Chapter 131: Chapter 130 Command Waist Card_1
"Hidden Needle in Cotton!"
Tong Chuan launched another palm strike. The overwhelming Palm Power contained needle-like True Qi that transformed into a rain of needles and shot out the moment he struck.
DING! DING! DING! DING!
As Xiao Muyu retreated, she continuously swung her Juechen Sword to block the dense rain of needles.
WHOOSH!
Seizing this opportunity, Tong Chuan closed the distance, launching five palm shadows toward Xiao Muyu.
"Overturning Clouds and Rain!"
Xiao Muyu executed the final move of the Rain Spirit Sword Technique, her sword qi sweeping out like rain.
The battle between them was extremely intense, making it difficult to determine a winner.
When their strengths were so similar, deciding a victor was very difficult.
"Yin and Yang complement each other, not engaging in a battle of strength; being substantial while indeed void, seeming void while actual."
At this moment, a familiar voice suddenly resonated beside Xiao Muyu’s ear.
The person transmitting the sound was Ling Chen.
He used True Qi to envelop his voice and relayed it to Xiao Muyu’s ears. This way, Xiao Muyu herself could hear it most clearly, while others, unless they possessed extremely sharp hearing, would not be able to hear anything.
This fellow, is he really thinking of helping Xiao Muyu secure victory with on-the-spot guidance?
Witnessing this, Feng Piaoliu was also surprised. Giving on-the-spot guidance wasn’t too unusual, but its effectiveness depended on the advisor’s martial arts proficiency. If this person’s martial arts proficiency was high, he would naturally have a clear judgment of the opponent’s moves, patterns, and the force behind them. His guidance could secure victory. Conversely, if this person was mediocre, it would only be counterproductive and affect the combatant’s performance.
"Do you believe he has that capability?" Xu Ruoyan asked. She didn’t know the content of Ling Chen’s voice transmission, but Feng Piaoliu, relying on his powerful cultivation, was able to hear it.
"To be honest, those four sentences were very well said. Even I probably couldn’t have made such an accurate judgment and prediction. I just don’t know if this Xiao Muyu can grasp his meaning." Feng Piaoliu’s eyes revealed a trace of admiration as he spoke objectively.
In terms of strength, he was indeed far superior to Ling Chen. However, on-the-spot guidance didn’t rely on strength, but on discernment, judgment, and comprehension of martial arts. In these aspects, Feng Piaoliu probably wouldn’t dare claim to be stronger than Ling Chen.
"Is he really that amazing? Brother Feng, whose side are you on? Why do you keep praising this person?"
Xie Feng, standing nearby, grew displeased listening to Feng Piaoliu praise Ling Chen so highly, which inevitably annoyed him. In his view, Ling Chen was just a greenhorn; how could he possibly understand on-the-spot guidance? It was nothing more than a fluke.
"Of course, I’m on Junior Sister Xu’s side," Feng Piaoliu chuckled awkwardly, then declared righteously, "If Junior Sister Xu finds him an eyesore, I’ll go teach him a lesson right now and make him understand the consequences of offending our Junior Sister Xu."
"There’s no need to use a sledgehammer to crack a nut. You don’t need to bother, Brother Feng. This minor matter can be left to me." Xie Feng was afraid Feng Piaoliu would steal the credit. This was a great opportunity to impress Xu Ruoyan; how could he let it pass?
At this moment, in the center of the training field, Xiao Muyu heard Ling Chen’s True Qi transmission, and her beautiful eyes lit up. Her actions faltered slightly, but in the next instant, she reacted, apparently having grasped the meaning behind Ling Chen’s words.
Her Sword Momentum changed; Xiao Muyu’s Swordsmanship lost its previous aggressiveness, shifting to defense.
"Respond to dynamic with stillness, advance by retreating, steady as a rock." Ling Chen continued his voice transmission.
Xiao Muyu carefully comprehended the meaning of Ling Chen’s voice transmission and made her moves cautiously. She had absolute trust in Ling Chen; as long as she believed what he said, she was confident she could win.
Xiao Muyu’s change in tactics greatly frustrated Tong Chuan on the other side. Originally, if Xiao Muyu had continued to trade blows with him, he would have surely been the one to win. However, her sudden change in tactics, completely unconventional, thoroughly disrupted his rhythm.
Now, thirty moves had already passed, yet a victor still hadn’t been decided.
The situation made him burn with impatience. Once a person becomes impatient, they easily reveal openings.
"The time has come; switch from defense to offense. Like water dripping through stone, attack the enemy’s openings." Seeing that the time was ripe, Ling Chen transmitted his voice again.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Muyu’s beautiful eyes lit up. She pushed her Sword Momentum to its limit and thrust her sword out.
Water Dripping Through Stone!
The sword qi arced like a rainbow, perfectly striking an opening in Tong Chuan’s defense.
PSSHT!
Tong Chuan’s expression changed drastically with shock, his defense riddled with openings. This sword pierced his arm, and in the next moment, blood spurted out.
"Impressive!" Feng Piaoliu couldn’t help exclaiming in admiration, though it was unclear whether he was praising Xiao Muyu’s beautiful sword strike or Ling Chen’s excellent guidance.
"Tong Chuan actually lost! I thought he was determined to get the Command Waist Card; I never expected him to fail."
"This Xiao Muyu truly deserves her reputation as a genius of the Divine Intent Sect. Even though Tong Chuan is a realm higher and his martial arts cultivation isn’t weak, he actually lost to her."
"Perhaps this is the difference between a talented young elite and a true genius. Tong Chuan, at best, can only be considered a talented young elite, not a genius."
The crowd buzzed with discussion, utterly astonished by the outcome of this battle.
After defeating Tong Chuan, Xiao Muyu walked onto the platform in the center of the training field, took down a Command Waist Card, and wore it.
After Tong Chuan, the young elites from the major sects also sensibly chose not to make a move on Xiao Muyu. Evidently, they believed she was qualified to obtain a Command Waist Card, so no one stepped forward to challenge her.
"That was truly a roller coaster! I thought I couldn’t win. I never imagined that with your guidance, I would actually win!" As soon as Xiao Muyu came off the platform, she grabbed Ling Chen’s arm, looking extremely happy. She was completely unaware that the sensation of her touch caused ripples in Ling Chen’s otherwise tranquil heart.
"I could only offer a little humble assistance. You relied on your own strength to get this Command Waist Card." Ling Chen gently pulled his hand from Xiao Muyu’s grasp and then patted her shoulder.
"There are only four Command Waist Cards left! Ling Chen, aren’t you going to compete for one yet?" Xiao Muyu looked curiously at Ling Chen; for him to still be so composed at this time was somewhat illogical. Each Command Waist Card taken means one less available. If he doesn’t compete now, when will he?
"There’s no rush." However, Ling Chen remained unhurried, as if he wasn’t concerned about the Command Waist Cards at all.
His words had barely faded when two figures had already darted into the center of the training field, vying for the seventh Command Waist Card.
Soon, the seventh Command Waist Card fell into the hands of a disciple from the Myriad Dao Sect.
"Ling Chen, are you still not making a move?" Ling Chen wasn’t anxious, but Xiao Muyu was starting to feel anxious for him. If he doesn’t make a move soon, it’ll be too late!
"Alright. There’s indeed no need to wait until the very end." Ling Chen nodded, then pulled out his Heavenly Mansion Sword and headed towards the center of the training field.