Chapter 64: Martial Arts Genius

Qizheng was moved, and the sect leader Liao Yan burst into laughter. This scene was too bizarre, leaving the group of old monsters and the high-ranking officials of the Flowing Cloud Sect around the VIP seats somewhat stunned.

What's wrong with these two?

Compared to Shen Chen's ability to remain unscathed under Qizheng's first move of the Earth-level martial technique, they were clearly more concerned about this issue. After all, neither of them was an ordinary person. Such a reaction must mean something strange was going on.

However, soon, the group also recalled what Liao Yan had said earlier. In his excitement, the sect leader seemed to have mentioned something about "mastering all the moves of the Purple Lightning Flowing Cloud Sword in three months."

After carefully pondering those words, the group's faces quickly changed dramatically.

"What?! Mastering the sect's signature martial technique in just three months, this... this... how is that possible?!"

This time, it was the eldest elder, One-Eyed Black Tiger Situ Chuan, who could no longer sit still. He had been in the Flowing Cloud Sect the longest, so he knew a bit about the sect's signature martial technique. Even now, the old man found it hard to believe that such a thing could really happen.

That is the sect's signature treasure. How could it be learned so quickly, let alone mastered? The old man vaguely remembered that the previous sect leader had been extremely picky when choosing a successor. Many outstanding disciples were rejected, and it took over thirty years to finally determine the successor.

The reason was simple: the sect's signature martial technique, the Purple Lightning Flowing Cloud Sword, was too difficult. It was so difficult that the old monster at the time had to rigorously test the candidates. If it weren't for Liao Yan's emergence as a poor boy, who knows who the current sect leader would be...

The old man still remembered these past events clearly. Although the *Purple Lightning Flowing Cloud Sword* was like a taboo in the sect, the old man had secretly speculated that this signature technique might not just be Upper Human-level but could even be a very difficult Earth-level technique!

Imagine, how could such a remarkable technique be mastered in just three months? This left the old man almost unable to believe his ears...

In the air above the square, as Shen Chen approached with his sword, Qizheng gradually regained his composure.

"Little Junior Brother, it seems you are not just a standout among people but a true genius among geniuses. In terms of martial talent, I am far inferior to you..." Qizheng's eyes were complex, and he sighed, giving the young man one last glance.

Then, Qizheng's eyes instantly regained their previous fiery passion. His fighting spirit surged, and the golden spear in his hand trembled in the air, emitting endless golden light. Suddenly, he burst forward with incredible speed, charging ahead without any support.

"Little Junior Brother, since you have grasped the essence of the Purple Lightning Flowing Cloud Sword, I will also use my ultimate move. Let's have a peak battle!" As he charged forward, Qizheng became more and more like a warrior, his silver armor gleaming, and the golden light behind him blinding. The momentum was terrifying, making many of the older generation present feel a chill down their spines.

"Watch my spear, True Martial Strike!!"

This time, Qizheng unleashed the strongest move of the True Martial Sun Spear. Shen Chen's combat strength had made him put away all his underestimation. At the same time, Shen Chen's mastery of the Purple Lightning Flowing Cloud Sword made Qizheng realize it was time to use his ultimate move.

In fact, those who knew that the *Purple Lightning Flowing Cloud Sword* was an Earth-level martial technique were not just the sect leader Liao Yan. As the most outstanding disciple of the entire sect, how could Liao Yan not have considered Qizheng? In fact, no one knew that two years ago, Liao Yan had already approached Qizheng. To persuade him, Liao Yan even risked revealing some secrets of the sect's signature martial technique, the *Purple Lightning Flowing Cloud Sword*. However, at that time, Qizheng was already deeply engrossed in the golden spear on his back and politely declined Liao Yan's offer, forcing the latter to seek other candidates...

Since he knew some secrets of the *Purple Lightning Flowing Cloud Sword*, Qizheng was also very clear about the essence and power of this signature technique. He had known for two years that the terrifying aspect of this technique was its "swift and fluid movements, each move faster and smoother than the last." However, to truly unleash this essence, there was a prerequisite: mastering all the moves of the *Purple Lightning Flowing Cloud Sword*.

Qizheng was so moved earlier because he saw Shen Chen's fluid and swift movements, as well as the smooth transitions between sword techniques. These were all signs that the *Purple Lightning Flowing Cloud Sword* had reached the Great Perfection stage. But the young man was said to have obtained the *Purple Lightning Flowing Cloud Sword* only three months ago. How could he have mastered all five moves to the Great Perfection stage?

In his shock, Qizheng could only describe his little junior brother as a genius. For such a genius, he naturally had no need to hold back. Of course, neither he nor Liao Yan could have imagined that the genius they saw was actually due to an accident that had prematurely opened Shen Chen's head meridians, allowing him to often have sudden insights...

"Senior Brother Qizheng, what a splendid True Martial Strike! Don't worry, I won't disappoint you!"

On the opposite side, Shen Chen, approaching with his sword, was also full of fiery passion and excitement. This was his first time using the essence of the Purple Lightning Flowing Cloud Sword. The power of the Flowing Cloud Style had not yet dissipated, and the next move was already forming in his mind. The rhythm of the techniques, one after another, was simply beautiful, making Shen Chen feel an overwhelming urge to shout in excitement.

The *Purple Lightning Flowing Cloud Sword* truly lived up to its reputation as the signature technique of the Flowing Cloud Sect!

"Lightning Chasing Shadow, Kill!"

With a thought, Shen Chen's golden sword thrust forward. Immediately, purple lightning surged around him, spreading like spring grass. Amidst the endless thunder, a highly substantial shadow suddenly charged out.

The shadow looked exactly like Shen Chen, even maintaining the same posture as he charged. Unlike the two illusory shadows created when Shen Chen used the *Nine Cuts of the Netherworld* technique, this shadow was almost like Shen Chen himself charging into battle, and it was even faster than Shen Chen's ultimate *Fox Step* technique. It covered a dozen yards in the blink of an eye!

"Clang!!!"

"Boom~~~"

In the air, the shadow that charged out from the endless thunder clashed head-on with Qizheng, who was enveloped in golden light. The golden sword and the golden spear met, creating a deafening clang. Then, with a loud explosion, large chunks of the stone slabs on the square flew into the air, turning to dust. Moments later, a rain of stone fragments fell over a range of several hundred yards.

This was an astonishing scene. Despite many disciples having moved far away after the earlier shock, they were still affected by the rain of stone fragments, quickly becoming disheveled and dirty.

"Uh..."

In mid-air, Shen Chen felt a闷闷 (stifling) sensation in his chest, his internal energy and blood surging. After holding on for a few breaths, a trail of blood finally trickled from the corner of his mouth. The shockwave from that clash was too much for him to withstand at his current cultivation level.

However, despite this, a fiery smile still appeared on Shen Chen's face. He slowly descended, looking at the young man standing proudly with his golden spear, and said with a faint smile, "Senior Brother Qizheng, I held on!"

"Hehe, Little Junior Brother, there's no need to be modest. You didn't just hold on; you also... won. I've used my strongest move, but your sword technique still had power left. The outcome is clear!" Qizheng was also smiling, his face showing no sign of defeat or bitterness, only a sincere admiration and a gentle, warm expression. He seemed to see the rise of a powerful opponent and the future hope of the Flowing Cloud Sect, a small sect...

However, those words sounded different to the others.

"What, Senior Brother Qizheng actually... conceded..."

Many of the sect's disciples were instantly stunned, as if frozen in place. This was not just shocking; it was like a monument they had always looked up to suddenly collapsing.

Qizheng was who... He was the undisputed war god in the hearts of the Flowing Cloud Sect's disciples. How could he concede? How was this possible...

All the sect's disciples, whether inner or outer disciples, and even those who had returned from missions, were momentarily dazed.

"He... really did it..." Even Zhong Ling, the enchanting beauty, was dazed in the crowd. She had always thought Shen Chen's challenge to the top three was a joke, but now the joke had come true. Her alluring eyes lost their focus.

"He... he... how can he be so strong..." In a corner of the crowd, Tian Zhan, supported by Tian Zhi, was experiencing a storm of emotions. After witnessing Qizheng's strength, he felt almost hopeless, losing confidence in the *Blood Tide Technique* his family had obtained with great effort. However, he had still harbored a last hope that Qizheng would continue his invincible streak and crush the boy who had humiliated him. That would have made him feel better.

But now, with Qizheng's casual words, Tian Zhan's last hope was shattered, leaving him with an indescribable bitterness...

The silence around the square lasted for a long time. In the center of the square, Shen Chen walked forward with a smile, approached Qizheng, and bowed deeply, saying, "Senior Brother Qizheng, thank you for your kindness!"

"Hehe... no need for that, this is the honor you deserve!" Qizheng smiled warmly, his heroic aura returning after the battle, like a young general returning from a victorious campaign.

Then, the two smiled at each other and walked together toward the VIP seats. Only one other person in the crowd understood the true meaning behind their actions.

"Brat, Qizheng is a true man. Missing such a friend would be a regret for a lifetime. I hope you don't辜负 (let down) his intentions." Liao Yan secretly transmitted a message to Shen Chen, laughing and scolding.

Shen Chen did not take it lightly this time, nodding slightly. Liao Yan was right; he could not let down Senior Brother Qizheng's kindness.

Indeed, his *Purple Lightning Flowing Cloud Sword* techniques still had power left. Theoretically, after "Lightning Chasing Shadow," he could have seamlessly followed up with another move, just as he did after the "Flowing Cloud Style." That would have allowed him to defeat Qizheng head-on, which was the essence and subtlety of the *Purple Lightning Flowing Cloud Sword*—the techniques were almost seamless.

However, Shen Chen was also aware that this was only theoretical. Executing the entire *Purple Lightning Flowing Cloud Sword* technique from start to finish, seamlessly, was beyond his current Blood Fusion realm. His internal energy simply wouldn't allow it.

As for why Qizheng conceded despite knowing this, it was as Liao Yan said. Qizheng had done him a great favor. Shen Chen knew that with Qizheng's words, even if Liao Yan announced him as a personal disciple or the next successor, no one would object. Qizheng had willingly used his reputation to boost Shen Chen's standing.

Shen Chen hadn't really thought about the position of sect leader and didn't place much importance on it. However, he was not ungrateful. Some things couldn't be measured by importance. What might seem insignificant to you could be life-changing to others.

Similarly, Shen Chen had already remembered this favor.

"Hehe, I must say, you are truly a martial arts genius. To achieve this..." At this moment, Elder Situ Chuan approached with a smile, his eyes no longer filled with disbelief but genuine joy.

In the elder's view, Shen Chen's performance had already said a lot about the future of the Flowing Cloud Sect.

Thinking this, the elder arranged seats for Shen Chen and Qizheng, then turned to the other four elders of the Flowing Cloud Sect—Bloodthirsty Lion Chen Fanghao, Green-Faced Wolf Lu Hao, and Jade-Faced Fox Situ Ya. They exchanged glances and nodded in agreement.

The five elders of the Flowing Cloud Sect seemed to have made a decision. Finally, Elder Situ Chuan stepped forward and said to Liao Yan, "Sect Leader, perhaps it's time to make some early plans."

"Haha! Elder Situ, you are absolutely right. I was just thinking the same thing!" Liao Yan, being a shrewd man, had been waiting for this. He laughed heartily, his face showing excitement.

Around the VIP seats, including the sect's disciples, members, and important guests, everyone's eyes widened, and they held their breath. Although they had already guessed what Liao Yan would announce, the moment of truth still left many feeling a sense of suffocation, for this was a major event for the Flowing Cloud Sect!

"Sect Leader!"

Just as Liao Yan was about to announce his prepared words, a steward rushed over from behind the VIP seats, his eyes filled with fear.

The steward quickly reached Liao Yan's side, whispered something in his ear, and then showed him a portrait. In the next moment, Liao Yan's smile froze, his body trembling. He quickly took the portrait, crumpled it, and hid it from view. However, being a man of experience, he quickly regained his composure.

Then, Liao Yan turned to the guests, bowed, and forced a smile, saying, "Friends, the sect's competition has ended. I and the elders have important matters to attend to and cannot entertain you further. Please return home!"

---

The page turns, and the advertisement begins.

The page turns, and the advertisement ends.