The duels continued...
The fifth pair took the stage. One of them was Qiu Wuyi, the Sword Madman, widely acknowledged as a peak Grandmaster in Cangnan.
He was past seventy, his hair and beard entirely white, yet he was hale and vigorous, his eyes flashing with keen light.
He was one of the last remaining Grandmasters of Cangnan's older generation. He had reached the Grandmaster realm forty years ago, and his Autumn Wind Sword Technique was renowned throughout Cangnan.
He had competed in the previous Grandmaster Duel and performed well.
With his Autumn Wind Sword Technique bolstered by Grandmaster Will, he could bring the fierce sweep of autumn wind stripping leaves from the trees vividly to life.
His opponent was Yun Zhonghe, lord of the Flying Cloud Fort.
Yun Zhonghe was also a veteran Grandmaster. Known for his lightness skill and palm techniques, he had long borne the title "Cloud-Borne Palm" in Cangnan.
Once they had taken their places on the platform, Yun Zhonghe cupped his fists first.
"Senior Qiu, forgive my presumption."
Qiu Wuyi waved a hand. "No need for courtesy. Make your move."
Yun Zhonghe drew a deep breath and moved. His figure drifted like cloud and mist, ethereal and nimble, and appeared before Qiu Wuyi in an instant.
He struck with a palm, the force fierce as an eagle soaring into the open sky.
The strike was fast and ruthless. The spectators below saw only a blur.
Yet Qiu Wuyi merely turned sideways to evade it. At the same time, he pressed two fingers together like a sword and gave a light thrust.
"Hiss—"
A razor-sharp streak of Sword Qi pierced the air, heading straight for Yun Zhonghe's palm.
Yun Zhonghe's expression changed. He hurriedly withdrew his hand and retreated, but the Sword Qi followed him like