Chapter 435: Chapter 41: Branded Face

The ability Xia Yuanxian relied on, called “Floating Light and Passing Shadow,” was one of the ten great Lightweight Skills, the most advanced Body Technique.

But no matter how he changed, Chen Tang always seemed to predict his moves, striking ahead of time and blocking his routes!

This feeling was as if this person understood “Floating Light and Passing Shadow” better than he did!

But how could this be possible?

What baffled him even more was that his “Lunar Night Techniques” was also suppressed under Chen Tang’s sword.

This person seemed extremely familiar with “Lunar Night Techniques,” often countering his opening moves with the exact Sword Technique.

Xia Yuanxian couldn’t imagine that the “Floating Light and Passing Shadow,” had long been taught to Chen Tang by the Ming Yue Wanderer.

And during the genius battle in the Old Capital of the Celestial Cauldron Continent, Chen Tang had already become well-acquainted with the “Lunar Night Techniques” after dueling with members of the Moon Night Race.

“Is that all you have?”

Chen Tang swung his sword again, deflecting Xia Yuanxian’s blade, chuckled lightly, and said, “So this is what they call the Imperial Palace? No big deal.”

This was a phrase Xia Yuanxian had used to mock the Great Xia Martial World.

Now, Chen Tang was returning it in the exact manner.

“Well said!”

Many Jianghu guests applauded loudly.

Even amidst the intense battle, Chen Tang could still speak, bantering with ease, seemingly at leisure.

Xia Yuanxian remained sullen, silent.

In the Martial Arts Arena, the situation abruptly changed.

Chen Tang let out a long howl and shifted from defense to offense.

The continuous flow of diverse Sword Techniques followed, with sword whispers resembling the sound of surging tides, like rolling thunder, creating an overwhelming presence.

The Autumn Water Sword in Chen Tang’s hand raised waves of sword shadows, and in an instant, completely engulfed Xia Yuanxian’s form!

The Plum Blossom Three Plays of the “Cold Plum Sword Technique,” with falling plum blossoms like snow…

The “Monkey Catching the Moon” of the White Ape Swordsmanship, with its Restless Heart…

Interspersed with a few moves of Peach Blossom Village’s ’Peach Blossom Flying Sword,’ leaving Su Muzhe astounded.

Additionally, words from the “Riverside Preface” were casually scattered by Chen Tang’s hand.

Xia Yuanxian was completely suppressed by Chen Tang, forced into passive defense, making him appear quite desperate!

“It’s time to end this!”

Seeing the dire situation, Xia Yuanxian called out softly, trembled his arms, and two silver sword pills rolled out.

With two clear clangs, the sword pills sprang open in mid-air, turning into two streaks of white light, slicing through the dense sword shadows, one above and one below, aiming at Chen Tang!

The speed of the Flying Swords was too fast!

Chen Tang dared not be careless, could only retract his sword and retreat.

Xia Yuanxian seized the opportunity to catch his breath, paused his steps, and charged forward with his blade once more!

With two Flying Swords deployed, the situation reversed instantly!

“Good!”

This time, it was the turn of the crowd from the Prime Minister’s Mansion to cheer in unison.

The many Jianghu figures held their breath, watching the battlefield without blinking.

Everyone was aware of the devastating power of the Profound Sect Flying Swords!

Just earlier in the battle, Xia Yuanxian had deployed two Flying Swords, and in a single bout, Shen Zhiyuan was defeated instantly, without any ability to fight back!

Nobody knew how long this Chen Tang could endure.

The two Flying Swords charged fiercely.

Chen Tang frowned secretly.

This Xia Yuanxian indeed had some skill, in the Profound Sect’s cultivation, he should have reached the late stage of the Foundation Establishment Realm.

If he relied on Entering the Divine State, he could easily evade them.

But there was no need.

The two Flying Swords, one above, one below, their edges fluctuating, the tips of the swords erratically poised, enveloping several vital points of his body!

Chen Tang took a half step back diagonally, slightly turned his body, twisted his wrist, and drew a semicircle in front of him with the Autumn Water Sword in hand, sweeping it to the side!

The two Flying Swords, as if influenced by some force, were instantly swept aside by the Autumn Water Sword.

Then, Xia Yuanxian’s long blade just came crashing down.

Chen Tang swung back with a sword, slashing head-on onto the blade, unleashing the Vast Sea Force, the sound of tides resonating on the sword, forcing Xia Yuanxian to retreat!

Previously, it was with this very move that Xia Yuanxian severely injured Shen Zhiyuan.

Now, almost the same attack was dissolved by Chen Tang.

Seeing this scene, many let out a breath, the tension in their hearts slightly eased.

The exchange between the two appeared brief, yet most could not comprehend the depth within.

Above Langya Pavilion.

“Hmm?”

Seeing Chen Tang wield that Sword Technique, both Ye Xuan and Ye Taoyuan murmured softly, exchanging a glance.

The sword move Chen Tang executed was not simple.

The Old Pavilion Master was a Sword Dao prodigy, mastering Swordsmanship from across the world. After becoming a Grandmaster, he secluded himself in East Mountain for many years, organizing and integrating various Sword Techniques and attaining enlightenment, ultimately simplifying complexity, creating a set of five Sword Techniques.

With these five Sword Techniques, the Old Pavilion Master stepped into the Transformation Realm!

The move Chen Tang just executed was one of those five forms — “One Sword Crosses the River.”

This is one of the five techniques of the Sword Sect, and the only defensive Sword Technique.

Back then, on Xia River, the Old Pavilion Master wielded this sword, with sword intent lingering for three days, holding off the Wu Dynasty’s army!

Even Ye Lingyun didn’t have the qualification to refine these five techniques.

How did Chen Tang, an outsider, understand ’One Sword Crosses the River’?

The sword stance he used, full of the essence of the form, clearly showed he had inherited the true teachings.

“It’s Zhiwei.”

Ye Taoyuan realized and said softly.

But soon, a hint of doubt rose in her heart, and she asked, “Judging by the hidden sharpness in that page of the book, it seems this person’s strength shouldn’t lie in Sword Dao. Could it be that he’s holding something back?”

Ye Xuan nodded and said, “He’s mostly using martial arts from the Great Xia martial world. This person harbors grievances, he not only wants to win this battle but also wants to defend the reputation of the Great Xia martial world.”

Madam Su, on the side, asked, “Where did this person learn “Riverside Preface”? It seems he only learned half of it?”

Shen Zhiyuan replied, “Grandson once wrote half a piece of the manuscript, Brother Chen saw it unintentionally, and later, we exchanged ideas. Chen Tang relied on the handwriting on that half manuscript to comprehend the swordsmanship in “Riverside Preface.””

“Ah!”

Madam Su exclaimed, “This person is truly a rare Sword Dao genius!”

Then, Madam Su shook her head and said, “It’s a pity that his “Riverside Preface” ultimately only grasped some sword techniques but lacked the crucial secrets.”

Under the gaze of everyone, after Xia Yuanxian summoned two flying swords, he indeed turned the tide.

The two flying swords attacked with changing tactics and obscure angles, entering through every gap, swift as lightning, causing him considerable trouble.

Many times, Chen Tang could only take a defensive stance.

When he really couldn’t withstand, he unleashed a “One Sword Crosses the River” sword technique, defusing Xia Yuanxian’s offensive, and the two sides clashed again.

Whether it’s “Cold Plum Sword Technique,” “Peach Blossom Flying Sword,” or “Riverside Preface,” after all, Chen Tang only saw each performed once or twice, what level of understanding could he reach?

Being able to cultivate them to “understand its form” is already rare.

In such circumstances, being able to evenly match Xia Yuanxian was all thanks to the saving grace of “One Sword Crosses the River” and the explosive Vast Sea Force from his Bloodline Power.

Shen Zhiyuan, clutching his dantian and enduring the pain, suddenly stood up and loudly said, “Brother Chen, our previous exchange of insights was not yet fulfilling; today, I’ll speak, and you listen!”

“The “Riverside Preface” has 324 forms, with thousands of variations in sword techniques, but its foundation, the core, lies in the first ’Yong’ character, called the Eight Techniques of the Character Yong!”

Everyone present was shocked.

This is a secret art of the Book and Sword Hall. Would Shen Zhiyuan really teach it publicly, without fear of others learning it?

Moreover, with Chen Tang and Xia Yuanxian clashing so fiercely, how could he have the spare mind to comprehend anything about the Eight Techniques of the Character Yong?

“Eight Techniques of the Character Yong, as the name suggests, consists of eight forms, and it’s the foundational swordsmanship of “Riverside Preface.” The first technique is ’Side for Point’, with a sharp edge falling obliquely, following the brush line, with ample momentum to finish.”

Hearing this, everyone was still puzzled.

In the Martial Arts Arena, Chen Tang’s sword technique suddenly changed!

Swinging aside the two flying swords, the Autumn Water Sword was like a brush, piercing through Xia Yuanxian’s blade, aiming for his face!

“Hmph!”

Xia Yuanxian retreated half a step, just enough to avoid Chen Tang’s sword edge.

But at this moment, Chen Tang’s internal bones cracked, his arm suddenly lengthened by an inch, propelling the sword tip forward, lightly touching Xia Yuanxian’s face, withdrawing in an instant!

Xia Yuanxian was taken aback, retreating again, feeling a chill on his face, narrowly avoiding Chen Tang’s sword edge.

This sword stroke nearly scared him out of his wits.

If he had reacted a bit slower, Chen Tang might have pierced his head with one sword!

“The second technique, ’Cross for Rub’, reverse-edge falling on paper, easing gradually and returning swiftly, shouldn’t sweep across flatly with the edge.”

Shen Zhiyuan’s voice rang out again.

Chen Tang’s sword technique changed once more, a sword broke through Xia Yuanxian’s blade edge, and smoothly slashed horizontally, seemingly slow but retracting quickly!

“The third technique, ’Straight Draw for Bow’, shouldn’t be too straight, too rigid makes it wooden and powerless, there must be a curve within the straightness.”

“The fourth technique…”

“The fifth technique…”

As Shen Zhiyuan elaborated on the Eight Techniques of the Character Yong, Chen Tang also continuously changed his moves.

The sword techniques of “Riverside Preface” were wielded more skillfully, with the energy flowing like clouds and water, in one smooth motion, once again suppressing Xia Yuanxian!

Even with the help of two flying swords, Xia Yuanxian couldn’t gain any advantage against Chen Tang!

Many people wanted to secretly memorize the Eight Techniques of the Character Yong to ponder back home.

But these words were obscure and difficult, making many people feel overwhelmed; let alone understanding them, it was even impossible to memorize them accurately.

Shen Zhiyuan dared to publicly teach the Eight Techniques of the Character Yong precisely because he knew this well.

Chen Tang had already seen the manuscript of “Riverside Preface” and learned half of the sword techniques.

What he lacked was how to better utilize these sword techniques.

Moreover, they had previously exchanged ideas.

Some words, once said, Chen Tang could understand and integrate them.

But to others, it sounded muddled, with no idea what he was talking about.

The two sides clashed for a while again, and suddenly, Chen Tang retreated, standing with his sword drawn.

After fighting till now, Xia Yuanxian was drenched in sweat.

He didn’t expect that out of nowhere, someone with such profound swordsmanship would appear!

For some reason, a commotion suddenly arose among the crowd surrounding the Martial Arts Arena.

Many people looked at him with strange eyes.

This kind of gaze made Xia Yuanxian a bit uneasy.

At this moment, Chen Tang stared at him for a while, then suddenly chuckled and said, “I remember you just said that “Riverside Preface” is nothing special, not worth mentioning?”

“That’s right!”

Xia Yuanxian caught his breath and said in a deep voice, “”Riverside Preface” in your hands hasn’t managed to do anything to me!”

“Hahahaha!”

At this moment, a burst of laughter suddenly came from below.

Many Jianghu guests pointed at Xia Yuanxian, laughing heartily, as if watching a joke.

“Look, look!”

“Haha, there’s a character on his face!”

It was only now that Xia Yuanxian felt a strange sensation on his left cheek, a slight sting!

Under everyone’s gaze, a few blood marks gradually appeared on his cheek, becoming clearer, surprisingly forming a ’Yong’ character!

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep