Chapter 55

Calming her mind, Zhao Yanran carefully recalled and confirmed that Zong Shou's sword strike just now had not yet reached the level of sword intent.

However, as she recalled his figure, sword skills, steps, and even the tiniest movements, she immediately felt a unique 'rhythm' contained within them.

Any martial artist who has a basic understanding of the martial path and grasps certain martial arts principles will have a unique rhythm in their every move and action.

Zong Shou's sword skills not only had a sword rhythm, making them pleasing to the eye, but also seemed to possess sword momentum, sword intent, and even faintly reached the level of 'soul'!

Though not truly realized, it indeed contained a profound, unpredictable, and immensely powerful martial path concept!

Taking a deep breath, Zhao Yanran looked at Zong Shou again. She hadn't noticed it before, but now she felt that this half-demon youth, though seemingly frail and weak, actually exuded a heroic aura, standing tall and outstanding, with a talent that was terrifyingly outstanding.

A deep-seated killing intent almost uncontrollably rose within her. The aura around Zhao Yanran immediately changed. Countless ice particles danced in the wind. Within a hundred feet, snowflakes began to fall, and the sword in her hand gradually became transparent, clear, and crystal-like.

A bone-chilling killing intent firmly locked onto a target thirty feet away. Such a person, she absolutely could not let live!

Zong Shou was slightly moved, raised his eyelids, and gave her a cold look. He took a half-step back, slightly tilted his long sword to the left, and his entire aura changed, presenting a completely different demeanor from before.

Before, he was composed and graceful; now, he was as immovable as a rock. Under this pressure, his frail body seemed as majestic as a mountain.

Zhao Yanran's brows slightly furrowed, feeling that her impending sword momentum was once again delayed.

A phrase flashed through her mind subconsciously—defensive as the solid source mountain, offensive as the swift fierce bird!

The source mountain is the highest and largest mountain in the Central Cloud Continent, towering at 34,000 feet with 49 peaks, immensely vast. The fierce bird, on the other hand, is the Flash Fierce Bird from the Western Cloud Sea, born as a fifth-stage demon beast, known for its speed, invisible to the naked eye, and on par with divine beasts, hence named the Flash Fierce Bird.

The last sword strike during their confrontation was indeed swift like the fierce bird. Under her relentless attacks, he held his ground for 65 strikes without retreating a single step, truly solid as the source mountain!

However, Zong Shou's defense at that time was far from as impressive as it was now.

A simple movement, yet it involved a confrontation of martial path momentum.

Just like when she played the Netherworld Melody, after preparing for a long time, the rhythm was abruptly interrupted at the crucial moment.

The sword in her hand, though not yet unleashed, already felt difficult to continue.

—Moreover, the martial path concepts before and after were completely different!

At this moment, she was almost certain that Ling Yunlong would regret it in the future, and might even beat his chest in regret over today's events.

She couldn't help but imagine, with a bit of malice, whether the patriarch of the Ling Yun Sect, if he saw this scene, would directly imprison Long Ruo in the Ten Thousand Wind Tower for ten to eight years?

Glancing to the side, she saw that Yin Yang had already arrived behind Zong Shou, about twenty feet away. He was like a taut bowstring, full of hostility. Zhao Yanran frowned, and the killing intent in her eyes gradually faded. She then asked curiously, "Zong Shou, do you know about sword intent?"

Zong Shou raised an eyebrow, feeling that this crazy woman had not only lost her killing intent but also her fighting spirit. However, he did not dare to relax, and nodded lightly, lying without blinking, "I've heard of it. There are many records in ancient texts, but I've never seen it with my own eyes—"

In his previous life, as the Sword Emperor Tan Qiu, one of the seven emperors of the Cloud Realm in the Divine Emperor game, how could he not have seen sword intent?

Even in reality, he had already mastered it.

However, with Zong Shou's thirteen years of experience, it was indeed impossible for him to have encountered such a high-level martial path concept.

Zhao Yanran felt a bit dry in her mouth, thinking that given Zong Shou's background, it was absolutely impossible for him to have experienced such profound martial arts.

The complex emotions in her heart were indescribable, even a bit disheartened.

Without ever seeing it or having guidance, he could master the sword intent she had longed for—

Suddenly she sheathed her sword. Zhao Yanran casually threw two medicine bottles to Zong Shou.

"Lord Zong Shou has already achieved spiritual connection with the sword path, and with the flying dagger, you have used three types of sword intent. I cannot defeat you. This is the wager of the sword duel. I was arrogant. Using you as a furnace to cultivate my primordial essence, my chances of survival in the future would be less than one in ten. I hope we never meet again—"

As she threw the medicine bottles, Zhao Yanran's face regained a slightly arrogant smile. She deeply looked at Zong Shou and then turned to leave.

She was clearly gliding on the ice, and wherever she passed, the swamp water froze. Her speed was no less than that of Long Ruo's giant python.

Zong Shou was secretly amazed, thinking he had underestimated these ancients, not realizing that ice-based techniques could have such practical uses.

However, Zhao Yanran, though only at the innate realm, had a true qi that was incredibly strong and thick, capable of being used for travel, which was indeed luxurious.

Then he smiled, looking at the medicine bottles in his hand, his previous demeanor of a master completely gone.

The six pills inside were all good things.

The name 'Fetal Essence Pill' is ordinary, but as the name suggests, it is a pill that aids in the cultivation of fetal breathing. However, it is often only possessed by major sects and powerful forces.

And because the formulas differ, the effects also vary. Qian Tian Mountain also has a formula, but the effect is the worst. According to Xue'er, Zong Weiran had nearly forty of these pills stored in the San Lu Bank, which was a ten-year accumulation for Qian Tian Mountain. Unfortunately, they were in the main branch, and he couldn't get them now.

The Fetal Essence Pill of the Seven Spirits Sect, on the other hand, is somewhat different. It is called the 'Seven Spirits Fetal Essence Pill' by the martial artists of the Cloud Realm. Not only can it be used to lay the foundation during internal cultivation, but it also has remarkable effects after opening the body's meridians and entering the external cultivation stage.

It was likely specially prepared for Zhao Yanran by the Seven Spirits Sect. As for the Snow Soul Pill, it is a unique spirit pill of the Seven Spirits Sect, specifically for enhancing the spirit. Each pill can strengthen the soul and purify the soul sea.

In a certain sense, the value of these six pills is no less than the three treasures given by Long Ruo.

If it weren't for these things, he would be a fool to fight that crazy woman.

Zhao Yanran's martial arts and spiritual techniques are quite extraordinary, making her a hero among people. But why had he never heard of her in his previous life?

Just as he was lost in thought, he suddenly felt Chuxue walk up to him, her expression somewhat resentful, "This woman has a very strange personality, and the Ling Yun Sect is also hypocritical. Since Long Ruo knew she was from the Cha Mo Sect, why didn't he take action?"

Zong Shou smiled, tapping Chuxue's forehead with his finger, "Be more polite to people in the future. Although this woman's methods are ruthless, don't call her a demoness or a witch. The Seven Spirits Sect is not a real demon sect—"

Seeing Chuxue's surprise, Zong Shou felt a headache. The Seven Spirits Sect, though viewed as a demon sect by others, is somewhat different from true demon paths. Therefore, the Ling Yun Sect does not consider it a major enemy at the moment.

This involves the struggles of the ancient era, and Zong Shou himself is not entirely clear, only knowing the general outline.

PS: I can't find where the recommendations are this week, so I'm afraid it's going to be tough. I hope everyone can help me this week to keep the new book on the list. As for the book reviews, I'm writing 6,000 words a day, have two books being published in Taiwan, and am busy with dating and relationships. I can only check the review section, and don't have time to manage it. I'll appoint a deputy moderator after entering V.