Chapter 357: Chapter 356 - Each Showing Their Divine Power_1
With Ling Chen and his two companions leaving their names on the Martial Arts Monument, this year’s Martial Arts Tournament also came to an end.
This was hailed as the most prosperous Martial Arts Tournament in hundreds of years. Countless talents emerged, and the trials were dazzling, with a level of confrontation rarely seen in previous tournaments.
All kinds of unparalleled talents erupted like a geyser. Both the quantity and quality far exceeded previous sessions.
Ling Chen undoubtedly became the most dazzling name of this Martial Arts Tournament. Not only did he win first place, an unprecedented achievement, but he also repelled the attacking People of the Demon Dao with the help of the Dragon Vein Power.
Now, most people in the City of Thunder were discussing topics related to Ling Chen.
Within a day, virtually everyone in the City of Thunder had heard of Ling Chen, save for the youngest, most oblivious children. Within three days, news of the Martial Arts Tournament’s results had spread to cities thousands of miles around. If all went as expected, Ling Chen’s name would resonate throughout the entire Thunder Country within a month. In three months, his name would spread throughout all Five Kingdoms.
A seventeen-year-old champion of the Martial World—it was impossible not to cause a sensation.
At the top of the Thunder Roar Tavern, there was an Astronomical Observatory, next to which was a Sky Garden boasting beautiful lakes and mountains.
In the center of the garden, a pavilion was built in the middle of the lake. On the highest floor of the pavilion, five figures were leisurely sipping tea. Apart from the pillars, no walls obstructed the view, allowing the beautiful scenery outside to be easily admired.
"This place is good."
Ling Chen nodded. This place, almost on par with the Sky Garden of the Sword Conference, was indeed perfect for sipping tea and discussing martial philosophies.
"Tsk tsk, becoming the king of the younger generation at seventeen! Why, even Sister Feiyue, the most gifted among us, only won the Martial Arts Tournament when she was nineteen, if I recall."
"Unrestrained Young Master" Su Ziling looked at Ling Chen with a playful smile, his eyes gazing at Ling Chen as if he were appraising a treasure sword.
"Su Ziling, who’s Sister Feiyue? Are you asking for death?"
No sooner had Su Ziling spoken than a silvery blade was pressed against his neck.
"Hehe, Sister Feiyue, getting angry easily harms the liver. All this over a mere nickname? It’s nothing to fuss about."
Still smiling, Su Ziling reached out, deftly plucked the treasure sword from his neck, and moved it aside.
"Achieving fame early does not mean achieving greatness. Many who were famous in their early years later fell into obscurity. There are plenty of such people in Jianghu."
The always-silent "Cold-Blooded Gun God" Mo Tianya spoke, his voice as cold and sharp as his reputation, his words utterly blunt.
"Ling Chen, don’t mind him," Liu Feiyue said quickly, afraid Ling Chen would get angry. "He talks like this to everyone."
"Senior Mo is right."
Ling Chen shook his head and smiled. He naturally wouldn’t get angry at such comments; in fact, he agreed. The Martial World was vast, and while many geniuses rose to fame early, many also fell midway.
A typical example in Jianghu was someone called "Young Master Zhong Yong." He stepped into the Great Master level at the age of fifteen, shocking the entire Martial World at that time. However, since then, he became arrogant and complacent, neglecting his martial arts cultivation. Eventually, he passed away still at the Great Master level, without ever entering the Sky Apex Realm, becoming a tragedy of the Martial World.
Since then, extraordinary talents in the Martial World have mostly used "Young Master Zhong Yong" as a cautionary tale, not daring to harbor an iota of laziness.
"Okay, we’ve talked enough. It’s time to get to the point."
At this point, "White Xuanjun" Yun Qinghong spoke. He looked around at the four people and then said, "It’s a tradition for the champion of the Martial Arts Tournament to discuss martial principles with the Four Outstanding Talents. Which of you three will begin?"
The champion of the Martial Arts Tournament changes each year, and the "Four Outstanding Talents" are not fixed either; their lineup can also change. The "Four Outstanding Talents" are the four best of the younger generation in the Martial World. If someone is better, they can naturally replace the current ones.
"I’ll go first!"
Mo Tianya moved, leaping out of the pavilion. His body landed swiftly yet steadily on the lake’s surface, sending faint ripples across the water.
SWISH!
Mo Tianya’s movements were so swift that it was difficult for the eyes to keep up. With a mere flick of his wrist, his long spear tore through the surface of the lake, leaving a sharp, arcing mark.
This arcing mark seemed to be etched onto the surface of the lake. The surrounding water kept surging, trying to fill the mark, but it was perpetually held back, unable to do so.
It’s Spear Intent!
Ling Chen’s eyes narrowed slightly. From the arcing water mark, he felt an incredibly resilient Spear Intent.
A sword has Sword Intent, a knife has knife intent, and a spear has Spear Intent. Even a punch, palm, and all eighteen kinds of martial arts often possess their unique artistic conception. It all depends on how the warrior learns and utilizes them.
The martial arts intent of each individual is unique. For example, Ling Chen’s Mountain and Water Sword Intention is characterized by its uniqueness and elegance. Xue Wu Ya’s sword intent is unfeeling and indifferent, while Mo Tianya’s spear intent, now on display, conveyed a sense of tenacity and perseverance.
"This is my most proficient spear technique, the Asura War Spear Techniques!"
Mo Tianya walked on water, his light skill superb. Every spear thrust and every step was imbued with profound artistic conception.
It was as if he were a true Asura, unbowed despite numerous battles, fighting crazily until his last breath, his last drop of blood.
Great Accomplishment Peak spear intent!
Ling Chen could easily see that Mo Tianya’s attainment in spear technique was very high. Although he didn’t practice spear techniques, all martial arts ultimately led to the same destination. This realization sparked many inspirational thoughts in his mind, and he felt he could gain insights at any moment.
Retracting his movements and standing still, Mo Tianya floated back into the pavilion, retrieved his spear, and sat down.
"Mo Tianya, since you opened with your most prized spear technique, I can’t take advantage of you all."
Su Ziling laughed heartily and then flew out of the pavilion as well.
His movement technique was like a gust of wind. He walked on water as if it were flat ground, leaving a trail of afterimages on the lake’s surface.
What incredible speed!
Ling Chen was surprised. Su Ziling’s speed was simply unbelievable.
Stopping suddenly in the middle of the lake, Su Ziling shouted sharply, "Split!"
His body split into five, then those five into ten. In an instant, ten Su Zilings appeared on the surface of the lake.
Nine illusory bodies?!
Ling Chen couldn’t help but gape. In the Martial Arts Tournament, Young Master of Myriad Dao’s Four Elephant Phantoms was already quite impressive, but that technique only produced three illusory bodies. And now, Su Ziling had created nine illusory bodies at once—it was simply astounding.
Of course, this didn’t mean the Four Images Shadow Illusion of Myriad Dao Sect martial art was inferior. Rather, Young Master of Myriad Dao hadn’t cultivated this particular martial art to its highest realm. Su Ziling, on the other hand, had clearly mastered this secret art of creating illusory bodies to perfection.