Super Combat Soldier

Chapter 751: Chapter 750 [The Swordsmanship Left by the Old Beggar]

[PS: Here comes the second update today. Xiao Gou has always been diligent, no matter what happens or how unwell I feel, I have never missed an update. I have consistently maintained at least two updates a day. I hope everyone will recommend their friends to subscribe, seeking a little money to support myself. Unity is strength!]

The old beggar was adamant about not revealing his name, perhaps in his view, all of this was meaningless. As a martial artist, as a powerful individual, the more one knows, the deeper thoughts one tends to have.

”Senior...” Ye Tianchen began to call out.

”No need for further words. It’s been a pleasure knowing you. Earth is no longer suitable for cultivation and has limited the growth of many talents. If one day you can break free and enter this Martial Arts Great World, I believe you will perform even better. I have a set of mediocre swordsmanship I hope you will take a look at...” The old beggar continued as he walked ahead.

Dongfang Meng was also startled, her respect for the old beggar, much like Ye Tianchen’s, had grown deep within her heart. Time and again, if it were not for the old beggar’s assistance, the two of them might have already met their deaths. Yet to this day, they did not even know the old beggar’s name, let alone his identity. Who exactly was this honorable senior?

At that moment, the old beggar had walked to the side and picked up a tree branch from the ground. Looking at Ye Tianchen with a smile, he said, ”I’ll just use this branch to demonstrate. I don’t want my own knowledge to one day be lost without a successor...”

”I will definitely learn earnestly from the guidance of my senior!” Ye Tianchen said seriously.

”Good!”

The moment the word ”good” faded, the old beggar’s figure had already moved, his actions extremely fast. However, his moves seemed to lack any unique traits: a tap, a slice, a lift, a chop - each one a basic sword technique. Ye Tianchen frowned, not understanding what was happening. The old beggar was a reclusive master; his swordsmanship should be profound, so why did it look so ”superficial”?

Suddenly, Ye Tianchen was shocked, watching an incredible scene unfold before him. Everywhere the old beggar swung that carried Sword Qi, a figure of himself appeared. Mysterious and elusive, the sense of the sweeping Sword Qi was astonishing. Without complex techniques or overwhelming Martial Arts True Power, he managed to tear through the void with a simple thrust of his sword. The power to achieve so much with so little was truly miraculous.

In the end, there were nine figures of the old beggar appearing before Ye Tianchen and Dongfang Meng. Both of them watched the scene intently, not daring to be even slightly negligent or careless. The swordsmanship technique was too profound; it seemed simple yet was extremely intricate. The final figure of the old beggar stepped directly into the sky, his right hand holding a wooden stick transformed into a sharp sword, pointing towards the Heavenly Vault with a posture that looked down upon the world, grand in solitude. The nine remaining figures, capable of fighting independently yet also able to strike together, exuded a profound mystery.

”How much you can comprehend depends entirely on your own fate. The path of martial arts is long and arduous. We’ll meet again if destiny allows,” he said.

The last words of the old beggar echoed in the ears of Ye Tianchen and Dongfang Meng. Gradually, the nine figures disappeared, and the old beggar once again departed. This departure, they feared, would leave them uncertain of when they might meet again. After watching the disappearance of the nine figures, Ye Tianchen slowly closed his eyes to deeply experience the sword moves demonstrated by the old beggar. Observing the mere surface of the moves was useless; he sat down cross-legged on the spot, needing time to reflect and understand.

Seeing Ye Tianchen reflecting on the old beggar’s swordsmanship, Dongfang Meng did not dare to disturb him. She just sat aside, maintaining the campfire, unsure how long Ye Tianchen would need before he opened his eyes. Tomorrow the Ancient Martial World’s grand gathering would begin, and many exciting events were likely to occur on the Songshan Sect.

It was only when the sky dimmed that Ye Tianchen slowly opened his eyes. He stood up without a word and picked up a tree branch from the ground, slowly waving it. Dongfang Meng watched, utterly astounded. She had not expected Ye Tianchen to comprehend the old beggar’s swordsmanship so quickly. His insight and talent were truly astonishing.

When Ye Tianchen stopped, his figure was left imprinted in the sky, his sword pointing to the Heavenly Vault, majestic and grandeur. His lonely silhouette exuded a defiant pressure toward heaven and earth, not to be underestimated.

”I think I might have guessed the identity of the old beggar...” Ye Tianchen returned to Dongfang Meng’s side, murmuring to himself with a smile.

”Tianchen, who is the old beggar exactly?” Dongfang Meng also asked with great curiosity.

”You will know when we meet again. It’s only a guess, I can’t be sure. Let’s go!” Ye Tianchen said with a smile.

”Go? Where to?” Dongfang Meng asked, looking at the now-darkened sky.

”Of course, it’s the Songshan Sect. The grand assembly of the Ancient Martial World is set to commence tomorrow. Many powerful figures and sects have already arrived within Song Mountain. I need to find the place where Brother Tian is being held before dawn tomorrow, or it will be too late to save him!” Ye Tianchen said.

”Alright, we’ll set out now. Fortunately, we’re not far from the Songshan Sect. Let’s stick to the original plan. You must keep your cool and not act rashly,” Dongfang Meng said as she glanced at Ye Tianchen.

”Don’t worry, I won’t make a move until we’ve found Brother Tian,” Ye Tianchen nodded in response.

Afterward, two women clad in green robes flew toward the direction of the Songshan Sect, the leader being Dongfang Meng utilizing Qi Manipulation Flight. The woman behind her, unmistakably, was Ye Tianchen in disguise, transformed by the Bone Transformation Skill. Dongfang Meng occasionally looked back at Ye Tianchen with a smile, saying, ”I didn’t expect you to be so convincing as a woman.”

”That’s the power of the Bone Transformation Skill. It changes a person’s aura from the inside out, making it very difficult to see through!” Ye Tianchen also said with a smile.

About an hour and a half later, Ye Tianchen and Dongfang Meng landed beneath a mountain that wasn’t very tall, having reached the foot of Song Mountain where the Songshan Sect was located. They saw over a dozen disciples of the Songshan Sect on guard duty, also welcoming guests heading to the sect. The leader was a brawny man with a full beard, holding a huge hammer—just the hammer alone must have weighed over ten thousand pounds. Dongfang Meng whispered to Ye Tianchen, ”This guy is known as Hammer Bao, one of the top ten disciples of the Songshan Sect. His cultivation isn’t very profound, but he has innate Divine Power. A single strike from his hammer is capable of destroying a mountain.”

”We’re here to outsmart, not to outfight. Once we’ve rescued Brother Tian, we need to retreat swiftly,” Ye Tianchen nodded and said.

Dongfang Meng and Ye Tianchen made their way towards the entrance of the Songshan Sect. There, the disciples of the sect were inspecting everyone. It seemed they were wary of masters possibly stirring trouble. Any uninvited loose cultivators and those whose sects hadn’t been included in this assembly were unable to enter.

Right as Ye Tianchen and Dongfang Meng were about to pass, an unpleasant incident had already taken place. They saw an old man, hunched and stooping, carrying a conical bamboo hat on his back, who was stopped by the disciples of the Songshan Sect and denied entry. The old man seemed very displeased and shouted coldly in protest.

”Humph, this assembly of the Ancient Martial World organized by the Songshan Sect claims that all martial artists of the Ancient Martial World are qualified to participate. Why am I not allowed to enter?” the stooped old man challenged angrily.

”Old fellow, the clear directive for this assembly is that only sects still retaining their heritage within the Ancient Martial World may participate. As for someone without a sect or affiliation, they have no right to set foot in the Songshan Sect. Better go back to where you came from,” a disciple of the Songshan Sect disdainfully said.

”Are you implying that you look down on all the loose cultivators in the world? That only those with a sect or backing are qualified to participate in this great assembly of the Ancient Martial World?” the old hunched man asked coldly.

”You could say that!” the disciple of the Songshan Sect arrogantly replied, not taking loose cultivators seriously at all. This attitude was bound to make countless enemies for the Songshan Sect.

This was the consequence of not understanding the immensity of heaven and earth. Whether in the sparsely remaining Ancient Martial World on Earth or throughout the entire Martial Arts Great World, there were many loose cultivators. These cultivators, unaffiliated and without a sect, cultivated on their own. Some, upon acquiring powerful heritages by chance, soared to become domineering figures of their region. Even without a sect or backing, there were loose cultivators whom even long-established great sects dared not offend lightly. Among them were some peerless experts who, if angered, would dare to assault the sect itself.

”Fine, fine, fine. The Songshan Sect truly considers nobody else its equal. Hosting this assembly of the Ancient Martial World is nothing but window dressing. Bei Lengshi just wants to unify the various Ancient Martial Sects for his own unspeakable purposes. Your refusal to let loose cultivators participate shows how little regard you have for their abilities,” the old hunched man said with an indomitable spirit.

At that moment, some other loose cultivators had also arrived, and upon hearing the old man’s words, they were all stirred into anger. They were on the verge of drawing their swords, ready to teach the Songshan Sect a lesson, lest the Sect continue to disregard them, the loose cultivators.

”Old timer, I advise you not to make a scene here, or you risk ending up dead without a trace,” the disciple of the Songshan Sect said arrogantly.

”That’s your opinion. If you can defeat this bamboo hat in my hands, I’ll leave on my own. Otherwise, at this grand assembly, there must be a place for us loose cultivators,” the old hunched man retorted coldly as he looked at the disciple of the Songshan Sect.

”Old man, if you’re seeking death, don’t blame me...” The disciple of the Songshan Sect had long been itching for a fight. With the assembly hosted by the Songshan Sect and Bei Lengshi aiming to become the ruler of the Ancient Martial World, he sought to establish his authority everywhere. This disciple wanted to perform well in hopes of being recognized for greater responsibilities, so without further ado, he struck a palm toward the old man’s chest...(To be continued. If you like this work, welcome to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommended votes and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please go to m.qidian.com to read.)