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

Chapter 59, Section 74: Martial Arts Soar to New Heights, Capable of Fighting the Five Greats! [Seeking Monthly Tickets!]

Lu Chen was practicing his light sword on the reef, pondering his consecutive assassination moves.

Suddenly, Huang Yaoshi used bamboo instead of a sword and attacked. Without thinking, Lu Chen swung his sword to parry. With a crisp clang, the sword and bamboo collided. Huang Yaoshi's strike, with ninety percent of his strength, only caused Lu Chen's wrist to go numb slightly, and then there was no further discomfort.

"He can still grip the sword?"

Huang Yaoshi was surprised.

Although he only used ninety percent of his strength, looking across the world, apart from a handful of others who were also among the Five Greats, no one could still hold their weapon after this attack. No matter what weapon they were using, it would be knocked out of their hands.

Unexpectedly, Lu Chen accepted the offer.

"Good boy, come again!"

Huang Yaoshi didn't even consider how Lu Chen's skill could have improved to such a level in just half a year. He chuckled and used the "Falling Blossom Sword Technique," where a three-foot-long bamboo stalk created a series of afterimages as it attacked Lu Chen.

Lu Chen also roused himself and swung his sword to meet the attack.

The four-foot-long Qinggang Sword sometimes resembled a peacock spreading its tail, flawlessly intercepting Huang Yaoshi's rapid attacks that seemed to flow like mercury and penetrate everywhere. At other times, it was like lightning flashing across the sky, launching a counterattack with a mournful whistling wind. For a time, it evenly matched Huang Yaoshi, who was only using the "Falling Flower Sword Technique".

After exchanging blows for a while, Huang Yaoshi was increasingly amazed.

Because Lu Chen's swordsmanship at this time was no longer bound by existing moves, and the changes were always unexpected.

One move is the complex and varied "Falling Flower Sword Technique," and the next move is the lightning-fast "White Rainbow Sword Technique." Or, halfway through a Falling Flower Sword Technique move, the second half suddenly changes to the Quanzhen Sword Technique, the Ancient Tomb Sword Technique, or even the Shaolin Damo Sword and the Arhat Sword.

He rearranged and reorganized all the sword techniques, like a big stew, yet it perfectly conformed to the principles of swordsmanship.

The combos are executed with ease and fluency, depending on the timing and situation. The swordplay can be elegant and graceful, fierce and ruthless, flowing smoothly, unexpected and striking, unpredictable and deceptive, or seemingly effortless yet masterful...

Various sword techniques of different styles are perfectly integrated in his hands, forming a seamless whole without any trace of artifice.

Even the Falling Flowers Sword Technique, the Yue Maiden Sword Technique, and the Quanzhen Sword Technique, which Huang Yaoshi was familiar with, became more spiritual and threatening in Lu Chen's hands.

After several dozen moves, Huang Yaoshi realized that using only the Falling Flower Sword Technique was not enough, so he also used the Jade Flute Sword Technique.

Even so, after fighting for more than a hundred moves, they still couldn't defeat Lu Chen.

Huang Yaoshi gradually stopped holding back and began to use all his strength.

Furthermore, the moves are no longer limited to swordsmanship, but instead utilize fists, palms, fingers, claws, leg techniques, and light footwork.

Huang Yaoshi, unleashing his full power, seemed to have suddenly leaped to a completely new level.

Their movement techniques, in particular, are simply dazzling.

In the original timeline, Huang Yaoshi had been like a shadow hanging behind Mei Chaofeng, without her noticing at all.

Don't say Mei Chaofeng is blind and can't see.

As a blind woman, she was more sensitive to sound and airflow, yet Huang Yaoshi followed her like a shadow, and she couldn't detect even the slightest movement, which shows how strong Huang Yaoshi's lightness skill was.

Even a normal person, if suspended by Huang Yaoshi, would probably be completely unaware, just like Mei Chaofeng.

Furthermore, Lu Chen remembered that in the original timeline, when Huang Yaoshi was fighting against the Seven Masters of Quanzhen who had formed the Big Dipper Formation, his speed was so fast that he created many afterimages, making Yin Zhiping, who was watching from the sidelines, dizzy and disoriented. He couldn't even count how many Huang Yaoshis were rushing back and forth. Finally, he couldn't bear it anymore and fainted.

Huang Yaoshi's lightness skill was so outrageous that he completely disoriented a third-generation disciple of the Quanzhen Sect who was quite skilled in martial arts.

Fortunately, Lu Chen's "sword footwork" has now become a style of its own.

In terms of leaping and bounding, he may not be as good as Huang Yaoshi. He can't quite match Huang Yaoshi's ability to dodge and move within a small area. He can't completely dazzle people with his body movements and footwork, but he can still barely keep up with Huang Yaoshi's pace.

At least they won't be fooled by his movements, and they can withstand Huang Yaoshi's rapid attacks, and occasionally even launch a counterattack.

clang clang clang clang...

Amidst the crisp, rain-like collision of the four-foot-long green sword and the three-foot-long bamboo, two figures moved like shooting stars and leaping balls, constantly darting across the reef and beach. One moment they were on the sand, the next they were on the rocks two or three feet away, and in another instant they were in the forest on the shore. Their speed was so fast that it was impossible to keep up with their movements.

After fighting for more than 500 moves, Huang Yaoshi, who was going all out, finally found an opening by taking advantage of his agility and skill, and with a powerful "Finger Flicking Divine Skill", he knocked Lu Chen's Qinggang Sword away.

"Thank you for your guidance, senior." Lu Chen bowed and expressed his gratitude.

Although he was defeated by Huang Yaoshi, he was not disappointed.

He had long anticipated that he would not be able to defeat Huang Yaoshi, because Huang Yaoshi had too many tricks up his sleeve and was unpredictable. At this stage, Huang Yaoshi was definitely the one among the Five Greats who could best counter him.

Besides, he didn't unleash his sword aura. If he had, he might have been able to catch Huang Yaoshi off guard.

"..." Huang Yaoshi looked at Lu Chen deeply and said slowly, "There are still flaws in the sword technique."

Lu Chen nodded: "There are indeed flaws. But after this battle, I believe I will make great progress when I fight against you again tomorrow."

"Wait and see."

Huang Yaoshi spoke calmly, glanced in the direction of the peach grove, and then his figure flashed away like a wisp of smoke.

As soon as Huang Yaoshi left, a small head peeked out from under a peach tree, glanced in the direction Huang Yaoshi had gone, and then gave Lu Chen a beautiful smile as radiant as a hundred flowers in full bloom.

It was Huang Rong.

Lu Chen smiled, picked up his sword, and walked over.

"Brother Lu Chen, I've brought you your food!"

Huang Rong emerged from under the tree carrying a bamboo basket, smiling as she said:

"I never imagined you could fight Father for so long, and even force him to use his 'Finger Flicking Divine Skill' in the end... I've never seen Father go all out in my life."

She took the food out of the bamboo basket, placed it on a flat rock, and then took out chopsticks and handed them to Lu Chen.

Lu Chen picked up his rice bowl and began to eat heartily, while Huang Rong said with some concern:
“Brother Lu Chen, since Ouyang Feng is ranked alongside Father as one of the Five Greats, his martial arts skills must be comparable to Father's. Although you were able to hold your own against Father for so long, you still lost to him in the end. So what about facing Ouyang Feng…”

Lu Chen laughed:

"Among the Five Greats, Senior Huang is the one who is most effective against me. Even so, he still has to use his 'Finger Flicking Skill' to knock my sword away. As for Ouyang Feng, although his martial arts are comparable to Senior Huang's, he is probably not as effective as Senior Huang in restraining me. In fact, his Toad Stance might be countered by me."

Huang Rong blinked:
"Really?"

"of course."

Lu Chen laughed again:
"Besides, my martial arts skills are improving every day. There are still about ten days left. In ten days, my martial arts skills will be completely different from today. In addition, I have a brand new sword technique that I have already figured out. In a few days, I will be able to use it in actual combat."

Huang Rong had absolute faith in his swordsmanship talent, and smiled sweetly upon hearing this:
"Since Brother Lu Chen is so confident, then I'll wait and see you unleash your full power!"

"Don't worry. By the way, how is Mei Chaofeng?"

"Father previously taught Mei Chaofeng the 'Whirlwind Sweeping Leaves Leg Technique' and also gave her the 'Bone-Piercing Needle.' He instructed her to find several other fellow disciples, teach them the Whirlwind Sweeping Leaves Leg Technique, and heal their leg injuries. After completing the task, she was to return to Peach Blossom Island to face her death..."

After talking for a while, Lu Chen ate and drank his fill, and then strolled along the beach with Huang Rong, chatting to digest their food. Afterwards, they worked under the stars and moon, cutting through the waves on the reefs and practicing their swordsmanship diligently.

The lessons learned from fighting Huang Yaoshi at full power for over five hundred moves were quickly absorbed through diligent practice, and his swordsmanship began to advance by leaps and bounds once again.

Huang Rong sat in the seaside pavilion, her hand supporting her cheek, a smile on her lips, watching Lu Chen practice his swordplay intently until almost midnight, when she finally bid farewell to Lu Chen and returned to her manor deep in the peach grove.

Just as she entered the manor, a small pebble shot from the side and struck her Jianjing acupoint.

Huang Rong used her hearing to pinpoint the location, flicked out a copper coin, and with a snap, it collided with the small pebble in mid-air, shattering both the pebble and the copper coin simultaneously.

Then a figure in cyan flew over, and the Falling Flower Divine Sword Palm created countless afterimages, enveloping Huang Rong.

Huang Rong chuckled:
"Father, are you going to test Rong'er's martial arts skills?"

As he spoke, he also unleashed the Falling Flower Divine Sword Palm, engaging in a duel with Huang Yaoshi.

When fighting Huang Rong, Huang Yaoshi would not use his full strength. At the beginning, he only used one-tenth of his skill. In the past, let alone one-tenth of his skill, even if he only used one hand and only used half of his skill, Huang Rong would not be able to withstand it.

But today, after using one-tenth of his strength for a while, he still couldn't defeat Huang Rong. Huang Yaoshi was surprised and gradually increased his strength, to two-tenths, then three-tenths...

It took three or four tenths of his skill to finally overwhelm Huang Rong and make it difficult for her to continue.

After hundreds of moves, Huang Yaoshi retreated rapidly, looked at Huang Rong, and nodded in satisfaction.

"Not bad, you haven't wasted these past six months."

Although Rong'er could only barely parry 30-40% of his skills, her martial arts prowess was still enough to place her among the top in the martial arts world.

What pleased him even more was that Lu Chen didn't keep it all to himself. While his own power increased dramatically, he also helped Rong'er. He knew very well how half-hearted his daughter was when practicing martial arts. In just half a year, her power had increased so rapidly. Obviously, it couldn't be because she was practicing on her own. She must have obtained some spiritual item that could enhance her power.

Spiritual objects are rare, and are often unique.

Lu Chen was willing to share such a rare and precious spiritual item with Rong'er, which was a fitting reward for Rong'er's feelings for him.

With this thought in mind, Huang Yaoshi was even more satisfied with Lu Chen and said to Huang Rong:

“Starting tomorrow, you can teach him the ‘Jade Flute Sword Technique.’ His hand skills are still somewhat lacking. If he is willing to learn, you can also teach him the ‘Falling Flower Divine Sword Palm.’ This palm technique is derived from sword techniques, so it should be able to match his talent in swordsmanship.”

Huang Rong's eyes lit up:
"Thank you, Father! Oh, and Brother Lu Chen and I also prepared a lot of gifts for you, all of them powerful cultivation techniques..."

Huang Yaoshi feigns anger:
"You silly girl, you only brought out the gift after I gave you permission to teach Lu the Jade Flute Sword Technique. If I hadn't allowed you to teach him, would you not have given him the gift at all?"

Huang Rong tugged at Huang Yaoshi's sleeve, grinning and acting coquettishly:
"How could that be? Father, don't worry. Rong'er just heard that Ouyang Feng was going to propose marriage on behalf of Ouyang Ke, and she's been so flustered all day that she forgot..."

On the other side, Lu Chen practiced until midnight before going to a small wooden house on Finger Flicking Peak to rest. He didn't go to sleep immediately. He spent some time comprehending the sword intent imprint and gaining some insights into sword principles. Afterward, he sat cross-legged and practiced the internal energy cultivation techniques of the Tendon-Changing and Bone-Forging Manual, replacing sleep with meditation.

Perhaps because the Immortal Slaughtering Sword Intent was guarding his sea of ​​consciousness, he was able to quickly enter a state of "forgetting oneself and the external world".

In this state, not only is the internal energy cultivation extremely effective, but the body's recovery ability can also be maximized. In less than two hours, one's skill, physical strength, and energy can be restored to their best state.

So before four in the morning, Lu Chen woke up, washed up, and went to the beach to begin another day of cultivation under the starry sky.

As dawn broke, Huang Rong arrived early to bring him breakfast and teach him the Jade Flute Sword Technique.

Lu Chen thus gained another sword technique in his repertoire, further elevating his swordsmanship. He also acquired two sword techniques as the "keys" needed to unlock "Sword Four".

That evening, Huang Yaoshi came to fight Lu Chen again.

Lu Chen has indeed made great progress today, fighting Huang Yaoshi for more than seven hundred moves before finally losing by one move.

On the third day, Huang Rong taught Lu Chen the "Falling Flower Divine Sword Palm".

This palm technique originated from swordsmanship. Lu Chen's talent in swordsmanship proved useful, as he mastered this exquisite and superior palm technique in just half a day.

When Huang Yaoshi came to fight him, thanks to the experience gained from the two days of practice and the integration of the "Jade Flute Sword Technique" into his own swordsmanship, Lu Chen made great progress. He fought Huang Yaoshi for more than a thousand moves before finally losing by one move.

Several days later, Lu Chen's skill became more and more profound, and his killing moves gradually took shape. When he fought with Huang Yaoshi, he was no longer more defensive than offensive, but rather he and Huang Yaoshi had both offense and defense.

Before we knew it, the tenth day had arrived.

On this day, Huang Yaoshi fought Lu Chen for over a thousand moves. Seeing that he could not defeat him, he stepped on the Bagua position and circled Lu Chen rapidly from seven feet away. At the same time, he unleashed a series of powerful palm strikes, blasting Lu Chen from a distance.

It is the famous "Splitting Palm Force".

In this era, even the Five Great Masters don't have many ways to attack from a distance.

So much so that "Splitting Palm" became one of Huang Yaoshi's signature skills, on par with "Finger Flicking Divine Skill".

Compared to the "White Rainbow Palm" from the Tianlong era, which could turn and twist in mid-air, the Splitting Palm was certainly much weaker. However, the Splitting Palm power that Huang Yaoshi unleashed was still not to be underestimated.

When that powerful, distant palm strike came crashing down, its momentum was like a raging storm or rolling thunder.

Faced with Huang Yaoshi's ultimate move, Lu Chen remained unfazed, treating the force of the palm strike as the endless waves he faced every day. With a flick of his forearm, he unleashed a series of swift thrusts.

As the sword was drawn, his arm became a blur, and the sword was like a streak of light. As soon as the first sword was drawn, the second sword arrived. The azure sword light, one sword after another, was like a meteor shower, and it actually tore apart the palm strike that was cleaving through the air.

Then, Lu Chen moved his feet, his body and sword becoming one, his body moving with the sword. As his feet swiftly stomped on the ground, it was as if bombs were buried underground, exploding out waves of air that propelled his figure forward at lightning speed, like a phantom or a shooting star, instantly appearing in front of Huang Yaoshi.

At the same time, he unleashed a series of rapid sword thrusts, the continuous sword light transforming into a surging torrent of peaks, one after another, relentlessly attacking Huang Yaoshi.

It was the killing move that Lu Chen had devised, and after studying it for many days, it could finally be used in actual combat today.

Even Huang Yaoshi was shaken when he saw his rapid sword strikes.

Holding a three-foot-long bamboo stick, his arm moved so fast it left afterimages as he swiftly parried Lu Chen's rapid sword strikes. At the same time, for the first time, he retreated as Lu Chen charged forward, seemingly trying to avoid his sharp edge.

What shocked Huang Yaoshi even more was that as he retreated, he had already changed several movement techniques in an attempt to avoid Lu Chen's fierce frontal attack and to flank Lu Chen. However, Lu Chen's footwork was not only incredibly fast but also extremely agile, and he was able to follow him closely like a shadow, giving him no chance to dodge or avoid the frontal attack.

"This kid..."

Huang Yaoshi felt depressed.

This rapid sword strike is clearly Lu Chen's strongest killing move besides "Sword One: White Rainbow Piercing the Sun". You can see many of the essences of "Sword One" in it, as well as the shadows of other sword techniques such as Quanzhen Swordplay and Falling Flower Swordplay.

Lu Chen's swordsmanship comprehension is unparalleled, as he can flawlessly integrate the essence of so many sword techniques and thrusting moves into one.

Of course, Lu Chen's move also had a small flaw.

That is, too much sharpness leads to breakage. As long as we can withstand his relentless and persistent attacks, and drag him down until he is exhausted and his true energy is depleted, we can instantly reverse the situation and put him at a disadvantage.

However, in today's world, there are probably very few people who can withstand Lu Chen's rapid offensive.

At least Huang Yaoshi received this move from him. Although he was able to accurately intercept each of Huang Yaoshi's swords, it was not an easy task for him. His true energy was greatly depleted, and he could only rely on his internal strength to hold on.

Furthermore, Lu Chen wouldn't be so unwise as to use this trick until he was exhausted.

Or perhaps, the final strike of his move was "Sword One"?
If it's "Sword One"...

Just as he was thinking this, Lu Chen, who was launching a relentless attack, suddenly stopped and withdrew his attack.

Huang Yaoshi was taken aback: "Why aren't you attacking?"

Lu Chen shook his head: "If we attack again, it will be an even stronger killing move."

Does that mean if you unleash a more powerful attack, you might be able to hurt me?
Huang Yaoshi was displeased and frowned, saying, "Sword One?"

"No, sword light."

As he spoke, a three-inch cyan light suddenly burst forth from the edge of Lu Chen's sword. He casually swung it toward a reef beside him, and as the cyan light swept across, the reef, which had been weathered by wind and waves and was as hard as steel, cracked open with a sharp sound.

Upon seeing this, Huang Yaoshi couldn't help but be slightly startled.

The ability to injure enemies from a distance is not unusual for him; his splitting palm and finger flicking techniques can both injure enemies from a distance.

But Lu Chen's sword light was even more concealed than his splitting palm and finger flicking technique.

The Splitting Palm involves stepping on the Bagua steps and raising the hand, while the Finger Flicking Divine Skill also involves flicking the finger. However, Lu Chen's sword light has no preceding action and can be suddenly unleashed in any sword move at any time, making it truly impossible to defend against.

If he hadn't known in advance that Lu Chen had this trick up his sleeve, and had been fully focused on defending against Lu Chen's rapid attacks when the sword light suddenly shot out, he might have actually been injured in the heat of the moment!

So, this kid stopped and withdrew his attack because he was actually worried about hurting him?

Huang Yaoshi, with mixed feelings, asked:

"When you were in Zhongdu, did you use this move in front of Ouyang Ke?"

Lu Chen said, "I've used it. But Ouyang Ke doesn't know how far my sword beam can reach."

Huang Yaoshi shook his head regretfully:
"Even if we don't know how far your sword beam can reach, it won't be particularly effective against Ouyang Feng. However, since he has to defend against your sword beam, he can't launch a full-force attack when facing you, which can be considered a slight weakening of him."

Lu Chen nodded: "That's true. However, Ouyang Ke, the 'Sword One,' doesn't know that. And my quick sword technique can be followed up with Sword One at any time."

Huang Yaoshi had already guessed that he could connect with "Sword One," and immediately asked:

"Your 'Sword One' move no longer requires charging?"

Lu Chen nodded and said, "Yes."

This made even Huang Yaoshi feel a sense of dread.

During a rapid attack, once the enemy gradually gets used to this fast-paced rhythm and habitually blocks and intercepts each of his sword strikes, attempting to drag the attack out until the enemy is exhausted, suddenly unleash "Sword One"...

Huang Yaoshi thought to himself that even though he already knew that Lu Chen had a "Sword One" technique, he couldn't guess which specific sword move Lu Chen would use.

Because the first sword strike is a straight thrust, while Lu Chen's quick sword thrusts are all straight thrusts, it is impossible to predict which sword strike is the first sword strike from the sword movements, and you can be caught off guard at any time.

Even more terrifying is the power of "Sword One".

It should be noted that when Lu Chen only had a meager amount of internal energy, the "Sword One" he thrust out with all his strength and energy was comparable to the Five Greats' strike. So, with his current strength, which is only slightly inferior to Huang Yaoshi's, how powerful must his Sword One be?
In any case, Huang Yaoshi absolutely did not want to be hit by Lu Chen's "Sword One" while he was defending against Lu Chen's rapid sword attacks.

That was many times more terrifying than the unpredictable sword light!
Huang Yaoshi exhaled softly and said slowly:
"Your current martial arts skills are still slightly inferior to the Five Greats. But with this killing move... you might be able to fight Ouyang Feng."

Having a killer move alone is not enough.

If one's martial arts skills are far inferior to the Five Greats, even the most powerful killing moves will have little effect. However, if one's martial arts skills are only slightly inferior to the Five Greats, and one possesses a killing move that Ouyang Feng has never seen before, the outcome will be completely different if used unexpectedly.

Lu Chen bowed respectfully.
"I must thank Senior Huang for his hard work and guidance over the past few days."

If Huang Yaoshi hadn't been training him with all his might every day these past few days, putting immense pressure on him at the level of the Five Greats, even with the sea waves as a training ground, his skill and swordsmanship wouldn't have improved so quickly.

"That's your own skill. Does that series of assassination moves have a name?"

"Not yet. I'm not good at naming things, could you please help me come up with a name for it?"

Huang Yaoshi pondered for a moment, recalling the continuous sword light that flashed like a meteor shower when he drew his sword, and then softly recited:

"The east wind blows at night, releasing a thousand trees of flowers, and scattering stars like rain... Let your move be called 'Night Flower Star Rain'."

Nightfall Star Rain?

That's really quite artistic.

Lu Chen muttered to himself, but said thank you aloud:
"Thank you for the name, senior."

Huang Yaoshi stood with his hands behind his back and said calmly:

"Ouyang Feng will arrive soon. Sharpen your sword, lest you disappoint Rong'er."

Lu Chen was confident:

"Don't worry, senior, I will not let Rong'er down."

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(End of this chapter)