HBWnovel Chapter 70: The Clash of Two Swords
Chapter 70: The Clash of Two Swords
Chapter 70: The Clash of Two SwordsChapter 70: The Clash of Two Swords
Though claiming to encompass the most powerful figures in the entire cultivation world, the Heavenly Rankings hardly accounted for reclusive masters who had never been a part of the mortal realm or elders whose living statuses remained unknown.
Wudang's former sect master, Yuan Pu Zhenren, was one such figure. He was rarely seen in public since he spent most of his time cultivating in the mountains. By the time the Heavenly Rankings would be announced, no one could say for certain how profound his cultivation had become. Hence, he would not be included in the list.
It was a rare opportunity to meet such a distinguished master before he could even fully condense his Golden Core.
Wang Sheng stepped forward to pay his respects, and the other young Wudang disciples hurriedly bowed as well. They addressed him as "Forefather Master," regardless of whether they were his direct disciples.
However, since Qing Yanzi did not belong to Wudang's Daoist lineage, Wang Sheng could only address him as "Grandmaster."
"No need for formalities," Yuan Pu Zhenren said with a friendly smile.
He casually waved his wide sleeve and drifted past the courtyard gate. With a flick of his hand, he made a grand tutor chair from inside the main house float out and land in front of the entrance. The elder had seated himself with ease.
His every movement exuded a serene and detached aura, as if he were completely at peace with the world around him. Unless naturally prone to a fiery temper, those who cultivated in the mountains for long periods would often become like him—calm, detached, and unshaken by external disturbances.
That was the state of mind that Daoists sought.
Wang Sheng understood that the grandmaster’s Daoist realm far exceeded his cultivation level.
Although the primal qi of heaven and earth had resurged, young cultivators’ shallow comprehension of the Dao still hindered them from advancing quickly. For senior masters, the main obstacles were their declining bodies and dwindling vitality.
Fortunately, while insight into the Dao had to be accumulated over time, their aging physiques and waning vitality could gradually be replenished through the nourishment of primal qi. Hence, a senior master would remain a senior master; a grandmaster would always be a grandmaster.
That was also why those with exceptional talent and remarkable perception, like Mu Wanxuan, had an unparalleled advantage. It would not be surprising for them to fulfill the old saying, "The waves of the Yangtze River push forward, each one surpassing the last, leaving the old ones to crash upon the shore."
Yuan Pu glanced at Gao Shixing and Wang Sheng. "You two are too fixated on the sword. Do not neglect the Dao. Sparring is fine, but do not wound each other. Too much rigidity leads to breaking. A single misstep could damage your Daoist realms."
Wang Sheng had heard the phrase, "Too much rigidity leads to breaking," from his master before.
Knowing that Yuan Pu Zhenren's advice was for their own good, he did not hesitate to bow his head. "Thank you for your guidance, Grandmaster."
Unlike him, Gao Shixing shook his head. "Master, unless we push ourselves to the limit, it will be difficult for us to reach the peak."
"I never expected the resurgence of primal qi would give an old man like me, who already has half his leg in the coffin, a chance to cultivate further. Still, the peak of the sword remains the sword." Yuan Pu Zhenren sighed deeply. "Although I have devoted my life to the Dao of the Sword, I only realized that truth after fifty years of contemplation. I have told you that countless times, yet you refuse to listen."
Gao Shixing smiled bitterly, his demeanor much more natural in front of his master.
Wang Sheng made a small hand gesture to Chi Wen, who had been standing to the side in a daze. She blinked in confusion, looking at her senior brother in a bit of a panic.
What was she supposed to do? Step forward and give the grandmaster a shoulder massage?
"Serve the grandmaster tea."
"O-oh!"
Chi Wen hurriedly poured tea into a cup and carefully walked to the elder's side, presenting the tea with both hands.
Yuan Pu Zhenren glanced at her briefly before gazing away. With a faint smile, he nodded and took the teacup. After taking a sip, he just silently held it.
"Let's begin." Gao Shixing turned to Wang Sheng. "We will fight as we did before. Don’t hold back."
Wang Sheng nodded slightly in response. "Understood."
The two assumed their stances.
Yuan Pu Zhenren merely smiled and observed, already well aware that he could not persuade his stubborn disciple. He then observed Wang Sheng for a few moments.
He had left the depths of the mountains to witness Wang Sheng's swordsmanship. If he found him to be a worthy talent, he would not hesitate to offer guidance.
The young disciples stood in silence around the courtyard, watching intently as the two swordsmen faced each other once more.
Wang Sheng and Gao Shixing slowly built up their momentum, carefully
Their duel broadened the horizons of the younger Wudang disciples. Moreover, even Yuan Pu Zhenren’s normally tranquil eyes shone with intrigue.
The fierce battle continued. With Wang Sheng showing no signs of fatigue, the combatants fully immersed themselves in the fight.
Their swords shook, and their sword intents clashed violently. After a few more rapid exchanges, the two finally separated and stared at each other, their eyes crackling like lightning.
Wang Sheng breathed lightly, his true essence surging. Gao Shixing's eyes gleamed sharply as layers of light rippled from his longsword.
Though separated by over ten meters, they swung their swords at the same time, releasing waves of sword energy at each other as if painting the air with strokes of calligraphy.
Explosions echoed ceaselessly as the two darted all over the courtyard at blinding speed. Dust erupted from the ground wherever they passed.
The young disciples turned pale, afraid that a stray sword energy blast would injure them. No one expected Wang Sheng and Gao Shixing’s simple sparring match to escalate into such an intense showdown that made it seem as though they bore deep grudges against each other.
However, despite the chaotic storm of sword energy, their every strike was under their complete control.
The only one truly suffering was Chi Wen, who was now responsible for cleaning the courtyard. With craters all over the ground, restoring it to its original state would take an exhausting amount of effort.
Several arcs of sword energy collided in midair and detonated into a series of bursts, sending the surrounding primal qi into a turbulent frenzy.
Amid it all, Wang Sheng and Gao Shixing charged at each other and unleashed the simplest, most direct move: a forward thrust!
Seven stars circled Wang Sheng as he attacked. The phantasm of an ancient sword overlapped with Abyss Listener, scattering radiant starlight in its wake.
Gao Shixing's thrust, on the other hand, was imbued with a profound Dao Rhythm. His entire presence seemed to embody the essence of transitioning from complexity to simplicity—from martial technique to the Dao itself. He himself was becoming a sword imbued with the Dao.
The two swordsmen simultaneously gathered and unleashed their sword intent. Almost at the same instant, their sword intent shifted as they crossed each other!
Now standing back-to-back, Wang Sheng's Abyss Listener trembled continuously in his grasp. A strand of his long hair drifted down as he closed his eyes, silently sensing something.
Meanwhile, the shoulder of Gao Shixing's Daoist robe had been sliced through, leaving a long tear. Fortunately, his inner garments remained intact. He lowered his gaze, studying his longsword in quiet contemplation.