Genshin Impact: Dionysus reigns supreme, all demons retreat!

"A training greatsword."

Xu Ning was slightly disappointed.

Although he never really expected to get anything good from these treasure chests.

However, it is indeed a bit outrageous that a well-made treasure chest would yield a training greatsword.

But this delighted BeiDou.

The little girl, no longer caring about the jumbled bits and pieces popping out of the box, ran over and hugged the greatsword to her chest.

"Xu Ning, this is the kind of sword I want most. Uh, why doesn't this one have a blade? But it's okay, I still like it!"

Beidou gripped the sword hilt with both hands, spun around, and delivered a horizontal slash.

The whistling sound of the massive blade cutting through the air startled Jiang Xue, who had just settled down to fish.

Is this a fierce strike that a little girl could deliver?

Even an ordinary eight or nine-year-old girl couldn't lift such a large sword!

Xu Ning, who was leaning against the treasure chest and drinking, saw Jiang Xue's expression and burst into laughter.

"Boss, did you see that? My sister's power is incredible, isn't it? How about it? Are you interested in taking her as a disciple now?"

Jiang Xue's expression returned to its usual calm and composed state, and she shook her head.

"Tch, if you don't want to teach me, then don't! There's no point in saying more. If you won't teach me, I will."

Xu Ning picked up a few Mora from the ground and put them in his pocket, then picked up a few fine forging ore that had fallen out and put them in his pocket as well.

Xu Ning walked over and flicked the blade of the greatsword in Beidou's hand, producing a crisp sword sound.

"Don't underestimate this thick iron plate. As far as I know, there was once a sword that started out as a thick iron plate, but the person who used it later transformed it into a five-star divine weapon!"

These words made Beidou's eyes light up immediately.

Xu Ning knew that once this greatsword was drawn, his plan to use swords and shield soldiers was doomed.

Instead of being too quick to criticize, strike while the iron is hot and continue to encourage them.

"Moreover, as far as I know, there was once a great hero who defeated all his opponents with this kind of thick iron plate when he was around thirty years old."

Beidou trembled with excitement, clutching the greatsword tightly as if embracing his future.

Jiang Xue, who was fishing nearby, couldn't help but glance at Xu Ning frequently as he enthusiastically raved about Beidou.

You're just a kid, how old are you? Where did you get so many "as far as I know" statements?

Xu Ning tilted his head back and took a swig of wine, feeling like a storyteller.

"The great sword has no edge, and the greatest skill is without artifice. As long as your strength is strong enough, no one on this continent will dare to stand before your sword."

"Now you should start practicing with this greatsword. When the sword is as light in your hand as the fishing rod in his hand, you will have mastered the first step and can wield heavy objects with ease."

"At that time, you will replace your greatsword with a fishing rod and continue practicing. When you can make the fishing rod as heavy as your greatsword, you will have mastered the second step: making light things seem heavy."

"Then you can come find this guy and have a showdown with him!"

Having lost her usefulness, Jiang Xue, who had been demoted from "big boss" to "this guy," couldn't help but tighten her grip on the fishing rod, even though she was usually calm and collected.

However, upon closer analysis, the sword-training method this kid described actually makes a lot of sense.

There was nothing else to do here, so Xu Ning picked up the empty box and prepared to take Beidou home.

Beidou, clutching his greatsword, was still pondering Xu Ning's second step and spoke with some concern.

"Even after I've mastered the second step, I'm still only at the same level as this guy. What if I still can't beat him?"

Xu Ning laughed heartily, tilting his head back, "It's alright. I'll naturally teach you the third step when the time comes, and I guarantee you'll easily destroy him."

Jiang Xue nearly snapped the fishing rod in her hand, and even the thought of killing the kid in front of her right now arose in her usually calm mind.

"Xu Ning, are you just bragging because you're drunk? You've been drinking since just now. Give me a sip of the latest product."

"You still remember? Stop fooling around! Let's row the boat!"

"I do not!"

Jiang Xue watched as the two children on the receding bamboo raft were like two newly lit torches that would one day illuminate the entire continent.

Unfortunately, I turned to ashes long ago and could never be rekindled.

It's getting late.

Beidou was pleased with his newly acquired survival skills, so he went out, built a fire, and went to grill fish.

Seeing that this young girl was gradually heading further and further down the path of being unable to live without wine and meat, Xu Ning cooked her a small pot of vegetable porridge in order to protect her figure.

Squatting by the stove, Xu Ning idly opened his attribute interface.

Today's battle not only allowed me to test out how to use new skills, but also gave me a lot of experience points.

This directly resulted in Xu Ning being promoted another level.

"Wine Elements / Xu Ning"

Grade: 3/20

Maximum Health: 732 + 66 (798)

Attack power 66+1 (67)

Defense 53+4 (57)

Elemental Mastery 0

Stamina cap 122

Note: A bored traditional martial artist who has awakened his deceptive skills.

Xu Ning sneered at the note below, "Fooling? You're ignorant. This is called instilling belief."

"If you don't believe me, just wait and see. Do you really think the Uncrowned Dragon King is a pushover?"

The two ate grilled fish and vegetable porridge, and Xu Ning led Beidou to the open space behind the house again.

Xu Ning took the greatsword from Beidou's hand and explained it to him.

"There are many kinds of martial arts techniques and elemental powers in this world. As you gain more experience, you may even witness all sorts of incredible techniques and powers."

"But no matter what strange thing you're fighting, find its weakness, seize the opportunity, and kill it with one blow."

Xu Ning drew his sword and assumed a defensive stance, remaining motionless for a long time. Then, he suddenly slashed diagonally with his sword, creating a loud, piercing sound in the darkness.

Still as a mountain, swift as thunder.

"The simpler the moves, the stronger the power they can unleash. But you can't use all your strength; give seven-tenths and leave three-tenths, let your body carry the sword, like surging waves, continuous and endless."

Beidou watched as Xu Ning wielded his greatsword, its horizontal and vertical slashes powerful yet controlled with effortless agility.

In his hands, a heavy sword was like a bamboo shoot, striking east and west with effortless ease.

Beidou suddenly understood the principle of "effortless mastery" that Xu Ning had talked about on the sandbar during the day.

"Xu Ning, Xu Ning, let me try, let me try!"

Xu Ning stopped, smiled, and handed her the sword.

Beidou held the sword and slashed twice blankly, then suddenly didn't know what to do next.

"Xu Ning, I don't know how to practice swordsmanship like this. How about I just chop you up instead?"

Xu Ning nearly choked on a mouthful of wine.

What's wrong? You won't know how to use a sword unless you cut me, huh?

But seeing the little girl's eager expression, Xu Ning nodded helplessly.

"Okay, come on then."

Beidou cheered and charged forward without hesitation, delivering a vertical slash as if he wanted to cut Xu Ning in two.

Xu Ning didn't even dodge; he swung his left fist outward, the back of his hand striking the side of the greatsword, causing it to deflect.

Beidou was surprised that Xu Ning did not dodge, and for a moment he was unable to use the follow-up moves he had planned.

That brief pause revealed a huge flaw.

"Don't follow your opponent's rhythm; disrupt their rhythm and force them into your rhythm."

Before Beidou could draw his sword again, Xu Ning swiftly thrust his right fist straight into the center, aiming his wine cup hand at Beidou's nose.

Not to be outdone, Beidou swung his greatsword horizontally, its broad blade acting like a long shield, blocking Xu Ning's fist and completely protecting Beidou.

"Hehe, sword and shield combined. This is the ideal weapon."