National Division

Chapter 112 Shen Xian: If you can't win the battle, everything is for naught!

Left Gate Platform, Competition Platform
Because a simple immortal amplification array was set up in all four directions, the common people and dignitaries watching the battle below could not only see the scene but also hear the sound above, which can be described as audio and video in sync.

The eldest princess turned her head and looked at Cui Shang, saying, "Cui, what Scholar Shen said makes sense. The Cui and Lu families should have an equal stake to ensure fairness!"

Cui Shang looked troubled and pondered for a moment before saying, "This matter involves the reputation of my Cui and Lu clans. Scholar Shen's request is a bit excessive. If it really can't be done, my Cui and Lu clans can pay a huge sum of gold and silver in compensation."

"Your words, Censor Cui, are utterly wrong!" Lu Ji frowned and said in a deep voice, "To be fair, Scholar Shen's reputation has surely been damaged by his act of carrying thorns to apologize."

Cui Shang stammered, opening his mouth as if to explain: "This..."

"What? You think the reputation of your Cui and Lu clans is real, but Scholar Shen's reputation isn't?" Lu Ji asked sternly.

Shen Xian is, after all, a member of the Vermilion Bird Division, and the Vermilion Bird Division, as an organization that fully supports the Empress, has an obvious stance.

On the contrary, the eldest princess remained silent, thus failing to demonstrate impartiality to the outside world.

Because a simple immortal amplification array was set up in all four directions, the common people and dignitaries watching the battle below could not only see the scene but also hear the sound above, which can be described as audio and video in sync.

When the people heard Lu Ji's words, they all cheered in unison.

"What this gentleman says is true."

"The reputation of the Cui and Lu families is a reputation, but isn't the reputation of Scholar Shen also a reputation?"

Cui Yan listened to the commotion around him from below, his aged face looking unwell.

The Cui and Lu families are a distinguished lineage with a thousand-year history and an extremely important reputation. How could a mere collateral branch of a fallen noble family compare?

In short, how can they be the same?

But at this moment, with the people cheering and their emotions running high, it's naturally not appropriate to say these things.

Shen Xian nodded secretly. No wonder the Empress was able to maintain her position despite being a mere woman; she certainly had talented people loyal to her.

Or rather, the diva is, to some extent, the leader of the poor, and how could there not be outstanding individuals among the vast number of poor students?

"If the Cui and Lu clans don't even have this much confidence, then they shouldn't have the nerve to challenge us to a duel." Shen Xian's calm expression, his voice imbued with martial arts essence, resounded throughout the entire arena.

"Don't play if you can't afford it!"

"If you're afraid of losing, then don't compete."

The people of the capital below immediately cheered and the atmosphere became lively.

“I can agree to this.” Cui You’s face was grim, and he looked at the young man with a cold gaze. He stood up and shouted loudly.

Clearly, they couldn't withstand such widespread condemnation.

Lu Ziling also stood up abruptly and said loudly, "I, Lu, can also agree to this matter!"

What do they have to fear from a piece of trash who has just broken through to the Grandmaster realm?

Cui Kun frowned, looked at Cui Yan, and said, "Father, is this matter inappropriate?"

"What good will it do to agree to him!" Cui Yancang's eyes were dark and gloomy as he gritted his teeth and said, "My grandson Cui You has the talent of a celestial being. Victory is assured. There's no need to worry about him!"

With a dragon charging right at your face, how can you lose?
Upon hearing this, Cui Kun felt somewhat worried but didn't say anything more.

Cui An, who was watching the battle from a distance, frowned. His calm gaze fell on the composed young man's face, casting a shadow over his heart.

Having received the clan chief's approval, Cui Shang announced loudly, "Your Highness, the Cui family grants your permission."

"The Lu family also agreed to this."

Lu Dezhen instructed a steward to shout loudly.

The eldest princess nodded slightly, her face beaming with a smile: "At this point, both sides have agreed to each other's bets! Commander Lu, you may proceed."

Lu Ji nodded and said, "Please invite Scholar Shen and the members of the Cui and Lu families to come up and sign the contract."

The platform was already two or three zhang high, and the immortal masters of the Shangqing Sect reinforced it with a magic array to prevent it from collapsing during the martial arts competition.

"Whizzing!"

Two figures suddenly rose into the air, crossing over the heads of the audience from the reed awning. In the blink of an eye, Cui You was standing on the high platform, wearing a moon-white Shu brocade robe, with a long sword hanging at his waist. His figure was upright, like a handsome young gentleman in a turbid world.

Lu Ziling, dressed in white, had a handsome face, almost like a crown of jade, and was just as elegant as a jade tree.

Upon landing, Lu Ziling proudly declared, "Commander Lu, you've seen it clearly; I didn't use any magic."

Lu Ji said calmly, "With your cultivation at the peak of the Heavenly Gate Realm, it makes no difference whether you use Dao techniques or not when facing a Grandmaster Realm martial artist."

Lu Ziling: "..."

Did he hire this person?
The princess looked at the refined and composed young man with a smile in her beautiful eyes and asked, "Scholar Shen, why don't you fly up?"

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and discovered that, at some point, Shen Xian, a scholar from the Zhaowen Academy, had descended the stairs to the side.

The onlookers in the capital nodded in approval.

The man in the secret passage was indeed a scholar. In this respect, he paid more attention to etiquette than the Cui and Lu clans, and did not fly over everyone's heads.

The eldest princess asked in surprise, "Why did Scholar Shen come up here?"

"Your Highness, I have been thinking of advising the Empress that if the capital city has no law enforcement power, it should delineate no-fly zones and set no-fly height zones in batches." Shen Xian's gaze fell on the distant palace, and he said loudly, "Where, for example, in front of the Left Gate, martial artists should not be allowed to take to the air, so as not to spy on the palace guards."

Upon hearing this, the princess's fair face showed a strange expression, and she said, "Scholar Shen is truly unexpected."

This is what a strategist is. Even in competitions that concern his personal reputation, he is worried about the country and its people, and about the fate of the monarch and the state.

Cui You's expression was not good.

This person, with the air of a high-ranking official pointing out the flaws in the country, made them seem like children who only knew how to fight and kill.

In fact, it was indeed Cui and Lu who issued the challenge. As for this kind of fight, well, although Lao Zhou and Lao Lei had also made such a challenge when they were young, it was ultimately done somewhat impulsively.

Lu Ziling stared intently at the young man, his gaze also flashing with a cold light.

This person is pretentious and truly hateful!

Shen Xian, dressed in a brocade robe with the Ink Rain Blade hanging at his waist, glanced at Cui You and Lu Ziling, and said in a calm tone, "You two, how do you want to compete? Are you coming at me all at once, or one at a time?"

Cui You: "..."

Lu Ziling: "???"

No, are they facing a reclusive master?
The martial artists watching below, upon hearing the sound emanating from the sound transmission device, stared blankly at this scene.

"it is good!"

It's fair to say that Shen Xian's performance was incredibly entertaining.

Of course, if it turns out that Shen Xian is truly amazing, then that's high-class.
Lu Ji was taken aback for a moment, then said, "Scholar Shen, according to the rules, we will compete one by one."

Shen Xian looked at Cui You and nodded, saying, "So you'll go first?"

Cui You looked at the calm and unwavering gaze of the young man and felt a sense of humiliation, but he didn't respond.

Lu Ziling snorted coldly and said, "I'll go first."

This person was too arrogant, and he had to teach him a lesson himself to vent his anger.

Shen Xian looked at Lu Ziling, his gaze sweeping over him lightly beneath his sword-like eyebrows.

Lu Ji said in a deep voice: "Neither side may use Daoist jade slips, spiritual treasures, or Daoist techniques. Otherwise, they will be directly judged as the losers."

The eldest princess turned to look at Shen Xian and Lu Ziling beside her and asked, "Did you hear me clearly?"

Lu Ziling and Shen Xian nodded.

At this moment, the eldest princess, Lu Ji, Cui Shang, and others concealed themselves.

Cui You also stepped aside, arms crossed, and coldly watched the two compete.

At this moment, the sky was overcast, dark clouds rolled in the sky above the capital city, and the flags around the stands fluttered in the wind.

Lu Ziling's clothes fluttered as he drew his precious sword from his waist with a "whoosh." His gaze fell on the face of the young man opposite him, his body alert as he scanned the changes in the aura, as if searching for a flaw.

Shen Xian's stance was casual, yet it contained a profound mystery, which was none other than the Dragon's Crouching stance from the Soaring Dragon Body Technique.

Shen Xian's gaze fell on the long sword in Lu Ziling's hand, and he asked, "You also wield a sword?"

Meanwhile, the Ink Rain Sword at his waist was drawn from its sheath in a flash, his true essence flowing into it, its mysterious light shimmering and its ethereal beauty vanishing in an instant.

Just then, Lu Ziling moved, like a wild horse unleashed, as fast as lightning, his precious sword slashing down from the sky.

"clang!"

The sound of metal clashing rang out, sparks flying everywhere. The two figures suddenly separated. Shen Xian remained motionless, while Lu Ziling's expression was solemn.

"That's a three-star divine weapon!"

"Scholar Shen is holding a three-star divine weapon, as is the Lu family's. Their divine weapons are of equal quality, making it difficult for them to exert their advantage," some knowledgeable martial artists below said.

King Zhao Yang Youxing picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and said, "Battles at the Grandmaster level, with every blade clashing and every punch landing, are truly something to reminisce about."

Faming smiled gently and uttered a Buddhist chant.

Buddhism also has many external martial arts techniques, which are much more dramatic than those of the Central Plains, such as the Buddha's Wrathful Lotus, which presents a magnificent spectacle.

Lu Ziling narrowed his eyes and suddenly charged towards Shen Xian like an arrow released from a bow.

The man unleashed a wave of energy, and the long saber in his hand, powered by his true essence, vibrated back and forth, cutting through the energy wave with a continuous buzzing sound.

Shen Xian remained calm as the treasured sword in his hand transformed into a streak of light, unleashing three vertical slashes and three horizontal cuts before finally striking down.

He has already unleashed the Seven Forms of Breaking the Army!
A surge of powerful golden true essence flowed into the Ink Rain Blade, unleashing a torrent of blade energy that instantly enveloped Lu Ziling with an invincible aura of annihilation.

"Clang! Clang!!!"

The sound of gold and iron clashing sounded.

Lu Ziling's face grew increasingly grim, and the momentum of the Cold Abyss Longsword in his hand began to become chaotic, because the momentum of the sword strikes from the other side was so swift and relentless, like an endless tide, that it was hard for him to breathe.

Shen Xian suddenly spoke, his tone somewhat surprised: "Eleventh place in the C rank of the Qilin Ranking, that's all?"

He spoke during the battle, yet his breathing remained perfectly steady, which only aroused the astonishment of the onlookers below.

Lu Ziling couldn't stand the boy's trash talk, especially his contemptuous tone. He unleashed his aura and cleaved through the sharp golden aura forming the sword city opposite him.

But then the young man's swordsmanship suddenly changed; his originally wide and sweeping swordsmanship suddenly became dense and intricate.

The sword energy, a blend of metal and fire elemental essences, enveloped Lu Ziling like a vast net.

Wildfire!

This martial art has a complex set of moves.

At this moment, Lu Ziling felt increasingly constrained by the sword's aura, as if he were facing a skilled old swordsman, his space being compressed step by step.

"This Scholar Shen, his martial arts skills are actually able to overpower Lu Ziling?" The martial artists below were discussing incessantly.

"That was just now. Now it's clearly an old man teasing a child." "Wasn't he supposed to be ignorant of martial arts? How come he's displaying two martial arts techniques?"

Anyone with a discerning eye can tell that the two martial arts techniques are different in style, and both demonstrate considerable skill.

The former is aggressive and forceful, like a battle technique, while the latter is steady and methodical, like a general arranging troops, unhurried but with hidden killing intent.

"How can one remain so calm and composed when facing an enemy without mastering martial arts?"

Those onlookers saw that the young man didn't even pant, his movements were calm and unhurried, as if he were strolling leisurely.

Yang Youxing frowned, a look of suspicion appearing in his eyes, and asked, "Master Faming, can you discern the nature of the true energy that Shen Xian used when he made his move?"

“Initially, the metal elemental true essence was incomparably sharp. It should not have lasted long, but it was continuous and inexhaustible, like three waves with a long aftereffect, like the endless flow of water, which seemed to be the water elemental true essence.” Fa Ming was also stunned at this moment, his golden eyes filled with doubt and uncertainty. He said, “Now, the metal is fueling the fire energy, and the fire energy is hiding its sharpness, almost becoming a prairie fire, which seems to be the fire elemental true essence?”

"Gold, water, and fire—the three elements of true essence? This Shen Xian is insane! He's cultivating three different true essence techniques all by himself?" Yang Youxing exclaimed in surprise, then his eyes widened and he said, "Why does this sword technique look so familiar?"

"Wildfire Hundred Slashes!"

Yang Youxing finally recognized the sword technique and blurted it out.

"Does Your Highness recognize this sword technique?" Fa Ming asked.

“How could I not recognize it?” Yang Youxing nodded, his complex gaze filled with emotion: “This sword technique was used by Hou Mingqing, a founding hero, when he was young. It was later recorded in the Qilin Pavilion. It has always been known for its complex moves, like a general setting up a battle formation, steadily suppressing the enemy’s space to move. Although the moves are complex, it consumes very little true energy.”

Yang Youxing recognized the technique, and some of the martial artists below him, who were also knowledgeable, recognized the sword technique that Shen Xian had used earlier.

"Was that the Seven Forms of Breaking Army?" One of the martial artists looked on with reverence and said, "This is the famous sword technique of Duke Sun Wanche of Dingguo in his early years. It was originally used for battlefield combat. I never expected to see it today."

The crowd whispered amongst themselves, discussing the matter incessantly.

The two women, Lady Han and Lady Zheng, watched intently as the two people leaping through the air made their move.

Among the onlookers from the capital, a young man with thick eyebrows and large eyes asked in confusion, "The swordsmanship Lu Ziling is using looks like the Zhenyue Swordsmanship?"

Beside him was a middle-aged man with a stubble beard and a dark complexion. He laughed and said, "It's the Zhenyue Sword Technique. This martial art is not bad. It uses the Zhen character technique of the Eight Symbols of Heluo to drive the sword technique. It can break many martial arts. It is a high-grade Xuan-level martial art. However, the mastery is mediocre. It is not yet divine."

“Brother Huan, your expectations are too high. The realm of being able to reach the highest level is only attainable by a Grandmaster. How old is Lu Ziling?” Another middle-aged man with a pale yellow face laughed.

Although the three were dressed in the robes that ordinary people usually wear, those who knew them recognized them.

Huan Yanfan, General of the Left Guard, Zhou Kuan, General of the Right Guard, and Kuang Shili, General of the Right Guard.

Although the Southern Imperial Guards were not invited to the martial arts competition, some officers still came to watch the excitement during their off-duty days.

“Indeed, but both are highly skilled, but Scholar Shen is even more accomplished and his moves are very seasoned,” Huan Yanfan said.

Young general Kuang Shili scoffed, "And his mentality isn't right either. His movements are starting to get a bit chaotic. He hasn't experienced much combat, has he?"

“Young masters and noble families rarely engage in life-or-death battles themselves,” Zhou Kuan said.

Among the martial artists below were many grandmasters. Seeing Lu Ziling being suppressed in every way, they immediately judged the level of the two.

"Rank 11 of the Qilin Ranking, is this all the level you're at?" A middle-aged martial artist dressed in a blue cloth shirt frowned and said, "I can do that too."

"The Qilin Ranking mainly selects outstanding young talents. Grandmasters like us who are past the age limit do not meet the inclusion criteria," an expert explained.

"It's possible to break through to the second-tier ranking, but that requires a Grandmaster level of cultivation."

"Without the resources accumulated by scions of aristocratic families, no matter how skilled we are in martial arts, we will not be able to be included in the Qilin Ranking."

"I heard that martial artists on the Qilin Ranking can get a discount on their demonic skills when viewing the martial arts techniques in the Qilin Pavilion."

Among the spectators were many martial artists who had traveled to the capital. They had heard about the martial arts competition between the two families and had mingled in the crowd to watch the excitement.

At this moment, they weren't paying much attention to the details of the martial arts competition, but instead kept discussing gossip.

"The Empress is holding a martial arts examination; perhaps there's a chance?"

"I'll get a minor official position and receive elixirs as a reward from the imperial court."

"If we martial arts masters had the support of the imperial court's martial arts elixir, we could progress even faster than Scholar Shen!"

On the other side, some innate and acquired martial artists were dazzled, watching the martial arts clashes on the stands, feeling overwhelmed by the spectacle.

And just when everyone was talking about it.

Lu Ziling was covered in sweat. Under the pressure of Shen Xianmo's sword, his Zhenyue sword technique was struggling to defend himself.

In the distance, in the Cui family's thatched hut, Cui Meiying frowned and looked at Zheng Nianxi and Zheng Ya beside her, saying with certainty, "Lu Ziling is no match for Shen Xian."

“I think so too. The problem lies in the understanding of martial arts techniques,” Zheng Nianxi said.

Zheng Ya said, "This Scholar Shen is highly skilled in martial arts, his skills are truly masterful, but it is really unbelievable that he is so old."

How exactly did this person train?

Just then, a flash of light appeared, almost like a bolt of moonlight, but the blade's movement was like a gazelle hanging by its horns, making it difficult to catch its mark.

Only martial artists at the fourth level of the Immortal Path can see this strike clearly.

Shen Xian swung his longsword and slapped Lu Ziling across the face with tremendous force, like a tidal wave.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, let's stop here.

He didn't make Lu Ziling lose a single part; instead, he slapped him hard, showing the grand style of a master!

Suddenly, a groan of pain rang out, and a figure flew out like a torn sack.

Several back teeth mixed with blood scattered into the sky, and Lu Ziling flew backward, landing on the magic circle, stirring up ripples in the water, before bouncing back onto the stands.

Lu Ziling was in excruciating pain. He propped himself up on one arm and looked at the boy with fear and shock. The boy's face, covered in blood and grime beneath his disheveled hair, was ashen and filled with despair.

Lost...

Only one thought lingered in my mind, and my brain was almost completely blank.

It could be said that Lu Ziling didn't even know how he lost. He only felt that his opponent's sword strikes were sharp and continuous, like waves, clearly suppressing him to the point of being unable to breathe, but the opponent was in no hurry to end the battle.

If a teacher tests you and you have nothing new to say, then he will slap you hard and send you off the stage.

There is only one reason for this situation: the gap in strength is too great.

The eldest princess, along with Cui Shang and Lu Ji, also revealed themselves, their gazes turning to the young man with complex expressions.

Xue Zhihua also looked at the young man, her gaze filled with disbelief.

Is this what it means to have mastered martial arts to a near-perfect level?

Even if she were to face Lu Ziling, who was ranked eleventh on the Qilin Ranking (ranked third), she would still have to put in some effort!
When did his martial arts skills reach such a level?
When the eldest princess looked at Shen Xian, only a few words came to mind: a martial arts prodigy, one in a million!
Just like the ancient Daoist Lord of the Hundred-Day Danxia, ​​who was a rare genius among immortals, there are also martial arts geniuses who can cultivate any martial art to an extremely high level.

Fighting across ranks is as easy as eating and drinking.

Moreover, in a battle between equals, it would almost completely suppress its peers!

Lu Ji also glanced at the nominal subordinate of the Vermilion Bird Division, his heart stirring slightly.

This Scholar Shen was skilled in both literature and martial arts. The Empress Dowager used him to oversee the Qilin Pavilion, recruit martial artists from all over the world, and establish the Demon-Slaying and Evil-Pacifying Divisions. It was a fitting use of his talents.

"I've been waiting for ages, but I haven't seen any impressive martial arts skills from you. To be honest, I was almost falling asleep." Shen Xian said calmly, "If this is the level of martial arts skills of the younger generation of the Lu family, it's rather disappointing."

Upon hearing this, the martial artists below were in an uproar. Was that really the case?
The people cheered in unison.

No wonder, it was clearly a crushing defeat just now, they were just playing you from beginning to end.

"Master Faming, can you see anything special about this?" Yang Youxing asked, his eyes filled with doubt.

He actually figured it out.

Fa Ming frowned, his golden eyes fixed on the young man, and said in a low voice, "Your Highness, this Scholar Shen's understanding of martial arts far surpasses that of Lu Ziling. I'm afraid he has mastered one particular sword technique to perfection. With his ability to apply his knowledge to other techniques, Lu Ziling is no match for him. Moreover, Scholar Shen's movement skills have reached an unparalleled level."

“I also saw what looked like a master-level shadow just now… but this is the realm of a Grandmaster.” Yang Youxing pondered for a moment and said, “No wonder Lu Ziling is only eleventh in the third rank. If he were truly at the master-level, he would be qualified to be ranked in the second rank.”

"Scholar Zheng".

But then the young man spoke up and asked a question.

"The subordinate is here."

Shen Xian pondered and said, "The three lists of the Qilin Ranking should still prioritize combat strength. These pampered pups raised from childhood only have the cultivation of a peak Grandmaster, but lack the substance of one. To include them would be a disgrace to the name of the Qilin Ranking! Go back and you and the other judges should compile a comprehensive evaluation index, similar to the Ministry of Personnel's Four Virtues and Twenty-Seven Excellences, with combat strength as the primary factor and age and cultivation as secondary factors. If you can't win a battle, everything is for naught!"

Scholar Zheng cupped his hands and said, "Yes, Scholar."

As soon as this statement came out, the whole place was in an uproar.

"If you can't win the battle, everything is zero. Lu Ziling's zero?" Some busybodies below were interpreting this rhyme.

This remark caused another burst of laughter, while the Lu family members in the thatched hut turned as black as the bottom of a pot.

As time passed, the people around the stands all looked on with amusement.

This is not a competition; it is the Pavilion Master of the Qilin Pavilion examining and evaluating the merits of those listed on the Qilin Ranking, and supervising the daily affairs of the Qilin Pavilion on site.

"Where are the Thousand Bull Guards?" Shen Xian ordered.

Zhang Rong and the other guards clasped their hands and replied in unison, "Your humble servant is here."

Since they were all grandmasters and innate martial artists, their true essence and true energy surged and resounded throughout the surroundings.

"Hang Lu Ziling on the flagpole as a warning!" Shen Xian said.

"promise."

At the command, they responded in unison.

The guards ascended the high platform, approached Lu Ziling, lifted the furious-looking Lu Ziling, and, with the prepared ropes, flew him toward the flagpole not far away.

"This……"

"Good! Scholar Shen always keeps his word! This kind of good-for-nothing should be hung up!"

Upon seeing this scene, the people of the capital city below the stands were first stunned, then cheered in unison.

It can be said that, in the eyes of the people of the capital who love a good show, this moment brought the program to its climax.

I thought it was just talk, but it turns out they were serious.

It really was hung on the flagpole.

Upon seeing this scene, Lu Dezhen trembled with rage, his eyes almost bursting open.

In fact, Lu Dezhen felt a sudden darkness before his eyes and almost couldn't breathe after Lu Ziling was slapped away with a knife.

Shen Xian remained calm as he sheathed the Ink Rain Blade and looked at Cui You, whose face was grim in the distance, asking, "Come here, fifth in the C rank of the Qilin Ranking?"

At this moment, Cui You gripped the sword at his waist, his knuckles white, his gaze gloomy, the casualness on his face gone, replaced by a heavy heart.

This guy actually rose up from the seventh level of the acquired realm?

The intelligence is definitely wrong!

(End of this chapter)