Chapter 22

(First update of the day, continue to push the rankings)

Blood Qi Manipulation!

Block!

Step Back!

Sheath the Sword!

Crouching Sword Stance!

A sharp and piercing aura spread out, locking onto Tang Junluo, making his expression turn serious.

Qianlong Art pushed to the limit, Blood Qi surged like a dragon racing, emitting immense pressure. The dragon patterns on the golden spear in his hand seemed to be affected, taking on a hint of blood red.

Qianlong Spear Technique and Qianlong Art are of the same lineage. Using Qianlong Art to drive the Qianlong Spear Technique can enhance its power.

One thousand four hundred catties of strength!

Qianlong Spear Technique, enhanced by Qianlong Art!

At this moment, Tang Junluo's strength was absolutely terrifying, but Chen Zong was no less formidable.

Tiger Roar Art pushed to the limit, Blood Qi surged and vibrated, as if fierce tigers were constantly roaring, emitting the aura of the king of beasts.

One thousand catties of strength!

The Perfect Realm True Sword Eight Techniques, surpassing the Qianlong Spear Technique!

Who is stronger, who is weaker, only a full-out battle can reveal.

"What kind of sword technique is this?" Elder Tang Zhigu's pupils contracted. From the starting stance Chen Zong displayed, he felt a sharp and piercing aura, a kind of sharpness and keenness that could cleave through anything, unmatched by any true sword.

Elder Xing smiled, but he was also amazed. He had seen Chen Zong use this sword technique before, during the first Chief of the Clan competition, and he hadn't used it since. He didn't expect it to reappear today, already at the Perfect Realm. Just the aura alone was several times stronger than the Eagle Strike Sword Technique.

"Perhaps, he won't be defeated." Elder Xing thought to himself. As long as Chen Zong could maintain his ground against Tang Junluo's spear, it would be his greatest hope.

The spear moved, and Tang Junluo once again assumed the starting stance of the Qianlong Spear Technique—Qianlong Stance!

The starting stance of a martial art is crucial, not only serving to set the stage but also minimizing one's own vulnerabilities to the extreme, waiting for the opponent's weaknesses to appear, and striking at the fastest moment.

The air seemed to solidify, the无形 pressure making the martial disciples feel suffocated. The sound of swallowing saliva became so clear, and beads of sweat trickled down their foreheads.

Tang Junluo's eyes met Chen Zong's, like lightning flashing.

The overwhelming aura of the Qianlong Spear Technique, like a dragon rising from the depths, firmly locked onto Chen Zong. Any slight vulnerability from Chen Zong would immediately be met with a storm of attacks.

The sharp and piercing aura of the True Sword Eight Techniques, unmatched in sharpness, also locked onto Tang Junluo. He had no doubt that any slight vulnerability on his part would be met with a sword light capable of cleaving through mountains and rocks.

Their eyes met, their auras clashed, and Blood Qi continued to surge, like the endless flow of a great river. Over time, the burden on both of them was not small, sweat trickling down their foreheads and cheeks.

The aura reached its peak, and it was time to unleash it.

The spear moved like a dragon!

True Sword, Unmatched!

Rising Dragon Stance!

The blood-red dragon patterns on the golden spear seemed to come to life, transforming into a golden and red dragon that emerged from the depths, breaking through the heavens with incomparable might, charging towards Chen Zong.

Crouching Sword Stance!

The iron sword was drawn, the sound of friction like the clash of divine metal from the heavens, sparks flying. The sword light, like a crescent moon, cut through the air, sharp and incomparable, cleaving through everything, aiming for Tang Junluo.

Once they started, there was no stopping.

Swimming Dragon Stance!

Coiling Dragon Stance!

Flying Dragon Stance!

Ascending Dragon Stance!

Charging Sword Stance!

Circular Sword Stance!

Cleaving Sword Stance!

Chaotic Sword Stance!

Under the power of one thousand four hundred catties, each of Tang Junluo's spear thrusts was incredibly powerful, creating a deafening roar, like a tidal wave or a cannon shattering the sky.

In terms of strength, Chen Zong might not match Tang Junluo, but the power of the True Sword Eight Techniques surpassed the Qianlong Spear Technique, especially the cultivation of the three essentials: speed, accuracy, and stability, making Chen Zong's sword even stronger.

For a moment, the spear shadows danced and the sword light circled, dazzling and overwhelming, each collision creating a deafening sound, shaking the surroundings.

The spear moved in a straight line, the sword moved lightly.

But Tang Junluo's spear was filled with dominance, like a king commanding the world.

Chen Zong's sword, however, was unmatched in sharpness, capable of cleaving through anything.

Qianlong, True Sword!

Who is stronger?

"Receive my final spear... Azure Dragon Stance!" With a low shout, Tang Junluo's aura broke through its limits, reaching new heights. Holding the spear with both hands, he seemed to merge with the golden spear, like an azure dragon descending from the heavens, tearing through the clouds and the sky, as if to shatter the earth.

"Explosive Sword Stance!" His voice like a tiger's roar, or the clash of metal, rolled from his throat like a thunderclap. His feet pushed off the ground, leaving two footprints, the power surging up his right arm, mixing with his Blood Qi, like a flood, his right arm swelling, veins bulging.

A thunderous boom, like a tiger leaping over a mountain, or a meteor falling to the earth, Chen Zong thrust his sword without reservation. That one thrust was not only unmatched in sharpness but also in aura.

Countless sparks flew, the sword turning red, the smell of burning spreading.

Collision!

Apart from Elder Xing and Elder Tang Zhigu, everyone else felt their heads spin, the sharp sound piercing their ears, causing them great pain. They could no longer hear anything and had to close their eyes, or the blinding light would have made them blind.

The terrifying shockwave split the ground, creating a deep gash.

The spear was dropped, the iron sword broken, Tang Junluo and Chen Zong both stepped back five steps. Tang Junluo's hands trembled, his fingers curled, unable to straighten. Chen Zong's right palm split, blood seeping out, staining the remaining hilt.

The golden spear fell from the sky, embedding itself in the ground, still trembling. Fragments of the iron sword rained down, covering the area.

Who won, who lost?

"Hahaha, not bad, not bad. The Chen family has indeed produced an outstanding genius. This battle can be considered a draw." Elder Tang Zhigu, surprised, quickly laughed.

"A draw." Elder Xing nodded, his face breaking into a smile. His original hope was for Chen Zong to hold his ground against Tang Junluo's spear without losing. A draw was better than expected.

In fact, he could clearly see that Chen Zong's disadvantage was in the sword.

Tang Junluo's spear was a treasure-grade weapon, while Chen Zong's iron sword was an ordinary-grade weapon, the difference was obvious. If Chen Zong had a treasure-grade sword, the outcome might have been different.

But in battle, there is no such thing as fairness. Background, resources, talent, and strength—all are inevitable once one steps onto the path of martial arts. Shortcomings can only be overcome through one's own efforts.

"Chen Zong, I will remember your name." Tang Junluo said, his hands behind his back, a smile on his face. "After becoming a martial artist, I will challenge you again. By then, I hope you will have a better sword."

Picking up the golden spear, Tang Junluo and Elder Tang Zhigu left. The Chen family martial disciples, once they recovered, were all extremely excited.

Chen Yidao and Chen Yurao looked at Chen Zong's not particularly tall and strong figure, realizing that, unknowingly, they could only look up to him.

When did this change begin?

Unconsciously, they felt a sense of pride. Chen Zong was someone who had grown up with them in Xiaohu Town.

"Chen Zong, well done." Elder Xing walked over, his praise unhidden. "How many times have you refined your Blood Qi?"

"Five times." Chen Zong did not hide it.

"Have you reached the limit?" Elder Xing asked, surprised.

"Not yet." Chen Zong answered honestly.

"That means you can refine your Blood Qi at least six times." Elder Xing was even more surprised.

Refining Blood Qi six times was the highest record in the Chen family. Chen Zong's talent in sword cultivation was already remarkable, and now his talent in Blood Qi cultivation was also outstanding, giving him a pleasant surprise.

"Good, good, good. Tang Junluo defeated the geniuses of two major families and four other major clans, but was only stopped by you. Chen Zong, in recognition of your contribution to the Chen family's reputation, you deserve a reward." Elder Xing's voice was somewhat excited. "Go to the weapon room and choose a fine iron sword. Later, I will have someone send you a Tiger Yang Bone Ointment and one hundred Energy Pills."

"Thank you, Elder." Chen Zong smiled sincerely.

"You deserve it." Elder Xing was very satisfied.

"A fine iron sword!" The martial disciples were envious, especially those in the sword technique group.

Weapons can be divided into three grades: ordinary iron, fine iron, and treasure iron.

Most martial disciples in the family could only use ordinary iron weapons. Only after becoming a martial artist might they be given a fine iron weapon. As for treasure iron, it was very rare, only the most important individuals could obtain it.

In terms of value, an ordinary iron sword was worth about twenty to thirty jade coins, but a fine iron sword was at least ten times that, and a treasure iron sword was ten times more valuable.

Additionally, the reward of a Tiger Yang Bone Ointment also made the martial disciples envious.

A Tiger Yang Bone Ointment, depending on its size, could make at least ten jars of Tiger Yang Bone Wine, which had a significant effect on Blood Qi refinement. As for Energy Pills, although their effect was not great, one hundred was still a lot.

"Chen Zong, the foundation sword technique you used at the end, what is its name?" Elder Xing asked.

"True Sword Eight Techniques." Chen Zong answered after a moment's thought.

"Are you willing to hand this sword technique over to the clan hall?" Elder Xing asked, his tone enthusiastic and his eyes full of expectation. "Rest assured, if you are willing, I can offer you a higher reward, a choice of a treasure iron sword and ten Tiger Yang Bone Ointments."

The surrounding martial disciples were all breathing heavily, especially those in the sword technique group, who were almost fainting.

Chen Zong was stunned, shocked, and very tempted.

For a sword practitioner, the allure of a good sword is incomparable. It's not just a matter of personal preference, like an antique collector obtaining a rare antique, but it can also significantly enhance one's strength.

It could be said that if he had a treasure iron sword in that battle, he might have already defeated Tang Junluo.

As for ten Tiger Yang Bone Ointments, the allure was also significant.

"Elder, this sword technique was taught to me by a senior. Without his consent, I cannot make a decision on my own." Chen Zong thought for a moment and finally said.

The True Sword Eight Techniques were taught by a mysterious sword master, very mysterious. He could practice it himself, but he dared not spread it without fully understanding it.

"Very well." Elder Xing knew this was not easy, especially since it was taught by a senior. He did not dwell on it. "Train well and bring glory to the family."

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