At Chen Changsheng's shouts, Gou Hanshi's expression turned grave.
"Mountain Spirit Splits the Cliff!
"Stars Stitching Across the Day!
"Splendid Dew Withering Wu!"
He also spoke three phrases in succession.
These were three sword techniques.
Three techniques of the Mount Li Sword Sect's sword style.
The two of them did not look at Tang Thirty-Six and Qi Jian, nor at the crowd with indescribable expressions on the steps in front of the palace.
They only looked at each other and rattled off techniques.
In reality, when Chen Changsheng said the first technique, Gou Hanshi had begun to respond.
Chen Changsheng's second technique was a response to Gou Hanshi's response.
Their voices echoed in front of the quiet and serene Weiyang Palace, echoed above the plaza and in the darkness.
Their voices were not loud, but they were very clear, especially in Tang Thirty-Six's and Qi Jian's ears. There, they seemed more like the sound of thunder, rumbling and booming!
With a solemn expression, Qi Jian raised his sword and gave a clear cry. In the darkness, his body dragged a trail of broken shadows behind it.
The pitch-black Iron Ruler Sword in his hands tore through the wind. Noiselessly, like a demon or god, it treated hard stone like cakes or pastries.
'Mountain Spirit Splits the Cliff'!
Tang Thirty-Six's expression suddenly became apprehensive and he raised his sword upside down in front of him. The second technique Gou Hanshi spoke of was Stars Stitching Across the Day. He did not know what that technique was, if it would be as powerful as Mountain Spirit Splits the Cliff, but he could faintly sense that the three sword techniques Qi Jian used were a set. With each move, power was added on to the next!
If he used his own methods, he would probably be able to receive the first two techniques, but he had no confidence in his ability to deal with the final and most powerful attack.
Chen Changsheng's voice was still ringing in his mind.
Those four phrases were extremely distinct, and he was extremely familiar with those four techniques.
At this time, he had no time to ponder about how Chen Changsheng knew his clan's sword style. Subconsciously, he raised his sword and acted according to Chen Changsheng's words.
The split second that he raised the Wenshui Sword, he realized that something was wrong.
…Just how were these four sword techniques supposed to be used in succession!
The Falling Golden Flask was the seventh move of the Original Prosperity Sword Style, Heavy Sea Air was the eleventh move of the Founding Sect Sword Style, Shadow Cast on the Window was the third move of the Original Prosperity Sword Style, and Hang the Sword in the Tall Forest was the opening form of the Founding Sect Sword Style.
These were clearly sword techniques from two different sword styles—how could they be mixed together? The corresponding methods of circulating true Qi for these techniques were completely different, so how could they be forcefully connected? Could he not be afraid of true Qi reversing backwards and inflicting injury? He had been learning the sword styles of the Tang clan from his teachers ever since he was a child, but he had never heard that his clan's sword styles could be used this way!
No matter how doubtful or confused he was, there was already no time to think.
Qi Jian's sword was already in front of him. Behind the terrifying sword of Mountain Spirit Splits the Cliff, the Stars Stitching Across the Day was already beginning to take shape!
Tang Thirty-Six hardened his heart as his sword used Falling Golden Flask!
Then it used Heavy Sea Air!
His true essence circulated through his meridians to his wrist, then it instantly sank down and returned upon a path it had never used before.
Only this way could Falling Golden Flask move to Heavy Sea Air.
Tang Thirty-Six had already prepared his mind for the backflow of true essence and the vomiting of blood from internal injuries.
Yet…nothing untoward happened whatsoever.
His true essence easily traveled through the channels in his wrist, sinking into his Yangming meridian!
Not only was there no injury, that feeling of absolutely no hindrance whatsoever made him want to happily shout!
With a sudden boost of confidence, Tang Thirty-Six moved his sword like the wind, breaking the figure of Qi Jian's sword bared in the darkness, turning from Heavy Sea Air to Shadow Cast on the Window!
There was still not a single problem!
His true essence circulated with abnormal efficiency. He even felt like these two sword techniques were not part of two separate sword styles, but should have been linked in the first place!
The countless crisp clashes of swords rang out in the darkness.
The spectators on the stone steps only saw Tang Thirty-Six's movements become extremely strange, seeming just like a puppet with cut strings. In hasty retreat, his actions seemed very awkward, yet they also seemed like the natural and expected actions!
No matter how powerful Qi Jian's sword energy, it was never able to trap him.
After these countless clashes, Qi Jian's sword finally used Splendid Dew Withering Wu.
This was also the final technique of Gou Hanshi's instructions.
It was a major technique of the Mount Li Sword Style. It used the frost that dyed the mountains, the loneliness of the solitary Wu tree on the cliff.
Hidden within the gorgeous sword intent was a desolate, life-stealing aura.
The Iron Ruler Sword seemed covered in ice, slowly pressing down everything in all directions as it came.
It was like the aura of winter creeping into the forest: slow, but unstoppable.
If he had not heard Chen Changsheng's voice, Tang Thirty-Six would have probably chosen at this time to use his most violent sword technique, attempting to bring his opponent down with him or use this method of indiscriminate destruction to make another attempt at striking at Qi Jian's weak point.
But now, he didn't need to.
He only used a simple technique.
"Hang the Sword in the Tall Forest!"
This was the opening move of the Tang clan's Founding Sect Sword Style.
At any other time, this opening move of the Founding Sect Sword Style would absolutely have no use whatsoever.
But earlier, Tang Thirty-Six's sword techniques had succeeded at drawing with Qi Jian's previous two sword techniques, simultaneously making preparations for this final strike.
Whether it was from angle, posture, circulation of true essence, or state of mind, all preparations had been made.
The tall forest was utterly dyed in frost.
He hung his sword above the solitary Wu tree.
He turned his wrist and held his sword horizontally.
The Wenshui Sword passed horizontally above the Iron Ruler Sword, carrying a spark of fire.
The sword did not injure Qi Jian in the slightest, but it stirred up a wind.
After this gust, his elbow struck the hand Qi Jian used to wield his sword.
Smoothly and cleanly, right on the target.
There was a light clap.
The Iron Ruler Sword whistled through the air and fell somewhere in the darkness.
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...
Tang Thirty-Six retreated two steps and sheathed his sword.
Qi Jian lowered his head and stared at his empty right hand, somewhat at a loss. Only after a moment did he realize…he had lost.
In only an instant, his eyes moistened, and he was overcome with sadness and grief.
Seeing his look, Tang Thirty-Six became rather irritated. "What's there to be sad about? You're still stronger than me, and originally I wouldn't be able to beat you, but…the Orthodox Academy just didn't lose, that's all."
He was a proud person so he had to make the distinction clear—the Orthodox Academy not losing did not mean that he had won.
Qi Jian tightly pursed his lips, not willing to cry, his stifled and small face turning deep red. Finally, in a sobbing tone, he said, "Many thanks."
Then he turned to his most trusted and respected senior brother, wanting to make clear just what had happened.
Gou Hanshi was looking at Chen Changsheng.
The plaza was absolutely silent.
Everyone was looking at Chen Changsheng.
Many people had no idea what had just occurred. Not even Tang Thirty-Six himself could describe it clearly.
When the crowd thought back, the crucial moment rested completely on that final wave of the sword and strike of the elbow. That single strike could truly be described as utterly wondrous, subtle and inexplicable.
But no one could imagine that the crucial point of this strike rested on the previous sword techniques.
The sword techniques that Chen Changsheng had stated.
Mao Qiuyu gazed at Chen Changsheng, somewhat surprised. Prince Chen Liu also looked at him, his eyes brimming with praise. Xu Shiji and the Qiushan clan head had abnormally ugly expressions while Mo Yu's expression was extremely complex. Earlier, she had not been able to understand just how Chen Changsheng had been able to leave the Tong Palace. Only now did she understand that it turned out that everyone had underestimated this youth.
Tonight was the first time many people truly became acquainted with Chen Changsheng.
Including those people who had already met him, such as Xu Shiji and Mo Yu.
The many wrinkles on the archbishop's face all relaxed as he said, "Pretty good, pretty good."
Everyone knew that the person he was calling 'pretty good' was not Tang Thirty-Six, but Chen Changsheng.
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