Chapter 22: Advanced killer move, Triumph over Xiao Qingfeng!
Shortly thereafter, Ling Feng made his way back to the bamboo tower of Little Bamboo Peak.
Through the night, Ling Feng's Profound Art of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, combined with the Moon Spirit Flower that subdued the sword qi within Duanmu Qingshan's dantian, worked diligently, ultimately stabilizing Duanmu Qingshan's condition.
Ling Feng was taken by surprise as he had not anticipated the sheer terror of the sword qi wielded by the former sect leader of Wenxian Sect. This underestimation on his part led to repeated errors.
Ling Feng's proficiency in medicine is not lacking; rather, he has yet to reach the level of expertise to comprehend it.
Hence, in the Daoist medical practice, possessing skilled medical techniques alone is far from adequate for healing and saving lives.
After helping Duanmu Qingshan to his room for some rest, Ling Feng finally had a moment to himself. He retreated to his quarters, activated the Human Dao Eye, and resumed his cultivation.
Upon reaching the fourth stage of Qi Condensation, the time it took for the first divine inscription of the Human Dao to condense increased by approximately three breaths, shifting from the initial thirty to thirty-three breaths.
Despite being only three breaths, the results rival the effects of three days of rigorous cultivation without activating the Human Dao Eye, as is the usual practice.
...
The night elapsed quickly.
As usual, Ling Feng collected the dewdrops of the Stone Marrow Flower for Duanmu Qingshan before proceeding to the back of the mountain to cultivate martial skills.
Fifty repetitions of the Starshatter Sword Technique!
Fifty repetitions of the Flashing Steps!
Fifty repetitions of the first eight forms of The Ninefold Ocean-Guarding Fist!
After cultivating, Ling Feng turned his attention to comprehending the ninth form of the residual manual for The Ninefold Ocean-Guarding Fist.
The ninth form of The Ninefold Ocean-Guarding Fist is named Azure Dragon Subdues the Vast Sea.
On the first day, Ling Feng's understanding is at a surface level, and he decides not to hastily begin cultivation.
On the third day, Ling Feng fully grasped the essence and began practicing.
The seventh day, which is today!
Perched on the edge of the sheer cliff, Ling Feng suddenly opened his eyes wide.
Azure Dragon Subdues the Vast Sea!
Uttering a low roar, Ling Feng, his body resembling a fierce tiger, leaped into the air. His fists swung, creating a dynamic motion in all directions.
In an instant, using himself as the axis, Ling Feng swiftly executed a turn, crossing his legs. His entire body, akin to a soaring dragon, unleashed formidable bursts of energy in all directions.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
Spirals of augmented qi unfurled, propelling strands of green fist blades with lengths varying by seven inches. They tore through the air like a waning moon rending the void asunder, shooting forth with remarkable speed. In the blink of an eye, they had already traversed a distance of over a hundred paces!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The power of the fist crashed into the resilient mountain rocks. Seven or eight fist blades coalesced at a focal point, delivering successive blows that shattered the stones, sending fragments flying in all directions.
As the fist blades dispersed, they revealed eight cracks, each measuring over seven inches in depth. Their appearance was reminiscent of a powerful assault from a beast's claw, showcasing astonishing force.
Bear in mind, Ling Feng was just at the fourth level of Qi Formation. Nevertheless, the sheer force behind his punch, echoing across a distance of over a hundred paces, was almost supernatural, as if challenging the natural order.
"Finally, I've achieved advanced proficiency in my training!"
Exhaling deeply, Ling Feng sensed a slight weakness coursing through his entire body.
It appears that executing a technique as powerful as Azure Dragon Subdues the Vast Sea with his current qi cultivation can be performed a maximum of two or three times, each deployment completely depleting his true qi reserve.
Just two days were left until the scheduled duel with the "inner sect genius."
Standing tall, Ling Feng gazed ahead at the sea of clouds, a resolute determination welling up within him.
Empowered by the Emperor's Eye, Ling Feng had become a martial prodigy. He couldn't let such a gift go to waste. His goal wasn't just to become a powerful figure; he also sought to reclaim his grandfather's medical scripture and revive the honor of the medical sage Ling Hanyang!
...
Two days later, at the Life-or-Death Platform.
This is the chosen battleground for the impending life-and-death duel between Ling Feng and Xiao Qingfeng.
Prior to the arrival of Ling Feng and Xiao Qingfeng, a substantial crowd of inner sect disciples had already assembled. Some stewards and managers, despite their busy schedules, managed to take a break to come and witness the event.
No long introduction is needed for Xiao Qingfeng, who, since his admission to the inner sect, has consistently been the focal point of attention—a prodigy among prodigies!
However, Ling Feng wasn't someone ordinary either. His prolonged stay within the inner sect since joining the Little Bamboo Peak had become a record-setting accomplishment.
At last, a solitary figure slowly walked from the direction of Little Bamboo Peak. With a long sword strapped to his waist, it was none other than Ling Feng.
Throughout these ten days, except for the night he harvested Moon Spirit Flowers, Ling Feng hadn't taken a single step beyond the confines of Little Bamboo Peak.
"Ling Feng has arrived!"
"Hmph, this kid hasn't shown his face for the past ten days. He's probably hiding away, delving into fist manuals. This naive fellow even thinks he can defeat Senior Brother Xiao!"
"I don't think he stands a chance. Senior Brother Xiao is truly remarkable, while he's just some castaway sent to Little Bamboo Peak."
The disciples chattered among themselves.
Finally, under the expectant gaze of the crowd, Xiao Qingfeng appeared, exuding an air of aloofness, coldness, and arrogance.
His aura resembled an unsheathed divine weapon, showcasing its unparalleled sharpness.
Gracefully as a breeze, Xiao Qingfeng's proud figure descended from the skies!
The grandeur and sheer force of this scene surpassed Ling Feng's presence by a wide margin, spanning over a dozen streets!
"It's Senior Brother Xiao!"
"Wow, Senior Brother Xiao is incredibly handsome!"
"This is an utterly predictable wager; Senior Brother Xiao has the upper hand without a doubt!"
Ignoring all idle gossip, Ling Feng took a step forward, his gaze fixated solely on Xiao Qingfeng. "You've arrived!"
"Surprising that you actually dared to show up." Xiao Qingfeng's lips curled into a smirk. "Looks like you're eager for your end under my sword."
"Enough with the nonsense chatter, let's begin." Ling Feng's demeanor remained serene, his face bearing an air of tranquility.
"Such audacious words. You make the first move, or you won't stand a chance!" Anger flashed in Xiao Qingfeng's eyes. How could someone as insignificant as Ling Feng dare to speak to him in such a manner?
"Alright, as you wish." Ling Feng's faint smile graced his face as he swiftly closed in on Xiao Qingfeng, employing the Flashing Steps technique to surround him.
"Take this punch!"
With a surge of inner qi, Ling Feng's feet crossed and stamped the ground, propelling him upward like a dragon taking flight.
"This is... the opening move of Azure Dragon Subdues the Vast Sea!"
Xiao Qingfeng's expression subtly changed. He had borrowed the manual for the "Ninefold Ocean-Guarding Fist" previously but hadn't managed to master it even after a month. With recent new insights, he considered borrowing it again.
And Ling Feng, within a mere ten days, actually grasped the essence of this manual?
However, even if he did comprehend it, what difference would it make?
Despite being only at the fourth stage of Qi Condensation, Ling Feng was able to muster some might from that move[1].
However, in the next moment, Xiao Qingfeng realized his mistake, and it was an incredibly egregious one.
Power surged through Ling Feng's entire being as waves of green fist energy erupted, astonishing even Xiao Qingfeng with their ferociousness.
"Impossible! Advanced proficiency... his finishing move, he's mastered it!"
Xiao Qingfeng's inner turmoil surged as he attempted a hasty retreat, yet he had already missed the prime opportunity to dodge.
The force of the fist descended akin to an overwhelming azure dragon pressing down, seemingly capable of subduing the vast sea. Despite Xiao Qingfeng's superior cultivation, he couldn't easily evade it.
Clang!
Unsheathing his long sword, Xiao Qingfeng deftly extracted the three-foot Qingfeng Sword from behind. With a powerful swing, he skillfully dispelled Ling Feng's fist energy, causing both fighters to step back, each "stomp" echoing through the air.
In an instant, Xiao Qingfeng's expression turned as dark as the bottom of a pot, completely blackened.
1. Azure Dragon Subdues the Vast Sea ☜
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