The next morning dawned, in the backyard of the Governor Mansion.

    Xu Nian sat on a stone stool, frowning in deep thought.

    Chen Yao was practicing Sharp Sword Cutting Hair next to him, and from time to time she glanced over at the seated Xu Nian with an expression full of silent grievances.

    "Haha, how''s the practice going?" Chen Tiansheng approached from a distance.

    "Dad, what kind of crappy cultivation method did you teach me? I practiced all night and didn''t succeed even once." Chen Yao pouted and stamped her foot.

    "Haha, don''t be impatient, the Third Level Realms of Man and Sword as One are not so easily achieved. I myself spent a whole year just on Sharp Sword Cutting Hair, and for the following Two Levels, it took me nearly four years. So, this isn''t something you can rush," Chen Tiansheng laughed heartily.

    Upon hearing this, Chen Yao glanced at Xu Nian, who was sitting by her side, and then rolled her eyes at Chen Tiansheng.

    Chen Tiansheng helplessly shook his head; his daughter had always had a good talent but her temper was a bit too assertive.

    Why was she so fiery this early in the morning?

    However, Chen Tiansheng didn''t think too much of it, assuming that Chen Yao was just a bit downcast from practicing swordsmanship all night.

    So he turned to look at Xu Nian, who was sitting next to him, and smilingly said, "Xu Nian, I''m sure you haven''t had any insight either, no worries. Cultivation is not something to rush. Uncle believes that with your talent, you will definitely comprehend the Sharp Sword Cutting Hair realm within a year, so there''s no need to look so glum."

    Hearing Chen Tiansheng''s words, Xu Nian was taken aback and smiled wryly, nodding his head.

    Seeing Xu Nian nod, Chen Tiansheng was even more certain that Xu Nian hadn''t achieved anything the previous night.

    However, at that moment, Chen Yao glared fiercely at Xu Nian and snapped, "Will you die if you''re not pretending to be humble?"

    "Eh?" Chen Tiansheng was stunned and turned to look at Xu Nian, not understanding what had just happened.

    Xu Nian suddenly felt a headache coming on; he had intended to wait a while before sharing, but now Chen Yao had gone ahead and revealed it all.

    Seeing Chen Tiansheng''s puzzled face, Xu Nian could only reluctantly explain, "It''s like this, Uncle Chen, last night I cultivated according to the method you taught me, and after a night of hard work, I did have some gains."

    "You''ve made progress? Could it be that you can already manage Controlling Sword with Heart?" Chen Tiansheng was astonished as he looked at Xu Nian.

    Using a Sharp Sword to cut hair requires mastering Controlling Sword with Heart. Only then can one control the sharp sword to accurately slice through a hair strand.

    It took Chen Tiansheng nearly six months just to reach this step initially.

    Xu Nian gave a bitter smile and did not deny it.

    Chen Tiansheng was amazed; what had taken him half a year to understand, Xu Nian had seemingly comprehended in just one night. Truly a rare talent.

    Is this guy even human?

    Xu Nian turned his head to look at the dumbstruck Chen Tiansheng and gave a wry smile, shaking his head.

    In fact, these Third-Level Realms are difficult for others, but for Xu Nian, they really weren''t too hard.

    The First-Level Sharp Sword Cutting Hair requires Controlling Sword with Heart, which Xu Nian was already capable of when he first grasped Man and Sword as One. He just hadn''t had a chance to use it, and with Chen Tiansheng''s guidance, it was easy to get started.

    As for the Second-Level Wooden Sword Cutting Stone, this tests the coordination of Spiritual Energy and the sword, which is my method of Controlling Sword with Qi.

    Xu Nian, while practicing the Collapse Thunder Formation, although this tested the coordination of Gang Qi and the hammer, ultimately led to the same destination. Hence, it wasn''t difficult for Xu Nian to master.

    Only the Third Level Realm required several hours of effort from Xu Nian, as making the Spiritual Energy take on the form of a sword and reaching the same sharpness as a sword wasn''t an easy task.

    However, Xu Nian''s understanding was exceptionally sharp, and to make the Spiritual Energy as sharp as a sword, all depended on Sword Intent.

    Only with Sword Intent in one''s heart, blending it into the Spiritual Energy, can one make the Spiritual Energy as sharp as a sword.

    "Monster, you truly are a monster. Xu Nian, you''ve really given Uncle Chen a huge shock," Chen Tiansheng said with emotion.

    "Now you understand how I felt, right?" Chen Yao added insult to injury.

    Chen Tiansheng gave a bitter smile and nodded. Cultivating with a prodigy like Xu Nian was indeed very troublesome.

    "Haha, I said my brother Chen Wudi was an exceptional prodigy, and you all didn''t believe me. Now you''ve felt it for yourselves," a hearty laugh came from nearby.

    Then a familiar figure walked into the backyard.

    Both Xu Nian and Chen Yao were pleased, as the person who arrived was truly Chen Wudi.

    "Brother, is your poison cured?" Chen Yao hurried forward and examined Chen Wudi closely.

    Xu Nian was also surprised that Chen Wudi had recovered so quickly.

    "Haha, let me tell you, not only is my poison cured, but my Star Battle Body has also recovered. My cultivation has returned to its peak, and I''ve even broken through to the Two-star War Sect. Today, your Wudi King has returned," Chen Wudi laughed heartily.

    Chen Yao was startled and looked incredulously at Chen Wudi.

    Xu Nian also showed a surprised expression, not realizing until this moment that Chen Wudi''s cultivation had indeed risen to the Two-star War Sect.

    "Haha, I came to give you all a surprise, but I didn''t expect Xu Nian to surprise me first," Chen Tiansheng laughed heartily, feeling exceptionally content.

    Chen Yao was overjoyed and cried tears of excitement, hugging Chen Wudi tightly.