10th, October, 394th year on the Zhen Wu calendar

The weather was unusual. The gloomy sky was densely covered with dark clouds. The air was filled with restlessness, which rendered people an indescribable feeling of depression.

The barbaric wind blew up dust, sweeping across people’s faces, making them feel chilly.

The disciples from different groups gathered very early and lined up neatly around each corner of the martial practice field. The swordsmanship group was standing around the the north-eastern corner.

“Today, the group stage is coming, one time per month. It is also your first competition after coming to the clan hall.” With a cold wind, the chilly voice of Chen Chuyun penetrated their ears. “The top will be rewarded ten energy pills.”

All were popeyed.

“To beat the top of other groups will be rewarded an altar of medicinal liquor decocted with the tiger bone-strengthening paste.”

Five clan descendants, including Chen Zuoyi, opened their eyes wider, breathing harshly for the wine was obviously more valuable than ten energy pills.

“The tiger bone-strengthening paste is a unique medicine decocted according to the secret recipe of our family, which is beneficial to our strengthening bone and marrow, and extracting blood and Qi.” Chen Chuyun took a glance at Chen Zong and then added, “more effective than energy pills”

In fact, energy pill was more appropriate before extracting blood and Qi, and of less effect. However, the medicinal liquor was mainly used for bone strengthening and the extraction of blood and Qi.

“I will win the first in swordsmanship group and then defeat the tops from the other four groups.” Chen Zuoyi maintained solemnly with no concealing of his resolution.

“Brother Zuoyi, your cultivation on swordsmanship is the best so you must be the first winner.” Chen Shuiqing flattered.

“For the sake of justice and security, you fight with wooden swords because metal weapon has no mercy.” A bundle of black wooden swords of equal length and thickness, piled up on the left of Chen Chuyun. There was a black wooden box on her right side. “You will draw for grouping among you seven: 1st vs 2nd, 3rd vs 4th, 5th vs 6th, and 7th misses a turn.”

“My turn first.” Chen Wu walked to the box quickly and drew out a wooden board. “Ha, Number 7, I am very lucky.” The other six took their turns by drawing. Chen Zong drew Number 5. His opponent was Number 6.

“The first competition: Number 1 vs Number 2.”

They stepped aside and made way for Number 1 and Number 2.

Number 1 was Chen Yan and Number 2 was Chen Shuiqing. They were the two girls among the seven competitors.

“You should give up. You cannot rival me.” Chen Shuiqing wielded the wooden sword and pointed at Chen Yan as she spoke in an arrogant tone.

“How can we know if we have no fight?” Chen Yan posed the start-type of the Willow-Flicking Swordsmanship with a slight smile.

“You look troubles for yourself.” Chen Shuiqing practiced the Shadow Broken Swordsmanship these days. She stabbed. The blade slightly quivered with three illusive shadows, making the opponent unable to distinguish between the sword and the shadows.

Chen Yan’s body flicked, wielding a withy-like wooden sword in hand. She had reached the peak of Great Achievement, which was delightful to eyes.

The peak of Great Achievement on Willow Flicking Swordsmanship was exhibited in two ways: a gentle beauty revealed by the sword of Chen Yan and a tenacity displayed by Chen Zong.

By his observation Chen Zong discovered many vulnerabilities from both of them.

It only took five minutes to finish the first round after they unsheathed. Chen Shuiqing’s face was ghastly pale because she lost by just one move.

Number 3 was Chen Shaoze and Number 4 was Chen Zuoyi. They had no fight after Chen Shao Ze gave up for he knew clearly his weaknesses. Chen Zuoyi took it for granted and accepted it.

The third match was going to happen between Chen Zong and Chen Che. Chen Che nodded slightly after tacitly understanding something from eye contact with Chen Zuoyi.

“Branch bumpkin, let me see your three different swordsmanship styles.” Chen Che grinned and then posed the start type of Eagle Striking Swordsmanship. “Have you learned the ABC of them?”

Chen Zong stood upright with the wooden sword but with no start-up type of any swordsmanship.

“Arrogant bumpkin.” The moody Chen Shuiqing sneered undisguisedly.

“Perhaps he failed to know the rudiments and is afraid of shameful presentation.” There was a contemptuous smiling curve around Chen Wu’s mouth.

“Take it, Eagle Claw Striking!” Cold and strict eyes were accompanied by a scurry pace. Chen Che gently jumped and swiftly stabbed. The wooden sword in his quivering twist fiercely attacked Chen Zong’s shoulder like the claw of an eagle.

The wooden sword was fast and fierce with no mercy. It seemed he was determined to hurt Chen Zong who was motionless as though he were scared. Chen Zong lifted his right hand a little, then he struck the black sword like a flash of lightning directly towards Chen Che’s chest when Chen Wu and his companions grinned, mocking Chen Zong.

Chen Che fell and tumbled. His chest felt extremely painful. He was sure there was a bruise. But he was confused, wondering what happened?

The Eagle Claw Striking undoubtedly almost attacked enemy’s shoulder. Why did he suddenly fall and tumble?

Chen Wu was slack-jawed with no words and totally confused. Chen Zuoyi was also astonished by the striking. It was really fast.

Chen Chuyun slightly nodded. Recent training was of some effect.

To a certain degree, Fastness, Accuracy and Stability had been achieved.

Undoubtedly, Chen Zong won by a casual stab. Chen Zong also could tell they had no practice of the Foundation-Eighteen Types. Perhaps, they even had taken no account of that; otherwise, it wouldn’t be so easy for him to discover an attacking chance in Chen Che’s swordsmanship.

“The four of you, please draw lots again.” Chen Chuyun required.

This time, Chen Zong was Number 2. Chen Yan Number 3. Chen Wu Number 4. Chen Zuoyi Number 1.

“Do you remember what I told you twenty days ago? It will become true immediately.” Much as Chen Zuoyi was astonished by Chen Zong’s swift striking just now, he failed to take the matter seriously. The disdain for and prejudice against the branch tribe prevailed for a long time, which was not easy to be reversed.

“Please.” Chen Zong replied very simply.

“Brother Zuoyi, teach him a good lesson.” Chen Shuiqing shouted loudly.

“Go.” Chen Che nodded vigorously, which triggered a pain of the chest injury and he gasped.

Chen Zuoyi posed the start-up type of Eagle Striking Swordsmanship. His aura turned different immediately. His eyes looked as sharp as an eagle as if locking Chen Zong as a prey.

The equal level of swordsmanship was overwhelmingly more powerful in Chen Zuoyi’s performance than Chen Che, who reminded Chen Zong that he met a capable competitor who deserved his care. Chen Zong posed the start-up type of Eagle Striking Swordsmanship as well.

Chen Zong’s gesture impressed people that he seemed to turn himself into an eagle, getting ready for flight.

“It is impossible!” Chen Zuoyi murmured and his supporters repeated as well.

It was said that Chen Zong practiced three different swordsmanship, including the Eagle Striking style, after he entered the clan hall. How could he pose a start-up type that marked the peak of Great Achievement, even doing better than Chen Zuoyi?”

“A sign indicating completeness has emerged.” Chen Chuyun commented in her mind.

It was only a matter of time for a man to achieve completeness after his swordsmanship had reached such a state and if he kept practicing.

It sounded simple but actually it was not the case. The majority of people were not able to reach completeness in martial cultivation no matter how much effort they spared. It was an ideal realm accessible only to few people.

They started to wield their swords.

They moved like eagle with expanding wings, sweeping across the sky.

The Eagle Striking Swordsmanship laid stress on active attack presented in the manner of sword tip and blade, quick and forceful in performance.

Eagle Wing Attack!

Eagle Claw Attack!

Eagle Flying Attack!

Eagle Peck Attack!

One attack after another, they took the gloves off. Their wooden swords were wielded like wings, claws and sharp spouts.

Chen Zong drew his sword against Chen Zuoyi’s arm when he found a flaw. Chen Zuoyi’s wooden sword almost fell off due to his shaking arm. He retreated in a hurry.

“Wait.” Chen Zuoyi promptly demanded when he was almost attacked by Chen Zong.

“You want to give up?” Chen Zong’s words nearly made Chen Zuoyi angry enough to spit blood.

“I will not give up. My real strength has not been revealed just. Now, let me widen your horizon.” Chen Zuoyi shouted angrily. He posed the start-up type of another swordsmanship that was totally different from the Eagle Striking style. It exhibited a feeling of lightness and fastness. Chen Zuoyi ran his blood and Qi and his skin turned slightly red.

“Swift-Sword!” Chen Zuoyi whispered and stabbed at an amazing speed. There was a howl when his sword rubbed the air. He instantly moved close to Chen Zong right after he stabbed.

“His sword was really fast!” Chen Zong was astonished a lot and stepped back quickly. His wooden sword parried the attack by twisting and lifting up. But Chen Zuoyi swiftly withdrew his sword and stabbed again at a little bit faster speed.

One attack after another, he was faster and faster. Chen Zong continuously retreated. His sharp eyes tried to discover flaws and beat back. The fast sword had few flaws. In addition, it was fleeting and hard to seize.

So he had to create a chance for himself.

Swap Willow Type!

Separating Shadow Type!

Eagle Peck Attack!

Chen Zuoyi’s wrist was stabbed by one attack. The terrible strength seemed to have broken his muscles and bones, which disarmed his sword.

Another striking locked his throat.

“You might give up just now.” Chen Zong’s cold irony almost caused Chen Zuoyi to spit blood.

His Swift-Sword Seven Types was certainly more powerful than the Eagle Striking Swordsmanship and his blood and Qi had certainly been moved to strengthen his whole body with a force increase of fifty kilograms, but he still failed at last.

Next, Chen Yan was going to fight with Chen Wu.

Chen Wu, majoring in the Broken Shadow Swordsmanship, pressed on Chen Yan at every stage and won.

“The final is Chen Zong vs Chen Wu.” Chen Chuyun declared.

This match determined the final winner and who would possess the ten energy pills.

“I give up.” Chen Wu spoke after hesitating a few seconds. An optimistic estimation of his strength merely equaled Chen Che’s, weaker than that of Chen Zuoyi who was defeated by Chen Zong despite his desperate struggle. To fight with Chen Zong would certainly cause the same tragedy to him.

As a result, Chen Wu avoided fight in case of losing face.

A swordsman who feared fighting even by wooden sword had lost his morale and no promising future was expected of him, according to Chen Chuyun. But she didn’t intend to intervene for it was his right.

“The top winner of sword group belongs to Chen Zong. This afternoon, there will be a competition among five group top winners. Elders of the clan hall will come to supervise it. Chen Zong, prepare well to defeat the other four tops.” Chen Chuyun ordered.

“Yes.” Chen Zong’s voice was unhesitating and convincing.

“You are dismissed.”

Chen Chuyun left and Chen Zong followed.

“Hum, a mean person enjoys his success.” Chen Che was indignant while he was staring at Chen Zong’s back.

“He is a wiseacre, who believes the top winner of sword group is bound to defeat the other four tops.” Chen Shuiqing also spoke resentfully.

“As I know, Chen Fenghua, a knife group disciple, reached the peak of Great Achievement on Interlink Knife and Thumping knife, which exhibits a strength beyond my present attainment.” Chen Zuoyi sneered.

“This afternoon, let’s see the branch bumpkin losing his face in front of elders.” Chen Wu smiled.

“You are so pitiable.” Chen Yan said and went away with a livid face from the angry group.