Be a proper Taoist priest in The Condor Heroes

"Junior Brother Su is amazing! He defeated three third-generation senior brothers in a row!"

"He's mastered the Quanzhen Swordplay to a level that surpasses what we've practiced for years!"

Su Yan sheathed his sword and stood there, his proficiency level on the panel had jumped to [230/400]. Just as he was about to challenge someone to another battle, he saw a figure angrily leap onto the high platform, his blue Taoist robe fluttering in the wind. It was Zhao Zhijing.

He had just lost to Yin Zhiping in the previous competition among the three generations of disciples, and the frustration in his chest had not yet dissipated. Then he saw Su Yan, a disciple who had only been a disciple for twenty days, defeat three generations of experts in a row and overshadow everyone else. A nameless anger instantly rose to the top of his head.

Why should he? This kid only got the complete sword technique because of Qiu Chuji, and now he can run rampant in the training ground? I have been training hard for many years, but I have suffered losses at the hands of Yin Zhiping and Su Yan's lineage. If I don't teach this kid a lesson today, how will I have any face left in the sect?

"Su Yan, you've only learned swordsmanship for a few days, yet you dare to run rampant in the martial arts arena? Do you really think my Quanzhen Sect has no one left?"

Zhao Zhijing's tone was barbed, his eyes as sinister as knives. As he spoke, a subtle movement of energy emanated from his body, indicating that he had already activated his superior lightness skill, the Golden Goose Technique. He gracefully retreated several feet, looking down at Su Yan from his elevated position.

He sneered inwardly, "Today I'll show you what the superior martial arts of the Quanzhen Sect are, what the true Quanzhen Sword Technique is! I'll make sure you're severely injured and defeated, both to vent my anger and to let Qiu Chuji and Yin Zhiping see that Zhao Zhijing's disciple is not someone to be trifled with!"

"Today I'll show you what the true Quanzhen Swordplay is all about!"

The Golden Goose Skill is a superior lightness skill of the Quanzhen School. It is agile and graceful in its leaps and turns, with its clothes fluttering like wild geese soaring through the sky, far surpassing Su Yan's leaping and bounding techniques.

On the high platform, Ma Yu stroked his long beard, his expression still calm, but a hint of understanding flashed in his eyes.

He naturally saw through Zhao Zhijing's frustration and competitiveness, but did not stop him. He thought to himself: Zhijing is still a bit too impatient. Sparring is meant to improve, but if it is accompanied by hostility, it will only make things worse.

However, Su Yan's composure and measured approach allowed him to hone his character and also made Zhi Jing realize that there are always people more capable than himself.

Wang Chuyi raised an eyebrow slightly, his fingers unconsciously tapping the armrest.

He noticed that Zhao Zhijing's aura was already fierce even before he made a sword move, and he shook his head inwardly.

His disciple's actions were inappropriate. The Golden Goose Skill was originally meant to aid in evasion, but he used it as a means of suppression, and every move was aimed directly at vital points, losing the essence of the Quanzhen Swordplay—the principle of balance and tranquility. However, Su Yan remained calm; let's see how he resolves this.

Sun Bu'er's expression was solemn, her gaze sharp as a blade, fixed on the two of them. She was meticulous by nature and disliked mixing personal grudges into sparring. Seeing Zhao Zhijing's posture, she frowned slightly and whispered to Ma Yu.

"Master, Junior Nephew Zhao's moves are too ruthless, which may detract from the original purpose of the exchange."

Even so, they did not rashly stop him. After all, martial arts practitioners need to be tempered, and if Su Yanruo could not even withstand this little bit of pressure, it would be a waste of Junior Brother Qiu's high regard for him.

Yin Zhiping stood by the stage, his brows furrowing even more. He took a half-step forward, intending to speak and dissuade them, but was stopped by Ma Yu's glance. He could only silently instruct Su Yan.

"Junior Brother Su, be careful. Senior Brother Zhao's swordsmanship is superb, and his Golden Goose Skill is agile. Do not engage in a direct confrontation."

"I dare not neglect your guidance, Senior Brother Zhao."

Su Yan remained calm and was not intimidated by the other party's aura. The Quanzhen Basic Breathing Technique was rapidly circulating in his dantian, and his blood and qi were concentrated in his limbs. He had only one thought in his mind: he could use Zhao Zhijing's superb swordsmanship to hone his moves and max out his proficiency.

Zhao Zhijing snorted coldly, his anger growing even stronger.

This brat actually dares to pretend to be calm! He suddenly closed in, his Golden Goose Skill making him as fast as lightning. His long sword pierced straight into Su Yan's heart with the "White Rainbow Piercing the Sun" technique, which was several times more powerful than that used by ordinary disciples. The sword wind was filled with coldness, and every move was aimed at vital points.

He thought to himself: This sword strike will leave you no way to avoid it, either seriously injured or routed. Let's see how arrogant you can be then!

Su Yan dared not take the blow head-on. He activated his Leap Technique to its limit, his body scrambling to dodge. The sword wind grazed his clothes, leaving a few shallow marks. Zhao Zhijing's sword moves were fast and ruthless. His Golden Goose Skill made his movements unpredictable, sometimes slashing and thrusting in mid-air, sometimes gliding along the ground.

Su Yan was completely suppressed for a time, and could only barely parry with the reaction of a third-rate martial artist and his practical experience. However, the proficiency level on the panel was jumping rapidly: [247/400].

"All you can do is hide? Show me what you're capable of!"

Zhao Zhijing roared, his longsword unleashing three sword flowers. The "Three Rings Encircling the Moon" technique combined with the Golden Goose Skill was difficult to discern as real or feinted, and it aimed directly at Su Yan's major acupoints.

Su Yan took a deep breath, no longer passively defending. His internal energy and blood mingled, and the moves of the Quanzhen Sword Technique became more and more fluid.

He stared at Zhao Zhijing's movement trajectory, and when the other party descended from the air again, he suddenly lowered his waist and fell off his horse. He raised his long sword vertically and accurately struck the back of the other party's sword. Using the force of the recoil, he dodged away. At the same time, he flipped his wrist and used "Colorful Boat and Light Clouds" to avoid vital points and directly target Zhao Zhijing's weakness.

[261/400]

The attack was swift and precise, catching Zhao Zhijing off guard. He hurriedly dodged to the side, his Taoist robe being torn open by the sword's edge, and his face turned even more ashen.

He hadn't expected Su Yan to find a chance to counterattack under the suppression of the Golden Goose Skill. Enraged, he launched an even fiercer attack, but his eagerness to succeed revealed more flaws in his moves.

Su Yan gradually adapted to the rhythm of the Golden Goose Skill. Although his leaping technique was not as exquisite as his opponent's, it was steady and composed. Every dodge was just right, and every counterattack hit the vital point.

He could clearly feel the proficiency level on the panel steadily increasing to [271/400]. He secretly thought to himself: It's time to quit while I'm ahead. If I continue fighting, Zhao Zhijing might use his full strength. I should admit defeat first. This limbo will only make him more uncomfortable. It's time to quit while I'm ahead.

When Zhao Zhijing's "White Rainbow Piercing the Sun" came down again, Su Yan stopped blocking, turned around and took several steps back, sheathed his sword and bowed.

"Senior Brother Zhao's swordsmanship is profound, and his Golden Goose Skill is even more exquisite. This disciple has not yet fully grasped the essence of the Quanzhen Swordplay, so I will stop here for today and seek further instruction from Senior Brother in the future."

These words not only gave Zhao Zhijing a way out, but also suited his calm and composed nature.

Zhao Zhijing stood frozen in place, his sword strike abruptly halted, his face alternating between pale and flushed. He had intended to severely injure Su Yan, but the other party had calmly countered him. Now that the other party had voluntarily admitted defeat, he had no way to retaliate. He could only snort coldly with a dark face and stand aside.

Ma Yu, who was on the high platform, suddenly stood up and stared intently at Su Yan.

"Excellent! Calm in the face of battle, knowing when to stop—your composure and swordsmanship are both superb!"

He turned to Wang Chuyi and Sun Bu'er beside him and sighed.

"It's a pity that my disciples are already full, and I didn't encounter such a talented person sooner. Otherwise, I would definitely have snatched him and kept him by my side to train. However, they are all disciples of my Quanzhen Sect. It is a good thing for the sect that Junior Brother Qiu can have such a successor. This boy should be taken as a personal disciple."

Wang Chuyi, standing beside him, stroked his beard, his eyes full of approval.

"Su Yan is a young man with a well-rounded swordsmanship and an amazing sense of combat. Zhiming has been practicing swordsmanship for several years, but he has accurately grasped the flaws. What is even more rare is that he is not arrogant after winning and knows when to stop. This sense of proportion far surpasses that of his peers. Junior Brother Qiu's judgment is truly sharp."

Sun Bu'er sat to one side, her expression calm but unable to hide her admiration.

"He remains calm in the face of battle and retreats with composure. At such a young age, he possesses such composure and strength, surpassing many of his older disciples who are obsessed with victory. His swordsmanship combines the ferocity of military combat with the principles of righteousness and peace that define our sect. He is a promising talent. Junior Brother Qiu has truly brought back a rough gem this time."

Upon hearing this, the training ground fell silent instantly, followed by an even more intense discussion.

"Junior Brother Su is going to become Grandmaster Qiu's personal disciple?"

"My God! After only twenty-odd days of training, I've defeated three generations of senior brothers and even won the favor of the patriarch!"

The disciples looked at Su Yan with admiration and envy. Even the third-generation disciples who had been defeated earlier nodded in agreement, completely convinced of his superiority.

Su Yan bowed to Ma Yu.

"Thank you for your kindness, Master. I will dedicate myself to cultivation and live up to your expectations."

Host: Su Yan

Age: 16

Internal strength:

Grade C - Complete Authentic Basic Breathing Technique (Mastery, 51/400).

Martial arts:

Rank E - Su Family Sword Technique (Perfect, 493/500) [Consumable -30%, Armor Penetration +30%, Pressure +40%]

Rank E - Leap Technique (Perfect, 500/500) [Consumer Cost -30%, Agility +40%, Evasion +40%]

Rank E - Monument Slayer (Perfect, 365/500) [Consumable -30%, Critical Hit +40%, Fist Power +40%]

Rank C - Quanzhen Swordplay (Mastery, 289/400) [Consumption -15%]

Realm: Third-rate martial artist (89%).

His gaze swept across the panel, and he felt somewhat at ease.

This competition was very fruitful. The three matches he just played were enough to make up for a whole afternoon of hard training. In addition, he had thwarted Zhao Zhijing's arrogance. If Zhao Zhijing were to cause him trouble again, he would probably have to think twice.

"Yan-ge'er, you're amazing!"

In the crowd, Xiao Nianba was already waiting in the corner with her cloth bag. She ran over with bright eyes. Su Yan patted her head and started watching the competition between the registered disciples and the miscellaneous disciples.