Chapter 76: Zheng Jian vs. Zuo Lengchan (Part One)

Chapter 76: Zheng Jian vs. Zuo Lengchan (Part One)

Zuo Lengchan, confident in his status, stood motionless with his hands behind his back, exuding an air of authority. Zheng Jian, however, dared not be careless. He held his breath, focused his mind, and adjusted his state to its absolute peak. After all, if this were the original Zuo Lengchan, such caution would be unnecessary.

But the current Zuo Lengchan had practiced the “Evil-Resisting Sword Manual”—though it was unclear to what degree he had mastered it.

Zheng Jian adopted the opening stance, the Mount Hua Sword Sect’s “Welcoming the Guest with Pine,” but underpinned by his profound internal energy, even the most ordinary sword move radiated an extraordinary brilliance.

Upon the Fengchan Platform, a flash of sword light exploded. In an instant, Zheng Jian, sword in hand, was already upon Zuo Lengchan.

A trace of contempt flickered in Zuo Lengchan’s eyes as he sneered, “That move is quite effective against ordinary experts, but against me, you underestimate me far too much!”

With that, his palms unfolded and thrust forward. An explosive gust burst forth—a display of the Songshan Sect’s ultimate skill: the Great Songyang Divine Palm.

Accompanied by Zuo Lengchan’s palm wind, countless shadows of hands appeared, shifting in complicated patterns and attacking with ghostly speed. Around him, afterimages trailed, as if a dozen Zuo Lengchans were attacking simultaneously.

Zheng Jian remained undisturbed. His sword technique shifted—three swift slashes in succession, each faster than the last, revealing the ultimate skill of Mount Hua: the Three Peaks of Taiyue.

But that was not all. As the sword light scattered the palm shadows, Zheng Jian unleashed another trio of thrusts—faster than even the Three Peaks of Taiyue, the three thrusts merged as one.

The Lethal Chain of the Three Immortal Swords!

“Now this is interesting!” Zuo Lengchan remained unhurried. He had deeply studied the ultimate techniques of the Mount Hua Sword Faction. With a few well-timed palms, he struck precisely at the connecting points within the sword light.

“Surprised, aren’t you? Though your Lethal Chain of the Three Immortal Swords is exquisite and ruthless, it is not without flaw.” Zuo Lengchan smiled as he attacked, using the opportunity to close the distance and breach Zheng Jian’s sword perimeter.

Previously, Zuo Lengchan had entrusted the command flag to Le Hou, who led Feng Buping and the other Sword Faction members to pay respects at Mount Hua. This alone showed that Zuo Lengchan was not unconnected with Feng Buping and the rest, so his in-depth study of the Mount Hua Sword Faction’s secret techniques was hardly surprising.

Watching from the sidelines, Old Yue felt his heart sink. “This is bad! Zuo Lengchan has already seen through the Sword Faction’s weaknesses. Seizing this chance, he’s closed in on Jian’er, entering barehanded against a blade—he’s even more agile than Jian’er now.”

Just as these thoughts crossed his mind, he saw Zheng Jian’s footwork shift. Like a swimming fish, he slipped past Zuo Lengchan’s intricate and rapid attacks, remaining utterly untouchable.

“What superb footwork!” Zuo Lengchan and Old Yue exclaimed in unison.

Old Yue immediately recognized that this was not Mount Hua’s lightness skill, but he felt no concern. If Zheng Jian had relied solely on the martial arts he had imparted, how could he have achieved such heights? It was through fortuitous encounters that the student surpassed the master.

Old Yue had long known this, but he trusted Zheng Jian, believing the truth would be revealed in due course.

Zuo Lengchan had not expected that even after closing the distance, he still could not seize Zheng Jian. His mind stirred and, without giving anything away, he secretly unleashed the Frost Palm.

This technique was distinct from the Great Songyang Divine Palm. It relied on the frosty internal energy Zuo Lengchan had arduously cultivated. The moment he used it, the temperature around the two plummeted. Though it was midday, Zheng Jian felt as if he stood in the depths of winter.

Within Zheng Jian, innate true energy surged, a balanced and gentle force coursing through his limbs and bones, filling his entire being. In an instant, he blocked Zuo Lengchan’s frosty energy.

Zuo Lengchan was secretly astonished. He had not anticipated that Zheng Jian’s internal foundation would be so profound, his true energy so pure. Despite his years of hard cultivation, his frosty energy could not forcefully shatter Zheng Jian’s sword through raw power.

As the deadlock continued, Zuo Lengchan and Zheng Jian began to test their internal strength. From the point where sword and palm met, an invisible force radiated outward.

Around Zuo Lengchan, the very air seemed to congeal, gradually forming a mist, while around Zheng Jian, a natural and transcendent aura lingered.

All the martial heroes observing were stunned. Master Fangzheng placed his palms together and sighed, “Amitabha. With the sun shining high, yet water vapor and ice crystals form around Benefactor Zuo—such is the might of his Frost True Energy, already affecting his surroundings. Yet Benefactor Zheng surprises me even more; so young, yet his internal strength is just as profound. Judging by his aura, it is an orthodox Daoist internal art, but unlike the Purple Mist Skill. Clearly, Benefactor Zheng’s many encounters have led to his achievements.”

The gathered heroes, who had been merely watching the spectacle, suddenly understood thanks to Master Fangzheng’s explanation, leading to a chorus of exclamations.

Daoist Chongxu also nodded. “Benefactor Zheng is not yet twenty, yet his skill is so formidable. It truly humbles this old Daoist.”

At this moment, their contest of internal strength reached its climax. The sword in Zheng Jian’s hand trembled, while a thin layer of ice formed beneath Zuo Lengchan’s feet.

Zuo Lengchan had hoped to win by internal strength, but finding himself locked in a stalemate, he grew hateful, realizing he must draw his sword.

In a flash, Zuo Lengchan’s internal energy erupted, and both men leapt back several yards almost simultaneously.

Zheng Jian glanced at his sword; faint traces of ice marked its surface. He knew that without the protection of his Innate Skill, the frosty energy would already have injured his organs.

Zuo Lengchan was not unscathed either; his vital energy was surging uncontrollably within. Forcing Zheng Jian back had caused greater backlash upon himself.

With a swish, Zuo Lengchan drew the long sword from his waist, tossing the scabbard aside. As the blade left its sheath, a resounding clang echoed across the field—the collision of internal energy with sword and scabbard.

Now Zuo Lengchan was truly enraged. His eyes narrowed as he silently gathered his aura.

Sensing the transformation in Zuo Lengchan’s presence, Zheng Jian felt a subtle thrill. He knew that he was about to face the legendary Evil-Resisting Swordplay head-on, and a surge of anticipation rose within him.

Zuo Lengchan stretched his left hand outward, while his right brandished the sword to the side—the “Opening the Gate to See the Mountain” stance from the Songshan Sword Technique, striking straight at Zheng Jian.

Zheng Jian’s gaze was steady, his mind clear. He, too, thrust his sword forward, now employing the “Breaking Sword Stance.”

Midway through the strike, Zuo Lengchan abruptly changed his move to “Ancient Cypress Stands Verdant.” The Songshan Sword Technique was strict and grand; though Zuo Lengchan fought alone, it seemed as if thousands of troops surged forth, his sword light enveloping Zheng Jian.

Zheng Jian remained calm, his intent and sword perfectly aligned. From left to right, his sword slashed—this move, too, was from the Songshan Sword Technique:

“Heavenly Jade Dragon from Beyond the Sky!”

The sword swept across like a jade dragon soaring through the heavens, astonishing every disciple of the Songshan Sect present. Who could have imagined that Zheng Jian would wield the Songshan Sword Technique so fearsomely?

The two fought speed with speed, exchanging over ten moves in the blink of an eye. To the spectators, it was fierce and dazzling, but both Zuo Lengchan and Zheng Jian knew this was merely a prelude.

After dozens more exchanges, Zuo Lengchan’s sword technique suddenly transformed. His blade extended and withdrew unpredictably; his moves were bizarre and peerless, even faster than before. Soon, Zuo Lengchan’s figure was all but invisible—only the endless sword light spinning atop the Fengchan Platform could be seen.

The Evil-Resisting Swordplay had finally returned to the martial world.

…