On the stage, Lu Yuling's white skirt resembled snow, gently rising in the breeze, emitting a cool aura. She appeared like a solitary moon in the night sky or a snow lotus atop an iceberg.
Standing before her was Ling Wufeng, an upright figure despite his youth of fourteen or fifteen years. Ling Wufeng possessed a slender build that surpassed most people, and his fair hands held the flying knife with remarkable dexterity, moving fluidly as if in a dance.
Zhuge Xiang observed Lu Yuling attentively, his recent breakthrough in cultivation had not drained too much of his energy. With two duels allowing him some rest, his current MP of 130 points had only decreased by less than 20, and it would naturally recover soon. Currently, Zhuge Xiang's primary focus was on Lu Yuling. He couldn't help but wonder what methods she might employ. Lu Yuling, touted as one of the brightest talents, had performed admirably thus far, though in a somewhat conventional manner. Zhuge Xiang had an inkling that she might be hiding something.
While the third level of the Qi-nourishing Realm was commendable, this year had seen twelve individuals reach this level. Lu Yuling's Qingbo palm was proficient, but among the third-level Qi-nourishing Realm disciples, who hadn't honed their martial arts to this level? Throughout her journey, Lu Yuling hadn't appeared especially exceptional. After careful consideration, she didn't seem more powerful than others. Could it be that she relied solely on combat experience and tactics? Could it be that Lu Yuling's prowess merely extended to her third-level Qi-nourishing Realm and the Ascending Hall state?
"Lu Yuling, your reputation precedes you, being the first in our class to comprehend Qi," Ling Wufeng said earnestly as he threw his sharp throwing knives.
"You're not doing badly either. If I remember correctly, you and Lei Potian began comprehending Qi about ten days after me, correct?" Lu Yuling reached into her robe while she spoke, maintaining her cold demeanor.
Withdrawing a small ball of silk thread from her bosom, she revealed something that Zhuge Xiang had not previously seen her use. These silk threads moved with a certain grace, quickly transforming into a glove as thin as a cicada's wing. Lu Yuling carefully placed it on her right hand, its delicate appearance belying its potential.
"Three months ago, I stumbled upon a secret heart knife manual in the Endless Mountains. I learned to control flying knives with my mind, and I haven't failed since. After rigorous training, I've reached the level of entering the house. In the sect, I practice the Bone-forming Palm, which complements my abilities. You should be cautious," Ling Wufeng explained, looking intently at Lu Yuling.
"Bone-forming Palm? So, Ling Wufeng practices the Bone-forming Palm in the sect, and he uses his mind to control flying knives? Extraordinary!" Ling Wufeng's revelation sparked lively discussions among the spectators below.
Ling Wufeng's surprising strength indeed revealed a facet of his character. Had he not voluntarily shared this information, others might have been astounded by his mind-controlled throwing knives and the fact that he practiced the Born-forming Palm in the sect.
Zhuge Xiang, listening to Ling Wufeng's explanation, couldn't help but tease, "Well, isn't it customary to share your situation before a duel? Isn't that the advantage of a beautiful woman?" His words were filled with both amusement and teasing. This friendly banter seemed to amuse the audience.
Lu Yuling, on the other hand, appeared slightly taken aback by Ling Wufeng's uncharacteristic gesture of revealing his strength. She hadn't anticipated this kind act from him. After a brief silence, she replied in her usual cold tone, "I am also at the third level of the Qi Cultivation Realm. In the sect, I practice Qingbo Palm, and I have reached the state of entering the house. Additionally, during my adventures in the Endless Mountains, I came across a cultivation manual called 'Bing Xin Jue.' I've been practicing it ever since. I've collected ice silk and crafted an indestructible glove."
"Bing Xin Jue?" Zhuge Xiang was mildly surprised. Martial arts and techniques differed significantly. While martial arts were rudimentary skills, powered by energy, techniques encompassed methods of cultivating qi. Various techniques had distinct effects and attributes; some carried a cold aura, while others burned with fire, and some were characterized by their violence. Surprisingly, Lu Yuling had acquired a cultivation manual. Zhuge Xiang was intrigued by the potential effects of her 'Bing Xin Jue.'
Ling Wufeng, having revealed his strength, nodded and ceased talking. His countenance remained impassive as he raised his hand, and his throwing knife disappeared in an instant. It was finally his turn to make a move.
The unpredictable flying knife darted forward, continuously evading, and Ling Wufeng always managed to subdue his foes with a single strike, never requiring a second attack. How would he fare against Lu Yuling now?
Unexpectedly, at some point, Lu Yuling's white palm, concealed within her ice silk glove, rose. In her hand, she now held one of the unpredictable flying knives.
No one could discern the method by which she had intercepted the unpredictable flying knife; it was as though she had effortlessly snatched it from thin air.
Zhuge Xiang's eyes gleamed with intrigue from the spectator stands. Lu Yuling's ability to catch Ling Wufeng's flying knife had piqued his curiosity. When Ling Wufeng's throwing knife left his hand, Zhuge Xiang had barely managed to discern its trajectory. However, Lu Yuling's reaction was almost preternaturally swift. Her palm had risen even before the flying knife left Ling Wufeng's hand, as though it had flown into her grasp of its own accord.
"Is it mere coincidence? A quick reaction couldn't explain this at all," Zhuge Xiang muttered to himself, closely observing Lu Yuling.
"Caught? Lu Yuling caught Ling Wufeng's throwing knife?" This turn of events astonished the audience. Ling Wufeng, who was known for dispatching opponents with a single throw, was unexpectedly thwarted, and Lu Yuling had deftly plucked his knife from the air.
Ling Wufeng furrowed his brow, clearly taken aback by the fact that his throwing knives had been intercepted. However, he reacted quickly. In an instant, he wielded a throwing knife in each hand, sending one hurtling directly towards Lu Yuling's head like a sharp arrow, while the other spun rapidly, tracing a graceful arc before reappearing behind Lu Yuling. This mystical flying knife seemed to be orchestrating a pincer attack, and Zhuge Xiang realized he had no choice but to rely on the cooldown period of his violent step to evade it.
*Ding...*
A clear sound echoed as Lu Yuling, utilizing her ice silk glove, once again captured the flying knife aimed straight at her. She didn't even glance at the flying knife behind her; it was thwarted just in time.
"Four knives simultaneously?" Ling Wufeng's eyebrows furrowed. With astonishing speed, he flung two throwing knives from each hand, catching them expertly between his fingers before releasing them. The four throwing knives collided midair, changing their trajectories and homing in on Lu Yuling from four different angles.
Lu Yuling's skirt fluttered as she leapt lightly into the air, her waist twisting gracefully. She managed to avoid two throwing knives, which came perilously close to her clothing, and simultaneously blocked the other two with the throwing knives she held.
These four unpredictable flying knives seemed to shift direction after colliding in the air, catching opponents off guard. Zhuge Xiang found it hard to believe that even Lei Potian might struggle against such an unconventional technique. Yet Lu Yuling, seemingly anticipating their paths, had already positioned herself to evade or block them.
"Is this her ability? Precognition?" Zhuge Xiang's brow furrowed in thought. Lu Yuling's performance was exerting considerable pressure on him. He struggled to fathom the source of this uncanny predictive ability.
As the four flying knives surged toward her, Lu Yuling was prepared to evade or deflect them. If it weren't for Ling Wufeng's serious demeanor, Zhuge Xiang might have thought the two were simply putting on a show. Lu Yuling, however, had expertly prepared to evade the attacks. In no time at all, she had deftly outmaneuvered them.
With a wry smile, Ling Wufeng conceded, saying, "I've run out of throwing knives. I admit defeat."
As Lu Yuling was prepared to unleash Qingbo Palm, she naturally stopped when she heard Ling Wufeng's admission of defeat. Ling Wufeng's throwing knives had failed to land a single hit, rendering this duel effectively a solo performance by Lu Yuling.
"I'm curious, how did you manage to evade my throwing knives?" Ling Wufeng, unable to contain his curiosity, inquired as Lu Yuling turned to leave. The fact that his mind-controlled throwing knives had all missed troubled him.
Lu Yuling paused briefly, appearing hesitant before responding coldly, "Bing Xin Jue allows me to attain a state of clarity, enabling me to predict the trajectory of your flying knives."
"Clarity of mind, I see." Ling Wufeng expressed admiration, his face lit up. Clarity of mind was a state akin to the Empty Mind technique. By channeling all mental faculties to a specific point, it was possible to gain insights into an opponent's attacks during combat.
Though it seemed to Lu Yuling that Bing Xin Jue enabled her to achieve a clear and empty state of mind, she had undoubtedly put in significant effort. While cultivating a skill might be straightforward, achieving mental clarity required an entirely different approach. Physical cultivation could be improved with diligence, but developing mental acuity required the gift of insight. Hence, Ling Wufeng deeply admired Lu Yuling, the first in their class to comprehend Qi energy.
The host soon declared Lu Yuling the victor of the match, and she walked off the duel stage. As she descended, she briefly met eyes with Zhuge Xiang, who was watching attentively. The exchange of glances conveyed that their upcoming duel would be a compelling contest.