As Yang Ying and Master Pang Qian returned, reports of mission completion from various teams continuously poured in over the communication channel. Upon reaching the assembly point, they could see groups of small squads relaxing in the ice and snow from a distance.

Master Pang Qian went forward to inquire about everyone's harvest. Comparing it with the news from the channel, he found that someone had already been dispatched to pursue the remaining escaped Ape-men, and so he settled down.

The mission was largely complete, and the warriors were quite relaxed, chatting and laughing amongst themselves without any pretense.

Yang Ying also sat to the side, listening to them talk about matters from far and wide—tales of dangerous missions and formidable enemies. He occasionally offered an opinion, quickly blending in with the group as if they were old friends.

A while later, seeing that Master Pang Qian was free, Yang Ying approached to ask for instruction in swordsmanship.

“What are your thoughts after watching my duel with the Ape-man commander today? Just say whatever comes to mind,” Master Pang Qian asked first.

“There is one thing I don't quite understand,” Yang Ying stated his doubt directly. “Why is it that your psychic power is much stronger than the Ape-man commander’s, yet the gap in their swordsmanship didn't seem obvious?”

“That’s not hard to answer,” Master Pang Qian opened his lightsaber. “That Ape-man’s sword technique also comes from a renowned school; his advances and retreats are quite methodical, with very few openings. You can’t defeat him with just one or two moves. Factors like strength, reaction time, and specific forms must all be considered. In terms of overall strength, even someone with lower psychic power can defeat someone with higher psychic power in a lightsaber duel; this is quite normal.”

Yang Ying noticed one phrase: “The Ape-man race also has renowned schools?”

“They do. With so many Ape-men using swords, how could there not be a lineage?” Master Pang Qian countered. “It’s just that humanity has the Neng Temple, which absorbs everything like the sea, while the Ape-man race has multiple distinct schools. Most operate on a master-disciple model. The master of this Ape-man commander was a master-level expert named Gorong, whose sword style was sweeping and grand; seemingly rough, yet possessing very few flaws.”

Yang Ying immediately asked, “Then what is the swordsmanship style of the Neng Temple?”

“The Neng Temple has a set of thirty-six Basic Sword Forms, and thousands of advanced sword forms.” Master Pang Qian swung his sword casually. “The Basic Forms are mandatory for all Neng-users. They were compiled by the predecessors of the Neng Temple over a hundred years, categorized from thousands of different sword styles. Nearly every sword technique in existence is an extension of the Basic Forms. If you master the basics, learning any subsequent advanced forms will be twice as effective with half the effort.”

“Basic Forms?” Yang Ying murmured.

“That’s not all,” Master Pang Qian continued. “Every move in the Basic Forms can be used to block lasers. It’s the most frequently used swordsmanship on the battlefield. The higher your mastery of the Basic Forms, the denser the laser fire you can withstand.”

“So, it’s the signature style of the Neng-users,” Yang Ying nodded.

Master Pang Qian’s description did not cease: “Moreover, the Basic Forms are like meditation; you can practice them eternally. Every time you practice, you gain insight, and there is always room for improvement.”

“Such an excellent sword art exists in this world?” Yang Ying could barely believe his ears.

Master Pang Qian raised his sword-wielding right hand to his chest, the tip pointing upward. “Let me demonstrate it for you. Watch closely. Those who have awakened their mental power can learn much faster than ordinary people if they apply themselves diligently.”

So, Master Pang Qian had Yang Ying step back a few paces, then unleashed the sword art, displaying all thirty-six forms before Yang Ying. Some of these movements were simple, others intricate; some required crouching low, others demanded leaping into the air. They were comprehensive and incredibly taxing physically.

Master Pang Qian first executed all the forms at normal speed, then repeated them in slow motion so Yang Ying could see more clearly, and finally repeated them once more at normal speed to deepen Yang Ying’s impression.

After demonstrating the Basic Forms three times, Master Pang Qian retracted the sword light and asked, “How much did you grasp?”

Yang Ying lowered his head, sinking into thought, recalling everything he had just witnessed. “I think I have some feeling for it.”

Master Pang Qian nodded. “You try executing the forms now.”

“Please instruct me, Master,” Yang Ying activated his lightsaber and slowly began the forms, matching them against the sword techniques stored in his mind.

Due to his inexperience, the entire process was riddled with pauses, contemplation, and distorted movements. However, the observing Master Pang Qian remained silent until Yang Ying awkwardly finished the entire set, whereupon he commented, “Not bad.”

“Not bad?” Yang Ying assumed the Master was merely trying to encourage him.

“You think I said that just to encourage you?” Master Pang Qian, with his keen perception, immediately sensed his thought.

Yang Ying said nothing, tacitly agreeing.

“I meant it sincerely. When I first started learning swordsmanship, I was much the same as you,” Master Pang Qian chuckled. “We demonstrate the Basic Forms three times for all Neng-user apprentices. Then we ask them to practice one round. Two-thirds of them cannot recall all the forms, rendering them unable to execute the sequence, or unable to complete it fully. Although you executed the forms quite clumsily, your movements followed the correct pathways. All you need is to correct your posture. That’s already far better than those who can’t even memorize the complete sequence.”

Yang Ying asked curiously, “Have there been any who performed the sword art very well on the first try?”

“Of course, there have been,” Master Pang Qian’s tone rose slightly. “Humanity is never short of geniuses.”

Learning that his own talent was only slightly better than average, Yang Ying resolved to try even harder, seeking instruction from Master Pang Qian on the Basic Forms.

“Lower your center of gravity on this move. No, lower, lower… Good, that’s almost it.”

“When you jump, concentrate your psychic energy in your calves to enhance leg strength and jump higher… How to focus psychic energy in your legs? Right, your foundation isn't strong enough yet; I need to start teaching you from the beginning.”

“How to tumble in mid-air? Practice more!”

In the time that followed, Master Pang Qian corrected Yang Ying’s posture move by move. The thirty-six Basic Forms were all-encompassing, a true test for every muscle and sinew in the body.

After practicing a few rounds of the Basic Forms, Yang Ying felt aches all over—soreness in various muscle groups and a headache from the exhaustion of psychic energy—making him long only to sleep soundly.

However, since not all the moves had met the standard, and Master Pang Qian was still explaining the crucial points of execution, Yang Ying forced himself to rally and listen intently.

“It’s tough now, but once you achieve moderate mastery of the Basic Forms, that bitterness will turn to sweetness,” Master Pang Qian painted a bright picture of the future for him. “The Basic Forms can be considered the general principles for all swordsmanship—something you can practice forever. Any other sword arts you learn later can be integrated into them. The more styles you learn, the more complex the variations become, and the more options you’ll have when facing an enemy.”

“I will keep teaching you until your Basic Forms reach a moderate level of accomplishment. After that, you can continue cultivating independently,” Master Pang Qian stated seriously.