The day after Ming Yu regained consciousness, his body had almost completely recovered. The recovery ability of this body surprised Ming Yu once again. They say it takes a hundred days for bones and muscles to heal, yet even such severe injuries were seventy to eighty percent healed in just three days. Even Ming Yu couldn't help but want to complain about it.
The path before him was now clear. He had found the Yae Sakura he was looking for. If he stuck with her from now on, he could catch a ride with the later-arriving Theresa to leave Nagazora. If he performed well, he might even be able to curry some favor with Theresa.
But after long deliberation, Ming Yu still decided to leave. Being able to connect with Theresa was good, but building a good relationship with Kiana's trio first was more important. That way, his entry into St. Freya would seem natural. After all, with a group of four, they wouldn't just let Ming Yu fend for himself, right? Moreover, laying a foundation with the main protagonist group first would make it easier for him to participate in the subsequent plotlines. If by some chance Theresa didn't group him with Kiana and the others, he would miss out on many story events, which would inevitably affect his future path.
More importantly, Ming Yu was eager to meet this legendary trio of future Herrschers. The Herrscher of the Void, the Herrscher of Thunder, and the Herrscher of Reason—that lineup was second to none. They could even go attack Schicksal HQ... ahem, maybe not that. Schicksal was too deep. There was the nigh "strongest" Durandal, S-rank Rita, the guardian of Shenzhou Fu Hua, and the number one green-hat Otto. That dungeon was too difficult; one wrong move and it's a party wipe. But at least they could dominate most other places in the world; they were three S-ranks, after all. Right now, these three were still just newbies entering the Honkai war. They'd have to retreat even from a single Templar-class Honkai Beast. Such a state was a rare sight.
However, before leaving, Ming Yu had to verify a hypothesis.
After breakfast, while Yae Sakura was still at the base, Ming Yu glanced at the two swords hanging at her waist and asked in as calm a tone as he could manage, "Do you know swordsmanship, Sakura? The swords you carry look very powerful."
Yae Sakura didn't mind the change in how Ming Yu addressed her and nodded. "Because swordsmanship is also a required skill for a shrine maiden."
"Then can you teach me swordsmanship?" Ming Yu looked into Yae Sakura's eyes and said firmly, "My own power is far too weak, but even so, I have things I want to protect."
As he said this, Ming Yu once again thought of the scene from the game. Himeko, burning her own life away, swinging the great red sword at the Herrscher-fied Kiana. The flames, fueled by her life, dispersed the thick dark clouds. After injecting Kiana with the Godslayer Serum, Himeko exhausted her last bit of strength and fell helplessly into the endless Imaginary Space.
This time, I will definitely change that ending, Ming Yu swore to himself.
Things you want to protect? Yae Sakura looked at Ming Yu's determined eyes, reminded of the white-haired nun who said she would protect her five hundred years ago. She nodded solemnly and said, "Mm, I will do my best to help you."
—
In an open space outside the base, Yae Sakura looked at Ming Yu's slightly pale face and said with concern, "Yu, are you sure your body is okay? There's no need to rush to learn swordsmanship."
Hearing the worry in Yae Sakura's voice, Ming Yu felt a warmth in his heart. But I don't have that much time, he thought. I still don't know where Kiana and the others are, and the Stigmata only has five days left.
Ming Yu shook his head slightly and said, "It's fine, my body's recovery ability is very strong. Besides, it's just practice. These minor injuries are nothing."
Seeing Ming Yu's insistence, Yae Sakura didn't try to persuade him further, only reminding him to be careful.
Yae Sakura slowly drew Sakura Fubuki. Its translucent, cherry-blossom-red blade glinted with a beautiful yet dangerous light. She held the sword with both hands in front of her, taking a defensive stance, and motioned for Ming Yu to attack.
Ming Yu tightened his grip on his sword, dashed forward, raised the blade above his head, and brought it down in a diagonal slash from the upper left. The blade cut through the air with a *swoosh*.
Watching the rapidly approaching blade, Yae Sakura's expression didn't change. With a slight movement of her hands, the cherry-red blade of Sakura Fubuki gently met the bright blade of the Seishuu Muramasa, creating a clear, ringing clang. After parrying the Seishuu Muramasa, Sakura Fubuki's momentum didn't cease. It slid along the Seishuu Muramasa towards Ming Yu, landing steadily on his shoulder.
Feeling the cold steel of Sakura Fubuki at his neck, Ming Yu couldn't help but gulp, cold sweat breaking out on his back. I was defeated just like that? Her swordsmanship is incredible, Ming Yu thought repeatedly.
Yae Sakura shook her head, withdrew Sakura Fubuki, and said, "Your attacks have no form. They are completely random. Once blocked, you are easily defeated."
Ming Yu nodded in agreement. He was originally an ordinary person. Although he had fought with Honkai Zombies for a while, his fundamental nature hadn't changed. He completely lacked combat awareness.
After a moment of thought, Yae Sakura slowly began, "Then let's start with the basics. The sword has five stances to handle different situations. There is an offensive stance, a defensive stance, combined with different cutting methods..."
It had to be said that Yae Sakura was an excellent swordsmanship instructor. She explained while demonstrating, guiding Ming Yu to familiarize himself with various movements. Perhaps sensing his urgency, Yae Sakura constantly sparred with him, helping him master the movements more quickly.
A day passed quickly in swordsmanship practice. Thanks to Yae Sakura's careful instruction, Ming Yu's swordsmanship improved significantly. He was no longer just using a tachi as a stabbing weapon.
As dusk fell, Yae Sakura saw Ming Yu's exhausted face, sheathed her sword, and said, "Let's stop here for today. Yu has already made great progress. In a few more days, you'll be able to completely master these basics."
Ming Yu wiped the sweat from his forehead and sheathed the Seishuu Muramasa, but he did not agree. I don't have a few more days, he said silently to himself.
He checked his attribute panel, and a trace of joy welled up in his heart.
Host: Ming Yu
Honkai Energy Points: 116
Weapon: Tachi: Seishuu Muramasa (1-star)
Stigmata: Shirlena (2-star) (5-day limit)
Skills: Basic Close-Quarters Combat (LV1: 15/100), Basic Swordsmanship (LV1: 30/100)
Evaluation: C (Congratulations Host on successfully shedding your scrub status and entering the ranks of the weaklings. You have taken the first step towards becoming the strongest.)
It seems I was right. Since I could learn Basic Close-Quarters Combat through fighting, then if someone taught me swordsmanship, the probability of me gaining a skill should also greatly increase.
A skill is a manifestation of one of my abilities reaching a certain level. In other words, as long as an ability reaches a certain proficiency, it will appear as a skill on the panel, and then I can use points to strengthen it.
This is the correct way to use the system.