Top-Tier Perception Starts From Basic Fist Techniques

Numerous Divine Ability martial artists had gathered at the Myriad Sword Manor. Nearly all of them were core members of the manor's upper ranks.

Manor Lord Chen An wore a grave expression. He was holding a written challenge in his hands, and this was no small matter, for the recipient of this challenge was none other than Chen Peng, the Sword Venerable of Myriad Sword Manor. What was more, it had been delivered by the Li Clan in person, which naturally drew the immediate attention of all Myriad Sword Manor.

"Everyone, take a look at this challenge," Chen An urged, passing it down so that every Divine Ability martial artist present could read it carefully.

As everyone scanned the contents of the request, the atmosphere in the Myriad Sword Manor quickly grew heavy. More than anything, there was anger and indignation lingering in the air.

"Lu Changsheng, huh? Yes, I've heard of this man. They say he rose to fame in a single stroke during the Li Clan's struggle over the heir to the patriarchy, helping Li Guang become the clan's chosen heir. Now he's known as Venerable Lu."

"This Venerable Lu is said to have condensed an immeasurable divine ability, though who knows whether that's actually true..."

"An immeasurable divine ability... I'm very skeptical. Could the Heavenly Sacred City really give birth to an expert with an immeasurable divine ability?"

"Whatever the case, Lu Changsheng should not have set his sights on the Myriad Sword Manor's spirit stone vein. So many factions possess spirit stone veins, yet he singled out our manor. Does he take us for an easy mark?"

"Hmph, I see that Lu Changsheng has let his momentary success go to his head. Does he really believe Chen Peng is weaker than him? Ever since Chen Peng condensed his Sword Dao major divine ability, he has fought over a hundred battles without a single defeat. He has earned the title of Sword Venerable in real combat! How could he be compared to those Martial Venerables built on empty boasting?"

"And whether this Lu Changsheng has condensed an immeasurable divine ability at all is still in question. The word spread by the Li Clan cannot be taken at face value."

"Actually, it means little for us to speak. What matters is Chen Peng's will..."

In the end, the people of the Myriad Sword Manor turned their eyes to a single Divine Ability martial artist whose expression was calm.

That was Chen Peng, the supporting pillar of all Myriad Sword Manor. He had made his name early, though he was not old. His talent was simply extraordinary; he had risen to fame at a young age and later condensed his Sword Dao major divine ability, challenging countless opponents without ever losing, earning himself the name of Sword Venerable.

Though he rarely concerned himself with the manor's affairs and devoted himself wholly to the sword, his voice carried great weight, and his word often represented the manor's decision.

Chen An too turned his gaze to him and asked softly, "Chen Peng, what do you make of this? Shall we accept this challenge or not?"

Chen Peng opened his eyes, and in that instant, everyone felt as though a treasured sword had been drawn from its sheath, a cold and cutting edge hanging in the air.

"Accept it! Lu Changsheng sent this challenge request in the name of the Li Clan, which in truth leaves our manor no room to refuse. Besides, I want to see this so-called immeasurable divine ability for myself. What sort of power does it hold, that it's considered immeasurable?"

Just like that, Chen Peng had declared his decision before all.

"Chen Peng, how certain are you?" the patriarch asked.

Chen Peng shook his head and said calmly, "Who could be certain against an expert of this caliber, without ever crossing blades? If this Lu Changsheng has actually condensed an immeasurable divine ability, then this duel could be very dangerous.

"Still, I have tested my blade across the land, wielding it against more than a hundred opponents without ever facing defeat. All that time, apart from a few rare sects, I never heard of anyone managing to condense an immeasurable divine ability. So long as Lu Changsheng's divine ability is not an immeasurable one, he's bound to lose!"

Chen Peng was resolute, his confidence—or rather, faith in his blade—apparent to all. With more than a hundred battles without defeat and a Sword Dao major divine ability, how could he not be confident? Chen Peng had never known fear.

In fact, part of him was hoping that Lu Changsheng had truly condensed an immeasurable divine ability, rather than it being mere rumor or the Li Clan's empty boasting. Chen Peng longed to test the limits of his blade!

Seeing him like this, the people of the Myriad Sword Manor felt reassured instead. As long as Chen Peng was willing to act, the matter was all but settled, for no one could withstand his Sword Dao major divine ability.

"Good. In that case, our manor accepts the challenge! As for the place of the duel... it shall be here, at the Myriad Sword Manor!"

The patriarch's tone was firm, his decision made plain to everyone.

***

Li Guang hurried over to Lu Changsheng.

"Brother Lu, word has just come from the Myriad Sword Manor! Chen Peng has accepted your challenge. The time is set for three days from now, and the place will be the Myriad Sword Manor itself. Is there anything you need me to help prepare?"

"Chen Peng accepted, huh?" Lu Changsheng said with a smirk. Just as he had thought, neither Chen Peng nor the Myriad Sword Manor could afford to decline such a challenge.

"There is, in fact, something I need your help with, Brother Li. Over these three days, I hope you will use the Li Clan's influence to spread word far and wide throughout the Heavenly Sacred City of my battle with Chen Peng. The more people who know, and the greater the stir, the better!" Lu Changsheng laid out his request.

"That's all?"

For the Li Clan, a matter of publicity was as easy as turning a hand. Still, it did require Li Guang to see to it, since the Myriad Sword Manor would surely not publicize it.

If the manor lost, the attention would harm them greatly; and if they won, it would bring them no real benefit, as Chen Peng had gone over a hundred battles without defeat. One more victory under his belt would hardly add to his reputation.

"No problem! As for spreading the word, with the influence of the Li Clan Merchant Association, three days will be enough for all of Heavenly Sacred City to know of the coming battle between you and Chen Peng."

Li Guang rose and left to arrange the publicity. As for why Lu Changsheng wished to spread the word so widely, he did not pry. Although they had grown quite close, Li Guang knew there were some things about Lu Changsheng he did not need to know. Rather than prying unnecessarily, he just needed to do well by him and maintain the bond between them.

In any case, the real purpose of publicizing this battle was to lay the groundwork for establishing the Sacred Earth Heavenly Sect. A sect could not remain obscure. At the very least, it needed a renowned expert to anchor it and spread its influence.

In this sense, a duel with the Sword Venerable of the Myriad Sword, a man who had fought over a hundred battles without facing defeat, was the perfect chance for Lu Changsheng to raise his own standing. He could not afford to miss this opportunity.

As for defeat? He had never even considered the possibility. With an immeasurable divine ability up his sleeve, how could he lose against another Divine Ability martial artist? If someone in the same realm as Lu Changsheng could actually defeat him, then his immeasurable divine ability would lose all meaning.

Indeed, the current Lu Changsheng could now look down on everyone in the Divine Ability Realm and crush all competition with his unmatched power.

Time passed bit by bit. Li Guang was acting swiftly, and soon, all of the Heavenly Sacred City had learned of the upcoming duel.