Chapter 352 - 164: Inquiry Conference 3

"Yue Dingchuan..."

Liang Cheng murmured the name.

Li Jianfeng glanced at him. "This guy is tough to deal with. Among those at the same level, his defense is nearly flawless."

Liang Cheng nodded. "A perfect chance to test my Fist Intent."

Li Jianfeng was taken aback for a moment, then he smiled.

"Junior Brother Liang, what ambition. Instead of overwhelming him with your Blade Intent, you’re choosing to face him with your Fist Intent. Truly, your bearing is unmatched."

...

Group A, second match.

Liang Cheng stepped onto the arena stage once again.

Across from him stood a burly, powerfully built man. He was bare-chested, with knotted muscles and skin that had a faint metallic sheen.

Yue Dingchuan.

The moment he got on stage, his fighting spirit surged. "Junior Brother Liang, draw your saber. Let me see what your Blade Intent is made of."

Liang Cheng did not draw his saber. Instead, he took the Zhenxian Saber, still in its sheath, and planted it into the edge of the stage.

Yue Dingchuan was stunned. "What do you mean by that?"

Liang Cheng looked at him and said calmly, "I’ll try using my fists."

The entire crowd erupted in an uproar!

"He’s not using his saber?"

"Is he insane? Yue Dingchuan is famous for his defense. He follows the path of proving his Martial Dao with strength, and his Fist Intent is overwhelming. Even Yu Xiuqi would have to take him seriously. And this guy wants to use his fists?"

"So arrogant..."

"No, you just don’t know. Liang Cheng has also comprehended Fist Intent."

"What? He formed a second Martial Dao True Intent? What kind of monster is he?"

Yue Dingchuan’s expression changed as well.

He felt like he was being humiliated.

"Fine! Fine! Fine!"

He repeated the word three times, fury blazing in his eyes. "Since you want to use your fists, I’ll indulge you! Let’s see whose fists are harder—yours, or my body!"

The moment he finished speaking, he took a step forward, his entire body charging toward Liang Cheng like a small mountain!

BOOM—!!!

He threw a punch!

Fueled by his Fist Intent, the Fist Force condensed without scattering, forming a tangible shadow of a fist that shot straight for Liang Cheng’s chest!

Liang Cheng did not retreat.

He met it with a punch of his own!

BOOM—!!!

As their fists collided, a powerful gale scattered in all directions!

Yue Dingchuan’s expression changed. He felt an indescribable, immense force travel up from his opponent’s fist, actually causing his entire arm to go slightly numb!

Just then, Liang Cheng’s second punch arrived!

BOOM!!!

The third punch!

BOOM!!!

The fourth punch!

BOOM!!!

One punch after another, each heavier than the last!

Liang Cheng stood his ground, his fists like a pair of heavy hammers, smashing into Yue Dingchuan again and again!

At first, Yue Dingchuan could still trade blows, but after five punches, he had already started to retreat.

After seven punches, his arms were so numb he could barely lift them.

After ten punches—

BOOM—!!!

He fell and sat flat on the ground, his face a mask of bewilderment.

Liang Cheng retracted his fists and looked down at him.

Yue Dingchuan looked down at his own chest. There, a series of Fist Seals were clearly visible. Although his skin wasn’t broken, his Qi and Blood churned within, causing a dull, throbbing pain.

His defense had been shattered head-on.

And by the very method he was most proud of.

"You..."

Yue Dingchuan opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but nothing came out.

Liang Cheng didn’t look at him again. He turned, walked to the edge of the stage, pulled out his Zhenxian Saber, and slid it back into the sheath at his waist.

The entire arena was dead silent.

Everyone stared at his retreating back, their eyes filled with disbelief.

Blade Intent, Fist Intent...

On the high platform, the eyes of the various Peak Masters fell upon Liang Cheng, each revealing a different emotion.

Lie Mountain remained expressionless, but the corners of his mouth tilted up slightly.

Li Jianfeng and Yu Xiuqi exchanged a look but said nothing.

On the Third Peak’s platform, Liu Qingli watched Liang Cheng, a peculiar glint in her eyes.

On the Fifth Peak’s platform, Shen Du frowned slightly, truly seeing Liang Cheng for the first time.

On the Seventh Peak’s platform, Gu Tianya’s face was as dark as water before he schooled his expression back to normal.

...

The drawing for the third round began soon after.

Liang Cheng looked at the Jade Slip in his hand. The words on it read: Group B, third match.

His opponent’s name also appeared—

From the Seventh Peak, Xiao Yunhan.

He lifted his head and looked toward the Seventh Peak.

At that moment, Xiao Yunhan was whispering into Gu Tianya’s ear.

Liang Cheng said nothing, simply withdrawing his gaze.

Li Jianfeng frowned. "Xiao Yunhan is the number two figure of the Seventh Peak, at the Core Formation Late Stage. He’s a whole level stronger than Gu Changge. Plus, his methods are ruthless, and he never shows mercy when he strikes."

He paused and looked at Liang Cheng.

"Be careful."

Liang Cheng nodded.

...

Group B, third match.

Liang Cheng stepped onto the arena stage.

Xiao Yunhan was already standing on the stage. He raised a hand and grasped a long saber as black as ink. The blade glinted with a sinister, cold light, exuding an aura that made one’s heart palpitate.

"This saber of mine is called Soul-Devouring."

Xiao Yunhan caressed the blade, his eyes filled with obsession.

"It’s your bad luck to run into me today."

The moment he finished speaking, he took a step forward!

A flash of the blade, dark as ink, instantly slashed toward Liang Cheng, its Blade Intent running rampant!

A solemn look flashed in Liang Cheng’s eyes.

The Zhenxian Saber at his waist was suddenly unsheathed!

CLANG—!!!

The two sabers collided, sending sparks flying!

Xiao Yunhan’s attack was blocked, but he didn’t pause for an instant, his second slash following immediately after!

CLANG CLANG CLANG—!!!

Flashes of their blades crisscrossed, Pill Qi radiated outwards, and the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi exploded with a deafening roar!

On the stage, the two exchanged blows, their blade flashes weaving back and forth, dazzling the crowd below!

Ten moves.

Twenty moves.

Thirty moves.

Fifty moves.

Below the stage, everyone watching Liang Cheng had increasingly grave expressions.

’This kid is a formidable opponent.’

Gu Tianya frowned, his vigilance heightened.

The longer Xiao Yunhan fought, the more shocked he became. ’My Cultivation is clearly a cut above his, and I’ve been condensing my Blade Intent for years. How can I not suppress him?’

Xiao Yunhan gritted his teeth. Not wanting the stalemate to continue, he unleashed his Blade Intent with its full power!

The pitch-black Sword Aura erupted to a length of thirty feet, like a bolt of black silk, and came chopping down on Liang Cheng’s head. This was his killing move!

Most of the souls claimed by his saber had fallen to this very attack!

Liang Cheng watched the Sword Aura, raised his hand, and slashed out with his own saber.

A brilliant light flashed from his blade as he unleashed the full power of his Zhenxian Blade Intent in a forceful response.

The flash of his saber struck the black Sword Aura directly—

CRACK!

The black Sword Aura shattered on impact!

Xiao Yunhan’s pupils shrank. Before he could even react, the flash of the blade was already upon him. He instinctively raised his saber to block!

CLANG—!!!

An indescribable, immense force struck him. The Soul-Devouring Saber flew from his grasp, spun several times in the air, and with a CLATTER, embedded itself in the edge of the stage!

Immediately after, a peerlessly sharp Blade Intent, so real it felt tangible, pressed against the spot between his eyebrows!

Xiao Yunhan froze in place, not daring to move.

He lifted his head and looked at Liang Cheng.

Liang Cheng stood there, the tip of his Zhenxian Saber pointed at Xiao Yunhan’s brow, his gaze as calm as still water.

Liang Cheng said coolly, "Is that all?"

Xiao Yunhan’s face flushed crimson, but for a moment, he was speechless.

Below the stage, the entire crowd erupted!

"Xiao Yunhan lost?"

On the high platforms, the disciples from the various peaks looked at each other in utter disbelief.

On the Seventh Peak’s platform, Gu Tianya was silent.

The junior brothers behind him exchanged glances, none daring to speak.

On the First Peak’s platform, Li Jianfeng and Yu Xiuqi shared a look, their eyes full of mirth.

Lie Mountain remained expressionless, but a flicker of gratification showed in his eyes.

On the stage, Liang Cheng sheathed his saber and turned to leave.

Behind him, Xiao Yunhan remained standing, motionless.

He had lost.

Utterly and completely.

In front of everyone from the Nine Peaks, he had lost to a newcomer who had been a disciple for less than a year.

’This Liang Cheng... he’s too much of a monster.’

Liang Cheng returned to the First Peak’s platform and sat down again.

Li Jianfeng clapped him on the shoulder. "Well done."

Yu Xiuqi nodded slightly, his eyes also filled with approval.

Liang Cheng said nothing, only looking in the direction of the Seventh Peak.

There, Gu Tianya was watching him.

Their gazes met in mid-air.

Gu Tianya suddenly gave a nod.

Liang Cheng’s expression remained calm.

...

As the sun set, the first day of the Inquiry Conference came to a close.

With three battles and three victories, Liang Cheng’s fame skyrocketed.

All three participants from the First Peak advanced to the next round.

But the one being discussed the most was the newcomer named Liang Cheng.

"Mastering both Blade Intent and Fist Intent..."

"How on earth did he train?"

"Who knows? He’s a monster, that’s what."