Super Gene Ⅱ: Evolution

Zuo Qinglong left the Realm King Planet and had been studying the movement technique Lin Shen gave him.

It wasn't a complete movement technique, more like a method specifically designed to counter certain attacks.

When Zuo Qinglong tried it out, he realized that the technique itself wasn't complex; it seemed complex because the real ingenuity of the technique lay in the psychological contest between opponents.

The technique itself had only nine variations, but using different variations flexibly according to the opponent's psychological reaction and the environment was the most difficult part.

To master such a movement technique, one had to practice extensively, getting all nine variations to the point where they could be executed instinctively, to achieve the highest realm of adaptability.

Zuo Qinglong first practiced the technique until he was proficient, then brought Zuo Qingmeng to spar with him.

Originally, Zuo Qinglong thought that once he had mastered it, he would be able to unleash the full potential of the movement technique.

But it was only during actual combat that he realized he was wrong.

Zuo Qingmeng's combat ability was considered quite good among those at the Crystal Base Level, but still fell far short of Qing Jia.

Against Zuo Qingmeng, the technique was ineffective, even becoming a burden; when Zuo Qinglong used this technique, he was hit more often than not, worse than when he didn't use it at all.

"Brother, could there be something wrong with this movement technique?" Zuo Qingmeng asked cautiously.

Recently, there had been more and more rumors within the Sword Alliance, with most people feeling that Zuo Qinglong couldn't accept defeat, because he had become obsessed after several failures.

Some unknown person had given him a movement technique, and he treated it like a trump card against Qing Jia, which was simply foolish.

If the technique were truly that powerful, how could The Great Red Bull Knight casually give it to someone he had just met for the first time? There was no such person in the world.

Many believed that The Great Red Bull Knight was simply too afraid to face Qing Jia, so he found an excuse to fob Zuo Qinglong off, yet Zuo Qinglong, desperate for victory, actually took it seriously.

Now within the Sword Alliance, many thought that Zuo Qinglong had gone mad and was possibly no longer fit for major responsibilities.

While Zuo Qingmeng trusted that Zuo Qinglong wasn't what others claimed him to be, the more he heard, the more doubts crept into his mind; after practicing with Zuo Qinglong these past few days and seeing him perform increasingly worse, he couldn't help but feel suspicious.

Could it be that Zuo Qinglong was being impatient for quick success, taking The Great Red Bull Knight's bluff seriously?

"There's nothing wrong with the technique, I just haven't mastered it yet," Zuo Qinglong checked the time, noting it was the appointed time for the weekly Monday morning practice.

The Sword Alliance had a tradition where every Monday morning, all members gathered at the open-air practice field to practice swordsmanship, and for years, Zuo Qinglong had always been at the front, the one leading with the sword.

Although Zuo Qinglong was fully focused on practicing the movement technique, he wouldn't neglect other matters because of it.

With Zuo Qingmeng in tow, he arrived at the practice field, where members of the Sword Alliance were arriving in twos and threes. Zuo Qinglong kept order as usual, having everyone line up.

Seeing that everyone had almost arrived and it was nearly time to start the practice, Zuo Qinglong went to the side to take a sword, ready to step up to the platform at the front to lead.

"Azure Dragon, come over here for a moment," Wen Yusheng, an elder of the Sword Alliance, called Zuo Qinglong over.

"Elder Wen, morning practice is about to start. Can whatever you need wait until after?" Zuo Qinglong glanced at his watch. There was less than a minute left and the music was about to start.

"Let Liu Zhiying lead the sword practice today; I have something to say to you," Wen Yusheng said indifferently.

"Leading the sword practice is a task arranged by the Alliance Hierarch. If Elder Wen thinks I'm not fit for it, please go find the Hierarch and give me the order to strip my qualifications," Zuo Qinglong replied, then ignoring Wen Yusheng further, he turned and walked towards the stage.

"Zuo Qinglong, in your current situation, you're no longer suitable to lead the sword practice. I've given you face by approaching you privately. It won't look good if we have to involve the Hierarch and he strips you of your qualifications," Wen Yusheng said with a cold laugh.

"I, Zuo Qinglong, have always acted openly and honorably; there's nothing I've done that can't withstand scrutiny. If you have any complaints about me, follow the proper procedures," Zuo Qinglong said as he reached the stage.

Looking triumphant and already on stage ready to lead the sword practice, Liu Zhiying saw Zuo Qinglong ascend the stage and couldn't help but turn to look at Wen Yusheng below.

"Liu Zhiying, fall back in line," Zuo Qinglong stood at the central position. Without glancing at Liu Zhiying, he shouted at him.

"Elder Wen said I'm to lead the sword practice today," Liu Zhiying said through clenched teeth.

He had always been overshadowed by Zuo Qinglong but finally had this chance and could not back down no matter what.

If Zuo Qinglong managed to send him down today, in front of all these witnesses, who would take him seriously in the future, even if he got another chance to lead the sword practice?

"Zuo Qinglong, Liu Zhiying is leading the sword practice today. Get down from there," Elder Wen shouted from below.

"If it is the Hierarch's command, I will, of course, obey. If it is not, please do not disturb the morning practice," Zuo Qinglong's words ended just as the music for the morning practice started playing.

"Ready..." With a loud shout from Zuo Qinglong, all the mutators who had been buzzing with discussion fell silent and, as usual, grasped their swords, preparing to begin.

"Sword up..." Zuo Qinglong's sword rose with the rhythm of the music.

Liu Zhiying also wanted to lead, but it was apparent that everyone was following Zuo Qinglong's rhythm, making him seem out of place.

"You're wrong... wrong... the intro isn't even finished... it hasn't started yet..." Liu Zhiying shouted at Zuo Qinglong from the side.

Zuo Qinglong ignored him, continuing to lead the sword practice, and everyone else followed his pace, paying no attention to Liu Zhiying.

Liu Zhiying's face alternated between pale and flushed, and upon seeing this from below, Wen Yusheng's expression turned extremely ugly. He turned on his heel and left.

Back in his own courtyard, Zuo Qinglong took out the movement technique Lin Shen had given him to study again.

"I have mastered the technique, but in real combat, there simply isn't enough time to react to an opponent's moves. I couldn't keep up when sparring with Zuo Qingmeng, and it would be even less likely against Qing Jia," Zuo Qinglong thought to himself.

After a moment, his eyes blazed with a fiery determination, "Relying on reaction alone, it's impossible to strike first when reacting second, unless my speed and reflexes are far superior to my opponent's. But at the same level, such a scenario is unlikely.

Moreover, if I did have such an overwhelming advantage, I wouldn't need to practice this technique—victory could be secured through advantage alone."

"So, the key to this technique isn't how quick the reaction is, but turning thought processes into bodily instincts. Your body must be quicker than your mind, reacting naturally. To achieve that, I must train relentlessly," Zuo Qinglong took another step as he resumed his practice.