Chen Yong advanced slowly, step by step, closing in on Chen Zong. His palms were held vertically before him, one above the other and slightly staggered, forming a comprehensive defense against attacks from any direction.
Chen Zong remained motionless, his sharp gaze dissecting Chen Yong's stance for weaknesses.
Like a war chariot charging forward, Chen Yong's oppressive aura filled the air. When only two meters separated them, he exploded into motion, surging forward like a giant fish leaping from the water—swift, ferocious, and relentless. His right palm slammed toward Chen Zong's face, the thick hand rapidly enlarging in the youth's vision.
Neither retreating nor evading, Chen Zong thrust his sword forward. As the blade flashed, three afterimages materialized, each diverging as if four swords had been unleashed simultaneously.
Shadow Split Stance!
Chen Yong's sweeping right palm crashed into the wooden sword, while his left fist snaked out from his waist, aiming for Chen Zong's ribs.
Phantom Shadow Stance!
The intersecting sword shadows caused Chen Yong's right palm to miss its mark. Forced to retract his left fist, he frantically waved both hands before him, creating a wall of palms.
Shadow Refraction Stance!
The folded sword shadows pierced through the palm barrier, expanding rapidly in Chen Yong's eyes and forcing him to stumble backward.
Without hesitation, Chen Yong channeled his Blood Qi, unleashing his full strength. He surged forward with renewed speed, his palm strike accompanied by a terrifying whistle. The force behind the blow was overwhelming, as if it could shatter a stone monument.
Chen Zong's gaze was sharp, as if capable of piercing through all things. Chen Yong's footsteps and the trajectory of his palm strikes flickered into view before him, the lines on his palm gradually magnifying.
Draw your sword!
Chen Zong unleashed three swift thrusts in rapid succession, executing the "Thrust" technique from the Basic Eighteen Forms with effortless speed. Each strike landed precisely in the center of Chen Yong's palm, causing it to pause momentarily.
Overlapping Shadows Stance!
Three afterimages coalesced with Chen Zong's sword, blurring its form and making it impossible to distinguish reality from illusion. The blade slipped past Chen Yong's palm and lunged toward his throat.
With the wooden sword extending beyond Chen Yong's arm, he realized that if he persisted with his palm strike, the blade would inevitably pierce his throat first. He had no choice but to retract his hand and parry the sword, his palms colliding with a thunderous clash, their combined force threatening to snap the wooden weapon in two.
Shadow Split Stance!
Chen Yong shattered only the sword's afterimage. The true blade, however, slammed into his chest, forcing him to stagger backward.
Phantom Shadow Stance!
Overlapping Shadows Stance!
Shadow Refraction Stance!
Shadowless Stance!
With the final strike, all three afterimages vanished, leaving only the clear, unadorned blade that sent Chen Yong crashing off the arena.
"Chen Zong, Chief of the Sword Technique Group, secures another victory!" Elder Chen Xing announced with a smile.
Chen Yong's stern face carried a hint of bitterness. With his second consecutive defeat, the title of King of the Chiefs remained beyond his grasp.
"Next match: Chen Guzhan, Chief of the Fist Technique Group, versus Chen Fenghua, Chief of the Blade Technique Group!"
Chen Guzhan assumed the ready stance for his Heavy Strike Fist Technique—the only technique he had ever mastered.
Chen Guzhan was a formidable opponent, and Chen Fenghua approached the battle with caution, assuming the opening stance of the Chain Blade Technique. Yet his expression remained unchanged, exuding an unwavering composure.
Chen Guzhan's punches were ferocious, churning the air with a force capable of shattering mountains.
Chen Fenghua's blade strikes flowed seamlessly, like the relentless tide, each strike merging into the next.
Chen Guzhan possessed immense strength and a formidable physique. His fists landed with earth-shattering force, each blow accompanied by a shockwave of air pressure that made breathing difficult.
Chen Fenghua circulated his Blood Qi, enhancing both his speed and power. His blade moved faster, struck harder, and carried greater force.
Chen Guzhan, hailing from a Branch Clan like Chen Zong, had only begun practicing the Tiger's Roar Manual after entering the Clan Hall. His mastery remained rudimentary, far from completing a full cycle of Blood Qi Tempering. In contrast, Chen Fenghua, from the main Clan, had started training in the manual before joining the Clan Hall and was now nearing his second full cycle of Blood Qi Tempering.
Chain Blade Technique!
Heavy Strike Blade Technique!
Alternating between heavy and light strikes, Chen Fenghua danced with nimble agility, exposing Chen Guzhan's weakness: his lack of flexibility.
Chen Guzhan's massive physique granted him overwhelming strength and resilience, but his agility suffered in comparison. Against weaker opponents, this didn't matter; he could simply crush them with brute force. But against a skilled adversary, his inflexibility became a fatal flaw, easily exploited.
The wooden sword rained down on Chen Guzhan from every angle, and after several strikes, he yelped in pain.
"Stop, stop, stop!" Chen Guzhan shouted urgently. "I concede this match! Once I find a counter, I'll definitely defeat you next time."
"Damn, that really stings," he muttered through gritted teeth as he hopped down from the arena, drawing amused smiles from the crowd.
"Chen Fenghua of the Blade Technique Group has secured his second consecutive victory!" Elder Chen Xing announced with a smile. "Next, Chief Chen Ying of the Leg Technique Group will face Chief Chen Zong of the Sword Technique Group."
Chen Ying fixed Chen Zong with an aggressive gaze and charged forward like a cheetah. Her slender legs whipped up a sharp wind as she closed the distance.
Chen Yuyao stared wide-eyed. Chen Ying was executing the Blade Wind Leg Technique, the very technique she herself had mastered to Great Perfection Peak. Yet Chen Ying's execution was noticeably more refined, and the power behind her strikes far greater.
Chen Zong swayed fluidly, like a willow branch in the breeze.
Great Perfection Peak Willow Sweep Sword Technique!
This sword technique emphasized balanced offense and defense, allowing practitioners to transition seamlessly between attacking and defending, or even weave defense into their attacks and offense into their defenses. It was a remarkably intricate art.
Chen Zong had gained new insights after observing Chen Yan's demonstration of the Willow Sweep Sword Technique, further refining his own mastery.
Chen Ying alternated between the Blade Wind Leg Technique and the Great Python Leg Technique, her legs churning the air with powerful gusts. The wind carried the force of a great python bursting from its lair, striking with lethal precision.
Chen Zong channeled the Willow Sweep Sword Technique to its utmost potential. Let your power rage, he thought. I'll sway in the wind.
Unbeknownst to him, Chen Zong's understanding of swords and sword techniques deepened with each match.
His wooden sword swayed like a willow branch, slicing through the wind to strike Chen Ying's leg with supple force. The impact sank deep, leaving a searing ache beneath the surface.
Gradually, Chen Ying's legs grew weak, and her leg techniques slowed to a sluggish pace. Within moments, Chen Zong defeated her with a few swift strikes.
"Sword Technique Group Chief Chen Zong wins his second consecutive match!"
"I'll definitely beat you next time!" Chen Ying declared stubbornly, her eyes burning with resentment.
"I'll be waiting," Chen Zong replied with a smile.
"Next match: Palm Technique Group Chief Chen Yong versus Blade Technique Group Chief Chen Fenghua."
Chen Yong's expression turned grave as he adopted the opening stance of the Stone-Crushing Palm Technique, circulating his Blood Qi to unleash his full power.
His thick palms struck out in rapid succession, the overlapping shadows of his strikes creating a roaring wall of palm winds that slammed into Chen Fenghua.
Chen Fenghua channeled his Blood Qi, slashing downward with his blade. The dark blade flashed like a falling meteor, shattering the palm winds and transforming into a relentless chain of strikes that forced Chen Yong into a purely defensive posture.
Heavy Strike Blade Technique!
Chain Blade Technique!
Heavy Strike Blade Technique!
Under the alternating onslaught, Chen Yong's defenses crumbled, and the wooden blade struck him squarely in the chest.
"Blade Technique Group Chief Chen Fenghua wins his third consecutive match!"
"Next match: Fist Technique Group Chief Chen Guzhan versus Sword Technique Group Chief Chen Zong."
"I really hate you guys who use swords and blades," Chen Guzhan muttered, adopting the opening stance of his Heavy Fist Technique. His eyes widened, and he charged forward like a raging bull.
A sharp cry rang out as Chen Zong spread his arms like an eagle, his sword flashing through the air.
Eagle Strike Sword Technique at Great Perfection Peak!
"Oh? He's actually cultivated all three Foundation Establishment Sword Techniques to Great Perfection Peak!" Elder Chen Xing murmured in mild surprise.
Most Martial Apprentices typically only mastered one Foundation Establishment Martial Art, like Chen Guzhan and Chen Yong. A few might manage two, like Chen Ying and Chen Fenghua. But to cultivate three Foundation Establishment Sword Techniques to Great Perfection Peak was exceedingly rare.
"It seems this child possesses remarkable talent with the sword," Elder Chen Xing mused. He remained unaware that Chen Zong had originally focused on fist techniques, even reaching the Perfection Realm with the Tiger Force Fist Technique. These three Foundation Establishment Sword Techniques had only been learned after entering the Clan Hall. Had the elder known this, his astonishment would have been immeasurable.
"Chen Chuyun, Chen Zong is no match for Chen Guzhan," Chen He stated, his expression grim.
"A wager?" Chen Chuyun responded bluntly. Chen He's face darkened, refusing to answer. He had merely been speaking out of frustration, lacking confidence in Chen Guzhan's ability to defeat Chen Zong.
The wooden sword flashed like an eagle's wing, darting past Chen Guzhan's side. Exploiting an opening, Chen Zong struck Chen Guzhan's ribs with a precise strike.
Whirling around, the sword slashed back, its arc mimicking an eagle's claw aimed at Chen Guzhan's back.
Chen Guzhan spun like a whirlwind, unleashing a furious barrage of punches at Chen Zong, completely disregarding the approaching blade.
Having learned from his battle with Chen Fenghua, Chen Zong abandoned his passive defense and adopted a more aggressive approach. He resolved to use his sturdy physique to withstand Chen Guzhan's wooden sword attacks, confident that a direct hit from his fists would surely defeat his opponent.
Watching from the sidelines was vastly different from facing the onslaught directly. Chen Zong could feel the terrifying wind pressure generated by Chen Guzhan's fists, which threatened to throw him off balance.
Fortunately, thanks to Chen Chuyun's guidance, Chen Zong was a completely different fighter now.
Like an eagle soaring against the wind, he broke through the pressure and ascended. His wooden sword struck with the focused force of an eagle's beak, landing with such precision that Chen Guzhan's expression instantly twisted in pain, as if a chunk of flesh had been torn from his body.
Undeterred, Chen Guzhan's fists pounded with renewed ferocity. Charging forward like a war chariot, he tried to crush Chen Zong and force him off the arena.
It was an undeniably crude tactic. Had Chen Zong's sword been made of steel, Chen Guzhan would have been riddled with wounds long ago. He dared to fight this way only because the wooden sword's power was limited.
Pushing the Eagle Strike Sword Technique to its limits, Chen Zong detected a fleeting weakness in Chen Guzhan's defense.
True Sword Eight Forms—Swift Sword Stance!
The sword moved with blinding speed, leaving Chen Guzhan no time to react. A searing pain shot through his throat, as if his windpipe had been pierced. In the next instant, Chen Zong's wooden sword slashed repeatedly at the same spot on both his arms, rendering him unable to lift them or continue the fight.
"The fourth sword technique... is it Quick Sword?" Elder Chen Xing murmured in astonishment, his mind racing with possibilities.
"Could he have secretly learned my Quick Sword technique?" Chen Zuoyi's expression darkened with shock.
"Chen Zong, Chief of the Sword Technique Group, secures his third consecutive victory!" Elder Chen Xing announced, and Chen He's face clouded over like a stormy sky.
"Next match: Chen Yong, Chief of the Palm Technique Group, versus Chen Ying, Chief of the Leg Technique Group."
As soon as they stepped onto the arena, both fighters assumed their opening stances. Instead of immediately engaging, they locked eyes, searching for weaknesses.
"The King of the Chiefs will be decided between us," Chen Fenghua said to Chen Zong with a faint smile. Chen Zong nodded, a surge of battle intent stirring within him.
Not long ago, I struggled to improve my cultivation base. Now, I've not only entered the Clan Hall and become Chief of the Sword Technique Group, but I'm also qualified to contend for the title of King of the Chiefs.
Chen Yong fought with steady composure, while Chen Ying attacked like a raging torrent. The two clashed repeatedly, their styles contrasting sharply.
Chen Yong defended with airtight palm techniques, impervious to Chen Ying's relentless assault. Through their previous three matches, both fighters had refined their skills. Chen Ying's leg techniques grew even more rapid and powerful, while Chen Yong's palm techniques became more refined and unyielding.
Channeling their Blood Qi, they unleashed their full strength.
Human endurance has its limits, especially for the attacker. After a frenzied assault, Chen Ying's stamina began to wane. Seizing the opportunity, Chen Yong unleashed a palm strike he had been building up—a blow Chen Ying couldn't withstand. The force sent her staggering off the arena.
"Chen Yong, Chief of the Palm Technique Group, secures his first victory!"
Chen Yong sighed with relief. "Finally! After three consecutive losses, I've managed to win one. At least I'm not completely humiliated."
"Next match: Chen Fenghua, Chief of the Blade Technique Group, versus Chen Zong, Chief of the Sword Technique Group!"
Elder Chen Xing's announcement electrified the crowd. Both Chen Fenghua and Chen Zong had maintained perfect three-win streaks, making their upcoming duel a showdown for the title of King of the Chiefs.