Chen Ang moved gracefully atop the sword's edge. The former challenger, Zhengzhou Liuhemen's Xia Lao Boxer, was struck under the jaw, forcing him off the stage with a twilight. Turning to face Ding Mian, Chen Ang gestured with a gentle finger motion, prompting him, "Ding Mian, why the hesitation after your arrival?"
Watching Chen Ang emerge victorious one after another, Ding Mian's face turned somewhat pale. His anger grew as Chen Ang provocatively taunted him. Through gritted teeth, Ding Mian muttered, "Fine! You seek your own death. Seeking your own death!"
Drawing his long sword, Ding Mian took an agile leap, displaying nimble movements unusual for his slightly stout build. With a swift wrist motion, his sword unleashed a spectacular display of pear flower-like patterns in its deadly intent. Chen Ang secretly nodded, acknowledging Lushan faction's mastery, placing Ding Mian's sword technique not below Ding Yi Grandmaster's and even surpassing it in internal force.
This level of mastery explained Zuo Lengchan's ascendancy over the Five Top Sword Factions and his ambitions against Wudang Shaolin. For him, the Lushan faction's decline would be imminent, much like the Huashan faction's past decline.
Ding Mian's swordplay exhibited thick internal force, generating a formidable whirlwind effect, making it difficult for those on the perimeter to breathe or speak when caught within its range.
Facing Ding Mian's sword, Chen Ang's aura seemed to falter. He lacked internal strength, rendering him defenseless against such energy. He could only cope by adjusting his breathing. Ding Mian, sensing Chen Ang's vulnerability, seized the opportunity to capitalize on his weaknesses to secure a victory.
Observing the flaws, Ding Mian's sword danced in the air, emitting lightning-like strokes, and the internal force within the sword intensified. He moved swiftly toward Chen Ang, the silver rays tracing an arc. Although not swift in its execution, the condensed sword light was more potent than usual, cutting through the air with precision and emitting a piercing sword qi.
The martial arts of the Five Top Sword Factions emphasized agility, using sharp edges to wound, inherently less lethal than bare-fisted techniques. It wasn't about landing hits, but about speed and agility, the foundation for a successful strike. The fast and elusive swordplay was the essence of Jiang Hu, preferring intricate and elusive movements over straightforward attacks.
Ding Mian, a master of this style, was renowned for his swift swordsmanship. Yet, facing Chen Ang, renowned for his speed and mastery of Jiang Hu's mainstream swordplay, Ding Mian found himself at a disadvantage. However, the simplicity of Yue Buqun's sword technique, relying on raw internal force, triumphed in their clash.
Using a slow sword style and relying on injuries, Ding Mian didn't prioritize agility. Instead, he leveraged internal force in his sword technique, showcasing a formidable and rigid style. When executed swiftly, it garnered an additional three points of power.
The clash of their long swords reverberated in the air. Chen Ang's sword struck Ding Mian's in the same spot three times in a row, tilting the blade's angle and defying expectations.
Ding Mian was shocked. "How is this possible?" His grip loosened, and the sword hilt slipped from his hand, his face contorted in disbelief. Despite his surprise, he retaliated with a powerful strike from his left palm, surging with internal force akin to a fierce storm.
Chen Ang countered the blow, intercepting the attack with his own hand, redirecting the force. Ding Mian's palm strike dissipated, dispersing the hidden weapon he had released. He then attacked with his right-hand long sword, but Chen Ang deflected it by lowering his shoulders and slanting the long sword upward.
This technique wasn't Central Plains swordsmanship but a Persian Assassin technique. Employing a two-handed sword was an unconventional tactic in the martial arts world.
Ding Mian attempted to strike back with his long sword, but Chen Ang's defense led to the breaking of Ding Mian's sword into three pieces.
In disbelief, Ding Mian attempted another attack, using his left palm to strike Chen Ang. Their confrontation ended with Ding Mian retreating several steps, bewildered by Chen Ang's unorthodox abilities.
"What sorcery is this?" Ding Mian exclaimed, astounded by the blue glow in Chen Ang's eyes. His chest clothing ripped open, revealing his exposed body.
"Senior Brother, take up the sword!" Lu Baifei stood and handed Ding Mian a long sword, standing by his side, facing Chen Ang. Chen Ang smiled lightly, pulling back a long sword in each hand simultaneously.
Two cold glints soared through the sky as Ding Mian struggled to parry, compelled to defend against both the one-handed sword of Mount Song and the Hengshan sword technique seamlessly wielded by Chen Ang, leaving him no choice but to follow through with several sets of successive sword movements.
"Does this kid have a sword in his womb? How can he wield two different swords simultaneously? How formidable he is," Lu Bo remarked, a glint of admiration in his eyes.
Meanwhile, Yu Canghai's astonishment surpassed those on the stage. Having encountered Chen Ang the day before, he initially believed Chen Ang possessed potent hidden weapons but hadn't anticipated his combat skill. Now, it appeared that Chen Ang was capable of taking lives as easily as counting.
Yu Canghai had presumed that Chen Ang wouldn't have calculated this approach. As he considered his prior dealings with Lin Pingzhi, a sense of regret clouded his thoughts. Gazing back at Lin Pingzhi, he silently resolved, "If I obtain the evil spirits, that kid won't intimidate me!"
Quietly maneuvering closer, Yu Canghai closed in on Lin Pingzhi, his eyes revealing a sense of madness.
Lin Pingzhi, though captivated by Chen Ang's swordsmanship, was cautious, noticing Yu Canghai's sudden absence from his original position. Scanning the area, Lin Pingzhi was taken aback as Yu Canghai abruptly shifted. His cloak billowed into a blur of blue, hurtling through the crowd. Yu Canghai's right hand formed an iron claw, poised to strike Lin Pingzhi's face.
Caught off guard, Lin Pingzhi found himself immobilized, nearly succumbing to Yu Canghai's grasp.
Just as Lin Pingzhi seemed doomed, a graceful figure dashed forward, grabbing his collar and yanking him back. Simultaneously, a flash of cold light emanated from the figure's right hand, aimed directly at Yu Canghai's chest, the cloak swirled around them.
"Yu Canghai, how dare you!" Qu Feiyan shouted at Lin Pingzhi. "Aren't you afraid of the person on stage?" She lifted her chin, gesturing toward Chen Ang.
"He's occupied dealing with Lushan School disciples, can't you see? Can he help you?" Yu Canghai sneered. "Why wait for the evil spirits? Why should I fear him?"
"But you're afraid of death now!" Qu Feiyan smirked at him, noting the panic in Yu Canghai's eyes. She added with a faint smile, "Not only are you scared of him now, but you fear death as well. You, who practice the evil spirits, are still fearful because he's too young! In your youth, you're unaware of his abilities, even underestimating the power of the evil swordsmanship!"
Yu Canghai seethed with anger. He was genuinely frightened of Chen Ang, not just due to his youth but also his exceptional martial arts talent. Yu Canghai wasn't even certain if, in a fight, he could best Chen Ang. However, he felt desperate, akin to someone who had lost everything and clung to an unrealistic hope.
Qu Feiyan shot him a glance, suddenly revealing a bright cylinder in her hand, pointing it at Yu Canghai. "Maybe he doesn't care about you now, but he's prepared! Yu Canghai, if you don't want to test my hand, which holds a heart-penetrating needle, stay back!"