"Sit down and recover for a bit. I'll give you another chance," Leng Feiyan said, seemingly intent on helping Lin Jichen unlock his potential.
Lin Jichen sensed her intention and immediately sat down to take some medicine and regulate his breathing.
After a while, Lin Jichen's condition improved, and his fighting spirit reignited. He launched another fierce attack on Leng Feiyan.
However, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't even graze Leng Feiyan, let alone touch her clothes. Yet, sparring with her significantly improved his swordsmanship.
"Swordsmanship aptitude +10%!"
After a while, Lin Jichen heard a notification.
"Martial Arts Technique: Frost Moon Slash has reached the pinnacle level!"
[Frost Moon Slash (Pinnacle)]: Concentrates mana to unleash a crescent-shaped Sword Qi within a 30-meter range, dealing 800 points of skill damage plus additional attack damage. The Sword Qi is as cold as frost.
Slow: 100% chance to slow the target for 10 seconds upon hit.
Freeze: 10% chance to freeze the target for 3 seconds upon hit. The freeze effect is broken if the target takes additional damage.
Mana Cost: 500 points, Cooldown: 25 seconds.
Damn! Lin Jichen didn't expect Frost Moon Slash to improve so much after reaching the pinnacle level. Previously, its skill damage was only 300 points.
Moreover, the slow success rate was 20%, but now it's 100%. This means that as long as it hits, the target will definitely be slowed for ten seconds.
What surprised Lin Jichen the most was the new special attribute of Frost Moon Slash.
It could completely freeze the target for 3 seconds. Although not as useful as a stun, it would break upon taking damage.
But three seconds was enough for Lin Jichen to charge up a Dizzying Sword Qi!
The combo was clear as day.
Start with Frost Moon Slash. Once the target is frozen, he could safely charge up Dizzying Sword Qi.
When the target gets stunned, he could unleash his full power!
Lin Jichen finally understood why Leng Feiyan was sparring with him.
She wanted him to comprehend swordsmanship and gain combat experience.
To be honest, although he was constantly being beaten, Lin Jichen felt his swordsmanship was indeed becoming more proficient.
After more than an hour, Lin Jichen was drenched in sweat, having taken several breaks.
Finally, another skill reached the pinnacle level!
[Dizzying Sword Qi (Pinnacle)]: Charges for 3 seconds to unleash a Sword Qi, dealing 900 points of base damage to enemies within a 60-meter range.
Stun: 100% chance to stun the target for 3 seconds upon hit.
Silence: 5% chance to silence the target for 4 seconds upon hit. During silence, the target cannot use skills.
Mana Cost: 600 points, Cooldown: 80 seconds.
Not bad, another additional effect.
But the probability is a bit low, only 5%, so it's hard to trigger.
No matter how hard Lin Jichen tried afterward, his swordsmanship aptitude and skill proficiency didn't increase anymore.
Reaching the pinnacle level is extremely rare, requiring luck, comprehension, and aptitude—all indispensable.
Beginner, Proficient, Skilled, Master, Pinnacle.
Most people, even after playing this game for five years, wouldn't have a single skill reach the pinnacle level.
Pinnacle means you've mastered the skill to perfection, reaching the peak.
This requires not just effort, but also talent and understanding.
Lin Jichen reaching the pinnacle level with two skills was already the result of his great luck and full comprehension.
Moreover, his swordsmanship aptitude was now at 100%.
This means that if he learns a new skill, he only needs to succeed once to advance its proficiency to the next level.
While others might need dozens or even hundreds of attempts, he only needs one.
After another spar with Leng Feiyan, with no further improvement possible, Lin Jichen knew today was a bust.
But he was unwilling to give up. After all, losing meant getting only one gift, while winning meant getting two.
Of course, Lin Jichen wanted to win.
But sparring wouldn't allow him to touch Leng Feiyan, so he had to resort to some trickery...
With this in mind, Lin Jichen launched another full-force attack, only to be knocked away by Leng Feiyan with a branch.
This time, Lin Jichen fell heavily to the ground and didn't get up, lying motionless.
Seeing this, Leng Feiyan panicked, thinking she had hit him too hard.
She hurriedly went to help him up, just as she was about to check his injuries, a hand suddenly reached out and pressed against the soft area of her chest!
"Haha, Master, you lost, I win... Damn!"
Lin Jichen opened his eyes, ready to boast to Leng Feiyan, only to find his hand on... his master's chest!
No wonder it felt so good.
The reckless Lin Jichen couldn't help but squeeze, savoring the sensation.
Before he could relish it further.
"You... you ungrateful disciple!"
Leng Feiyan's face was flushed with anger and embarrassment, her phoenix eyes glaring at Lin Jichen.
Lin Jichen quickly got up, his face contorted in pain, "Master, I didn't mean to... I just wanted to use this trick to win, I didn't expect to touch... that part of you..."
Leng Feiyan's face turned even redder, the strange feeling in her chest not yet dissipated. Furious, she picked up the branch and started hitting Lin Jichen.
Lin Jichen didn't dare resist, only running and begging for mercy, "Master, I'm sorry, I really didn't mean to touch your chest."
"Ungrateful disciple, how dare you speak! See if I don't teach you a lesson!"
Leng Feiyan, both embarrassed and angry, gave Lin Jichen a good beating with the branch.
Each hit made Lin Jichen's health bar drop significantly.
Lin Jichen felt bitter; his clever trick had backfired.
Leng Feiyan's affection level for him was only 50 points, far from the level where he could be so forward.
So, this beating was inevitable.
If it were Nangong Yue, it would be fine, as her affection level for him was already 70 points.
Lin Jichen's pleas didn't calm Leng Feiyan. The branch kept hitting him, and his health bar was almost empty.
Lin Jichen almost cried. This was it, he was done for!
He hadn't died at the hands of demonic beasts or cultivators, but at his master's hands.
Just as Lin Jichen was about to give up hope, Leng Feiyan stopped.
"Say, will you dare to be disrespectful to your master again?"
Leng Feiyan asked angrily, holding the branch menacingly.
"No, I won't dare anymore. I'm sorry, Master, please calm down."
Lin Jichen immediately understood that Leng Feiyan didn't intend to kill him and quickly apologized.
Leng Feiyan's anger subsided. Seeing Lin Jichen's bruised and swollen face, she couldn't help but feel a bit sorry for him.
But she still had to maintain her stance and attitude.
"Hmph, this is the consequence of being disrespectful to your master. If you dare to do it again, I won't go easy on you. Today's sparring ends here. Come to my bedchamber when you're healed."
With that, Leng Feiyan threw a bottle of healing pills at him and ran off with a red face.
Lin Jichen was left looking at his health bar, which was at [1/], feeling utterly helpless.
It proved that with a low affection level, one really had to be careful (facepalm).