The world of martial arts, the immortal swordsman in the mortal realm.

Chapter 159, 174: Demoness vs. Fairy! Girl, you've been marked by Lu Chen!

It was already dusk when the city lights began to come on.

After finishing her sword fight, Shi Feixuan drank a glass of cold water and left the Lu residence.

Just as we reached the Tianjin Bridge, a small boat drifted slowly downstream.

When the small boat under the bridge and Shi Feixuan on the bridge form a straight line and the distance between them is only three zhang.

Suddenly, Shi Feixuan's clothes and hair moved without wind, as if pulled by an invisible force, and floated horizontally towards the small boat.

Her body seemed to be uncontrollably drawn by that invisible force, tilting slightly towards the small boat.

Right at this moment.

The small boat sank with a thud, and the surrounding water surface also sank deeply. A figure in white flew out of the small boat and instantly flew to the sky above Shi Feixuan.

Two white ribbons flew out from the sleeves of the white-clad figure, like two nimble white snakes, one coiling around Shi Feixuan's neck, the other pointing towards her chest.

Although it was just a thin, light, and delicate ribbon.

But Shi Feixuan knew that the power contained there was enough to shatter solid rock and bend iron pillars.

She didn't panic.

Even though she had inadvertently entered the opponent's force field due to her unsettled state of mind and lost the initiative due to the force field's pull, she still benefited greatly from today's battle with Lu Chen.

Having experienced the baptism of such a "storm of swords," and the feeling of having all senses obscured, one's ears, eyes, and soul covered in dust, leaving the world in a desolate and empty void, such a small mistake of losing the initiative would no longer have any impact on her.

She instantly cleared her mind of all distractions, and her sword intent became clear and pure once again.

She gripped the hilt of the sword with her other hand, and the Colorless Sword was drawn with a clang, unleashing a sword light that seemed slow yet was actually swift, like a dream and lightning.

The sword light flashed halfway through its flight, then suddenly split in two, striking the tips of the two serpentine ribbons at the last second.

Bang!
The sharp sword light pierced the light ribbon, but emitted a deep, thunderous roar and burst forth with a powerful shockwave.

Even the river surface under the bridge was affected by the shockwave, creating a circular wave that surged outwards in all directions, making a loud splashing sound on both banks.

"what?"

With a soft exclamation, the figure in white flipped in mid-air and floated back onto the small boat under the bridge.

As soon as her light body landed back on the small boat, the boat, which was violently rocking under the impact of the waves and seemed on the verge of capsizing at any moment, suddenly became completely still, even ignoring the flow of the river, and came to a steady stop in place.

A young girl in white, barefoot, stood gracefully at the bow of the boat, looking at Shi Feixuan with slight surprise:
"You went to find Lu Chen, and you weren't injured?"

Shi Feixuan's face was slightly pale.

Although she blocked the white-clad girl's surprise attack, she ultimately lost the initiative and suffered minor injuries.

She looked at the girl in white, her eyes as calm and clear as ever, without a trace of impurity, as if the girl was not her greatest nemesis:

"So it's Senior Sister Wanwan. I'm sorry to disappoint you, Senior Sister. Feixuan only sparred with Brother Lu, and there was no life-or-death struggle."

Although Cihang Jingzhai and Yin Gui Sect are sworn enemies, they are still quite polite to each other.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration for Shi Feixuan to call Wanwan "Senior Sister"—the core techniques of the "Cihang Sword Manual," namely "Dao Embryo" and "Death Gate," originated from the "Heavenly Demon Strategy."

Although Cihang Jingzhai walks the bright path under the sunlight, which is completely opposite to the path of the demonic sect that walks the dark and narrow road, in terms of its origins, Cihang Jingzhai can be called the ninth branch outside of the two paths and six sects of the demonic sect.

The Cihang Sword Manual, capable of subduing the enemy without a fight, possesses a strange charm like the morning light and a fairy spirit. It is no different from the Yin Gui Sect's bizarre and dreamlike "Heavenly Demon Enchantress," which is like a night spirit. They are simply two sides of the same lineage, representing the Dao and the Demon, or the light and the dark.

"Feixuan is really lucky..."

Wanwan was a little unhappy.

She was injured when she fought Lu Chen.

Shi Feixuan was unharmed...

Well, she wasn't injured when she sparred with Lu Chen at Peach Blossom Manor in Xiangyang.

Thinking about it this way, she felt a little better.

Upon closer inspection of Shi Feixuan, she suddenly made a new discovery and immediately chuckled:
"So that's why Feixuan was marked by that person. No wonder she was so uneasy just now, and didn't even notice me when I got so close."

"Mark?"

Shi Feixuan was somewhat puzzled.

Seeing the hint of confusion in her eyes, Wanwan couldn't help but chuckle:
"You still don't know? Ha, it seems your mind is truly in turmoil! Fine, let's leave it at that for today..."

Having said that, the small boat suddenly accelerated and sped downstream.

Wanwan's sudden decision to stop was hardly magnanimous.

She's a petty and scheming witch from the Demonic Sect; if she gets the chance to take Shi Feixuan's life, she won't let it go.

Just now, due to the unexpected turn of events, she only gained a slight advantage, causing Shi Feixuan to suffer minor injuries. During the previous conversation, Wanwan had been looking for an opportunity to strike, but Shi Feixuan's mental state had recovered, and her aura was impeccable. If Wanwan were to force a move, even though Shi Feixuan was already injured, she would not be able to defeat her within hundreds of moves.

The Tianjin Bridge area is quite prosperous, and the duel between the two masters here will soon attract a large number of experts to watch.

If Wanwan is a demonic witch, and Shi Feixuan is a fairy from the Jingzhai, with a large audience, how could Shi Feixuan's protectors stand idly by?
Therefore, it's best to stop while you're ahead.

Watching Wanwan's small boat speed away and disappear into the night downstream, Shi Feixuan walked to the bridge and looked down at the water. By the moonlight, she could see her own reflection on the water.

"This……"

The reflection between his eyebrows revealed a "mark".

It was a red mark, looking like a dot of cinnabar.

Shi Feixuan raised her hand and gently touched her brow.

This was the spot where Lu Chen's sword energy had struck. At the time, there was only a slight pain, which quickly subsided.

The flow of true energy through this place was without the slightest obstruction.

Shi Feixuan thought she was unharmed.

But I never expected that such a small red mark would remain.

However, there was no wound or sword energy residue between his eyebrows, so why was there such a red mark?
Shi Feixuan stared blankly at her reflection in the water.

The red mark wasn't unsightly at all; on the contrary, it made her even more vibrant, as if pulling her back from some ethereal and distant realm, far removed from the mundane world, to the mortal realm.

"Brother Lu, was this unintentional or deliberate? How exactly will this red mark disappear?"

Without injuries or sword energy, there's no target for healing.

I don't know how to remove that little red mark.

Could it be, as Wanwan said, that this is a mark that Brother Lu deliberately placed?
Is this a reminder that I shouldn't forget the favor I owe him?

this moment.

Shi Feixuan's previously calm state of mind was stirred slightly again.

……

The backyard of the Lu residence, which has just been rebuilt, is still undecorated and unpainted, retaining its rustic wooden style in the waterside pavilion.

Lu Chen and Dugu Feng were having dinner.

This is takeout ordered from a restaurant: two meat dishes, two vegetable dishes, and a jar of wine.

Dugu Feng had a good tolerance for alcohol; he could drink heavily without getting drunk.

But sometimes, even without alcohol, one can become intoxicated by their own actions.

She had only drunk two cups when a blush crept onto her usually icy face, her eyes brightened, and her tone became even more cheerful. "Shi Feixuan's swordsmanship is truly formidable. I feel that if I were to fight her, I'd be fine for the first thousand moves, but after that, I'm afraid I'd gradually show signs of defeat..."

"Hmm. In terms of swordsmanship alone, in this era, she is probably only below Master Yi Jian Fu Cailin."

"Her future achievements will likely surpass those of Master Yi Jian. After all, she cultivates the Cihang Sword Manual."

“Feng’er’s future achievements will not be inferior to hers.”

"I think so too. By the way, Brother Lu, with your last sword strike, it seems you placed a cinnabar mark on Shi Feixuan? Are you trying to remind her that she is your defeated opponent and must remember her promise to you?"

"It wasn't done on purpose."

Lu Chenqian took a sip of wine and said with a smile:
"I didn't expect that my sword energy, piercing her brow, would leave such a mark. Perhaps..."

Perhaps it was the Zhuxian Sword Intent, which could govern all sword arts, that encountered the somewhat interesting "Cihang Sword Manual" and produced some kind of mysterious reaction?
Or perhaps it was a special mark left by his trial of the "heart sword" today?

Previously, his "Heart Sword" cultivation was still shallow, and he could only use it for perception.

After being enhanced by the power of the He Shi Bi jade, his Heart Sword cultivation greatly increased, and his spiritual power could be released outwards, even attached to the sword energy, to deceive the spiritual senses of others.

The sword between Shi Feixuan's brows also carried a trace of spiritual power.

That little red mark might have been caused by the fusion of sword energy and spiritual power.

After eating, drinking, and chatting for a while, Dugu Feng felt a little itchy to fight.

Ordinary martial artists wouldn't gain much from watching Shi Feixuan's sword duel with Lu Chen.

Because they simply couldn't see the movements and swordsmanship of the two, nor could they observe how the two perceived each other's weaknesses, seized each other's flaws, and changed their offense and defense in an instant.

But Dugu Feng can.

Having just received Lu Chen's teachings on application techniques last night, Dugu Feng was greatly inspired today to see Lu Chen personally demonstrate them in actual combat and to observe how Shi Feixuan responded.

What were originally just new techniques that she could skillfully apply after learning them have now been thoroughly mastered and integrated into her own swordsmanship.

Now she can also use the "Sword Rain Storm" move that Lu Chen used when he defeated Shi Feixuan, but her performance will be completely different from Lu Chen's.

After all, she didn't have Lu Chen's "Heart Sword," so she couldn't completely block out other people's aura and spiritual perception.

Therefore, she will unleash that killing move that combines sword wind and sword rain in her own way.

She really wanted to demonstrate the method she had figured out and have a good, intense battle with Lu Chen.

However, she also knew that tonight would probably not be peaceful.

There are probably quite a few people lurking in the shadows, waiting for their chance to strike.

and so……

Let's save our energy and strength to deal with those uninvited guests.

We've finished all four dishes.

The jar of wine has been finished.

Dugu Feng's pretty face was flushed, her eyes were even brighter, and she looked at Lu Chen with a hint of charm.

She suddenly realized that she had been a bit too conservative last night.

It shouldn't be said that she slept in the concubine's room.

You should be bolder and just say you want to sleep in the same room with him.

Furthermore, I'm so clueless about romance. I just confessed my feelings last night, such a perfect opportunity, yet I didn't seize it and instead spent the whole night practicing martial arts with him...

Lu Chen is a straightforward martial arts fanatic. Dugu Feng, don't you know how to be more proactive?

What a waste of an opportunity!

These things were on my mind.

Suddenly, her hand gripped the hilt of the longsword resting on the table, and with a clang, she drew the sword from its sheath and thrust it upwards.

At that moment, she entered a wonderful state.

Despite the turmoil of thoughts swirling in my mind, my spirituality has become increasingly acute.

The mortal world...

It is precisely because of the various obsessions and complexities of the mortal world, and the hustle and bustle of the mundane world, that the vastness, tranquility, and clarity of the blue sky and the heavens appear all the more apparent.

Amidst the clang of swords, the sword flashed like lightning.

A huge hole suddenly appeared in the roof of the waterside pavilion. Amidst the flying debris, a man in black, wearing a painted mask and revealing a pair of sharp, gleaming eyes, descended from the sky, wielding an iron rod.

As he leaped down, the iron rod in his hand, carrying a fierce, explosive force like a mountain torrent, slammed down on Lu Chen.

But halfway through the staff's flight, Dugu Feng's sword energy arrived.

The sharp and fierce sword energy actually cut into the raging energy like a mountain torrent in one strike. Like a butcher dissecting an ox, it followed the energy's meridians and nodes, splitting and dissolving the energy until it vanished into nothingness. Finally, the sword struck the iron rod whose momentum had greatly diminished.

clang!
There was a loud bang.

The masked man in black shuddered, his body flying backward as he swooped down. A look of surprise flashed in his eyes, as if he hadn't expected Dugu Feng to react so quickly and possess such profound swordsmanship.

He had already overestimated Dugu Feng as much as possible, thinking that he had not underestimated this second-best fighter of the Dugu Clan at all. But when they actually fought, he realized that he had still misjudged her martial arts skills.

But his hands did not stop. He flipped in mid-air and landed on the ground. The iron rod blasted out a violent shadow of the rod, accompanied by a thunderous roar, which enveloped Dugu Feng.

Dugu Feng's face was as cold as ice, and his eyes were bright and clear. There was no trace of alcohol in his eyes.

The sword light transformed into a raging torrent, carrying a fierce sword wind like a storm, to meet the overwhelming barrage of staff shadows, clearly an attack against an attack.

clang clang clang clang...

A continuous, resounding clang of metal clashing echoed.

Dugu Feng and the masked man in black clashed rapidly.

Lu Chen did not make a move.

I just sat quietly in the chair, looking at the hole in the roof of the waterside pavilion, feeling a little annoyed.

It was only repaired two days ago, and it's probably going to be ruined again today.

Just as I was thinking.

The wooden wall of the waterside pavilion behind him suddenly exploded and shattered.

A tall, burly, masked man in black, unarmed, rushed in and threw a punch at Lu Chen from afar. The solid and heavy force of the punch was like an invisible wall of energy, pushing towards Lu Chen.

The flying fragments of the wooden wall, propelled by the force of the fist's energy, resembled a barrage of arrows fired from a powerful crossbow, whistling and hurtling towards them.

Lu Chen didn't even turn his head, and instead unleashed a backhand strike called "Dragon Tail Swing".

As he struck out, the space behind him seemed to tremble slightly, and a deafening roar like thunder exploded out.

The air beneath his palm was compressed into a milky-white wave of energy, like a roaring torrent or a raging white dragon, shattering the rain of flying wood fragments into the finest wood dust, which then collided violently with the wall of energy from his fist.

boom!
With a deafening roar, the entire waterside pavilion shook violently, all its pillars snapped, and countless cracks appeared on the four walls before it groaned and collapsed.

The newly rebuilt waterside pavilion collapsed again just two days after its reconstruction...

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(End of this chapter)