On the training field.
Jiang Ning raised his hand to grasp, and the long sword fell into his hand.
Though his figure remained motionless, the ground within several meters trembled slightly.
Master Mingxin observed the dust slightly rising from the ground in all directions, his gaze becoming solemn.
"Iâve heard that Lord Jiang is proficient in saber techniques and archery. Are you using a sword this time because you look down on this humble monk?"
"How could I look down on Master Mingxin? I recently acquired a remarkable swordsmanship and wanted to test its sharpness with Master Mingxin!" Jiang Ning replied.
"Very well, I would like to see how Lord Jiangâs sword dao performs," Master Mingxin said.
"Please enlighten me!" Jiang Ning said, holding his sword and cupping his hands as a salute.
Upon hearing this, Master Mingxin pressed his palms together and slightly bowed to Jiang Ning.
"Lord Jiang, please enlighten me!"
Swishâ
The next moment.
The long sword in Jiang Ningâs hand unsheathed, a gleam of cold light instantly reflecting in Mingxinâs pupils.
As the cold light reflected, his eyes narrowed slightly.
In an instant.
He felt a stabbing pain in his chest, and upon looking down, he saw the tip of a sword already piercing his chest.
Witnessing this scene, Master Mingxinâs pupils suddenly contracted.
"Master Mingxinâs Immovable Wisdom King Body is truly formidable!" Jiang Ning withdrew his sword, praising aloud.
Although this thrust pierced Mingxinâs skin layer, the resistance felt after the sword entered was significantly greater.
"So fast!!" On the other side, Wan Jianyiâs eyes were filled with astonishment upon seeing this scene.
Just a moment ago.
When Jiang Ning drew his sword, pushing it forward, Wan Jianyi saw Jiang Ningâs figure blur and appear in front of Mingxin.
Even though Wan Jianyiâs eyes were fixed on Jiang Ning, he couldnât discern how Jiang Ning accomplished it.
At this moment.
Jiang Ning withdrew and retreated, feeling satisfied with this strike.
Facing such a good opponent as Mingxin, he naturally wanted to earnestly test the effects of the Taixu Yin Yang Sword after his breakthrough.
And on this initial attempt, he was satisfied.
Using the sword as a guide, slashing through the void, allowed him to cross several meters in a mere instant.
In a blink, he reached right in front of Mingxin.
Before this strike, Mingxin didnât even have time to react and was pierced by him.
If it werenât a test, if struck with full force,
that single sword thrust could instantly render Mingxin incapable of fighting.
Even if he erupted with full power, no matter how strong Mingxinâs physical defensive power was, it couldnât possibly withstand this sword thrust unharmed.
The next second.
His figure blurred.
In an instant.
Three figures fluttered towards Mingxin.
Mingxinâs gaze tightened suddenly.
Even with his sharp insight, he couldnât distinguish which of the three figures was real.
"What a brilliant movement technique!" His heart tightened at once.
They realized they had underestimated Jiang Ning before.
In each duel, the combat power Jiang Ning displayed exceeded previous matches.
Previously, during the battle between Jiang Ning and Zhang Ming, both blades clashed.
Jiang Ningâs performance, though strong, surpassed Zhang Ming mainly in terms of power.
The final eruption of power sent Zhang Mingâs blade flying, causing tendon rupture and finger bone fractures.
Such performance, he wasnât afraid of either.
Being from Vajra Temple, with unparalleled physical strength, he had enough confidence in his strength.
But facing Jiang Ning again this time, after just a single exchange, he realized Jiang Ning had held back much of his strength against Zhang Ming earlier.
With movement techniques as ghostly as these, had there been any lethal intent, Zhang Mingâs head could have been severed in an instant.
He gazed at the three ethereal figures approaching, focusing his heart spirit, intending to remain unchanged against change.
On the other side.
Zhang Ming also wore a complex expression.
Not only did Mingxin notice, Zhang Ming also saw that Jiang Ning held back during their fight.
...
Clang!
As the sword shadows fell on Mingxin, a moment later, the clash of metallic sounds echoed throughout the training field, Mingxinâs whole body glowing golden, akin to a golden Buddha.
At that moment, his entire body emitted a magnificent golden light, clearly having pushed his cultivation technique to the extreme.
"They are all real bodies!!" Feeling the simultaneous strike of three swords on himself, Mingxin felt more troubled.
He thought among the three figures, only one was real, the others false.
Yet, feedback from his body confirmed all three figures were indeed real.
Just then.
Clang â Clang, clang â Clang â
Intense sword shadows enveloped him entirely, and figures multiplied rapidly.
In an instant, countless figures surrounded him, numerous sword shadows falling upon him.
The golden light on his body became increasingly brighter.
...
On the northern high platform.
"General Shen, can you perceive what movement technique Jiang Ning employs?" the man on the dragon throne suddenly asked.
"Your Majesty, this isnât a movement technique, but swordsmanship!" General Shen, with a full beard, replied.
"Swordsmanship?" The man on the dragon throne said, sounding slightly puzzled.
"Indeed, swordsmanship!" General Shen replied again, continuing, "Utilizing swordsmanship to distort void lines, achieving movement techniques as if traversing vast distances at will."
"Thus, just now with that sword, in a split second, Mingxin couldnât react and his body was pierced," he explained further.
"Had Mingxin not remained vigilant, such a sudden thrust could have wounded him significantly."
Upon hearing this, the man on the dragon throne, shrouded behind astral brilliance and mystical veil, spoke again: "And what of Jiang Ningâs shadow-blurring technique at this moment?"
"Also swordsmanship!" General Shen with a full beard replied once more: "Using swordsmanship to distort void lines, causing refracted images, thus each shadow appears real."
"Then what is this swordsmanship called?" the man on the dragon throne asked again.
"Iâve never seen it before; I can only assess that this swordsmanship is profoundly mysterious, involving transformations of the void! Ordinary martial artists could hardly grasp even a fragment of it, yet in Lord Jiangâs hands, itâs wielded so masterfully, truly exceptional!!" General Shen, full of beard, expressed with sighs.