The flow of energy pulled the air into motion, stirring winds and surging waves. As the two locked eyes, the sky abruptly darkened, the brilliant sunlight obscured by a sea of clouds. In midair, a crackling sound of lightning seemed to echo.
“You’re strong,” Ning Tai said in awkward and halting Jin official language. Though his exterior appeared relaxed, internally his spirit, energy, and focus were tightly wound to their peak.
His eyes burned with fervor, exuding a willingness to sacrifice everything for martial cultivation.
“You’re not bad either,” Meng Qi casually placed his right hand on his sword hilt. His tone was not arrogant but carried a confident boldness. Standing tall and straight, he radiated a heroic aura that commanded awe and respect.
Even before drawing his blade, Meng Qi had already imposed immense pressure upon Ning Tai. Ning felt as though facing a towering, mighty presence, as immovable as a mountain and as vast as the sea, nearly impossible to defeat. His mind felt clouded, his will battered by wave after wave of surging force, teetering on collapse.
“What terrifying momentum! It’s no less than any supreme expert I’ve ever encountered! If this continues, I won’t be able to draw my sword at all,” Ning Tai thought to himself.
Over the past few months, while comprehending martial principles and cultivating his Dharmic Form, Meng Qi had also studied the Shenxiao Jiulie and Bawang Liuzhan techniques he had acquired, including the cultivation method of the Overlord’s Power. Now, he could simulate about fifty to sixty percent of its effects using the Jiujie Xuangong.
The wind stopped. The waves calmed. On the small boat, Ning Tai slightly crouched his body, his left hand close to his torso while his right hand reached forward and gripped his sword hilt. He spoke in a low, obscure tone: “I challenge you!”
Meng Qi remained composed, seemingly unaffected by the pressure. He smiled and said, “If you wish to fight, then fight.”
Short and to the point, no unnecessary words.
As he spoke, the acupoints across Meng Qi’s body subtly opened. Illusory images of the golden crow sun and starry chaos appeared internally, then suddenly contracted, condensing into the “Ten Thousand Heavens” formed from his nine natural orifices and internal organs. The Heavens regressed, time flowed backward, returning to the beginning, where there was neither above nor below.
The technique “Creation of Heaven and Earth” was already poised to erupt.
This time, rather than employing the move as usual, Meng Qi redirected this “condensation” toward Tianzhishang, incorporating slightly of the first strike from Bawang Liuzhan, while also embedding the Yu Xu Qingyuan Sword Technique derived from Wanshi Fanxu.
During this retreat, he had integrated the sword techniques he had studied into his self-created move “Creation of Heaven and Earth,” and through the technique “Only I Remain,” he had further developed its subsequent variations, bringing this sword technique to a state of minor perfection. Now, it nearly reached the peak of the external scenery realm. When combined with his internal Dharmic Form, it surpassed ordinary Dharmic Body techniques that lacked perseverance and personal cultivation.
In an instant, Ning Tai felt Meng Qi’s aura become more restrained yet profound. Particularly, the long sword gripped in Meng’s right hand seemed oddly frozen, as if bound within its sheath, creating an illusion of stillness sharply contrasting with his breathing and blood flow.
“Amazing! What a powerful drawing technique!” Ning Tai inwardly exclaimed. His aura wavered again, sensing that when the sword left its sheath, it would change the heavens and earth, unstoppable by anything.
Ning Tai was no stranger to martial arts. He himself specialized in a single explosive sword strike and could discern the subtlety and might within Meng Qi’s move.
Eastern martial arts placed the greatest emphasis on the first strike, considering it a highly integrated and simultaneous unleashing of aura, willpower, physical strength, and the power of heaven and earth when fully prepared. In short, the first move carried a sense of “accumulation.”
“I can’t wait any longer. If I do, I won’t be able to draw my sword at all!” Sweat beaded on Ning Tai’s forehead. Narrowing his eyes, he gathered his aura inward.
Suddenly, the small boat surged forward, shooting toward the large ship. Ning Tai took small, quick steps forward, leaving the boat.
His speed abruptly increased. Step by step, he dashed across empty space, his body half-crouched, left hand holding the sword sheath, right hand tightly gripping the hilt, yet to strike!
After reaching the external scenery realm, one could harness the power of heaven and earth, unleashing sword qi or blade light from afar to kill enemies. However, when facing opponents of similar strength, the power of such long-range techniques would diminish with distance, as would their influence on martial principles. Moreover, the full utilization of physical strength would be lacking, significantly reducing the threat to the enemy. Therefore, when evenly matched, battles often reverted to close combat, where weapons clashed, fists and feet exchanged blows, allowing the full integration of years of physical cultivation, heavenly power, and martial principles to unleash peak combat power.
Thus, viewing Meng Qi as the most formidable opponent he had ever encountered at his level, Ning Tai prepared to charge forward and unleash his sword in a final burst once in close proximity.
His movements were swift and elusive, leaving behind multiple afterimages, making it difficult to lock onto him. At this moment, if one struck first but missed, one would often lose the initiative and the advantage of momentum. Therefore, one must either patiently wait for the right moment to strike or use wide-area martial techniques to disrupt Ning Tai’s rhythm.
Meng Qi chose the former, standing firm at the bow of the large ship, his right hand resting on his sword hilt.
Now! Ning Tai closed the distance to within several meters. His right hand suddenly drew his sword.
Hualaa!
A brilliant, deadly sword light erupted, surging waves rising dozens of meters into the sky, following the descent of his sword.
The waves were a deep blue, nearly black, highly condensed, weighing thousands of jin, sufficient to crush anything before it into pulp!
At this moment, Meng Qi’s right hand did not draw the sword but instead pressed inward.
The air grew heavier, as if time and space themselves were compressed, exuding a sense of utter destruction!
The darkness deepened, the sword light approached, waves obscuring the sky.
With a sudden grip, Meng Qi drew his sword upward from below!
Zheng!
A dragon-like roar pierced the clouds, long and clear, echoing throughout Langya.
The sword light erupted, breaking free from its constraints, unleashing an unprecedented terrifying force, dazzlingly illuminating the sky.
The darkness was torn apart, the clouds were split, the waves parted, flowing around both sides of the large ship, the ocean cracked open, revealing a deep fissure extending into the distance!
This strike, long buried in his heart, remained silent unless it would astound, unleashed only to sever all, recreating heaven and earth!
In Langya City, He Jiu, residing in the Ruan household, Wang Siyuan, living on the mountain, and countless other external scenery experts simultaneously turned their gazes toward the harbor.
This strike already bore the might of a supreme expert!
Has Su Meng arrived? Has he reached this level?
He hadn’t fought in the Jin Empire for over a year, yet his first move erupted like a volcanic explosion, drawing countless eyes!
Dang!
The sword wrapped in radiant light collided with Tianzhishang. Ning Tai instantly felt the opponent’s blade was unstoppable, his own sword light instantly severed in two!
His precious sword bore a crack, the sword light pierced through. Ning Tai himself seemed destined to be split in two!
At this moment, the sword light abruptly shifted from extreme hardness to softness, displaying endless variations, dissipating the storm and pushing Ning Tai backward.
Zheng! Meng Qi sheathed his sword.
With this sound, the light vanished, the waves calmed, and Ning Tai stood on his small boat, exactly where he had been moments ago.
Everything seemed unchanged, as if the previous moment had been a dream!
Ning Tai stood there in a daze, then suddenly burst into wild laughter:
“Indeed, the Central Plains conceal dragons and harbor tigers, producing countless talents. It was worth my journey here to test my sword!”
“There truly exists such a sword technique in this world! Such martial prowess!”
Rather than feeling pain, sorrow, or anger, he appeared ecstatic and delirious.
To hear the Dao in the morning and die in the evening would be acceptable!
He was also a martial arts fanatic… Meng Qi’s impression of Ning Tai improved. He nodded in greeting: “You were generous. Several months ago, I would have struggled greatly against your sword strike.”
Ning Tai was indeed no ordinary figure. Before grasping the Bawang Juedao, facing that sword strike, even employing techniques like “Heavenly Thunder” or “Creation of Heaven and Earth” would have granted him at most a marginal advantage. If his aura and mental state were not in harmony, missing the opportune moment, he might even have been overwhelmed. Only by combining the Four-Armed Divine Transformation with the Dharma Manifestation of Heaven and Earth could he have had a chance to defeat Ning Tai in a single decisive blow.
“May I ask the young hero’s name?” Ning Tai sheathed his sword and awkwardly asked.
“Mad Sword, Su Meng.” Meng Qi smiled and introduced himself.
Ning Tai resumed his cold and aloof demeanor, slightly reflective: “I have traveled westward, encountering many, but only two have earned my admiration. One is you, young hero, capable of both enjoyment and battle.”
His phrasing was somewhat awkward.
“Who is the other?” Meng Qi asked with a smile.
“He was also one who sailed alone in a small boat, wearing strange green robes, his expression dazed. I wanted to approach and befriend him, challenging him if our realms were similar, but I couldn’t even catch his shadow. I only heard him muttering, ‘Who am I? Who is me?'”
“Who am I, who is me…” Meng Qi narrowed his eyes, thinking of the eccentric Taoist who had locked the gatekeeper outside Wuyou Valley, and also of the calligraphy left behind by Dongyang Shenjun!
“Which direction did he go?” Meng Qi asked casually.
“East.” Ning Tai simply answered.
East? Meng Qi slightly frowned at this single word.
Was it the “East” of Dongyang Shenjun?
Or the “East” of Dongwang Gong?
At this moment, he recalled the “Eastern Immortality Pill” mentioned in Dongyang Shenjun’s inheritance—the elixir formula once belonging to Qingdi, Dongwang Gong!
Thinking of this ancient, enigmatic master, Meng Qi inhaled deeply, suppressing his reaction.
He knew Ning Tai wouldn’t know more, so he changed the subject: “The Eastern Sea is a land of treasures. Have you heard of Qinghua Lingmu?”
“I have heard of Qinghua Lingmu. However, those over a thousand years old are already rare. Anything older has long vanished,” Ning Tai replied in his unpolished Jin dialect.
Meng Qi nodded slightly and extended his hand: “Langya is right before us. Won’t you challenge He Jiu, Ning Brother?”
Ning Tai shook his head: “Battling you has greatly benefited me. I must ponder for a while before challenging He Jiu.”
As he spoke, the small boat turned, heading toward an island near Langya.
Meng Qi smiled, not pressing further. He tossed the final payment and stepped directly into Langya City, heading to the Ruan residence.
Melodic sounds of zithers and flutes filled the air, creating a pleasant atmosphere that made the Ruan household seem even more serene.
Meng Qi had caused quite a commotion earlier, and a familiar face awaited him at the entrance—Ruan Yaoguang.
Her white hair was tied in a bun, leaning on a dragon-headed cane, she examined Meng Qi up and down, then sighed: “The younger generation is truly formidable!”
As Meng Qi prepared to humbly respond, Ruan Yaoguang continued: “You arrived at an inconvenient time. The Twenty-first Lady is currently in retreat, preparing to break through to the external scenery realm. It may take ten days or half a month before she succeeds.”
She had no doubt regarding Ruan Yushu’s ascension.
“This is indeed good news.” Meng Qi felt slightly disappointed but quickly got to the point: “I heard of the blue-blooded humans and came to offer my humble assistance. May I inquire about the Ruan family’s plans?”
Ruan Yaoguang barely perceptibly furrowed her brow: “You haven’t crossed the first heavenly ladder yet, have you?”
She hadn’t seen Meng Qi display his Dharmic Form earlier.
“I’m almost there,” Meng Qi honestly replied.
“Blue-blooded humans possess extraordinary talents. Without crossing the first heavenly ladder, encountering even a blue-blooded external scenery expert could lead to your demise. Please refrain from recklessness,” Ruan Yaoguang rejected Meng Qi’s offer.
Puzzled by her directness, Meng Qi added: “I possess secret techniques to counter the blue-blooded humans’ water control abilities.”
“Hmm,” Ruan Yaoguang’s expression remained unchanged. “The old master has already enlisted the head of the Wang family from Jiangdong and the ‘Luoshu,’ actively divining and searching for the blue-blooded humans’ origins. There are currently no plans. You may enter the household and wait for a few days.”
The legendary divine weapon “Luoshu”? The Jiangdong Wang family is also involved? Meng Qi was slightly surprised but politely said: “Since Yushu is in retreat, I have no acquaintances within the household. I think I’ll find a Daoist temple or Buddhist monastery to stay at for convenience.”
“That’s also acceptable,” Ruan Yaoguang gently nodded.
I was just being polite… Meng Qi’s expression slightly stiffened, feeling even more that Ruan Yaoguang’s attitude was somewhat peculiar.
Suppressing his thoughts, he found a “Sanqing Temple” within the city to stay at.
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