Chapter 113: Immortal Sword Shadow
Upon hearing this, Zhu Ziyue shook her head and said, "I only know two things: the dream of the Emperor and the Prince."
Yi Mingzhao exclaimed in surprise, "So, it's true that these two became immortals?!"
Zhu Ziyue looked at Ling Qichen's swordsmanship, a sigh in her eyes, and turned to reply indifferently, "At least we can't find any evidence of their deaths." After saying that, she put her hands on her chest and went down from the pavilion.
Upon hearing this, Yi Mingzhao sighed and pondered for a moment, then said to himself:
Human enlightenment lasts a hundred years.
Raising my head, I sigh and ask the vast sky.
Is it a fleeting dream or just a pipe dream?
Even if the strings of a zither break, one can no longer become an immortal.
When Ling Qichen saw Zhu Ziyue arrive, he hurriedly stopped his sword and cupped his hands, saying, "Miss Ziyue, my swordsmanship is mediocre. Please give me your guidance."
Zhu Ziyue smiled and said, "Young Master Ling, you flatter me. I dare not presume to offer any guidance. Let me just give a few comments!"
Ling Qichen cupped his hands and said, "Please, Miss Ziyue!"
Zhu Ziyue said softly, "Martial arts are the foundation of cultivation, and swordsmanship is one of the killing techniques. Since swordsmanship is a killing technique, it should be swift and fierce, with each move capable of injuring and killing. Your swordsmanship is passable, but it lacks killing intent. This shows that there is benevolence in your swordsmanship, so you practice this swordsmanship to leave behind goodness and make it difficult to kill."
Upon hearing this, Ling Qichen nodded and said, "Miss Ziyue, you truly have exceptional insight! This sword technique is called 'Crescent Moon in the Night Sky'! It consists of five moves and forty-two forms, created by the Confucian scholar Bai Xiao. Its core principle is: 'When the sword strikes, pay attention to one thought; when the sword strikes, leave room for three parts of the opponent.'"
Upon hearing this, Zhu Ziyue said calmly, "So it was created by the Hundred Filial Scholars. No wonder the killing intent was not concentrated and the sword held back three-tenths of its power."
Ling Qichen sighed, "The purpose of practicing martial arts is to uphold justice and pacify the chaotic world, so why must we create bloodshed?"
Zhu Ziyue said solemnly, "Young Master Ling, if you wield the sword with this mindset, then in this life, your swordsmanship will reach its peak, and you will no longer need to practice."
Ling Qichen was immediately bewildered and asked, "What do you mean by that, Miss Ziyue?"
Zhu Ziyue: "If you don't intend to kill with your sword, why bother wielding it at all? If you cling to your own obsessions, you'll never reach the pinnacle of swordsmanship. That's all I have to say. Reflect on this yourself."
After saying this, he turned and left, his half-hipped silk robe fluttering in the wind. Then, the sound of poetry rose: Holding the sword, I walk with my sword drawn, do not ask about old friends; keep good thoughts, keep a kind heart, for troubled times are hard to quell.
...
A day later, Yin Xiaosheng and his group entered Longyang City, preparing to challenge Ouyang Fanhuang. Yi Qingxue also disguised herself and accompanied them.
Since assuming the position of city lord, Ouyang Fanhuang has moved to a spacious and bright main hall and relocated his dragon throne from Xiyu Manor to Longyang City.
Yin Xiaosheng feigned that he had important matters to report, and the group was allowed to pass without hindrance to the outside of the hall. On both sides of the hall, a dozen or so guards with swords stood in two rows, each one imposing and awe-inspiring.
Yin Xiaosheng entered the hall alone and saw Ouyang Fanhuang lying on his throne with his eyes closed, seemingly asleep but not awake.
Below the hall, Grandmaster, Shi Jianfeng, Nie Han, Yi Mingjian, Xiong Ba, and others sat on either side. Yi Mingjian was secretly surprised to see Yin Xiaosheng, but pretended not to recognize him.
At this moment, the Grandmaster, holding a goose feather fan, said casually, "You are extremely rude. Why don't you bow to the Brahma Emperor?"
Yin Xiaosheng held his sword in his left hand and declared, "I am the Hidden Sword Saint of the Mountain, and I do not bow to the weak!" As he spoke, he pointed to Ouyang Fanhuang sitting on the throne with his right hand.
Upon hearing this, Xiong Ba laughed and shouted, "Ignorant brat, you don't know the height of mountains and the depth of seas. You dare to spout such nonsense below the Brahma Emperor!"
Yin Xiaosheng listened without saying a word, but continued to coldly stare at Ouyang Fanhuang. The hall fell into a chilling silence.
At this moment, Ouyang Fanhuang gestured and said calmly, "Swordsman, state your name."
Yin Xiaosheng immediately said, "Yin Xiaosheng!"
Upon hearing this, Ouyang Fanhuang snorted coldly and said, "Ha! An unknown nobody dares to call himself a sword saint. It's utterly laughable."
Yin Xiaosheng declared boldly, "In that case, you must have exceptional swordsmanship and extraordinary skill. I, Yin Xiaosheng, humbly request your guidance!" As he spoke, his sword spun several times, poised to strike, his gaze fixed coldly upon him.
Ouyang Fanhuang leisurely raised his hand, pointing casually and saying, "You are an unknown and weakling, unworthy to fight me. Master Shi, I have long heard of your exceptional swordsmanship. This person is so arrogant, so you should test his skills!"
Upon hearing this, Shi Jianfeng rose and bowed respectfully, saying, "Your subordinate obeys!" Then, he turned to Yin Xiaosheng and said, "Swordsman, please!"
Yin Xiaosheng coldly said, "My sword realm can only be received by the Brahma Emperor; others are not qualified!"
At this moment, Xiong Ba wanted to speak again, but Chen Qingyun grabbed him. Shi Jianfeng was furious when he heard this, but seeing that the newcomer's intention was to directly attack Ouyang Fanhuang, he remained silent.
Upon hearing this, Ouyang Fanhuang sat up and said, "Interesting! So you have no choice but to fight me!"
Yin Xiaosheng declared boldly, "Why not?"
Ouyang Fanhuang coldly said, "Then you will pay a terrible price!"
Yin Xiaosheng: "When a man acts, there is nothing to fear about life and death!"
"Hahaha..." Ouyang Fanhuang laughed a few times, then said boldly, "Very good, you have extraordinary courage. I will give you a chance!"
Yin Xiaosheng: "Then let's make our move!" As he spoke, his sword was already drawn, using his inner energy to guide the sword, stabbing towards Ouyang Fanhuang from a distance.
Upon seeing this, Ouyang Fanhuang suddenly raised his right palm, gathering strength to block, and then unleashed a powerful counterattack, striking Yin Xiaosheng with a palm.
Yin Xiaosheng sheathed his sword and flew out of the hall, followed by Ouyang Fanhuang, who struck Yin Xiaosheng with a powerful palm strike in mid-air.
Seeing this, Yin Xiaosheng gathered his strength and joined his hands together, his sword sheaths facing each other to block. In the instant of the clash, Yin Xiaosheng was unable to withstand the power of Hao's palm and was knocked down from mid-air, staggering back several steps.
Ouyang Fanhuang landed gracefully and imposingly, his red and white cloak billowing in the wind, standing there solemnly.
At this moment, the people in the hall came out one after another, joining Qiu Xia and the other two to watch the battle. When Yi Mingjian saw Yi Qingxue, he was secretly worried. Although she was disguised, as her brother, he could still see through her disguise at a glance.
Ouyang Fanhuang raised his palm slightly, and Yin Xiaosheng was forced back several steps. Then, with his hands behind his back, he said arrogantly, "Is this all you can do to deny it?"
"Excellent move, of course, the rest is yet to come!" With one exchange of blows, Yin Xiaosheng already knew his opponent's strength. Immediately, he plunged his sword sheath into the ground and rapidly channeled his icy inner energy. Instantly, extreme cold energy surged around his body, using this energy to fuel his power—it was the Frost Sword Technique.
Seeing this, Ouyang Fanhuang coldly said, "Do you think that the sword's power to break the cold energy can change your defeat? How utterly laughable!"
Yin Xiaosheng rose up with his sword, hovering in the air. He drew his sword and unleashed a series of sword strikes, countless icy blades suddenly appearing in mid-air, pointing directly at Ouyang Fanhuang.
Upon seeing this, Shi Jianfeng exclaimed, "Such powerful extreme cold true energy! This is the Frost Sword Technique!"
"The Cold Sword Returns to the Pool!" With a furious shout, countless icy sword blades slashed down from the sky, aiming straight for Ouyang Fanhuang.
Seeing this, Ouyang Fanhuang took a half step forward with his left foot, assuming a bow stance, his left hand behind his back, and his right hand raised horizontally, unleashing a powerful surge of energy. He declared, "With one hand, I can stir up waves and shatter the clouds!" Instantly, his true energy was unleashed, transforming into a powerful force, creating a swirling vortex that swept directly towards the icy sword blade.
Upon seeing this, Qiu Xia said, "This person can withstand Hao Ran's attack with one hand. His true strength is probably above that of the Palace Master."
Upon seeing this, Yin Xiaosheng was secretly amazed. He flipped in mid-air, unleashing his ultimate move, and exclaimed, "One sword to suppress mountains and rivers!" Instantly, a giant sword, eighteen feet long, appeared in mid-air, its powerful force directly approaching Ouyang Fanhuang's body.
Seeing this, Ouyang Fanhuang remained calm and blurted out, "Vajra Pardon Ultimate Hand!" As soon as he finished speaking, his right hand spun wildly, powerful and strong, like a black iron disc, spinning upwards to meet Yin Xiaosheng's eighteen-foot giant sword.
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