CHAPTER 245: CHAPTER 244: COMBINED SWORDSMANSHIP_1

"To think that even Xue Jingfeng lost; the champion of this swordplay discussion has to be Dustless."

Lin Mo shook his head; this outcome had surprised him greatly.

"I don’t know where this person emerged from, possessing such skills. All the geniuses of Aqua Country have actually lost to him."

Luo Xibai also shook his head, somewhat ashamed.

Ling Chen sheathed his sword; his battle had already ended. Now, this swordplay discussion should also be drawing to a close.

"Young Master Wu Chen, as per our agreement, after this swordplay discussion concludes, you can join Sister Xu in admiring the flowers and discussing the Dao."

Just as Ling Chen was about to return to his seat, a woman’s voice suddenly came from the side. Ling Chen looked in the direction of the voice and saw that it was indeed a Female Disciple of Sky Void Palace.

His gaze landed on Xu Ruoyan. Ling Chen paused for a moment, then nodded. "Alright."

If he were to slight Xu Ruoyan in front of everyone, it wouldn’t be appropriate. Given her temper, if he didn’t give her face, she would definitely fly into a rage, or even make unreasonable trouble; he had experienced that before.

Just as Ling Chen had agreed, the Second Prince suddenly looked at Xu Ruoyan and said with a smile, "Junior Sister Xu, you have an arranged marriage with Ling Chen of the Divine Intent Sect, yet now you are admiring flowers and discussing the Dao with Dustless. If this spreads, I’m afraid it will harm your reputation."

"I’m just admiring flowers and discussing the Dao with Young Master Wu Chen. How has it harmed my reputation?"

Xu Ruoyan looked at the Second Prince with an ambiguous smile. "Besides, Ling Chen himself hasn’t said anything. How does the Second Prince know he will mind?"

"Any man would mind, unless he, Ling Chen, is not a man."

The Second Prince shook his head, appearing exceedingly righteous. "This flower admiration and Dao discussion, I think it’s best to forget it. Brother Dustless has fought several battles continuously; he must be tired. I have already arranged a guest room for you. Brother Dustless, you can go and rest now!"

"Second Prince!"

A cold glint flashed in Xu Ruoyan’s eyes. "When did my affairs become your business to meddle in? The Swordplay Assembly is over. Unrelated individuals may leave now."

Chastised by Xu Ruoyan in public, the Second Prince’s face turned shades of livid and pale. He naturally wouldn’t vent his anger on Xu Ruoyan; instead, he transferred all his resentment onto Ling Chen.

"Let’s go!"

The Second Prince angrily left his seat. Before leaving, he gave Ling Chen a profound look, which seemed to carry a hint of provocation.

"What, was the previous lesson not enough for you?"

A mocking smile touched the corners of Ling Chen’s lips.

"You!"

The Second Prince’s face sank. He was furious but could find no words to refute Ling Chen, because he had, in fact, lost to Ling Chen and been blasted off the stage by him.

"You just wait."

Leaning close to Ling Chen’s ear to leave a harsh parting remark, the Second Prince, Gongsun Zhi, and the others then directly left the courtyard.

Ling Chen paid no heed to the other’s harsh words. He had heard plenty of such threats. This Second Prince was petty and blindly arrogant. If he truly came looking for trouble, Ling Chen was confident he could deal with him.

"What did he say to you?" Xu Ruoyan looked at Ling Chen and asked.

"Nothing. He said he wished us a pleasant evening together," Ling Chen said with a faint smile.

Hearing Ling Chen’s words, the Second Prince stumbled and nearly fell.

That lecherous, shameless, despicable scoundrel! Junior Sister Xu must have lard clouding her heart; how could she fall for such a fellow? The Second Prince sighed, feeling it was truly unfair to Xu Ruoyan.

"Yes, the Second Prince is so heroic and his character so upright, yet Young Palace Master Xu doesn’t see any of it. It seems strength is indeed the crucial factor that decides everything; things like character can all be overshadowed by strength," Gongsun Zhi also remarked with some lament.

"I must strive to improve my cultivation and find a chance to defeat this Ling Chen, to let Junior Sister Xu know that her choice was wrong!" The Second Prince seemed to have made a great resolution, his expression solemn.

Subsequently, the two of them departed from the Sky Garden.

Ling Chen and Xu Ruoyan, however, did not hear these words.

"You’re so improper."

Hearing Ling Chen’s words, Xu Ruoyan’s pretty face couldn’t help but flush slightly, causing the nearby Female Disciples of Sky Void Palace to stare, stunned. They had never seen Xu Ruoyan behave in such a girlish manner in front of a man before. Even Senior Brother Feng Piaoliu, with whom she had always had a good relationship, had never experienced this. Yet, this was her first meeting with this Dustless; how could she seem like a completely different person?

At this time, in the Sky Garden, the young talents had already begun to leave one after another. The results of today’s swordplay discussion would undoubtedly spread quickly throughout the entire Royal City, the entire Aqua Country, and eventually, the entire Martial World.

The name Dustless, I’m afraid, is about to become famous throughout the world. However, with the intelligence capabilities of the Myriad Dao Sect and the Black Market, it probably wouldn’t take long for them to find out that Dustless is me and to connect the names Dustless and Ling Chen. At that time, my true identity would also be exposed. But these matters, I estimate, would still take some days to occur.

The figures gradually thinned, and the surrounding elegant seats were also removed one by one. In the entire courtyard, only Ling Chen and Xu Ruoyan were eventually left. They sat at separate tables, facing each other.

Ling Chen sat down. "Now that it’s just the two of us, Miss Xu, if you have anything to say to me, you can speak frankly."

For some reason, he had a premonition that Xu Ruoyan seemed to have long known he would win the championship of this swordplay discussion, and that was why she had said, in front of so many people, that she wanted to admire flowers and discuss the Dao with the martial champion of the swordplay discussion. Of course, this was merely Ling Chen’s feeling.

"Don’t overthink it. I merely have some questions about swordsmanship that I wish to consult you on."

Xu Ruoyan said lightly. Then she clapped her hands, and a Female Disciple of Sky Void Palace approached, respectfully presenting a Painting Scroll to Ling Chen with both hands.

"This is?"

Ling Chen looked somewhat surprised.

"Open it and take a look, and you’ll know," Xu Ruoyan said.

Without being ceremonious, Ling Chen took the Painting Scroll and spread it open before him.

What met his eyes was a Martial Arts True Meaning Picture of immense and powerful artistic conception.

Ling Chen had seen Martial Arts True Meaning Pictures in the Spirit Martial Hall before, so when he saw this painting, he knew in an instant that it was a Martial Arts True Meaning Picture.

Moreover, it was an extraordinary Martial Arts True Meaning Picture; this much could be discerned from the aura it conveyed.

"What level of martial art is this?"

Ling Chen couldn’t help but ask.

"This is a King-level sword technique. Its rank can be King-level Lower Grade, or it could be said to be top-tier King-Level, even surpassing King-Level; it’s not fixed," Xu Ruoyan said.

"Not fixed?" Ling Chen was surprised. Could it be that the rank of a martial art can fluctuate?

"You’re right," Xu Ruoyan seemed to know what Ling Chen was thinking. "This sword technique is very unique. It’s not a sword technique that one person cultivates, but rather requires a man and a woman to cultivate it together. The rank of this sword technique depends on the degree of spiritual connection between the two Practitioners. If their degree of connection is high, the power of this sword technique will naturally be strong; conversely, it will be weaker."

Hearing this, Ling Chen nodded. He then focused all his attention, and very quickly, four lines of dazzling, large characters appeared in his mind.

"Having once seen the vast ocean, no other water is worthy of the name;

Save for the clouds of Witch Mountain, no others are true clouds.

Though I pass by flowers, I hardly glance back;

Half for cultivating the Dao, and half, my love, for you."