The Golden Wing Opens the Eight Trigrams, Its Edge Cuts Through the Life Gate
The Arena battle began quickly. After exchanging greetings to show respect, Jin Fenglai and Shang Xian, the leader of the Eight Trigrams Blade Sect, Shang Xian onto the Arena and grasped the hilts of their swords.
"Nephew Jin, I really didn't expect to run into you here."
The leader of the Eight Trigrams Blade Sect Shang Xian, was somewhat hunched over, and with his thin build, he looked like a standing human-shaped rat.
Right from the start, Shang Xian began to mock Jin Fenglai, saying, "Even my Qian'er couldn't make it to the top eight. I never imagined that the son your father had with a prostitute would actually be able to stand before me at the Sword Discussion Assembly."
This is what makes the Eight Trigrams Blade Sect so annoying; the members are all incredibly irritating, and they are happy to use this tactic before battle to provoke their opponents and increase their chances of winning.
Jin Fenglai's mother could certainly not be considered a prostitute. Before marrying Kim's father, she was a married widow. At most, his father took over the marriage out of love, and there was no story of him becoming a father unexpectedly. Jin Fenglai and his father looked exactly alike when they were young.
If it weren't for love, who would be willing to be a simp? Jin Fenglai's father is a perfect example.
But when it came to Shang Xian, his loving mother was portrayed as a prostitute, showing that the people of the Eight Trigrams Blade Sect were truly foul-mouthed and utterly shameless.
Such a mouth naturally offended many people in the Jianghu. The reason why the Eight Trigrams Blade Sect still exists today is simply because of two things: first, they have good judgment and never offend those they cannot afford to offend; second, their own strength is strong enough.
Therefore, it is generally accepted by the audience that Jin Fenglai is Shang Xian for Sang-hyeon, who has been at the level of the Real Person Realm for many years.
In the past, Jin Fenglai would have been furious and drawn his sword to strike, but now, after hearing Shang Xian's trash talk, Jin Fenglai seemed as if a gentle breeze had brushed against his face, feeling nothing at all.
"Uncle Shang Xian, your provocation and mockery sound like a rat in the sewers."
Jin Fenglai calmly, while drawing the knife from his back.
As the blade flashed, its energy surged forth, leaving an indelible mark on the Arena and hurtling towards Shang Xian.
Shang Xian was startled and quickly stepped aside, but he still felt a sharp pain on his Book of Questions.
As the blade flashed, Shang Xian touched his face and found his palms covered in hot, thick blood.
"Nephew, it seems I truly underestimated you."
Shang Xian also calmed down, drew his sword, and assumed a stance. An aura of a great master of Blade Dao immediately spread out.
In the world of Jianghu, trash talk alone won't get you anywhere; you'll easily get killed. Therefore, Shang Xian's skill in Blade Dao should not be underestimated.
This single, powerful strike drew gasps from the surrounding spectators, who realized they had underestimated Jin Fenglai's progress and began to look forward to the upcoming match.
"By the Foundation Establishment Heavenly Venerable."
Jin Fenglai the sword with both hands, first reverently praising the name of a certain deity, and then assumed the starting stance of the Golden-Winged Sword.
"Please enlighten me, Master of the Eight Trigrams Blade Art Saber Sect."
Without exchanging a few words, the two assumed their stances and faced off for several seconds. Then, seizing an opening in their aura, Jin Fenglai struck first.
With a slash, his blade energy transformed into a golden wing, soaring through the air—the first move of the Golden Wing Blade Sect's Saber Technique Golden Wing Breaks the Air.
Shang Xian was initially a little nervous, but when he saw Jin Fenglai a very familiar angle, slashing diagonally, he immediately felt a little relieved.
Although this move became faster and more cunning, and Shang Xian could clearly see the young man's great progress, he was relieved.
As the old rival of the Golden Wing Blade Sect, Shang Xian had fought with Jin Fenglai's father many times. Apart from the sect leader himself, he was probably the one who understood and studied the Golden Wing Blade Sect's Saber Technique the most thoroughly.
If it were the sect leader of the Golden Wing Blade Sect who came, it would be fine, but for a junior member of the Golden Wing Blade Sect to defeat him using the Golden Wing Blade Art would be almost impossible.
Thinking of this, Shang Xian also gathered his True Qi, and the blade flashed and the Book of Questions danced. The blade's trajectory formed the Bagua (Eight Trigrams) under his feet. At the same time, a blade of light flew out, transforming into the Qian (Heaven) trigram, accurately blocking the golden wings.
The blades clashed in mid-air, producing a crisp ringing sound that stirred the blood. During the clash, the cultivation levels and foundations of both sides became clear. Compared to Shang Xian, the newly Jin Fenglai's internal energy cultivation was noticeably inferior.
The two took a step back, and then Jin Fenglai attacked again, his blade slashing down to form a sharp bird claw, aiming for Shang Xian's face. However, the Bagua formation was activated, and the Kun Blade once again neutralized the attack.
After two probing moves, Shang Xian was completely at ease. It seemed that Jin Fenglai had not learned any other mysterious Saber Technique. So he no longer held back and unleashed the full power of his Eight Trigrams Blade Art. The surging waves of sword energy, one after another, in harmony with the Bagua principles, Deadly Lands slashed at Jin Fenglai.
Jin Fenglai continued to execute his family's Golden Wing Blade Art meticulously, barely managing to block the Eight Trigrams Blade Art from the third to the eighth move, but he already had several cuts and bruises on his body.
"Jin Fenglai to lose."
Seeing this, the fortune teller among the onlookers couldn't help but say, "If he only knows the Golden Wing Blade Art, then he's doomed. It's obvious that Shang Xian has thoroughly figured out his Saber Technique."
"Looks like my little brother's going to have to try some spicy food today."
The good-natured, chubby man said to Bai Qiuran with a gloating expression.
"The outcome won't be clear until the very end."
Bai Qiuran remained calm.
At this moment, Shang Xian was also on the field, also spoke up sarcastically, "Nephew, I thought you had learned some amazing Saber Technique, but now it seems that your only progress is in cultivation level."
Jin Fenglai parried with his sword, using the force to take a step back. Then, he lightly touched the ground with his toes and retreated to the edge of the Arena, temporarily escaping Shang Xian's sword encirclement.
"A few days ago, after I offered sacrifices at the Temple of the Foundation Establishment Heavenly Venerable, I dreamed of him."
Jin Fenglai said casually, "He taught me something."
"Oh? Haha."
Shang Xian laughed and said, "I didn't expect my dear nephew to go and worship some god. So, what Great Dao did that god impart to you?"
He taught me the basics of Saber Technique, and then told me that Saber Technique in the world is nothing more than a combination of these basic moves. Ordinary Jianghu Saber Technique is to add some routines to deal with enemy attacks on top of the basics. The next level is to imitate nature and living things, and try to make one's swordsmanship close to nature. The Bagua Eight Trigrams Blade Art of Uncle Shang Xian belongs to the superior Saber Technique.
Ignoring the sarcasm in Shang Xian's tone, Jin Fenglai continued, "But if there are fixed routines in Saber Technique, there will always be limits. The most skillful Saber Technique is actually about seeing through the weaknesses in the opponent's Moves and then using your most familiar Moves to counter and break them. That is the most skillful Saber Technique."
His words prompted much thought among the swordsmen present. Shang Xian, after listening, also seemed thoughtful, then he sneered, "What you say makes a lot of sense, but nephew, can you actually do it?"
"I am still a thousand miles away from being good enough."
Jin Fenglai raised his knife.
"But I am capable of seeing through the flaws in a Saber Technique."
He charged towards Shang Xian, his entire body enveloped in sword energy, forming a vaguely visible golden-winged bird.
Shang Xian also raised his hand and brandished his blade. The blade light swirled, and the Eight Trigrams Blade Art were unleashed in unison, forming an illusory image of the eight trigrams that enveloped the large bird.
"The Eight Trigrams Blade Art subtly incorporates the eight trigrams in its Saber Technique, and its movements contain intricate Formation; it truly approaches the level of a genuine Saber Technique."
Just before the two were about to clash, Jin Fenglai suddenly changed his stance, and the Golden-Winged Bird spotted a particular gate in the rotating Bagua diagram and charged out.
"But the Eight Trigrams contain eight gates, and within those eight gates lies the gate of life. The Eight Trigrams always have flaws. It Formation Shang Xian has not even mastered this formation yet."
The golden-winged bird charged forward, leaving the Eight Trigrams Blade Art wide open. Shang Xian was startled, but the golden-winged bird had already broken out of the Bagua Life Gate and arrived in front of him.
Clang!
Jin Fenglai blade and then slashed, sending Shang Xian's blade flying out of his hand and landing on the ground behind him. Meanwhile, Jin Fenglai's blade was already positioned in front of Shang Xian's neck, its chilling aura menacing.