Sparring, What is Chief Gu's True Strength?

Two days later.

On a spacious training ground within the Third Elder's residence.

Sunlight streamed onto the bluestone floor, illuminating two figures moving with the speed of the wind.

Tang Lingyu was dressed in a dark blue martial arts uniform. The slightly form-fitting style accentuated her graceful curves, rarely seen in her usual attire.

Her hair, which had been growing longer, was tied up high today in a neat ponytail, dancing in the wind with her movements.

The surging Azure Dragon True Qi churned around her, like an invisible colossal dragon coiled at her side, making her appear even more heroic and imposing.

Unlike her usual fiery and dominant Fire Cloud Palm, Tang Lingyu was now practicing a completely new martial art.

She pointed her fingers like a sword, tapping lightly. Waves of water-like sword energy shot out like nimble snakes, directly at her sparring partner, who stood with his hands behind his back.

"Well done!"

Gu Cheng laughed heartily, showing no signs of panic. Instead, a look of approval appeared on his face.

With one hand behind his back and the other wielding the Ink Feather Treasure Blade, his movements were elusive. As his blade flashed, he neutralized all the incoming flowing water sword energy.

His fluid movements were like dancing on the tip of his blade. With every turn and shift, he moved like the wind, rapidly closing in on Tang Lingyu.

Gu Cheng's elegant, wind-like footwork ignited Tang Lingyu's competitive spirit. She tapped her toes lightly, and her body suddenly retreated.

At the same time, she unleashed both hands in sword fingers, her attack speed gradually increasing.

Swish, swish, swish—

Dense, flowing water sword energy poured out like a torrential downpour, weaving into an impenetrable net of swords that blocked all of Gu Cheng's possible evasion routes!

The sharp sword energy tore through the air, emitting piercing shrieks. The mere aftermath of the combat left the hard ground of the training ground riddled with holes, like a honeycomb.

However, no matter how exquisite Tang Lingyu's sword finger technique was, it was still useless against Gu Cheng, this cheater.

Even though the latter hadn't used any flashy skills, relying solely on his extraordinary speed, reaction, and the Ink Blade in his hand, he was like an insurmountable chasm, firmly suppressing Tang Lingyu.

Swish—

A dazzling blade light flashed, instantly cleaving through three incoming sword energies.

Gu Cheng's figure was like lightning as he suddenly advanced, closing in on Tang Lingyu in the blink of an eye.

"So fast..."

Tang Lingyu's heart leaped in surprise. In a hurry, she brought her fingers together, unleashing Azure Dragon True Qi. A sharp, flowing water sword energy shot out, piercing through Gu Cheng's figure.

However, in the next instant, that figure shattered like a bubble. It was merely an afterimage!

Tang Lingyu's expression changed drastically, and a sense of alarm surged within her.

Just as she was about to retreat, she felt a chill on her neck.

Looking down, the pitch-black, ink-like edge of the Ink Feather Treasure Blade was gently pressed against her neck.

The duel was decided.

"Not bad, you've improved a lot."

Gu Cheng raised the Ink Feather, sheathed his blade, and smiled slightly at Tang Lingyu, his tone laced with praise.

"Lingyu, it's only been a few days, and your Wind Rain Sword Finger has already reached a considerable level."

"Heh, it's all thanks to Chief Gu's careful guidance."

Tang Lingyu smiled brightly and bowed gratefully.

"If I had practiced in isolation, I could never have improved so rapidly..."

As she spoke, she looked at the young man in the black shirt before her, her eyes filled with genuine admiration mixed with a hint of indescribable complexity.

She knew that her Fire Cloud Palm was completely countered by his Blazing Flame Fire. This time, she had thought that switching to the water-attribute Wind Rain Sword Finger might change the situation.

However, Gu Cheng hadn't even used any martial skill incantations. He had defeated her effortlessly with just his footwork and basic attacks. This feeling of being crushed and powerless even gave her the illusion that she was sparring with her master!

"Just how powerful has Chief Gu become now?"

Tang Lingyu secretly glanced at the young man in the black shirt opposite her, her mind racing with thoughts.

Gu Cheng, of course, had no idea what this top student was pondering about.

He looked around, observing the training ground riddled with holes from the flowing water sword energy, and suddenly asked, "Lingyu, did your master teach you this Wind Rain Sword Finger before? Although it has considerable power, its attribute clashes with your Fire Cloud Palm. Will cultivating it cause any conflict for you?"

"Heh, Chief Gu worries too much."

Tang Lingyu smiled slightly and explained softly, "The Hundred Refinements of the Azure Dragon we cultivate is incredibly dominant and sufficient to suppress the backlash from the clash between water and fire. Moreover, according to my master, if we can achieve a state of water and fire complementing each other, with Azure Dragon True Qi as the foundation, the power of both martial arts can be greatly enhanced!"

Gu Cheng nodded slightly upon hearing this, lost in thought.

At this moment, Tang Lingyu suddenly looked up at him and continued, "Chief Gu, I recall Lord Xu mentioning that after this Hundred Beasts Villa mission, you'd be eligible to claim a reward from the Exquisite Pavilion.

The Exquisite Pavilion has many top-tier water-attribute martial arts. If you don't have a better idea, you might consider picking one. It would complement the Hundred Refinements of the Azure Dragon perfectly."

"Hmm, I'll give it some thought."

Gu Cheng pondered for a moment, then slowly nodded, finding Tang Lingyu's words to have some merit.

Dragons were associated with water. If the Hundred Refinements of the Azure Dragon were paired with a water-attribute martial art, not only would its power increase, but its cultivation would also become twice as effective.

More importantly, with the unique properties of the Four Spirits True Intent cultivation technique, he could also allow his Flood Dragon Demon Servant to master the water-attribute secret arts he practiced.

While the Flood Dragon Demon Servant's Water Control divine ability was formidable, its application of power was too primitive and crude, relying purely on brute force, far from unleashing its true potential.

If he could find an excellent water-attribute martial art for it, the Flood Dragon Demon Servant's combat power would undoubtedly achieve a qualitative leap!

"I just wonder how good the collection in the Exquisite Pavilion is. For a Spirit Sea Realm Water Control divine ability, I should at least get a Spirit Sea Realm martial art, right?"

Gu Cheng mused to himself, a flicker of anticipation in his eyes.

As Gu Cheng and Tang Lingyu were chatting, they suddenly heard footsteps approaching from a distance.

The two looked towards the sound and saw three figures arriving together. They were the three siblings under Elder Feng – Chu Yuntian, Chu Yunhai, and Chu Yunlan.

Chu Yuntian and Chu Yunhai scanned their surroundings, their gazes falling upon the devastated battlefield, and their expressions couldn't help but change slightly.

The once flat and hard bluestone slabs of the training ground were now riddled with holes, as if ravaged by wind and rain. It was evident how fierce the recent battle had been!

"Brother Gu, Sister Lingyu!"

Chu Yunlan greeted them energetically. After a few days of interaction, the lively young girl had become quite familiar with Gu Cheng and Tang Lingyu.

She blinked her eyes and playfully asked:

"Sister Lingyu, how long did you last in your spar with Brother Gu this time?"

As she spoke, Chu Yunlan's gaze inadvertently swept across Tang Lingyu's chest, and she couldn't help but freeze slightly.

In the past, Tang Lingyu always wore the Demon Suppression Bureau's loose, ink-black robes, her figure completely concealed and appearing quite ordinary.

However, after changing into a form-fitting martial arts uniform today, her graceful curves were fully revealed, causing Chu Yunlan to secretly marvel: Sister Lingyu's "combat power" was truly as hidden as it was formidable!