Chapter 42: Ascending to Outer Sect First
Zhang Su’s sword was too fast.
It was also concealed within the void. One could only see the motion of Zhang Su drawing his sword, but not the trajectory of the Cold Frost Sword.
That was what made it so terrifying.
Silent and traceless.
By the time it was noticed, it was already too late.
Especially since Zhang Su was fueling it with over nine hundred threads of Qi Blood, making it even faster and more powerful.
However, Lu Tianqing was fully focused from beginning to end.
His gaze was sharp.
He seemed able to track Zhang Su’s sword.
BOOM.
Lu Tianqing moved.
He didn’t dodge.
Instead, he threw a punch.
This punch was also incredibly fast.
The sky seemed to fill with the afterimages of his fist.
Moreover, the pressure from his nine hundred and ninety-nine threads of Qi Blood was immense.
The terrifying force of his fist directly suppressed Zhang Su’s Light and Shadow Killing Sword.
"Hm?"
Zhang Su’s pupils constricted.
’Lu Tianqing’s fist is strong!’
And it carried an aura of being the sole sovereign of heaven and earth.
"Is this... the Overlord Fist?"
Zhang Su recognized it.
This was also an Unparalleled Fist Technique.
Furthermore, it was an exceptionally unique Fist Technique.
It was said that one could cultivate a kind of "Overbearing Fist Momentum" with it. Relying on this "Overbearing Fist Momentum," one could unleash terrifying power.
For those who practiced this Fist Technique, the stronger their personality, the stronger the might of their fists.
Among Unparalleled Martial Techniques, this Fist Technique was considered one of the most powerful.
Although Zhang Su’s Light and Shadow Killing Sword was also strong,
it relied on the environment and speed.
Compared to the Overlord Fist, it was still a step behind.
What’s more, Zhang Su’s amount of Qi Blood was less than Lu Tianqing’s.
Thus, with just one move, Zhang Su was already at a disadvantage.
At the same time, Lu Tianqing seized the opportunity, his Fist Technique raining down on Zhang Su like a torrential storm.
And Lu Tianqing wasn’t just using the "Overlord Fist"; he seemed to be using other Unparalleled Martial Techniques as well.
Top Martial Techniques emerged one after another.
He pressed Zhang Su so hard that he didn’t even have a chance to catch his breath.
At this moment, Zhang Su finally understood why so many people called Lu Tianqing a "freak."
’He really is a freak.’
For an ordinary person, cultivating a single Unparalleled Martial Technique was already incredibly difficult.
But Lu Tianqing?
He used Unparalleled Martial Techniques with ease.
Top Martial Techniques were even more commonplace for him.
He was even crazier than the "Madman," Bai Junze.
One move, two moves, three moves... nearly every exchange was a direct clash of force!
Even though Zhang Su had reached Perfection with his Light and Shadow Killing Sword and had over nine hundred threads of Qi Blood, he still found it increasingly difficult.
Meanwhile, Lu Tianqing’s momentum was visibly growing stronger.
It seemed he was truly about to achieve a sublime breakthrough and condense his one-thousandth thread of Qi Blood!
He was almost unstoppable!
However, under this immense pressure, a subtle change also began to occur within Zhang Su.
He was now executing various types of Swordsmanship almost by instinct.
The Triple Wave Sword Technique, the Light and Shadow Killing Sword, the Nine Shadows Sword Technique, and so on.
Zhang Su could use them all at will.
It wasn’t just Swordsmanship; his Body Technique and Step Technique were the same.
Whether they were Ordinary Martial Techniques, Superior Martial Techniques, or Unparalleled Martial Techniques.
’What is my advantage?’
’It’s the sheer number of Martial Techniques!’
Who had cultivated more Martial Techniques than him?
And every single one of them was at the Perfection realm.
Previously, Zhang Su had used his Martial Techniques as separate, individual skills.
He would either use the Light and Shadow Killing Sword.
Or he would use the Triple Wave.
Or he would use the Nine Shadows Sword Technique.
Although so many of his Swordsmanship techniques had reached Perfection, he couldn’t fully integrate them, couldn’t truly make them his own instinct.
Fortunately, Zhang Su’s Compatibility with every one of his Martial Techniques was over 90%.
His Compatibility with some Martial Techniques was even 100%.
Therefore, under Lu Tianqing’s immense pressure, all of Zhang Su’s Martial Techniques were now becoming instinct, completely merging into his body.
His every move was natural and fluid, no longer bound by any single style of Swordsmanship.
He could even incorporate multiple styles of Swordsmanship into a single strike.
The more Zhang Su fought, the braver he became, and a feeling of exhilaration grew in his heart.
In a flash of inspiration, he had an epiphany.
He realized that "Compatibility" was about more than just reaching Perfection in a Martial Technique.
Before, Zhang Su had never faced such a strong opponent or been under such immense pressure, so he naturally never thought to integrate his various Martial Techniques into his body’s instincts.
But now, after fighting Lu Tianqing, all of his Martial Techniques, under Lu Tianqing’s oppression, were instead fully merging into his instincts, causing his strength to soar!
"How can this be..."
The more Lu Tianqing fought, the more alarmed he became.
He could see the change happening to Zhang Su.
Each Martial Technique was being used without conscious effort, as naturally as eating or drinking.
’This is the Realm I’ve always dreamed of achieving.’
’But this isn’t right.’
’Who is the one seeking a sublime breakthrough here?’
’It’s me, not Zhang Su!’
Although Lu Tianqing had also cultivated many Martial Techniques, including three Unparalleled Martial Techniques,
in terms of the number of Unparalleled Martial Techniques, he had cultivated more than Zhang Su.
But having more Unparalleled Martial Techniques wasn’t necessarily better.
He couldn’t integrate his Martial Techniques into his body’s instincts like Zhang Su could.
The transitions between his Martial Techniques were relatively stiff.
In a battle between Martial Artists, everything could change in an instant.
Such a tiny gap was often what decided victory and defeat.
SWISH SWISH SWISH.
Zhang Su thrust his sword, and nine sword shadows materialized in the void.
At the same time, a faint, surging tide seemed to sweep forward.
This single strike contained too many styles of Swordsmanship.
It was ever-changing, yet everything was fused into this one attack.
Facing this strike, the Qi Blood in Lu Tianqing’s entire body roiled unstoppably.
He also knew it was time to risk it all.
"Overlord’s Fury!"
Lu Tianqing threw a punch.
His "Overbearing Momentum" soared to its absolute peak.
It seemed as if any force, any person, would be utterly obliterated by this one punch.
This was also the punch of Lu Tianqing’s sublime breakthrough.
It was the strongest punch he had ever thrown in his life!
The three spectators, Du Tian, Zhao Feng, and Chu Dachuan, could no longer clearly see the details of their exchange.
But they could feel that both fighters had unleashed their strongest attacks.
Their hearts immediately tensed up.
’Who will win, and who will lose?’
WHOOSH...
A gentle breeze blew past.
Everything around them became incomparably quiet.
Lu Tianqing’s fist was only inches away from Zhang Su’s face.
He had stopped.
Lu Tianqing lowered his head.
At his throat, the tip of the Cold Frost Sword had already pierced his skin, and a trace of blood oozed from it.
It seemed that if it went just one inch deeper, he would die!
"I’ve lost..."
Lu Tianqing spoke slowly.
His expression was complex.
In this battle, he had indeed pushed himself to the point of a sublime breakthrough.
The fight had been exhilarating.
Unfortunately, he still couldn’t take that final step.
Not everyone who stakes it all succeeds.
Most people end in failure.
Lu Tianqing was no different.
CLICK.
Zhang Su returned his sword to its sheath.
"An inch longer is an inch stronger. I just had the advantage of a Weapon."
Zhang Su said calmly.
This was also true.
Lu Tianqing was very strong.
But Lu Tianqing didn’t use a Weapon.
No matter how strong a Fist Technique was, it was still at a disadvantage against a Weapon.
"You have already integrated your Martial Techniques into your body, making them instinct. I... am not your equal! However, this was my last battle in the Qi Blood Realm. I will wait for you in the Inner Sect..."
Lu Tianqing turned and walked away.
He departed with a carefree air.
"Three hundred Blood Replenishing Pills will be sent over soon..."
Lu Tianqing’s voice drifted to Zhang Su’s ears on the wind.
The "freak" who was first in the Outer Sect had lost his final battle in the Qi Blood Realm, but he had not lost his Martial Dao Heart.
After this, there would most likely be no more "Outer Sect First" Lu Tianqing.
But rather, "Inner Sect Disciple" Lu Tianqing!
...
「Outer Sect, Martial Arts Arena.」
Many Outer Disciples were sparring and practicing their Martial Arts in the Martial Arts Arena.
Or exchanging insights on the Cultivation of their Martial Techniques.
In the Martial Arts Arena, there was a designated area where the list of the "Ten Great Outer Disciples" was posted.
The list recorded the names of the Ten Great Outer Disciples.
The "Ten Great Outer Disciples" list was updated once a month.
Today was the day the list was changed again.
In truth, the names on the "Ten Great Outer Disciples" list didn’t change frequently.
Most of the time, it was the same ten fixed names.
However, the names of the Ten Great Disciples had seen some changes recently.
The reason was simple. Zhang Su had successively defeated and killed Luo Feng and Bai Junze, so the Ten Great Outer Disciples were suddenly short two members, who naturally had to be replaced.
One was Zhang Su.
The other was quite lucky, coasting into the ranks of the Ten Great Disciples and getting a huge bargain.
"The list is being updated..."
"The Ten Great Outer Disciples list probably won’t have any changes this time."
"Yeah, I haven’t heard of anyone challenging the Ten Great Outer Disciples. It should be the same as last time..."
A few disciples gathered around the list, discussing in low voices.
Soon, the "list" was replaced.
"Huh? Wait, the names on the list have changed..."
"How did Zhang Su become Outer Sect First?"
"Zhang Su... has already reached the top spot in the Outer Sect?"
Many disciples were dumbfounded.
The original Outer Sect First was Lu Tianqing.
A living legend of the Outer Sect!
A true "monstrous" level genius!
He had been undefeated since joining the Guiyuan Sect!
How could Zhang Su have overcome Lu Tianqing to claim the top spot?
"That’s not right! Senior Brother Lu Tianqing... how has his name completely disappeared?"
Someone immediately noticed something was amiss.