On the stage, Lu Yuling's white dress gleamed as white as snow, gently fluttering in the breeze. Her entire presence emitted a cold aura, akin to a solitary figure in the sky or a snow lotus atop an icy peak.
Before her, Ling Wufeng stood tall and upright. Despite being merely 14 or 15 years old, Ling Wufeng possessed a slender figure even more graceful than that of ordinary individuals. His fair hands alone were enough to evoke envy in most women. Between his nimble fingers, a snow-white throwing knife spun effortlessly, his fingers dancing in sync with the blade.
Zhuge Xiang observed Lu Yuling attentively. Due to his recent breakthrough in cultivation, the depletion of his Qi Force was not excessive. Having had two matches that allowed him to rest, he had only lost less than 20 points from his current 130 MP. His energy would naturally replenish soon. For Zhuge Xiang, the primary focus now was on Lu Yuling. He wondered what hidden tricks she had up her sleeve. Lu Yuling, renowned as one of the most remarkable prodigies, had performed well thus far, but seemed rather ordinary. Zhuge Xiang had a hunch that she was concealing something.
While his cultivation level at the third level of the Qi Nourishing stage was commendable, there were a total of 12 individuals who had reached this stage that year. It was also unremarkable that his Clear Wave Palm was at the Advanced level. After all, which disciple at the third level of the Qi Nourishing stage had not cultivated their martial arts to such a level? Throughout their journey, Lu Yuling had not displayed anything particularly exceptional. Furthermore, upon closer consideration, she did not appear to possess an advantage that surpassed others. How then had she reached this level? It seemed she had relied solely on pure combat experience and methods. Could it be that Lu Yuling truly only possessed the cultivation level of the third level of the Qi Nourishing stage and the advanced level of the Clear Wave Palm?
Ling Wufeng locked his gaze onto Lu Yuling, speaking earnestly, "Lu Yuling, your name resonates like thunder in my ears. You were the first disciple to comprehend Qi Force this year."
"You're not too shabby either. It seems that within just 10 days after me, you, Lei Potian, and the others began comprehending Qi Force, am I right?" Lu Yuling slipped her hand into her pocket, her cold demeanor unwavering.
As she spoke, Lu Yuling retrieved a small bundle of silk threads from her bosom. These threads had been supporting her Clear Wave Palm, occasionally utilized but in limited quantities. This was the first time Zhuge Xiang had witnessed her unveiling all the silk threads.
The threads swirled around as if imbued with sentience. In a matter of moments, the threads transformed into a glove, delicate as a cicada's wing. Lu Yuling slowly slipped it onto his right hand, its beauty evident. However, it was clear that this glove possessed more than just aesthetic appeal.
"Three months ago, I stumbled upon a secret technique called the Heart-Blade Technique in the Endless Mountains. By channeling my thoughts, I could control flying daggers with impeccable precision. Through arduous cultivation, I have already attained the advanced level. The sect also practices the Bone Melting Soft Palm, which complements this technique. You should be cautious," Ling Wufeng calmly warned, his gaze fixed intently on Lu Yuling.
"The Bone Melting Soft Palm? So Ling Wufeng cultivated the Bone Melting Soft Palm within the sect and employed his mental guidance for the flying daggers? There's such a mystical flying dagger technique? No wonder no one could defend against it." As Ling Wufeng spoke, a wave of excitement rippled among the spectators.
Ling Wufeng was unfathomably strong. If he had not taken the initiative to speak today, others would have been helpless against his flying daggers. The fact that he used his mind to guide them, coupled with his cultivation of the Bone Melting Silk Palm within the sect, remained unknown to them.
"Uh, what is this? Tell me about your situation before the duel? Is this the advantage of being a beauty?" Hearing Ling Wufeng's words, Zhuge Xiang did not know whether to laugh or cry. From Ling Wufeng's appearance, he did not seem to be such a fool. From the looks of it, Lu Yuling's charm was the only explanation.
Frowning slightly, Lu Yuling obviously did not expect Ling Wufeng to reveal his strength. He could not accept this gesture of goodwill. After a moment of silence, he said coldly, "My cultivation level is also at the third level of the Qi Nourishing stage. In the sect, I practice the Clear Wave Palm and have already attained the advanced level. Furthermore, during my ventures in the Endless Mountains, I came across a cultivation technique called the 'Ice Heart Technique.' Through dedicated cultivation and the collection of ice silk, I wove this glove. It's invincible."
"Ice Heart Technique?" Zhuge Xiang was slightly taken aback. Martial skills and martial arts were distinct concepts. Martial skills were merely simple techniques activated by Qi Force. On the other hand, martial arts were different—they entailed Qi Refinement Techniques.
Although the Martial Storage Pavilion provided basic Qi Cultivation techniques, they were devoid of any distinctiveness in the Qi Force cultivated. However, in the future, if Zhuge Xiang chose to pursue other cultivation techniques, the repulsion would be diminished.
Various cultivation techniques exist, each with its unique effects and attributes. Some cultivate Qi Force with a chilling aura, while others manifest heat or ferocity. Lu Yuling had not anticipated acquiring a cultivation technique herself, and she remained uncertain about the true effects of her Ice Heart Technique.
Ling Wufeng did not expect Lu Yuling to reveal his strength. He was momentarily surprised but nodded, refraining from further comments. His expression remained cold as he raised his hand, causing the flying dagger to flash and vanish. Ling Wufeng had finally taken action.
Throughout his journey, Ling Wufeng had employed the unpredictable flying dagger to dispatch his adversaries with a single strike, never needing to use it again. Now, how would he confront Lu Yuling?
Unbeknownst to her, Lu Yuling's fair palm, covered in ice silk gloves, had raised. In her hand was a flying knife.
No one had witnessed how the unpredictable flying dagger had been launched, yet Lu Yuling had managed to catch it?
Observing from below the stage, Zhuge Xiang's eyes gleamed. Lu Yuling had caught Ling Wufeng's flying knife. This revelation provided him with insights. Although Zhuge Xiang could barely discern the trajectory of Ling Wufeng's flying knife moments ago, Lu Yuling's reaction had been astonishingly swift—so swift that it seemed unnatural. As Ling Wufeng released the flying knife, Lu Yuling's palm had already risen, effortlessly capturing the knife as if it had flown into her hand on its own.
"Is this a coincidence? A quick reaction alone cannot explain it," Zhuge Xiang scrutinized Lu Yuling intently, murmuring to himself.
"He caught it? Ling Wufeng's flying dagger was caught?" Until now, Ling Wufeng had always relied on a single strike to repel his opponents. He had never needed a second strike. This was the first time someone had managed to block his flying dagger, and Lu Yuling had even caught it.
Frowning, Ling Wufeng obviously did not expect that his throwing knives would be caught. However, his reaction was very fast. At some point, he held a throwing knife in each of his hands and waved them with both hands. Two throwing knives shot out.
One knife shot straight at Lu Yuling like a powerful arrow, while the other spun rapidly, tracing a graceful arc and appearing behind her. Astonishingly, the magical flying daggers attacked Lu Yuling simultaneously from the front and back. Zhuge Xiang believed that, aside from using Violent Steps, Lu Yuling would have no chance to evade. However, Violent Steps required another 10 seconds to cool down…
Ding…
With a crisp sound, Lu Yuling once again seized the flying dagger hurtling directly at him using the Ice Silk Gloves. Without even glancing at the dagger behind him, he grabbed it in his left hand, placing it behind his back to block.
"Four knives simultaneously!" Ling Wufeng frowned, now holding two throwing knives in each hand. He held them between his fingers and hurled them forth. The four throwing knives collided in mid-air, altering their trajectories and aiming at Lu Yuling from four blind spots.
The corner of Lu Yuling's dress fluttered as he gracefully leaped and twisted his waist in the air. His movements were exquisite. Two throwing knives nearly grazed his garments as he skillfully deflected them. At the same time, he held a throwing knife in each hand, successfully blocking the remaining two throwing knives.
The four flying daggers displayed unpredictable paths. Furthermore, after colliding in mid-air, they changed directions, catching people off guard. Even Lei Potian would find it challenging to handle such a tactic. Yet, Lu Yuling had evidently prepared to evade it long ago.
"Is this his ability? Precognition?" Zhuge Xiang slightly furrowed his brow. Lu Yuling's performance created a sense of pressure. Even Zhuge Xiang could not explain this peculiar ability to predict movements.
The four throwing knives were launched, but Lu Yuling was already prepared to dodge. If it weren't for Ling Wufeng's serious expression, Zhuge Xiang might have thought they were merely putting on a show. Lu Yuling first prepared to dodge, then Ling Wufeng's throwing knives whizzed past Lu Yuling's body. The two of them attacked and dodged almost simultaneously. Their agility alone could not account for it.
With light steps, Lu Yuling's dress danced in the wind. He either evaded or blocked. Although Ling Wufeng's flying daggers were swift, Lu Yuling moved like a butterfly amidst flowers. His body gracefully brushed past the flying daggers. In a matter of seconds, Ling Wufeng had already released over ten flying daggers, but none found their mark. Meanwhile, Lu Yuling had closed the distance between them.
With a bitter smile, Ling Wufeng said, "I've used up all my flying daggers. I admit defeat."
Lu Yuling, who had been about to execute the Clear Wave Palm, naturally halted upon hearing Ling Wufeng's concession. Ling Wufeng's flying daggers hadn't managed to land a single strike. It appeared that this duel had become Lu Yuling's solo performance.
"I want to know, how exactly did you dodge my flying daggers?" asked Ling Wufeng, unable to bear the fact that the flying daggers he guided with his mind had failed to land a single hit as he watched Lu Yuling turn and leave.
"Read minds? I see," replied Ling Wufeng, unable to witness Lu Yuling's departure. Instead, a look of admiration adorned his face.
"Read minds? I see." Ling Wufeng did not notice Lu Yuling's departure. He only had a look of admiration on his face.
Mind reading—a state akin to losing oneself. The human body's five senses, including thoughts, became fully engrossed. By focusing the mind on a specific point, one could discern their opponent's attacks during battle.
From Lu Yuling's explanation, it seemed that the ability to read minds stemmed from the Ice Heart Technique. However, it undoubtedly required diligent cultivation. Acquiring cultivation skills was relatively straightforward, as progress could be made through hard work. Mental cultivation, on the other hand, was arduous. It could not be achieved solely through effort. Comprehension played a crucial role. This was why Ling Wufeng held great admiration for Lu Yuling. She was truly deserving of being the first among their group of disciples to comprehend Qi Force.