Chapter 14

True Martial Era, Year 394, October 10th.

Unlike the usual clear skies, today was overcast with dark, heavy clouds that seemed to press down, creating a restless atmosphere that weighed heavily on people's hearts.

The wind that blew was rather reckless, stirring up dust and sand, and when it brushed against one's face, it brought a chill.

The disciples from various groups had already gathered in the corners of the training ground. The swordsmanship group had gathered in the northeast corner, standing in neat rows.

"Today is the monthly competition for the group leader position, and it is also your first battle since joining the clan hall," Chen Chuyun's cold voice cut through the cool breeze, clearly reaching everyone's ears. "The winner of the group leader position will receive ten energy pills as a reward."

Everyone's eyes widened.

"Defeating the leaders of the other groups will earn you a jar of medicinal wine made with Tiger Yang Bone Strengthening Ointment."

Chen Zuoyi and the other five clan disciples not only widened their eyes but also quickened their breathing, clearly indicating that the medicinal wine was more valuable than the ten energy pills.

"Tiger Yang Bone Strengthening Ointment is a secret medicine made with our Chen family's unique formula, strengthening bones and bone marrow, and refining blood and qi," Chen Chuyun explained, glancing at Chen Zong. "Its effects are better than those of the energy pills."

In fact, energy pills were more suitable for use before refining blood and qi, and their effectiveness in refining blood and qi was not as good as before. However, the medicinal wine made with Tiger Yang Bone Strengthening Ointment mainly strengthened bones and bone marrow and refined blood and qi.

"I will not only win the leadership of the sword group but also defeat the leaders of the other four groups," Chen Zuoyi declared with determination, not hiding his resolve.

"Brother Zuoyi, with your first-class cultivation and superior sword skills, the leadership is definitely yours," Chen Shuiqing flattered.

"Since swords and blades have no eyes, to ensure fairness and safety in the competition, you can only use wooden swords," Chen Chuyun said, placing a bundle of black wooden swords on his left and a black wooden box on his right. "You seven will draw lots. Number one will face number two, number three will face number four, number five will face number six, and number seven will have a bye."

"I'll go first," Chen Wu quickly walked to the wooden box, reached in, and pulled out a wooden token. "Ha, number seven, I'm so lucky."

The other six took turns. Chen Zong drew number five, and his opponent was number six.

"First match, number one versus number two."

Everyone stepped back, clearing the area for number one and number two.

Number one was Chen Yan, and number two was Chen Shuiqing, the only two women among the seven.

"Admit defeat, you're not my match," Chen Shuiqing waved her wooden sword at Chen Yan, speaking proudly.

"How can you know without a fight?" Chen Yan smiled and assumed the starting stance of the Willow Sword Technique.

"You asked for it," Chen Shuiqing practiced the Shadow Sword Technique. With one thrust, the sword trembled, creating three sword shadows that alternated with the real sword, making it hard to distinguish between real and fake.

Chen Yan's figure swayed, and her wooden sword moved like a willow branch, reaching a peak of perfection, a sight pleasing to the eye.

The Willow Sword Technique, at its peak of perfection, displayed a graceful beauty when performed by Chen Yan, while it showed a resilient strength when performed by Chen Zong.

In Chen Zong's eyes, both Chen Yan and Chen Shuiqing's sword techniques had many flaws.

The match lasted only five minutes, and Chen Shuiqing lost by a single move, her face turning pale.

Number three was Chen Shaoye, and number four was Chen Zuoyi. They did not fight because Chen Shaoye directly conceded, knowing he was no match for Chen Zuoyi, which Chen Zuoyi found reasonable.

The third match was between Chen Zong and Chen Che. Chen Zuoyi gave Chen Che a nod, and Chen Che understood, nodding in return.

"Country bumpkin from a branch family, let me see how well you've practiced those three sword techniques," Chen Che assumed the starting stance of the Eagle Strike Sword Technique and grinned. "Have you even mastered the basics?"

Chen Zong did not assume any starting stance, just standing there with his wooden sword.

"Arrogant bumpkin," Chen Shuiqing, in a bad mood, sneered.

"Probably hasn't even mastered the basics, too embarrassed to show, afraid of making a fool of himself," Chen Wu laughed, and Chen Zuoyi's lips curled in disdain.

"Take this, Eagle Claw Strike!" Chen Che's eyes turned cold, and he leaped forward, his wooden sword thrusting rapidly, his wrist trembling, making the sword like an eagle's talon, clawing at Chen Zong's shoulder.

The wooden sword was fast and ruthless, seemingly determined to injure Chen Zong. Chen Zong stood still, as if frozen in fear.

Chen Wu and the others grinned, ready to mock, but Chen Zong moved. His right hand lifted, and the black wooden sword shot out like lightning, striking Chen Che's chest through a flaw in his defense.

Chen Che fell backward, rolling on the ground, his chest aching. He was sure the spot where he was hit would be bruised, but he was confused. What had just happened?

His Eagle Claw Strike was about to hit Chen Zong's shoulder, so why did he end up rolling on the ground?

Chen Wu's mouth dropped open, unable to speak, his hair standing on end. Chen Zuoyi was also surprised by the speed of that one strike.

Chen Chuyun nodded in approval, recognizing the recent training's effectiveness.

The speed, accuracy, and stability were already quite proficient.

Without a doubt, Chen Zong had won. With just a simple strike, it was clear that none of the others had practiced the basic eighteen forms, or they would not have overlooked the flaws in Chen Che's sword technique.

"Draw lots again," Chen Chuyun said.

This time, Chen Zong drew number two, Chen Yan drew number three, Chen Wu drew number four, and Chen Zuoyi drew number one.

"Do you remember what I said twenty days ago? It's coming true soon," Chen Zuoyi, despite being surprised by Chen Zong's speed, still did not take him seriously. The prejudice against branch family members was deeply rooted and not easily changed.

"Please," Chen Zong's response was simple.

"Brother Zuoyi, teach him a lesson," Chen Shuiqing shouted.

"Right," Chen Che nodded, wincing as the pain in his chest intensified.

Chen Zuoyi assumed the starting stance of the Eagle Strike Sword Technique, his aura changing, his eyes sharp like an eagle's, treating Chen Zong as prey.

The same sword technique and the same level, but when performed by Chen Zuoyi, it was far superior to Chen Che. This was a formidable opponent, worthy of his full attention. Chen Zong also assumed the starting stance of the Eagle Strike Sword Technique.

Everyone felt that Chen Zong seemed to transform into an eagle, ready to soar into the sky.

"Impossible!" Not only Chen Zuoyi, but the others also murmured in disbelief.

Wasn't it said that Chen Zong only started practicing the Eagle Strike Sword Technique and the other two sword techniques after joining the clan hall? How could his starting stance already be at the peak of perfection, even surpassing Chen Zuoyi?

"It has a hint of the perfected realm," Chen Chuyun thought.

When a sword technique reaches this level, further practice to achieve the perfected realm is not difficult, just a matter of time.

It sounds simple, but it is not easy. For most people, no matter how much effort they put in, they cannot achieve the perfected realm in martial arts. It is something only a few can accomplish.

Sword out!

Like an eagle taking flight, spreading its wings, soaring through the sky.

The Eagle Strike Sword Technique is primarily offensive, using the tip and edge of the sword to attack, delivering fierce strikes.

Eagle Wing Strike!

Eagle Claw Strike!

Eagle Soar Strike!

Eagle Peck Strike!

Each strike was ruthless, the wooden sword like wings, claws, and a sharp beak.

Finding a flaw, Chen Zong struck, slicing Chen Zuoyi's arm, the force like a whip, causing his arm to tremble, nearly dropping the wooden sword. He quickly retreated.

"Wait," seeing Chen Zong about to pursue, Chen Zuoyi quickly spoke.

"Do you want to concede?" Chen Zong's words almost made Chen Zuoyi spit blood.

"I won't concede. The previous match was not my true strength. Now, I'll show you my power," Chen Zuoyi said angrily, assuming a different starting stance, completely different from the Eagle Strike Sword Technique, exuding a light and swift aura. He then channeled his blood and qi, his skin turning slightly red.

"Fast Sword!" With a low shout, Chen Zuoyi's sword speed was astonishing, piercing the air with a sharp whistle, appearing before Chen Zong in an instant.

"So fast!" Chen Zong was amazed, quickly retreating, his wooden sword spinning and blocking the strike. Unexpectedly, Chen Zuoyi quickly retracted his sword and struck again, his speed increasing slightly.

One strike after another, faster and faster, Chen Zong kept retreating, his eyes sharp, looking for flaws in Chen Zuoyi's sword technique.

The Fast Sword had few flaws, and they were fleeting, hard to grasp.

If so, then create a flaw.

Willow Stance!

Shadow Stance!

Eagle Peck Strike!

One strike, directly hitting Chen Zuoyi's wrist, the force shattering the tendons, causing the sword to fall.

Another strike, pressing against Chen Zuoyi's throat.

"Earlier, you could have conceded," Chen Zong said, almost making Chen Zuoyi spit blood again.

He had already used the more powerful Fast Sword Technique, channeled his blood and qi, and increased his strength by a hundred pounds, yet he still lost.

Next, it was Chen Yan versus Chen Wu.

Chen Wu practiced the Shadow Sword Technique. In the match, he pressed Chen Yan with relentless strikes, defeating her.

"The final match, Chen Zong versus Chen Wu," Chen Chuyun announced.

This match would determine the leader of the sword group and the owner of the ten energy pills.

"I concede," Chen Wu said after a moment's hesitation. His strength was at most on par with Chen Che, not as good as Chen Zuoyi. Even with Chen Zuoyi's full strength, he was defeated by Chen Zong. The outcome of a match with Chen Zong would be the same.

Since that was the case, Chen Wu did not want to go up and lose face.

A swordsman who fears a match in such a competition loses his edge and is unlikely to achieve much, Chen Chuyun thought, but this was his right, and she would not interfere.

"The leader of the sword group is Chen Zong. This afternoon, there will be a competition among the leaders of the five groups, with clan hall elders in attendance," Chen Chuyun said. "Chen Zong, prepare well and defeat the leaders of the other four groups."

"Yes," Chen Zong's voice was firm and resolute.

"Dismissed."

Chen Chuyun left, and Chen Zong followed.

"Hmph, a country bumpkin getting lucky," Chen Che glared at Chen Zong's back, seething.

"He thinks winning the sword group leader position means he can defeat the leaders of the other four groups. He's too arrogant," Chen Shuiqing agreed.

"From what I know, Chen Fenghua from the saber group has practiced the Linked Saber Technique and the Heavy Strike Saber Technique to the peak of perfection, and his strength is even greater than mine," Chen Zuoyi said with a cold laugh.

"This afternoon, we'll see how this country bumpkin from the branch family embarrasses himself in front of the elders," Chen Wu laughed.

"You are truly pitiful," Chen Yan said, leaving with a cold expression, leaving the others with pale faces.

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