"Chen Guan is truly extraordinary, even the secret skills he acquires are unique," Xiu Jie Ming praised from the side.

"The Pure Yang Sword Technique is also an unparalleled secret skill, perhaps it's just the difference between active and passive. Attacking first corresponds to the Pure Yang Sword Skill, while counterattacking corresponds to the Celestial Escape Sword Technique," Chen Guan said calmly.

Everyone felt there was some truth to it; it's just the different triggers that led to different types of secret techniques.

Unfortunately, they had already tried it and couldn't go back, and they didn't know the difference between the Pure Yang Sword Technique and the Celestial Escape Sword Technique, or which was stronger.

Xiu Jie Ming's eyes showed a hint of darkness, but he maintained a smile on his face and said, "To acquire a secret transmission is not easy in itself; let's proceed to the second challenge."

"Commander, may I give it a try?" Button Brother suddenly spoke up.

"Are you skilled in swordsmanship as well?" Everyone looked at Button Brother in confusion. His physique did not seem suited for swordsmanship, which is typically agile, and generally, those who practice swordsmanship do not lean towards hard skills. However, Button Brother's build clearly indicated he practiced hard skills.

"I have practiced, but only to a normal level. This opportunity is rare, and I'd like to give it a try," Button Brother said a bit sheepishly.

It wasn't due to shyness but because his sword skills truly couldn't make a public display.

"Very well, just remember the key points I told you. Success would be ideal, but even if you don't succeed, there should be no danger," Xiu Jie Ming allowed Button Brother to attempt the first challenge.

Button Brother drew his sword. Despite his hefty build, his sword was surprisingly short and had a peculiar design. It looked less like a sword and more like a chef's culinary knife with a double-edged blade. It seemed awkward and was quite different from a regular short sword.

Seeing everyone looking at his sword, Button Brother steeled himself and stepped forward. After all, it had already been seen, so it didn't matter anymore; acquiring the unparalleled secret skill was more important.

"Why is that sword so short and fat? It looks more like a fish-killing knife," Xiu Yingmei laughed.

"Deputy Commander's insightful gaze, I indeed forged this sword from a modified fish-killing knife," Button Brother decided to be open about it, leaving nothing concealed or hidden.

His father was an ordinary Celestial Court soldier, rarely home.

Button Brother grew up with his fish-selling mother, helping her kill and sell fish from a young age. He became accustomed to using a fish-killing knife, and later found it difficult to adapt to other weapons, so he simply modified the fish-killing knife to create his fish-killing sword.

The reason it became a fish-killing sword instead of directly being a fish-killing knife was that the best secret technique his father could provide him was the singular piece "Steel Sword Bone."

So Button Brother started with "Steel Sword Bone." This secret technique, for those who practiced it, left no choice but to use swordsmanship, as it provided enhancements for sword use. Therefore, Button Brother could only practice swordsmanship.

For those with family background, there were many choices, but common people had limited options, only able to choose the best to practice and adapt themselves to the world.

Though Button Brother had little talent in swordsmanship, he studied many secret techniques, albeit without much success; he wasn't considered strong.

Fortunately, he did not rely on swordsmanship for survival. His greatest strength lay in his mastery of horizontal training secret skills. He practiced "Horizontal Training Thirteen Grand Protectors," "Iron Cloth Shirt," and "Copper Skin Iron Bone," three body protection secret skills of not high quality, all to the top level. He combined these skills, resulting in a horizontal training technique that was not only highly resilient but also cost little primordial energy.

Combined with the Steel Sword Bone Secret Technique and the Guardian talent, which both strengthened the body, his body protection secret skills allowed him to establish a foothold in the Celestial Court Army.

Yet Button Brother never gave up practicing swordsmanship. He was proficient in sword techniques and his sword skill levels were high, but he was not as competent in actual combat, for reasons unknown. Commander Lin also helped him identify the problem, but it wasn't very effective.

Holding his fish-killing sword, Button Brother approached the sword and began his challenge.

When the white-clad sword spirit appeared in front of him, Button Brother directly followed Chen Guan's strategy, rushing to attack the white-clad sword spirit with his fish-killing sword.

Because he had no confidence in his own sword technique, he feared he couldn't withstand the white-clad sword spirit's attacks if he waited, so he hadn't previously stepped up to challenge.

It was only after seeing Chen Guan's success that he decided to give it a try.

Clang!

The white-clad sword spirit struck like the wind, severing the fish-killing sword in half with one slash. Only the hilt and a few centimeters of broken blade remained in Button Brother's hand.

Button Brother felt extremely disappointed, sighing inwardly, "As expected, it still didn't work. I truly have no talent in the Sword Dao."

"You possess pure intentions and are unscathed, with remarkable talent. You are worthy of the Celestial Escape Sword Technique," the voice of the white-clad sword spirit made Button Brother momentarily unable to react.

Once he realized, he was overjoyed.

The others were also a bit surprised, initially thinking that with the fish-killing sword broken, Button Brother wouldn't receive the transmission.

But to their astonishment, the white-clad sword spirit announced that Button Brother had received the transmission, though it was not the Pure Yang Sword Technique, but rather the Celestial Escape Sword Technique.

This made everyone feel strangely unsettled.

Originally, they accepted Chen Guan's explanation that those who attacked first would obtain the Pure Yang Sword Technique, while those defending would receive the Celestial Escape Sword Technique.

But now, Button Brother, who struck first, also received the Celestial Escape Sword Technique, causing everyone to reconsider.

Xiu Yingmei silently thought this was not good and turned to look at Xiu Jie Ming.

Xiu Jie Ming remained composed, as if everything was normal, congratulating Button Brother with a couple of praises before saying, "Is there anyone else who wants to attempt the first challenge? If not, those who have passed the first challenge and are willing to try the second can begin."

Everyone looked at each other, but no one stepped forward.

With the experience from the first challenge, everyone understood that the first to venture would suffer due to lack of experience.

Thus, those eligible for the second challenge were unwilling to be the first, opting instead to observe others' attempts to make the most advantageous decisions.

"In that case, I shall attempt the second challenge first," Xiu Jie Ming said, already moving to the position before the second sword.

The second sword activated, a transparent sword spirit appearing to grasp the hilt.

Unlike the first white-clad sword spirit, this sword spirit was red, its body flickering as if countless capillaries were pulsing.

"The second challenge... replicate my sword move and you may pass," the red-clad sword spirit said, its body swaying slightly. The move was simple, known as the "Immortal's Guidance," appearing mundane with no special traits, just a single-handed thrust forward.

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