Martial Saint Gal

The courtyard of Gu Chengming.

Gu Chengming was sitting at a stone table, writing furiously. He was working hard on the second part of his story to gain more favorability for the Clear Heart Art.

"Knock, knock, knock."

Suddenly, someone knocked on his courtyard gate.

Gu Chengming stopped writing, a little puzzled. Jiang Lu had only left not long ago. Had he forgotten something?

He walked over and opened the gate, only to find that the person standing outside was not Jiang Lu, but a young cultivator in a green robe he had never seen before.

The man stood tall and straight, with sword-like eyebrows that reached his temples. Although he looked young, his demeanor exuded a calm confidence, as if he were accustomed to a position of authority.

"Senior Brother...?"

Gu Chengming was a bit confused. He didn't seem to know anyone like this in the Sect.

The young man in the green robe cupped his hands and said loudly:

"My name is... Liu En."

He paused, as if organizing his thoughts, then continued:

"Junior Brother Jiang Lu recommended me."

This young man in the green robe was, of course, Liu Enchuan in disguise.

To avoid suspicion, he had deliberately chosen an alias, dropping the last character of his name.

Gu Chengming sized him up.

Judging by his youthful face and extraordinary bearing, he assumed this person was likely an inner disciple of the same generation as himself.

So, he returned the bow, hesitating slightly over the form of address:

"So, you're... Junior Brother Liu En?"

After all, he had been in the Sect for three years. Although his cultivation was low, his seniority was undeniable.

Calling him Junior Brother shouldn't be too much to ask, right?

"..."

Upon hearing "Junior Brother," Liu Enchuan's lips twitched almost imperceptibly.

He, the dignified Elder of the Ministry of Works, was usually addressed with utmost respect by everyone. Now, he was being called Junior Brother by an outer disciple?

However, he didn't correct the mistake. Instead, he suppressed the strange feeling and got straight to the point:

"Junior Brother Jiang Lu mentioned that you are quite skilled in the Huiyuan Sword Art, with profound attainments. Coincidentally, I also have some insights into this sword technique. Feeling a bit eager to test my skills, I came to spar with you and exchange knowledge."

Hearing the purpose of his visit, Gu Chengming's previously indifferent eyes instantly lit up.

Sparring the Huiyuan Sword Art?

This was like a pillow arriving just when he was feeling sleepy!

He was currently stuck at a bottleneck with the Huiyuan Sword Art's favorability, unable to make any progress.

According to game logic, what he needed most at this point was a high-quality duel, or an opponent who had mastered the art to stimulate him, perhaps triggering some "bond event" and breaking through the favorability cap.

It was a pity that although that brat Jiang Lu was enthusiastic, his attainments in the Huiyuan Sword Art were... difficult to describe.

Fighting him was nothing more than bullying a weakling, and it offered no stimulation at all.

As for this "Junior Brother Liu En" before him, although he didn't recognize him, since he was recommended by Jiang Lu and judging by his demeanor, he must be a master.

"Good! Since Junior Brother Liu has such a pleasant inclination, Senior Brother Gu will not refuse!"

Gu Chengming readily agreed, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.

Seeing him agree so readily, even looking eager to try, Liu Enchuan was somewhat surprised.

This was quite a deviation from the image of Gu Chengming he had in his mind.

It seemed that what Jiang Lu had said might indeed have some truth to it.

The two moved to an open space in the courtyard and stood facing each other, swords in hand.

"Please."

"Please!"

Before the words even fell, two streams of sword light had already crossed.

Since it was a spar of the Huiyuan Sword Art, both naturally used this technique.

As an elder, Liu Enchuan had immersed himself in this art for many years, and his swordsmanship had long since reached perfection.

The moment he attacked, his Sword Momentum flowed like a vast river, continuous and majestic, orthodox and imposing, with no flaws.

However, Gu Chengming's swordsmanship was entirely different.

His sword was fast and tricky, but its core characteristic could be summed up in one word: entanglement.

No matter how fierce Liu Enchuan's Sword Momentum was, Gu Chengming's sword would always approach from an extremely tricky angle, latching onto his sword, moving with his force, dissolving his attacks into nothingness, and even counter-restraining his movements.

Initially, Liu Enchuan held a rather dismissive view of Gu Chengming's sword style.

In his opinion, the Huiyuan Sword Art emphasized balance, peace, and continuous energy flow.

Gu Chengming's method, which solely focused on entanglement and even a stubborn, tenacious fighting style, was nothing short of a perversion of the true path!

"What kind of sword technique are you practicing!"

Caught off guard for a moment, Liu Enchuan instinctively adopted the stern demeanor he usually used when instructing his disciples. As he parried Gu Chengming's sword, he reprimanded him:

"A sword should be light and agile, its intent clear and penetrating! Your style is so sticky and sluggish, like a street brawler's fight, completely abandoning the true meaning of the Huiyuan Sword Art! It's utter nonsense!"

How can everyone's understanding of the Huiyuan Sword Art's true meaning be so different?

Gu Chengming grumbled inwardly, but his movements didn't falter.

With a flick of his wrist, his sword, like a serpent emerging from its den, once again entangled with Liu Enchuan's blade. His retort was equally sharp:

"Junior Brother Jiang Lu also said something similar."

Gu Chengming's mouth didn't concede an inch:

"Junior Brother Liu, don't you dare lose even earlier than he did."

Liu Enchuan was amused to the point of laughter.

This brat certainly had a sharp tongue.

In that case, he wouldn't hold back. Today, he would teach this young man a lesson and show him what the true Huiyuan Sword Art was all about!

Anger flared within him, and the force behind his sword strikes unconsciously increased, his Sword Momentum becoming even more ferocious.

However, as time wore on, the anger on Liu Enchuan's face gradually faded, replaced by an undisguised astonishment.

The more they fought, the more alarmed he became.

Gu Chengming's "entanglement" technique, while seemingly chaotic, was actually filled with hidden mechanisms.

Every contact of the sword edges, every subtle shift in force, precisely landed on the moments when his old strength was depleted and his new strength had yet to arise.

It felt like being trapped in a quagmire, unable to exert his full strength, instead being led around by the nose.

What shocked him even more was that Gu Chengming's understanding of each move and stance within the Huiyuan Sword Art was no less profound than his own, an elder who had immersed himself in it for many years!

In fact, his handling of certain variations was even more flexible and insightful than Liu Enchuan's!

What did this mean?

It meant that Jiang Lu hadn't lied to him!

This Gu Chengming was indeed a hidden genius, possessing an extraordinary understanding of the sword!

"Good!"

As the fight reached its peak, Liu Enchuan couldn't help but roar.

At this moment, he had completely forgotten that he was here to "test the waters," and he had also forgotten his identity as an elder.

The joy of facing a worthy opponent, of encountering a truly talented individual, had completely immersed him in this pure swordplay duel.

On Gu Chengming's side, he was equally filled with pleasant surprise.

This "Junior Brother Liu" was definitely a master!

His understanding of the Huiyuan Sword Art was the deepest among everyone Gu Chengming had ever encountered, even surpassing that sniveling You Yuyao by more than a few levels.

With every clash, every exchange, he gained new insights into this sword art.

The two fought faster and faster, their sword lights flashing, scattering fallen leaves in the courtyard, which were pulverized by their sword energy.

Just then, Gu Chengming suddenly had an epiphany.

Ever since the Huiyuan Sword Art's favorability had reached the "admiring" stage, that lingering, hazy feeling in his heart, which had always felt like it was behind a veil, finally became clear.

It was like a quantitative change leading to a qualitative one.

The sword in his hand suddenly changed.

It was no longer the sticky, entangled style, but transformed into an all-encompassing yet traceless "momentum."

The sword light flashed, elusive like a gazelle leaping over a horn, leaving no trace.

This sword strike directly aimed at the true meaning of the Huiyuan Sword Art – the return of all things to the source, the cycle of endless life!

Facing this sudden, brilliant stroke, Liu Enchuan, who was completely immersed in the match, felt his pupils constrict sharply.

Instinctively, he flipped his wrist, and without conscious thought, he employed his signature sword move.

--Flowing Water Sever, unleashed!

However, the moment the move was executed, he realized something was wrong.

He hurriedly tried to retract his strike, but in a duel between masters, victory or defeat often hung by a thread.

In the instant he faltered while forcefully retracting his move, Gu Chengming's sword, elusive as a gazelle's leap, had arrived.

"Bang!"

A dull thud.

Although Liu Enchuan managed to protect his vital areas in time, his shoulder was still hit solidly by the sword.

A tremendous force struck him, causing him to stagger back two steps before he could barely stabilize himself.

The courtyard fell silent in an instant.

Only a few shattered bamboo leaves slowly drifted down.

Gu Chengming flicked his wrist, twirled his longsword into a beautiful flourish, and returned it to his back.

He looked at the somewhat disheveled Liu Enchuan and smiled, cupping his hands in a salute.

"Junior Brother Liu En, you are indeed a bit stronger than Junior Brother Jiang Lu."

"You flatter me."

PS: Update complete, a total of 16,000 characters.

Also, a small bounty is being offered, only for free recommendation tickets, meow. One thousand tickets will add one more update, ending tomorrow night.

Chapter 21: Chapter 20 - No, if he leaves, what will happen to my storybooks?

In the center of the small courtyard paved with bluestone slabs, a few bamboo leaves shaken loose by the sword energy were still swirling, slowly falling.

Dappled bamboo shadows swayed on the stone slabs in the afternoon, and the air still held the crisp, sharp intent of a sword cutting through the air.

Gu Chengming stood still with his sword, his breathing slightly rapid, the tip of his sword pointing diagonally at the ground. He looked at the figure opposite him who had been forced back by his sword—

—that young Junior Brother who called himself "Liu En."

Although forced back by the sword and his shoulder still aching faintly, Liu Enchuan showed no anger on his face. Instead, he repeatedly praised him.

"Good! Good! Good!"

He laughed heartily.

"Thank you, 'Senior Brother Gu,' for the guidance!"