CHAPTER 463: CHAPTER 255 DEMON SOUND VS. GREAT SWORD_2

"You shouldn’t put it that way. Since Chu Haoran dared to step onto the stage, he must have something to rely on. Perhaps he can work miracles!"

A female disciple from the Thousand Poison Sect’s eyes sparkled with curiosity and anticipation.

On the dueling grounds, Chu Haoran wielded the Swift Wind Moon-Slicing Saber, his aura overwhelming.

His saber technique, Swift Wind Saber Skill, was incredibly fierce. As the blade flashed, it seemed to slice even the air itself.

Meanwhile, Linghu Qingwan held the Dugu Nine Swords, her swordsmanship equally divine. The swordlight danced like dragons and serpents, dazzling and bewildering the onlookers.

The two went back and forth, locked in a tight exchange. Chu

Haoran’s saber technique was ferocious and sharp, each swing carrying an unstoppable thunderous force.

Linghu Qingwan, however, was agile and elegant. Her swordsmanship was unpredictable and versatile—sometimes attacking with the fury of a tumultuous storm, other times defending delicately like a gentle drizzle.

"Why does Chu Haoran’s saber technique seem a bit similar to Gu Sheng’s Swift Wind Sword Skill?"

Princess Zishuang, seated beside Emperor Yun Wu, expressed slight surprise, vaguely perceiving traces of Gu Sheng’s influence.

"The Princess has good instincts. Chu Haoran and Gu Sheng are fellow disciples; both are disciples of Wen Mingyan from the Holy Pill Sect!"

Mu Tiantian, invited by the Princess to accompany her, seemed particularly fond of Gu Sheng. Her knowledge surpassed even the Princess’s, turning her into a reliable guide.

"I see!" Princess Zishuang mused thoughtfully.

The atmosphere on the dueling grounds was tense and electrifying, as the spectators cheered for the dazzling exchange between the two.

"Chu Haoran’s Swift Wind Saber Skill lives up to its reputation—the power of this saber technique is astounding, and its speed has truly reached the pinnacle!" Lu Biluo from the Governor Mansion praised.

Although she had defeated Lin Miaomiao of the Holy Pill Sect, she dared not underestimate the sect, especially after witnessing Huang Miaoyin’s masterful use of the Miao Yin Pipa. It made her yearn for a chance to engage in friendly sparring with the sect.

"Linghu Qingwan’s Dugu Nine Swords is also formidable! Though it appears simple, it actually contains infinite variations and power. Their strengths seem evenly matched; this duel is truly hard to call!"

An elder from the Haoyang Sect stroked his beard and chuckled.

Just as the crowd continued their discussions, the situation on the field suddenly shifted.

"Boom!"

Chu Haoran unleashed a saber strike with a dazzling blade light, seemingly threatening to split the entire dueling ground in two.

Linghu Qingwan, seeing this, instantaneously transformed into a flow of brilliance to evade the strike. However, instead of seizing the chance to counterattack, she stood still, a trace of solemnity flashing through her eyes.

Chu Haoran, noticing her hesitation, rejoiced internally, thinking he had found a weakness. Without delay, he swung his saber again for another ferocious assault.

"Clang!"

Yet, Linghu Qingwan appeared prepared, effortlessly countering Chu Haoran’s attacks. She either parried with her sword or nimbly dodged, dispelling each of his advances.

As Chu Haoran began to grow impatient, Linghu Qingwan suddenly launched her counterattack.

"If your senior brother Gu were here, he would have a chance to claim victory!"

Linghu Qingwan thought of Gu Sheng, that enigmatic man. Her movements became as elusive as the wind, her swordplay as fluid and dynamic as dragons and serpents.

In an instant, swordlight poured down like a cascading waterfall, forcing Chu Haoran to retreat step by step.

Chu Haoran was startled, having not anticipated the sudden ferocity of Linghu Qingwan’s retaliation, nor the reference to Senior Brother Gu Sheng.

Grinding his teeth, he summoned all his strength to block her attacks.

However, a saber was fundamentally different from a sword—with greater heft and air resistance than a sword. As time passed, exhaustion began to overtake him, while his injuries increased.

"Shhh!"

Linghu Qingwan thrust her sword through Chu Haoran’s chest, defeating him and dropping him to the ground.

The crowd erupted in an uproar of exclamations and cheers, celebrating Linghu Qingwan’s victory.

"Linghu Qingwan certainly lives up to her reputation as a genius of the Giant Sword Sect. Her victory in this duel was inevitable!"

A disciple of the Holy Pill Sect remarked admiringly.

"Though Chu Haoran lost, he can still hold his head high. Being able to challenge a mid-stage Golden Bone Realm expert while in the early Golden Bone Realm, and lasting this long—it’s already immensely impressive!"

An elder from the Qian family commented.

"The Swift Wind Saber Skill truly cannot compare to the Swift Wind Sword Skill," Emperor Yun Wu of Da Liang opined. "Swordsmanship emphasizes agility, swiftness, like the wind and lightning. Saber, being thicker and heavier—how could it adopt the methods of swordsmanship?"

"You’re absolutely correct, Your Majesty. It seems Wen Mingyan’s approach isn’t particularly refined!" Yun Zishuang responded.

The surrounding crowd nodded in agreement.

"It’s Master’s mistake," Wen Mingyan, observing the flaws in the Swift Wind Saber Skill, decided it was time for improvement.

"Master, do you have any suitable saber techniques?" Gu Sheng asked.

"What about you, brat?" Wen Mingyan, never one to disdain learning from others, quipped.

"I do have one saber technique, a Low Grade Mystical Level one called Dragon Slaying Saber Skill," Gu Sheng replied, pulling out a yellowed booklet from his Storage Ring, displaying its title boldly written as Dragon Slaying Saber Skill.

"Thanks!" Wen Mingyan accepted the booklet and immediately began skimming through its pages.

During the intermission, the crowd dispersed, seeking their amusements around the dueling grounds.

Lin Tianhao and Liu Ruhai dragged Gu Sheng to a secluded corner. The three sat around a table, drinking fine wine.

"Brother Gu, your music skills are renowned far and wide. Today, you must let us witness them," Lin Tianhao said with a smile.

Gu Sheng smiled humbly and shook his head:

"Brother Lin flatters me—it’s just a trifling skill."

At that moment, Lin Miaomiao, Huang Miaoyin, Dyson, and Mo Buwen approached and joined their table.

Mu Yuanyuan and Mu Tiantian arrived late, joining the gathering.

Mu Tiantian, in high spirits, stood up to dance and sing in celebration.

Her dance was graceful like a startled swan, her song crisp and melodious, akin to the music of heaven.

When her performance ended, thunderous applause filled the space, with the crowd cheering enthusiastically.

"Miss Mu truly possesses both talent and beauty!" A disciple from the Governor Mansion exclaimed admiringly.

"Indeed, this dance and song are truly rare sights in the mortal world!" A member of the Giant Sword Sect echoed.

Mu Tiantian modestly smiled and turned to Gu Sheng, asking, "Young Master Gu, your skill with the qin is extraordinary. Would you mind playing a piece for us?"

Gu Sheng smiled faintly and nodded, "A tune titled ’Smiling Proud Wanderer’ for everyone. I hope you’ll enjoy it."

He took out the Illusion Spirit Qin and gently plucked the strings.

Immediately, a soothing melody filled the air, akin to the flow of a fresh spring, or the chorus of birds in celebration.

As the music intensified, vivid scenes of martial conflicts began materializing in the air.

Within these scenes, sabers and swords interwove, masters darted among rooftops, showcasing various wondrous martial techniques.

"This qin music can actually summon the forces of heaven and earth, creating such lifelike battle imagery!"

A disciple of Mad Saber Sect marveled.

"Young Master Gu’s skill has reached the pinnacle—it’s truly admirable!"

A disciple of Haoyang Sect commended.

"The martial techniques in these scenes seem to surpass even those of our Holy Pill Sect by a few degrees!"

A disciple of Holy Pill Sect remarked thoughtfully.

As the piece concluded, waves of applause surged throughout the venue.

Gu Sheng put away the Illusion Spirit Qin, smiling and nodding to thank the crowd.

"Young Master Gu truly lives up to his reputation!"

A disciple from the Qian family exclaimed sincerely.

"Indeed, this seamless integration of music and martial arts is unmatched!"

A relative of the Mu family agreed.

However, amidst the praise, disciples from the Thousand Poison Sect appeared unimpressed.

"Humph, it’s just playing an instrument. What’s so exceptional about that? Our sect’s poison arts are the truly invincible craft!"

A disciple of the Thousand Poison Sect grumbled sourly.

"Exactly—this flashy nonsense is all form and no substance!" Another disciple added.

Although their voices were quiet, they were overheard by disciples from the Zhou and Wu families nearby.

"That’s not quite fair. The perfect harmony of Young Master Gu’s musical and martial skills reveals his profound cultivation, far beyond ordinary capabilities."

A disciple of the Zhou family objectively countered.

"Precisely. Each sect or school has its unique strengths and techniques. We should learn from one another and strive for collective growth." A disciple from the Wu family agreed.

"Next match: Linghu Jianying from the Giant Sword Sect versus Gu Sheng of the Holy Pill Sect." Jiang Bai from the Governor Mansion announced, causing the chatter to cease immediately.

The duel between Gu Sheng and the Marrow Refining Realm expert was what everyone had been eagerly anticipating.

Over the years, Gu Sheng’s name had already spread far and wide.

The wind howled fiercely as two figures rapidly crossed paths on the dueling grounds. Gu Sheng and Linghu Jianying’s fight had reached its climax.

Gu Sheng’s mid-stage Golden Bone Realm cultivation struggled under the pressure emanating from Linghu Jianying, a formidable opponent in the early Marrow Refining Realm.