Eternal Saber

Chen Tang’s expression was calm as he formed an Esoteric Dharma Seal with one hand.

Inner Lion Seal!

With the blessing of this Dharma Seal, his strength would be dramatically boosted for a short time!

Inside Chen Tang, his bloodline was running at full speed, surging endlessly as if stirring up a stormy sea.

At the same time, Chen Tang suddenly opened his mouth, and a vast, unparalleled aura surged from his lungs, gathering in his throat.

His lungs, tempered by the Whale Breathing Technique, were exceptionally powerful.

Xia Yuanxian had just charged forward, only to see Chen Tang open his mouth, his facial muscles taut, and his chest swelling as if to devour the heavens, his anger reaching the sky.

Those fierce eyes were like a caged beast about to break free and devour men!

If he were in his right mind, he might have realized the danger and chosen to stop, or even retreat to avoid the edge.

But under the stimulation of the drug, madness ultimately overwhelmed reason!

The next moment.

The Martial Arts Arena suddenly erupted with a loud roar, like a raging torrent, like thunder roaring.

In an instant, the world seemed to fall silent!

Everyone seemed to lose their hearing, as if they could no longer hear any other sound.

They only saw a massive airflow spewing from Chen Tang’s mouth, almost solid, condensing into a majestic lion that roared towards the sky alongside him!

What a shocking scene this was!

Dust lingering in the air, and inadvertently falling leaves were instantly scattered, floating down like a misty rain.

Even the quagmire under Chen Tang’s feet trembled violently with the earth-shattering roar, cracks spreading swiftly like a spider web, sending mud and stones flying.

Chen Tang felt his body lighten, ready to break free at any moment.

Xia Yuanxian’s gaze became dazed, momentarily losing focus.

But the two flying swords he controlled still bore immense inertia, stabbing towards Chen Tang, close at hand!

Chen Tang’s blood circulated, the Vast Sea Force clung to the Autumn Water Sword, and he forcefully cut towards the two flying swords!

Drip!

The Autumn Water Sword struck the flying swords, like a drop of water falling into a lake, making a crisp, pleasant sound!

Ripples spread across the sword’s surface, flowing endlessly.

The next moment, the two flying swords broke apart on cue!

After all, the Autumn Water Sword was forged by layering seven Nascent Soul Level flying swords together, and no matter how powerful Xia Yuanxian’s flying swords were, they couldn’t match the sharpness of the Autumn Water Sword.

Chen Tang used the Vast Sea Force to unleash the power of the Autumn Water Sword, instantly cutting through the two flying swords!

Swoosh!

Chen Tang’s sword momentum continued, raising his hand in a strike, thrusting towards Xia Yuanxian’s face!

Xia Yuanxian was formidable, though Chen Tang’s Autumn Water Sword had just sliced through his two flying swords in mere moments.

In such a short time, he had already come back to his senses.

Seeing Chen Tang’s sword tip about to pierce his face, Xia Yuanxian was shocked, not having time to think, he reversed his grip on his knife to block while leaning back to avoid Chen Tang’s sword point.

Chen Tang chuckled lightly, not waiting for the sword technique to complete, instantly switching his move, a Restless Heart, sidestepping Xia Yuanxian’s knife, his sword momentum unceasing, heading straight for the chest!

In a panic, Xia Yuanxian couldn’t defend against it, suddenly feeling a sharp pain in his chest.

"Ah!"

Xia Yuanxian let out a miserable cry.

At this moment, as Chen Tang’s sword pierced Xia Yuanxian’s chest, his expression also changed.

Something wasn’t right!

The sword tip encountered a strong resistance, unable to penetrate.

This sensation wasn’t like striking against some armor or Heart-Protecting Mirror or the like.

It felt more like it hit a layer of thin rice paper.

But this layer of paper seemed to contain an overwhelmingly powerful, extremely dangerous aura!

The next moment, a burst of light exploded from Xia Yuanxian’s chest, dazzling and blinding!

Immediately after, Chen Tang’s Autumn Water Sword collided with this burst of light, instantly shattering Xia Yuanxian’s chest garment, revealing a piece of yellow talisman paper underneath, with some mysterious and intricate patterns drawn on it.

"A protective talisman?"

Ye Xuan saw this and murmured softly, "As expected."

"Is it a type of talisman?"

Ye Taoyuan asked.

Ye Xuan nodded.

This protective talisman revealed too much information.

This kind of talisman is a branch of Mystic Skill, supposedly only craftable by Mystic Masters of the Golden Core Realm or higher, extremely precious.

This also meant that Xia Yuanxian had lied earlier.

He claimed that his mystic skills were forcibly extracted from a Mystic Master he captured alive.

The method of cultivating Mystic Skills might be coerced out.

But this protective talisman, he couldn’t have forced a powerful Mystic Master to create it for him.

The Mystic Master who gave this talisman to Xia Yuanxian had obviously intended to protect him, placing it close to his heart.

Father once said, there are experts in the palace.

Could it be that this expert is actually a Mystic Master?

-----------------

In the Martial Arts Arena, this protective talisman erupted with a terrifying power, even Chen Tang couldn’t bear it.

His sleeve was instantly shredded, his entire right arm came under the impact of the powerful force, revealing streaks of blood, his tiger’s mouth tearing, and the Autumn Water Sword flew out of his hand!

The entire venue was in an uproar!

Just now, watching Xia Yuanxian suddenly explode, Chen Tang teetered on the brink of life and death.

Yet, Chen Tang managed to turn the tides with a Lion’s Roar, nearly slicing Xia Yuanxian with a single sword.

No one knew what Mystic Art Xia Yuanxian used or what trump card he revealed, suddenly exploding again with a counterattack, injuring Chen Tang!

Not everyone could recognize the protective talisman on Xia Yuanxian’s chest.

Moreover, all of this happened in the blink of an eye.

After the protective talisman unleashed its formidable power, it also turned to fragments, scattered on the ground.

Chen Tang was stuck in the quagmire, having just gained some space by means of a Lion’s Roar.

But due to blocking the flying swords and counter-attacking Xia Yuanxian, he hadn’t had time to extract himself yet.

Now, with the explosive external force from the Protective Talisman, Chen Tang’s body uncontrollably flew backward.

Just at the moment his legs were pulled out of the mire, a flash of inspiration struck him.

The bones inside his body crackled, his right leg suddenly extended by half an inch, his body leaned back, and he kicked out almost parallel to the ground as if guided by divine intervention, lightly tapping his toe, striking directly at Xia Yuanxian’s abdomen!

This kick was extremely covert, executed entirely as a natural strike.

In fact, it was the force exerted from the ’Tiger Tail Kick’ of the Tiger Subduing Fist, though the stance was completely different.

Chen Tang had already cultivated the Tiger Subduing Fist to the Divine Realm.

To attain the Spirit, means reaching perfection, comprehending the essence of the martial arts, with both form and spirit united.

Sometimes, one need not be restricted by techniques, often having a sudden inspiration, executing a wondrous move unbound by the ordinary!

That light tap of Chen Tang’s toe earlier was just such a move!

Many people did not see clearly what happened.

In the eyes of the onlookers, they only saw a burst of light erupting from Xia Yuanxian’s chest, shattering Chen Tang’s sleeve, blood streaming down his entire right arm, and the Autumn Water Sword being struck away.

Chen Tang’s body, like a kite with a broken string, was knocked away by this force, falling beneath the Martial Arts Arena.

"Brother Atang!"

"Brother Chen!"

Zhiwei rushed over at the first moment.

Following quickly were Mei Zhenyu, Shen Zhiyuan, Su Muzhe, and others.

"Alas!"

From the Jianghu Camp came a round of sighs.

Many Jianghu guests shook their heads secretly.

Ultimately, it was just a little short.

Seeing Chen Tang was about to win this fight, unexpectedly, Xia Yuanxian had so many trump cards, managing to turn defeat into victory at the last moment!

However, nobody blamed anyone.

After all, Chen Tang was able to force Xia Yuanxian to this point, already sufficiently proving his strength.

Moreover, Chen Tang had even inscribed words on Xia Yuanxian’s face, in a way restoring some face for the Great Xia Martial World.

"What happened, how’s the battle going?"

Xiao Wuhen, hearing the surrounding sighs, quickly grasped Lin Mubai’s arm and asked.

Lin Mubai gave a faint smile and said, "The outcome is decided, Young Master Xia won."

"Good!"

Xiao Wuhen waved his fist, his face full of excitement, more joyous than if he had won himself.

At the Prime Minister’s Mansion, there was initially a moment of silence.

Then, seeing Xia Yuanxian still standing on the Martial Arts Arena, a cheer exploded instantly!

"Lord Chancellor, congratulations, congratulations."

Shen Guobao, full of smiles, seized the chance to offer his felicitations.

Xia Daozi relaxed, smiling gently, nodded slightly, and said, "It’s alright, a thrilling yet safe encounter."

"Brother Atang, how are you?"

Zhiwei asked with concern.

Chen Tang stood up and assessed his internal condition.

No big issues.

The yellow talisman paper did unleash a terrifying power, surging into his Dantian through his right arm, but like a stone sinking into the sea, it was instantly dissipated by the three forces within his Dantian.

Of course, his right arm was rather badly injured and would need some time to heal.

"It’s nothing."

Chen Tang shook his head and walked toward the Martial Arts Arena.

"Brother Chen, let’s just drop it!"

Shen Zhiyuan, seeing Chen Tang still intending to go to the arena, worried that his impulsive behavior might endanger his life, quickly urged him against it.

"It’s nothing."

Chen Tang smiled slightly and said, "I’m going to retrieve the Autumn Water Sword."

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Chen Tang walked back onto the Martial Arts Arena.

"Do you not know when to quit, still daring to come up!"

"Our Young Master spared your life, yet you show no appreciation!"

From the Prime Minister’s Mansion came a round of curses.

But in the next moment, everyone fell silent at the scene unfolding on the Martial Arts Arena.

Seeing Chen Tang return to the arena, Xia Yuanxian looked as if he had seen a ghost, unable to conceal his fear, retreating several steps, then turned and ran without looking back!

After only a few steps, Xia Yuanxian’s pace became unsteady. As he leaped off the Martial Arts Arena, his legs turned to jelly, nearly causing him to fall to the ground, his expression one of panic, like a dog that had lost its home.

Those around were left dumbfounded, their faces filled with confusion.

What is going on?

Xia Yuanxian had clearly won, why does he behave like a mouse that sees a cat upon encountering Chen Tang, not daring even to utter a word?

According to his nature, wouldn’t he be mercilessly mocking Chen Tang?

Xia Yuanxian’s face turned pale as he descended from the Martial Arts Arena. After only a few steps, sweat was pouring from his head.

Suddenly, Xia Yuanxian let out a scream, collapsing to the ground, clutching his abdomen, his body twitching continually, veins bulging on his forehead, his expression full of agony, his teeth chattering constantly!

"What’s wrong? What’s happening to my son!"

Xia Daozi stood up with a start, shouting, "Quickly, go check, what’s happening to Yuanxian!"

Immediately, a master from the Imperial Palace leaped out of the crowd, landed by Xia Yuanxian’s side in a flash, took Xia Yuanxian’s pulse, and probed with Inner Qi, and his face changed dramatically.

"What’s going on, speak quickly!"

Xia Daozi asked sharply.

The person hesitated for a moment, then said in a deep voice, "Young Master Yuanxian’s Dantian... is ruined!"

Once these words fell, the surroundings instantly fell into a deathly silence.

Xia Yuanxian’s screams were especially pronounced.

His lower extremities, slowly oozing a crimson bloodstain!

Everyone instinctively looked toward the Martial Arts Arena.

Chen Tang had just picked up the Autumn Water Sword, though blood dripped from his right arm, a faint smile played on his lips, and he looked on with leisurely interest, as if nothing had happened, cheerfully watching the commotion.