After Jiang Lu bid farewell and left, only Liu Enchuan remained in the main hall.
He sat at the desk, his fingers gently tapping on the tabletop.
Although Jiang Lu had spoken with such conviction, he was still half-believing, half-doubting.
After all, such a matter was truly too incredible.
A disciple who hadn't broken through in three years and was widely regarded as a good-for-nothing suddenly transformed into a peerless sword art genius?
The contrast was simply too great.
"But this kid has always been steady, not one to speak nonsense."
Liu Enchuan pondered for a moment, then finally stood up.
"Fine, since he spoke with such certainty, I shall personally go and investigate."
"Hearing is not as good as seeing. If Gu Chengming truly has some ability, it would also be a blessing for our Huiyuan Gate."
However, since he was going to investigate, he naturally couldn't do it with great fanfare.
The esteemed Merit Elder going to spar with an outer sect disciple? If word got out, wouldn't he lose face?
Moreover, if the other party was truly a hidden master as Jiang Lu said, and he went as an elder, the other party might not be willing to show his true abilities.
So, he had to change his identity.
For a third realm cultivator, disguise was merely a trivial skill.
With a thought, Liu Enchuan circulated his spiritual energy. Moments later, the majestic middle-aged elder vanished, replaced by a young sword cultivator with sharp eyebrows and starry eyes, dressed in a green robe.
Looking at the spirited "himself" in the bronze mirror, Liu Enchuan nodded with satisfaction.
"Hmm, this appearance indeed has some of my youthful charm from back then."
.................................................................................................................
At this moment, in Gu Chengming's courtyard.
Gu Chengming was sitting at the stone table, writing furiously, diligently working on the second part of the storybook for the next wave of Qingxin Art's favorability.
"Knock, knock, knock."
The courtyard gate was suddenly knocked.
Gu Chengming stopped writing, a little puzzled. Jiang Lu had only just left, had he forgotten something?
He walked over and opened the courtyard gate, only to find that it wasn't Jiang Lu standing outside, but a young green-robed cultivator he had never seen before.
This person was tall and straight, with sword-like eyebrows extending to his temples. Although he looked young, there was a steady demeanor in his brows, characteristic of someone long in a high position.
"This Senior Brother is..."
Gu Chengming was a little strange; he didn't seem to know this person in the sect.
The green-robed cultivator cupped his hands and said loudly:
"I am... Liu En."
He paused, seemingly organizing his words, then continued:
"Junior Brother Jiang Lu recommended me."
This green-robed cultivator was naturally Liu Enchuan in disguise.
To avoid exposure, he specifically gave himself an alias, removing the last character of his name.
Gu Chengming sized him up.
Looking at the other party's young face, although his demeanor was extraordinary, he probably was an inner sect disciple of the same generation as himself.
So, he also cupped his hands in return, only hesitating slightly with the address:
"So it's Junior Brother Liu En?"
After all, he had been in the sect for three years; although his cultivation was low, his seniority was there.
Calling him Junior Brother shouldn't be too much, right?
"..."
Hearing this "Junior Brother," the corner of Liu Enchuan's mouth twitched imperceptibly.
To think that he, the esteemed Merit Elder, was usually addressed respectfully as Elder by everyone who saw him? Now he was being called Junior Brother by an outer sect disciple?
But he did not correct the other party. Instead, he suppressed that trace of strangeness in his heart and spoke directly:
"Junior Brother Jiang Lu said that you are quite proficient in the Huiyuan Sword Manual and have profound attainments. Coincidentally, I also have some insights into this sword art and am itching for a challenge, so I wanted to spar with you to verify what I've learned."
Hearing the reason for the visit, Gu Chengming's originally somewhat indifferent eyes instantly lit up.
Sparring with the Huiyuan Sword Manual?
This was truly like getting a pillow when you're sleepy!
He was currently worried that the Huiyuan Sword Manual's favorability was stuck at a bottleneck.
According to game logic, at such a time, what was most needed was a high-quality duel, or an opponent skilled in this art to stimulate it. Perhaps it could trigger some "bond event" and break the favorability cap.
It was a pity that although Jiang Lu was enthusiastic, his attainments in the Huiyuan Sword Manual were truly... hard to describe.
Fighting him, besides bullying the weak, had no stimulating effect whatsoever.
And this "Junior Brother Liu En" in front of him, although he didn't know him, since Jiang Lu recommended him, and looking at his demeanor, he must be a master.
"Good! Since Junior Brother Liu has such an elegant interest, then I, your Senior Brother, will not refuse!"
Gu Chengming readily agreed, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.
Seeing the other party so straightforward, even showing an eager-to-try look, Liu Enchuan was somewhat surprised.
This indeed deviated significantly from his impression of Gu Chengming.
It seemed that what Jiang Lu said might indeed have some credibility.
The two came to the open space in the courtyard and stood facing each other, swords in hand.
"Please."
"Please!"
Before the words finished, two streaks of sword light had already intertwined.
Since it was a spar of the Huiyuan Sword Manual, both naturally used this sword art.
Liu Enchuan, as an elder, had been immersed in this art for many years, and his swordsmanship was already masterful.
As soon as he made a move, his sword momentum was continuous like a long river, orthodox, grand, and without flaws.
However, Gu Chengming's swordsmanship was an entirely different style.
His sword was fast, very tricky, but its most core characteristic was just one word—entanglement.
No matter how fierce Liu Enchuan's sword momentum was, Gu Chengming's sword could always approach from an extremely cunning angle, stick to his sword edge, flow with his force, dissolve his attacks invisibly, and even in turn restrain his movements.
Initially, Liu Enchuan was quite disdainful of Gu Chengming's sword style.
In his opinion, the Huiyuan Sword Manual emphasized balance and continuous Qi.
Gu Chengming's swordsmanship, which only knew how to entangle, even somewhat stubbornly, was simply a crooked path!
"What kind of sword moves are you practicing!"
Caught off guard, Liu Enchuan unconsciously adopted his usual strict demeanor when instructing disciples, while parrying with his sword, he reprimanded:
"The sword should be light and agile, its intent clear and unobstructed! Your sticky, muddled style, like a street ruffian fighting, completely loses the true essence of the Huiyuan Sword Manual! It's utterly nonsensical!"
—How can each of you cultivate the Huiyuan Sword Manual's true essence so differently?
Gu Chengming complained inwardly, but his movements didn't stop at all.
With a flick of his wrist, his long sword, like a spiritual snake emerging from its hole, once again entangled Liu Enchuan's sword body. He didn't fall behind in words either:
"Junior Brother Jiang Lu also said something similar"
Gu Chengming didn't fall behind in words:
"Junior Brother Liu, don't lose even earlier than him."
Liu Enchuan laughed in anger.
This kid was quite sharp-tongued.
Since that's the case, don't blame me for being impolite. Today, I must teach you a good lesson and let you know what the true Huiyuan Sword Manual is!
His anger flared, and the strength in his hands unconsciously increased a few points, his sword momentum becoming even more fierce.
However, as time passed, the anger on Liu Enchuan's face gradually dissipated, replaced by an unmistakable astonishment.
The more they fought, the more startled he became.
Gu Chengming's "entanglement" technique, seemingly chaotic, actually concealed profound mysteries.
Every contact of the sword edge, every pull of force, perfectly hit the node where his old strength was exhausted and new strength had not yet arisen.
That feeling was like falling into a quagmire, unable to exert full strength, but instead being led by the nose.
What shocked him even more was that Gu Chengming's understanding of every move and form in the Huiyuan Sword Manual was in no way inferior to his, an elder who had been immersed in it for years!
Even in the handling of certain variations, he was more flexible and thorough than him!
What did this mean?
It meant that Jiang Lu hadn't lied to him!
This Gu Chengming was indeed a hidden genius with an extraordinary understanding of the Way of the Sword!
"Good!"
In the heat of the battle, Liu Enchuan couldn't help but shout.
At this moment, he had completely forgotten that he was here to "investigate," and he had forgotten his identity as an elder.
The joy of meeting a worthy opponent, a true talent, made him completely immersed in this pure sword skill competition.
And Gu Chengming, on his side, was equally surprised and delighted.
This "Junior Brother Liu En" was definitely a master!
His understanding of the Huiyuan Sword Manual was the deepest Gu Chengming had ever seen among everyone, even stronger by more than one level than You Yuyao, who only knew how to cry.
Every collision, every exchange, allowed him to gain new insights into this sword art.
The two fought faster and faster, sword light flashing, fallen leaves swirling in the courtyard, shattered by the sword qi.
Just then, Gu Chengming was suddenly enlightened.
Since the Huiyuan Sword Manual's favorability reached the "admiration" stage, that vague feeling that had always lingered in his heart, yet remained veiled, finally became clear at this moment.
It was like a quantitative change leading to a qualitative change.
The sword in his hand suddenly changed.
It was no longer that stubbornly entangled stickiness, but transformed into an "impetus" that was pervasive yet untraceable.
The sword light flashed, like an antelope hanging its horns, leaving no trace.
This sword pointed directly to the true essence of the Huiyuan Sword Manual—All Things Return to Origin, Endless Regeneration!
Facing this sudden stroke of genius, Liu Enchuan, who was completely engrossed in the match, his pupils suddenly constricted.
Instinctively, he flicked his wrist, and unconsciously used his famous sword move.
—"Water Severing Flow" shot out!
However, as soon as the sword move was unleashed, he realized something was wrong.
He quickly forced himself to retract the move, but in a duel between masters, victory and defeat often hung by a thread.
Just as he paused his body by forcibly retracting the move, Gu Chengming's sword, like an antelope hanging its horns, had already arrived.
"Bang!"
A muffled thud.
Although Liu Enchuan protected his vital points in time, he was still squarely hit on the shoulder by this sword.
A huge force came, and he staggered back two steps before barely steadying himself.
The courtyard instantly fell silent.
Only a few shattered bamboo leaves slowly drifted down.
Gu Chengming flicked his wrist, executed a beautiful sword flourish, and returned his long sword to his back.
He looked at the somewhat disheveled Liu Enchuan, smiled, and cupped his hands:
"Junior Brother Liu En, you are indeed a bit stronger than Junior Brother Jiang Lu."
"I accept your concession."
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