Chapter 190 112: Wind and Thunder Slash, Perfection
SHHFFFT—!
There was no earth-shattering boom, only a soft hiss like tearing silk. The boulder, however, began to vitrify in a bizarre fashion—a result of the high-temperature erosion caused by the instantaneous, extreme eruption of wind pressure and Thunder Force.
Liang Cheng sheathed his saber and stood, panting slightly, but his eyes couldn't hide his delight.
[Wind and Thunder Slash: Perfection]
The Wind and Thunder Slash, at the Realm of Perfection, was no longer confined to fixed moves.
The swiftness of wind could form a dense net of saber light to trap an enemy, while the ferocity of thunder could condense into a single line of Sword Qi to shatter defenses. With wind and thunder complementing each other, the Saber Momentum was as unpredictable as the changing heavens.
'With my current strength, if I were to face the Left Envoy of the Fire Worship Sect again...'
At the thought, Liang Cheng's Zhenxian Saber trembled lightly. The residual echoes of wind and thunder in the air condensed into three fine strands of Sword Qi, which spiraled around him within a three-foot radius for a long while before dissipating.
'I could kill him within ten breaths.'
...
Two days later, the five of them gathered once again in Mingxin Pavilion.
Bai Hong and Shen Jun sat in the seats of honor, their gazes sweeping over the five True Disciples below. A look of satisfaction appeared in both their eyes.
Liang Cheng's aura was as deep and condensed as the ocean, potent but restrained. Yun Jinghong's Sword Intent was sharp, as if her blade were already drawn three inches from its sheath. Wang Teng's Qi Blood was vigorous and his foundation solid. Chen Han and Han Li's killing intent was contained, giving them the air of seasoned veterans.
Shen Jun got straight to the point. "In three days, we depart for Huiwu Slope."
Bai Hong added solemnly, "You already know the rules of the grand tournament. I will only emphasize one point: the fate of Lin Wu City for the next decade rests on this. You must not be careless."
The five's expressions turned serious, and they cupped their fists in unison. "We understand!"
"Go back and prepare."
Shen Jun waved his hand. "Gather at the Martial Arts Academy's mountain gate in three days at 7:00 AM."
...
Courtyard Three, True Inheritance Peak.
Lady Ning silently packed Liang Cheng's travel bag, placing clean clothes and prepared rations into it one by one.
Yang Wei stood to the side, holding Yang An. The little one seemed to sense something and reached out with a gurgle, trying to grab the corner of Liang Cheng's clothes.
Liang Cheng took the bag and looked at his mother and master. "Mother, Master, don't worry," he said gently. "I'll only be gone for a little over a month."
Lady Ning's eyes were slightly red. She forced a smile. "I know. My son is a big shot now. Be careful on your journey. I'll be here at the Martial Arts Academy, so you don't need to worry about me."
Yang Wei clapped Liang Cheng's shoulder and said only three words: "Come back soon."
The door to the side room opened, and Yaya and Tieniu walked out.
Yaya's belly was now visibly swollen. "Brother Cheng, you must take care."
Tieniu nodded emphatically. "Brother Cheng, I'll be waiting for you to come back for a drink!"
Liang Cheng acknowledged them one by one, took one last look at everyone in the courtyard, then turned and strode away.
...
The Martial Arts Academy plaza.
"I won't waste words." Shen Jun's gaze swept across the five, finally landing on Liang Cheng. "On this trip, show them the might of Lin Wu City and take back the resources that belong to us!"
"Let's move out!"
The procession of riders left the Martial Arts Academy, exited Lin Wu City, and galloped toward Huiwu Slope, located at the northern border where the three cities met.
A day later, they arrived at a treacherous pass called "Eagle's Beak Stream." Below was a deep gorge with a raging current, and the path above was only wide enough for two horses to ride abreast.
Just then, the dense sound of hooves came from the opposite direction.
A troop of riders in green robes appeared silently. It was the contingent from Cyan Mist City.
Among them was a young man in brocade robes with a face as smooth as jade. His gaze swept over the Lin Wu City group, paused on Chen Han's face, and a playful smile suddenly touched his lips.
"Well, look who it is. If it isn't Chen Han, Brother Chen."
The brocade-robed youth's voice wasn't loud, yet it carried clearly across the pass. "It's been ten years. Have you been well? I still vividly remember how you looked after losing to me by half a move during the academy exchange back then—so angry you coughed up blood for three days."
Chen Han's face instantly turned as dark as iron, his fists cracking as he clenched them.
Han Li glared, his True Qi flaring around him. "Liu Qingyun, you're courting death!"
The old grudge was instantly reignited, and the atmosphere grew tense.
Yun Jinghong frowned slightly, and Wang Teng took half a step forward.
Liang Cheng, however, remained calm. His gaze fell dispassionately on Liu Qingyun. 'True Qi Realm Perfection,' he noted. 'His aura is unstable. His foundation doesn't seem very solid.'
"Heh, what a temper."
Liu Qingyun paid it no mind and was about to continue when a portly, middle-aged man in rich clothes stopped him.
It was none other than the City Lord of Cyan Mist City, Fu Chenzhou.
Fu Chenzhou looked at Shen Jun and gave a slight bow. "City Lord Shen, managing the temper of your disciples is also very important. We wouldn't want them to get on the tournament stage, fly into a rage, and spit up a few more mouthfuls of blood. That would be quite unsightly."
A few low chuckles came from the Cyan Mist City contingent as several of them exchanged mocking glances.
Shen Jun's face was grim. Just as he was about to speak, the heavy sound of hooves, like muffled thunder, echoed from the mountain path behind them, followed by a resonant, booming voice:
"Hahaha! I could smell the gunpowder from a mile away! City Lord Shen, it seems your skill at leading a team is about the same as your skill at governing a city!"
Another troop of riders appeared. They were all tall and powerfully built, with knotted muscles and Qi Blood as vigorous as a blazing furnace. It was the contingent from Rock Solid City.
Their leader was a bald, burly man built like an iron pagoda. Even mounted on an exceptionally powerful Dragon-Scaled Horse, he looked immense. It was the City Lord of Rock Solid City, Shi Meng.
The moment he arrived, his gaze fixed impolitely on Shen Jun's face, his voice booming through the valley. "Brother Shen, I heard things weren't so peaceful back home recently? The Fire Worship Sect nearly wiped out your entire den, didn't they? Tsk tsk, even the Vice City Lord sleeping next to you turned out to be their Sect Leader. What kind of City Lord are you..."
"If word of this gets out, it'll bring shame to all three of our cities! How are the other islands supposed to look at us on Central Origin Island? Isn't that right, brothers?"
"No wonder you needed both you and Dean Bai Hong to come along on this trip. Afraid of accidents? Worried you couldn't handle it alone?"
"You've got it easy. Not like City Lord Fu of Cyan Mist City and I, leading our teams all by ourselves. It's hard to clap with one hand, you know."
The people from Rock Solid City erupted in laughter, while those from Cyan Mist City also wore mocking expressions.