The long blade slid from its scabbard, its chilling edge slicing through the air.
With the sword in hand, Zhao King City's already formidable presence intensified.
Tang Junhao raised his golden, dragon-patterned spear, facing Zhao King City with the unyielding posture of a sovereign seated on his throne.
"Hmph!"
Zhao King City struck, his blade flashing like lightning as it tore through the air toward Tang Junluo. The sword's radiant light and icy aura sent shivers down the spines of onlookers.
The cold gleam of the blade arrived first, followed by the spear's thrust, which shot forth like a roaring dragon, its metallic howl echoing through the air. The golden spear pierced the void with a force that could shatter anything in its path.
A blade of ruthless sharpness, a spear of peerless might!
If the Li Clan was renowned as a Sword Clan, the Tang Noble Clan was equally famed as a Spear Clan, their Hidden Dragon Spear Technique being their signature Foundation Establishment Martial Art. The Zhao Clan, a Blade Clan, was equally famous for their Cold Edge Thirteen Kills Foundation Establishment Blade Technique.
Soaring Dragon Stance!
Ascending Dragon Stance!
Tang Junluo unleashed spear strike after spear strike, each a sweeping arc of overwhelming force.
Zhao King City countered with blade strike after blade strike, each faster, colder, and sharper than the last.
It was evident that both warriors' spear and blade techniques hinted at a level of mastery beyond mere perfection—a sign that they were approaching the Subtlety Realm. Yet, like Li Zhenshi, without a crucial breakthrough, reaching this realm would likely require considerable time.
The Martial Apprentice stage is the optimal time to focus on Foundation Establishment Martial Arts. Once one breaks through to become a martial artist, the emphasis shifts to Ranked Martial Arts, which can inadvertently hinder the cultivation of Foundation Establishment techniques.
After all, time and energy are limited. Spreading one's efforts too thin ultimately leads to mediocrity.
However, for martial artists, Ranked Martial Arts become decisive weapons. These techniques temporarily consume Qi Blood Power, making them unsuitable for regular use. Foundation Establishment Martial Arts remain crucial, often refined into regular combat techniques to create openings for unleashing Ranked Martial Arts to secure victory.
Of course, there are exceptions. If a single Ranked Martial Art can directly defeat an opponent, further complications become unnecessary.
The Subtlety Realm represents an exceptionally high level of martial arts mastery, unattainable without both exceptional talent and fortuitous opportunities.
Both Cold Edge Thirteen Kills and Hidden Dragon Spear Technique were executed at their peak.
The cold blade flashed, unleashing torrents of frigid sword light that crisscrossed the air, relentlessly targeting Tang Junluo. Wielding his spear with both hands, Tang Junluo transformed into a golden dragon, weaving through the chilling storm of steel.
As the battle intensified, both combatants activated their Cultivation Techniques, channeling Qi Blood Power to enhance their strength. The destructive force of Cold Edge Thirteen Kills and Hidden Dragon Spear Technique surged violently, creating a terrifying spectacle.
The Three Great Clans and Five Great Clans each possessed their own Inherited Cultivation Techniques.
The Zhao Clan's Inherited Cultivation Technique was the Crimson Blade Art, a High-Grade Human-Rank technique that emphasized Qi Blood flowing like a blade. The Qi Blood Power cultivated through this method carried a blade-like sharpness, providing an additional edge to sword techniques when circulated.
In terms of rank, the Crimson Blade Art surpassed the Chen Clan's Fierce Tiger Art. Moreover, its ability to amplify sword techniques made it remarkably sophisticated. However, the Fierce Tiger Art prioritized a tiger-like aura and imposing presence, qualities the Crimson Blade Art lacked.
The Tang Noble Clan's Qi Blood cultivation technique, also High-Grade Human-Rank, was named the Earth Dragon Art. Like the Fierce Tiger Art, it emphasized imposing presence, but it also enhanced arm strength, further amplifying the power of spear techniques.
"Such skilled swordsmanship... such formidable spearplay..." Chen Zong's eyes gleamed with fervor, his blood boiling with the urge to draw his sword and challenge both combatants.
Earlier, his duel with Li Zhenshi had ended without a clear victor, especially after Li Zhenshi refined his Clear Wind Sword Technique to the Subtlety Realm, making the outcome even more uncertain.
After all, Chen Zong was a latecomer to swordsmanship. Without Chen Chuyun's rigorous training, he likely wouldn't have qualified for the Soaring Dragon Assembly, let alone contended with these prodigious sword talents.
Li Zhenshi, born into a renowned Sword Clan, possessed an innate talent for sword techniques, nurtured from childhood through systematic training. In every aspect, his background far surpassed Chen Zong's.
Even though Chen Zong had mastered three sword techniques to the Subtlety Realm, Li Zhenshi undoubtedly had his own trump cards, drawing upon the deep-rooted heritage of his Noble Clan—an advantage Chen Zong lacked.
Yet, if the battle continued, Chen Zong was confident he would not lose.
Clash! Clash! Clash!
Countless sparks flew as their qi clashed, sending shockwaves in all directions.
Zhao King City's saber aimed solely for offense, each strike flowing seamlessly into the next, each blow carrying astonishing power. Tang Junluo's spear, however, was more balanced, adept at both offense and defense, with a subtle aura of authority gradually coalescing around him.
Suddenly, Tang Junluo's accumulated momentum reached its peak, erupting forth.
Soaring Dragon Stance!
The golden spear shot upward like a flying dragon ascending to heaven. This was not his final thrust; his true power lay in the follow-up strike, the culmination of his accumulated momentum.
Azure Dragon Stance!
Zhao King City seemed prepared for this, unleashing the thirteenth and final strike of his Cold Edge Thirteen Kills with devastating force. This single blow concentrated all his accumulated power, drawing upon the momentum of his previous strikes—a strike from which there was no retreat.
The Azure Dragon roared, clawing the air as if plummeting from the heavens to crush the earth. Direct confrontation was the Tang Noble Clan's signature strength.
The frigid, razor-sharp blade light shattered as the Azure Dragon was cleaved in two. Blade met spear in a direct clash, the blade trembling slightly as the spear shaft bent.
"Hah!" Tang Junluo grunted, striking the bent spear with his palm. The spear snapped straight, rebounding with a second surge of force that knocked the blade aside. The golden spear shadow swept out in a horizontal arc, aimed at Zhao King City.
Zhao King City's expression shifted. With a subtle tremor of his body, he retreated swiftly, his movements as fluid as a blade sliding back into its sheath, causing Tang Junluo's spear thrust to miss.
That single step was none other than the Thorn Blade Footwork, a Ranked Footwork Martial Art of the Zhao Clan.
"Today, I concede your superior skill," Zhao King City said coldly as he sheathed his blade. "Continuing this fight would require resorting to Ranked Martial Arts."
"Weapons know no mercy. If we unleashed our full power and either of us drew blood, it would ruin the banquet."
"Chen Zong, you're next. Step forward and face me!" Tang Junluo declared, his momentum at its peak after defeating Zhao King City. He leveled his golden dragon-patterned spear at Chen Zong, his voice booming with challenge.
The crowd gasped, their eyes turning to Chen Zong.
"Very well," Chen Zong replied calmly. He had mentally prepared for this battle before coming here. In truth, he had been looking forward to a rematch with Tang Junluo—a true test of their skills as martial artists.
"This battle is a continuation of our unfinished duel from that day," Tang Junluo declared, assuming the Hidden Dragon Stance. He crouched low, like a coiled dragon lurking in the abyss, his formidable aura slowly building, poised to erupt.
The crowd gasped in surprise. So, Chen Zong had already fought Tang Junluo before!
Then realization dawned. Back when Tang Junluo was pushing his limits by challenging geniuses from various clans, their first clash must have occurred. It was strange that no news of it had ever surfaced; it seemed the information had been deliberately suppressed, perhaps to avoid disrupting Tang Junluo's breakthrough.
Clutching his Precious Iron Sword, Chen Zong adopted the opening stance of the Eagle Strike Sword Technique. Having mastered it to the Subtlety Realm, he felt himself transforming into a majestic eagle, eager to spread his wings and soar.
The spear moved like a dragon!
The sword struck like an eagle!
The dragon's roar and the eagle's cry pierced the air, their piercing intensity threatening to shatter eardrums.
All eyes widened, including those of Li Zhenshi and Zhao King City.
Tang Junluo unleashed the Hidden Dragon Spear Technique, one devastating strike after another, his overwhelming momentum sweeping across the battlefield.
Eagle Strike Sword Technique!
Phantom Shadow Sword Technique!
Willow Sweep Sword Technique!
Chen Zong seamlessly alternated between three sword techniques, his sword light flowing continuously. At times, it plunged like an eagle diving from the sky; at others, it flashed in a dazzling dance of light and shadow; and still others, it swayed with the grace of willow branches in the breeze.
Sharp, chaotic, and supple—Chen Zong masterfully blended these disparate styles, delivering a flawless performance.
Having witnessed countless battles and personally engaged in several, Chen Zong's combat experience had skyrocketed. His mastery of sword techniques and his grasp of rhythm had deepened significantly.
Sword light against spear wind!
Sword's song versus spear's roar!
Wielding the Precious Iron Sword, Chen Zong no longer needed to worry about damaging his blade.
"Chen Zong, while your three sword techniques have reached the Subtlety Realm, they're still not enough to contend with me," Tang Junluo declared as he thrust his spear forward. Activating the Earth Dragon Art, he circulated his Qi Blood, causing his physical strength to surge and a formidable aura to erupt from his body.
Having broken through to the fourth layer of the Qi Blood Realm, Tang Junluo's innate talent, combined with the resources of the Tang Noble Clan, had increased his single-arm strength to 1,500 jin. The Earth Dragon Art further amplified his power, pushing his single-arm strength beyond 2,500 jin.
Unleashing the Hidden Dragon Spear Technique with a force exceeding 2,500 pounds, each strike was now even more terrifying. As the spear shot forth, it resembled a golden flood dragon erupting from the abyss, soaring into the heavens and shattering the clouds.
Zhao King City's expression darkened. The spear technique's power far surpassed what Tang Junluo had displayed during their earlier duel. Realizing Tang Junluo had held back, Zhao King City's gaze turned even colder.
Under the sheer force of his strength, the golden dragon-patterned spear whipped through the air with a fearsome roar. A tempestuous gale swept outward, scattering the crowd's hair and causing their robes to flap violently.
No matter how advanced your martial arts, I'll crush you with brute strength!
The spear struck with the momentum of a golden flood dragon, its terrifying wind pressure nearly suffocating Chen Zong.
Activating the Fierce Tiger Art, Chen Zong channeled his Qi Blood with the ferocity of a tiger, primal roars echoing from within. Unleashing the aura of a forest king, his strength surged, his arm power soaring to 2,000 pounds.
Afterimage!
Willow Sweep!
Eagle Strike!
The power of his three sword techniques surged dramatically, shattering the golden tempest and obliterating the golden flood dragon. But in the blink of an eye, another golden dragon coalesced, unleashing a gale-force assault.
"Chen Zong, show me your true power!" Tang Junluo roared, his aura fierce and imposing.
His words sent another shockwave through the surrounding crowd.
True power?
What did that mean?
Had Chen Zong been holding back all along?
To have three Foundation Establishment sword techniques at the Subtlety Realm and still not be showing his true power—what could that true power possibly be?
Could he be about to unleash a Ranked Martial Art?
"No," someone whispered, analyzing the situation. "When Tang Junluo fought Chen Zong as Martial Apprentices, they were evenly matched. Tang Junluo knows Chen Zong's techniques from back then, and Chen Zong didn't have any Ranked Martial Arts at that time. That means... besides the three Foundation Establishment sword techniques at the Subtlety Realm, Chen Zong likely possesses another, even stronger technique—perhaps another Foundation Establishment Martial Art, or something else entirely."
The crowd found this analysis remarkably logical.
If so, what exactly was this hidden technique Chen Zong possessed—something capable of surpassing even his three Foundation Establishment sword techniques at the Subtlety Realm?