Blood Qi Circulation!
Block!
Retreat!
Sheathe Sword!
Hidden Sword Stance!
A razor-sharp aura permeated the air, locking onto Tang Junluo and causing his expression to turn grave.
Tang Junluo pushed the Hidden Dragon Manual to its limit, his Blood Qi surging like a charging dragon, exuding immense pressure. The dragon patterns on his golden spear seemed to react, tinged with a faint crimson hue.
The Hidden Dragon Spear Technique and the Hidden Dragon Manual were intrinsically linked, sharing a common origin. Channeling the manual's power into the spear technique amplified its potency.
Fourteen hundred pounds of force!
The Hidden Dragon Spear Technique, enhanced by the Hidden Dragon Manual!
Tang Junluo's combat prowess was undeniably formidable, but Chen Zong was no less imposing.
He pushed the Tiger's Roar Manual to its peak. As his Blood Qi surged, it resonated with the ceaseless roars of a ferocious tiger, radiating the majestic aura of the king of beasts.
A thousand pounds of force!
The perfected True Sword Eight Forms, surpassing even the Hidden Dragon Spear Technique!
Which was stronger? Only an all-out battle would reveal the answer.
"What kind of sword technique is that?" Elder Tang Zhigu's pupils constricted. From Chen Zong's opening stance, he sensed an unparalleled sharpness—a peerless, blade-like edge capable of cleaving through all creation.
Elder Xing smiled warmly, but inwardly he was astonished. He had only seen Chen Zong use this sword technique once before, during the first King of the Chiefs Competition, and never again. Now, it had reappeared in its Perfection Realm, its sheer momentum eclipsing techniques like the Eagle Strike Sword Technique many times over.
"Perhaps... he won't be defeated," Elder Xing mused privately. His greatest hope was that Chen Zong could maintain his undefeated streak against Tang Junluo's spear.
Tang Junluo whirled his spear, assuming the opening stance of the Hidden Dragon Spear Technique: the Hidden Dragon Stance!
An opening stance in any martial art is crucial. It not only prepares for subsequent moves but also conceals one's weaknesses to the utmost, allowing one to probe for the opponent's vulnerabilities. When the attack comes, it will be swift and decisive.
The air seemed to thicken, an invisible pressure choking the Martial Apprentices. The sound of nervous swallowing echoed clearly, and beads of sweat trickled down their foreheads.
Tang Junluo's gaze locked onto Chen Zong's, their eyes meeting like bolts of lightning.
The Hidden Dragon Spear Technique, with its domineering aura of a hidden dragon slumbering in the depths before soaring into the heavens, locked onto Chen Zong. The moment he revealed the slightest opening, a relentless storm of spear strikes would descend upon him.
The overwhelming sharpness of Tang Junluo's True Sword Unrivaled, honed through the True Sword Eight Forms, locked onto Chen Zong. Chen Zong knew without a doubt that even the slightest opening would invite a devastating sword strike capable of cleaving mountains and shattering stone.
Their gazes clashed, their auras collided, and Blood Qi surged relentlessly through their bodies like the ceaseless flow of mighty rivers. As the confrontation stretched on, the strain mounted, sweat beading on their foreheads and trickling down their cheeks.
Their auras had reached their peak, forcing them to act.
The spear struck like a dragon!
True Sword Unrivaled!
Soaring Dragon Stance!
The crimson dragon patterns on the golden spear seemed to come alive, coalescing into a dual-colored golden-red jiaolong. The mythical creature erupted from the abyss, shattering the very heavens with its dance, and crashed toward Chen Zong with unmatched ferocity.
Hidden Sword Stance!
The Precious Iron Sword hissed from its scabbard, the metallic screech echoing like divine steel clashing beyond the mortal realm, sparks flying from the blade. Its crescent-moon-shaped edge sliced through the air with unparalleled sharpness, ready to cleave through all creation as it hurtled toward Tang Junluo.
Once unleashed, there was no turning back.
Swimming Dragon Stance!
Coiling Dragon Stance!
Soaring Dragon Stance!
Rising Dragon Stance!
Thrusting Sword Stance!
Circling Sword Stance!
Chopping Sword Stance!
Chaotic Sword Stance!
With a force of 1,400 jin, each strike from Tang Junluo's spear carried devastating power, unleashing a thunderous roar like crashing waves or a colossal cannon shattering the heavens.
Though Chen Zong couldn't match Tang Junluo's raw strength, the True Sword Eight Forms surpassed the Hidden Dragon Spear Technique in destructive power. Chen Zong's mastery of the "Quick, Accurate, Steady" principles had honed his swordsmanship to a razor's edge.
Spear shadows danced and sword light swirled in a dizzying display. Each earth-shattering clash reverberated across the arena, threatening to deafen the onlookers.
The spear thrust in straight lines, while the sword danced with effortless grace. Tang Junluo's spear radiated tyrannical dominance, as if a monarch commanding the world. Chen Zong's sword, however, possessed peerless sharpness, capable of cleaving through anything.
Hidden Dragon versus True Sword!
Which would prevail?
"Take my final strike... Azure Dragon Stance!" Tang Junluo roared, his aura surging beyond its limits. Gripping the golden spear with both hands, he fused completely with the weapon, transforming into an Azure Dragon plummeting from the heavens. Its claws tore through the clouds, its fangs rent the skies, threatening to shatter the earth itself.
"Exploding Sword Stance!" The roar, a blend of a tiger's ferocity and the clang of colliding metal, erupted from deep within Chen Zong's throat. It crashed down like a thunderbolt, his feet slamming into the hardened earth, carving deep footprints into the ground. His power surged upward, merging with his Blood Qi and flooding into his right arm like a tidal wave. The limb swelled visibly, veins bulging like straining rivers.
A deafening boom echoed as Chen Zong unleashed his strike with the force of a tiger king leaping from a mountain peak or a meteor hurtling to earth, holding nothing back. The sword's edge gleamed with unparalleled sharpness, its momentum unstoppable.
Countless sparks flew as the blade reddened, the air thick with the acrid smell of scorched metal.
Collision!
Apart from Elders Xing and Tang Zhigu, the others felt their heads reel from the shock. A piercing sound, like a thousand needles stabbing their eardrums, drove them to cover their ears in agony. They had no choice but to shut their eyes, lest the blinding light permanently damage their sight.
The terrifying shockwave carved a deep gash into the earth, as if a giant blade had cleaved the ground in two.
The golden spear slipped from Tang Junluo's grip, while his Precious Iron Sword shattered. Both men staggered backward five steps. Tang Junluo's hands trembled uncontrollably, his fingers curled inward as if paralyzed. Chen Zong's right hand bled from a split web between his thumb and forefinger, the crimson liquid staining the remaining sword hilt.
A crisp clang echoed as the golden spear plunged downward, embedding itself in the ground and swaying slightly. Fragments of the Precious Iron Sword rained down like a hailstorm, scattering across the battlefield.
Who had won? Who had lost?
"Hahaha! Excellent, excellent! The Chen Clan has truly produced a remarkable genius. This battle ends in a draw," Elder Tang Zhigu declared, his surprise giving way to hearty laughter.
"A draw it is," Elder Xing nodded, his wrinkled face splitting into a wide smile. He had initially hoped Chen Zong could merely withstand Tang Junluo's spear without being defeated, a far cry from an actual draw. This outcome far exceeded his expectations.
In truth, he could clearly see Chen Zong's disadvantage lay entirely in his sword. Tang Junluo's spear was a Precious Iron Grade weapon, while Chen Zong's iron sword was merely a Common Iron Grade blade. The disparity was glaring. Had Chen Zong wielded a Precious Iron Sword, the outcome of their clash might have been reversed.
But fairness had no place in martial combat. Lineage, resources, innate talent, and hard-won strength—these unavoidable realities shaped the path of cultivation. Shortcomings could only be overcome through relentless personal effort.
"Chen Zong, I will remember your name," Tang Junluo said, clasping his hands behind his back with a faint smile. "Once I become a martial artist, I will challenge you again. By then, I hope you'll have acquired a better sword."
With his golden spear in hand, Tang Junluo departed with Elder Tang Zhigu. The Chen Clan's Martial Apprentices, finally recovering from their shock, erupted into jubilant cheers.
Chen Yidao and Chen Yuyao gazed at Chen Zong's slender figure, realizing that, without noticing, they had begun to look up to him.
When had this shift occurred?
Unconsciously, a trace of pride stirred in their hearts. Chen Zong had risen from the Branch Clan of Small Lake Town, just like them.
"Chen Zong, well done," Elder Xing strode over, his admiration undisguised. "How many times have you tempered your Blood Qi?"
"Five times," Chen Zong replied without hesitation.
"Have you reached your limit?" Elder Xing asked eagerly.
"Not yet," Chen Zong answered truthfully.
"That means you can temper your Blood Qi at least six times!" Elder Xing exclaimed, his excitement growing.
Tempering Blood Qi six times would set a new record within the Chen Clan. Chen Zong had already demonstrated astonishing talent in swordsmanship, and now his exceptional aptitude for Blood Qi cultivation filled Elder Xing with unexpected delight.
"Excellent, excellent!" Elder Xing's voice trembled with enthusiasm. "Tang Junluo defeated the Genius Martial Apprentices of two Noble Clans and four other major families, yet he met his match only against you, Chen Zong. In recognition of your contribution to the Chen Clan's glory, you shall be rewarded!" His voice rang with excitement. "Go to the armory and claim a Fine Iron Grade sword. Later, I'll have a Tiger Sun Bone-Strengthening Ointment and a hundred Vitality Pills sent to you."
"Thank you, Elder," Chen Zong said sincerely, smiling.
"You've earned it," Elder Xing replied, visibly pleased.
"A Fine Iron Grade Sword!" The Martial Apprentices watched with envy, especially those in the Sword Technique Group.
Weapons were classified into three tiers: Common Iron Grade, Fine Iron Grade, and Precious Iron Grade.
Most Martial Apprentices in the clan could only wield Common Iron Grade weapons. Fine Iron Grade weapons were typically reserved for those who had become martial artists, while Precious Iron Grade weapons were exceedingly rare, granted only to individuals of exceptional importance.
In terms of value, a Common Iron Grade sword was worth approximately twenty to thirty Jade Coins. A Fine Iron Grade sword, however, commanded at least ten times that price, while a Precious Iron Grade sword could fetch another ten times as much.
The reward of a Tiger Sun Bone-Strengthening Ointment further inflamed the apprentices' envy.
Depending on its size, a single portion of the ointment could brew over ten vats of Tiger Yang Bone-Strengthening Wine, renowned for its remarkable effectiveness in tempering Blood Qi. Though the Vitality Pills were less potent, a hundred pills was still a generous quantity.
"Chen Zong," Elder Xing inquired, his interest piqued, "the Foundation Establishment Sword Technique you demonstrated at the end was remarkably profound. What is its name?"
"True Sword Eight Forms," Chen Zong replied after a moment's thought.
"Would you be willing to entrust this sword technique to the Clan Hall?" Elder Xing asked eagerly, his voice fervent and his eyes brimming with anticipation. "Rest assured, if you agree, I can personally authorize an even greater reward—any Precious Iron Sword of your choosing, plus ten jars of Tiger Sun Bone-Strengthening Ointment."
The surrounding Martial Apprentices gasped, their breath catching in their throats. Those in the Sword Technique Group nearly fainted at the prospect.
Chen Zong froze, utterly astonished and deeply tempted.
For a swordsman, the allure of a superior blade was unparalleled. It wasn't merely a matter of personal preference, like an antique collector acquiring a rare treasure; it was a tangible boost to one's combat prowess.
If I had wielded a Precious Iron Sword during that battle, I might have already defeated Tang Junluo, Chen Zong thought.
The ten jars of Tiger Sun Bone-Strengthening Ointment were equally enticing.
"Elder," Chen Zong finally said after careful consideration, "this sword technique was imparted to me by a senior expert. Without his consent, I cannot make such a decision."
The True Sword Eight Forms had been bestowed by the mysterious sword tip, its origins shrouded in secrecy. While he was comfortable practicing it himself, he dared not share it publicly until he fully understood its nature.
"Very well," Elder Xing conceded, understanding the difficulty, especially since the technique had been passed down by a Senior of great renown. He decided not to press the matter further. "Focus on your cultivation and bring glory to the family."