Here in Jiangnan, among the martial artists, nine out of ten were renowned. As each person stepped forward, announcing their name in the Jiang Hu, others were quick to acknowledge them. However, Ding Mian, with a cold snort, refrained from acknowledging.
"Arrogant!" Ding Mian pointed at Chen Ang and shouted, "Who's this kid, speaking with such audacity!"
"I don't aim to speak nonsense. I only ask you, one by one or together?" Chen Ang gently swung his long sword, retorting.
"To deal with a young lad, there's no need for others to intervene!" Dao Priest Tian Men, known for his quick temper, was the first to stand. With a swift motion, he unsheathed his long sword with a 'squeaky' sound and a glint of cold light.
In an instant, everyone witnessed a blur where Dao Priest Tian Men had stood, several zhangs away from Chen Ang. Even if they were unparalleled masters, it was impossible to harm others from such a distance. Yet, as Dao Priest Tian Men drew his sword and lunged forward, he seemed to remain in place, awaiting the sword's thrust while his silhouette flashed towards Chen Ang.
Their swords clashed, producing a soundless confrontation. Tianmen Taoist's sword, though swift like a shot arrow, couldn't break through Chen Ang's guard. As the force waned, a sudden change emerged, a swift turn that made the long sword appear faster than before, striking with deceptive speed.
"An excellent move, Mount Tai's 18!" Ding Mian and others exclaimed, recognizing the technique used by a renowned master from Mount Tai. This swordplay intertwined danger within its motions, skillfully integrating terrain into the sword technique, rendering it increasingly perilous and ruthless.
Dao Priest Tian Men's swordplay resembled a graceful yet formidable antelope, devoid of any hint of excess energy. However, this "Mount Tai 18" allowed for quick alterations, catching him off guard. Chen Ang's sword, meanwhile, surpassed Tian Men's speed, tactfully targeting his weak points, mimicking the 'Mount Tai 18' flawlessly.
Struggling to hold his giant sword, Dao Priest Tian Men almost released it. He summoned his inner strength to steady his sword, but it left his chest wide open. If Chen Ang's long sword advanced, he could have landed a fatal blow. Though the spectators, including Ding Yi Grandmaster, were on edge, Chen Ang maintained a composed stance, his long sword not menacingly directed at anyone.
Dao Priest Tian Men wore a conflicted expression. "Impressive skill and temperament! Young man, you spared me once, this poor Daoist should have concealed his identity and refrained from engaging. Nonetheless, use this opportunity. Within this sect, I am the master, responsible, yet I have a question for you!"
"Very well! Once you've defeated me, I'll answer any question you have!" Chen Ang raised his long sword, indicating his readiness. As a swordsman of his school, Dao Priest Tian Men intended to give up, but he was unwilling.
Sighing, Dao Priest Tian Men made a swift move with his sword towards Chen Ang. The sword light flickered, the long sword creaked, and it covered the seven vital points on Chen Ang's chest. The swordplay was swift and unrelenting, each move echoing the next, ensuring that wherever Chen Ang dodged, there would always be a strike ready to pierce his defenses.
It was another move from the Mount Tai school called "Seven Stars Falling from the Sky."
The seven stars extinguished, leaving only the sword dancing in the sky. These stars served as mere decoration, while the real threat lay within the subsequent swordplay. No matter how Chen Ang countered, this sword seemed to be poised to strike from unexpected angles. Although Chen Ang skillfully parried, each counter brought forth another fierce attack until he was unable to keep up.
Nevertheless, Chen Ang's long sword managed to land hits amidst these tactics. Dao Priest Tian Men had to alter his techniques. Every time he attempted a move, he found himself met by Chen Ang's sword. His every attempt to use an old trick was intercepted halfway, forcing him to develop new tactics.
After exhausting one set of Mount Tai sword techniques, Dao Priest Tian Men had to switch to another set. Eventually, Chen Ang forced a minor swordplay mistake from Tian Men, enough for Chen Ang to press forward, disrupting his moves. A combination of the Five Doctor's Sword and the Moonless Cloud was played in a staggered manner.
Dao Priest Tian Men attempted his own swordsmanship, but even his allies found his moves mismatched. Ding Yi Grandmaster couldn't contain herself and shouted, "Senior Brother Tian Men!" Startled, Tian Men turned, his face pale.
"I… oh!" Tian Men retracted his long sword, wiping his neck.
Everyone was astounded, but Chen Ang's swordplay abruptly changed direction. With his sword tip, Chen Ang pressured Tian Men to take the sword back. Ding Yi Grandmaster was furious and shouted in protest. She wielded her sword with a cold and dazzling intensity, aiming for Chen Ang's weak spot as her sword trembled, seemingly ready to pierce him. Despite her efforts, Chen Ang evaded her attacks effortlessly, trapping her within his sword circle.
The sword light swirled, briefly halting Ding Yi Grandmaster's Hengshan swordplay. Hengshan swordsmanship was stringent, more defensive than offensive, yet it excelled in unexpected and decisive strikes. Facing Chen Ang's Mount Tai 18, Ding Yi Grandmaster could only manage to defend herself.
Chen Ang's swordplay was more aggressive, rendering Ding Yi Grandmaster helpless to do anything but parry without the strength to retaliate. Dao Priest Tian Men knew that in the face of these swords, their efforts were futile. Though they tried to work together to deflect Chen Ang's attacks, they couldn't decipher his sword's weaknesses.
As Dao Priest Tian Men attempted to understand Chen Ang's sword, Chen Ang exploited the openings in his technique. Gradually, Tian Men's swordsmanship transformed, resembling Chen Ang's Mount Tai style more closely and grew more powerful.
Despite Ding Yi Grandmaster's attempt to apply her Hengshan swordsmanship under Chen Ang's onslaught, her efforts were in vain. Each time she fortified her sword with True Qi, Chen Ang seemed to merely glance at her moves, not engaging in combat.
"He lacks inner strength, Senior Brother Tian Men, attack him with internal force!" Ding Yi Grandmaster was taken aback and shouted the advice. Responding to her call, Tian Men tried to infuse his sword with internal force, channeling strength into every movement.
Unperturbed, Chen Ang smiled as he altered his sword technique, emulating the Hengshan sword style. His swordplay was fluid, imbued with the power of femininity and relentless. The continuous strikes contained both subtlety and ferocity, rendering Ding Yi Grandmaster unable to withstand the assault.