Chapter 17

As the cherry blossoms danced in the wind, Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of promise written there.

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In the arena, two figures stood facing each other, weapons in hand, their auras gradually coalescing.

Below the arena, dozens of eyes were fixed on the stage, each person holding their breath, secretly excited.

This was the final battle for the title of Chief, the ultimate confrontation, and the clash of blade and sword.

The Eagle Strike Sword Technique and the Linked Blade Technique were about to begin!

"Receive the blade!" With a soft chant, Chen Fenghua moved like a sharp blade, the black wooden sword slicing down, creating a series of linked blade shadows, forming a black curtain of blades that seemed to tear the air apart.

Chen Zong did not retreat but advanced, his feet gliding like water, his wrist trembling slightly, the black wooden sword thrusting out fiercely, like an eagle swooping down.

The blades and swords met, the clashing sounds of "bang, bang, bang" continuous, their figures approaching, crossing, spinning, and striking.

Chen Fenghua remained calm, while Chen Zong's eyes were sharp like a sword.

The Linked Blade Technique was executed to its utmost, suddenly changing into a heavy strike, a technique known for its direct and powerful attack. Chen Zong, however, was well-prepared, immediately changing the Eagle Strike Sword Technique to the Willow Breeze Sword Technique to resist the strike, then transforming it into the Phantom Sword Technique, creating three phantom images to attack, forcing Chen Fenghua back.

Charging forward!

Seizing the opportunity, Chen Zong alternated between three peak-level sword techniques, unpredictable and relentless, causing Chen Fenghua to continuously retreat, defending with his blade, his body trembling slightly, his skin turning slightly red, indicating that he had activated his blood qi, enhancing his strength and speed.

With a blade strike, Chen Fenghua's sword paused slightly, then he quickly retreated, followed by a sudden advance, the Heavy Strike Blade Technique slicing down.

Under the influence of the blood qi, Chen Fenghua's strength increased by a hundred pounds, making the Heavy Strike Blade Technique even more powerful. Chen Zong had no choice but to retreat, and Chen Fenghua immediately followed up with the Linked Blade Technique.

The Heavy Strike Blade Technique was more suitable for a decisive end, while the Linked Blade Technique, with its continuous blade light, was better for suppression.

Taking a deep breath, Chen Zong's body trembled slightly, his skin turning slightly red, causing the Elder Xing and the chiefs of the various groups to be greatly astonished.

"Chu Yun, when did this boy start practicing the Tiger Roar Technique?" Elder Xing asked in a low voice.

"After joining the clan hall." Chen Chu Yun's tone was still cold, but it trembled slightly, a sign of excitement. He had thought Chen Zong was a sword genius, but he was surprised by his cultivation as well.

"After joining the clan hall..." Elder Xing murmured, his eyes shining with astonishment, like the sun: "I didn't expect that after so many years, our Chen family would produce such a genius again."

After a moment of contemplation, Elder Xing watched the battle on the stage while thinking, and finally decided to discuss with the other elders of the clan hall to keep the news confidential.

After all, to fully refine one's blood qi within a month after starting the Tiger Roar Technique was a rare feat, with only a few cases in the Chen family's history of several hundred years. In the entire Fengwu City, this was considered one of the fastest cultivation speeds.

Elder Xing also had another concern: whether it was just a stroke of luck. Similar cases had occurred in Fengwu City before, and further observation was needed.

After making the decision, Elder Xing focused on the battle on the stage.

"Chen Zong, I didn't expect that you, from a branch family, have already refined your blood qi once, which is indeed surprising." Chen Fenghua said with a light laugh, but he was not afraid, instead, he was full of spirit: "You... have the qualifications to make me use my full strength."

Chen Fenghua's words immediately surprised everyone. Such a powerful person was not using his full strength.

Chen Fenghua once again assumed the starting stance of the Linked Blade Technique, but the aura emanating from him was different, sharp and fierce, like a long blade that could cut through anything, causing Chen Zong's pupils to constrict.

"Perfection realm..." Chen Zong, Elder Xing, and the five group chiefs exclaimed in unison.

At the martial disciple level, the highest one could achieve was the peak of great accomplishment. Those who could reach the perfection realm were extremely rare.

Hearing the exclamations, the other martial disciples widened their eyes in shock, especially the group chiefs, who felt a deep sense of defeat, realizing that Chen Fenghua had defeated them without using his full strength, making them feel as if they had lost all their strength.

"The Chief of Chiefs is almost decided." Chen Yong sighed, his voice somewhat gloomy, and the others nodded in agreement.

The difference between the perfection realm Linked Blade Technique and the peak of great accomplishment was very clear.

Taking a deep breath, Chen Zong's surprise turned into excitement. Now, in terms of cultivation, the two were on par, but Chen Fenghua had the perfection realm Linked Blade Technique, seemingly giving him an advantage.

"Chen Fenghua didn't use his full strength, and neither did I." Chen Zong thought to himself: "I still have the True Sword Eight Techniques, and I have twenty-pound iron plates tied to each arm. Whether I use the True Sword Eight Techniques or remove the iron plates, my strength will be enhanced."

"Either one should be enough."

"Although I don't have a scabbard, the True Sword Eight Techniques cannot be performed continuously, reducing their power, but each move is still far superior to the peak of great accomplishment Eagle Strike Sword Technique."

In an instant, Chen Zong made his decision and assumed the starting stance of the True Sword Eight Techniques.

"What is that sword technique starting stance?" The audience below the arena was surprised.

"Receive the blade!" With a soft chant, Chen Fenghua advanced, the perfection realm Linked Blade Technique unfolding, the black blade light forming a continuous stream, like a river rushing forward, faster and more powerful, the continuous aura pressing down, making Chen Zong feel as if he were suffocating.

Draw the sword!

A sword was drawn forward, lacking the enhancement of a scabbard, Chen Zong could feel that the power of this move was somewhat weak, but to others, it was fast and fierce, as if cutting through everything in front of it.

The True Sword Eight Techniques unfolded.

Charge the sword!

The blade and sword continuously collided.

"Oh... What kind of sword technique is this? It has such power." Elder Xing, with his keen eyesight, quickly determined that the sword technique Chen Zong was using far surpassed the three foundation-level sword techniques recorded in the Chen family's clan hall.

Circle the sword!

Slash the sword!

A sword slash fell, the black sword light was dazzling, the wind howled, and the momentum was overwhelming, forcefully suppressing the Linked Blade Technique.

The essence of the Linked Blade Technique lies in the word "linked." Once suppressed, its power is greatly reduced.

Chaos the sword!

The black sword light was chaotic, the sharp whistles mixed, disturbing the ears.

Swift the sword!

The dazzling sword light was fast and accurate, as if breaking through the black clouds, piercing towards Chen Fenghua, who quickly defended with his blade.

A light tap, the black wooden sword instantly retracted, Chen Zong's body undulated, his strength surging to his right arm, blood qi spreading, his hand turning red, the force penetrating the sword.

Explode the sword!

A sword strike broke through the air, the sword light was dazzling, making it hard to look directly, the sharp whistles like a tidal wave from the horizon, growing more intense, making the heart tremble, and the sword left a trail of sparks, emitting a slight burning smell.

"Slash!" Chen Fenghua's eyes widened as he shouted, both hands gripping the blade, fully executing the Heavy Strike Blade Technique.

The blade and sword collided, a "crack" sound rang out, both breaking simultaneously. Chen Fenghua could not stop himself from retreating, falling off the stage, while Chen Zong stood on the stage, holding a broken sword, his figure as steady as a mountain.

"Win... " Chen Yidao and Chen Yurao could not describe their feelings at this moment. Was this still the Chen Zong they knew?

Others were also shocked, not reacting for a moment, it was too sudden.

Originally, after Chen Fenghua displayed the perfection realm Linked Blade Technique, even Elder Xing thought that the Chief of Chiefs would definitely be Chen Fenghua. However, Chen Zong executed an unprecedented foundation-level sword technique, taking the upper hand with a series of attacks, defeating Chen Fenghua.

Chen Fenghua himself was somewhat dazed, Chen He's face was dark, while Chen Chu Yun's face was cold, believing that Chen Zong's victory was justified.

"Ha ha ha..." Elder Xing stepped onto the stage, laughing uncontrollably: "This time, I am very surprised. I didn't expect that our Chen family clan hall would produce two such young geniuses this year."

As a clan hall elder, everything was for the benefit of the clan, the better the disciples, the better.

"Chen Zong, the Chief of the Sword Technique Group, congratulations. You have won the Chief of Chiefs for this month." Elder Xing turned to Chen Zong: "Later, someone will deliver the energy pills and Tiger Yang Bone Wine to you. Remember, a temporary victory means nothing. You must remain humble and continue to strive."

"Yes." Chen Zong responded solemnly.

"You must all remember what I have said." Elder Xing turned his gaze to the others, speaking in a serious tone: "The Chief of Chiefs competition for this month is over. I hope to see your progress next month."

"Teacher." Chen Zong jumped off the stage and walked to Chen Chu Yun.

"Very good." Chen Chu Yun nodded, but Chen Zuoyi and others dared not meet Chen Zong's eyes, now realizing the significant gap between their strength and Chen Zong's.

"Although you have won the Chief of Chiefs, it means nothing." Chen Chu Yun said: "Now, follow me for training."

"Yes." Chen Zong followed Chen Chu Yun's steps, knowing that without Chen Chu Yun's guidance, he would not have reached this level in such a short time.

"Damn, if I could get individual training from the teacher, maybe the Chief of Chiefs would be me." Chen Zuoyi gritted his teeth.

After training with Chen Chu Yun in the courtyard, Chen Zong returned to his room, where ten energy pills and a jar of Tiger Yang Bone Wine were delivered to him.

"Thirteen energy pills." Chen Zong was somewhat excited, the fragrance making him slightly intoxicated. In the past, it was difficult for him to obtain even one energy pill, but now it was much easier.

Among these, ten were the reward for winning the Chief of the Sword Technique Group, and three were the fixed allocation for each person.

"Next month, the Chief of Chiefs will still be mine." Chen Zong thought to himself.

With ten energy pills and a jar of Tiger Yang Bone Wine, a month of intense training might allow him to refine his blood qi again. As for sword technique training, he would certainly make progress.

Others would not remain stagnant, but Chen Zong was confident that he would improve faster than them.

After a brief rest, Chen Zong began to practice the Tiger Roar Technique. Before practicing, he opened the jar of Tiger Yang Bone Wine, a strong, slightly pungent aroma spreading, penetrating his nose and lungs.

"Smells good, but I wonder how it tastes?"

Muttering to himself, he took a small bowl and poured some wine, the color dark red, without any impurities, very beautiful. He sealed the jar, picked up the small bowl, and first brought it to his nose to smell, just as his father used to do when drinking.

He took a small sip, then drank the whole bowl, a warmth immediately spreading throughout his body...

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