Chapter 8: Winning the Championship

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Chu Zhitian slowly approached Chu Mingxuan with great caution, drawing his sword from its scabbard and saying, "Fourth brother, please teach me."

Chu Zhiyuan laughed at his caution, "Ninth brother, please!"

The Earth Origin Technique circulated.

His feet at Yongquan absorbed the primordial energy of the earth like two whale mouths.

The first layer of the Earth Origin Technique replenishes inner qi; the path for the earth's primordial energy to transform into inner qi is the shortest and swiftest.

In almost the blink of an eye, the primordial energy of the earth ascended straight to the Upper Dantian through Yongquan, filling the empty Dantian.

If it were an Innate Realm master, replenishing true qi would require executing the second layer of the Earth Origin Technique, where the transformation path is more complex.

The Great Snow Avalanche Sword Technique concentrates all cultivation into one swift and fierce sword strike, but after the strike, it leaves one powerless for another.

The Earth Origin Technique compensates for the Great Snow Avalanche Sword Technique's fatal weakness.

"Fourth brother, you go first!" Chu Zhitian closely watched Chu Zhiyuan's shoulders, vibrated his longsword, and said deeply.

The sword moves, with the shoulder moving first.

This is the key to dealing with fast swords.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "I'm accustomed to acting later to control the opponent."

Chu Zhitian intently watched his shoulders: "Still, fourth brother, please go first!"

Earlier, he couldn't see this sword clearly, fearing in his heart. If he can't see it, how can he avoid or counterattack?

"Alright, see the sword." Chu Zhiyuan laughed.

He moved his right hand slightly.

"Bang!"

"Cough cough cough cough..."

Chu Zhitian bent over, leaning on his sword, clutching his chest, coughing violently.

Everyone's eyes widened even more.

This time they saw it clearly; indeed, the sword struck and was retracted as quickly as a twitch.

"Hey, that's wicked!" Chu Mingxuan exclaimed.

He turned to look at the others, "Did you see it clearly? Did you see fourth brother's sword?"

Everyone nodded.

"Ninth brother, are you alright?"

Chu Zhiyuan looked at Chu Zhitian with concern and apologized, "Was it too heavy?"

The strength of this sword had been toned down quite a bit.

But to strike fast, it must be swift and fierce, and it's not easy to withhold the momentum.

Under everyone's gaze, Chu Zhitian gradually stopped coughing and slowly straightened up, looking at Chu Zhiyuan in confusion. His gaze finally fell on his wooden sword: "Fourth brother, your swordsmanship..."

"I'll go!"

Chu Zhichuan stepped forward and said in a deep voice.

He stood tall and elegant like a jade tree swaying in the wind, his handsome face cold, and his narrow eyes were full of gravity.

Initially, he didn't take Chu Zhiyuan seriously.

He thought Chu Qingfeng favored him due to affection toward his residence, rumored that the Prince Qing Mansion was released from restrictions due to Chu Qingfeng's plea.

In the morning, he saw Chu Zhiyuan speaking with Chu Zhitian and did not join them, partly not wanting to get distracted from training. Secondly, he thought Chu Zhiyuan's gentle nature would never make him a top martial artist: not ruthless, not focused, destined never to become a top expert.

His current cultivation is assured due to being trapped in the Prince Mansion without coming out, unlike others who could engage in banquets and entertainments. In such a repressive environment, he had no choice but to practice martial arts to pass the time.

In his place, he would have entered the Innate Realm in such conditions long ago.

"Tenth brother, be careful!"

"Tenth brother, don't get defeated again!"

...

The crowd exclaimed one after another.

Among the twelve, the strongest in cultivation are the three of them. Fighting, they may not lose, but defeating them in a single move was impossible.

This was a raging dragon crossing the river.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled: "Tenth brother, please."

Chu Zhichuan said coldly, "What is this sword?"

"The Great Snow Avalanche Sword Technique."

"...So it's the Great Snow Avalanche Sword Technique." After a moment of thought, Chu Zhichuan slowly nodded.

No wonder it's so fast.

He remembered the sword technique of the Great Snow Mountain Sect, one of the six great sects of ancient times.

The Great Snow Avalanche Sword Technique has top-notch destructive power but has fatal flaws, being an all-or-nothing extreme killing technique.

If the first strike doesn't kill the enemy, one is left at their mercy, as life and death hinge on a single sword.

Striking twice would be an ability; within a short time, one cannot execute a third strike, possibly bluffing or buying time to recover.

Thinking of this, he said in a deep voice, "Please—!"

Don't give it a chance to breathe, act sooner rather than later!

"Please!"

Chu Zhiyuan's expression remained calm, secretly grinning.

His right hand and body were unbearably numb.

The Great Snow Avalanche Sword Technique compresses all cultivation into one attack, putting enormous pressure on the meridians, and at this moment, the meridians of his body and right arm were on the verge of collapse.

To establish authority, a price must be paid.

If Chu Zhichuan was not subdued, all previous efforts would be in vain.

Therefore, he had to withstand this sword.

"Swoosh!" Chu Zhichuan thrust out a sword.

"Cough cough cough cough..."

Chu Zhichuan's sword power softened, clutching his chest while coughing violently.

This time, everyone kept their eyes fixed on Chu Zhiyuan's right hand and the sword hilt, watching him execute an effortless strike that hit the target before it even moved, precisely striking above Chu Zhichuan's Shan Zhong.

Chu Zhiyuan forcefully suppressed the trembling in his right hand and turned to look at others.

Everyone avoided his gaze.

Chu Qingfeng seemed to smile, though it was not quite a smile.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled: "Who's next?"

Chu Qingfeng said, "You've fought three matches, take a rest. Others, don't just stand there; look for your own challenge."

Chu Mingxuan had fully recovered by now: "Uncle Thirteen, enough, no need to compete anymore. I'll give fourth brother the sword I promised him!"

He turned his head to the crowd, "Who still has grievances and wants to spar with fourth brother?"

The crowd remained silent.

The first time, they couldn't see clearly, but both the second and third times were crystal clear. Attributing themselves in his place, they all reached a clear conclusion: they couldn't withstand it.

A unique move that dominates; if you can't block this single sword, anything else is irrelevant.

A single strike would end it; comparing with him would yield no benefits, only frustration, making it unnecessary to invite suffering, better to simply concede.

Chu Mingxuan said, "Fourth brother, I'll bring you the sword tomorrow."

Chu Zhiyuan cupped his fists, "Thanks for letting me win, thanks, Uncle Eighteen."

They shook their heads in resignation.

The more beautiful and indifferent Chu Zhichuan's face became, secretly determined to train more.

The Great Snow Avalanche Sword Technique isn't invincible, there must be a way to break it.

"Fourth brother, don't get complacent, next time you may not be the first again. Our Mingwu Hall doesn't have a repeated champion," he snorted, then cupped his fists: "Uncle Thirteen, we're leaving."

Chu Qingfeng waved his hand.

Everyone cupped their fists towards Chu Qingfeng, and glanced at Chu Zhiyuan when leaving, looking fully to remember him.

After everyone had left, Chu Qingfeng looked at Chu Zhiyuan's right hand: "Not going back to rest?"

Chu Zhiyuan said, "I want to read for a while."

"You're just showing off."

Chu Qingfeng shook his head and left with his hands behind his back.

In the vast Mingwu Hall, only Chu Zhiyuan remained.

He looked down at his trembling right hand and shook his head inwardly.

The Earth Origin Technique alone won't do, the body can't withstand the continuous execution of the Great Snow Avalanche Sword Technique, the Dragon Transformation Technique needs to be trained quickly.

Inner qi began to circulate, and after passing through more than twenty acupoints, it transformed into traces of coolness that entered the Twelve Meridians and Eight Extraordinary Meridians.

Wherever these traces of coolness passed, the meridians were like parched, cracked land meeting the nourishing rain, quickly getting replenished, with results as fast.

He stood still in the martial arts training ground of Mingwu Hall, until after an hour passed, he opened his eyes with a smile.

The Dragon Transformation Technique was indeed profound, and by the end of this hour, the meridians that were about to collapse not only recovered but were even far superior to before.

He estimated that he could sustain the Great Snow Avalanche Sword Technique for five sword strikes.

From three sword strikes increasing to five, the intensity almost doubled.

It is not only because the Dragon Transformation Technique is profound but because after breaking comes establishment.

He unknowingly found a shortcut to practicing the Dragon Transformation Technique.

...

In the evening, when the palace gate was about to close, Chu Zhiyuan left Mingwu Hall.

With hands behind his back, he walked leisurely, full of joy.

It had been another day of bountiful, fulfilling rewards.

Not only did his martial arts cultivation advance by leaps and bounds.

The progress of the Dragon Transformation Technique was also rapid.

Having found a shortcut to practicing the Dragon Transformation Technique, executing the Great Snow Avalanche Sword Technique several times first, and when the whole body felt unbearably sore, he would then use the Dragon Transformation Technique.

Practicing throughout the afternoon, he could already sustain ten sword strikes.

Once the first layer of the Dragon Transformation Technique is mastered, he can practice the Qi Cleansing Technique, then the Binding Dragon Rope, both of which can be quickly mastered.

Originally, I thought the Dragon Transformation Technique would take a long time to practice, but now I've found a shortcut.

The first layer of the Dragon Transformation Technique is training the meridians, the second layer is refining acupoints, the third layer is bone training, the fourth layer is marrow refining, the fifth layer is blood refining, the sixth layer is membrane training, the seventh layer is tendon training, the eighth layer is muscle training, and the ninth layer is skin training.

Contrary to other body refinement realms that go from outside to inside, this one trains from the inside out.

It is said that mastering the ninth layer allows one to transform into a true dragon, possessing boundless power, and even extending lifespan.

According to the records of the Dragon Subduing Sect, in their ten thousand year heritage, three practitioners have reached perfection, enjoying a lifespan of five hundred years, surpassing even a Great Grandmaster's lifespan.

Upon exiting the South Palace Gate, he saw Zou Fang waiting outside.

Guo Chi then led eight Innate masters to surround him.

Chu Zhiyuan walked casually, "How's Chief Steward Feng's side?"

Zou Fang was like his shadow, truly a confidant, also his eyes and ears, very well-informed.

Today, he didn't let him stay outside Mingwu Hall but went out to gather information instead.

Zou Fang whispered, "I've tracked down their hideout and am monitoring them."

"Hmm."

"But..." Zou Fang spoke softly.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Just say it!"

Zou Fang lowered his voice further, "I've found that among those three people, one is from the Military Suppression Department."

Chu Zhiyuan chuckled, "Ha, the Military Suppression Department is overreaching."

The City Guards and the Military Suppression Department are different branches, yet they've infiltrated someone in the City Guards, the Military Suppression Department has stretched themselves too far.

But being the Emperor's claws and teeth, even if the City Guards knew, they probably would not dare express their anger.

Zou Fang remained silent.

"Act as if we don't know."

"Yes." Zou Fang agreed.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Find out the origin of the sword Uncle Eighteen recently obtained."

"Yes," Zou Fang replied softly.

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