Imperial Cultivation

79: Chapter 77: Overwhelming Power

79 -77: Overwhelming Power

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Besides this, he was also wearing a vest as thin as a cicada’s wing, made of unusual material, known through Super Sense to be extremely resilient.

He speculated that this layer of vest should be able to withstand Gang Qi, as well as resist a Treasure Sword.

Compared to him, I seem quite shabby.

No Flying Knives, no Treasure Armor, where do I resemble a Princely Heir?

Born as a Princely Heir, with unparalleled aptitude, the true disciple of Wentian Cliff, the closed-door disciple of the State Preceptor, no one in all of Da Zhen has so many auras of prestige like him.

No wonder Cheng Tianfeng’s mindset is inflated and he acts recklessly, even daring to mess with the Princely Heir’s woman in Da Jing.

In his eyes, we are worlds apart indeed.

Though both Princely Heirs, both born with good aptitude, yet I am neither valued by the Emperor nor supported by the Prince Mansion, lacking any strong backing.

Furthermore, having entered the Ministry of Rites, I could be described as timid and fearful.

That’s why he disregards me so and tramples upon my dignity.

Cheng Tianfeng staggered upon landing, with a smile on his face, forcefully suppressing boiling killing intent, lightly chuckled: “To break through my technique, impressive!”

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, “Which absolute technique of Wentian Cliff is this technique?”

Until now, the Inspection Department has not figured out what Martial Arts Wentian Cliff possesses, as Wentian Cliff has always been reticent about its Martial Arts, reluctant to speak.

Now is a good opportunity to inquire.

“Wentian Nine Steps,” Cheng Tianfeng nodded: “Among those in the world who can break this technique, there are very few.

Chu Brother truly is extraordinary, let’s go again!”

His smile remains calm, showing no trace of the boiling killing intent in his heart.

Yet among all those present, the Great Grandmasters have keen intuition, vaguely able to sense his murderous intent.

None felt it as deeply as Chu Zhiyuan.

The Great Grandmasters did not find it unusual.

When crossing swords with others, it’s inevitable to have a murderous intent.

This is a normal reaction in a confrontation, but rationality often works at critical moments to judge whether one should strike with lethal intent.

Having murderous intent and striking with lethal intent are not the same thing.

Chu Zhiyuan laughed: “Is Brother Cheng holding back, thinking that I am not worthy of you going all out?”

Cheng Tianfeng’s face darkened, and he solemnly said: “Then Brother Chu be careful, I intend to get serious!”

He spun his foot, tracing an unusual arc with his figure, drifting obliquely towards Chu Zhiyuan, the sword tip casting a clear gleam.

As he wielded the sword, he secretly cursed.

If the Heavenly Hidden Pendant was present, the Heavenly Concealing Sword Technique could coordinate with it, rendering the sword invisible, even if its invisibility is restrained, the flickering sword shadow could still confuse the mind.

Now that the Heavenly Hidden Pendant is lost, the power of the Heavenly Concealing Sword Technique, which I painstakingly honed, is greatly diminished, akin to losing an arm.

Chu Zhiyuan casually thrust out a sword.

The sword moved gracefully and elegantly, as if done at will.

Yet the sword tip instantly pierced through the myriad sword shadows cast by Cheng Tianfeng, appearing at his chest, precisely where the Heavenly Hidden Pendant had been.

“Ding…” The Heavenly Hidden Pendant chimed once more, then shattered into fragments that fell to the ground.

The Heavenly Hidden Pendant was firm that, if not for the vast power imbued in Chu Zhiyuan’s sword, it wouldn’t have shattered even if smashed vigorously.

An ordinary sword couldn’t have pierced it either.

The Heavenly Hidden Pendant fell at its original location, while Cheng Tianfeng flew out, nearly reaching the door of the hall.

Chu Zhiyuan retracted his sword, shook his head with a smile: “Brother Cheng, still not using your full strength?”

Cheng Tianfeng’s Left Hand Sword had not yet been deployed, and he was still using the previous swordsmanship, unable to pose a threat.

Therefore, he hadn’t exerted all his power.

He was curious to know, being of the same Ninth Layer of the Innate Realm, just how powerful Wentian Cliff’s true disciple could be.

Cheng Tianfeng was favored since childhood, receiving nurturing far surpassing mine.

Upon entering Wentian Cliff, with its Miracle Techniques and Secret Techniques, it must have been like when I entered Mingwu Hall, bestowed with Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, without needing to earn merit for it as I did.

Of course, I too had extraordinary encounters and secret support from the Emperor.

But the time was too short, likely not as substantial as his.

Yet in others’ ears, these words seem exasperating.

They couldn’t help but laugh.

…

Cheng Tianfeng staggered backwards, nearly stepping on the hall threshold, gritting his teeth secretly, staring at the shattered Heavenly Hidden Pendant on the ground.

How could this wretched Chu Zhiyuan possess such strong power?

My strength should be sufficient, having consumed the gall of the Nine Li Bear from a young age, with almost boundless strength, yet before Chu Zhiyuan, it seems weak and feeble.

The gap is too vast.

This Chu Zhiyuan not only has great power, but speed as swift as lightning, is truly a monster!

But no Martial Arts in the world is invincible, all have methods to counter them, for such a monster, the strategy is to use tact to counter brute force, to use slowness to defeat speed.

“Let’s go again!”

He soared into the air, gracefully approaching Chu Zhiyuan, like a floating white cloud reaching his front, effortlessly wielding his sword.

The swordsmanship had drastically changed.

From initial obscurity, it had become light and elegant, completely devoid of the smell of smoke and fire, more akin to a lone sword dance under the moon.

Chu Zhiyuan’s mind slightly wavered.

The Qingying Sword instantly sent a chill, suppressing the disturbance in his heart.

This swordsmanship surprisingly had the effect of bewildering the mind!

He hesitated without thrusting his sword, seemingly falling into contemplation, with a dazed expression watching the elegant sweep of the sword light approaching him.

Those present, however, were unaffected.

Chu Zhiyao’s face changed slightly, about to tap the table to awaken Chu Zhiyuan.

Chu Mingxuan also found it inappropriate, was about to shout out, but saw Chu Zhiyuan suddenly make a light thrust of the sword once more, accurately stabbing at the original position of the Heavenly Hidden Pendant.

“Sst!” The sword tip already struck before the sound emerged.

Chu Zhiyuan discovered that the third layer of the Dragon Transformation Technique, Bone Refining, particularly enhanced speed and power, far more than the effects on meridians and acupoint opening.

This change was akin to a child turning into a robust young man during puberty, with a comprehensive and overwhelming improvement.

Cheng Tianfeng flew out once more.

This time, without the resistance of the Heavenly Hidden Pendant, the Treasure Armor faced the sword tip directly, shedding the True Qi imbued in the sword tip, but unable to shed the formidable force.

Cheng Tianfeng seemed struck by a giant log, horizontally flying ten zhang away, landing at the entrance to the hall, stopped by the high threshold.

His blood and energy churned, nearly causing him to vomit blood, but he forcefully swallowed it.

If that mouthful of blood is vomited, it would signify losing this duel.

I haven’t yet managed to fully display my skills; there’s still a chance to turn the tables, I can’t admit defeat just like this!

He roared inwardly, not waiting for Chu Zhiyuan to speak, shot towards him once more: “Let’s go again!”

He could no longer bother to ponder why Chu Zhiyuan wasn’t affected by his swordsmanship, only wanting to pierce Chu Zhiyuan with one stroke.

In mid-air, his sword tip burst forth with brilliant light, then spread across the sword, and when approaching Chu Zhiyuan, the entire sword radiated flashing light.

The longsword drew a silk thread, instantaneously reaching Chu Zhiyuan.

Chu Zhiyuan’s sword brows raised.

“Sword Gang!” Chu Zhiyao uttered a low cry.

Cheng Tianfeng could unexpectedly release Sword Gang, something only Grandmaster Realm experts could use.

Their power naturally tramples on Innate Realm experts.

The Fourth Prince can break Gang Qi, but such a pure and condensed Sword Gang, can he withstand it?

“Sword Gang!”

“Sword Gang!”

Inside the hall, everyone versed in Martial Arts widened their eyes with worry for Chu Zhiyuan.

Such cross-realm Miracle Techniques are not something worldly top talents can achieve; is Chu Zhiyuan such a genius?

Chu Zhiyuan smiled: “Brother Cheng, you’ve finally shown your true skill!”

He spoke as he casually thrust out a sword.

The sword tip also shone brightly, faintly revealing sword light.

“Another Sword Gang!”

Someone uttered in a low cry, nodding in admiration at Chu Zhiyuan.

“Boom!” The sword tips collided, producing a sound like thunder.

The thin sword tips collided, yet it was as if two surging waves clashed, with earth-shaking momentum, the air inside the hall rippled, and fierce winds howled.

Several Great Grandmasters flicked their sleeves, dissipating most of the fierce wind.

The crowd’s clothes billowed, especially among the female guests, their colored dresses fluttered, and fragrances wafted.

They widened their eyes to look inside, only to see Chu Zhiyuan standing still, Cheng Tianfeng already nowhere to be seen.

“Huh?”

“Where is he?”

The crowd couldn’t help but look around.

Chu Zhiyuan casually tucked the two Flying Knives, which he had opportunistically seized, back into his sleeve.

The two small Flying Knives were as thin as a cicada’s wing, nearly invisible, yet their material was as heavy and cold as if forged from ice.

The collision of Sword Gang with Sword Gang triggered Gang Qi clashing, the power contained in Gang Qi is formidable, akin to the explosives of the previous world where even a small amount could unleash astonishing power.

Chu Zhiyuan sheathed his sword, cupped his fists to salute the crowd in a ring, and finally looked at Prince Ying.

Prince Ying sighed and nodded, “Fourth Prince, excellent cultivation!”

“You flatter me.” Chu Zhiyuan replied, “Brother Cheng is alright.”

After all, he has the protection of Treasure Armor, thus the Qingying Sword temporarily can’t harm him.

Originally, there was no expectation to physically harm him, even if the Treasure Armor could be pierced, there are Great Grandmasters watching closely.

Therefore, the most important thing is to heavily wound his spirit.

If he can be completely ruined, all the better.