Chapter 133: Chapter 132 Emerging Talents_1
"Three moves? Ling Chen is underestimating Xie Feng far too much."
Feng Piaoliu shook his head, doubting Ling Chen could defeat Xie Feng within three moves.
"It’s hard to tell." Xu Ruoyan frowned slightly.
"After all, Xie Feng is a Sixth Layer Realm Martial Artist. No matter his shortcomings, among the True Disciples of Sky Void Palace, he can still maintain an upper-middle level. As for Ling Chen, he is only a recently promoted True Disciple," Feng Piaoliu analyzed methodically.
In truth, the average level of the Divine Intent Sect’s True Disciples was indeed inferior to those of Sky Void Palace. Even if the members of the Divine Intent Sect wouldn’t admit it, that was the fact.
Aside from a few powerful young talents who were deep in contemplation, most were shaking their heads, thinking Ling Chen was too arrogant. This was especially true for some Pupils of Tianxu Palace who had always found Ling Chen objectionable; they sneered inwardly. Such bold words, if not fulfilled, would indeed lead to a great loss of face. They hadn’t expected Ling Chen to be even more foolish and arrogant than they had imagined.
This guy, he really dares to say it.
Xiao Muyu understood Ling Chen’s temperament. Since Ling Chen had said so, he wouldn’t have spoken groundlessly. However, Xie Feng was no weakling either. Among the young talents present, those who could surpass him were few and far between.
"Ling Chen, you dare belittle me! I’d like to see how you defeat me in three moves!" Xie Feng laughed heartily. He had initially been worried about the difficulty of fighting Ling Chen. He hadn’t expected Ling Chen to underestimate him so blatantly. This wasn’t necessarily a bad thing; the more arrogant Ling Chen acted now, the greater the contrast would be later, giving Xie Feng the perfect chance to thoroughly humiliate him.
SWISH! His clothes fluttered though there was no wind. Green True Qi erupted from his body. As his foot moved, cracks appeared on the ground. His entire form shot forward like a blade slicing sideways, his palm cutting through the air.
SLASH! The air was cut open, and a green blade of light shot from his palm, striking towards Ling Chen.
Ling Chen neither retreated nor dodged. His previously calm demeanor instantly turned sharp. An elusive Sword Momentum burst forth from within him. His entire being seemed to transform into a Treasure Sword, gathering power, ready to unleash astonishing destructive force.
"First Sword!" Ling Chen thrust his sword, and his entire presence became illusory. His Sword Momentum and figure flickered, like a roaming dragon seeking an opening.
The green blade of light passed through Ling Chen’s afterimage, leaving a deep gash on the ground. Meanwhile, Ling Chen’s sword was already stabbing towards Xie Feng’s chest.
"What?" Xie Feng was astonished. He hadn’t expected Ling Chen’s Swordsmanship and movement techniques to be so uncanny. He had been certain he was about to strike his opponent, yet he had missed by a hair’s breadth.
A flash of humiliation and anger crossed his face as Xie Feng frantically channeled his True Qi.
"Qing Sha Protective Qi!"
The green True Qi converged, solidifying into a semi-transparent green barrier that firmly protected Xie Feng’s body. A layer of green qi also covered the rest of him. This Qing Sha Protective Qi enveloped Xie Feng’s body completely, leaving no openings.
Ling Chen, undeterred, thrust out his Heavenly Mansion Sword. He instilled it with the formidable Mountain and Water Sword Intention, further concentrating its power.
"Second Sword!"
The shout came from Ling Chen’s mouth. He was now executing Water and Sky Merged, the Second Style of the Landscape Swordsmanship.
POP! A crisp sound echoed as the green Qing Sha Protective Qi shattered instantly, completely unable to withstand Ling Chen’s strike.
"What?! His Qing Sha Protective Qi was broken just like that?"
An astonished look appeared on Feng Piaoliu’s face. Qing Sha Protective Qi was a top-grade martial art of Sky Void Palace. While its offensive power might not be extraordinary, it significantly enhanced a warrior’s defense, theoretically leaving no blind spots. Yet, under Ling Chen’s Sword Intent-infused strike, this Qing Sha Protective Qi proved as fragile as paper, pierced in the blink of an eye.
Xu Ruoyan’s expression flickered; the power of the Mountain and Water Sword Intention had clearly impressed her.
"Get lost!" Xie Feng roared, his Qing Sha Protective Qi thickening once more to slow the sword tip’s advance. Then, his right hand, imbued with terrifying power, suddenly struck out.
BOOM! Ling Chen met Xie Feng’s strike with his left palm, his body recoiling from the impact. However, in mid-air, he suddenly flipped, and his Heavenly Mansion Sword thrust out in a reverse stab.
"This is the final strike!" Ling Chen let out a low shout, executing Flowers in the Mist, the third move of the Landscape Swordsmanship.
As soon as the move was executed, Xie Feng’s vision blurred. Ling Chen’s figure inexplicably multiplied into three, making it impossible to distinguish the real one. The dazzling sword qi bloomed in mid-air like a flower, rushing towards him. This strike contained a potent Illusory Realm.
Still disoriented and caught in the illusion, Xie Feng was struck by a wave of sword qi and sent flying.
In a moment, the entire drill field fell into hushed silence.
It had truly taken only three moves for Ling Chen to defeat Xie Feng! Not a single move more.
"He’s so strong! Is this the prowess of Sword Intent? Absolutely unstoppable!"
"Indeed. Xie Feng’s Qing Sha Protective Qi is formidable, but against sword qi empowered by Sword Intent, it seemed utterly useless."
"I’ve heard that once Sword Intent manifests, it can sever illusory thoughts, and no evil can corrupt it! Alas, though I am also a swordsman, I’ve yet to even touch the threshold of Sword Intent."
"How did Ling Chen manage to grasp Sword Intent and dominate like this?!"
The crowd was a mix of astonishment and admiration, but mostly, they were envious. Comprehending Sword Intent was undoubtedly ten times harder than advancing one’s Cultivation. If such an elusive thing could be bought, they would spare no expense, even if it meant bankrupting themselves.
"I suspect it’s not just due to his Sword Intent. This young man’s fundamental strength is considerable. Even without Sword Intent, Xie Feng would still not have been his match," a True Disciple from Chiyu Mountain Manor commented.
"You’re right. It’s not just the Sword Intent; Ling Chen’s Swordsmanship is also extremely exquisite. That final strike contained a powerful Illusory Realm. It’s definitely not something an ordinary person could execute." The speaker was another True Disciple who had already obtained a Command Waist Card. His expression was grave as he replayed Ling Chen’s third strike in his mind, wondering if he could have blocked such a blow were he in Xie Feng’s place.
No one else on the drill field dared to challenge Ling Chen further. After all, most of them didn’t even possess Xie Feng’s strength. If Xie Feng, who had only lasted three strikes, was no match for Ling Chen, they would only be humiliating themselves by trying.
"This Ling Chen fellow is quite something. Looking at it this way, I think he’s a good match for you, Junior Sister," Feng Piaoliu said, appearing quite serious.
The moment his words fell, a chill touched his throat. A Treasure Sword was resting against his neck.
"I was just joking," Feng Piaoliu shrugged helplessly.
Xu Ruoyan withdrew her Treasure Sword. Her gaze then fell upon Ling Chen. Holding her sword, she made her way to the center of the drill field.
Sigh, why bother? Feng Piaoliu knew what Xu Ruoyan was about to do. This girl, her mental block still hasn’t been resolved.
Ling Chen, who was about to pick up the Command Waist Card, paused when he heard the footsteps. Turning around, he saw an extremely beautiful silhouette with an icy countenance standing before him.
"Must we really fight?" Ling Chen frowned. He hadn’t expected Xu Ruoyan to choose to confront him right here, right now.