Cultivation: Start From Simplifying Martial Arts Techniques

“Who’s being arrogant here?”

Inside the Sunken Water Pavilion, Xiao Liling coldly snorted, about to step forward and challenge Wang Guiwu.

“Sister Xiao, hold on for a moment. Your Exquisite Pearl is just a semi-spiritual tool, capable of entrapping but not subduing. For this match, let Sister go and test him first!”

Miao Manyun held back Xiao Liling and whispered. While Xiao Liling’s cultivation wasn’t weak, her most powerful asset was the spiritual tool, the Exquisite Pearl.

However, in this situation, the use of spiritual tools was prohibited, and the Exquisite Pearl couldn’t be employed. As for the sub-pearl of the Exquisite Pearl, though it was a top-notch semi-spiritual tool, it ultimately fell short.

Against ordinary practitioners, such semi-spiritual tools were effective, but against true disciples like those from the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect, the sub-pearl of the Exquisite Pearl was somewhat lacking.

Miao Manyun had a close relationship with the Xiao family, so she couldn’t let Xiao Liling go up and get beaten.

“Be careful, Sister.” Xiao Liling hesitated for a moment, nodded, and a smile appeared on her face.

Miao Manyun turned her gaze towards Wang Guiwu, her figure moving as she stepped onto the sparring stage.

Wang Guiwu was initially prepared to provoke with his words, but when he saw Miao Manyun descending, a hint of a smile appeared on his face. Although she was a female disciple of the Sunken Water Pavilion, when it came to combat, Wang Guiwu wouldn’t hesitate regardless of the opponent’s gender.

“Wang Senior Brother, please instruct me!” Miao Manyun’s face displayed a hint of gentle charm as she spoke.

“Show me your moves!” Wang Guiwu nodded, ignoring Miao Manyun’s coquettish demeanor.

“Wang Senior Brother, you better watch your back!”

As soon as Miao Manyun’s words fell, her figure had already arrived in front of Wang Guiwu. A cold light swept toward his head.

For most people in Immortal Cloud City, their impression of the Sunken Water Pavilion was based on its disciples’ alluring appearances and extensive social connections, with little else.

Trying to list the outstanding aspects of the Sunken Water Pavilion’s martial arts would be a challenge for many. However, a sect that could stand in Immortal Cloud City for so many years couldn’t possibly rely solely on connections.

The strength of many disciples in the Sunken Water Pavilion didn’t particularly stand out compared to other sects, but that didn’t mean the entire sect was like that.

Especially the true disciples who represented the face of the sect. Only by seeing the true transmission could one witness the most genuine legacy of the sect.

“Good approach!”

Seeing the cold light, Wang Guiwu laughed heartily. Unsheathing his long sword, he shattered the cold light aimed at him amid a thunderous sound. However, those cold lights quickly reformed and encircled Wang Guiwu’s neck.

The Wind Vortex Sword Technique, one of the top inheritances of the Sunken Water Pavilion.

The cold light emanating from Miao Manyun’s hand was a thin blade as delicate as a cicada’s wing, weak in strength but able to cut anything. The clash of sword lights between Miao Manyun and Wang Guiwu seemed like she was at a disadvantage, but she was actually redirecting the force to other places.

The Wind Vortex Sword Technique, using force to counter force, excelled in entanglement. As the battle progressed, the speed of the sword blade would increase, securing her victory.

In the blink of an eye, Miao Manyun and Wang Guiwu exchanged several moves.

Compared to the confrontation with Liu Peiyong earlier, Miao Manyun didn’t choose to meet strength with strength; instead, she used softness to overcome rigidity. With each exchange, the cold lights swirling around Wang Guiwu increased in speed and quantity.

In the arena, it seemed that Miao Manyun had gained the upper hand.

Seeing this scene, the disciples of the Sunken Water Pavilion couldn’t help but feel a sense of excitement. Wang Guiwu’s previous dominance over Liu Peiyong had filled them with worry for Miao Manyun’s chances.

Now, however, it seemed that Miao Manyun might have a chance to defeat Wang Guiwu and claim victory in this competition.

“Seems like this could work!”

Yan Shijin’s eyes brightened. The strong display Wang Guiwu had put on against Liu Peiyong initially made him concerned about Miao Manyun’s chances. But now, considering the possibility of using a more tactical approach, the situation might change.

“It’s not that simple!”

Miao Daoxin stared below, especially at Wang Guiwu’s expression, and shook his head slightly. Wang Guiwu was too calm at the moment, and within that calmness was a hint of playfulness, like a cat toying with a mouse.

“Perhaps he’s worried that he performed too well, making us afraid to challenge him.”

Chen Fei suddenly spoke, his powerful mental power allowing him to observe more details. Although it seemed that Miao Manyun was gradually gaining the upper hand on the surface, even turning this initiative into an advantage, accumulating bit by bit.

However, the flair displayed in Wang Guiwu’s techniques showed that he was exceptionally at ease. It was as if, at this moment, Wang Guiwu wasn’t competing but rather engaging in a practice session with someone.

This statement might be a bit exaggerated, but Miao Manyun’s current display of strength was certainly within Wang Guiwu’s capabilities to handle.

Otherwise, if Wang Guiwu sensed something amiss in this gradual and subtle contest, he would undoubtedly launch a thunderous counterattack instead of using the current coordination with typical sword techniques.

“Yes, that’s right!”

Upon hearing Chen Fei’s analysis, Miao Daoxin immediately identified the source of this peculiar feeling. He turned his gaze towards Chen Fei, his expression filled with surprise.

Back when Chen Fei challenged Zeng Zaiwen, Miao Daoxin hadn’t observed from the True Transmission Hall. In recent years, Miao Daoxin had focused solely on breaking through the Aperture Tempering realm, seldom paying attention to other matters.

At that time, Miao Daoxin regarded Chen Fei, a newly accepted true disciple, as somewhat presumptuous for challenging the tenth-ranked true disciple. But he never expected to learn afterward that Chen Fei had defeated Zeng Zaiwen, using the Yuanchen technique to win with a single move.

Upon learning this, Miao Daoxin truly took note of Chen Fei, as Miao Daoxin himself practiced the Zhongyuan Sword technique.

Miao Daoxin naturally understood that when Chen Fei defeated Zeng Zaiwen, he had already comprehended the Zhongyuan Sword technique to a significant degree.

Today, hearing Chen Fei’s insightful analysis, Miao Daoxin’s perception of Chen Fei elevated once more. To some extent, Miao Daoxin felt a sense of the younger generation surpassing the older.

Yan Shijin, upon hearing their analysis, squinted his eyes slightly. He couldn’t believe that Wang Guiwu was still managing to keep the upper hand against Miao Manyun’s current display of strength.

Outside the sparring stage, disciples from various sects engaged in discussions, while the Aperture Tempering realm experts remained silent. Especially the elders of the Sunken Water Pavilion, who had slightly furrowed brows.

The disciples of the Sunken Water Pavilion were excited because they couldn’t discern all the details yet.

Chen Fei and the others were able to perceive Wang Guiwu’s intentions, and naturally, those Aperture Tempering realm experts could see even more clearly.

In the blink of an eye, Miao Manyun and Wang Guiwu had exchanged dozens of moves. The cold light of the Wind Vortex Sword Technique now almost entirely enveloped Wang Guiwu’s figure.

A slight mistake could lead to a thoroughly battered outcome. However, Wang Guiwu’s expression remained composed, and at this moment, a hint of a smile appeared on his lips.

Miao Manyun’s expression turned serious. While most people saw her gaining the upper hand, facing Wang Guiwu, she didn’t feel that optimistic.

Even though the Wind Vortex Sword Technique was pushed to its limits at this moment, Wang Guiwu’s long sword continued to parry each attack, and this parrying, accompanied by Wang Guiwu’s calm demeanor, felt like it could continue indefinitely.

Rain of Swords!

Miao Manyun suddenly shouted, her soft sword vanishing instantly. The cold light aimed at Wang Guiwu transformed into a deluge, flooding towards him.

“It’s about time!”

Wang Guiwu murmured, his eyes widening abruptly. It was as if a flash of lightning passed through his eyes, and a faint purple inner energy spread all around him, resembling a celestial thunderbolt.

In the next moment, Wang Guiwu lifted his sword high into the air. The lightning on the sword’s blade shattered the oncoming rain of swords in one swing. The trajectory of his blade brought Wang Guiwu directly in front of Miao Manyun, and the blade thrust straight towards her throat.

“Ah!”

In the next moment, Wang Guiwu raised his sword high, and the lightning on the blade shattered the incoming rain of swords with a single swing. The blade pointed directly at Miao Manyun’s throat as Wang Guiwu appeared before her.

“All!”

In the area of the Sunken Water Pavilion, quite a few disciples stood up in astonishment at the scene before them. Just a moment ago, Miao Manyun clearly had the upper hand, and it seemed like Wang Guiwu was about to be defeated by her. Yet, in the blink of an eye, the situation had completely changed.

Not only the disciples of the Sunken Water Pavilion, but also many disciples from various sects had similar reactions. Especially the disciples from smaller sects who had previously criticized Wang Guiwu for his overconfidence, now found the situation flipped around.

Sword Vortex!

As Miao Manyun watched the approaching sword blades, it was as if she had anticipated this. She twirled her soft sword, gathering the shattered sword energy that Wang Guiwu had disrupted. These fragments formed a tornado, enveloping Wang Guiwu.

“Boom!”

The intense collision resounded as Wang Guiwu’s sword directly tore apart Miao Manyun’s Sword Vortex. Miao Manyun barely managed to defend with her soft sword, but the next moment, she felt a sharp pain in her chest. She was sent flying out of the sparring stage.

Spurt!”

A mist of blood sprayed out, and Miao Manyun’s chest had caved in. The forceful thunderous sword energy had violently stirred her internal organs, leaving her powerless to continue the fight.

Wang Guiwu sheathed his sword, a smile appearing on his face—an expression of someone who was in complete control.

Miao Manyun was carried back to the platform by the elders of the Sunken Water Pavilion, and many people quickly crowded around her. Xiao Liling looked at Miao Manyun’s injuries and clenched her fists slightly. She took a deep breath, slowly releasing her fists.

Disciples from various sects engaged in discussions, puzzled by how Miao Manyun, who had been in a favorable position just moments ago, had suddenly lost so quickly and sustained such severe injuries.

“Wang Senior Brother has excellent sword techniques. Allow me to learn from you as well!”

Within the Long Rainbow Sect, a figure leaped out and stood before Wang

Guiwu.

Straight as an arrow, just like the long spear standing beside it, exuding a chilling aura that pervaded the surroundings.

Tang Renfei, the second-ranked true disciple of the Long Rainbow Sect.

“Of course!”

Wang Guiwu didn’t ask for the person’s name, merely giving a slight bow in response.

“Please!”

Tang Renfei’s voice was deep. In the next instant, he advanced towards Wang Guiwu, the tip of his long spear aimed at vital points around Wang Guiwu’s body.

The Venomous Dragon Spear Technique—spear thrusts like a venomous dragon. The sound of the long spear cutting through the air resembled the roar of a venomous dragon, causing one’s senses to sway. However, Wang Guiwu remained entirely unaffected. Amidst the lightning, the collision of his sword blade and the long spear took place directly, and neither of them gave an inch.

Wang Guiwu hadn’t consumed any pills to recover his strength moments ago. Now that Tang Renfei had taken the field, it felt somewhat like an endurance battle. But Wang Guiwu himself didn’t mind, and others naturally wouldn’t make any complaints.

As everyone watched the two on the sparring stage at this moment, they were reminded of the duel between Wang Guiwu and Miao Manyun in some hazy way..