Chapter 18: Arriving with Force
At the Bell and Drum Precipice, atop the cliff, fierce winds howled and sword energy swept across in all directions, making the entire space above the cliff extremely violent and filled with sharp sword aura.
Especially within the space enclosed by the eight bells and drums, it was completely submerged by the howling sword energy. Buzzing sounds and thunderous roars continuously emanated, as if playing a symphony of swords.
Lin Feng had forgotten how many times he had swung his sword. Around him, a white curtain of sword light enveloped his entire body, while the powerful sword energy rebounding from the eight bells and drums continuously struck the light curtain. At this moment, Lin Feng's body was covered in wounds of all sizes.
But at this moment, he seemed to have forgotten everything, completely immersed in the profound mysteries of this endless sword energy—defending, attacking, and then defending again.
If anyone were here, they would surely exclaim that this guy was courting death. The sword energy attacking him had just been defended when he would immediately strike the eight bells and drums again with a thunderous sword, then endure the doubled sword energy attacks unleashed simultaneously by the eight bells and drums. Repeating this cycle, the space was filled with nothing but sword energy, endless and unceasing.
"Still no sound." Lin Feng was very clear-headed at this moment. Although this was dangerous, he also understood how much he had improved. Previously, when training with the Thunderclap Sword Art, he thought he had nearly reached the limit. But now, he realized that the Sword Dao had no limit at all—if a person was strong, then the sword was strong.
At first, he tried attacking one bell and drum with half his strength, then two, then three, until he attacked all eight simultaneously. As a result, he endured increasingly powerful counterattacks. If he wasn't careful, he would be wounded by the sword energy, but his swordsmanship gradually grew stronger in the process.
Then, Lin Feng tried to increase his attack power, exerting sixty percent, seventy percent of his strength. Each time, he thought he had reached his limit, but he discovered that there was always another limit. Now, attacking all eight bells and drums with seventy percent of his strength, he endured eight sword counterattacks that surpassed his full power, yet he could still barely hold on.
Unfortunately, the bells and drums still only emitted buzzing sounds, not a single ring.
………………
At Wind Cloud Gorge, Life and Death Platform, countless people surrounded the area.
"What exactly is happening? Even the elders have come personally." The crowd looked at the group of figures on one of the Life and Death Platforms, their hearts filled with doubt.
"That's Senior Brother Chenxing. Two months ago, he was the strongest outer disciple. Because he defeated an inner disciple with a single move, he entered the inner sect. Why is he here?"
"Hmph, what is Chenxing? Haven't you seen Butcher and Senior Brother Linghu over there?"
"What? You mean Butcher and Senior Brother Linghu are among them?"
The crowd was in an uproar, discussing fervently. Butcher had a great reputation in Cloud Sea Sect, said to be the strongest among the inner disciples. As for Linghu Heshan, there was no one in Cloud Sea Sect who didn't know him—the number one core disciple, meaning the strongest among all Cloud Sea Sect disciples. It was said that Linghu Heshan's strength had already surpassed many sect elders.
Such a powerful lineup appearing here—how could it not shock people?
From the distant sky, a sound of wind came. A massive Roc bird spread its wings and flew over, majestic and mighty.
"They're here." The group on the Life and Death Platform looked at the figure flying through the air, their hearts tightening.
The Roc was incredibly fast, arriving in an instant. The Cloud Sea Sect crowd erupted in another wave of commotion, gasps rising and falling one after another.
"Heavens, that's actually a person! Two people! There's a beautiful woman in the Roc's embrace!"
The crowd felt their breathing quicken. Transforming into a Roc, traveling through the air, and carrying a beautiful woman—what a shocking scene! The impact on these outer disciples was too strong.
"Apologies for keeping you all waiting." A voice came as the Roc landed directly on the Life and Death Platform, its speed unimaginable. Only then did the crowd see clearly that the Roc bird was a Martial Soul, its wings spread wide as if it were a true Roc. The owner of the Martial Soul was a young man with a handsome, demonic gaze.
"So young! A Roc Martial Soul! Such a powerful Martial Soul! How can his strength be this great?"
"Wait... I heard that the number one core disciple of Hao Yue Sect, Dapeng Gongzi, has a Roc bird Martial Soul, allowing him to soar through the sky, incredibly powerful. Could this person be..."
"Indeed, Dapeng Gongzi lives up to his reputation. His lightness skill and movement technique are unparalleled. Even carrying someone, he can still travel through the air." Cloud Sea Sect Elder Mo Xie said with a faint smile. So this person was Chu Zhanpeng, the top disciple of Hao Yue Sect. Not long ago, Cloud Sea Sect had received a letter from Chu Zhanpeng, saying he wanted to see the outstanding disciples of Cloud Sea Sect and specifying that he would come directly to the Life and Death Platform. His meaning was clear—he had come to challenge.
Chu Zhanpeng was known as Dapeng Gongzi, renowned throughout the entire Snow Moon Kingdom, ranked sixth among the Eight Young Masters of Snow Moon Kingdom. His strength was formidable. It could be said that no Cloud Sea Sect disciple could defeat him, not even Linghu Heshan. Therefore, Cloud Sea Sect was unwilling to let their disciples fight Chu Zhanpeng. But since the challenge had come to their doorstep, Cloud Sea Sect had no choice but to brace themselves and face it.
"Elder, you flatter me. This is my junior sister, Lin Qian. She recently advanced to the Spirit Martial Realm. The reason I came today is for her. She heard that the disciples of Cloud Sea Sect are all very strong, so she wanted to come and see for herself. I hope the Elder can grant this request and arrange for a disciple of similar cultivation to spar with my junior sister."
Chu Zhanpeng introduced the beautiful young woman beside him, a demonic smile always lingering on his handsome face.
Mo Xie cursed Chu Zhanpeng inwardly. This guy was so ostentatious, descending from the sky—clearly well-prepared. But the other party had first praised Cloud Sea Sect.
"Chenxing, go and spar with Miss Lin Qian." Chenxing had just entered the Spirit Martial Realm two months ago and had defeated an inner disciple with a single move. Now, his cultivation was at the peak of the First Layer of Spirit Martial Realm. If even he couldn't defeat Lin Qian, then no Cloud Sea Sect disciple at the First Layer of Spirit Martial Realm could.
"Yes, Elder." Chenxing nodded and walked to the center of the Life and Death Platform, while Lin Qian stood opposite him.
"Junior Sister, I'm making my move." Chenxing released his Martial Soul, and a layer of rock attached itself to his body, making him look like a stone man.
"This is Senior Brother Chenxing's Rock Martial Soul. Not only is his defense abnormal, but his attack is also very powerful. Senior Brother Chenxing will definitely win." Some people gained confidence upon seeing Chenxing use his Rock Martial Soul.
Although his body seemed wrapped in rock, Chenxing's speed was still very fast. In an instant, he arrived in front of Lin Qian, his fierce rock fist punching toward the frail Lin Qian, making many people worry for her.
"Ice." Lin Qian shouted softly. A chill spread from her body, actually freezing Chenxing's stone fist, making him feel his fist was heavy and clumsy.
At that moment, Lin Qian's hands directly grasped Chenxing's fist. In an instant, ice spread upward, covering the rock arm with a layer of frost in the blink of an eye, and even Chenxing's body showed signs of being frozen.
"What a powerful Ice Soul ability." Mo Xie thought to himself. Martial artists are born with Martial Souls, but the same Martial Soul used by different people has different power. This is related to the martial artist's own strength, the techniques and skills they cultivate, and also to talent.
However, Mo Xie wasn't too worried about Chenxing. After all, Chenxing had the Rock Martial Soul, which gave him extremely strong defense.
"Fire." Lin Qian shouted again. Immediately, a scorching heat spread over Chenxing's body. After being chilled by the ice soul, he was now burned by the fierce flame. The rock instantly cracked. Chenxing let out a scream, and then everyone saw his body fly out.
"Ice... Fire." A sharp glint flashed in Mo Xie's eyes, and his heart trembled violently. Same-source Martial Soul! This must be a same-source Martial Soul!
"Junior Sister Lin Qian's skills are superb. I have lost." Chenxing lowered his head and retreated behind Mo Xie. The crowd was in an uproar. Lost! He had actually lost!
Two people had come to challenge, and the one selected from the vast Cloud Sea Sect had been defeated. Everyone felt a burning shame on their faces.
Chu Zhanpeng still wore that demonic smile, scanning the crowd, and said, "Heh, even an ordinary person from Cloud Sea Sect can have such strength, truly extraordinary. My junior sister is an outstanding figure at the same cultivation level in my Hao Yue Sect, and very few can defeat her."
"Chu originally also wanted to see the outstanding disciples of Cloud Sea Sect. However, since there is another matter I need to request the Elder's approval, let's put the sparring aside for now and discuss it later."
"What matter?" Mo Xie's face stiffened as he asked.
"My junior sister's second uncle's son, Lin Feng, has no respect for his elders, insults his seniors, and is extremely arrogant. He has even injured his own clan brothers. He is an outer disciple of Cloud Sea Sect. I hope the Elder can hand him over to me. I believe Cloud Sea Sect would not want to keep such a disciple, would they?"
Hearing this, Mo Xie instantly understood. This was Chu Zhanpeng's real purpose. Chu Zhanpeng knew that if he directly asked Cloud Sea Sect to hand over a person, the sect would certainly refuse, as it would damage their face. But Chu Zhanpeng was very clever. Although he had Lin Qian defeat Chenxing, he gave Cloud Sea Sect enough face with his words.
Of course, if Mo Xie didn't agree to Chu Zhanpeng's request, Chu Zhanpeng probably wouldn't be so easy to deal with.
"It seems Chu Zhanpeng has feelings for this Lin Qian. Otherwise, he wouldn't have come to Cloud Sea Sect personally for her. Ice and Fire same-source Martial Soul—not bad. As for an outer disciple, letting him take him away is no big deal." Mo Xie made a decision in his heart and instructed the person beside him, "Go and bring Lin Feng here."
Hearing Mo Xie's words, Chu Zhanpeng smiled, while a trace of coldness flashed in Lin Qian's eyes.
As for Lin Feng, how could he know what was happening at Wind Cloud Gorge?
At this moment, he was surrounded by countless sword energies, each one capable of taking his life. Releasing his Dark Martial Soul to its limit, Lin Feng executed the Thunderclap Sword Art to an unimaginable level. The sword curtain turned into a white halo, the thunderous explosions echoing in harmony with the tearing sword energy, extremely terrifying.
Moreover, at this moment, Lin Feng held nothing back, using all his strength to continuously strike the eight bells and drums.