[River-Blocking Halberd Technique] Deduction Complete

"You are Lu Cheng?"

A flash of surprise quickly crossed Yang Xiong's eyes.

In an instant, he had determined that the person before him was indeed Lu Cheng.

He had not intended to hold back with that palm strike just now.

It was aimed squarely at knocking out all of Fatty's teeth.

Yet, he had not expected it to be easily intercepted by someone of the same age.

Long Wind Escort Agency had only been open to disciples for a year, and there was no one among them who stood out.

It was said that the strongest was someone named Chen Qing, but judging by the time he had joined, he shouldn't be standing in this position.

Since that was the case, the person before him who could receive his palm strike could be none other than Lu Cheng.

Fatty had been thoroughly frightened by Yang Xiong's move.

It took him a long time to regain his senses.

Yet, he was quite reckless, actually pointing at Yang Xiong and berating him:

"I thought you were so impressive, but it turns out you resort to sneak attacks!"

Yang Xiong glanced at Fatty and said indifferently:

"The rage of the incompetent."

Having said that, he ignored Fatty and looked at Lu Cheng:

"It is no injustice that Zhou Yunxiang lost to you, but if you think that is all the strength Lin Martial Arts Hall possesses, then you are gravely mistaken."

Lu Cheng:

"..."

It would have been fine if Yang Xiong hadn't mentioned Zhou Yunxiang, but the moment he did, Lu Cheng felt it was strange.

Setting aside the strength of the people from Lin Martial Arts Hall, why were they all so arrogant?

Or were all sword practitioners like this?

Back in Liu Village, Xiao Kuang and Zhou Yunxiang were each more pretentious than the last.

Now, encountering this Yang Xiong, he would even step on his own people just to show off.

Oh, right, Zhou Yunxiang had already been ruthlessly kicked out of the sect by Lin Martial Arts Hall and placed on a wanted list.

It seemed the problem lay in their ancestral graves.

Lu Cheng took a deep breath:

"I have heard that the Pine Cloud Sword Technique of Lin Martial Arts Hall is peerless and sharp, and seeing it today, it is indeed so."

"Although I have yet to experience the sword technique itself, I have already felt the Pine Cloud Sword Intent through Senior Brother Yang. I am impressed."

Yang Xiong did not commit to an answer upon hearing this.

A few steps away, Lin Wanxiong suddenly threw his head back and laughed heartily:

"You brat certainly know how to talk. It's a pity; if only you had joined my Lin Martial Arts Hall."

"Yang Xiong, show a little mercy in a moment. Cripple him only after twenty moves."

Hm?

Lu Cheng felt completely helpless in his heart.

Compared to this Lin Wanxiong, Zhou Yunxiang and Yang Xiong were far too normal.

Lu Cheng did not want to delay any longer.

He feared that if he listened any longer, he would end up like Fatty and start cursing out loud.

He did not bother asking Yang Xiong to change locations, but instead signaled the surrounding fellow disciples to clear a space.

The crowd immediately scattered, and in the blink of an eye, a circular clearing two zhang wide was opened up.

"In that case, Senior Brother Yang, please favor me with your instruction."

Yang Xiong did not mince words; he turned and gave a look to one of the Lin Martial Arts Hall disciples.

That disciple hurriedly tossed over the long sword in his hand.

Yang Xiong reached out to catch it and drew it immediately, the tip of the sword pointing diagonally at the ground as he looked coldly at Lu Cheng.

With the sword in hand, Yang Xiong's aura changed abruptly, and his original overbearing posture vanished.

He truly looked like a sharp long sword.

In particular, the sword in his hand appeared to be pointing at the ground, but Lu Cheng felt that its energy had already firmly locked onto him.

No matter which direction he moved in, as long as Yang Xiong raised his hand, he could strike right in front of him in an instant.

Lu Cheng's heart sank slightly.

The Pine Cloud Sword Technique is truly extraordinary.

Yang Xiong has likely already mastered it to the minor success stage.

This is somewhat troublesome.

Seeing Lu Cheng remain motionless, Yang Xiong said indifferently:

"Where is your weapon?"

"Do you intend to fight empty-handed? Or have you also learned the Seven Strikes of the Black Hawk?"

"Even so, I advise you to take up a weapon. Although the Seven Strikes of the Black Hawk is a mid-grade human-tier martial art, you will inevitably be at a disadvantage during the Refining Strength stage."

Lu Cheng shook his head:

"I am not skilled at..."

Lu Cheng was about to say he was not skilled with weapons, but before the words could leave his mouth, a brilliant golden light erupted within his sea of consciousness.

A pillar of golden light, connecting heaven and earth, flickered incessantly.

A flash of joy crossed Lu Cheng's face, and he hurriedly diverted a sliver of his mind into his sea of consciousness.

[Heavenly Name: Ten Thousand Laws Into One]

[River-Blocking Halberd Technique deduction complete!]

[River-Blocking Halberd Technique can be further deduced.]

[Deduce?]

Hm?

It can still be deduced?

While the deduction of the River-Blocking Halberd Technique was a pleasant surprise, it was not beyond Lu Cheng's expectations.

However, the appearance of "can be further deduced" made Lu Cheng suspect he had misread it.

After checking the information in the golden light again and confirming that it could indeed be further deduced, Lu Cheng impatiently issued the command to continue.

[River-Blocking Halberd Technique is deducing...]

[Deduction failed]

[River-Blocking Halberd Technique can be further deduced.]

[Deduce?]

Lu Cheng paused for a moment, then issued the "deduce" command once more.

[Deduction failed]

[River-Blocking Halberd Technique can be further deduced.]

[Deduce?]

After two consecutive failed attempts, Lu Cheng could confirm that it was not an issue with the Heavenly Mandate.

It seemed that his accumulation was insufficient, and the Heavenly Mandate lacked the resources required for further deduction.

However, Lu Cheng was not disappointed.

For one, it proved that this River-Blocking Halberd Technique was even more extraordinary than he had imagined.

For another, there would always be opportunities to continue the deduction later.

Ignoring the "Deduce?" prompt, Lu Cheng focused his consciousness on the Heavenly Mandate pillar.

A black silhouette wielding a great halberd rapidly coalesced within the light.

As soon as the black shadow appeared, it began to brandish the halberd in its hands with wild abandon.

Lu Cheng was already familiar with the first twelve forms, but after the silhouette performed them, he noticed many details were even more refined.

This was the power of the Heavenly Mandate's perfect deduction!

Following the first twelve, another twenty-four consecutive forms were unleashed.

These were somewhat unfamiliar to Lu Cheng.

But with the experience from the first twelve forms, he was able to follow along.

Each of the thirty-six halberd forms possessed a momentum like a rainbow, surging like the waves of a river, imposing and overwhelming.

The transitions were like a moonbeam piercing through water; before one move was fully spent, a new variation had already emerged.

Its power was not the least bit inferior to the Seven Strikes of the Black Hawk!

Suppressing his excitement, Lu Cheng checked the description and thought to himself: as expected!

[River-Blocking Halberd Technique]

[Grade: Mid-grade Human-tier (Upgradeable)]

``` [Realm: Entry (39/200)]

[A rare cultivation technique originating from the Ancient Path school, serving as both an offensive martial skill and a path of martial arts. Halberd techniques typically emphasize momentum, focusing on breaking finesse with raw power; however, this technique integrates twelve stances and forty-eight methods into thirty-six moves, further complemented by exquisite variations.]

Good!

Good!

Good!

Lu Cheng exclaimed three times in his heart.

This River-Blocking Halberd Technique was truly extraordinary.

Lu Cheng had already learned the first twelve stances from Zhao Cheng, so he had gained some insight into halberd techniques.

The halberd is a heavy weapon, usually characterized by great momentum and weight, relying on brute force to overcome finesse.

Yet, this inevitably leads to weaknesses; once an opponent seizes the opening, it becomes a fatal flaw.

However, this fully deduced River-Blocking Halberd Technique balanced momentum and skill, blending hardness with softness!

Furthermore, because the River-Blocking Halberd Technique had absorbed the Fish Spearing Technique during the deduction process, and Lu Cheng had already mastered the first twelve stances for some time, the deduction was complete, and his proficiency had directly risen to thirty-nine.

While Lu Cheng was distracted checking the River-Blocking Halberd Technique, Yang Xiong, standing opposite him, spoke up:

"Since you are not skilled with weapons, you cannot blame me for bullying you."

Lu Cheng shook his head:

"Although I am not skilled with weapons, as Brother Yang said, it is too disadvantageous to fight empty-handed at our current level."

"I wonder if Brother Yang would be willing to wait an hour for me to familiarize myself with a weapon before we spar?"

Yang Xiong sneered:

"Trying to sharpen your spear at the last minute? Very well, I will let you lose with conviction, and prevent others from saying that the Lin Martial Arts Hall won unfairly."

"Never mind an hour, as long as it does not exceed two hours, I will wait."

Lu Cheng smiled:

"In that case, many thanks. I shall return shortly."

Saying this, he took a long halberd from a weapon rack not far away.

Amidst the astonishment of the crowd, he strode away.