Chapter 358: Chapter 356 Fair Exchange_1
"Lingxu Divine Palm!"
Nine Su Zilings attacked simultaneously, striking with their palms towards the center of the lake. The water immediately exploded, spraying a shower of droplets.
In an instant, the nine apparitions dissipated, and only one Su Ziling dashed into the pavilion, landing beside a seat.
"You’re quite generous. It should be my turn for the third demonstration!"
Liu Feiyue stood up from her seat. With a flicker, her figure darted into the lake. A wisp of Sword Light coalesced beneath her feet, tracing a smooth trail on the lake’s surface.
"This is my best Sword Technique, the Bright Moon Sword Art."
Liu Feiyue bent low, the Treasure Sword in her hand plunging into the water. She then swung the sword vigorously. A ball of sword qi merged into the current, condensed into a half-moon shape, and shot out explosively.
The half-moon-shaped sword qi sliced through the lake’s surface, dividing the water and creating a walkable path. Her Sword Intent sealed the water on both sides, maintaining the passage.
Subsequently, Liu Feiyue performed eleven more Sword techniques without reservation, showcasing the entire Bright Moon Sword Art from beginning to end.
When the final Sword Technique was executed, the sword qi also guided the water flow, forming a full moon entirely of water. As Liu Feiyue delivered her final sword strike, the water-formed full moon shot towards Ling Chen and the others. It exploded beside the pavilion, and a torrential downpour instantly descended upon it.
"Next, it’s my turn."
Seeing Liu Feiyue return, Yun Feihong also made his move. His body floated like a great wild goose as he landed on the lake’s surface.
"I have no other particular skills, only one technique, True Qi Becomes Silk, which I will share with you all."
Yun Feihong’s voice echoed throughout the courtyard.
True Qi is Energy, and Energy is neither static nor immutable. Even among the Four Outstanding Talents, only Yun Feihong could transform True Qi into a silk-like form. The others hadn’t expected him to reveal this ability; he seemed to be quite an honest person.
HISS HISS HISS HISS HISS...
Pale blue, silk-like Qi rose from Yun Feihong’s body. He extended his hand, and threads of True Qi burst from his fingertips, rending everything before him to nothingness, as if sliced by countless filaments.
These True Qi threads were incredibly sharp. They danced in the Void, tearing the air with CHCH sounds.
Because Yun Feihong intentionally slowed the process, everyone could clearly see how he transformed True Qi into a silk-like flow and how that flow then erupted outwards. He had reduced the speed by roughly tenfold.
"Amazing!"
A look of astonishment flashed in Ling Chen’s eyes. Using True Qi to such an extent required incredibly refined control. This method condensed the True Qi’s density and exponentially multiplied its power. This True Qi Becomes Silk technique was a great enlightenment for Ling Chen. The applications of True Qi were myriad and shouldn’t be constrained by conventional understanding or rigid rules. Indeed, none of the Four Outstanding Talents were ordinary individuals. Each possessed skills far beyond the reach of common people.
"Ling Chen, the unique skills of the four of us have now been demonstrated. As for how much you can learn, that depends on your own ability," Yun Qinghong said calmly, looking at Ling Chen.
"The gains have been substantial."
Ling Chen nodded. The strength of these four was undoubtedly immense. Their accomplishments in Martial arts far surpassed ordinary people. Furthermore, each possessed unique strengths and excelled in different areas; all were extraordinarily talented, far beyond any member of the younger generation Ling Chen had encountered.
"Then, let’s conclude this session of imparting experience," Yun Qinghong smiled. The original purpose of this discourse was for the four of them to impart their experiences to Ling Chen. Now that the objective had been met, it was time to end it.
"Wait."
At this moment, Ling Chen suddenly stood up and cupped his hands towards the four. "Seniors, I am deeply grateful for your generous teachings. Since this is a discourse, I cannot simply receive without giving. I would like to demonstrate a set of Swordsmanship for you to see. This is not Swordsmanship in the purely traditional sense, but rather my personal experience in the Sword Way. From one example, you may grasp many others. I trust it will not disappoint you."
"Oh? Then we shall await your demonstration with anticipation!"
Liu Feiyue was curious about what Sword Technique Ling Chen would demonstrate. However, judging by Ling Chen’s character and conduct, he wouldn’t try to fool them with something trivial. His demonstration was bound to have profound aspects. Many Paths were related to Martial Arts, and the Sword Way was one of them, so they weren’t afraid of failing to perceive something valuable.
Had it been any other member of the younger generation, the four might have disdained such a display as superfluous. But they regarded Ling Chen as an equal. Thus, hearing his words, they felt no contempt; on the contrary, they took him very seriously.
Ling Chen, clad in blue, drifted on the sparkling lake.
Taking a deep breath, he slightly closed his eyes. The moment he opened them again, his right hand moved, and the Cloud-hidden Sword was unsheathed.
SHIIIIIII...
Sword Light flashed and crisscrossed, and the sword qi was imposing.
An aura reminiscent of mountains and rivers permeated the air.
It seemed to be a set of Swordsmanship, yet it wasn’t entirely coherent. Within this Swordsmanship, one could perceive a pure artistic conception. It discarded impetuosity, leaving only tranquility and serenity. Yet, within this serenity lay the essence of Slaughter—one of the wellsprings of human evolution. Where there is strife, there is Slaughter; where there is the Jianghu, there is Slaughter. It is omnipresent, and thus, combat techniques were inherently woven into it.
"This isn’t a complete set of Swordsmanship, but a fusion of different Sword techniques—the most refined of moves."
None of them were fools; as top-tier geniuses, how could they not realize Ling Chen was indirectly revealing the intricacies of his Sword techniques? In the recent Martial World Tournament, Ling Chen’s most striking display had been his Swordsmanship. His Sword Technique, in particular, was a highlight and something others could learn from.
The Sword techniques Ling Chen demonstrated were, in fact, a fusion of the Dragon Seeking Sword Technique and Landscape Swordsmanship. However, they also incorporated many of his own insights, as well as his current understanding of the ’Sword Spirit Universe’ realm. His epiphanies from the Martial World Tournament had elevated his Swordsmanship to a new level, in terms of both form and skill.
Su Ziling smiled. "Just this single set of Swordsmanship has made me realize my deficiencies in combat and the superfluous elements within my techniques. Brilliant!"
Liu Feiyue, also proficient in the Sword Way, had attainments naturally higher than Ling Chen’s. She was the most profoundly affected by the Swordsmanship Ling Chen demonstrated. From it, she could discern Ling Chen’s Sword Dao Realm. Such a realm, it seemed, had never before been witnessed among the younger generation. "Transforming complexity into simplicity, great skill appears unadorned," she mused. "If I’m not mistaken, you must be very close to the Clear Heart Sword realm."
"Clear Heart Sword!"
Yun Qinghong and the other two were astonished. Although they weren’t deeply versed in the Sword Way, they had heard of the Clear Heart Sword realm. Legend told that once a Swordsman cultivated to this state, they would possess no flaws. They could understand all things clearly, no longer be deluded by external objects, and could easily see through an opponent’s weaknesses and openings.
In other words, a Swordsman who reached the Clear Heart Sword realm could exert one hundred and fifty percent of their own power while suppressing their opponent’s to less than fifty percent.