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Boom!
A single sword stroke swept by, and all the accumulated snow in the valley surged toward the sky, rising a full half a foot before it scattered and fell in disarray.
"Finally... Finally, I've grasped a trace of the profound mystery of the Sky-soaring Nine Forms and learned the First Form!" Zhou Heng's face was filled with ecstatic joy. At this moment, he felt as happy as an innocent child.
It was only the first form!
Recalling the complete Nine Forms Sword Techniques that danced in his mind, Zhou Heng was even more shaken. The Sky-soaring Nine Forms increased in power with each succession, and if he could comprehend the essence of all Nine Forms and wield them, perhaps he could truly have the power to slice through heaven and earth!
This time, he had truly wielded the Sky-soaring First Form with greater power, yet the drain on his strength was far less than before—this sword stroke had only consumed one-fifth of his True Yuan Force!
"Previously, I was just imitating the form, and since the power of the Sky-soaring Nine Forms is so immense, I had to use my own strength to compensate for the sword technique's power. Naturally, it drained most of my True Yuan Force in an instant!"
"But now that I've grasped the true meaning, with one stroke of the sword, heaven and earth respond. It's as if some force in the universe attaches itself to the swordplay, and all I have to do is to lead the circulation of the technique!"
"This is like before when I was pushing a cart by hand, both exhausting and slow! But now it's like I'm in a carriage being pulled by horses, needing only to guide and direct, saving effort and, more so, increasing speed!"
Zhou Heng wore a satisfied smile. With this sword stroke swung, which member of the Zhou Family could evade it?
But striking an opponent and injuring them are two different things!
Martial Artists in the Bone Refinement Realm and Blood Refinement Realm have tempered their bodies to be as tough as solid iron, such that even standing still and letting someone hack at them would not cause injuries! When facing enemies of this realm, unless one possesses a true Divine Weapon, blunt weapon strikes may actually be more effective.
"Divine weapon?" Zhou Heng could not help but sigh. Could such treasures be easily obtained?
"Forget it, take a good rest tonight and leave the valley tomorrow!"
He retreated into the cave. Although the temperature was still very low, after completing the Skin Refinement Realm, a martial artist would have a considerable resistance to cold. Moreover, Zhou Heng was now almost done with the Flesh Refinement Realm, so this level of coldness was bearable!
If he could reach the Blood Refinement Realm, then with his vigorous blood and energy, neither cold nor heat would affect him. He estimated that he could even submerge himself in the icy pool in the valley.
"Once I reach the Blood Refinement Realm, I will come back here and must uncover the secret of that mysterious figure!"
A night passed, the heavy snow had stopped, and a foot of snow had accumulated in the valley, leaving deep footprints with every step. After taking one last look, Zhou Heng turned decisively and strode away quickly.
Two hours later, he emerged from the cave. The entire forest was shrouded in white, with glittering snow and hanging icicles, a sight of extraordinary beauty.
"I'm off!"
Zhou Heng let out a long howl. Naturally, he wasn't worried about the people from White Jade Valley still searching for him in the mountains. With the Cloud Flying Step unleashed, he sped through the snow-covered land as if flying, each step leaving only shallow footprints, without impeding his speed at all.
Marvelously infinite!
He ran for nearly two hours in one go before he stopped to catch his breath, feeling his blood and energy fully circulated and indescribably comfortable.
However, once he stopped, his feet sank deeply into the snow, forcing him to move slowly.
Hm?
Zhou Heng suddenly tensed up as he heard the sounds of fighting from afar. Driven by curiosity, he leaped up and skimmed over the branches toward the noise.
There was a huge rock up ahead, very flat, and on its surface, a fierce battle was unfolding.
On one side was a human, and on the other a monkey with the stature of two men!
The monkey was covered in golden fur, with a pair of green eyes that, combined with its huge size, exuded a powerful sense of oppression,
—A Green-Eyed Ape, a Demon Beast!
An adult Green-Eyed Ape was a being at the Bone Refinement Realm, cruel by nature with immense strength, feasting on the brains of tigers and leopards. It could easily annihilate a team of martial artists in the Flesh Refinement Realm!
Who could stand against such a being - what kind of expert with extraordinary abilities?
Zhou Heng's gaze fell upon the human battling the Green-Eyed Ape. Far from being the muscular, broad-browed Da Han one might expect, she was actually a stunningly beautiful young woman around eighteen or nineteen years old, dressed in a light yellow long dress, with only a red silk belt as adornment at her waist, outlining her graceful and voluptuous figure.
This beauty was also a swordsman, her blade frosty and sharp, clearly no common item, which was why the Green-Eyed Ape kept retreating, wary of getting too close.
Sword Qi soared in all directions, like a dragon flying through the sky. Paired with the woman's exquisite looks and proud figure, it was unspeakably delightful to watch. Considering she was facing off against a Bone Refinement Realm Demon Beast, this beauty had to have at least the Eighth Layer of Body Refinement, or even Ninth Layer of cultivation!
Zhou Heng was pleased to watch, but the Green-Eyed Ape was miserable and kept issuing loud cries as it continuously dodged and avoided, unwilling to meet the attack head-on.
"This strike, if it were thrust half an inch to the left, would be more effective!"
"Hmm, that strike was too hasty, it could have been delayed by half a second!"
"Why so clumsy? Why not continue the momentum after spending it?"
As a fellow human, Zhou Heng naturally sided with the beautiful woman, but he couldn't help feeling the urge to jump down and give her a good thrashing himself upon seeing her poor use of the sword technique—how could someone use such a fine set of swordplay so badly!
"Eh, when did I become so critical?"
After a moment, Zhou Heng realized that he had easily seen through the flaws in the woman's sword technique!
It was not only that, but it seemed as if he had practiced her sword technique a thousand, no, ten thousand times, as if he knew it like the back of his hand, mastering both its strengths and weaknesses!
But he had never been able to cultivate before, and had only started learning swordsmanship just over two months ago. From start to finish, he had only learned the Sky-soaring Nine Forms, and even now, he had only mastered the subtlety of the Sky-soaring First Form's sword technique!
Hiss!
What level had he actually reached!
Breaking free from the confines of individual moves, he was now looking down from above, almost touching upon the path of the Dao!
Zhou Heng couldn't help feeling a rush of excitement, his head spinning with dizziness until he regained his senses. By then, he saw the Green-Eyed Ape roar angrily and leap away, its figure as fast as lightning, disappearing in an instant.
The beauty did not pursue, seemingly aware that with the ape's agility, she would never catch it in the mountains. With a clang, she sheathed her sharp sword, but her clear, distinct, beautiful eyes turned toward the large tree where Zhou Heng was hiding.
"Haven't you watched enough?" she chided coldly, her voice sounding as melodious and attractive as a stream flowing through a valley.
It turned out she had long since noticed him!
Zhou Heng leaped down from the tree, his Cloud Flying Step unfolding naturally, with the deep snow only reaching the soles of his feet.
The beauty showed a hint of surprise. Her attractive brow furrowed and she asked, "Who are you, and why are you peeping from the side?"
Zhou Heng waved his hands and laughed, "Don't misunderstand, I was just passing by!"
Peeking at someone else practicing or fighting was a big taboo!
"Hmph, you think I'll believe that?" she retorted. With a slap of her right hand, her long sword shot out of its sheath, gleaming and cold. She thought Zhou Heng was hiding and stealing her sword techniques.
Zhou Heng, after all, was a 17-year-old youth with natural pride. He twisted his mouth and said, "That disordered sword technique of yours, why would I bother to steal it?"
"Humph, then let me show you the power of this 'disordered' sword technique!" The beauty shouted angrily, her long sword thrusting out swiftly to target Zhou Heng's wrist.
Her name was Lin Fuxiang, the daughter of the Nine Spirit Sect's Sect Master, a natural martial prodigy, exceedingly intelligent! The Flying Waterfall Sword Technique she cultivated was a unique skill of the Nine Spirit Sect, very difficult to master, with fewer than ten people in the sect mastering it!
In just three years, she had achieved minor success and had garnered countless praises! She had even managed to force back the Green-Eyed Ape earlier, and although the power of a divine weapon played a part, it also proved the power of her sword technique!
This was her greatest pride, but Zhou Heng had dared to ridicule her swordsmanship, how could she not be furious!
She was not naturally malicious, and her slash was meant to teach Zhou Heng a lesson, not to actually harm him.
To her surprise, Zhou Heng lightly dodged with a tap of his foot, giving her a bright, sunny smile in return, nearly driving her mad!
Damn kid, was he provoking her?
Lin Fuxiang felt a surge of anger rising within her. Swish, swish, swish, she relentlessly swung her sword, intent on giving this detestable lad a taste of bitterness.
Such a level of swordsmanship... would never touch even the hem of his clothes even in ten thousand years!
In Zhou Heng's eyes, Lin Fuxiang's sword technique was full of flaws, which he could easily dodge with minimal effort. Moreover, he could foresee the move she would make from the mere twitch of her wrist and had already reacted in advance.
Of course, this was also because he had learned the Cloud Flying Step. Being able to see the flaws was one thing, but whether one could dodge in time was another matter entirely. If Lin Fuxiang had a bit more strength or speed, surpassing the limits of the Cloud Flying Step, no fancy moves would be needed – a single thrust could be lethal!
As they say, raw power can crush cunning skills. When strength reaches a certain level, techniques are no longer necessary.
"You brat, do you only know how to dodge?" Lin Fuxiang, failing to overwhelm him, resorted to provocation.
Zhou Heng laughed heartily, feeling a surge of pride, and couldn't help but say, "Then I'll show you a defeat!"
Clang, the long sword at his waist was also drawn from its sheath. Seeing Lin Fuxiang's sword strike, he casually raised his sword.
Lin Fuxiang's pretty face turned pale. Though the move seemed careless, it aimed straight at the only flaw in her swordsmanship. If she didn't adjust, she would be the first to get pierced in the abdomen, and only then would her long sword graze Zhou Heng's shoulder.
She hurriedly cried out, tapping her lotus foot, her graceful figure flipping and swiftly retreating seven meters.
—In fact, with her Bone Refinement Realm's defensive capabilities, even if Zhou Heng did stab her in the abdomen, it likely wouldn't cause her much harm. On the contrary, her precious sword could cut through gold and jade, able to slice off his upper body with a single strike!
But firstly, Lin Fuxiang did not want to take such a risk, and secondly, the two were only sparring, competing for pride. What's the point of winning by relying on a higher realm and a sharper weapon?
Luck, perhaps?
Lin Fuxiang refused to believe that Zhou Heng could break her Flying Waterfall Sword Technique, and with another tap of her foot, she burst out again, brandishing her sword to trace out a cascading waterfall of sword shadows.
Zhou Heng smiled faintly and casually swung his sword.
Did this kid just happen to stumble upon the answer again?
Lin Fuxiang quickly twisted her figure and regrouped, unwilling to accept defeat and continued to attack.
Retreat, retreat, retreat!
After thirty-six consecutive strikes, Lin Fuxiang's face showed growing astonishment. The detestable youth couldn't possibly coincidentally counter her thirty-six times, completely unraveling her prized sword technique!
She stopped and stamped her foot fiercely, her full chest trembled violently due to the action, undulating magnificently.