Chapter 244 - 240: Undying Soldier’s Edge VS Sword Intent of All Heavens (1)
At night in the Jiang woods, only the sound of the wind rustling the leaves could be heard. The remote valley was a perfect place for a conversation.
Six figures descended from the sky into the valley, followed by a Gilded War Chariot. The hooves of flame stepped on the air, leaving sparks that extinguished instantly.
“The younger brother is the current representative of the Xu Clan, right?” Ji Fu looked up and down at Elder Xu Sheng, asking in an indifferent tone.
Elder Xu Sheng had put his Spiritual Sword back into its sheath. Hearing Ji Fu’s question, he respectfully replied, “Indeed.”
With his query confirmed, Ji Fu’s expression became serious. He bowed to Elder Xu Sheng, “Ji Fu wishes to learn from the representative of the Xu Clan.”
“Why is elder brother doing this?” Elder Xu Sheng returned a bitter smile.
Ji Fu replied coldly, “My younger brother should understand.”
Of course, Elder Xu Sheng understood. Ji Fu’s eagerness was due to his desire to regain the honor of the Han family.
Now, everyone in the world was saying that the Xu Clan’s ‘Sword Intent of the Heavens and Ten Thousand Paths’ was the number one destructive art in the world. Yet the elders of Xu Clan knew clearly that this honor originally belonged to the Han family.
Xu Sheng’s creation, the ‘Sword Intent of the Heavens and Ten Thousand Paths’, was a reference to the Han Family’s Battle Edge Tactics and Weapon Mastery Technique. If Saint Han hadn’t shared these techniques generously, the Xu Clan’s Swordsmen wouldn’t have been so fearsome and respected.
Yet in this world, perhaps the only constant was change. A thousand years ago, the Han Family’s Battle Edge Tactics were unparalleled, this was an undeniable historical fact.
However, the Han family indeed fell. Their ancestral land was destroyed, their saint was killed, and three Martial Arts Grandmasters died to cover for the legitimate son of the Han family to break through the siege. Each of these Martial Arts Grandmasters was a peak-level practitioner from the Fierce Realm and master swordsman who had comprehended the essence of martial arts.
That three martial artists of such caliber who could even establish their own schools fell in battle while covering for the heir to escape was such a regretful incident. And with the loss of these Martial Arts Grandmasters, even the martial arts research of the Han Family would slow down, if not halt, even if they had escaped from Zhongzhou.
Yet, the Xu Clan never once halted in refining their ‘Sword Intent of the Heavens and Ten Thousand Paths’ during these thousand years, constantly researching auxiliary methods to strengthen their sword intent.
Nowadays, although Elder Xu Sheng still acknowledged the Han Family’s heritage and status, the current Han Family had indeed fallen out from the top ranks.
Therefore, he was unwilling to accept this challenge. He could understand Ji Fu’s desire to reclaim glory but did not want to hurt Ji Fu with the harsh reality.
“Elder brother, I cannot accept your challenge.” said Elder Xu Sheng as he refused.
This cold refusal was a naked contempt in Ji Fu’s ears, who angrily retorted, “What? Has the Han Family’s offspring fallen so low as to be unqualified to challenge the Xu Clan representative?”
“How could I think that?” Elder Xu Sheng replied with a bitter expression, “It’s just… well… without any elders to bear witness, it would not be good if someone gets hurt when we hold back.”
Being a swordsman himself, Elder Xu Sheng really didn’t know how to make excuses, so he just randomly found one. However, Ji Fu regarded it as Elder Xu Sheng looking down on him. He scoffed coldly, “Is Han Family’s Undying Battle Body held in such low esteem by you? The Xu Clan of Tian Nan is indeed great now, you’re even fearing that you could hurt me, who possesses a five-grade dragon-elephant body!”
“Elder brother, you misunderstood!” Elder Xu Sheng quickly waved his hands to indicate that he didn’t mean that, but he didn’t know how to explain, “Since elder brother insists on a battle, then I shall accept.”
Avoiding a fight can prove tougher than initiating one, as peace requires both parties to consent, whereas a battle merely needs one impulsive fool.
In its prime, the Han Family was undoubtedly the supreme sanctuary in the world. Their Undying Battle Edge Tactics were recognized by all sacred lands as the most potent martial arts technique, boasting perfect balance in offense and defense. Consequently, the warriors of the Han Family had few weak points. Not only did they master the Battle Edge Tactics and Weapon Mastery Technique in their attacks, but in defense, they also possessed the mysterious body refining method known as the Undying Battle Body.
Even today, this extraordinary body refining secret technique would rank among the top three. Faced with such a unique and almost forgotten technique, even Old Master Xu couldn’t help but feel excited.
Although the Xu Clan’s Supreme Sword Intent of All Heavens borrowed from the Han Family’s technique, after a thousand years of evolution, the two walked distinctly different paths. The Han Family’s Undying Battle Edge pursued a balance between offense and defense, while the Xu Clan’s path increasingly diverged towards the ultimate destructive power of swordsmanship. Even their physical conditioning wasn’t for defense, but to enhance the lethal power of the sword.
Old Master Xu was curious to see whether an integrated approach to offense and defense or a dedicated attack strategy was superior!
Manifesting his intent, Old Master Xu drew an iron sword from the Sword Tomb. Standing tall like a green pine, with his silver sword hanging by his side, his fighting will erupted. He stared directly at Ji Fu, his normally charming peach blossom eyes filled with solemnity.
“Good! I also want to see if the Supreme Sword Intent of All Heavens from your Xu Clan has truly surpassed my Han Family’s Battle Edge Tactics!” Ji Fu, pointing at Old Master Xu, roared, and a burst of silver light erupted from his body, illuminating the vast glow behind him.
The silver spiritual energy transformed into numerous Fierce weapons, hovering mid-air behind Ji Fu.
Sabers, spears, swords, halberds, axes, yue, hooks, forks, whips, mace, hammers, spears, pikes, staff, lance, batons, spears, and bardiches. These eighteen silver spiritual weapons showed that Ji Fu had comprehended the essence of eighteen types of weapons and visualized their true forms.
In response to Ji Fu’s robust Battle Edge Tactics, Old Master Xu activated his Supreme Sword Intent of All Heavens, and several Spiritual Swords shot out from his body!
Thunderous Sword Qi, Red Flame Sword Qi, Mysterious Moon Sword Qi, Crimson Sword Qi, Green Wood Sword Qi, Flowing Water Sword Qi, Blazing Sun Sword Qi, Cold Ice Sword Qi, Yin Yang Sword Qi, Earth Sword Qi, Pure Yang Sword Qi…
Exactly thirty Spiritual Swords of various colors floated beside Old Master Xu. These were all the Sword Intents that he had comprehended. As he decided to engage Ji Fu in a fight, he would exhaust all his abilities. This was out of respect for himself, for the Han Family, and for the martial arts techniques created by the two saints.
Having witnessed Old Master Xu summoning so many Spiritual Swords at once, a flash of annoyance flickered in Ji Fu’s eyes. He shouted: “Fancy but ineffective, watch my spiritual weapons obliterate your sword intent!”
Eighteen silver rays of light tore through the air, launching an attack on Old Master Xu, who in response, manipulated his Sword Qi to confront the silver spiritual weapons.
On one side, there were eighteen silver rays of light, and on the other, thirty Spiritual Swords of various colors clashed with a resounding impact.
At the initial collision, the unique effectiveness of the Han Family’s Battle Edge Tactics became evident. The Spiritual Weapons formed from the spiritual power, just like real weaponry, were invincible. Especially the silver mace, silver hammer, and silver lance, they seemed specifically designed to counter long swords. They shattered the Spiritual Swords upon contact. The Battle Edge Tactics versus the Supreme Sword Intent of All Heavens, despite having fewer numbers, the Battle Edge seemed to have the upper hand.
Watching his silver Spiritual Weapons breaking Old Master Xu’s Spiritual Swords effortlessly, an inexplicable grin flickered in Ji Fu’s eyes. But before he could show his glee, the situation in the air had taken a dramatic turn.
The shattered Spiritual Swords did not dissipate into the world, instead, they exploded with unimaginable power.
Rumbling thunder, transforming water into blades, sky-burning red flames, all-pervading brilliance…
The shattered Spiritual Swords illogically erupted with unpredictable power, forcing the Spiritual Weapons to constantly retreat. Those incredibly solid Weapon Intentions visualized by Ji Fu, were blown up, and the silver lights scattered across the world..