Top-Tier Perception Starts From Basic Fist Techniques

"Have you heard? They say Venerable Lu, whose name has risen so sharply of late, wants to challenge Chen Peng, the Sword Venerable of the Myriad Sword Manor. The two have already agreed to fight at the Myriad Sword Manor three days from now!"

"What, Venerable Lu is challenging Sword Venerable Chen Peng? What a crazy thing. I mean, everyone knows that Chen Peng is the genuine number one master of the Divine Ability Realm in the Heavenly Sacred City, undefeated across more than a hundred battles. Those Martial Venerables built on empty boasting can't possibly compare to someone like that."

"Rumor has it that Venerable Lu has condensed an immeasurable divine ability... but that also sounds like empty boasting to me. When has our city ever produced a martial artist with an immeasurable divine ability? Besides, Lu Changsheng was a nobody before this. In choosing to challenge Sword Venerable Chen Peng, he may well have made the greatest mistake of his life!"

"If he must challenge someone, he should challenge one of those Martial Venerables puffed up by rumors. Chen Peng is a Martial Venerable worthy of the name, and Lu Changsheng is likely to suffer a crushing defeat..."

As the Li Clan kept up its publicity, all of the Heavenly Sacred City grew increasingly lively, with everyone discussing the matter. Lu Changsheng's reputation had risen sharply once before, and the name "Venerable Lu" had already spread throughout the city.

However, his title was still new, and the Heavenly Sacred City had seen more than a few individuals who had gained the title of Martial Venerable without actually having the strength to back it up. Who could say for certain that Lu Changsheng was not just another martial artist puffed up by the Li Clan?

Even so, his bold decision of challenging Sword Venerable Chen Peng still came as something of a surprise. Many were truly intrigued and prepared to go to the Myriad Sword Manor to watch.

Despite the general excitement, both the Myriad Sword Manor and the Li Clan seemed rather calm.

Three days quickly went by.

Lu Changsheng opened his eyes.

"Brother Lu..." Li Guang's voice came from outside.

Lu Changsheng rose and opened the door with a creak.

"Let's go," he said lightly.

Li Guang had brought many people along, which served as a clear signal to the outside world that Lu Changsheng's ties with the Li Clan ran deep. This, too, was necessary, for without the backing of a higher power, one would have difficulties in anything they attempted within the Heavenly Sacred City.

Lu Changsheng and the Li Clan's many experts arrived at the Myriad Sword Manor in a grand procession. To everyone's surprise, the manor had thrown open its gates, letting the martial artists enter to watch the battle.

The Myriad Sword Manor had not wished to do so, but far too many had come, nearly all of them Divine Ability martial artists, each with considerable standing and reputation. No Divine Ability martial artist was a rootless drifting weed. The Myriad Sword Manor were not scared to drive away those martial artists, but doing so would have reflected very poorly on the manor.

As such, the Myriad Sword Manor simply allowed the martial artists in to watch the battle openly and aboveboard.

"Hmm?" Lu Changsheng swept the crowd with his Sense Domain and noticed a few familiar faces among them.

True One Cui Xuan, for one, had actually come this time. Cui Xuan had been sent by the Vast Immortal Sect to guard the long-distance teleportation formation, and under ordinary circumstances he would not leave the Vast Immortal Square.

And yet, True One Cui Xuan had abandoned his post to come to the Myriad Sword Manor and watch the fight, which showed just how much importance he placed on Lu Changsheng.

Lu Changsheng gave Cui Xuan a slight nod.

In truth, Cui Xuan understood why Lu Changsheng was openly challenging Chen Peng. He was trying to make an even greater name for himself, and at the same time, secure the spirit stone mine and gain a firm footing in Sacred Earth.

Although this benefited the Ancient Region Heavenly Sect most of all, Lu Changsheng nonetheless had some ties with the Vast Immortal Sect. At the very least, its people treated him with courtesy and were on good terms with him, and once Lu Changsheng established himself, it would bring the Vast Immortal Sect great benefit as well.

To others, this battle might seem like nothing more than a clash between Martial Venerables, but to Lu Changsheng and Cui Xuan it was of the utmost importance. Lu Changsheng had come to face Chen Peng bearing the hopes of nearly all the martial artists of the Ancient Region!

"Look, Venerable Lu has arrived."

"Whether or not the Li Clan is just trying to show off, Lu Changsheng must be quite strong. To have earned the name Venerable Lu, it can't all be empty talk."

"Yeah, it's probably not just empty talk. Otherwise, how would he dare to challenge Sword Venerable Chen Peng?"

"Indeed. Everyone knows Sword Venerable Chen Peng is the strongest Divine Ability martial artist in the Heavenly Sacred City. To dare challenge him, one ought to have some real means."

"Then let's see what this Venerable Lu is truly capable of. Has he really condensed an immeasurable divine ability, as the rumors say?"

The moment Lu Changsheng appeared, he drew the eyes of everyone at the Myriad Sword Manor. His name had risen sharply as of late, yet he remained shrouded in mystery. As such, many wished to learn more about this newly risen Martial Venerable.

"Hey, so that's Lu Changsheng?"

"That's him? What's so great about him?"

"Such foolishness... Openly challenging the Sword Venerable of our Myriad Sword Manor is like asking to die!"

The people of the Myriad Sword Manor, of course, were not impressed by Lu Changsheng at all, no matter how they looked at him.

Step by step, Lu Changsheng walked onto the martial ground of the Myriad Sword Manor. He paid no heed to the dismissive talk around himself, and he said not a word; his gaze instead fell directly upon a man in black robes who sat cross-legged upon the grounds.

The man in black opened his eyes, and in that instant, it was as though a peerless treasured sword had cut through the crowd with a terrifying sharpness.

Lu Changsheng narrowed his eyes. So that's Sword Venerable Chen Peng, huh?

Indeed, only Chen Peng could have such a sharp, dreadful aura. An ordinary Divine Ability martial artist would likely crumble beneath it, unable to bring out even a fraction of their strength.

Lu Changsheng, however, stood unfazed. He maintained his composure, seemingly immune to Chen Peng's outstanding presence.

To the spectators, Lu Changsheng's composure was almost as terrifying as Chen Peng's aura, because it meant Lu Changsheng could keep his own edge sheathed within, releasing and withdrawing his aura at will, with no fear of Chen Peng's.

In terms of presence alone, Lu Changsheng and Chen Peng appeared to stand on equal footing.

"So you are Venerable Lu?" Chen Peng said, his voice cold and stern as a sharpened blade.

"I am indeed," Lu Changsheng answered lightly.

Chen Peng nodded. He had already realized that Lu Changsheng was no ordinary man.

"You have only one chance to strike. Hold nothing back, and do not count on a second divine ability, or a third. Otherwise, you will die! I am telling you this because I have never needed more than a single swing of my blade to kill."

Before Chen Peng lay a sword. Despite having reached the Divine Ability Realm, the sword remained indispensable to him, like a second heart. No matter the circumstances, the sword was never to be without.

The divine ability condensed by Chen Peng was a Sword Dao major divine ability, and only by wielding his sword could he unleash the maximum potential of his divine ability.

"Only one chance?" Lu Changsheng asked evenly, not feeling mocked at all. He knew that a man like Chen Peng would not even bother with contempt.

No, Chen Peng had given that warning in deadly earnest. He was a true swordsman, without any pretense or self-aggrandizement.

"Very well." Lu Changsheng gave a firm nod. "Then one strike shall decide it!"