Chapter 307 Ancient Era
The moment James walked in, he asked, “Why is it that no one has managed to learn your Rebirth Sword Technique even after half a month has passed?”
Fang Xingjian said with indifference, “This is very normal. Before they’ve verified the authenticity of the Rebirth Sword Technique, they won’t send their highly talented geniuses to spend time on learning it.
“Right now, the people they’ve sent to ascertain the effects must be those unimportant Knights. With their talent, it would be very normal for them to take one or even two months before managing to learn it. There’s some difficulty to my Rebirth Sword Technique, after all.”
James shook his head, saying, “You’re really not anxious at all. Do you know you’ve been badly criticized? Many people are calling you a liar.” As he spoke, he sniffed with his nose and suddenly looked toward the grilled fish on the table.
“What is this?”
“A fish banquet made from a Lightning Fish. There’s still some lean porridge and grilled fish made from its bone. Do you want some?”
James smiled and sat down. “Although the Lightning Fish isn’t considered expensive, it does take a little effort for one to get his hands on this. You really have a lot of good things.”
Fang Xingjian smiled and also picked up a piece of grilled fish. The lean portion of the fish was very toned to begin with and after the addition of some grilled sauce on it, the fish had become a rare delicacy. The fish bones were crispy to begin with, and after grilling, it had a unique charred fragrance.
James ate as he spoke,.”Why haven’t you been to the Sword Tower recently? There’s been a new discovery but Hoppes hasn’t had the time to study it. He’s been spending all his time on the revamped sword techniques for aerial battle as of late. Do you want to go take a look at it?”
Fang Xingjian frowned and asked, “What is it exactly? Before I’ve managed to master the Prodigious Demolition Sword, I don’t really wish to be distracted by other things.”
“Your progress is already fast enough. It’s good to take a break.” Head of Department James continued, “Moreover, this discovery isn’t an ordinary one. It was salvaged from a sunken ship and it seems to be an item from the Ancient Era. No one has been able to recognize the words on it, but it should hold the secrets to a set of sword technique.”
“Ancient Era? What era is that?” Hearing that no one could even recognize the words, Fang Xingjian wanted to reject studying it immediately. He had no time to spend on studying history.
James shook his head and asked, “Have you not been attending your culture classes?”
“Do I look like I have the time to?”
James’s lips twitched and he said, “The Ancient Era refers to an era at least 2,000 years back. It was an era filled with mysteries and questions.
“From the artifacts that they’ve managed to salvage and study, it seemed that there was quite a powerful civilization in the Ancient Era, possibly even better than what we have now.
“However, for a reason unknown to date, the Ancient Era suddenly ended. Its civilization fell and then various ethnic groups and nations slowly started to develop.”
James sighed and said, “It’s still a mystery as to what actually happened in the Ancient Era. However, one thing’s for sure, and that is that the martial techniques of the time had reached a great height. Therefore, excavating the Ancient Era’s artifacts, getting hold of and studying the martial techniques of that time are all very important.”
Fang Xingjian had not expected that the Miracle World would have another era so far back.
He also got a little interested in finding out what had happened to the Ancient Era.
Therefore, he nodded and said, “Then I’ll have to take a look at it.”
Therefore, after the two of them finished up the Lightning Fish, they headed for the Sword Tower. Both of them had abilities surpassing that of humans and were able to travel extremely quickly. They were like a gust of wind, appearing before the entrance to the Sword Tower in the blink of an eye.
Fang Xingjian was then brought by James deep into the Sword Tower, to a place where they were surrounded by bookshelves densely packed together. Countless staff were surrounding a piece of metal slab that was as tall as a person, moving about busily.
It was a piece of crimson red metal slab just like burning flames. From afar, one could tell that there were many writings and diagrams on it.
Groups of staff members continued to search for information and test for data around the metal slab.
Hoppes’ disciple, Leon, the burly looking man who looked like a lion, was standing in the middle, giving out instructions.
“It’s not the script from the previous dynasty.”
“What about the minority ethnic groups? Have they been checked?”
“It isn’t that either. Nor is it the northern area’s language. It’s different from the Sand Country’s as well.”
“There’s no change to its height and width, but its temperature keeps fluctuating. It reaches 120 degree celsius at most and 30 degree celsius at least.”
“Based on our study of the diagrams for now, it’s probably describing a set of Killing sword technique.”
“We’ve compared it to the size of an ordinary man’s finger. The words and diagrams ought to have been inscribed by a person with bare fingers.”
Upon James’ arrival, everyone lowered their heads in greeting before they continued with their work. Everyone seemed extremely excited, just like cats who had smelled the scent of fish.
This was in fact how it was. Compared to endlessly exploring synthesis combinations or extracting cultivation methods from already known sword techniques, a sword technique from the Ancient Era was more exciting.
James walked up to the front row, looked at the metal slab which was filled with densely packed words and asked, “How’s the progress?”
“We haven’t confirmed the source of the script, but we currently suspect that it might be related to Westerners. We might need to invite a few Westerner masters to help support our research.” Leon threw a glance at Fang Xingjian. The other time, he was the one examining Fang Xingjian’s Nurturing sword technique, but right now, he was the one reporting the progress of his own work. He continued, “However, Team Leader Hoppes still has no intention of getting involved in this research for now. Therefore, we have no funds for this research yet.”
To continue the research, to enlist the help of other masters… There were many areas which required financing.
James nodded and looked at Fang Xingjian, only to discover that the latter’s eyes were wide-open and staring at the Ancient Era’s sword technique. Fang Xingjian’s eyes were filled with surprise and curiosity.
James secretly nodded to himself, thinking that he could let Fang Xingjian lead this project.
However, just as he was about to speak, a laughter rang out. A strange man with upward slanting brows and bright eyes, white-colored hair, and who seemed both like an old man and a young man walked in. When he appeared, everyone present started to feel nervous.
“Senior James, long time no see.”
“What senior? Your reputation as a Sword Saint in Eastern Sand Region is more well-known than mine.” James smiled and introduced the man to Fang Xingjian, “Xingjian, this is our academy’s new sword arts master. He’s a Sword Saint from the Eastern Sand Region and a grandmaster in sword arts. You’ll have to learn from him.”
Sasa shook his head and said, “Before senior, how would I dare to mention anything about being a grandmaster.” He then turned to look at the Ancient Era’s sword tehcnique, a hint of a scorching glow flashed in his eyes. “I have some hints regarding this sword technique. I’ve once discovered a similar piece of metal slab in Eastern Sand Region. I’d like to head this project.”
A hint of hesitation flashed in James’ eyes and he looked at Fang Xingjian.
From the start, Fang Xingjian had not paid any attention to their conversation. All his attention had been captured by the piece of metal slab right in front of his eyes.
It was because he realized that he could understand the script written on it. In his world, this script was known as Chinese characters.
‘The last words written by Captain Lin Ling of the special forces of Xin Country’s titular organization…’