My martial arts have no bottlenecks.

Chapter 146 Prodigy

On the arena.

Luo Zhan attacked with a spear, but Liang Cheng did not draw his sword.

He simply turned his body slightly to the side, raised his right hand, his five fingers loosely clenched like a knife, and lightly slashed at the tip of the spear, the movement casual.

"clang--!"

The sound of metal clashing rang out!

Luo Zhan felt a strange force emanating from the gun. At first, it felt as heavy as a mountain, pressing down on his arm. But upon impact, it erupted with a swift and violent tremor like thunder and lightning!

The spear involuntarily veered three inches, grazing past Liang Cheng's temple.

Luo Zhan withdrew and stepped back, his eyes filled with surprise and uncertainty.

The opponent's stroke just now, though seemingly casual, was terrifyingly precise.

Even more bizarre was the change in that aura—

"That's interesting."

Luo Zhan's eyes turned serious. "It seems you're not just blindly arrogant."

Liang Cheng remained calm: "Please."

Luo Zhan no longer dared to be arrogant. With a shake of his spear, his peak True Qi cultivation erupted!

The jet-black aura spread out like ink, faintly condensing into a phantom of a black tortoise behind him, heavy, steady, and indestructible.

"Mystic Tortoise Spear - Thousand Waves!"

Gunfire surged like a tide, one wave after another, overwhelming Liang Cheng!

Each wave of spear energy contained the immense power of the peak True Qi, enough to shatter mountains and split rocks!

Liang Cheng finally drew his sword.

The sword was drawn first, its blade swirling with azure energy, accompanied by the faint sounds of wind and thunder.

He didn't use any fancy moves, just simple horizontal, vertical, and diagonal slashes, but each slash precisely struck the weakest point of the spear wave.

Each strike was as heavy as a mountain, yet at the moment of impact, it unleashed a swift and powerful force like wind and thunder!

Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang—!

The sounds of clashing swords and spears blended together, and sparks rained down like rain!

The two became two afterimages on the arena, their qi surging and the ground constantly cracking.

Thirty moves!

Fifty moves!

Eighty moves!

For a time, the game was evenly matched!

The audience was already dumbfounded.

"Senior Brother Liang can actually fight Luo Zhan to a standstill?"

"Is his swordsmanship Elder Chen's Mountain-Slaying Blade? It seems somewhat similar, yet strange!"

"Look at Luo Zhan's spear! Every time it seems about to pierce Senior Brother Liang, it gets cut in half by Senior Brother Liang's knife!"

On the high platform, Chen Xuanfeng's eyes gleamed.

"Good lad, he actually created his own sword technique! Such comprehension! If this were reported to the Penglai Sect—"

Chen Xuanfeng quickly suppressed this thought, deciding to watch Liang Cheng's battle first before considering anything else.

Ye Zhi Qiu clenched his fists and murmured, "Junior brother—you've actually come this far. It seems I can't fall too far behind."

On the arena, Luo Zhan grew increasingly alarmed as the fight progressed.

Liang Cheng's swordsmanship, though seemingly simple and unadorned, always manages to interrupt his spear thrusts at the most crucial moments, holding his own in head-on clashes!

"We can't delay any longer!"

He came here to hone his skills; if he can't even get to the bottom of the General Hospital's Dragon and Phoenix Ranking, wouldn't he become a laughing stock?

"Liang Cheng, take my last shot!"

He roared and retreated rapidly, raising his spear high.

Behind him, the phantom of the Xuan Turtle roared to the sky, and dark energy surged wildly into the spear.

At the tip of the spear, a single point of extreme black light condensed, seemingly capable of devouring all light.

"Mystic Tortoise Spear - Sea-Suppressing and Sky-Covering!"

This shot was the culmination of his life's cultivation, a secret killing move passed down from Xuan Turtle Island!

With a single shot, the world seemed to change color!

The black spear light swept across the entire arena like a tsunami, causing the ground to crumble layer by layer in its path, and the crowd below the stage could barely breathe.

This shot—

too strong!

A serious expression also appeared in Liang Cheng's eyes.

But he did not back down.

Instead, he took a step forward.

The Struggle Blade was slowly raised, its blade swirling with azure energy, accompanied by the sounds of wind and thunder.

At this moment, all five senses become incredibly clear.

He saw the very core of the spear's edge.

I also saw where I should strike.

Nine Heavens Severing Mountain Blade!

The sea has been cut off!

"cut!"

With a low growl, Liang Cheng slashed down with his sword!

There were no dazzling lights or shadows, no overwhelming momentum, only a condensed azure blade aura, as if thunderbolts from the heavens were striking down, or as if a ten-thousand-foot mountain were collapsing!

Wherever the blade's energy passed, the black wave of spears was actually cleaved in two!

It was as if a real tsunami had been severed by an invisible chasm!

Luo Zhan's pupils contracted!

He wanted to change his tactics, but it was too late.

That azure blade of energy was already upon them!

"Block it for me!"

He roared, channeling all his inner energy into his spear and parrying with it.

clang-!!!!

Amidst a deafening explosion, the spear in Luo Zhan's hand snapped in two!

The blade's momentum remained undiminished, slashing fiercely at the protective aura around his chest.

"puff--!"

Luo Zhan coughed up blood and flew backward, crashing heavily into the light shield at the edge of the arena before sliding to the ground.

He looked down and saw that his robes were torn to shreds, and a shallow knife mark extended from his collarbone to his abdomen. If it were half a step deeper, his belly would be ripped open.

Liang Cheng stood there, holding his knife, slightly panting, the tip of the knife pointing diagonally at the ground.

At this moment, the outcome is decided!

The entire venue was deathly silent.

Three full breaths later, "We won!!!"

"Senior Brother Liang won!!!"

"Having only entered the True Qi realm for half a year, he actually defeated Luo Zhan, a peak True Qi cultivator!!!"

"Truly a prodigy of our main hospital!"

A thunderous roar of cheers erupted!

Luo Zhan knelt on the arena, looking at the spear that had broken in two in his hand, then at the knife wound on his chest, his expression complex.

Shock, confusion, frustration —

In the end, it all turned into a bitter laugh.

He struggled to his feet, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and solemnly clasped his hands in a fist salute to Liang Cheng.

"admire."

He paused, then asked, "What's this strike called?"

"The Nine Heavens Shatter the Mountain".

Liang Cheng sheathed his sword.

"Nine Heavens Broken Mountain — A good name."

Luo Zhan gave Liang Cheng a deep look. "I will fight you again at the Ascension Conference in six months."

After saying that, he picked up the broken spear, then jumped off the stage and left amidst countless complex gazes. The elder of Xuan Turtle Island on the high platform gave Liang Cheng a deep look before following Luo Zhan away.

At this moment, Chen Xuanfeng transmitted his voice secretly.

"Liang Cheng, come to the Chuan Gong Hall."

Ignoring the excited crowd below, Liang Cheng leaped off the stage and headed straight for the training hall.

The inner room of the Transmission Hall.

Chen Xuanfeng stood by the window with his hands behind his back. Hearing footsteps, he turned around and saw Liang Cheng. A flash of joy crossed his eyes.

"Master."

Liang Cheng bowed respectfully.

"No need for such formalities."

Chen Xuanfeng quickly raised his hand, his eyes blazing with intense light.

"On the arena, the swordsmanship you used, while powerful and heavy, certainly had the potential to cleave mountains. However, its explosive speed and exquisite variations far exceeded the scope of the Mountain-Cleaving Sword."

"Tell your master, is this a sword technique you created yourself?"

Liang Cheng knew he couldn't hide it from them, so he nodded frankly.

"In the secret realm of the Thousand Machines Corridor, I made a serendipitous discovery. In a desperate situation, I combined the swiftness of the Wind and Thunder Slash with the weight of the Mountain-Severing Blade, and by sheer luck, I created the Nine Heavens Mountain-Severing Blade."

""

"Good! What a stroke of luck!"

Chen Xuanfeng clapped his hands and laughed loudly, his voice shaking the roof tiles. His eyes were full of satisfaction and excitement.

"You've only just entered the True Qi Realm, yet you've already grasped the essence of martial arts from battle, integrated it all, and forged a new path for yourself. This is truly a gift from heaven!"

"It is truly an honor for me, Chen Xuanfeng, to accept you as my disciple!"

After laughing, his expression turned serious.

"Go back now, consolidate your cultivation, and hone your skills carefully. The Ascension Assembly is approaching, so you must not slack off. Cultivate diligently, and in a few days, your master will have a surprise for you."

Although Liang Cheng was curious, seeing that his master was keeping him in suspense, he didn't ask any more questions and respectfully agreed.

"Yes, disciple takes his leave."

After Liang Cheng left, Chen Xuanfeng flashed and arrived deep inside the main courtyard, where the dean was in seclusion.

The Dean's Quiet Room.

The president of the main hospital, Zhong Lishuo, with his white hair and beard, showed surprise on his usually calm face after listening to Chen Xuanfeng's report.

"Having only been a disciple for two years, at the age of twenty-one, he entered the True Qi Realm, his Primordial Qi Body was already perfected, and he could even create his own Fusion Technique in battle."

"Using combined sword techniques to defeat a peak True Qi cultivator from Xuan Turtle Island?"

Zhong Lishuo tapped the table lightly with his fingertips, his eyes gleaming.

"Such comprehension and temperament are beyond the reach of ordinary prodigies. Elder Chen, you have taken on a fine disciple!"

"The Dean is too kind."

Chen Xuanfeng cupped his hands in greeting and then got to the point, "Such a rough gem should be meticulously crafted."

At this point, his expression turned solemn. "This disciple humbly requests that the core area of ​​the Mysterious Spirit Realm in the back mountain be opened for Liang Cheng to cultivate, so as to help him make another breakthrough before the Ascension Assembly."

Zhong Lishuo frowned upon hearing this.

Chen Xuanfeng said solemnly, "Dean, this boy is sincere and grateful. However, he has only been in the academy for a short time. Although the main academy has been kind to him by passing on his skills, in essence, ninety percent of his achievements today are due to his own hard work and dedication. Such self-reliance and self-improvement are especially valuable."

"Such a prodigy, if he were to break through to the mortal realm and form his core, entering the inner sect of the Penglai Sect, he might still have some affection for me as his master, but how much sincerity would he have for the main academy?"

"In that case, it would be better to provide timely assistance and let him be grateful for the kindness of the main academy. With his help, the disciples of our main academy will surely have a better chance of advancing in the Ascension Ceremony."

Upon hearing this, Zhong Lishuo pondered for a moment.

The core of the secret realm in the back mountain has a spiritual energy concentration far exceeding that of other areas of ordinary Xuanling secret realms. It has always been open only to elders who have broken through to the mortal realm and formed the core, and it consumes a great deal of spiritual energy.

"Can."

Zhong Lishuo finally nodded in agreement.

Even the true disciple of Xuanwu Island can defeat the top of the Dragon and Phoenix Ranking of the main academy. If it weren't for Liang Cheng's sudden rise to prominence, the main academy would have been embarrassed.

I'm willing to take a gamble for the future.

"Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures."

"If this child can soar to great heights, it will bring immense prestige to our main academy and to our Four Islands Alliance. Therefore, your suggestion is approved."

Just as Chen Xuanfeng was about to express his gratitude, Zhong Lishuo interrupted him.

"I immediately sent a letter to the Penglai Sect, informing them that Liang Cheng had mastered the combat techniques on his own. Once the Penglai Sect's envoy verifies that it is correct, he may be specially recruited ahead of schedule, without having to wait for the results of the Ascension Conference."

"Thank you, Dean!"

Chen Xuanfeng was overjoyed upon hearing this and quickly bowed to express his gratitude.

Three days later, Penglai Sect replied, his message brief and to the point.

"A special envoy has been dispatched to verify. If it is true, he can be exceptionally admitted as an outer disciple. After the Ascension Ceremony, he can formally enter the sect."

Prior to this, Liang Cheng had already been notified by Chen Xuanfeng to re-enter the Xuanling Secret Realm.

This time it wasn't the outer area as before, but the core spiritual eye area.

Upon entering, a surge of powerful spiritual energy rushed in, its concentration several times that of the previous one, and it was comparable to the previous secret realm of Linwu City.

Even better.

This place was specifically built for cultivation purposes.

Liang Cheng took a deep breath, and the extremely pure spiritual energy actively entered his limbs and bones. Without needing to circulate his cultivation technique, his cultivation level increased slightly.

Moreover, the ground beneath their feet was warm and smooth jade, engraved with spirit-gathering array patterns, its light flickering and resonating with the dense spiritual mist.

"One day of cultivation here is equivalent to ten days of arduous training outside."

Liang Cheng felt a chill run down his spine and dared not waste another second.

He found a place rich in spiritual energy and sat down cross-legged, allowing the fourth level of the Broken Wave Technique within his body to circulate naturally.

In an instant, the spiritual mist around him seemed to be drawn by an invisible force, transforming into nine visible seven-colored vortexes that poured into him from the major acupoints on the top of his head and around his body!

"boom--!"

The nine seeds of Qi within his body trembled simultaneously, emitting joyful cries, frantically absorbing and releasing this vast yet gentle spiritual energy.

The fragments of the true meaning of crossing the sea continued to transform, and the internal energy within his body became condensed and strengthened at a visible speed, like a dried-up riverbed welcoming a flood.

Five days later.

The azure aura surrounding Liang Cheng had become so dense as to be almost tangible, forming a flowing light beneath his skin. Within his dantian, the nine aura seeds had noticeably expanded, drawing in a wider range of spiritual energy as they rotated.

[Fourth Level of the Broken Wave Technique: Minor Success (1087/22000)]

Ten days later, his meridians finally reached their limit, and only then did he get up to practice his swordsmanship.

The Nine Heavens Mountain-Slaying Blade unfolded amidst the thick spiritual mist, its movements displaying even greater freedom and ease than ever before.

Each strike caused a surge of spiritual mist, and the sounds of wind and thunder echoed endlessly within the sealed secret realm, even faintly condensing into a fleeting phantom of spiritual energy.

His knife skills improved rapidly, and the transition between "heavy" and "fast" became increasingly smooth and flawless.

Once his meridians were relaxed, Liang Cheng continued his meditation, sitting cross-legged and circulating his energy throughout his body.

Twenty days later.

Liang Cheng seemed to have entered a mysterious state.

Wherever the mind moves, the internal energy circulates, resonating with the direction of the blade, and the blade's edge is also the trajectory of the mental energy's operation.

With a single move, "Severing the River," before the blade even arrived, the spiritual mist in front of him spontaneously parted to the sides, as if separated by an invisible mountain.

The power of their swordsmanship is incomparable.

[Fourth Level of the Broken Wave Technique: Minor Success (5123/22000)]

[Nine Heavens Mountain-Slaying Blade: Grand Completion (36789/40000)]

Liang Cheng closed his eyes and concentrated. The nine Qi seeds in his body were already full like dragon eyes, emitting a bright blue light, like a glass statue.

With every gesture he made, his inner energy was contained yet possessed a chilling aura, a powerful and sharp presence.

He rose and slowly slashed with his sword, without wind or thunder, without a sound.

Three zhang ahead, a wisp of spiritual mist drifted down, but without warning it split in two, the cut surface as smooth as a mirror, and it took a long time for it to slowly reconcile.

Effortless mastery, with intention and expression intertwined.

Just then, the communication jade talisman on his body suddenly lit up with a rapid red light!

Liang Cheng's master Chen Xuanfeng's urgent voice was immediately imprinted in his mind.

"Liang Cheng, get out of the pass immediately!"

Mysterious Realm, Exit.

A middle-aged cultivator dressed in a light gold cloud-patterned Daoist robe, exuding an aura of profound depth, was already waiting. He was none other than Liu Jingtao, the special envoy of the Penglai Sect.

Chen Xuanfeng accompanied him, smiling gently.

"Senior Brother Liu, it's really troublesome for you to make this trip."

"It's alright."

Liu Jingtao's gaze was sharp as he carefully swept over Liang Cheng, who had just emerged from seclusion. The young man's aura had improved once again compared to when he was in the Linwu City Secret Realm.

The doubts about the broken stone tablet resurfaced in his mind, but he showed no sign of it on his face.

Chen Xuanfeng quickly spoke up, "Liang Cheng, why haven't you paid your respects to Elder Liu yet?"

"Disciple Liang Cheng greets Elder Liu."

Liang Cheng bowed respectfully, but in his heart he wondered why Liu Jingtao had come. Could it be about the Shi Po Dang incident in the Linwu City secret realm?

"Elder Chen and Dean Zhong mentioned in their letters that you created a unique sword technique. Could you demonstrate it?"

Upon hearing this, Liang Cheng breathed a sigh of relief; it seemed they weren't here to cause him trouble.

Thinking of this, he didn't say much, but stepped back a few paces and drew his sword first.

Facing the void ahead, he slowly began practicing the Nine Heavens Mountain-Severing Blade.

The initial movement is as steady as a mountain. As the blade unfolds, the sound of wind and thunder gradually accompanies it. The two qualities of weight and speed flow with the intent of the blade, alternating in a harmonious way.

Although it wasn't unleashed at full power, the unique fusion rhythm of the Broken Mountain Blade and the Wind and Thunder Slash was already clearly evident.

The final move, "Severing the Nine Heavens," was unleashed in a virtual slash. Where the blade passed, the air emitted a low, thunderous sound, with a faint sense of tearing.

The surprise in Liu Jingtao's eyes grew stronger, and by the time Liang Cheng sheathed his sword, he was already clapping his hands in admiration.

"Excellent! The meaning surpasses the form, the integration is skillful, and the potential is boundless. It is undoubtedly original. With such comprehension, you should join my Penglai Sect!"

Without any hesitation, he took out a token that was neither gold nor jade, engraved with cloud patterns and the words "Penglai," and handed it to Liang Cheng.

"This is the outer disciple token of my Penglai Sect. With this token, you are already a registered disciple of the Penglai Sect. However, you will have to wait until the Ascension Conference is over. Regardless of your ranking, you can use this token to directly enter the sect and complete the formal entry procedures. I hope you will cultivate diligently during this period and not let us down."

Liang Cheng accepted the token with both hands. Its smooth surface warmed his skin, and he felt a surge of excitement. He solemnly said, "Thank you, Special Envoy! This disciple will certainly strive to do my best!"

Liu Jingtao offered a few more words of encouragement before taking his leave, as he needed to return to his sect to report back.

Such a prodigy is rare even in the Penglai Sect.

Liang Cheng rubbed the token between his fingers. Under Chen Xuanfeng's gratified gaze, they talked for a while before Chen Xuanfeng pushed him into the Xuanling Secret Realm.

"Hurry up, the dean finally agreed to let you cultivate in the secret realm, don't waste this opportunity."

"Yes, Master, I'm going in."

"Okay, go ahead!"

Penglai Immortal Island, headquarters of Jubaoxuan.

In a secluded tent, Qian Wanjin looked haggard, a far cry from his former glory as the manager.

Because of his repeated miscalculations, especially his failed attempt to outmaneuver Liang Cheng, he was demoted to a regular steward and sent back to headquarters to handle some peripheral tasks in order to protect himself.

At that moment, he was holding a briefing that had just been sent back to headquarters, his fingers turning white from gripping it too tightly.

The briefing clearly stated: "Liang Cheng, a disciple of the Four Islands Alliance's main academy, is no more than twenty years old. He created his own sword technique, which was recognized by the Penglai Sect. He was exceptionally admitted as an outer disciple ahead of schedule and will be formally accepted into the sect after the Ascension Assembly."

"Liang Cheng—Liang Cheng!"

Qian Wanjin's eyes were bloodshot, a mixture of fear and resentment. "How could it be so fast—how could it be!?"

He knew that he and Liang Cheng had become mortal enemies, and if he hadn't fled to headquarters, he would probably have been dealt with by Liang Cheng long ago.

Originally, they hoped that time would dilute the damage and buy them time, even though Liang Cheng had failed on his martial arts journey.

But now, not only is the other party not dead, but he has soared to great heights and is about to become a disciple of the Penglai Sect!

Once Liang Cheng establishes himself in the Penglai Sect, crushing a down-on-his-luck steward like him would be a piece of cake!

Jubaoxuan wouldn't stand up for themselves back then.

"We can't wait any longer! We absolutely cannot wait for Liang Cheng to join the Penglai Sect!"

Qian Wanjin suddenly stood up and paced back and forth in the cramped tent, acting like a madman. "Otherwise, it's a nine-out-of-ten chance of death, no, it's a ten-out-of-ten chance of death!"

He stopped abruptly, a fierce and resolute glint in his eyes.

"Let's gamble! Let's gamble on this near-death experience!"

He quickly spread out paper and pen and began writing instructions, his face contorted in pain.

"Uncle Wang, you must immediately return to Zhongyuan Island, to Linwu City, and appear by chance—it must be by chance that Yang Wei discovers you."

Yang Wei values ​​loyalty above all else; he would never stand idly by and watch you escape unharmed.

"Then, find an opportunity to write to Liang Cheng. Given the deep bond between master and disciple, he will surely interrupt his cultivation and rush back to Linwu City to provide support—"

At this moment, Qian Wanjin's pen flew across the paper, as if he could already see Liang Cheng stepping into the trap and blood splattering five steps away.

This was his final act of madness, and also his only possible chance of survival.

If Qian waits any longer, he will only face certain death.

This time, he had to be absolutely certain of success, set up a trap, and wait for Liang Cheng to come to him.

He wrote down different instructions one after another and distributed them to various places. He blew the ink off the last instruction and a sickly grin appeared on his face.

"Liang Cheng".

"This time, it's either you or me!"

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