Chapter 4

The sword light flickered, and a burst of sharp energy erupted. Even before it reached him, Ding Chunqiu felt a chill at his neck. This clearly showed that Zuo Zimu's skills were not weak, and his Wuliang Sword technique had reached a level of perfection.

Ding Chunqiu's eyes shot out a fierce light, and he directly slapped out with his 'Lansha Hand.' The Xiaowuxiang Gong inside his body was pushed to its limit, and his palm glowed with a jade-like luster. He was confident that Zuo Zimu's sword would not harm him in the slightest.

Seeing Ding Chunqiu's reaction, Zuo Zimu's lips curled into a cold smile. He thought to himself, "So he's just a novice. I was worried for nothing. I might as well capture him, interrogate him, and if he has a master, I'll eliminate them all to avenge Guanghao. This will also make the Wuliang Sword famous!"

With this thought, the strength in Zuo Zimu's hand instantly decreased, and the killing intent on his sword also weakened.

He reduced his attack, but Ding Chunqiu did not. Seeing Zuo Zumu dare to be so overconfident, a cold light flashed in his eyes. If that's the case, I'll give you a profound lesson.

The Xiaowuxiang Gong was fully activated, and the Lansha Hand shot out like lightning.

*Slap!*

The sword and palm collided, and Zuo Zimu's face changed drastically. A powerful force instantly hit him, making his right hand and elbow numb. He was greatly alarmed. Such formidable internal strength, even if he used his full strength, he might not be able to gain the upper hand. He regretted being overconfident.

After deflecting Zuo Zimu's sword with a palm, Ding Chunqiu spread his fingers, instantly transforming them into a claw. The Xingxiu Sect's ultimate technique, the San Yin Centipede Claw, slashed down. The cold light at his fingertips was like a devil that devoured souls, eerie and fierce.

Zuo Zimu was terrified. His foot slipped, and he fell to the ground in a lopsided manner, narrowly avoiding Ding Chunqiu's sure-to-hit claw. Ding Chunqiu was taken aback; his sure-to-hit move was dodged in such a way. He couldn't help but think, "This guy has quite some luck to fall at such a critical moment."

What he didn't know was that Zuo Zimu's fall was a well-known technique in the Wuliang Sword style called 'Falling Step,' which was unpredictable and hard to anticipate. Those who hadn't seen it would never expect such a dodging move.

Zuo Zimu was secretly relieved. Fortunately, the Wuliang Sword Sect was not well-known in the martial world, so his 'Falling Step' could achieve such a remarkable effect. Otherwise, he...

*Whoosh...*

A gust of wind passed by. Before he could finish his relief, Ding Chunqiu's figure, which seemed impossible to retreat, suddenly collided with Zuo Zimu. The San Yin Centipede Claw slashed down again.

Zuo Zimu's face changed drastically. In a hurry, he used the move 'White Rainbow Piercing the Sun' to block for a moment. However, at the moment of impact, Zuo Zimu felt as if he had been struck by lightning, flying backward and spitting out a mouthful of blood. His internal energy churned violently.

After landing his blow, Ding Chunqiu did not pursue further. His San Yin Centipede Claw was cultivated using various centipede toxins, and those who were hit would be poisoned. Although it was not fatal, it would cause their internal energy to go wild, and they would need time to calm it down.

At this moment, Zuo Zimu was in such a state. If Ding Chunqiu wanted to kill him, it would be easy. However, he was not interested in killing Zuo Zimu. He was a necessary character in the beginning of *Tianlong Babu*. Without him, Duan Yu would not meet Zhong Ling, nor would he obtain the Beiming Divine Skill. Therefore, Ding Chunqiu decided to spare his life.

"Zuo Sect Leader, how are you now?"

Ding Chunqiu clapped his hands, bent down, and looked at the suffering Zuo Zimu, sneering.

Zuo Zimu's internal energy was surging, and he dared not speak. Although Ding Chunqiu was very dangerous, he was like a fish on a chopping board, with no power to resist. He stiffened his neck and said firmly, "If you want to kill me, just do it. I, Zuo Zimu, am not a coward who fears death!"

"Ha ha ha ha, I thought Zuo Sect Leader was really fearless, but it turns out you are afraid too!" Although Zuo Zimu said he would be killed, Ding Chunqiu could see the fear in his face. He mocked mercilessly, "You are very annoying, but I'm in a good mood today, so I'll spare your life. Tell me, where is the Wuliang Jade Wall of your Wuliang Sword Sect?"

Zuo Zimu's eyes suddenly opened, and he looked at Ding Chunqiu, saying, "Who are you? How did you know about our sect's treasure?"

Faced with Zuo Zimu's question, Ding Chunqiu sneered, "Zuo Sect Leader, you seem to be unclear about the situation. Do you still have the right to question me? Tell me where the Wuliang Jade Wall is, or I won't hesitate to destroy your Wuliang Sword Sect!"

Ding Chunqiu's voice was very gentle, but the coldness in his eyes was intense, making Zuo Zimu's heart chill.

"Who are you? You want to destroy my Wuliang Sword Sect? Aren't you afraid of being hunted by the martial world?"

Zuo Zimu's face changed drastically, and he said with a false bravado.

"Are you crazy? I told you before, in the martial world, it's all about strength. As for the martial world's peers you mentioned, what do I have to fear?"

Ding Chunqiu's face was full of pride as he said, "Since you asked, I won't hide it from you. My name is—Ding! Chun! Qiu!"

"Ding Chunqiu!!!"

Zuo Zimu's face changed drastically, and his internal energy burst through his restraints. He felt a sweetness in his throat and spat out a mouthful of blood.

But at this moment, he didn't care about that. He said, "You are the Star Sect's old monster, Ding Chunqiu!!!"

...

A few days later, at the Wuliang Sword Sect.

"Mr. Ding... Great Hero Ding, the things you asked for are ready. Do you need anything else?"

A fawning voice came from outside the door, and it was Zuo Zimu.

This was an ancient and elegant clean room. Ding Chunqiu was sitting cross-legged on the bed. Hearing the voice, he said, "Put the things at the door. I'll check if anything is missing later!"

"Alright, I'll put them here!"

After saying that, footsteps sounded and gradually faded away.

After the person left, Ding Chunqiu did not immediately check the items but continued to meditate. After completing his grand cycle, he slowly opened his eyes.

"This incomplete Xiaowuxiang Gong is not good. If it were complete, I would have succeeded in breaking through this time!" Ding Chunqiu thought. His internal energy technique was the incomplete Xiaowuxiang Gong he had stolen from Wuyazi. Although it could be cultivated and was considered a top-notch internal energy technique in the martial world, it could not compare to the complete Xiaowuxiang Gong.

The true Xiaowuxiang Gong, once cultivated, allowed one to easily master various martial arts and even generate a protective aura. In battles of the same level, one would hardly be injured.

He remembered this clearly. When he watched the show, Tian Shan Tonglao complained to Xuzhu that Li Qiu Shui had the Xiaowuxiang Gong, and no matter how she attacked, she couldn't hurt her.

Ding Chunqiu's incomplete Xiaowuxiang Gong, apart from increasing internal strength faster than other top-notch techniques, had no other special qualities. This was what made Ding Chunqiu extremely frustrated.

...