With a flash of sword light, Ling Feng struck with the grace of an antelope hanging by its horns, elusive and without a trace!
Wuji Sword King admired the strike but was not overly surprised, nor did he believe he would lose.
He had suggested a duel of swordsmanship because his own mastery had long reached the level of a great grandmaster.
Moreover, in his youth, he had inherited the ancient Wuji Sword Dao, one of the top-tier sword techniques.
"Good! Witness my Wuji Sword Dao!"
Wuji Sword King, excited by the challenge, was invigorated by the swordsmanship Ling Feng displayed.
Ling Feng closed in, choosing to engage Wuji Sword King in close combat, matching speed with speed.
Each strike from Ling Feng was like a thunderbolt from the heavens, unstoppable and domineering.
Wuji Sword King's Wuji Sword Dao, however, was unpredictable and full of bizarre moves. Both fighters aimed to improve their own swordsmanship by observing the other's techniques, so neither used killing moves. They engaged in a back-and-forth exchange of basic sword techniques, and in the blink of an eye, they had already fought for no less than four or five hundred rounds.
"Young friend, your swordsmanship is truly remarkable!"
Ling Feng's mastery of swordsmanship had earned Wuji Sword King's respect, so he no longer addressed Ling Feng as "kid" but rather as "young friend."
"Senior's swordsmanship is equally extraordinary. The Wuji Sword Dao is indeed impressive!" Ling Feng too praised Wuji Sword King's swordsmanship.
Every move of Wuji Sword King's swordsmanship was seamless, like a celestial steed soaring across the sky, elusive and without a trace. It embodied the boundless Great Dao.
The Wuji Sword Dao had already begun to touch the barrier of superior swordsmanship. If it could be further refined, it would undoubtedly become a superior sword art, soaring to new heights.
However, Wuji Sword King had already passed away, leaving only this trace of spiritual thought. How could he further refine it?
The sound of swords clashing was sharp and piercing as the two figures moved across the platform in the Sword Tower of Wind and Thunder!
Their movements were lightning-fast, their swords flashing like beams of light. Every strike was precise, with no unnecessary flourishes—each slash, stab, and sweep was dangerously close to fatal, as if any delay would result in death.
Finally, Wuji Sword King decided to no longer hold back and unleashed the profound essence of the Wuji Sword Dao.
"Limitless[1]—Sky Splitting Sword!"
Wuji Sword King's muscles rippled as an immense power channeled through his sword. With the enhancement of the Wuji Dao's profound meaning, he delivered a devastating slash.
The power of this strike was unmatched and unstoppable; even if a towering peak stood in its path, it would be cleaved in two.
Ling Feng felt as if this sword light before him was the might of the heavens. The surrounding space seemed locked down, leaving him no room to dodge, and forcing him to confront it head-on.
Despite this being purely swordsmanship without any use of elemental qi, it created such an overwhelming force—this was the terror of a grandmaster of swordsmanship.
Of course, if Ling Feng activated his Boundless Sword Steps, he could escape the confinement of this sword in an instant.
But as a swordsman, there was a dignity and honor that he upheld, which no one could trample upon, including himself.
Having agreed to a duel of swordsmanship, Ling Feng resolved not to cheat by using any true qi.
"Limitless—Nine Heaven Breaking Sword!"
Wuji Sword King's strike descended with an overwhelming aura, pressing down on Ling Feng and making it difficult for him to breathe.
Ling Feng raised the Eradicator of Realms high above his head and roared, "Soaring Dragon Sword!"
The Soaring Dragon Sword was a basic technique, an ideal choice for blocking powerful slashing attacks in actual combat.
Suddenly, a tremendous force surged from Ling Feng's feet. Despite his scholarly and refined appearance, Ling Feng now unleashed an immense physical strength. The Eight Desolations Body Refinement Art, a formidable body refinement technique, granted Ling Feng unparalleled physical power.
Ling Feng let out a low growl, his muscles bulging and tearing through his robe. Every inch of his body now exuded raw power, and he was completely devoid of his usual scholarly demeanor.
The clash of swords sounded like the collision of divine metals, heavy and resonant. Ling Feng was nearly driven to one knee by Wuji Sword King's Sky Splitting Sword, but he harnessed his physical strength, slowly rising despite the pressure of Wuji Sword King's dual heavy swords.
Moreover, Ling Feng noticed that his Thunder Lightning Armor had absorbed about twenty percent of the tremendous force from Wuji Sword King's strike. Without this assistance, he might have been shaken to the point of spitting blood.
"Continue!" Ling Feng swung his sword, parrying Wuji Sword King's twin giant swords. "The power of your sword dao is indeed impressive!"
Wuji Sword Dao truly lived up to its reputation as a top-tier sword technique. Though Ling Feng's swordsmanship was extraordinary, he was still young and lacked some experience.
Even if Ling Feng were to lose this fight, it would be immensely beneficial. He had already gained significant insights from Wuji Sword King's Wuji Sword Dao, which would greatly aid him in developing his own swordsmanship in the future. For this alone, Ling Feng felt that his visit to the Sword Tower of Wind and Thunder was worth it.
However, it seemed that the attributed sword will of the ninth level of the Sword Tower of Wind and Thunder might be out of his reach.
The sound of swords echoed as Wuji Sword King sheathed his twin swords, laughing heartily. "Well done, young friend! You made the correct decision with that Soaring Dragon Sword. It maximized your defense against my sword pressure. Most commendably, you've resisted the urge to use your true qi to escape my sword force's confinement."
"Uh..." Ling Feng touched his nose, feeling a bit bashful. "You're too kind, Senior."
"No, you deserve my praise! You've passed this trial. Hahaha..."
Wuji Sword King laughed heartily, but moments later, he sighed. "What a pity that I am but a remnant soul. With a swordsmanship genius like you to spar with daily, my Wuji Sword Dao would surely ascend to the highest levels of swordsmanship."
"Senior, your swordsmanship is both unpredictable and powerful, and is truly worthy of the name 'Wuji[2].' I am deeply impressed!" Ling Feng raised his sword in respect, letting out a breath of relief. If this battle had continued, though not a guaranteed defeat, his chances of winning were slim.
Ling Feng took out a clean set of clothes, quickly putting them on and transforming back into his scholarly appearance.
"Young friend, what is your name?" Wuji Sword King stroked his beard and smiled at Ling Feng.
"I am Ling Feng. Is there something you need, Senior?"
Ling Feng was taken aback by the sudden shift in Wuji Sword King's demeanor. All of a sudden this old man looks...
Wuji Sword King's eyes sparkled as he looked at Ling Feng, his face slightly flushed. He rubbed his hands together, looking a bit embarrassed. "Well, Ling Feng, my young friend, hehehe..."
"Yes?" Ling Feng felt a strange tension, noticing that Wuji Sword King's face had turned even redder, as if it might bleed at a touch.
This old fella... could he have some unusual quirks?
1. The original text used "wu ji" which means limitless ☜