Chapter 35

The long sword was drawn, the cold edge intimidating.

With the sword in hand, the originally cold and fierce aura intensified.

Tang Junhao lifted the golden dragon-patterned spear and faced Zhao Wangcheng, as if a sovereign sitting on a high throne, unmoving.

"Chi!"

Zhao Wangcheng drew his sword, the blade like lightning, tearing through the air, slashing towards Tang Junluo. The blade's light was dazzling, the coldness pervasive, making people shiver.

The cold light arrived first, the spear emerged like a dragon, as if a roar echoed, lingering endlessly.

The golden spear pierced through the air, as if it could penetrate everything.

The cold and fierce blade, the fearless spear of the overlord!

If the Li family was known for their sword techniques, then the Tang family was known for their spear techniques, with the famous Qianlong Spear Technique. The Zhao family, on the other hand, was known for their blade techniques, with the Cold Edge Thirteen Kills being renowned.

Flying Dragon Stance!

Rising Dragon Stance!

Tang Junluo thrust his spear again and again, each thrust sweeping across with overwhelming power.

Zhao Wangcheng followed with one blade after another, each faster, colder, and sharper than the last.

It was clear that both their spear and blade techniques had a touch of transcendence, a sign that they were about to surpass perfection and reach the subtle realm. However, like Li Zhen, without some opportunity, it would take a considerable amount of time to reach the subtle realm.

At the martial disciple level, it was the best time to practice foundational martial arts. Once they broke through to become martial artists, the focus shifted to graded martial arts, which would indirectly affect the cultivation of foundational martial arts.

After all, a person's time and energy were limited, and if they were too scattered, they would ultimately achieve nothing.

However, at the martial artist level, graded martial arts were the means to decide victory or defeat, temporarily consuming vital energy and blood, and were destined not to become regular combat methods. Foundational martial arts remained important, often used as regular combat methods to find opportunities and then use graded martial arts to decide the outcome.

There were also situations where using graded martial arts directly defeated the opponent, making it unnecessary to go through the trouble.

The subtle realm was an extremely high martial arts realm, difficult to reach without sufficient talent and opportunity.

The Cold Edge Thirteen Kills and the Qianlong Spear Technique were both pushed to their limits.

The cold blade flashed, bringing forth a series of cold and sharp blade lights, continuously slashing towards Tang Junluo. Tang Junluo wielded his spear with both hands, as if transforming into a golden dragon dancing, weaving through the cold wind.

As they fought, both used their techniques to circulate their vital energy and blood, immediately enhancing their strength, and the power of the Cold Edge Thirteen Kills and the Qianlong Spear Technique sharply increased, creating a terrifying momentum.

The three major families and five major clans each had their own inherited techniques.

The Zhao family's inherited technique was the Human Rank Upper Level Red Blade Technique, which emphasized vital energy and blood like a blade. The vital energy and blood cultivated would carry a sharpness like a blade, providing an additional boost when using blade techniques.

In a sense, the Red Blade Technique not only surpassed the Chen family's Human Rank Upper Level Fierce Tiger Technique in rank but also enhanced blade techniques, making it highly sophisticated. However, the Fierce Tiger Technique emphasized vital energy and blood like a tiger, focusing on momentum, which the Red Blade Technique lacked.

The Tang family's technique for cultivating vital energy and blood was also Human Rank Upper Level, called the Earth Dragon Technique. Like the Fierce Tiger Technique, it emphasized momentum, and additionally, it could enhance arm strength. Once a spear technique was used, its power would be significantly increased.

"Excellent blade technique, excellent spear technique..." Chen Zong's eyes gleamed, his blood boiling, wishing he could draw his sword and fight with them.

Earlier, his battle with Li Zhen did not result in a clear winner, especially after Li Zhen cultivated the Clear Wind Sword Technique to the subtle realm, making the outcome even more unpredictable.

After all, Chen Zong, who practiced the sword, was a late bloomer. If not for Chen Chuyun's guidance, he might not have been invited to the Ascending Dragon Assembly, let alone compete with these sword geniuses.

Li Zhen, born into a sword technique family, had a natural talent for sword techniques in his blood, and was influenced and trained systematically from a young age. In every aspect, he was incomparable to Chen Zong.

Even though Chen Zong had three sword techniques at the subtle realm, Li Zhen would certainly have his own methods, given the background of his family.

However, if the battle continued, Chen Zong was confident he would not lose.

Battle! Battle! Battle!

Countless sparks flew, the air shaking in all directions.

Zhao Wangcheng's blade aimed to attack, one blade after another, each blade connected, each blade incredibly powerful. Tang Junluo's spear was more comprehensive, both offensive and defensive, with a subtle aura gradually gathering.

Suddenly, the aura around Tang Junluo reached its peak and burst out.

Flying Dragon Stance!

The golden spear soared like a flying dragon, followed by another thrust, this one the strongest thrust of Tang Junluo's accumulated power.

Azure Dragon Stance!

Zhao Wangcheng seemed prepared, the thirteenth blade of the Cold Edge Thirteen Kills slashing out fiercely, concentrating all his strength and the power of the previous blades, with no return.

The azure dragon, with its fangs and claws, seemed to fall from the sky, aiming to crush the earth. The hard collision was the Tang family's most skilled technique.

The cold and sharp blade light shattered, the azure dragon split in two. The blade and spear collided directly, the blade trembling, the spear bending.

"Ha!" Tang Junluo let out a low shout, slapping the bent spear to straighten it. Under the second wave of force, the blade was pushed back, and the golden spear swept out, striking Zhao Wangcheng.

Zhao Wangcheng's face changed, his body lightly trembling, his steps quick, retreating like a blade being sheathed, making Tang Junluo's spear miss.

That step was the Zhao family's graded footwork technique, the Stabbing Blade Step.

"Today, you have the upper hand." Zhao Wangcheng sheathed his blade, his tone still cold. At this level of combat, continuing would require using graded martial arts.

Blades and spears are blind; if one side was injured, it would be detrimental to the banquet.

"Chen Zong, it's your turn. Come and fight me." Tang Junluo, having the upper hand over Zhao Wangcheng, his aura at its peak, pointed the golden dragon-patterned spear at Chen Zong, his voice resounding.

Everyone was surprised, their eyes turning to Chen Zong.

"Alright." Chen Zong's expression was calm. He had been mentally prepared for this battle before coming. In fact, he also wanted to fight Tang Junluo again, after becoming a martial artist.

"This battle is a continuation of the one we left unfinished." Tang Junluo assumed the Qianlong Stance, like a dragon lurking in the depths, his aura gathering and intensifying.

Everyone was surprised again, realizing that Chen Zong had already fought Tang Junluo before.

Thinking about it, it made sense. Tang Junluo, to break his limits, had challenged various geniuses, and they must have fought then. It was strange that they had not received any news, suggesting it was deliberately kept secret, possibly to avoid affecting Tang Junluo's breakthrough.

Chen Zong held the precious iron sword, assuming the starting stance of the Eagle Strike Sword Technique. At the subtle realm, he seemed to transform into an eagle, ready to spread its wings and soar.

The spear emerged like a dragon!

The sword was like an eagle!

Dragon roars and eagle cries, sharp sounds piercing the eardrums.

Everyone watched with wide eyes, including Li Zhen and Zhao Wangcheng.

The Qianlong Spear Technique was performed, the momentum astonishing, sweeping in all directions.

Eagle Strike Sword Technique!

Residual Image Sword Technique!

Willow Breeze Sword Technique!

The three sword techniques were alternated, the sword light continuous, sometimes like an eagle diving, sometimes like intersecting shadows, sometimes like swaying willows.

Sharp, chaotic, and flexible, different styles seamlessly connected, perfectly executed by Chen Zong.

Watching multiple battles and participating in a few, Chen Zong's combat experience had sharply increased, his application of sword techniques and grasp of rhythm further enhanced.

Sword light and spear wind!

Sword cry and spear roar!

Holding the precious iron sword, Chen Zong did not need to worry about it being damaged.

"Chen Zong, although your three sword techniques have reached the subtle realm, they are still not enough to contend with me." Tang Junluo said as he thrust his spear, the Earth Dragon Technique in action, vital energy and blood circulating, his strength surging, and a formidable aura bursting forth.

Originally, he had broken through to the fourth layer of the vital energy and blood realm, with his natural talent and the resources of the Tang family, his single-arm strength increased to 1,500 pounds. The Earth Dragon Technique further enhanced his arm strength, bringing his single-arm strength to over 2,500 pounds.

Using the Qianlong Spear Technique with over 2,500 pounds of strength, each thrust became even more terrifying, the spear emerging like a golden dragon from the depths, soaring to the heavens, piercing through the clouds.

Zhao Wangcheng's face changed; the power of the spear was even more formidable than when he fought him earlier.

At that time, Tang Junluo had not used his full strength, making Zhao Wangcheng's eyes even colder.

Under the overwhelming power, the golden dragon-patterned spear, when swung, created a terrifying wind, like a storm sweeping the surroundings, making everyone's hair fly and their clothes flutter.

No matter how high your martial arts realm, I will use sheer strength to overwhelm you!

The golden spear, like a golden dragon, struck with immense power, the terrifying wind pressure almost suffocating Chen Zong.

The Fierce Tiger Technique in action, vital energy and blood like a tiger, the roar of the king of the forest bursting forth, his strength surging, his arm strength reaching 2,000 pounds.

Residual Image!

Willow Breeze!

Eagle Strike!

The power of the three sword techniques increased dramatically, shattering a golden storm, breaking the golden dragon. But in the blink of an eye, another golden dragon formed, sweeping in a storm.

"Chen Zong, show your true strength." Tang Junluo roared, his momentum fierce.

Hearing Tang Junluo's words, everyone was shocked again.

Show true strength?

What does that mean?

Could it be that Chen Zong had not shown his true strength before?

Reaching the subtle realm with three foundational sword techniques, and it still wasn't his true strength. What could be his true strength?

Could it be using graded martial arts?

"No, when Tang Junluo and Chen Zong fought as martial disciples, it was a draw. Therefore, Tang Junluo knows Chen Zong's methods. At that time, Chen Zong did not have graded martial arts," someone analyzed quietly. "This means that besides the three foundational sword techniques at the subtle realm, Chen Zong likely has even stronger methods, perhaps foundational martial arts or something else."

This analysis made sense to everyone.

So, what methods does Chen Zong have that surpass the three foundational sword techniques at the subtle realm?