In stark contrast to the usual clear skies, the day was overcast, with heavy, oppressive dark clouds hanging low. A restless tension permeated the air, weighing heavily on everyone's hearts.
The wind blew with reckless abandon, swirling dust and sand into miniature cyclones that stung cheeks with a biting chill.
Disciples from each group had already gathered in their designated corners of the Martial Training Ground. The Sword Technique Group stood in neat rows at the northeast corner.
"Today marks both the monthly Chief's Challenge and your first trial before the Clan Hall," Chen Chuyun's icy voice cut through the wind, each word piercingly clear. "The victor of the Chief's Challenge will receive ten Vitality Pills as a reward."
Eyes widened across the crowd.
"Defeat the Chief of another group, and you will earn a jar of Medicinal Wine brewed with Tiger Sun Bone-Strengthening Ointment."
The five Clan disciples, including Chen Zuoyi, not only widened their eyes but also began breathing rapidly, clearly valuing the Medicinal Wine far more than the Vitality Pills.
"The Tiger Sun Bone-Strengthening Ointment is a secret remedy unique to our Chen Clan, crafted using an exclusive formula," Chen Chuyun explained, glancing at Chen Zong. "It fortifies bones and marrow while tempering Blood Qi, making it far more effective than Vitality Pills."
In truth, Vitality Pills were more effective before Blood Qi Tempering. While they still aided the process, their benefits diminished afterward. The Medicinal Wine brewed with Tiger Sun Bone-Strengthening Ointment, however, primarily fortified bones and bone marrow while tempering Blood Qi.
"I'll not only seize the Chief position in the Sword Group, but I'll also defeat the Chiefs of the other four groups," Chen Zuoyi declared confidently, making no attempt to conceal his ambition.
"Brother Zuoyi, with your superior cultivation base and masterful sword technique, the Chief position is undoubtedly yours," Chen Shuiqing flattered.
"Swords and blades know no mercy. For fairness and safety during the competition, you must use these wooden swords in your matches," Chen Chuyun announced, gesturing to a bundle of identical black wooden swords on his left and a locked wooden chest on his right. "The seven of you will draw lots. Numbers one and two will face off, three and four will duel, five and six will battle, and number seven will receive a bye."
"I'll go first!" Chen Wu strode swiftly to the chest, reached inside, and pulled out a wooden token. "Haha! Number seven! Lady Luck is on my side!"
The remaining six took their turns. Chen Zong drew number five, meaning his opponent would be number six.
"First match: Number One versus Number Two."
The crowd parted, clearing the arena for Chen Yan and Chen Shuiqing. Chen Yan was Number One, and Chen Shuiqing was Number Two, making them the only two women among the seven participants.
"Just give up. You're no match for me," Chen Shuiqing declared arrogantly, brandishing her wooden sword and pointing it at Chen Yan.
"How can we know without trying?" Chen Yan replied with a gentle smile, adopting the opening stance of the Willow Sweep Sword Technique.
"You asked for this," Chen Shuiqing retorted. She practiced the Phantom Shadow Sword Technique. With a thrust, her sword trembled slightly, conjuring three illusory afterimages that flickered around the blade, making it nearly impossible to discern the real from the fake.
Chen Yan's movements were fluid and graceful, her wooden sword swaying like a willow branch in the wind. Her mastery of the Willow Sweep Sword Technique had also reached the Great Perfection Peak, creating a mesmerizing spectacle.
While both had mastered their respective sword techniques to the Great Perfection Peak, Chen Yan's Willow Sweep Sword Technique exuded a gentle elegance, while Chen Zong's version radiated unwavering tenacity.
To Chen Zong's discerning eye, both women's sword techniques were riddled with flaws.
The duel lasted only five minutes. Chen Shuiqing lost by a single move, her face turning ashen with humiliation.
Chen Shaoze was ranked third, and Chen Zuoyi fourth. They didn't fight, as Chen Shaoze immediately conceded, knowing he was no match for Chen Zuoyi, who accepted this as his due.
The third match pitted Chen Zong against Chen Che. Chen Zuoyi exchanged a meaningful glance with Chen Che, who nodded discreetly, understanding the unspoken plan.
"Branch Clan hick, let's see how well you've mastered those three sword techniques," Chen Che sneered, adopting the opening stance of the Eagle Strike Sword Technique with a wide grin. "Have you even scratched the surface?"
Chen Zong remained motionless, holding his wooden sword without assuming any stance.
"Arrogant bumpkin," Chen Shuiqing muttered, her disdain undisguised.
"Probably hasn't even grasped the basics," Chen Wu chuckled, a smirk of contempt curling Chen Zuoyi's lips. "Too embarrassed to show off, afraid of humiliating himself."
"Take this—Eagle Claw Strike!" Chen Che's eyes turned cold. He darted forward, leaping lightly as his wooden sword shot out with astonishing speed. With a subtle tremor of his wrist, the blade transformed into the sharp talons of a soaring eagle, aimed squarely at Chen Zong's shoulder.
The wooden sword struck with brutal speed and force, clearly intended to injure Chen Zong. Chen Zong stood frozen, as if paralyzed by fear.
Chen Wu and the others grinned, ready to unleash a torrent of taunts, when Chen Zong moved. His right hand rose, and the black wooden sword flashed out like lightning, piercing straight through a gap in Chen Che's defense and striking him in the chest.
Chen Che crashed to the ground in a tangled heap, his chest throbbing with pain. He was certain a dark bruise would bloom where the sword had struck. But he was utterly bewildered—what had just happened? His Eagle Claw Strike had been about to land on Chen Zong's shoulder, so how had he suddenly found himself sprawling on the ground?
Chen Wu's mouth hung open, speechless and disheveled. Even Chen Zuoyi looked astonished. That sword strike had been impossibly fast.
Chen Chuyun nodded inwardly. The recent training had clearly borne fruit. Chen Zong's speed, precision, and stability had reached a respectable level.
There was no doubt Chen Zong had won. That casual sword strike revealed that none of the others had mastered the Basic Eighteen Forms. Perhaps they had dismissed them as unimportant; otherwise, the glaring flaw in Chen Che's sword technique wouldn't have been so obvious.
"You four, redraw your numbers," Chen Chuyun announced.
This time, Chen Zong drew number two, Chen Yan number three, Chen Wu number four, and Chen Zuoyi number one.
"Remember what I said twenty days ago? It's already coming true," Chen Zuoyi remarked, though he was surprised by the speed of Chen Zong's sword strike, he still underestimated his opponent. The ingrained prejudice against the Branch Clan ran deep and wouldn't be easily overturned.
"Begin," Chen Zong replied simply.
"Brother Zuoyi, teach him a lesson!" Chen Shuiqing shouted.
"Right!" Chen Che nodded vigorously, wincing as his chest wound throbbed, forcing him to suck in a sharp breath.
Chen Zuoyi adopted the opening stance of the Eagle Strike Sword Technique. His entire demeanor shifted instantly, his eyes sharpening to a raptor-like intensity as if he were sizing up Chen Zong as prey.
Though they shared the same sword technique and cultivation realm, Chen Zuoyi's execution far surpassed Chen Che's. Recognizing a worthy opponent, Chen Zong mirrored his stance, adopting the opening posture of the Eagle Strike Sword Technique.
The crowd gasped as they felt Chen Zong's presence transforming, as if he were about to spread his wings and soar like an eagle.
"Impossible!" Chen Zuoyi gasped, joined by murmurs of disbelief from the crowd.
Hadn't Chen Zong only begun practicing the Eagle Strike Sword Technique and the other three sword techniques after entering the Clan Hall? How could his opening stance already reach the Great Perfection Peak, surpassing even Chen Zuoyi's mastery?
"There's already a hint of the Perfection Realm in his technique," Chen Chuyun mused to himself.
Having honed his sword technique to this level, reaching the Perfection Realm was no longer a matter of skill, but merely a matter of time.
It sounded simple, but the reality was far more challenging. For most practitioners, no matter how much effort they put in, achieving Perfection in their martial arts remained an elusive goal, attainable only by a select few with exceptional talent.
Strike!
Like an eagle taking flight, its wings spread wide as it soared across the vast sky.
The Eagle Strike Sword Technique, primarily offensive, used the sword's tip and blade to unleash a flurry of razor-sharp strikes.
Eagle Wing Strike!
Eagle Claw Strike!
Eagle Soaring Strike!
Eagle Beak Strike!
Each strike landed with relentless precision, the wooden sword transforming into a wing, a claw, a piercing beak.
Seizing upon a momentary lapse in Chen Zuoyi's guard, Chen Zong slashed out with his sword, striking directly at Chen Zuoyi's left forearm. The blow landed like a cracking whip, making Chen Zuoyi's arm tremble and nearly dislodging his wooden sword. He retreated hastily.
"Wait!" Chen Zuoyi shouted, seeing Chen Zong preparing to pursue.
"Are you surrendering?" Chen Zong's question nearly made Chen Zuoyi choke with fury.
"I won't surrender! That earlier exchange didn't show my true strength. Now, I'll show you what I'm really capable of!" Chen Zuoyi roared, adopting a new sword stance completely different from the Eagle Strike Sword Technique—lighter, more agile, and almost dance-like. He began circulating his Blood Qi, his skin flushing faintly.
"Quick Sword!" Chen Zuoyi hissed, his blade flashing out with astonishing speed, piercing the air with a sharp whistle as it materialized before Chen Zong's eyes in an instant.
"So fast!" Chen Zong exclaimed, startled. He swiftly retreated, his wooden sword swirling to parry the incoming strike. Unexpectedly, Chen Zuoyi retracted his blade and thrust again, his speed increasing even further.
One strike followed another in rapid succession, each faster than the last. Chen Zong continued to backpedal, his sharp eyes scanning for flaws in Chen Zuoyi's relentless assault.
This Quick Sword style possessed few openings, and those fleeting moments of vulnerability were nearly impossible to seize.
If that's the case, I'll create my own openings.
Willow Swaying Stance!
Phantom Shadow Stance!
Eagle Beak Strike!
His sword struck Chen Zuoyi's wrist with terrifying force, as if shattering bone and sinew, causing the blade to slip from his grasp.
A second strike pressed against Chen Zuoyi's throat.
"You could have surrendered earlier," Chen Zong said softly, nearly making Chen Zuoyi choke with fury.
He had unleashed the Seven Forms of the Quick Sword—a technique superior to the Eagle Strike Sword Technique—and had even tempered his body with Blood Qi, increasing his strength by a hundred pounds. Yet he still lost.
Next came the match between Chen Yan and Chen Wu.
Chen Wu, skilled in the Phantom Shadow Sword Technique, relentlessly pressured Chen Yan with his blade-driven attacks, ultimately securing his victory.
"The final battle: Chen Zong versus Chen Wu," Chen Chuyun announced.
This battle would determine the Sword Group Chief and, more importantly, the fate of ten Vitality Pills.
"I concede," Chen Wu declared after a moment's hesitation. His strength was at best comparable to Chen Che's, inferior to Chen Zuoyi's. And since Chen Zuoyi, even at full power, had been defeated by Chen Zong, Chen Wu knew his own fate in a duel with Chen Zong would be no different.
Rather than face humiliation, Chen Wu chose to withdraw.
A swordsman who fears battle in such a competition has lost his edge and will struggle to achieve greatness, Chen Chuyun mused inwardly. Still, it's his right, and I won't interfere.
"Chen Zong is now the Sword Group Chief. This afternoon will be the Chiefs' Tournament, where the five Group Chiefs will compete, with Clan Hall elders present to observe," Chen Chuyun announced. "Chen Zong, prepare well and defeat the other four Group Chiefs."
"Yes," Chen Zong replied, his voice firm and resolute.
"Dismissed."
Chen Chuyun departed, followed by Chen Zong.
"Hmph, that petty upstart," Chen Che spat, glaring at Chen Zong's retreating figure.
"Does he think winning the Sword Group Chief title makes him capable of defeating the other four Group Chiefs? How arrogant," Chen Shuiqing added, equally displeased.
"From what I've heard, Chen Fenghua of the Blade Group has mastered both the Chain Blade Technique and the Heavy Strike Blade Technique to Great Perfection Peak. His strength surpasses even mine," Chen Zuoyi said with a cold smirk.
"This afternoon, let's watch that Branch Clan bumpkin make a fool of himself before the elders," Chen Wu chuckled.
"You're all truly pathetic," Chen Yan retorted, then turned and left, leaving behind a sea of livid faces.