Chapter 244: 36 The True Transmission of Swordsmanship

After discussing the situation of the Hundred Thousand Mountains, everyone started to chat idly again, bonding with one another.

After all, forming a team meant that getting to know each other was a necessity.

Lin Duanshan, Duan Fenhai, and Guan Shanyue, having had to team up every year for the southern campaign, were quite familiar with each other.

As for Ling Yunpo and An Zhisu, they could only say they were relatively familiar with Lin Duanshan, while their interactions with Duan Fenhai and Guan Shanyue were more about “fighting each other.”

Now that they were supposed to cooperate and work together, they naturally had to set aside past affairs and get to know each other anew.

Lin Duanshan, as the mediator known to both sides, took up the role of leading the communication without hesitation.

He first discussed the characteristics of the Various Peaks’ swordsmanship schools and then mentioned the Seven Kills Sword Technique of Qingluo Peak.

“The essence of the Seven Kills Sword Technique lies in ‘speed,'” Lin Duanshan summarized, “In the realm of swordsmanship, nothing can withstand absolute speed.”

“I have some reservations about that,” Guan Shanyue pondered, “Rather than ‘speed,’ it would be more accurate to say ‘striving to be first.’

Ling Yunpo was slightly surprised; Senior Sister Guan had quite a discerning eye!

“True,” Duan Fenhai agreed with the suggestion, “The Seven Kills Sword Technique is known for speed, but it doesn’t blindly pursue it; it emphasizes striving to be first.”

“Is Brother Duan recalling the thrashing he received from Brother Ling during the great Shushan competition?” Guan Shanyue covered her mouth and laughed, “You didn’t even have time to use your Sword Dao Techniques.”

Duan Fenhai’s mouth twitched and after a moment, he spoke seriously:

“Hmph, to achieve a preemptive strike and use the weak to overcome the strong are the hallmarks of the Seven Kills Sword Technique. I lost to Brother Ling in the past and upon reflection, I realized that being too complacent was one reason, but more so, it was because of Brother Ling’s swift swordplay, which truly brought the advantages of the Seven Kills Sword Technique to their full potential.”

His words, while serving as an excuse for himself, were also meant to praise Ling Yunpo, so there was no need for anyone to refute them.

“Speaking of striving to be first, Senior Sister An’s swordsmanship must have reached a state of perfection,” Lin Duanshan suddenly said, “Not only does she seize the initiative, but she’s also quick to consolidate her advantage.”

“Indeed,” Duan Fenhai echoed, “There used to be a saying among the peaks: ‘Never give ground when facing Senior Sister An. Once you retreat, you will have lost any chance of gaining the upper hand.”

“Although I hate to admit it, Senior Sister An’s swordsmanship is indeed better than mine,” Guan Shanyue said with a forced smile, “With Senior Sister An in our team this time, the campaign to the south will surely encounter no unexpected changes.”

While everyone showered An Zhisu with compliments, she showed no response, which made things somewhat awkward.

To put it precisely, she had never encountered this situation before and didn’t know how to respond, so she chose to remain silent.

The atmosphere turned quiet for a moment, and just as Ling Yunpo was about to say something to break the ice, he suddenly heard Guan Shanyue ask:

“I heard that Senior Sister An intends to inherit the Dao lineage of Qi Sha True Person and also cultivate the Sentiment Inquiry Path, right? So, who is the Daoist Companion for Sentiment Inquiry, Brother Ling?”

The question was so direct that Lin Duanshan and Duan Fenhai glared at her, signaling her not to say things that would make it difficult for others to respond, yet they couldn’t help but prick up their ears, waiting to hear how An Zhisu would answer.

An Zhisu maintained her expressionless, silent demeanor.

Then her neck began to redden, slowly spreading to her cheeks…

“Cough, cough!” Ling Yunpo suddenly stood up, breaking everyone’s gaze, and said, “Brother Duan, I would like to have a duel with you!”

Duan Fenhai: ?

“Sure!” He immediately stood up as well, coldly responding, “I’m more than willing!”

Having been unexpectedly defeated by Ling Yunpo during the great Shushan competition, the incident was like a fishbone stuck in Duan Fenhai’s throat, always uncomfortable.

But if he were to challenge Ling Yunpo again, it would seem too deliberate, so Duan Fenhai had set aside his plans for revenge… little did he expect that Ling Yunpo would voluntarily seek him out today!

Without hesitation, the two agreed and left the Daoist temple to spar.

Lin Duanshan and Guan Shanyue hurried to follow. When they turned to look at An Zhisu’s complexion, it had already returned to normal, completely calm, a stark contrast to her previous menacing ghost-like demeanor at the Shushan competition, where she was quick to threaten others.

Was she completely confident that Ling Yunpo would not lose? Guan Shanyue mused, while Lin Duanshan’s expression subtly changed.

The sword duel began swiftly, with Duan Fenhai hastening to complete his sword technique. The Cangtie Sword shot out like lightning, aiming straight for Ling Yunpo’s chest.

Attack fiercely!

This time he had clearly learned from his past experience at the Shushan grand tournament, and he didn’t plan to give Ling Yunpo any chance to entangle him, going straight for a preemptive attack.

Ling Yunpo’s expression didn’t change, as his Thunder Punishment Sword was held in front of him to block the attack of the Cangtie Sword.

The moment the metal clashed, Duan Fenhai sensed something was amiss; the force transmitted from the opponent’s sword was actually stronger than his own?!

The strength of the Flying Sword only depended on two factors: the Flying Sword’s own attribute and the robustness of the Sword Immortal’s True Yuan.

Both the Thunder Punishment Sword and the Cangtie Sword were renowned in the Metal System for their swiftness and sharpness, lacking any significant enhancement to their strength.

Which meant that the robustness of the opponent’s True Yuan at that moment, seemed to have far exceeded his own…

With this thought crossing Duan Fenhai’s mind, he saw a flash of black light; the Qing Ping Sword had already sliced towards his head.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

He quickly drew out his Tianfeng Qianjun Sword in an attempt to block the Qing Ping Sword’s assault. After another clashing of metal, the Qianjun Sword couldn’t withstand the impact and was brutally knocked away by the Qing Ping Sword.

Before he could regain his senses, the Qing Ping Sword was already poised at his throat.

Duan Fenhai: ………

He furrowed his brows tightly, extended his finger, and gently pushed the Qing Ping Sword away, asking in confusion,

“What kind of spell is this?”

“Sword technique,” Ling Yunpo said lightly with a flick of his hand, and the Qing Ping Sword automatically flew back into his palm.

“Seven Kills Sword Technique, capable of amplifying the power of the Flying Sword?” Duan Fenhai looked at Lin Duanshan, who was watching on the side.

To have directly knocked away his Tianfeng Qianjun Sword was not something that could be achieved by mere “robust True Yuan”… Being of the same Refining Mansion stage and having not yet achieved Core Formation, how much more powerful could it get?

Lin Duanshan’s face was also solemn as he shook his head and said,

“I’ve never seen it before. It kind of resembles the Asura Path’s Jiesha Sword’s forceful techniques, but it’s definitely not that.”

The Jiesha Sword’s triple-force exertion grows stronger with each layer, but it requires the buildup from the earlier strikes.

Seeing Ling Yunpo dish out a devastating blow right at the start, rendering his peers at the same stage unable to even block it, was a first for everyone.

All eyes turned to An Zhisu, who remained silent for a moment before saying,

“Junior brother has indeed received the true legacy of the Seven Kills Sword Technique…”

Then everyone seemed to have a sudden realization: Oh, I see, it’s the true legacy of the sword technique.

I don’t believe you! Ling Yunpo became a disciple after Su Jian went into seclusion, what true legacy of the sword technique could Su Jian have taught him? And why wouldn’t the senior sister know but the junior brother does?

Facing the skeptical looks from everyone, An Zhisu fell silent once more before forcing out an explanation,

“Actually, I know it too, just that I’ve never used it.”

Upon hearing this, everyone nodded: That’s becoming even more far-fetched.

The Seven Kills Sword Technique was already known for its speed. If it also had the advantage of being forceful and heavy, it would be invincible amongst peers. And you, An Zhisu, have been at Shushan for so many years, yet you claim to have never used it?

“Indeed, that is the case,” Ling Yunpo said earnestly.

Since the Jade Capital Sect Leader had forbidden them from revealing any information about White Jade Capital at this time, Ling Yunpo naturally could not openly say that this was a secret gain from his trial at Mount Fajue, so he could only laugh it off,

“Senior Sister has truly captured the essence of the Seven Kills Sword Technique’s true legacy; it’s just that during regular sparring among sect members, it would not be appropriate to use excessive force, hence it was never used.”

Everyone: ………

So it’s because we’re too weak, right?