Chen Qing took a deep breath and drew the sword at his back with a reverse grip.
It was a Green Bamboo Sword, jade-green from hilt to tip. Faint streaks of flowing light shimmered along its blade, making it clear that it was no ordinary weapon.
"Senior Brother, forgive me!"
Before the words had even left his mouth, Chen Qing darted forward like an arrow loosed from its bow.
His sword flicked, tracing three blossoms in the air as it stabbed toward Gu Chengming's left shoulder, right ribs, and lower body.
This move was called Three Talents Return to Origin, an advanced form of the entry-level swordsmanship of the Wenjian Sect. Its feints and real attacks flowed into one another, making it exceptionally difficult to defend against.
Chen Qing might have been a bit mercenary, but his swordsmanship was no joke.
Spiritual Power at First Realm Level Eight flooded into the blade, sending a fierce gust sweeping through the courtyard and scattering the fallen leaves.
Faced with the fierce attack, Gu Chengming remained calm.
He didn't even use the Primordial Emperor Technique.
Relying only on the Huiyuan Sword Art he had practiced diligently over the past few days, he lightly raised his Wooden Sword and slipped it into the gap between the three sword blossoms.
"Clang!"
Wooden sword met steel with a sharp ring.
Chen Qing's wrist went numb. His supposedly sure-hit strike was knocked aside, and his flowing attack stalled in an instant.
"Good eye!"
Chen Qing was startled and let go of the last vestige of contempt he'd felt.
It seemed Senior Brother Gu might not have a high cultivation level, but his fundamentals were frighteningly solid.
"Again!"
Chen Qing barked, and his Sword Momentum shifted.
This time, he abandoned flashy technique in favor of a broad, powerful