Chapter 173: Shock |
On the martial training ground, the atmosphere was tense and deadly.
Chen Lin slowly drew the long sword at his waist. The blade was like a pool of autumn water, flowing with deep blue radiance in the sunlight, faintly accompanied by the sound of tides.
He flicked his wrist slightly. The sword tip angled toward the ground as a heavy and dense true qi naturally emanated outward. The surrounding air seemed to thicken.
"Please!"
Chen Lin spoke, his tone steady, "This sword is named 'Overturning Sea,' a superior-grade treasure weapon. It has accompanied me for many years and responds to my commands like my own limbs. I'm afraid it would be inconvenient to switch to ordinary weapons. Please forgive me."
His words were both a reminder and carried a trace of unintentional pride.
Chen Qing's expression remained calm. He casually swept the Coiling Cloud Spear forward, the spear tip pointing at his opponent from afar as he said indifferently, "No matter. Senior Brother, please begin."
He thought to himself: As expected of a wealthy and powerful sect. They can even equip disciples who haven't reached True Aura with superior-grade treasure weapons for daily use.
What Master Uncle Shen said was true. Lin'an Prefecture was rich in mineral resources and had close ties with the Forging Weapons Hall. Their channels for obtaining high-grade weapons were far beyond what Yunlin Prefecture could match.
Chen Lin said no more. A gleam flashed in his eyes as his figure suddenly lunged forward.
His steps seemed unhurried, yet he moved as if treading on waves, closing several zhang of distance in an instant.
The Overturning Sea sword hummed. The sword momentum rose sharply, not in a sharp direct thrust, but tracing continuous, dense arcs of blue light like layers upon layers of waves surging toward Chen Qing!
The sword wind howled, actually bringing the sound of crashing waves. The sword qi was as heavy as mercury spilling onto the ground, penetrating everywhere.
Azure Cloud Sword Formula! Cloud Waves Stacked Tides!
Chen Qing felt his entire body tighten, as if trapped in invisible water pressure. Even his movements became somewhat sluggish.
He didn't dare be negligent. The Qingmu true qi that had penetrated eleven primary meridians surged forth from within his body. The Coiling Cloud Spear emitted a low hum. Instead of retreating, he advanced, thrusting straight forward!
Mountain Suppressing Prison Spear! Mountain Collapse Piercing Rainbow!
This thrust gathered the abundant true qi from Chen Qing's eleven penetrated primary meridians, concentrating power in a single point. The spear shot forth like a rainbow!
The green spear radiance highly concentrated at the spear tip, carrying a piercing shriek, boldly stabbing into those layers of blue sword waves!
"Hiss—!"
Like a red-hot iron rod piercing icy water, a sharp sound exploded!
The incredibly refined spear radiance forcibly tore through the dense sword net, striking straight toward Chen Lin's chest like an unstoppable attack.
The ultimate penetrating power collided dominantly with the dense and heavy sword light, exploding in a visible shockwave that violently swept up a layer of dust from the black iron rock ground!
Chen Lin's expression changed slightly. Clearly, he hadn't expected Chen Qing's spear force to be so refined and domineering, able to break through skill with pure strength, forcibly penetrating his Azure Cloud sword curtain.
His toes tapped the ground. His figure retreated as if pushed by a wave while the Overturning Sea sword circled, the sword momentum shifting from soft to hard. A move 'Breaking Waves Parting Currents' slashed out horizontally, trying to deflect the relentlessly pursuing spear tip.
"Clang—!"
Spear and sword clashed again, erupting in a deafening metallic roar with sparks flying!
Chen Qing felt a surging, powerful strange force transmit through the spear shaft, coming in waves like tides, shaking his arms slightly numb.
This was precisely the Sea Sand Sect's Vast Sea true qi, heavy and dense with excellent resilience, similar to Guishui true qi but with subtle differences.
Chen Qing circulated the true qi within his body, dissolving the invading Vast Sea true qi into nothingness.
He borrowed the momentum to pivot. The Coiling Cloud Spear changed from thrust to sweep, the spear wind howling fiercely like a mountain-shaking iron pillar sweeping through thousands of soldiers!
Mountain Suppressing Prison Spear! Mountain Breaking Territory Division!
This sweep was incredibly heavy and domineering, intending to destroy all obstacles before him!
Chen Lin didn't choose to meet it head-on. His figure twisted nimbly like a swimming fish, narrowly avoiding the spear edge. The Overturning Sea sword followed along the spear shaft, slashing downward. The sword tip trembled, transforming into several cold stars, striking toward Chen Qing's wrist holding the spear. The move was cunning and vicious, precisely the clever technique 'Water Striking Stone' from the Azure Cloud Sword Formula!
The two exchanged spear and sword strikes. In the blink of an eye, they had already exchanged over ten moves.
The sounds of clashing qi forces were continuous. The escaping force winds carved countless fine marks on the ground.
The Sea Sand Sect disciples watching from the sidelines were already dazzled and breathless.
"So... so powerful! That Chen Qing's spear technique is actually so fierce. He can directly counter Senior Brother Chen Lin's Azure Cloud Sword Formula!"
"His strength is too terrifying! Every spear strike feels like it could shatter boulders!"
"Senior Brother Chen Lin's Vast Sea true qi actually can't quite suppress him?"
"Old Shen, your junior nephew... what abundant foundation, what domineering power!"
Qiao Hongyun couldn't help but say in a low voice, "This is definitely not an effect ordinary Qingmu true qi can achieve. Has he also cultivated an extremely advanced body refining technique?"
Shen Xiuyong's face showed satisfaction as he smiled slightly, "Elder Qiao has good eyes. This junior nephew of mine indeed has some small fortunes."
Wu Hui concentrated her gaze. The scene appeared evenly matched, but she still had considerable confidence in her subordinate disciple.
In the field, Chen Lin had attacked for a long time without success. Surprise gradually arose in his heart.
He originally thought that with a cultivation level higher by a small realm and the advantage of a superior-grade treasure weapon, he would be sufficient to suppress his opponent. He never expected Chen Qing to be far more difficult to deal with than imagined.
That black spear was heavy and powerful. Each strike shook his blood and qi. Even more terrifying was that opponent's bottomless stamina and physique that seemed cast from refined steel!
A fierce light flashed in Chen Lin's eyes. His sword technique suddenly changed, transforming from the previous dense and soft entanglement to become surging and tumultuous!
The Overturning Sea sword blazed with blue light. The sword qi gathered into a massive tidal wave carrying an irresistible, magnificent momentum, surging madly toward Chen Qing!
Within the tidal wave, sword shadows overlapped, making it difficult to distinguish true from false, full of killing intent!
Azure Cloud Sword Formula! Vast Sea Raging Waves!
Perfect realm!
This genius who earned the reputation of the Overturning Sea sword had clearly cultivated the Azure Cloud Sword Formula to the perfect realm.
Facing this overwhelming sword momentum, Chen Qing's gaze concentrated. Not only did he not retreat, but he took a deep breath. The blood and qi within his body instantly boiled like molten lava!
"Hum!"
A low yet power-filled hum burst forth from within his body!
His skin took on a faint bronze luster. His muscles slightly swelled. His tendons and bones rang out, emitting faint sounds of tiger roars and elephant calls!
A scorching and domineering aura spread explosively with him at the center!
Facing the surging sword tide, Chen Qing neither dodged nor evaded. The Coiling Cloud Spear shook. It was still that indomitable Mountain Collapse Piercing Rainbow, thrusting straight forward!
But this spear contained the terrifying force of the Eight Extremes Vajra Body. Its power increased more than twofold!
"Boom—!!!"
The spear tip collided dominantly with the most violent part of the sword tide!
The massive sound was like thunder on flat ground!
The blue sword qi raging wave was actually forcibly torn and penetrated through the center by that incomparably domineering spear radiance!
Chen Lin only felt an irresistible tremendous force crash along the sword body. His figure stumbled back seven or eight steps with "thud thud thud" sounds.
Each step left a deep footprint on the hard black iron rock ground. After steadying himself, he raised his head to look at Chen Qing before him, who seemed like a primordial fierce beast, with astonishment.
Uproar—!
In an instant, the area around the martial training ground erupted in commotion. All the Sea Sand Sect disciples widened their eyes, looking at the scene in the field with disbelief!
"What?! Senior Brother Chen Lin was forced back!"
"That... what external body cultivation is that? His blood and qi are like pillars, his sounds like tigers and elephants!"
"Such terrifying power! Even Vast Sea Raging Waves was broken with one spear strike!"
"Is this Chen Qing even human? His physical strength is actually this formidable?!"
Cries of surprise and discussion spread like a tide.
Zhao Yun in the crowd had long lost her previous relaxed demeanor. She gripped Zhou Yu's arm tightly and cried out, "He, how could he possibly... actually forced Senior Brother Chen Lin back?! Who exactly is this Chen Qing?!"
"Junior Sister Zhou! You just called him... junior brother? You, you actually know him? What exactly is his background?!"
But Zhou Yu seemed not to hear.
Her gaze was locked dead on that figure standing with spear in the field. Her mind was completely blank. All the cries and discussions around her transformed into buzzing noise in her ears.
The composure on Qiao Hongyun and Wu Hui's faces finally disappeared, replaced by gravity.
Wu Hui said in a low voice, "Eight Extremes Vajra Body... it's actually this supreme technique! And he's practiced it to such an advanced Tiger Elephant realm!"
Qiao Hongyun took a deep breath and slowly said, "It seems we all underestimated this Five Terraces Sect Chief Disciple."
Just as Chen Lin was forced back by Chen Qing's spear strike and the entire venue erupted in commotion, the disturbance outside the martial training ground didn't cease but rather intensified.
…
Sea Sand Sect, at a quiet chamber on Sword Sharpening Peak.
Mao Cheng, ranked sixth, had just finished a complete circulation and was preparing to rest briefly when his lackey junior brother's voice came from outside.
"Senior Brother Mao! Senior Brother Mao! This is bad! Something big happened at the martial training ground!"
Mao Cheng frowned and said in a deep voice, "What are you panicking about? Come in and speak."
The disciple quickly entered, his face full of alarm, "Senior Brother Mao, it's Senior Brother Chen Lin! He's currently at the martial training ground dueling with a Five Terraces Sect disciple named Chen Qing! They've already fought for over thirty exchanges and it's a stalemate!"
"What!?"
Mao Cheng suddenly stood up, his face full of disbelief, "Chen Lin actually can't defeat a fellow of the same generation from the Five Terraces Sect? What's the opponent's background?"
"Not clear. Only know he's called Chen Qing, the Chief Disciple of the Five Terraces Sect's Qingmu Courtyard. He looks very young!"
"Five Terraces Sect's Qingmu Courtyard Chief Disciple?"
Mao Cheng's eyes focused, "Go! Let's go see immediately!"
He grabbed the long saber placed beside him. His figure rushed out of the quiet chamber like wind.
On the other side, at a pavilion near the core disciple area.
Shao Wenxuan, ranked fourth, was playing chess over tea with a friendly steward when a trusted disciple hurried over and whispered a few words in his ear.
Shao Wenxuan's hand holding the chess piece froze in mid-air. A trace of surprise flashed across his face, "Oh? Chen Lin is fighting someone? Thirty exchanges without determining victory? And it's someone from the Five Terraces Sect?"
The steward across from him also heard and stroked his beard, "The Five Terraces Sect? They've produced some decent seedlings in recent years. To be able to fight Chen Lin to this point, could it be that Chen Qing who defeated Xiao Bieli?"
A gleam flashed in Shao Wenxuan's eyes as he put down the chess piece, "Defeated Xiao Bieli? It seems this matter is true. In my view, this time the Five Terraces Sect elder led a delegation here and had this Chen Qing take action. It's not without the intention of measuring our Sea Sand Sect's weight, or even challenging us."
He stood up and straightened his robes, "Is this Chen Qing truly so formidable? Even Chen Lin can't handle him for the moment? Go! Let's see for ourselves!"
With that, he also strode briskly toward the martial training ground.
The news was like a stone thrown into a lake. Ripples rapidly spread throughout the entire Sea Sand Sect core circle.
More and more disciples rushed over upon hearing the news. The area around the martial training ground became packed with people, the atmosphere heated and noisy, almost rivaling the Sea Sand Sect's year-end competition!
In the surging crowd, the front rows were almost entirely Sea Sand Sect core elite disciples. One by one, their auras were concentrated, their gazes sharp as they stared at the field.
"Look! The second-ranked Senior Sister Mo Xia has also come!" someone cried out in surprise.
A woman dressed in a light blue gown approached, surrounded by many disciples. Her appearance was plain and unremarkable.
"Senior Sister Mo!"
"Greetings, Senior Sister Mo!"
Several core disciples ranked in the top ten cupped their fists toward her respectfully.
Mo Xia nodded slightly. Her gaze had already turned to the two people fiercely battling in the field, her brow slightly furrowed.
Disciples ranked near the top like Shao Wenxuan and Mao Cheng immediately gathered beside her.
"Senior Sister Mo, you've come too," Shao Wenxuan said in a low voice.
"Mm, with such commotion, it's hard not to know."
Mo Xia's voice was cold and clear, but her gaze never wavered, "Chen Lin's Azure Cloud Sword Formula has reached perfection, and his Vast Sea true qi is even deeper. Yet he's been forced to this state... This Chen Qing's spear technique also seems to have reached the perfect realm, and his strength is astonishingly great."
Mao Cheng added, his tone grave, "It's not just great strength. He's clearly cultivated some extremely advanced external body cultivation technique. His blood and qi are vigorous as a furnace! Looking at his true qi fluctuations, he should have penetrated eleven primary meridians, but with that body cultivation technique and perfect spear technique, his actual combat power absolutely far exceeds his cultivation level!"
Shao Wenxuan supplemented, "His spear technique is truly brilliant. Chen Lin's sword tide actually can't shake him at all. Instead, he's breaking through skill with force..."
The several people quickly exchanged views. The more they analyzed, the more grave their expressions became.
Although Chen Lin's surface ranking was third, they all clearly knew that their strengths were only marginally different. Victory or defeat often depended on tiny margins.
That Chen Qing could suppress Chen Lin meant he similarly had the ability to threaten them!
Some sharp-eyed disciples even discovered that on some high-level viewing balconies at the edge of the martial training ground, several figures had appeared at some point. They were clearly several elders from within the sect who usually kept to themselves. Though they didn't approach closely, their gazes likewise fell on the field. Clearly, they too were attracted by this sudden clash between dragons and tigers.
In an instant, all gazes, whether from ordinary disciples, core elites, or hidden elders, all focused on the center of the Sea Sand Sect's martial training ground.
In the field, Chen Lin took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the churning blood and qi within his body, gripping the Overturning Sea sword in his hand tightly.
That direct clash just now left his arm still somewhat numb.
His gaze became even sharper. He realized he must bring out his full strength.
"Junior Brother Chen has such fierce and violent power!"
Chen Lin said in a deep voice, "Take my Azure Cloud Nine Variations!"
Before his words finished, Chen Lin's figure suddenly became elusive and unpredictable. The Overturning Sea sword in his hand traced mysterious trajectories.
The sword light was no longer wide and sweeping, but became dense and fine, like clouds and mist, entwining forward.
This was precisely the exquisite aspect of the Azure Cloud Sword Formula, balancing hardness and softness.
The tidal sword earlier was hardness. Now the cloud sword was softness.
Chen Qing's gaze concentrated. The Coiling Cloud Spear in his hand hummed.
He didn't retreat but advanced. The long spear shot forth like a dragon.
Ding ding ding ding!
The spear tip and sword tip continuously collided in an extremely small range, producing dense sounds of metal clashing.
With each collision, Chen Lin's sword was like an agile snake, touching and withdrawing, trying to use soft force to dissolve the fierce power on the spear, seeking gaps to penetrate but Chen Qing's spear technique was even more exquisite.
Though the large spear was supposed to be a battlefield weapon, wide and sweeping, in his hands it demonstrated the nimbleness of short weapons.
As the spear tip trembled, it transformed into seven cold stars, like the Big Dipper hanging in the sky, protecting his entire body impenetrably.
"Good spear technique!"
Qiao Hongyun couldn't help but call out, "This Chen Qing has considerable attainment with weapons."
Even Shen Xiuyong was shocked. Though he previously knew Chen Qing's strength was extraordinary, he hadn't expected his true combat power to be this formidable.
Chen Lin attacked for a long time without success. His sword technique changed again.
Azure Cloud Nine Variations Cloud Vortex Sword!
His wrist rotated rapidly. The Overturning Sea sword drove the surrounding airflow, actually forming small air vortexes around Chen Qing.
These vortexes carried pulling force, interfering with Chen Qing's movements and spear momentum. At the same time, the sword hid within the whirlpools, appearing and disappearing unpredictably.
Chen Qing immediately felt the air around him become viscous. His movements stalled slightly.
In that instant, a sword light shot out like a venomous snake from an impossible angle, stabbing toward his ribs!
Cries of alarm rose from outside the field but Chen Qing remained calm in the face of danger.
He exerted force from his waist and hips. His body flipped like a great python. The long spear in his hand didn't block or intercept, but instead thrust in a "turning horse spear" directly at Chen Lin's face!
It was a mutual destruction strategy!
If Chen Lin didn't defend, even if he could stab Chen Qing, he himself would certainly have his head exploded by one spear strike.
In that split second, Chen Lin had no choice but to bring his sword back to block.
Clang!
Sword and spear crossed again.
Chen Qing borrowed the momentum to turn, dissolving the pulling force. The long spear lashed out like a whip, bringing fierce wind sounds.
Chen Lin leaped backward. His sword tip touched the ground as he landed lightly three zhang away, his expression even more grave.
That brief close combat had been extremely dangerous.
He had thought that relying on the Azure Cloud Sword Formula's sophistication, he could suppress the opponent's long spear. He hadn't expected Chen Qing's spear technique to balance hardness and softness, and possess a kind of fierce courage. Several times he used attack as defense, breaking his sophisticated sword moves.
"Something's wrong!"
On a distant high platform, a Sea Sand Sect higher-up's brow furrowed into knots, "This youngster's Mountain Suppressing Prison Spear is refined to perfection. Could it be..."
Not just him. The several elders beside him exchanged glances, seeming to think of something. Their hearts all shook.
On the martial training ground.
Chen Lin looked at Chen Qing across from him, his face showing utmost gravity, "Junior Brother's strength truly surpasses the masses. Chen deeply admires you! The next move is my ultimate secret technique with tremendous power. Once deployed, even I myself find it difficult to completely control and restrain it. There's risk of accident. You... be careful!"
Chen Qing stood holding his spear. The Coiling Cloud Spear's dark shaft seemed to be humming faintly, "Senior Brother, please freely display your skills. I have my own measure."
Chen Lin's strength was truly extraordinary. Not only had he penetrated all twelve primary meridians, but the Azure Cloud Sword Formula was practiced to the perfect realm. No wonder he could rank third in the Sea Sand Sect and earn the reputation of 'Overturning Sea Sword.'
Combined with the sharp superior-grade treasure weapon in his hand, if this were half a year ago, it would be hard to say without bringing out full strength.
"Good!"
Chen Lin said no more. His eyes suddenly erupted with piercing brilliance!
The Vast Sea true qi throughout his body circulated at unprecedented speed, madly pouring into the Overturning Sea sword. The sword body blazed with blue light. What it emitted was no longer the sound of tides, but a low roar like a deep sea monster!
The air in the entire martial training ground seemed to become moist and heavy. Countless tiny water vapors gathered at his sword tip, actually forming a rotating, roaring miniature vortex, emanating a palpitating aura!
Azure Cloud Sword Formula! Vast Sea Immeasurable!
Chen Lin roared explosively. His figure merged with the sword light into one. Man and sword were like a blue startling rainbow tearing through space, or like arousing terrifying dark currents from the ocean depths, dominantly charging toward Chen Qing!
Where it passed, the ground's black iron rock was cut by scattered sword qi into deep grooves. The airflow was madly pulled and twisted, emitting ghost-like shrieks!
The might of this sword far exceeded everything before!
Chen Lin was displaying his cultivation and sword technique to the absolute limit.
All the Sea Sand Sect core disciples showed unprecedented gravity. They naturally knew this was Chen Lin's ultimate sword move.
That Chen Qing could force Chen Lin to use this move already demonstrated his astonishing strength.
Facing this earth-shattering sword, Chen Qing's pupils contracted slightly, sensing a trace of threat but he still didn't retreat half a step.
Just as the blue sword qi vortex was about to reach his body, the abundant Qingmu true qi within Chen Qing's body perfectly fused with the blood and qi power of the Eight Extremes Vajra Body. His arms' muscles swelled. The ground beneath his feet shattered with a boom!
At the same time, the 'mountain momentum' of the Mountain Suppressing Prison Spear erupted!
"Hum—!"
An indescribable heavy, magnificent pressure swept outward with Chen Qing at the center!
As if he were not a person, but a towering mountain peak!
No matter how the vast seas raged and waves crashed ten thousand zhang high, he remained immovable, suppressing all tides in the world!
Mountain Suppressing Prison! One Mountain Suppressing Sea!
The Coiling Cloud Spear transformed into a blurred black shadow. Where the spear shaft passed, the air seemed to be compressed and solidified!
Boom!!!
The next instant, the spear tip viciously collided with that roaring, grinding blue sword qi vortex!
Time seemed to freeze for a moment.
Immediately after, an indescribable terrifying explosion suddenly erupted, like thunder directly striking the martial training ground!
The substantial shockwave spread madly in a ring. Even the protective qi shield at the edge of the martial training ground was violently rippled, flickering unstably!
Some disciples standing slightly closer were even pushed back stumbling by this qi wave, their faces completely drained of color!
Under countless horrified gazes, that terrifying sword qi vortex capable of grinding refined iron, upon contacting the Coiling Cloud Spear's tip, actually seemed to hit an eternally immovable rock. It first violently twisted and deformed, then emitted an overwhelmed wail before explosively shattering!
Countless blue sword qi fragments scattered in all directions, cutting the ground full of holes!
Chen Lin's Overturning Sea sword emitted a mournful cry. He only felt an irresistible vast tremendous force crash into his body along the sword!
That power was incomparably magnificent, instantly destroying all his defensive true qi!
"Puh—!"
He violently spurted a large mouthful of fresh blood. His tiger's mouth burst open, blood dripping. He could no longer hold the Overturning Sea sword. It flew from his hand and stabbed diagonally into the ground in the distance with a "clang."
His entire person heavily fell to the ground over ten zhang away. He struggled to try to get up, but coughed several more times, spilling fresh blood. Clearly he had suffered significant internal injuries.
In the center of the field, Chen Qing slowly withdrew the Coiling Cloud Spear, the spear tip angling toward the ground.
Only the black iron rock ground beneath his feet had a slightly wider range of cracks than before.
Silence!
Deathly silence!
Throughout the entire Sea Sand Sect martial training ground, hundreds of spectators at this moment were silent as cicadas. You could hear a pin drop.
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