Only I Am A Reader

Although it was an abnormal path for the Martial Artists of murim who pursued the peak, using both the sword and the spear was actually a common path for normal people.

Whether it was in the current murim or Earth's cold weapon era, even the most basic soldiers were trained to know the very basics of both weapons so they can react well to their enemy's range and armor. Of course, what Leo sought wasn't as simple as that.

'Ugh…'

After the first spear battle, Cheon Chang limited his Energy Channeling's effectiveness just like he did with his other specs. He was only fighting with the ability of a 3rd rate Martial Artist, but Leo still couldn't land any hits for the entirety of the first month of training. However…

'My turn.'

Leo's situation was far from being miserable, as they alternated between spear and sword battles day after day, Leo wasn't only being beaten and he was also doing the beating. Although this was only possible due to Cheon Chang's self-suppression, Leo's spirit was actively restored through this cycle.

'Flexibility at its finest.'

Leo couldn't deny that such a form of training was only possible thanks to the opportunity his identity provided him. However, it equally proved the degree of flexibility that the world of murim offered…

Back at the Sword Continent, Leo had suffered for months just to grasp Rain's advanced sword technique, mostly due to his physical restrictions, but such a problem no longer existed for true martial artists!

Baekho's body was years younger than Arthur was as he struggled to learn that technique, something much easier than the dual martial art styles that Leo was currently trying to grasp. Yet, he was now smoothly progressing with each passing day, even going as far as activating 'Skill Reading' from the very day of trying both martial arts! Such limitations didn't exist in true murim!

Physical restrictions? Internal Energy could easily fix it! Through the use of basic strengthening, one could easily make moves that their body wouldn't allow them to. Skill restrictions? Through the first phase of training, Leo's skills already passed the point where he struggled to execute a technique, this was the miraculous effect of Elixirs!

Most importantly, fatigue was no longer a hurdle! Time still had to be invested in Internal Energy Meditation to achieve recovery but compared to the two to three-hour training capacity that Arthur's arms were limited at, the useability of a day was stretched by several folds!

The path of martial arts simply made the advantages that Leo obtained from 'The Sword Master's Second Life' seem incredibly minimal…

"Here, your monthly allowance."

It didn't matter if he was being beaten or the one doing it, Cheon Chang's stiff face didn't see much change in either case. At the end of the day, he only threw Leo a small ceramic bottle before disappearing from the hall once more.

Still, as the days passed by, Leo could feel that a link of some sort had formed between them. Despite the fact that he remained as heavy-handed as usual, Cheon Chang truly treated him like his junior brother. In a sense, Yeon was no longer his only 'relative' in this world.

Whether it was Cheon Jeong or Iyeolhan, both instructors conducted their training in short bursts. Closing up for as long as a month or as short as a week before giving a day of rest. On the contrary, Cheon Chang's training only occupied the day and a part of the night, allowing Leo some personal time in his cave for the sake of recovery.

'Break time!'

Furthermore, a certain fraction of the month was given to Leo as a vacation! Although there was a task that he had to achieve in that time, it undeniably served the purpose of a recuperation holiday. After all, it was filled with nothing but Leo's favorite activity!

"Ha…"

Back at his cave, Leo got comfy in his bed before regulating his breath, he emptied out the little ceramic bottle in his hand. It was sorely empty in comparison to the first pill bottle he obtained, but the sole pill inside wasn't something that people could ordinarily obtain anyway.

Gulp.

The Scarlet Cloud Pill made its way through Leo's throat before dispersing slowly under his guidance, this was the start of Leo's monthly five-day meditation!

It was only after the second phase truly started that one would realize the value of their first reward. Ten Scarlet Cloud Pills were already a big investment on new Martial Artists! Even if the Heavenly Strength Society realized their worth and potential, they couldn't continue supplying such resources on a monthly basis…

This was precisely the reason why Leo invested as much time as he could in making the best use of these pills. Even a single Scarlet Cloud Pill a month was still a lot, if one didn't advance to the next stage in time, their capacity would already be capped at such a 'feeding' rate.

Thankfully, Cheon Chang was generous with time, allowing Leo to absorb the pill at his own pace. He just had to go back to the training hall at the start of the following day once he was done…

"Hu…"

As the refreshing new energy flowed through his body, Leo made use of his clear mind as he ruminated over his training for the last few weeks. It had already been a few months since he started this new routine, but it only felt like a few days had passed, this was just how effective the training was.

The effect was a bit limited when it came to Swordsmanship, but Leo learned something new in both weapon skills every single day. He was thoroughly invested in the battle that the scattered reading 'bonuses' that he obtained from the library were clearly organized. So far, Leo only focused on the dual martial styles, but soon…

'Soon…'

A few months later, Leo came to discover another advantage to the world of murim!