation were also decreasing.

But so what?

Outsiders were unaware of this!

Therefore…

Lu Ming was still very confident. In the eyes of the outsiders, the Sword Card Master a.s.sociation was wealthy and domineering. It was a rich a.s.sociation with a property that stretched across two streets!

Lu Ming had pondered the issue seriously.

Regarding the ‘Ma Sha' that Wu Hongfei was referring to… Perhaps the Sword Card Master a.s.sociation should launch ma.s.saging services? After pondering carefully, if he were to start a ‘blind card ma.s.saging' service…

He felt quite thrilled by the thought.

In this day and age, cultivators often fought and they had many internal injuries.

Ma.s.saging was good business.

However…

It involved problems a.s.sociated with privacy, safety, hygiene and illegal vice activities. This had led to the decline of the industry. Nevertheless, if they could make some changes…

If they could create their own card ma.s.saging system…

Well…

Lu Ming had been very troubled because of the a.s.sociation.

Of course, it was best if he could resolve it normally. For example, seemingly, the vice president in front of him looked like a glowing scapegoat…

The vice president had an ugly expression.

No matter what he said, Lu Ming would simply say ‘My disciple is rich'.

Therefore…

He could only negotiate on things that could not be bought with money.

In this era, the most precious things were often those that could not be attained with money. For example, a certain legacy site or legacy!

The phenomenal swordplay of Lu Ming…

Although there was only one move, it could already be considered a legacy!

“What about other swordplays?”

The vice president patiently led Lu Ming to understand his intentions. “We have many phenomenal swordplays here too.”

“Okay.”

Lu Ming was very happy. “I also want to see the phenomenal swordplays of the Swordsman a.s.sociation. We can share knowledge and learn from each other. We can also give each other the copyrights.”

Do you still want to fool me?

These were all very common practices in my past life!

The vice president was silent.

Obviously…

He could not possibly agree to such terms, because the copyright of the phenomenal swordplays of the Swordsman a.s.sociation was not something that he, a branch vice president, could touch!

Lu Ming…

Snort! Snort!

He was smarter than he thought.

But, he had another lethal move.

At the thought of it…

The vice president smiled faintly. “Do you know what the most precious thing in our Swordsman a.s.sociation is? It's not phenomenal swordplay but the quota to reach seven-star! There is a sacred cultivation place which is very beneficial for breaking through to seven-star. It is something that all the peak six-stars dream of. That quota is very precious.”

“Oh.”

Lu Ming was nonchalant.

The quota did not have anything to do with him.

“For the past two years, Qiu Shuyi has been applying for the quota for Lu Yan…”

The vice president continued to say, “But she has always been rejected. If you are agreeable, I can transfer the only quota that I have to Lu Yan.”

“Oh?”

Lu Ming's heart stirred slightly.

“If Lu Yan wants to break through to seven-star, this is the best place to cultivate,” the vice president said.

“No!”

Lu Ming declined flatly. “It's not as though you're improving my ability! No!”

The vice president was dumbstruck.

Wait a minute.

This was different from what he thought!

d.a.m.n! Didn't they say that this sibling pair had a very strong relations.h.i.+p…

A bunch of lies!

If you were to tell Qiu Shuyi to exchange the phenomenal swordplay for a quota, she would have long agreed! If that idiot had not appeared in the news…

Forget it.

Since using Lu Yan did not work, he would work on Lu Ming.

“I'll tell you what.”

The vice president pondered deeply for a moment. “A few years ago, we discovered a legacy site that has out-of-the-world Sword Aura. It's like a fallen ancient place of Swordsmen. The seniors of the a.s.sociation worked hard for many years and finally created a path to enter this legacy site. People can enter it to cultivate now! This is a virgin territory that has not been opened to anyone.

“That place… has countless fortuitous encounters!

“You may even attain a seven-star breakthrough there!

“The elite disciples of our Swordsman a.s.sociation will be going there next month! If you're willing to, I can give you the quota for Tian Du City!”

The vice president had a serious and grave expression.

“But I'm not a Swordsman.”

Lu Ming surrendered.

“You're an honorary Swordsman.”

The vice president had a calm expression. “If you agree to my terms, since we are jointly researching the phenomenal swordplay, I can give you the honorary Swordsman t.i.tle.”

“What about the person who was originally recommended?”

Lu Ming was curious.

“My son…”

The vice president waved his hands. “Don't bother about him.”

Lu Ming was stunned.

This was amazing!

It turned out that this matter could be resolved internally!

“What do you say?”

The vice president looked at Lu Ming smilingly. “Don't you feel satisfied with this condition? Although phenomenal swordplay is precious, we have many of those in our a.s.sociation. We choose to buy yours this time because we believe in your talent. Our Swordsman a.s.sociation thinks highly of you.”

“This doesn't seem too appropriate.”

Lu Ming felt somewhat embarra.s.sed. “This kind of honorary t.i.tle… It doesn't seem too appropriate.”

“Be more flexible.”

The vice president said with a smile, “This is not a big deal. Some time ago, a senior by the surname ‘Zhai' did this for a dozen of swordplays, ranging from surmounting to phenomenal ones. People address him as professor of swordplay now and he is quite famous in the industry. Who has talked bad about him before?”

“No one?” Lu Ming asked honestly.

“That's right.”

The vice president had a gentle tone. “Come, let's sign this contract.”

“Alright.”

Lu Ming agreed. “But, I want both the quotas and a high purchase price. The copyright earnings also go to me!”

The vice president's face darkened. “Lu Ming, don't go overboard!”

“I don't care.”

Lu Ming turned his head. “I cultivated this swordplay because I yearn for an enlightened mind. If you don't agree, the deal is off. Humph!”

The vice president stared at Lu Ming coldly with an unfriendly expression.

After a long while…

“Alright.”

Lu Ming softened. “Two quotas. We'll share the copyright earnings equally. As for the price, I don't want anything anymore. This is my baseline.”

The vice president had an ugly expression.

However his proposal seemed feasible?

Equal sharing of the earnings were much better than him taking all of them. If they could market it well, there would be huge earnings. If one were to do the calculations, this was not considered a loss either?

After a long while…

He brought with him the badge for the sacred cultivation place.

This kind of badge met a certain universal standard which was then customized for the various major legacy sites and restricted areas. Basically, this was akin to an entry ticket.

Lu Ming only smiled faintly.

True enough, Senior Lu Xun was right! In future, if you want to open the windows, just propose demolis.h.i.+ng… Anyway, there will be a compromise in the end.

Moments later.

The negotiations were over.

In the end…

Lu Ming exchanged the third move of the Lunar Shadow Swordplay for two precious quotas and the future earnings from this swordplay.

After a long while…

The signing of the agreement was completed.

The vice president told people to prepare the research u0026 development (Ru0026D) recording devices.

As the four Ru0026D recording devices revolved around Lu Ming, he needed to cast the swordplay with precision and accuracy. The recordings had to be done perfectly before this was considered completed.

This kind of method was commonly used when one learned swordplay.

However…

This time…

Lu Ming had invented the swordplay.

So…

As the lights of the Ru0026D recording device shone down on Lu Ming, his figure drifted and danced in the air and he began to cast the move.

“Go and prepare the drafts.”

The vice president told his a.s.sistant. “Just say that Lu Ming and me, the vice president of the Swordsman a.s.sociation, jointly researched and developed a new phenomenal swordplay!

“Do you understand?

“Understood.”

The a.s.sistant understood right away.

“Do it as fast as possible.

“Lu Ming is too young. He may go back on his words easily.

“We have to cast this matter in stone.”

The vice president was very experienced. “This is in case he calls the deal off because of dignity or pa.s.sion.”

“Understood.”

The a.s.sistant left hurriedly.

Right then…

Lu Ming was recording the phenomenal swordplay seriously.

From the activation method to the casting, he did the recording seriously, until there was a flash of purple radiance across the devices!

a.n.a.lysis completed — Five-star, phenomenal.

What did this mean?

This meant that the Ru0026D recording device had already deduced the data successfully!

They had also mastered their research of the swordplay!

It's settled!

“Happy collaboration.”

The vice president told someone to send Lu Ming off as soon as possible.

“Huh?”

Lu Ming wanted to say, “I wanted to stay a while longer to cultivate…”

“Come again another day.

“The two quotas…”

“Take this. These are the two badges for the sacred cultivation place and the legacy site that will be opened next month.”

“I have not verified their authenticity…”

“There are two QR codes, you will know whether it's real or fake after you scan it.”

The vice president coaxed Lu Ming into leaving.

Snort…

Youngsters!

They are ultimately too childis.h.!.+

Looking at the ‘peak five-star, phenomenal' rating on the Ru0026D device, he was in high spirits. Perhaps it was again his turn to become famous.

Fortunately, he was quick in his actions. Otherwise, if that Brother Zhai were to discover this…

He would be out of the race.

Haha!

Brother Zhai, don't run too fast!

Very soon…

I'll catch up with you!

So…

He began to review the recordings.

Buzz—

3D projection.

Over there, a blue figure appeared. It was Lu Ming. Besides that, data and information were continually displayed on the devices.

When he raised his hand, the energy record displayed was 2,200 points.

When the Original Card appeared, the energy record displayed was 2,100 points.

Every action of Lu Ming was clearly recorded, including the method of energy circulation and the condensation.

Bam!

There was an outburst of purple lights.

Phenomenal!

Bang!

There was a deafening sound.

The vice president was filled with antic.i.p.ation as he waited for the outcome. The prowess of this move: Beginner six-star.

The vice president was somewhat baffled.

Beginner six-star?

Wait a minute.

Wasn't Lu Ming already an advanced five-star? Why was it that the phenomenal move he cast was merely two small levels above his level?

He had a hunch that something was not quite right?

“Wait a minute.”

The vice president rubbed his head.

He retrieved the surveillance camera videos and confirmed that the lights shone when Lu Ming cast this phenomenal swordplay.

Did they do the test properly?

He made adjustments to the settings of the Ru0026D device and changed Lu Ming's Original Card into a sword.

This time…

He took on Lu Ming's ident.i.ty, pretended to be a five-star Swordsman and tested again.

In the end…

The testing was completed.

The vice president had an ugly expression.

It was certainly a phenomenal swordplay because the purple lights would not lie. It was enough to prove that the energy condensed by this move had reached the phenomenal standard!

Afterward…

The increase was about 220%.

It was very powerful!

It was a pity…

It was at the border between surmounting and advanced standards. Some better advanced abilities could also achieve that stage. There wasn't any special ability!

He even made Lu Ming test it with a sword.

It was still futile!

The vice president went berserk.

Is this the ability that he had spent that much effort buying?!

It was such a fraud?!

He felt his emotions riding a roller coaster.

It was very thrilling.

This would not do. He had to contact Lu Ming immediately and terminate this contract…

However…

At this moment.

The a.s.sistant ran to him excitedly, “President, the draft for the joint research has already been published. There is an influx of good reviews online. The headquarters even clicked the ‘like' b.u.t.ton…

“The a.s.sociation headquarters???”

The vice president felt the s.p.a.ce in front of him turn dark and he almost fainted.

d.a.m.n….

d.a.m.n!

Why are you that efficient in this!

He could not figure out why he would be that unlucky!

He was done for!

What should he do?

Lu Ming…

Right!

Lu Ming!

The vice president contacted Lu Ming, harboring some last hopes.

“Lu Ming!

“What is the prowess of the swordplay that you cast earlier?

“Beginner six-star,” Lu Ming said.

“Why is it that weak?!”

The vice president yelled with a low voice, “This is a phenomenal swordplay! A dignified advanced five-star phenomenal swordplay can't even be compared to an ordinary ability?!”

“I don't know.”

Lu Ming felt aggrieved. “It's like that. President, the same thing happened during my gaming sessions in the past. I finally got an SSR card but it was less useful than the R card…”

“Vice president?

“Vice president? Are you listening?”

Bam!

The vice president wobbled on the floor listlessly.

This time…

He had suffered a huge loss.

At this very moment…

Somewhere.

Lu Ming had just returned to the a.s.sociation. Staring at the hung up call, his heart also ached badly.

“Sigh.

“The dignified third move of the Lunar Shadow Legacy only managed to be exchanged for two badges…”

Lu Ming sighed.

If Lunar Shadow found out about this, he would be driven to the grave.

However, he had no choice. The Sword Card Master a.s.sociation had to develop and funds were needed… As the president, he also had to bear this responsibility sometimes…

For the a.s.sociation!

For the future!

Xiao-Xiaojian was speechless.

After a long while…

It sighed deeply and said, “Are you sure you're not forgetting to tell them that this move can only be cast when one becomes one with the sword?!”

“Sigh!

“What are you talking about?

“Are you looking down on the Swordsman a.s.sociation?!

“You have to believe in them!

“This is merely a phenomenal swordplay. They will definitely be able to use it!”

Lu Ming sounded righteous.

He was a very honest man.

The other party wanted the precious third move, how could he secretly include the second move of ‘the non-phenomenal' Lunar Shadow Legacy?

That would be too shameless.

Was he that kind of person?

He was not.

Since you wanted the third move, I'll sell you the third move.

I'm that sincere. I'm that forthright.

Xiao-Xiaojian was speechless.