Minglong

Chapter 196 Heroes' Gathering (7.8K)

September 18th, the Beginning of Winter.

As soon as the sun rose, a commotion arose on the riverbank as everyone headed towards the confluence of the two rivers.

The multi-story ships that were moored on the riverbank have also moved to a location near the river mouth. Standing on the deck, one can get a bird's-eye view of the huge crowds on the shore.

Xie Jinhuan stood at the window of his bedroom on the third floor of the ship, tidying his brocade white robe and looking out over the shore. He could see a platform built at the confluence of the three rivers.

The platform, named the Dragon Sacrifice Platform, was originally a place for folk worship of river gods. Now, it was set up with seats, with snow eagle flags hanging around it, and several soldiers in brocade robes standing around with swords hanging.

In front of the platform was an open space of about 100 feet in diameter. Seats were arranged along the edge of the open space, with banners of Fengshan Society, Longyun Valley, and other names hanging on them. There were no fewer than 300 invited sect leaders and heroes, and with their disciples and followers, the venue was completely packed. Wandering martial artists without seats could only squeeze on the outer edge or stand on the riverside boats to look out. The number of people was too many to count.

Nangong Ye had been tormented all night, and despite his icy demeanor, a faint blush still lingered on his cheeks. He adjusted his veil and dress, having wrapped a bodice around his chest to avoid being recognized. His dress was also quite loose, making him almost unrecognizable. He then instructed:

"You go in first, I'll come over quietly later."

"Why don't you come in with me? I have an invitation. Why are you being so suspicious?"

"Some of the seniors present recognized me, and my presence at the door was bound to attract attention. It would be difficult to explain if I was recognized."

Xie Jinhuan didn't insist, and walked towards the outer room. As they passed each other, he casually pinched her round and perky breasts.

? !
Nangong Ye straightened up a bit, his phoenix eyes flashing with sharpness, but seeing that the boy had quickly left the door, he still didn't chase after him and give him a beating.

……

Coal Ball was on guard duty yesterday, and when he got hungry, he went crazy and rushed to the window to peck at the woodpecker, wanting to get a midnight snack.

Xie Jinhuan was busy at the time and didn't have time to take Meiqiu out. He didn't want Meiqiu to go begging for food by himself, so he locked Meiqiu in the outer room and fed him some dried fish.

As a result, Coal Ball naturally got angry. Seeing Xie Jinhuan come out, it flew onto his shoulder, raised its wings, and started flapping its head:

clap clap clap...

Xie Jinhuan thought this was more like a lump of coal. He raised his hand and rubbed it, then took his weapon and got off the boat. He first bought a skewer of barbecue on the riverbank and fed the lump of coal until it shook its head and acted cute before arriving near the Dragon Sacrifice Platform venue.

Wei Wuyi convened the Heroes' Gathering. The real meeting was held behind closed doors at Fengbo Tower with the various leaders, while the venue outside was used to boost the reputation of the martial arts world through martial arts competitions and rewards for young talents. After all, although the younger generation had heard of his name, most of them had never actually met this leader.

At the entrance to the Dragon Sacrifice Platform, there is a path branched off by disciples of Snow Eagle Ridge. From time to time, sect leaders lead their disciples into it, and the surrounding area is filled with constant noise.

Xie Jinhuan carried the coal briquettes to the vicinity, and Wei Lu, who was waiting at the entrance, quickly stepped forward and bowed.

"Brother Xie, why did you come all alone? A county magistrate like yourself should at least bring some attendants when you travel..."

Xie Jinhuan returned the greeting with a cupped hand: "I am just a junior in the martial arts world. I'm just here to join in the fun. It's not appropriate to make too much of a fuss."

"Brother Xie, you're too modest. Please come in. I heard you were coming yesterday and wanted to welcome you with a feast, but unfortunately I couldn't find you..."

……

Wei Lu is the grandson of Wei Wuyi. He might not have much influence in the capital, but in the martial arts world, he is a legitimate "crown prince".

The onlookers, mostly wandering martial artists, saw Wei Lu chatting amiably with a stranger, a white-robed spearman, and even displaying a respectful demeanor. Naturally, they looked puzzled and began to whisper amongst themselves.

"Whose son is this young hero? The young master of Snow Eagle Ridge is personally welcoming him..."

"Handsome and extraordinary, with a sword and mace at his waist, accompanied by a black eagle... doesn't he remind you a bit of the young hero Xie from Danyang that storytellers narrate?"

"It seems so! I heard this young hero is terrifyingly fierce, he'll cut down anyone he sees, and he's taken a hundred or so lives a month..."

"Is he the former lover of Empress Dowager Guo of the Northern Zhou Dynasty?"

"Yes. I heard that the King of Dan is looking for a son-in-law..."

"Zihui Mountain has also set his sights on them, and is preparing to marry the direct descendants of Princess Changning and Fairy Nangong..."

"Tsk tsk tsk~ He's truly the envy of everyone, but why doesn't he pursue Fairy Nangong?"

"Yeah, why not choose the smaller one over the larger one..."

……

The noise grew louder and louder.

Xie Jinhuan walked through the crowd, initially feeling a sense of "enjoying life while you can," but as he walked, his smugness quickly faded, and he thought to himself:
I fought my way from Danyang to Jingzhao Prefecture, and you were all just listening to the gossip, weren't you?
Am I not interested in pursuing my dream wife?

I didn't see anyone!
……

That was bad enough, but some of the bolder young women in the crowd even started flirting with her:

"Xie Lang~ Look this way!"

"Oh dear~ It's quite cold. After eating the fine food of the Empress Dowager and the princess, they look down on us women of the martial world..."

……

Wei Lu rushed over to greet them, but he hadn't expected this group of idle江湖人 (jianghu renzhi, people of the martial arts world) to focus solely on gossip and idle chatter rather than on righteous achievements. He was a little embarrassed at the moment.

"Brother Xie, please don't mind. That's how people in the martial world are. Please come inside."

"It doesn't matter."

Xie Jinhuan didn't pay attention to these blunt truths and followed Wei Lu into the venue. He sat down at a tea table on the side of the venue, where many well-known wandering martial artists were seated.

Xie Jinhuan didn't recognize them either and didn't greet them. After Wei Lu went to entertain the guests, he sat down and drank tea, while Meiqiu looked around curiously.

After waiting for only a short while, the black-clad female warrior wearing a veil quietly approached him, sat down on the chair behind him, and pretended not to recognize him, keeping her eyes straight ahead.

Xie Jinhuan found this somewhat amusing. It wasn't appropriate to touch the ice in public, so he simply looked around the sea of ​​people, searching for the chivalrous figures he'd heard of since childhood.

As a result, when he glanced over, he didn't recognize the Seven Heroes of Martial Arts, but instead saw several ladies and female warriors walking around near the Dragon Sacrifice Platform.

Although it was their first meeting, Xie Jinhuan recognized her at a glance as Wei Lu's master's wife and senior sister...

?

The ghost wife appeared at just the right moment, leaning against the back of the chair, holding up the crystal ball in her left hand, clearly wanting to help him recall the scene.

Xie Jinhuan felt this was extremely inappropriate and quickly raised her hand:
"Don't, don't, don't..."

Nangong Ye, sitting in the back pretending to be invisible, was somewhat bewildered when he saw Xie Jinhuan suddenly raise her hand to push him away.

"What are you doing?"

"Uh... Coal Ball wanted to slap me, it's okay."

"Guji?"

The coal ball, which was posing on the handrail, turned its head in shock, and then very cooperatively raised its wings to slap its head.

clap clap clap...

"..."

Nangong Ye looked at him like he was looking at a naughty child, not knowing what to say. He turned his head away and ignored him, simply looking around the venue and waiting for the host to appear.

When Wei Wuyi reappeared in public after twenty years, it truly shocked everyone!

……

Tens of thousands of martial arts practitioners gathered at the confluence of the three rivers. The sect leaders and their disciples whispered among themselves, and the noise even drowned out the rolling waves of the river.

Xie Jinhuan sat upright, secretly exchanging glances with his ghost wife, enjoying himself immensely, when suddenly an autumn wind swept across the riverbank:

Huhu~
The autumn wind came abruptly, like a 'downdraft,' suddenly falling straight down from the sky and crashing onto the vast earth, bringing with it a chilling and deadly feeling, as if a sword were pointed at your brow, sending shivers down your spine!

The noisy crowd fell silent almost instantly. Everyone looked around in astonishment, but could not find the source of the noise. It felt as if an invisible dragon was roaming in the sky, scanning the ants below!

Xie Jinhuan's expression also became more composed. He frowned, looked up at the sky, and then glanced around:
"What is this?"

Nangong Ye was also secretly alarmed, knowing that Wei Wuyi had shown up, but he couldn't find his location.

Ye Hongshang, wearing high heels, leaned against the back of a chair, her expression indifferent.
"A martial artist at the Dragon Soaring Realm, his aura is not bad."

Is this what you call "okay"?

Xie Jinhuan felt that the current pressure was so great that even if one person were an army, and thousands of troops were standing in front of him, they would be so frightened that they would lose their composure.

The highest level of martial arts is 'Breaking Evil', and the next level is 'Soaring Dragon's Might'.

The term "dragon soaring" originally refers to a majestic and awe-inspiring aura, but the entry for "dragon soaring" refers to a real "killing aura" that has the effect of shaking the soul and intimidating the spirit, equivalent to a super-large-scale "evil-dispelling" effect.

As for its effects, those with shallow cultivation will tremble at the sight of lions and tigers, and evil spirits and demons will not dare to show themselves.

Wei Wuyi took the initiative, clearly telling the young people present why he was chosen as the leader of the Southern School of martial arts.

Many martial arts practitioners and young sect leaders who had initially been joking around realized at this moment that Wei Wuyi was not the petty thugs in "The Amorous History of Wei Wuyi," but a truly majestic and perilous peak in the martial arts world. Even if they could not stand on the opposite side, it would be a blessing in their lives to be able to admire his demeanor from below the stage!

After the entire confluence of the three rivers fell into a deathly silence, the oppressive force gradually dissipated.

The thousands of people present breathed a sigh of relief, and then noticed that a figure had already stood on the dragon-worshiping platform with one hand behind his back, silently and without any abruptness, as if he had been standing there all along, but had only just been seen now.

Xie Jinhuan turned his gaze and saw that the man was dressed in a black robe, with a straight back, sharp eyebrows and fierce eyes. He looked to be at most forty or fifty years old, and seemed more like Wei Lu's father than his grandfather. His tone was also quite calm.

"Since I took charge of the Southern Alliance, I haven't traveled around for many years, and I no longer recognize many heroes of the martial world. I hope you will forgive any shortcomings in my hospitality..."

His powerful voice reached everyone's ears.

The last time Wei Wuyi appeared in public, Xie Jinhuan hadn't been born yet, and Nangong Ye hadn't become the sect leader. Twenty years is enough time for an ordinary martial arts sect to change its generation, so most people were indeed seeing Wei Wuyi for the first time.

Xie Jinhuan had seen Lu Wuzhen before and wasn't surprised by his appearance, but the martial arts practitioners who had come to join the fun were whispering in surprise and doubt:

"So young!"

"I thought it was a centenarian..."

"In the martial arts world, those who look the oldest are those of the First Rank; everyone above and below them is young..."

……

Wei Wuyi knew the purpose of the younger generation's presence, so after exchanging a few polite words, he got down to business:

"Martial arts are about killing skills, but the goal is to 'use martial arts to be chivalrous.' Without chivalry, martial arts cannot be called the Way; without martial arts, chivalry cannot lead to great achievements."

"Wei was elected as the leader of the alliance by the heroes of the Great Qian Dynasty. Seeing the rise of evil forces in the court and the endless infighting among the various factions, I have not accomplished much so far, which is truly shameful."

"Fortunately, there is always a new generation replacing the old in the martial arts world. What I cannot do, new people will be able to do in the future. As the leader of the alliance, I should also fulfill my responsibility to inspire the younger generation."

"Therefore, taking advantage of this Heroes' Gathering, I will present a tiger bone vine to the winner. Martial arts emphasize that 'there is no second place in martial arts,' so please don't think I'm being stingy."

Tiger bone vine is a rare and precious material that can help one break through to the highest grade. Everyone present coveted it. If it weren't for the fact that even the highest grade experts would be forced to compete with the juniors for it, they would be kicked out. There would have been even more experts present. Hearing this, many martial arts practitioners looked on with eager anticipation.

Wei Wuyi glanced around at the crowd and continued, "I have been idle for decades and would like to see what kind of demeanor the younger generation of the Great Qian is now. I wonder which young friend would like to be the first to step onto the stage?"

The gathering of elites was filled with formidable individuals, all vying for a ticket to the premium event.

But the first to step up gets the most attention, but also the most likely to become cannon fodder. Most people want to observe the situation first.

Seeing this, Nangong Ye wanted to discuss with Xie Jinhuan in a low voice how to fight in this arena.

Then they saw Coal Ball, who was squatting on the chair, raise its wings and pat Xie Jinhuan on the back of the head:
"Gooji!"

Xie Jinhuan certainly didn't disappoint Meiqiu, standing up with his spear in hand:

"I'll try."

As the clear voice rang out, all the martial arts practitioners present turned their heads.

Nangong Ye was shocked and tried to pull the brat back, but it was too late; whispers were already rising around them.

"Whose young man is this? He's got guts..."

"The one with a gun, Zhang Jian of the Six Harmonies Sect?"

"The Six Harmonies Gate is up there, and over there are the seats for the wandering immortals..."

……

Xie Jinhuan was catching 'demon bandits' at Wei Wuyi's place yesterday. Wei Lu even pointed them out backstage. Wei Wuyi obviously recognized them, but in this situation, he still asked them normally.

"And you are, young friend?"

Xie Jinhuan, carrying his spear, arrived at the center of the arena and bowed in a traditional Jianghu (martial arts world) salute.
"I have exhausted all my joy in Danyang."

The leaders of various sects sitting around were not deaf to the world; upon hearing this title, their eyes were filled with surprise.

Sitting in the second seat, Duan Yuechou of the Fengshan Society, ranked second in martial arts, glanced around briefly:
"Whose disciple is this young master?"

Not far away, Long Boyuan leaned back in his large chair and responded:

"It's still unclear, but a reputation is well-deserved, and I'm afraid no one will dare to go up in this match,"

And the facts were exactly as Long Boyuan had predicted.

After Xie Jinhuan introduced himself, Wei Wuyi scanned the many heroes who had been eager to fight just moments before:
"Young friend Xie has recently performed many remarkable feats in Jingzhao Prefecture. Although he is a rising star in martial arts, you should all have heard of his skills. I wonder which of you young friends would like to come up and give it a try?"

The various factions looked at each other, none of them making a move, clearly unwilling to sacrifice their own schedules to help others test Xie Jinhuan's strength.

Xie Jinhuan pointed his spear diagonally at the ground, waited a moment, and seeing that no one dared to come forward, he even provoked them with a retort:
"If that's all the courage you've got, then don't even bother competing. Martial artists strive for 'no one in front of them,' and the Tiger Bone Vine isn't for those who hide in the shadows looking for an opportunity." "Whoa..."

The wandering martial arts practitioners watching from the outside thought that the man's reputation was indeed well-deserved, and his audacity was already quite frightening.

Many of the top contenders from various factions, spurred on by Xie Jinhuan's provocation, wanted to take the stage, but were held back by their accompanying mentors.

Meanwhile, at the edge of the venue, in the seats of Jinghua Manor, the young master Bao Fei, seeing the old grudge, was extremely jealous and whispered in his father's ear:
“I’ve fought this boy before. He’s indeed formidable, but only slightly stronger. With your cultivation, Father, no matter how good his techniques are, you can still defeat him with brute force…”

Bao Xiaolin is over sixty years old, with a robust build and graying temples; his expertise is the result of years of experience.

Although it is said that a great reputation is not undeserved, Xie Jinhuan is not even twenty years old yet, so he can't possibly be a first-rank official, can he?
Even if you reach the first rank, it's impossible to reach the peak, right?

Although Bao Xiaolin's talent and skill were average, he eventually mastered the art and was determined to win the championship on this trip.

Others had no grudge against Xie Jinhuan, but his son had been beaten so badly by Xie Jinhuan that he vomited three liters of blood. Now that they had met on the arena, it would be unreasonable not to join in. After thinking for a moment, he picked up the sword at his side and stood up.

Many martial arts practitioners who were watching from the sidelines, seeing the commotion at Jinghua Manor, wanted to make a few sarcastic remarks:
"You, Fatty Bao, also want to deal with Xie Jinhuan? You think you can crush him with your name...?"

"Hey! You've got a really sharp tongue..."

……

However, after seeing who was coming out, the surrounding area erupted in an uproar:
"Bao Xiaolin personally intervened?!"

"Are people in their sixties considered young? Isn't this bullying the young?"

"In Alliance Leader Wei's eyes, sixty years old is indeed a junior..."

……

Wei Wuyi didn't recognize the young man, but he clearly knew Bao Xiaolin.

I even saw Bao Xiaolin fight in a ring twenty years ago, and now I feel a sense of 'things have changed but people are different':

“Master Bao, it’s been twenty years, you do look a bit weathered.”

Bao Xiaolin entered the arena with his sword drawn and bowed respectfully.
“I am of mediocre talent and cannot compare to Master Wei. If I do not win today, Master Wei will probably not be able to see me at the next Heroes’ Gathering.”

Wei Wuyi didn't say anything inappropriate, and slightly raised his hand:

"Please, both of you."

As soon as he finished speaking, the confluence of the three rivers fell silent, leaving only the roar of the rocky cliffs crashing against the mighty river.
Rumble…

Bao Xiaolin stood in the center of the arena, sword in hand, sizing up the white-robed spearman opposite him:
"Although a single sword against a spear is not advantageous, it can be considered a way to offset the fact that the old is bullying the young. Young Master Xie injured my son in Danyang, and today is a good day to settle this old grudge."

Xie Jinhuan had a vivid memory of Jinghua Villa because of the name "Bao Fei".
Seeing that his son had been beaten for speaking rudely, and that his father had come to settle scores, Xie Jinhuan didn't say much. He stuck his spear into the ground, untied the two weapons from his waist, and beckoned to Wei Lu.

Wei Lu stood below the Dragon-Worshiping Platform watching the show. Seeing Xie Jinhuan's domineering demeanor, her mind was filled with:
A true man should be like this...

Seeing the movement, Wei Lu understood what it meant, took off his waist knife and threw it over.

Call ~
Many sect leaders looked on in surprise upon seeing this scene:
"A knife against a knife, this kid's arrogance is a bit too much..."

"If you're not spirited, how can you call yourself a young person..."

"Could this guy be a match for Bao Xiaolin?"

……

Bao Xiaolin's eyes showed surprise when he saw that Xie Jinhuan dared to switch knives.
"Young Master Xie, are you unwilling to take advantage of me, or do you simply disregard me?"

Xie Jinhuan caught the single blade, his expression calm:
"I just didn't want Master Bao to feel that he lost because of his weapon rather than his martial arts skills, so that he would harbor resentment in the future."

"..."

Most onlookers haven't quite grasped the situation yet.

Bao Xiaolin nodded slightly, understanding the meaning—they didn't take him seriously! He was prepared to teach him a lesson from both sides, leaving him with no excuse to lose.

That's all I have to say.

Bao Xiaolin slid his feet apart, gripped the hilt of the knife with his right hand, and instantly calmed down. Although there was white hair at his temples, he looked like a crouching tiger, ready to pounce.

Xie Jinhuan spoke arrogantly, but he was not presumptuous. He stood with his feet one in front of the other, drew his sword and held it upright in the center, his left hand supporting the back of the sword, his stance as steady as a rock.

Upon seeing this, all the martial arts practitioners present fell silent and held their breath.

Since they are both martial arts experts, you can actually guess how they will fight just by looking at their starting stances.

In internal battles among martial artists of the first rank and above, protective qi can defend against sword qi and blade wind; only by delivering punches and blows that draw blood can one injure their opponent.

Therefore, the way they fought has returned to the most primitive state of martial arts.

Close combat is a true test of martial arts skills, which is why even though a demonic cultivator's physique is half a grade stronger, he still cannot defeat a top-tier martial artist.

A martial artist's physique is merely the foundation; the true essence of martial arts lies in the skill and refinement it through countless trials.

The ancestral sword technique of Jinghua Manor is called "Thunderous Sword," which is as swift as lightning and possesses immense power. It is a signature, fierce sword technique that allows one to seize the initiative in combat, with each strike followed by a series of rapid attacks.

Xie Jinhuan's stance is quite unique, combining offense and defense without any particular style, and is more about adapting to changing circumstances and playing defensively.

In theory, it's at a disadvantage to give up the initiative when facing Lei Dongdao.

However, the enemy is strong and we are weak. It is indeed not advantageous to fight Lei Dongdao for the first move. But as long as we are not overwhelmed in one wave, we have much more room to deal with the situation later.

With both sides standing still, the confluence of the three rivers fell silent, and everyone focused intently.

Seeing that Xie Jinhuan was on the defensive, which was practically a free win, Bao Xiaolin guessed that Xie Jinhuan might use the same Overlord Body Divine Power he used against his son.

This move is very effective against aggressive fighting styles. Bao Xiaolin tried to find an opening, but Xie Jinhuan was like a rock, leaving no room for him to find a way out. He could only fight head-on.

After a moment's hesitation, Bao Xiaolin still took a small step:
Choking——

A blade flashed as it was drawn, followed by a streak of white lightning!
By the time ninety percent of those present could see the action clearly, Bao Xiaolin had already leaped out, dragging a silver light with his right hand, flashing in front of Xie Jinhuan, and slashing at his waist and abdomen with the force of his whole body.

Xie Jinhuan didn't react much. Just as Bao Xiaolin made his move, he pulled his right foot back to support his body and used his left hand to block the blade.

clang--

The two blades clashed, and the sound of metal striking metal echoed across the riverbank!

Bao Xiaolin unleashed a powerful slash, attempting to forcefully knock his opponent down with sheer force.

With a burst of brute force, Xie Jinhuan's back was blasted into a fan-shaped wave of earth, and he slid backward for several feet!
But Xie Jinhuan gripped the blade with both hands, his body sliding backward like a coiled dragon, his shoulders, back and lower body remaining completely still!

With a single strike, Bao Xiaolin could tell that this young man had definitely reached the first rank, and his foundation was as solid as that of a demon beast, making it impossible to shake his limbs.

But if you can knock your opponent away, it will be harder for them to stand firmly on the ground.

Bao Xiaolin did not let the opportunity to repel his opponent slip by. He pressed on with heavy footsteps, his figure spinning along the way, his broadsword kicking up dust everywhere.

"drink--!"

Before Xie Jinhuan could stop sliding, a powerful slash, no less forceful, landed on the blade once more.

clang--

Xie Jinhuan remained as steady as a rock, only slightly adjusting the angle of his single blade to parry with a horizontal block!

Dang Dang Dang Dang——

Sparks flew everywhere on the field!

In just a moment, the once calm Sanjiang Estuary was swept up by a fierce wind and a towering sandstorm!

Bao Xiaolin's momentum was like that of a fierce tiger. His sword strikes were relentless and uninterrupted. Nine consecutive strikes landed on the single blade, creating deafening explosions. From a distance, he looked like a mad tiger, carrying a fierce wind of blades, plowing a groove more than ten feet wide in the loess soil, and instantly impacting the outer edge of the arena.

Xie Jinhuan slid backwards without stopping, and his speed even increased, but his stance did not change much. He simply adjusted the angle of his single sword with lightning speed, parrying and slashing fiercely, defending flawlessly.

The seven martial arts masters seated around the Dragon Offering Platform, seeing this scene, knew that Bao Xiaolin was in a bad situation.

Xie Jinhuan appeared to be being chased and attacked, but his body was as solid as a rock. As long as he wasn't knocked down, he could withstand Lei Dongdao's attacks.

If Bao Xiaolin fails to find an opening and strike the torso, it's like he's hitting a rock. Once he's exhausted and has no chance to regroup, he'll inevitably face a counterattack.

Xie Jinhuan adopted a defensive stance, requiring no maneuvering or maneuvering. He only needed to adjust his posture to catch the heavy blow before the next strike came. If he could still make a mistake, he probably wouldn't be alive today.

Dang Dang Dang——

Bao Xiaolin unleashed his full power in a single strike, only to find his opponent as immovable as a mountain, impossible to kill in one fell swoop. Realizing the problem, and sensing his body nearing its limit, he leaped backward after the strike, attempting to create distance. But at that very moment:

Boom——

Xie Jinhuan stomped his feet wildly, almost like a shadow, wielding his sword with both hands and slashing horizontally with all his might:

"drink--"

The shout was like thunder!
Bao Xiaolin barely landed when a devastating sword strike, capable of sweeping through an army, was already upon him. He immediately raised his sword to parry, but the result was:
clang--

The single blade swept across the blade like a powerful dragon's tail, its savage force carrying terrifying energy that impacted the arms, torso, and even the internal organs!

Bao Xiaolin, though lacking the stability of Panlong Henggang to brace his body, possessed a naturally solid lower body as a martial artist. The moment he raised his sword to parry, the impact ripped open his tiger's mouth, sending him sliding back several feet. He tried to retaliate, but alas...
Dang Dang Dang——

Xie Jinhuan unleashed his full power, almost using the same technique as Lei Dongdao to deliver a series of single-sword strikes. Although the techniques were different, the power was no less than that of Lei Dongdao, and the speed was astonishing!

Bao Xiaolin raised his knife to parry, but had no chance to retaliate. After several slashes, he was pushed back from the newly plowed groove!

Logically speaking, when a martial artist unleashes his full power, his momentum will eventually reach a point where his limbs and energy are exhausted, and he will eventually reach the end of his strength. At this point, he is easily exploited by his opponent.

Bao Xiaolin, almost with his mortal body, stubbornly resisted the powerful dragon's rampage. The muscles and meridians in his arms were all injured by the shock, and blood gushed from his tiger's mouth, but he still gritted his teeth and endured it, trying to find a chance to fight back.

But soon, Xie Jinhuan made everyone present understand what it meant to be as persistent as a donkey!

Dang Dang Dang...

With tens of thousands of onlookers watching, a sharp blade flashed, accompanied by billowing yellow dust, and instantly pierced through the entire arena, reaching the seat of a gang.

The disciples who were watching scattered in all directions to avoid being killed by the wind of the blades.

Unfortunately, Bao Xiaolin did not survive to that point.

Bao Xiaolin had reached his limit, but Xie Jinhuan continued his relentless attacks, showing no sign of retracting his sword.

Seeing that his arms and internal organs were completely injured by the shock, and the powerful cleavage-splitting blade came down again, Bao Xiaolin knew that if he took another blow, he would be sent flying, and if he survived the next blow, he would be cut off from his martial arts. He gritted his teeth and shouted:
"Keep it!"

As a result, his shout startled many of the sect leaders present!

hum-

Xie Jinhuan wielded his swords with both hands, launching a relentless attack that appeared fierce and unparalleled, but in reality, he had not used up all his moves.

Upon realizing that Bao Xiaolin could not withstand the pressure and had to admit defeat, he abruptly stopped his downward slash, which he had been holding at full power, in mid-air almost without warning.

The single-edged sword, carrying a brute force and momentum, was suddenly pulled back. The three-foot blade trembled violently, almost turning into noodles, as if it had been cleaved into invisible steel. If the sword had not been of excellent quality, it would probably have broken on the spot.

Xie Jinhuan's sudden stop would normally have injured his meridians and muscles, but his arms remained as steady as a dragon, forcefully pulling back the slashing blade, and his body abruptly stopped, turning into a rock.

Because the sudden stop was so dramatic, Bao Xiaolin didn't even have time to react. He raised his hands to prepare for the impending heavy blow, but instead of the blade coming down, he staggered forward and then came to an abrupt halt, his eyes filled with shock!
The seven martial arts masters present initially just watched calmly, since the two were simply parrying each other's moves without any obvious flaws, but it wasn't exactly spectacular either; anyone with a decent foundation could have performed at that level.

But that final forced stop was a bit excessive.

The fact that the blade could be stopped from striking indicates that some of the force was reserved, and the move was not fully utilized, which is quite normal.

Xie Jinhuan 'stopped abruptly' during his heavy double-handed strike, as if he had struck something unshakeable. Even the blade could hardly withstand the impact, vibrating loudly. If it were an ordinary weapon, it would have definitely broken off at the handguard. How did his arms manage to withstand it?
The martial arts masters present believed that if they played like that, they might not be able to stop their swords, and their arm muscles would definitely be strained or even torn.

If Chao Pin were to use the same level of force, it would be difficult for him to stop. Among the tens of thousands of people present, only the Seven Heroes of Martial Arts were confident in controlling him.

Xie Jinhuan looks like he's only just entered the first rank, but his physique is already close to that of a demon. Coupled with his flawless fighting skills, dealing with a loose first rank cultivator is indeed bullying.

No wonder they dared to come to the confluence of the three rivers to seize opportunities; they certainly have a chance...

The area was completely silent until a few moments later, when some noise broke out.

"Oh..."

When Bao Xiaolin had just exchanged blows, he only felt immense pressure. But when he saw his opponent's blade halt in mid-air, his body as steady as a rock, seemingly unharmed by the backlash of the energy, his eyes widened in disbelief. After a long moment of stunned silence, he took a few steps back, reversed his grip on his sword, and bowed in a traditional Jianghu salute.
"Thank you for your skill, young hero."

"Concession."

Xie Jinhuan's slash could have worsened Bao Xiaolin's injuries by three points, but a fight is a fight, and defeat is what matters. He returned the salute, then lightly flicked his wrist and twirled his sword, which was instantly sheathed.

Whew whistling...

Choking——

His smooth and flowing demeanor, coupled with his cool and extraordinary aura, made many of the female warriors and ladies around him feel a jolt in their hearts!
Wei Lu had practiced the sheathing stance for a month or so and felt he had already gotten somewhat good at it, but only now did he realize that he still needed to practice more...

Nangong Ye's eyes flickered when he saw this handsome demeanor.

However, thinking of the boy's smugness in his boudoir, she quickly suppressed the distracting thoughts in her mind...
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Asking for a monthly ticket~
Two and a half chapters combined into one, which can be considered a bonus chapter for monthly votes or 2 chapters!

I just finished writing it. I haven't started writing tomorrow yet, and it might be a little later tomorrow. After all, writing takes time, so please understand!

(End of this chapter)