Two days later.
At a spacious training ground in the Third Elder's residence.
Sunlight spilled across the bluestone paving, illuminating two figures swift as the wind.
Tang Lingyu wore a dark blue martial arts uniform, its close-fitting cut tracing the graceful curves she rarely showed.
Her long hair, which she had been growing out, was tied up high today in a neat, practical ponytail that danced in the wind as she moved.
Surging Azure Dragon True Qi roiled around her, as though an invisible giant dragon coiled at her side, making her look all the more valiant.
Unlike the blazing, domineering Fire Cloud Palm she had used before, Tang Lingyu was now using an entirely new martial art.
She brought her fingers together like a sword and flicked them lightly. Waves of Sword Qi shot out like nimble serpents, heading straight for her sparring partner, who stood opposite her with his hands behind his back.
"Come on!"
Gu Cheng laughed heartily. There was not a trace of panic on his face; instead, he looked approving.
He kept one hand behind his back and swung the Ink Feather Treasure Blade with the other. His figure shifted unpredictably, and flashes of blade light dispelled every incoming stream of Sword Qi.
His movements flowed like water, as though he were dancing on the tip of his blade. He twisted and dodged, swift as the wind, and rapidly closed in on Tang Lingyu.
Gu Cheng's dashing, windlike footwork stirred Tang Lingyu's competitive spirit. She touched her toes to the ground and abruptly retreated.
At the same time, she thrust out both sets of sword fingers, her attacks growing faster and faster.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—
A torrent of flowing Sword Qi poured out like a torrential downpour, weaving into an impenetrable net that blocked every possible route Gu Cheng could take to dodge!
The fierce Sword Qi tore through the air with shrill whistles. The shockwaves alone riddled the hard ground of the training field with holes, turning it into something like a honeycomb.
However exquisitely Tang Lingyu wielded her sword fingers, they were still useless against a cheat like Gu Cheng.
Even without using any flashy skills, he relied on nothing but his extraordinary speed, reflexes, and the Ink Blade in his hand to become an insurmountable chasm, keeping Tang Lingyu firmly suppressed.
Whoosh—
A dazzling blade arc flashed, and three oncoming streaks of Sword Qi were instantly cut apart.
Gu Cheng shot forward like lightning, closing in on Tang Lingyu in the blink of an eye.
"So fast..."
Tang Lingyu's heart lurched. In her haste, she brought two fingers together, unleashing her Azure Dragon True Qi. A sharp stream of flowing Sword Qi shot straight at him, piercing through Gu Cheng's figure.
But the next instant, that figure shattered like a bubble. It was only an afterimage!
Tang Lingyu's expression changed abruptly, and alarm bells rang in her mind.
She was about to leap back when she felt a chill at her neck.
Looking down, she saw that the black-as-ink edge of the Ink Feather Treasure Blade was already resting lightly against the side of her throat.
The winner was decided.
"Not bad. You've improved a lot."
Gu Cheng raised the Ink Feather Treasure Blade, sheathed it, and smiled faintly at Tang Lingyu, his voice carrying a note of approval.
"Lingyu, it's only been a few days, and you've already gotten quite good with Wind Rain Sword Finger."
"Heh, I owe it all to Chief Gu's careful guidance."
Tang Lingyu smiled and bowed in thanks.
"If I'd shut myself away and studied alone, how could I have improved so quickly..."
As she spoke, she looked at the young man in the ink-colored robe before her. Her eyes held genuine admiration, mixed with a hint of something difficult to describe.
She knew full well that her Fire Cloud Palm was completely countered by his Blazing Flame Fire. This time, she had thought switching to the water-aligned Wind Rain Sword Finger might improve her chances.
Yet Gu Cheng had not even used a martial skill or spell. He had defeated her with nothing but footwork and basic attacks. The helplessness of being utterly crushed even made her feel as if she were sparring with her master!
"Just how strong is Chief Gu now?"
Tang Lingyu stole a glance at the young man in the ink-colored robe opposite her, her thoughts in turmoil.
Gu Cheng had no idea what the top student was mulling over this time.
He looked around at the training field, now riddled with holes from the flowing Sword Qi, and suddenly asked:
"Lingyu, was Wind Rain Sword Finger taught to you by your master?
"It's certainly powerful, but its nature clashes with your Fire Cloud Palm. Does practicing it cause any conflict?"
"Heh, Chief Gu, you're worrying too much."
Tang Lingyu smiled faintly and explained:
"The Hundred Refinements of the Azure Dragon we practice is domineering enough to suppress the backlash from water and fire clashing.
"Besides, my master said that if we use Azure Dragon True Qi as our foundation and manage to bring water and fire into harmony, we can greatly increase the power of both martial arts!"
Gu Cheng nodded slightly, deep in thought.
Just then, Tang Lingyu looked up at him and continued with a suggestion:
"Chief Gu, I remember Lord Xu saying that once this mission at Hundred Beasts Villa is over, you'll be able to claim a reward from the Exquisite Pavilion.
"The Exquisite Pavilion has plenty of top-tier water-aligned martial arts. If you don't have a better idea, you could pick one from there. It should complement Hundred Refinements of the Azure Dragon perfectly."
"Mm, I'll give it some thought."
Gu Cheng pondered for a moment, then nodded slowly, finding some merit in what Tang Lingyu had said.
Dragons were associated with water. If Hundred Refinements of the Azure Dragon were paired with a water-aligned martial art, not only would its power reach new heights, but it would also make cultivation twice as effective with half the effort.
More importantly, thanks to the characteristics of Four Spirits True Intent, he could also let his flood dragon demon servant master the water-aligned secret art he cultivated.
Although the flood dragon demon servant's water-controlling ability was formidable, its use of power was far too crude and primitive. It relied on brute force alone and was nowhere near reaching its true potential.
If he could find it an excellent water-aligned martial art, the flood dragon demon servant's combat strength would undergo a qualitative leap!
"I wonder what the Exquisite Pavilion's collection is like. For a Spirit Sea Realm water-controlling ability, surely I can get my hands on a Spirit Sea Realm martial art, right?"
Gu Cheng pondered to himself, a glimmer of anticipation in his eyes.
While Gu Cheng and Tang Lingyu were chatting, they suddenly heard footsteps approaching.
The two turned toward the sound and saw three figures walking over together: the three siblings under Elder Feng, Chu Yuntian, Chu Yunhai, and Chu Yunlan.
Chu Yuntian and Chu Yunhai looked around, their eyes falling on the wrecked training ground. Their expressions changed slightly.
The bluestone tiles, once flat and solid, were now riddled with holes, as if battered by a storm. It was clear just how intense the battle had been!
"Big Brother Gu, Sister Lingyu!"
Chu Yunlan greeted them with boundless energy. After spending several days together, the lively young woman had grown quite familiar with Gu Cheng and Tang Lingyu.
She blinked and asked playfully:
"Sister Lingyu, how long did you manage to last against Big Brother Gu this time?"
As she spoke, Chu Yunlan's gaze inadvertently swept over Tang Lingyu's chest, and she couldn't help but pause.
Usually, Tang Lingyu wore the Demon Suppression Bureau's loose ink-patterned robe, which concealed her figure completely, making her seem quite ordinary.
But today, in her fitted martial arts uniform, her shapely curves were on full display. Chu Yunlan couldn't help marveling to herself: Sister Lingyu's "combat power" was much more concealed than she'd thought!
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