The two exchanged salutes, then settled into their stances once the formalities were over.
Wu Guanghui cultivated the Taiyin Radiant Light Cultivation Method and practiced the Taiyin Radiant Light Sword.
Every martial sect had its own secret manuals, treasures kept at the very bottom of the chest, and only direct disciples were permitted to study them.
Neither moved first. Both searched for an opening in the other.
Impatience was the greatest taboo in a duel. No matter how good your martial arts or how intricate your swordsmanship, a single move was all it took to decide victory and defeat.
Feeling the gazes of those around him, Wu Guanghui came under considerable pressure.
Where did this kid spring from? He was so young, yet so steady and composed, without a single opening?
Master told me to exchange moves with him. I can only win, not lose. The reputation of the Taiyin Dao Palace is at stake.
He could only offer a fierce declaration. "Fellow Daoist, I will defeat you within twenty moves!"
It was not that Zhang Qingyuan had no openings, but that someone at Wu Guanghui's level could no longer discern them.
He had the talent of the greatest expert in Jin Yong's martial arts world, and just a few days earlier, he had gained another insight during his duel with Li Qiuran.
For someone with great talent, every rise in realm was a qualitative leap.
The atmosphere grew increasingly tense.
Suddenly, a breeze swept past.
The wind moved.
So did they.
It was Zhang Qingyuan who struck first.
The Thirteen Swords of Pure Light flowed like wind and water, attacking Wu Guanghui from an exceptionally tricky angle.
Seeing him attack, Wu Guanghui calmly raised his sword to block.
The Radiant Light Swordsmanship was certainly no weak art. Moreover, as Daoist Master Bright Mountain had said, his swordsmanship had reached the realm of perfection, man and sword becoming one. However tricky Zhang Qingyuan's attacks were, he neutralized every one.
Zhang Qingyuan attacked, while Wu Guanghui defended.
Sword light flashed, and Sword Qi flew.
Their moves grew faster and faster, until many disciples could no longer follow them with their eyes and could only hear the clash of swords.
Dozens of moves later, the two were still trading blows evenly.
The disciples watched in wonder and amazement: amazed by Zhang Qingyuan's swordsmanship, and wondering about the man himself.
What swordsmanship was this, to rival the Radiant Light Swordsmanship?
And where had this Daoist come from, to wield such swordsmanship?
"Third Senior Brother, this fellow Daoist is so formidable."
"Mm."
Li Guangye nodded. As he watched, he also put himself in Senior Brother Wu's position. If I were Senior Brother Wu, could I stand against this junior brother?
"Fourth Martial Uncle, Junior Brother Zhang and Senior Brother Wu are evenly matched in martial arts. It will probably be hard to tell who is better."
Daoist Master Bright Mountain's brows drew together slightly. He thought to himself that this young Daoist truly had given him quite a few surprises.
He had thought he could assess a few of the young man's moves, then offer corrections on a few more.
But now it seemed this little fellow's martial arts had long since passed the point of needing his assessment or correction.
From executing his moves to anticipating the next, he did everything exceedingly well. But Bright Mountain did not agree with Li Guanghui's words.
"For now, they are indeed evenly matched, because neither has revealed his trump cards."
"What?"
The disciples were greatly astonished to hear this. Such swordsmanship still was not their trump card?
"Martial Uncle, what sect does this young Daoist come from? His clothing doesn't look like that of the other four great Daoist sects."
One disciple raised the question, only to be rebuked by a voice from behind the crowd.
The newcomers were the second elder, Bright Heart, and the third elder, Bright Candle.
Daoist Master Bright Candle said, "Do you think the experts of our Daoist tradition can only be found in the five great Daoist sects?"
Everyone looked toward Elder Bright Candle, who continued, "The experts of the martial world are never limited to those in plain sight. There are also many masters who live in seclusion.
"If the sect leader had not descended the mountain twenty years ago, who in the world would have known of our Taiyin Dao Sect?
"Do not become as conceited as the king of Yelang just because you belong to the Taiyin Dao Palace. Remember, beyond every person stands someone greater, and beyond every heaven lies another."
"We disciples will remember!"
The disciples answered in unison.
Daoist Master Bright Candle was quite stern and ordinarily never smiled or joked with anyone.
Daoist Master Bright Heart was a woman, and also Daoist Master Bright Candle's wife.
She was an exceptionally gentle and kind woman. Clad in white Daoist robes, she truly did have something of the Taiyin Star Lord's bearing.
The two walked over to Daoist Master Bright Mountain and watched the duel.
Seeing that the two had already exchanged a hundred moves without deciding a winner, Daoist Master Bright Candle said, "Enough. Without using killing moves, there is no point in fighting any longer."
Hearing Daoist Master Bright Candle's words, Zhang Qingyuan and Wu Guanghui exchanged a glance, then both withdrew their swords and stepped back several paces.
Zhang Qingyuan looked at Wu Guanghui and grinned, but the other man wore a dark expression, looking somewhat glum.
Both had fought to their hearts' content in this duel.
For Zhang Qingyuan in particular, it was the most satisfying fight he had had since entering the martial world.
No matter how much force he brought to bear, his opponent could give an excellent response.
This was a very good opponent for honing his martial arts.
"Thank you for showing mercy, Senior Brother," Zhang Qingyuan said, cupping his fist.
Wu Guanghui gave a cold snort, looking thoroughly haughty.
"You're welcome."
"Hmph. In that case, we'll call it a draw," Daoist Master Bright Mountain pronounced.
"No, I lost." Wu Guanghui saluted his master and said haughtily, "I am ten years older than him, so I must have trained for at least ten years longer. Yet I could only draw with someone who has trained ten years less than I have. That makes it my loss."
"Hmph, and you have the nerve to mention it! As punishment, go back and face the wall to reflect on your faults," Daoist Master Bright Candle snapped.
Seeing him discipline his own disciple, Daoist Master Bright Mountain froze for a moment, then turned and said in surprise, "Senior Brother, he's my disciple."
"When teaching is lax, the teacher is at fault. You bear responsibility too."
When Daoist Master Bright Candle became strict, he truly acknowledged no ties of kinship, not even sparing his junior brother's dignity.
Zhang Qingyuan walked up to the three Daoists.
"Greetings, Martial Uncles. This disciple has shown his poor skills."
"No need for modesty. Your abilities surpass all of theirs." Daoist Master Bright Candle remained merciless with his words, this time scolding every disciple present.
"You said your master is called Sun Daoqian. How strange. Why have I never heard of him before?"
"My master is a martial arts fanatic. He has spent his entire life studying martial arts and has never displayed his skills in the martial world," Zhang Qingyuan explained.
Daoist Master Bright Candle nodded, then looked at the other disciples and said, "Do you see? This is what I meant by a master living in seclusion."
Everyone nodded. Someone who could teach such a disciple surely could not be an ordinary man.
"You have come a long way. Go and rest first. If you have any questions, you can come to us for guidance at any time."
Daoist Master Bright Heart still wore a gentle expression, and her voice was pleasant as well.
Zhang Qingyuan hurriedly agreed. "Thank you, Martial Uncle Bright Heart. Before coming up the mountain, I heard people in the martial world say that among Taiyin's four great grandmasters, you are the strongest.
"Back then, you fought Shaolin's three great abbots alone. With a single Bright Moon Rises over the Sea, you beat them to their knees and made them beg for mercy. This disciple truly admires you immensely."
Delighted by Zhang Qingyuan's praise, Daoist Master Bright Heart covered her mouth and laughed.
"Those are all wild rumors from the martial world. The day after tomorrow, I will be giving a discourse on the Dao at Moon Sea Peak. If you would like to listen, come early."
"Yes, this disciple will certainly arrive early."
See? Facts proved that winning a woman over got twice the results with half the effort, especially when paying a visit to one's mother-in-law.
Although Daoist Master Bright Heart was not his mother-in-law, she was still a woman. Winning her over was far more useful than winning over the sect leader.
After bidding everyone farewell, Zhang Qingyuan followed Li Guangye to the rear mountain, where they found a spacious, bright guest room.
"Sleep here. If you need anything, come find me on the third peak to the left. That's where I live."
"Thank you, Senior Brother."
"Not at all. With such outstanding talent, Junior Brother, I should learn from you too."
Li Guangye was won over by Zhang Qingyuan's talent. During the duel just now, he had put himself in the fight, only to realize that if he had taken Senior Brother Guanghui's place, he might not have been a match for this junior brother staying at the temple.
He was not a petty man, so his fondness for Zhang Qingyuan grew a little more.
They chatted a little longer. Once Li Guangye left, Zhang Qingyuan put down his bundle, and that evening, a Daoist attendant brought him dinner.
After eating, Zhang Qingyuan left his room and headed straight for the scripture library.
He had always been a man of his word. He had said he came to learn, and learning was precisely what he had come for.
Arriving at the foot of the scripture library, Zhang Qingyuan was stunned by the sight before him.
The entire scripture library stood seven stories tall, far surpassing the Three Purities Temple's.
How many books must there be inside!
Was this the depth of a great sect's foundations?
Filled with anticipation, Zhang Qingyuan stepped into the scripture library.