Identical Saber Techniques

"Boom!"

"Clang!"

Two vastly different yet equally terrifying sounds exploded. The hard rock beneath the Golden Eagle Envoy Wang Zhen's feet shattered under the immense force, causing him to sink slightly. A wave of energy rippled outwards from the three of them.

The three separated on contact. Xiao Yunzhong unleashed his renowned signature skill, Thunderclap Palm. Resounding thunderclaps shook the heavens, and torrents of power surged forth. The terrifying forces collided and shattered, their aftershocks carving large pits into the surrounding rocky ground.

Lin Xiao was not to be outdone. His profound internal energy flowed into his saber, vastly increasing the resilience of the fine steel blade. He employed the Three Rivers Saber Technique, Dark Cloud Saber Technique, and Riptide Saber Technique, all three practiced to great mastery. Even if the techniques themselves were ordinary, under the impetus of his formidable internal energy, each strike carried considerable power. A single hit from him would leave even a first-rate martial artist regretting their life.

Hundreds of meters away from the battlefield, over twenty Descenders gathered. After a long silence, He Qiu spoke, "The situation isn't looking good. No matter who wins, our chances of profiting from the chaos are slim."

"Then let's stir up the chaos ourselves."

"How?"

"We'll attack the convoy directly. No one can snatch the items if they remain with Dushan Fortress, but if they're stolen, then it'll be a matter of who has the strength to claim them."

"But I have a feeling that Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng is with the Golden Eagle Envoy."

"No need to rush. With Thunderclap Palm and... that person attacking him together, the Golden Eagle Envoy Wang Zhen won't be able to disengage. Once his subordinates are defeated, he'll be alone and unable to turn the tide."

"Then, let's move!"

Soon, a loud shout echoed through the valley: "What are you all waiting for? While Wang Zhen is occupied by the Thunderclap Palm senior, now is the perfect time for us to act. Otherwise, we won't get another chance."

Everyone's attention was drawn to the person who had spoken. Even the three combatants were no exception. Lin Xiao even stole a glance, recognizing the Descender leader who had tried to recruit him before. Seeing that he had captured everyone's attention, he shouted again, "Brothers, I may be untalented, but I'm willing to be your vanguard!"

With that, he drew his sword with a 'clang' and leaped from their hiding spot, charging towards the convoy below.

With someone taking the lead, some of the restless martial artists, particularly the impulsive ones, followed suit. This, in turn, compelled others to join. In the blink of an eye, a fierce battle erupted. The Thirteen Riders of Saibei and the experts of Dushan Fortress spread out to defend against the martial artists descending from both sides of the river valley.

The melee did not affect the three combatants. Even the Golden Eagle Envoy Wang Zhen appeared unfazed, though his expression was somewhat strange.

It wasn't the battle that affected him, but rather Lin Xiao's peculiar expression, as if he had realized something but wasn't entirely sure.

The riverbank became a scene of intense fighting. With hundreds of skilled martial artists charging, the convoy of the Thirteen Riders of Saibei was instantly thrown into disarray, the battlefield becoming chaotically fragmented. He Qiu's voice continuously echoed across the battlefield, reminding the bloodthirsty martial artists to mind their positions and not to be greedy for wealth, urging them to focus on defeating their opponents first, acting like a commander.

Xiao Yunzhong of Thunderclap Palm unleashed a palm strike with a 'boom' that forced both him and the Golden Eagle Envoy Wang Zhen back several steps. He glanced around and said, "Your subordinates are about to be defeated."

Wang Zhen didn't even move his eyes. He coldly replied, "No need for you to worry."

He then turned to face Lin Xiao, his strange expression intensifying. He suddenly asked, "Young man, what is your relationship with the Great River Gang?"

Lin Xiao's eyes flickered. He replied expressionlessly, "If you want to fight, fight. Why all the nonsense?"

Wang Zhen didn't get angry. He suddenly reached out and grabbed, and a long saber from a corpse over ten meters away flew into his hand. Pointing it at Lin Xiao, he initiated the Three Rivers Saber Technique with 'Rushing Waves'. Lin Xiao instinctively responded with 'Surging Waves'. Wang Zhen then unleashed four consecutive slashes, executing the remaining four moves of the Three Rivers Saber Technique. The exquisite techniques surprised Lin Xiao; this Golden Eagle Envoy not only had formidable hand-to-hand combat skills but was also skilled with the saber.

After unleashing the Three Rivers Saber Technique back and forth for several rounds, clashing with Lin Xiao who was also repeating the same moves, their sabers rang out with an unpleasant 'ding ding dang dang'. After ten moves, Wang Zhen retreated and stood, asking, "How did that feel?"

Lin Xiao praised from the bottom of his heart, "I never expected the Golden Eagle Envoy to not only possess peerless martial arts but also remarkable attainments in saber techniques. I am truly impressed."

Wang Zhen was taken aback upon hearing this and quickly said, "Don't you think our saber techniques are the same?"

"So what?"

Lin Xiao replied calmly, "I come from a humble background. The few saber techniques I know are not exquisite or unique. You are the Golden Eagle Envoy of Dushan Fortress, second only to the leader. It's not surprising that you know this technique."

Wang Zhen's mouth twitched. Just as he was about to say more, Xiao Yunzhong of Thunderclap Palm, sensing something amiss, stomped his foot, causing the rock beneath him to explode as he rushed forward, shouting, "Old man, take this palm strike!"

Wang Zhen couldn't continue the conversation. He parried with a saber strike, infusing it with his profound internal energy, causing the blade to emit a dazzling saber aura. What was merely an ordinary fine steel saber in his hands became like a divine weapon, unleashing a brilliant three-foot-long saber aura that caught Lin Xiao's eye.

In terms of saber technique mastery, this Golden Eagle Envoy was indeed superior to him. After all, his own full-power strike could only generate a saber aura of less than two feet, falling short of the opponent's. However, this was also due to his insufficient cultivation and limited knowledge of techniques. If he were to use a two-star or higher saber technique, he could at least generate a saber aura of over two feet.

Following this, the Golden Eagle Envoy seemed to deliberately showcase his saber techniques before him, strangely only using the Three Rivers Saber Technique, Dark Cloud Saber Technique, and Riptide Saber Technique. These were identical to the three techniques Lin Xiao had practiced back and forth over a dozen times. If Xiao Yunzhong of Thunderclap Palm were removed, it would feel like two fellow disciples sparring.

No, it was more like a master teaching a disciple. The Golden Eagle Envoy's mastery of saber techniques far surpassed Lin Xiao's. Even with the same three techniques, his understanding of them was superior. Furthermore, there was no killing intent in their exchanges; it felt like a casual spar.

The more they fought, the more Lin Xiao felt something was wrong. Finally, after both sides simultaneously executed a saber move, he suddenly leaped out of the fray and asked, "Senior, I admire your understanding of these three saber techniques. What is your relationship with the Great River Gang?"

"Hahaha!"

Wang Zhen forced Xiao Yunzhong back with a saber strike and laughed heartily, "Young man, you answer my question first. What is your relationship with the Great River Gang?"

Lin Xiao hesitated for a moment before replying, "I am currently the Hall Master of the Sixth Branch Hall of the Great River Hall in the Great River Gang."