Chapter 79

Azai decided to update three times today. First, to apologize for the recent slow plot development; second, to thank the many readers for their criticism and suggestions; third, to express gratitude to the friends who have been encouraging and following Azai's work... This is the first update...

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"Hmph—too much!" Hidden in the dense forest, Tie Qingshi could no longer bear it and rushed out, but was stopped by He Qingzhu's outstretched hand.

"Eh? Sixth Brother, why are you stopping me?"

He Qingzhu smiled faintly, pointing to something behind Tie Qingshi. Tie Qingshi, puzzled, turned around and laughed—hey—his junior brother Ye Qingxuan had already appeared behind the disciples, his face ashen, clearly ready to act.

"Heh—Junior Brother is stepping up? This is going to be fun. It's been a while since we've seen how much Junior Brother has improved. Now we can see clearly."

Tie Qingshi's personality was always straightforward, and his sudden shift from anger to laughter made the other disciples laugh along.

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"Damn it, I'll fight you to the death—" Qiu Yuanzhen, enraged, drew his sword and charged forward. However, he felt a tight grip on his back and was lifted like a child, then thrown into the midst of his fellow disciples.

"Junior Uncle—" The Qingyun Sect disciples were first shocked, but then overjoyed when they recognized the newcomer, quickly bowing in unison.

Ye Qingxuan nodded inwardly, thinking that the senior brothers had done well in teaching respect for teachers.

The Changkong Sword Sect disciples, however, looked grim, their dissatisfaction growing. Everyone wanted to win, but the two consecutive victories had gone to the despicable Chang Jingwang. They had hoped that the Qingyun Sect would send out a master capable of defeating Chang Jingwang, but instead, another young Taoist appeared, leaving them utterly disappointed.

This young Taoist was not old, but seemed to have a high seniority. However, no matter how high the seniority, martial arts still required years of practice to achieve.

Chang Jingwang, having won two consecutive matches, was already arrogant. He had already concluded that the Qingyun Sect was a den of useless people and was even more arrogant, taunting Ye Qingxuan with venomous words.

"Hey? Your Qingyun Sect really has a trick up its sleeve—saying that after the young ones are beaten, the old ones should step up. But why did you send out a kid who hasn't even shed his baby teeth? The adults in your sect are really useless, not daring to show their faces and sending a kid to make a fool of himself... Hey, little Taoist, let the adults in your sect come out. Hiding isn't a solution. If you get hurt, it won't look good for me, and others will think that our Changkong Sword Sect only bullies kids... I've said my piece. If you don't want to die, scram, scram..."

Ye Qingxuan gave a cold laugh and said calmly, "Brother, don't be too full of yourself. Whether you win or lose, we'll know after the fight..."

Chang Jingwang, already arrogant, found Ye Qingxuan's calm attitude to be the greatest insult. He thought to himself: Just you, a little brat, dare to look down on me?

Chang Jingwang said with a sinister tone, "You, an unwanted bastard, do you even deserve to fight me? I wonder whose pants weren't tight enough to let you slip out... If you want to die, I'll oblige you..."

Ye Qingxuan ignored Chang Jingwang's venomous words and coldly surveyed the scene: the jumping Chang Jingwang, Zheng Biao who looked ashamed after seeing him, Chang Jingfan with a mocking smile, and the Changkong Sword Sect disciples who looked down on him...

They dared to treat our Qingyun Sect as nothing, and they dared to trample on our dignity in public!

Good, very good, excellent!

Ye Qingxuan's face was cold, but he was already extremely angry inside. He lowered his head, took a deep breath, and instantly calmed down. He calmly adjusted his robe, hiding the overwhelming anger in his eyes. This was a habit from his previous life; the angrier he was, the calmer he became. Especially after experiencing life and death, he could control his emotions well.

Ye Qingxuan quickly returned to normal, raised his head, and smiled gracefully. He then turned to the disciples standing solemnly beside him and said in a deep voice, "You all—sigh, I always tell you to practice diligently... You've done that, but why have you all become so stupid? Our sect's sword techniques are profound, yet you get so nervous that you can't even use your swords against an ordinary opponent? Your moves are stiff and lack flexibility... Now, watch carefully. Let me show you what it means to use a sword!"

Ye Qingxuan's scolding miraculously calmed the disciples. His calm and graceful demeanor gave them confidence, and no one doubted whether Junior Uncle could win. Instead, they were all focused on how he would win. The previous two losses were forgotten, and their lost confidence was rekindled.

Perhaps, this—could also be considered a kind of charm.

"Listen up. Sword techniques and moves are dead, but people are alive! The way to use a sword is to be 'as smooth as flowing clouds, going wherever you please,' not stiff and rigid!"

When Ye Qingxuan said this, the surrounding martial artists who had some knowledge were all surprised.

The Qingyun Sect disciples were even more terrified.

"Disciple knows the mistake—"

The Qingyun Sect disciples all bowed their heads in repentance, as if their poor skills were their own fault, not the sect's inferior martial arts.

But Ye Qingxuan's arrogant attitude undoubtedly enraged the Changkong Sword Sect disciples, who began to curse and threaten, ready to attack.

Chang Jingfan, who had been watching coldly, now had a greenish face, clearly angered by Ye Qingxuan's arrogance. He sneered, "This fellow has quite high standards, doesn't he? He even looks down on our Changkong Sword Sect. Mediocre? Hmph, wait until you win against this junior brother who has just joined our sect, then we'll see..."

"Hey, this guy is quite talkative. But unfortunately, from my perspective, your martial arts are not bad, but your sword techniques—hmm—"

"What about them?"

"Not 'what about them,' but they are really not good—"

"Looking for death—"

Chang Jingwang, especially, could not tolerate anyone being more arrogant than himself. Ye Qingxuan's attitude clearly infuriated him. Without waiting for Ye Qingxuan to prepare or even introduce himself, Chang Jingwang attacked with a "Palm Splitting the Heavenly Gate," a killing move from the [Cloud Splitting Palm]. Even during his intense battle with Yun Chong, he had not used this move. Now, Chang Jingwang was so angry and determined to defeat his enemy in one move that he unleashed this technique, which came at Ye Qingxuan with incredible speed and power.

This palm strike was swift and powerful, a move that Chang Jingwang had practiced for over a decade, mastering the strength, speed, and accuracy of the [Cloud Splitting Palm] to about 70-80%, giving him the air of a master.

"Good—" The Changkong Sword Sect disciples accompanying Chang Jingwang couldn't help but cheer. Even the hundreds of men and the band behind them joined in, creating a formidable atmosphere.

Chang Jingwang's palm strike was swift and powerful, reaching Ye Qingxuan's neck in an instant. If it hit, it would cause serious injury or even death... Taking advantage of Ye Qingxuan's unpreparedness, Chang Jingwang suddenly attacked, and just as it was about to hit, Ye Qingxuan still showed no reaction. A mocking smile appeared on Chang Jingwang's face.

His opponent couldn't even react to his attack, yet he still dared to be so arrogant? He would die in vain.

Ye Qingxuan, with a cold smile, at the last moment before the palm hit his neck, suddenly sidestepped, narrowly avoiding the strike. At that moment, the handle of the green steel sword on his back was perfectly aligned with Chang Jingwang's chest. Ye Qingxuan struck the bottom of the scabbard with his left hand, and his inner strength burst forth, making the sword "hum" as it was drawn. The handle of the green steel sword struck Chang Jingwang's chest.

Ugh—

Chang Jingwang, who never expected such a move, was instantly hit at the Shencang point just outside his heart. He felt a sudden tightness in his chest, his breath became heavy, and his inner strength was momentarily blocked. He stumbled back several steps, unable to catch his breath, his face turning red with discomfort.

Ye Qingxuan, having landed the first blow, did not hesitate. He stepped forward, caught the green steel sword as it returned, and followed it with a swift movement, reaching Chang Jingfan in an instant. The sword flashed, and the green steel sword was gently placed at Chang Jingwang's neck.

At that moment, the mocking smile on Chang Jingwang's face froze, his eyes wide with shock, creating a bizarre and surprising expression.

The cheers from the hundreds of men for Chang Jingwang suddenly stopped.

Silence—

The square in front of the temple, filled with thousands of people, became eerily quiet—

Chang Jingwang's mind was blank: How... how could this happen? How could it be so easy? How could I lose?

Not only Chang Jingwang was shocked, but even the Qingyun Sect disciples, who had been listening attentively, were stunned. They stared at their junior uncle in disbelief, as if they had just met him.

Ye Qingxuan lightly pressed the sword on Chang Jingwang's shoulder, using the rebound to skillfully return the sword to its scabbard with a "clang."

Ye Qingxuan, calm and composed, looked like a celestial being.

"Thank you for the match—"

A light and graceful voice floated through the air.

The onlookers were suddenly awakened, and the entire square erupted in excitement.

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