Chapter 80

Second, third, double updates, this is the second update of today...

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The onlookers, after a moment of silence, burst into even louder voices. Clearly, the defeat of the previously formidable Chang Jingwang by Ye Qingxuan with a single sword strike was extremely exciting for them.

A few young men dressed as warriors, with puzzled looks on their faces, said to each other, "Hey? Isn't that the little Taoist who was asking us for information earlier? Isn't he a Taoist from the Yunxia Sanqing Temple? What a good move—"

Several red-clad men, who were maintaining order, glared over.

The young men, frightened, shrank back. These people had the backing of the Changkong Zhaojian Sect, and they dared not provoke them lightly.

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Ye Qingxuan's move was successful, and Huo Dong finally couldn't sit still.

He stood up abruptly, not even minding that the overturned teacup had wet his clothes. His eyes sparkled, and his face, full of wrinkles, shone with excitement. He said in a deep voice, "What a good move—"

The eunuch Liu He also praised, "Huo Laoshi, you have a keen eye. This little Taoist is indeed extraordinary..."

But the usually talkative Hua Zixing remained silent, his face filled with excitement as he stared intently at Ye Qingxuan, his eyes gleaming with admiration. He muttered, "Very good, very good, very good—be even more powerful, be even more powerful, then it will be worth my fight—"

When this expression fell into the eyes of Huo and Liu, they were both startled, thinking, "Not good! This Hua Zixing, who is always eager for a fight, won't act rashly now, will he?"

Seeing Hua Zixing's fierce gaze on Ye Qingxuan, like a wolf eyeing a piece of meat, Huo Dong couldn't help but feel a bit regretful, thinking, "If I can stop it, I will. If I can't, I hope that little Taoist won't fall at such a young age."

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Xiao Yunfeng, who was watching from the side, was deeply shocked by Ye Qingxuan's single sword strike that defeated Chang Jingwang. His sword skills were all taught by Ye Qingxuan, and he knew well the sword techniques used by his junior master, which were the same as those of the disciples in the sect, the "Qingyun Thirty-Six Swords." Previously, his junior master said he would teach everyone how to apply this set of sword techniques, but if it was the same set of techniques, how could there be a difference in skill?

Xiao Yunfeng had always had a high talent for sword techniques. In the past, after Ye Qingxuan demonstrated a sword technique once, Yunfeng could remember it almost perfectly, and with a little practice, it would be as good as someone who had trained for months.

After so many years of martial arts practice, the sword techniques he had practiced were only the "Qingyun Thirty-Six Swords." He believed he had already mastered them thoroughly and grasped their essence. He often thought about having Ye Qingxuan teach him more advanced sword techniques, and it was hard to imagine that the same set of techniques could have any more profound aspects.

But when Ye Qingxuan defeated the previously formidable Chang Jingwang with a single sword strike, Xiao Yunfeng's eyes suddenly lit up: "So, sword techniques can be used like this—"

The shock made Xiao Yunfeng's thoughts come to a halt, and the words his junior master had just said kept echoing in his ears.

"Swords are dead, but people are alive—"

"Like flowing clouds and water, go wherever you will—"

Xiao Yunfeng frowned, sensing that a door had appeared before him, within reach. If he just pushed it lightly, behind the door would be a clear path to the supreme sword way.

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On the other side, the hidden fellow disciples were even more surprised, "Like flowing clouds and water, go wherever you will"? This phrase truly revealed the essence of the sword way. The disciples fell silent, and after a moment, their eyes all turned to Qingyan Daoist's face.

The meaning was clear. In the Qingyun Temple, when it came to sword skills, the free-spirited and unorthodox Qingyan Daoist was the best. Could this essence of the sword way have been passed on to his junior brother Qingxuan by Qingyan Daoist?

Qingyan Daoist, being looked at by everyone, was taken aback and then laughed, "Fellow disciples, don't misunderstand. I didn't teach him this. Besides, you all know my level. How could I have such insight—"

"Could it be that the master taught him the sword way?"

"Not necessarily—" He Qingzhu sighed.

"That's right. The master never holds back. If he had such deep insight, we would have been the first to know—unless—" Qing Song Daoist paused, deep in thought.

"Unless?"

Chen Qingsong sighed and said, "Unless—this is the junior brother's own insight into the sword way?"

Everyone fell silent, speechless. This junior brother, whom they had watched grow up, had suddenly become mysterious. But they couldn't imagine that the profound words about the essence of the sword way were not from their mischievous junior brother, but from a transcendent figure from another world who had created an unparalleled sword technique—Dugu Qiu'ai.

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On the other side, Ye Qingxuan secretly breathed a sigh of relief, thinking, "The tactics worked!"

Originally, before appearing, Ye Qingxuan had decided to first strike a psychological blow to his opponent. Because, in terms of cultivation, Ye Qingxuan's realm had not yet reached the "Qiangyuan" stage. Although it was only a thin layer of paper away, it hadn't been broken, and there was still a gap. If he could strike a psychological blow to the opponent's confidence or anger them, it would be a viable tactic.

The previous scolding of the disciples, although indeed had the intention of guiding the disciples, was more to give the opponent a sense of confidence and depth. If he couldn't make the opponent doubt and hesitate, he would then anger them, take the initiative, and win quickly.

In fact, everything that followed unfolded exactly as Ye Qingxuan had planned.

"You, you... you attacked me by surprise!" Chang Jingwang was extremely ashamed and could hardly believe that he had lost so easily. At this moment, he accused Ye Qingxuan of attacking by surprise, completely forgetting that he was the first to attack.

The onlookers booed and loudly mocked Chang Jingwang's despicable behavior.

"Hey—losing and not admitting it, is this the skill of your Changkong Zhaojian Sect?"

Jiu Yuanzhen and others, who had been suppressed for a long time, immediately took this opportunity to loudly stir up the crowd, humiliating Chang Jingwang and his group.

"Damn—" Chang Jingwang, who had just lost the match, was already full of anger. Added to his arrogant nature, he couldn't bear such an insult and was about to attack.

Suddenly, a figure flashed before his eyes, followed by a "slap" and a sharp pain on his cheek. He was slapped hard. Just as he was about to get angry, he saw that the person before him was Chang Jingfan, and he quickly swallowed the curse that was about to come out of his mouth, "I—"

"Are you not ashamed enough? Get out of here—"

Ye Qingxuan coldly watched Chang Jingwang's humiliation, showing no emotion, and looked at Chang Jingfan, saying in a deep voice, "You beat a waste of space. Now, those of you who are still useful should step up, right?" His tone was exactly the same as when Chang Jingwang had won.

The disciples of the Changkong Zhaojian Sect were furious. The tactics they had just used against the other side were now used against them, a clear and direct slap in the face.

"Bold—"

"You're asking for death, you Taoist—"

"Just winning a new disciple, and you're so arrogant—"

"Chang Senior Brother, teach this arrogant person a lesson—"

...

Chang Jingfan's face was dark, his complexion so pale it seemed to be dripping with water. He gestured, and the crowd immediately fell silent, but they all glared at Ye Qingxuan as if he were already dead.

Chang Jingfan, one of the most outstanding elite disciples of the "Changjian Zhaokong Sect," was a genius among those present. His martial arts cultivation had already reached the seventh level of the "Qiangyuan" realm, several levels higher than Ye Qingxuan. With such a high level, how could he lose?

"This fellow's sword skills are truly remarkable, truly broadening my horizons. May I ask your name—"

"Qingyun Temple, Ye Qingxuan—"

The crowd around them buzzed with discussion.

"He's from the 'Qing' generation, isn't he a disciple of Lingxu the Immortal?"

"That's right, that's right, no wonder his skills are so high... Lingxu the Immortal is truly amazing..."

...

Ye Qingxuan, oblivious to the crowd's praise, said to Chang Jingfan, "Let's not waste time. Who's next?"

Chang Jingfan, who was always proud, had never been disrespected like this before. As soon as Ye Qingxuan spoke, his face changed, and his killing intent surged. He slowly gripped his long sword, ready to attack.

"Senior Brother Chang, hold on—"

A shout interrupted Chang Jingfan's killing intent. He turned to see his fellow disciple, the elite disciple Lu Dinghai.

Lu Dinghai walked to Chang Jingfan's side and said respectfully, "Senior Brother Chang, fighting such an arrogant person would be beneath you. I can handle it. Senior Brother Chang, please stand by and watch me take care of this for you—"

Chang Jingfan nodded in agreement. Lu Dinghai was the most skilled in sword techniques among the disciples who came with him, except for himself. If it weren't for his humble background and lack of strong backing, he would have had the same opportunity to advance and become a direct disciple.

With him stepping up, Chang Jingfan felt very reassured.

"Thank you, Junior Brother Lu—"

Lu Dinghai drew his sword, leaped forward, and in one bound, was in front of Ye Qingxuan. He pointed his sword at Ye Qingxuan and said, "Little Taoist, you just beat a new disciple who has only been in the Changkong Sect for less than two months. Don't let your guard down. I'm not like that waste of space—"

Lu Dinghai had been watching the match for a long time and was particularly disdainful of Chang Jingwang's ruthless behavior. Although Chang Jingwang was a relative of Chang Jingfan, Lu Dinghai didn't take him seriously and mocked him.

This remark made Chang Jingwang, who was standing nearby, want to spit blood.

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