Chapter 677: Chapter 224 Legend Demigod_3

“…”

Barre Shepherd fell silent upon hearing this.

Originally, according to normal expectations, it would have taken Leonard Churchill a long time to master the skill of “Control Air,” during which other skills would slowly be taught.

But who would have thought that after the Clown Demon God appeared, this fellow actually got the knack of it right away?

To the old man, it felt as if he was facing a young tiger, always hungry and in need of more food.

However, if things were as Leonard Churchill guessed, Barre Shepherd didn’t feel bad about it, rather he was relieved and looking forward to it.

After all, he himself was once acclaimed as the “World’s Number One Martial Arts Genius.”

Geniuses should never be viewed through the eyes of ordinary people.

If the way of Martial Arts could be mastered just by diligent practice, then anyone could reach the summit.

More often than not, reaching the summit requires Fortune.

With a glance at the Demon God’s Phantom behind Leonard Churchill, Barre Shepherd knew that this was Leonard’s Big Chance.

…

Still, surprises are surprises.

A Teacher certainly wouldn’t let his student feel that learning is too easy on the very first lesson.

Hearing that Leonard Churchill wanted to learn more, Barre Shepherd mused, “Oh? You want to learn something different, eh…”

With an intention to test, he also wanted to see where Leonard’s limit was.

With that said, the old man took another sip of alcohol and then spread open his palm.

Leonard watched intently and saw the old man’s hand gather Air into… a bird?

“Turning Air into Bird?”

He looked again to make sure he wasn’t seeing things.

If one could create a Cyclone, then forming a bird… should not be difficult.

The moment this thought popped into Leonard’s mind, he immediately felt like a frog in a well.

The old man, pleased with his expression, gave a slight shake of his hand, and the magical scene unfolded. The bird… actually started to fly!

“This…”

Leonard was utterly dumbfounded.

He had watched this senior form a bird out of Air.

But he could not understand how such a bird, which looked exactly like a living creature, could actually take flight?

It was as if a Teacher taught you how to draw, then drew a bird, and the bird flew out of the picture.

How could he possibly learn this?

He asked with an incredulous expression, “Senior… am I to condense this ‘Air Bird’?”

If the Cyclone was just a matter of technical difficulty,

Then this “bird” was simply beyond comprehension.

Leonard had a faint feeling that this should be something only a Fourth-Tier card master would encounter, a Cursing Spirit?

No!

Possibly even higher.

Of all the Cursing Spirits seen by Leonard, none were as vivid and lifelike as this bird.

The old man glanced at him and said, “No, you’re still too early for that. What you need to do now is to catch it.”

Leonard let out a sigh of relief upon hearing this.

It wasn’t that he couldn’t understand it.

Instead, he probably wasn’t meant to understand it just yet.

But since it was about catching a bird, he didn’t hesitate, leaping up and grabbing the fluttering bird in midair.

He thought it would be a test like the previous one with the belt, but it wasn’t?

“Huh?”

While Leonard was still puzzled about why it was so easy to catch, as soon as the bird was in his hand, he immediately sensed something.

It was like holding a balloon that burst with a “pop” the moment it was grasped.

Leonard landed and looked at his empty palm, his brow furrowing, instantly realizing what the old man intended for him to catch.

Extremely difficult.

To touch it would shatter it. He needed to use his own Air to control that mass of “Air,” without letting it deform.

The degree of difficulty, just thinking about it, was enough to make Leonard furrow his brow.

He had no clue whatsoever.

Watching Leonard’s distressed look, the old man’s wine seemed to taste sweet again as he said in a low voice, “It’s normal to fail to grasp it. Once you have fully mastered Turning Air into Cyclone, you should be able to begin. Practice well.”

Leonard nodded, “Yes, Senior.”

Although they hadn’t been together long, he had realized that it was rather difficult to see the grandeur of a master in this old man; he was a bit mischievously cunning, but indeed quite easy to get along with.

Knowing the challenge he set was a bit tough, the old man encouraged again, “You’re not bad, though. Among those I’ve encountered in my life, your talent is the second that has amazed me.”

“???”

Leonard was surely not going to be defeated by such difficulties.

Now that he knew the direction, with more practice, he surely could grasp it.

He had that confidence.

Instead, he was more curious about that “second.”

It wasn’t because Leonard was arrogant, but he was all too aware that with the JOKER’s blessing, his talent was unmatched. Could there really be someone more talented than him?

He directly asked, “Who was the first?”

At this question, the old man’s eyes suddenly lost focus as if remembering something.

Leonard thought he had touched on a sensitive old memory and wasn’t ready to inquire further,

but after musing for a moment, the old man said, “In my youth, I bragged a little about my talent and had some accomplishments in the way of Martial Arts. I was arrogant and courted trouble. Yet that one time, I met someone and was thoroughly defeated… That guy was a ‘monster’ of a genius, the likes of which I had seen before.”

Pointing to the scar above his right eye, the old man continued, “This scar was left by that guy.”

Speaking further, a wistful look flashed in those deep eyes marked by the years, and he sighed, “It also spurred me on for the latter half of my life. Constantly reminding me never to be proud, in the Martial Arts realm, there is always someone better than you, always a higher level.”

“…”

Leonard listened, realizing the significance.

That scar really had special meaning.

The old man went on to say, “Unfortunately, after that encounter, I never saw him again. I’ve even started to forget what that fellow looked like, sometimes doubting if I ever met him. But this scar is a constant reminder to me, that guy truly did exist… Sigh, in old age, I really have forgotten too many things.”