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Chapter 89: Tries the Sword
As Lin Shenpo spoke with excitement, he pointed with one hand, and a flying sword soared into the air, hovering above his head. Then, with a casual wave, twelve chess pieces flew into the air, forming a formation that surrounded the flying sword from all directions.
The flying sword entered the formation, engaging in a fierce battle with the surrounding chess pieces, resembling a fight against a formidable enemy. The twelve chess pieces also whirled and danced, engaging in a contest with the flying sword.
It was said that besides his obsession with swordsmanship, Lin Shenpo also enjoyed playing chess. Many believed it was merely a pastime, but now it seemed that the chess pieces in his hands were also powerful magic tools.
The Refining Qi stage cultivators sitting below were fascinated, completely engrossed in the spectacle.
Even Dan Yihu, the Elder of External Affairs from Twin Success Valley, who was sitting on the high platform, exclaimed, "I've heard about Lin Shenpo's reputation as a master of both chess and swordsmanship, and today, I see it's well-deserved."
"Where, where, Elder Dan overpraises," Xu Yishan, who accompanied Lin Shenpo, humbly replied.
Shan Ying, who had been wearing a cold expression all along, sneered when he heard their conversation. The ever-proud Shan Ying looked down upon such theatrical performances.
Lin Shenpo continued his demonstration and explanation before finally concluding his teachings. "All that I've spoken so far is merely empty words. I wonder if any of you have learned anything from it? If you think you've learned something, feel free to come up and demonstrate."
Hearing this, many cultivators below showed eager expressions, itching to have a try.
In the area where the Zhao Family cultivators sat, one of them immediately jumped up onto the platform. "I am Zhao Dong. After listening to the senior's teachings, I feel as if I've been enlightened. I, a humble junior, am willing to demonstrate."
Lin Shenpo glanced at the first person who went up, Zhao Dong. "A single demonstration is not interesting. Do you want me to find you an opponent?"
"I would be honored, but there's no need for the senior to choose my opponent. I've already selected one," Zhao Dong said as he looked towards Meng Zhang below the high platform.
"Sect Master Meng, as the leader of Taiyi Sect, your name has long been admired. Today is a rare opportunity. I wonder if Sect Master Meng is willing to instruct me?" Zhao Dong's gaze was provocative.
Meng Zhang's face showed disdain. "A jumping clown, perfect for me to test my sword skills."
Without the slightest hesitation, Meng Zhang jumped onto the high platform. "Since I am in a good mood today, I'll give you some pointers."
Zhao Dong's face showed a flash of anger. He couldn't believe that an insignificant sect leader would dare to look down on him.
"Don't let your tongue slip, lest you eat your words later," Zhao Dong retorted.
Lin Shenpo didn't have time to listen to their verbal sparring and immediately declared, "You may begin."
Upon hearing the command, Zhao Dong drew his earth-yellow flying sword from its sheath and had it circle above his head before thrusting it toward Meng Zhang.
Meng Zhang raised his left hand, and the flying sword called "Soft Around The Finger" wrapped around his wrist was released and flew out. The once supple sword body immediately straightened, soaring into the sky.
Both of them were Refining Qi stage cultivators, lacking the divine consciousness of Foundation Building stage cultivators, so they couldn't control their flying swords like the latter.
Refining Qi stage cultivators often relied on their Qi to control the flying swords, utilizing true qi to manipulate the refined flying swords. The range of control was limited to their visual range, with the flying swords' attack range generally being only a few dozen yards.
The size of the high platform was enough for the two to display their skills.
Both were at the seventh level of Refining Qi, but in terms of cultivation techniques and swordsmanship, Meng Zhang was far superior to Zhao Dong.
Winning against his opponent was not a problem for Meng Zhang; in fact, he intended to win handsomely. In this public sword duel, Meng Zhang naturally didn't use his own practiced sword techniques. Instead, he casually displayed a few moves of his Flying Sword Assassination Art, which was enough to give Zhao Dong a good lesson.
Soft Around The Finger proactively met Zhao Dong's flying sword, and the two flying swords clashed in the air. Compared to the opponent's broad sword, Soft Around The Finger seemed tiny and petite.
However, every strike from Soft Around The Finger was precise, directly hitting several crucial points on the sword and hilt of Zhao Dong's flying sword.
Just like a person, a flying sword also had critical points and weaknesses. When refining a flying sword, the restrictions imprinted on it inevitably had weak spots, which became its weaknesses.
When Zhao Dong released his flying sword, it exuded a fierce momentum, but after clashing with Soft Around The Finger, the flying sword trembled violently, and its movements became distorted.
A series of crisp sounds echoed as Zhao Dong's flying sword kept retreating in the air, knocked far away by Soft Around The Finger.
Soft Around The Finger didn't pursue the flying sword further but directly attacked Zhao Dong.
Seeing Meng Zhang's flying sword coming for him, Zhao Dong became somewhat panicked. While activating his hand seals to try to recall his flying sword, he also activated a protective magic tool, summoning a small shield in front of him.
Soft Around The Finger deftly avoided Zhao Dong's protective magic tool and stabbed directly toward his head.
Seeing Zhao Dong unable to evade the flying sword, the Zhao Family disciples sitting below stood up nervously.
Even the usually composed Zhao Jiudou, an elder of the Zhao Family, couldn't help but tense up.
Though they knew Meng Zhang wouldn't dare to kill anyone in this situation, they worried that this young man might act impulsively in his youthful arrogance, causing severe harm to Zhao Dong, which would be a disaster.
While everyone watched anxiously, Zhao Dong's death scene didn't materialize. Meng Zhang wasn't a fool; how could he turn Forest Mountain School's joyful occasion into a bloody spectacle?
Soft Around The Finger gently brushed past Zhao Dong's head, cutting off his topknot. The flying sword emitted a soft force that shook Zhao Dong, causing his vision to darken, his mind to grow dizzy, and him to be unable to react for a long while.
Zhao Dong's flying sword and the shield lost control and fell onto the high platform.
Retracting Soft Around The Finger, Meng Zhang said to Zhao Dong,
"I wonder how much you've learned from my guidance."
Meng Zhang's attitude irritated some mature cultivators, but the younger generation found it quite enjoyable to see someone being given a lesson face to face.
Looking at Zhao Dong, who was swaying, Zhao Jiudou's face turned ironclad as he leaped onto the high platform.
With a casual toss, Zhao Jiudou threw Zhao Dong's body and the fallen magic tool towards the Zhao Family members below, then bowed to Lin Shenpo. "Elder Lin, Sect Master Meng's sword skills are exceptional. I am eager to learn from him as well."
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