“Be my guest?” Wu Qin Xin and Shangguan Han felt that Meng Qi’s reply was odd. Normally, shouldn’t one say something like “Please give me your guidance”? It sounded as if Meng Qi thought the other was inviting him for a meal!
They weren’t surprised that Luo Qiusheng had challenged Meng Qi to a duel. As previously mentioned, Qinshan Sword Sect had sent three disciples to invite martial artists present to spar. It was normal for anyone to be chosen. On the contrary, they felt quite regretful they hadn’t had the chance to personally face one of the “Three Swords of Qinshan” and learn from their elite skills. After all, the Qinshan Sword Sect ranked among the top sects of the “Three Mountains and Four Rivers,” so losing to their elite disciples wouldn’t be shameful.
Faced with Meng Qi’s reply, Huang Yun was slightly taken aback but quickly recovered, not attaching too much importance to it. From Meng Qi’s accent, he wasn’t a local, so it was normal that etiquette and customs might differ.
Ning Jidao and Zhang Zhi Fan paid most of their attention to Hua Tiange and the mysterious stone before him, completely indifferent to this duel.
Luo Qiusheng paused, then composed his expression and pointed his long sword downward, assuming the opening stance of his sword style: “Young hero, please draw your sword.”
Meng Qi drew the “Bingque Sword” with a metallic ring, its cold gleam like snow, causing nearby spectators to shiver involuntarily. He looked relaxed, smiling at the corners of his mouth: “Then I won’t be polite.”
He casually thrust his sword forward in a careless manner, making spectators frown. This sword technique was too simple, lacking any variation, even not resembling a proper sword move!
When Huang Yun saw the Bingque Sword, his gaze sharpened. He quickly whispered to Luo Qiusheng: “Be careful. He wields a powerful weapon, and may not be as weak as he appears.”
Though not as rare as treasure weapons, powerful weapons were still not common among martial artists. Even within their Qinshan Sword Sect, only the sect leader, elders, and a few core disciples like himself possessed them. Others either used hundred-refined swords or came from wealthy families, spending tens of thousands of taels of silver to purchase one.
This young man, looking delicate and gentle, wielding a powerful weapon, was definitely not an easy opponent.
However, Huang Yun didn’t become overly cautious. He had full confidence in his junior brother Luo Qiusheng. Since their seniors had learned the “Flying Cloud Sword Technique,” “Reflecting Sword Technique,” and “Finger Circling Sword Technique” from the mysterious stone, the martial arts of the Qinshan Sword Sect had greatly improved. Moreover, his junior brother had completely mastered the “Reflecting Sword Technique,” which no ordinary expert could rival.
Meng Qi’s next sword move made Huang Yun frown deeply, both considering the swordplay simplistic and feeling something strange.
Wu Qin Xin and Shangguan Han, who had previously held Meng Qi in higher regard upon seeing him draw a powerful weapon, also became confused. This was completely like a child randomly waving a stick!
Reminded by his senior brother, Luo Qiusheng felt completely different when facing this move. The sword thrust seemed casual and crooked, seemingly full of openings. Yet, just as he was about to counter, those openings changed, forcing him to alter his move.
He kept changing his planned moves, sweat beading on his forehead. When Meng Qi’s sword was almost upon him, he still hadn’t decided on his final move.
This scene left Huang Yun and the others utterly baffled. Faced with such an erratic move, why did Luo Qiusheng appear completely spellbound—standing there like a dazed chicken, utterly unresponsive?
Coughing lightly, Huang Yun snapped Luo Qiusheng out of his trance. Seeing the incoming sword, Luo decided to focus on his own technique, no longer concerning himself with Meng Qi’s inexplicable swordplay.
He swept his sword in a circle, attempting to deflect Meng Qi’s blade before counterattacking.
The sword formation transformed into a beautiful circle, intricately layered, making Wu Qin Xin, Shangguan Han, and even Hua Tiange silently admire its elegance. Indeed, the Reflecting Sword Technique was impressive!
Luo Qiusheng practiced the “Reflecting Sword Technique” that Ning Jidao and others had learned from the mysterious stone. Agile as a startled swan, his swordplay was graceful and versatile. With it, he had defeated many martial artists from the “Three Mountains and Four Rivers,” earning a formidable reputation. Now, fully exerting his skill, he truly amazed the spectators.
Meng Qi allowed his sword to follow Luo Qiusheng’s circular force, then suddenly slashed diagonally forward in a completely counterintuitive manner.
This move struck precisely at the moment when Luo Qiusheng’s previous momentum had ended and his counterattack had yet to begin. The circle immediately collapsed, and Luo Qiusheng hastily retreated to defend.
Meng Qi’s sword flicked upward, directly aiming at Luo Qiusheng’s wrist, forcing him to step back and change his move again.
Just as Luo changed his move, Meng Qi’s sword inexplicably lunged again, targeting the opening under Luo’s ribs.
Facing this, Luo Qiusheng could only use the Reflecting Sword Technique’s ultimate defensive move, circling his sword around his body to protect the vulnerable spot.
However, just halfway through his defensive circle, Meng Qi’s sword casually lifted upward, stopping as if Luo Qiusheng was deliberately offering his wrist to the blade tip.
Clang!
Meng Qi tilted his blade and struck Luo Qiusheng’s wrist, making him drop his sword.
Clang… The sound of the falling sword echoed in the hearts of the spectators, leaving them feeling as if they were in a dream. Luo Qiusheng, a promising young swordsman known as the “Swan Sword,” had actually been defeated so mysteriously!
Wasn’t his “Reflecting Sword Technique” supposed to be as graceful as a startled swan, with elegant swordplay? Yet just now, his moves resembled a flustered hen, unable to even force his opponent into a defensive stance!
While despising Luo Qiusheng, they looked at Meng Qi with shock and confusion. His swordplay seemingly wasn’t impressive at all, even resembling childish scribbles—casual, scattered, one strike here, another there, lacking any structure or continuity, hardly qualifying as techniques!
Yet this unorthodox swordplay had defeated the “Swan Sword” Luo Qiusheng in just a few moves, leaving him no chance to retaliate!
What exactly was this sword technique?
None of them doubted that Meng Qi had simply been lucky. Even luck couldn’t reach such extremes. But such a sword technique was truly hard to believe, completely defying their understanding of swordplay!
Huang Yun’s expression turned serious as he carefully recalled the previous duel, realizing that every one of Meng Qi’s strikes had targeted his junior brother’s weaknesses, either arriving late but striking first or anticipating his moves.
“Could he have such profound understanding of the Reflecting Sword Technique?” Huang Yun mused inwardly. He knew that Luo Qiusheng’s application of sword techniques was somewhat rigid, so encountering such an opponent and suffering this fate was understandable.
Ning Jidao and Zhang Zhi Fan both shifted their attention, having not yet watched the duel when the two had already decided the outcome! And it was the seemingly stronger Luo Qiusheng who lost without any resistance.
Luo Qiusheng’s heart was filled with frustration. Before he could fully execute each sword move, he had to change his technique. This brief battle was exhausting, as if he were being led by the nose by his opponent.
“Thank you for your courtesy.” Meng Qi reversed his sword, smiled, and bowed.
Since mastering the Solitary Sword Technique, he had gained comprehensive understanding, his sword skills advancing rapidly. Not only had he deconstructed and absorbed the “Hengqu Sword Technique” and “Zhao Family Fast Sword,” but he had also completely transformed them into his own style. This duel was his first true battle since his swordplay matured, preliminarily verifying his achievements.
At the Qi-Opening Stage, the variation in sword techniques was a crucial aspect of one’s strength—a highly significant element. Thus, Meng Qi suspected that with swordplay alone, he could challenge opponents beyond his level. However, when facing adversaries who had inherited genuine techniques, he would still need the Ananda Breaking Precept Saber Method. After all, the Solitary Sword Technique lacked the “Intent-Breaking Momentum” and techniques to counter the principles of heaven and earth. Of course, if his swordsmanship reached perfection, mastering sword principles and the path of the sword, he might be able to create his own techniques.
“Young hero, your strength is formidable. I must admit my inferiority.” Luo Qiusheng picked up his sword, muttered sullenly, and returned to Huang Yun’s side.
The hall fell silent. Hua Tiange and others never expected the match to end this way. Not only was the result unexpected, but the process was unusually strange, making it hard to judge their strengths.
Huang Yun looked at Meng Qi standing in the center of the hall, hesitated for a moment, then said: “Disciple Tao, please challenge this young hero.”
Tao Shidi’s “Finger Circling Sword Technique” was bizarre and unpredictable. Meng Qi should not have encountered it before, making it impossible for him to target weaknesses.
Tao Kang understood his senior brother’s meaning. He took his flexible sword from his waist, resembling a long snake, and walked to Meng Qi: “Please, young hero, grant me your guidance.”
“Not at all.” Meng Qi replied gracefully.
Learning from Luo Qiusheng’s mistake, Tao Kang didn’t dare let Meng Qi attack first. His flexible sword suddenly straightened, thrusting directly at Meng Qi. Midway, the sword unexpectedly bent, swiftly aiming at Meng Qi’s left shoulder.
Ah… Wu Qin Xin instinctively covered her mouth in surprise. Meng Qi was her guest, so she naturally sided with him.
Meng Qi didn’t draw his sword but stepped back, dodging Tao Kang’s strike.
Tao Kang seized the advantage relentlessly. His flexible sword unfolded, completely different from normal swordplay, bizarre and unpredictable.
Meng Qi stepped back again, smiling faintly, then suddenly thrust his sword, precisely striking Tao Kang’s flexible sword at the three-foot-three-inch mark.
Tao Kang’s flexible sword immediately drooped like a snake caught at its vital spot, its momentum dissipating, leaving calmness.
How could this be? Tao Kang stood stunned, disbelievingly staring at Meng Qi. His Finger Circling Sword, learned from the mysterious stone, had been defeated in one move! And Meng Qi’s strike was ordinary, plain, without any flourish, straightforward.
Was this swordplay truly capable of defeating the Finger Circling Sword Technique derived from the mysterious stone?
Wu Qin Xin, Shangguan Han, and others watched in stunned disbelief. The anticipated fierce battle had ended just like that?
If Meng Qi had defeated Tao Kang with an exquisite sword technique, they might have accepted it somewhat, at most admitting they had previously underestimated this expert, mistaking him for an ordinary martial artist. But his swordplay had nothing commendable about it, yet he still won?
Hua Tiange’s hand, stroking his beard, froze mid-air. Such a swordplay was truly unheard of!
Huang Yun stepped forward, hand resting on his sword, seemingly simulating a duel with Tao Kang, testing whether he could also defeat the “Finger Circling Sword Technique” in one move. The result left him frustrated. To accomplish this, timing, sword speed, and attack angle had to be perfect, with no room for error. He lacked such skill!
Ning Jidao appeared dazed, unable to believe that the “Finger Circling Sword Technique” he had learned from the mysterious stone could be so easily defeated, while the opponent’s swordplay seemed to return to simplicity?
Meng Qi’s fighting spirit was high. Gazing at Huang Yun, he was about to issue a challenge, testing this “Flying Cloud Sword.”
Just then, Zhang Zhi Fan, known as the “Blazing Sun Palm,” spoke uncertainly:
“Kan Xu Sword Technique? Friend, are you from the Jiangdong Wang Clan? I once met Wang Siyuan.”
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