Chapter 408: Suspect
Translator: Yukidaruma Translations Editor: Yukidaruma Translations
Hearing what Gardner said, both Governor Devitt’s and Head of Department James’ expressions appeared slightly grim.
Ferdinand spoke directly, "Hmph, going back on your words when you've lost? Based on what you've just said, if Xingjian learns the technique faster than you, then the only explanation would be that he must have already learned them all."
"Then have you heard of someone who has been able to cultivate the Universal Truth Longsword to such a level within just a few minutes? There hasn't been a single person able to do such a thing throughout history." Gardner said coldly, "I can't think of any other explanations for this other than him having learned the Universal Truth Longsword before."
The archbishop nodded slightly. Fang Xingjian's performance was far too astounding. It was practically impossible for a person to cultivate the Universal Truth Longsword to such a stage within a mere few minutes.
Just then, the area of darkness started to fade away gradually as Fang Xingjian stopped performing the Universal Truth Longsword. In his Stats Window, his Universal Truth Longsword had already reached level 40. The attacking prowess of this sword technique was not strong and it was not of much help to the Zenith Light Sword Formation, the Ether Sword Ripples, or the Prodigious Demolition Sword Physique.
However, this sword technique had an extremely powerful defense. Therefore, Fang Xingjian did not plan on synthesizing this set of sword technique before he reached level 29. He planned to leave it as defense for now.
With that, Fang Xingjian had now completely perfected his current stereoscopic battle structure using the Zenith Light Sword Formation for long-range attacks, Ether Sword Ripples for mid to short range attacks and support, Prodigious Demolition Sword Physique for close combat, and the Universal Truth Longsword for defense.
After solidifying the sword theories in his mind, Fang Xingjian turned to Gardner and said, "You're thinking of going back on your words?"
Gardner's countenance fell as he stared at Fang Xingjian and said, "Fang Xingjian, to learn the Universal Truth Longsword and to cultivate it to such a stage in just a few minutes... Who are you trying to fool?" By this time, Gardner was left with no choice but to hold his stand. Furthermore, from the very start he could not believe that someone would be able to pick up and cultivate the Universal Truth Longsword to such a stage just within a few minutes.
Even James, Governor Devitt, and the others had the same suspicions. A few months back, when Fang Xingjian was trying to clear through the Killing Techniques Palace, it took him one to two hours before he could learn a set of sword technique. And it took him several days before he could cultivate the sword technique to the maximum level.
To sum it up, Fang Xingjian's earlier performance was not just astounding. It was horrifying.
Fang Xingjian merely shook his head, looked at the other set of sword technique written on the paper, the Star of Adjudication, and said, "Then what if I were to learn this set of sword technique within one minute?"
To learn the Star of Adjudication within a minute?
Gardner frowned and could not help but suspect that Fang Xingjian had learned the Star of Adjudication before. However, recalling the attributes to the Star of Adjudication, he felt that it was impossible.
It was because the Star of Adjudication was a sword technique that was unique to the Holy Inquisitorial Court. It was not because it was forbidden for them to impart the sword technique to outsiders, but because the Star of Adjudication was a technique which required the individual to believe in the God of the Universal Truth. It could be said that the stronger the individual's faith, the greater the prowess of the sword technique.
And if one did not believe in or held disrespect for the God of the Universal Truth, not only would the person be unable to unleash the prowess of the sword technique, but one could also end up hurting oneself in the process.
'Fang Xingjian isn't a believer of the Universal Truth and the chances of him having cultivated the Star of Adjudication are far too low. If he had cultivated the Star of Adjudication before and he were a believer of the Universal Truth, then how could he possibly dare to go against me?'
Fang Xingjian smiled inwardly as he looked at Gardner and said, "So how will it be? If I were to learn the Star of Adjudication within a minute, what more would you have to say?"
However, immersed in his own conceit and convinced that he had thought everything through, feeling that Fang Xingjian's words were getting increasingly pretentious and judging how things had developed, Gardner was left with no other choice. He coldly replied, "If you can really learn the Star of Adjudication within a minute, of course I'll be fully supportive of your participation in the Martial Techniques Grading Plan."
Fang Xingjian smiled and threw a glance at the Star of Adjudication. Then, as he swung his longsword, white light started to rise from the sword's tip. A set of simple, mediocre-looking sword technique which did not seem to have any prowess was performed.
Faint white light started to hover around the tip of the water sword, which Fang Xingjian was holding in his hand. It looked as if the light was going to be extinguished anytime.
When Fang Xingjian performed this set of sword technique, he only felt an extremely twisted force, as if countless voices were shouting out in his body, and at the same time as if there was an invisible power in the world that was preventing him from continuing to perform the sword technique.
He felt that after he had performed this set of sword technique, he was not even able to unleash 10% of his battle prowess and he felt extremely uncomfortable.
And as he performed the stances one by one, he felt that the resistance over his body was getting increasingly stronger. Streams of light started to appear in various parts of his body, looking like sparks that rose from endless friction.
However, despite that, Fang Xingjian continued to perform the entire set of the Star of Adjudication technique by relying on his unrivalled sword arts talent. On his Stats Window, there was a new addition—level 1 Star of Adjudication.
Ferdinand anxiously asked, "What's going on? Why is it that Xingjian seems to have performed the technique successfully, but this sword technique..."
"This sword technique appears to be very mediocre, right?" Head of Department James shook his head, saying, "This is the Church of Universal Truth's Star of Adjudication. If people who don't believe in their faith practice this sword technique, it appears to be mediocre and one's battle prowess plunges instead of increasing.
"And when people who believe in the God of the Universal Truth perform this sword technique, it’s as if they were bestowed with additional powers from the god, as if there were nothing which they couldn't accomplish."
Governor Devitt had already looked toward Gardner and said, "One minute hasn't even been up. Earlier, what Xingjian had experienced earlier was the backlash impact from performing the Star of Adjudication, right? This means that he has learned the Star of Adjudication and has established a connection with the God of the Universal Truth. It was only because he's not a believer that he didn't succeed."
Gardner glared at Fang Xingjian, thoughts running amok in his mind. He seemed to be wondering how on earth Fang Xingjian had managed to learn the Star of Adjudication within a single minute.
Although Fang Xingjian had only just picked up this set of sword technique, Gardner could clearly remember that back when he himself was learning the Star of Adjudication, even with his extraordinary talent and his firm belief in the Genius Swordsmanship, it had taken him an entire day before he had been able to perform it successfully.
However, right now, Fang Xingjian had managed to learn it just by casting a glance at it.
Fang Xingjian looked at Gardner and asked, "Why, are you still unable to accept this?"
Looking at Fang Xingjian's gaze of contempt, Gardner got even more infuriated. However, just then, the archbishop pat him on the shoulder and then asked in Fang Xingjian's direction, "Xingjian, you really haven't learned the Universal Truth Longsword and the Star of Adjudication before?"
"Of course not."
The archbishop nodded, "Alright, Gardner, Xingjian didn't lie. It's truly your loss."
Gardner was stunned as he looked at the archbishop. He knew that the archbishop had a level 4 divine art called the Truth Discernment. It allowed him to judge if a person had lied.
Since the archbishop had said this, then it was true that Fang Xingjian had managed to learn the two sets of sword techniques within just a few minutes.
A chill ran up Gardner's spine.
He lifted his head to look at Fang Xingjian, and could only feel a hint of terror. To be able to learn two sets of sword techniques within a few minutes and to cultivate the Universal Truth Longsword to such a level of mastery... What demonic talent did Fang Xingjian have?
At the thought of how Fang Xingjian was using such a learning speed to improve everyday, what Gardner felt was first astonishment, then deep wariness.
A hint of doubt gradually grew in the archbishop's gaze. From the very start when he laid his eyes on Fang Xingjian, he’d had a familiar feeling about him. And right now, the more he looked at Fang Xingjian, the more he felt that he looked very familiar. It was not until the next moment that his eyes suddenly revealed an expression of great astonishment.