The Wind and Thunder Sword was named for its ability to summon the power of wind and thunder from heaven and earth. When unleashed, the sword moved like the wind, wreathed in thunder serpents. Any enemy it touched would either die or be wounded.
All three people present were intimately familiar with the Wind and Thunder Sword, so they naturally knew whether the technique Liu Ruoning was using was truly the Wind and Thunder Sword.
The sword art Liu Ruoning was using was indeed the Wind and Thunder Sword, yet it was vastly different.
The sword moved like the wind and raced like rolling thunder, just as it should, but the wind was far too strong. And those thunder serpents... How were those serpents? They were thunder dragons!
Wind and clouds churned overhead as thunder dragons surged up and down. Waves of whistling dragon roars even rang out, an astonishing sight.
Lu Chenghui stared at the scene before him, his eyes wide with disbelief. His eyes reddened, and his voice grew somewhat choked.
"After all these years, the Wind and Thunder Sword has finally shown its true power again. Founding ancestor of the Shangyuan Sect, watch over us! Our Shangyuan Sect has hope of revival!"
True Person Changyue looked just as incredulous. Hearing his words, she nodded and said in astonishment, "I never imagined the Wind and Thunder Sword could unleash such might. Even among Heaven Grade martial techniques, it ranks among the best. It truly is... What?"
Only then did True Person Changyue suddenly come to her senses. She spun around to look at Lu Chenghui. "The Wind and Thunder Sword was a Heaven Grade martial technique to begin with?"
Lu Chenghui nodded and said with a look of gratification, "The Wind and Thunder Sword was originally called the Great Evolution Wind and Thunder Sword. It was a cultivation method created by the founding ancestor of the Shangyuan Sect. But the Great Evolution Wind and Thunder Sword was too difficult to comprehend, and as it was passed down over the years, gradually no one could comprehend it anymore. What a joyous occasion! Our Shangyuan Sect has finally produced another disciple of extraordinary talent."
A flash of delight crossed True Person Changyue's face. "Then... Ruoning's marriage..."
"With talent like hers, why discuss marriage? Tomorrow... No, I'll have someone notify the Sword Attendant Sect shortly and cancel the engagement."
"Thank you, sect master, senior brother!" Delight appeared on True Person Changyue's face, and she hurriedly bowed in thanks.
Lu Chenghui smiled and waved a hand. "No need to thank me. This child Ruoning earned all of this herself."
Beside them, Gou Shengtian listened to their conversation, the corners of his mouth twitching incessantly. How had a perfectly good marriage arrangement fallen apart just like that?
The Great Evolution Wind and Thunder Sword! This was the Great Evolution Wind and Thunder Sword, a high-tier Heaven Grade martial technique. Across all the small sects and schools in Youzhou, those that possessed a high-tier Heaven Grade martial technique could be counted on one hand.
Even now, Gou Shengtian felt as though he were in a dream, unable to believe it was real.
"Impossible. With Liu Ruoning's talent, how could she suddenly have comprehended the Great Evolution Wind and Thunder Sword? There must be some trickery involved."
Lu Chenghui frowned at Gou Shengtian and said gravely, "Junior brother, now that Ruoning has comprehended the Great Evolution Wind and Thunder Sword, the Shangyuan Sect will surely do everything in its power to cultivate her. Say no more about the marriage proposal."
"But..." Gou Shengtian's expression tightened.
"But what?" True Person Changyue glanced at Gou Shengtian. "You just said that if a disciple of yours comprehended a Heaven Grade martial technique, you would devote every effort to nurturing him. What, is my disciple not a disciple of the Shangyuan Sect?"
"Junior sister, you know that's not what I meant!" Gou Shengtian hurriedly explained.
True Person Changyue snorted and gave Gou Shengtian a meaningful look. "Senior brother, some things lose their meaning if they're spelled out too plainly. Why are you so intent on bringing about this marriage?"
Gou Shengtian's expression changed. He was just about to speak when Liu Ruoning suddenly lowered her sword and came to stand before the three of them. "Sect master, Master, Grand Elder," she said respectfully, "was the martial technique I just practiced the Wind and Thunder Sword?"
Lu Chenghui nodded, then shook his head. Smiling, he said, "No, what you cultivated wasn't the Wind and Thunder Sword..."
Liu Ruoning froze, her expression changing drastically. Shocked and at a loss, she looked at her master, True Person Changyue.
True Person Changyue smiled. "Child, when will you learn to be a little more composed?"
Only then did Liu Ruoning realize that while the three of them looked a little strange, they certainly weren't furious. She couldn't help feeling a little frustrated. How was she supposed to stay composed at a time like this?
"What you cultivated was the Great Evolution Wind and Thunder Sword!" Lu Chenghui said meaningfully.
"What?" Liu Ruoning exclaimed. "What is the Great Evolution Wind and Thunder Sword?" she asked in confusion.
"That's a long story!" The smile on Lu Chenghui's face grew broader. "First, tell me, how did you comprehend the Great Evolution Wind and Thunder Sword?"
Liu Ruoning was now certain that the martial technique her junior brother had taught her did indeed belong to their sect. Relieved, she said a little sheepishly, "Sect master, actually, I wasn't the one who comprehended the Great Evolution Wind and Thunder Sword."
"Not you?" Lu Chenghui and the other two spoke in unison, their eyes once again going wide.
"Who was it?" Lu Chenghui frowned and pondered. On all of Changyue Peak, there was probably no one with a better chance of comprehending the Great Evolution Wind and Thunder Sword than Liu Ruoning.
True Person Changyue and Gou Shengtian knew this just as well, and they looked at Liu Ruoning with curious, strange expressions.
Seeing how serious they were, Liu Ruoning dared not be negligent and hurriedly said, "It was Junior Brother Yang Zhen. He was the one who taught it to me."
"What?"
Hearing Liu Ruoning's words, the three were startled and drew sharp breaths together, their movements perfectly synchronized. Then they looked at one another, all wearing expressions of disbelief.
Yang Zhen was known throughout the Shangyuan Sect for his poor aptitude. He had practiced the Wind and Thunder Sword for over half a year without mastering it, so how could he have comprehended the Great Evolution Wind and Thunder Sword?
But Liu Ruoning didn't look as though she was lying. Lu Chenghui asked gravely, "How did he comprehend it?"
Liu Ruoning thought for a moment, then said with a serious expression, "Junior brother said... he said he suddenly had a flash of inspiration!"
Lu Chenghui: "..."
Gou Shengtian: "..."
True Person Changyue: "..."
The three suddenly felt an urge to hit someone.
"Ridiculous! What does he mean, a sudden flash of inspiration?" Lu Chenghui said with a laugh and a curse. "If one flash of inspiration is enough to comprehend a high-tier Heaven Grade martial technique, would two flashes be enough to break through to the Celestial Person Realm?"
At that, even Lu Chenghui was amused by his own "two flashes of inspiration." He asked irritably, "Where is he now?"
True Person Changyue and Gou Shengtian also fixed their gazes on Liu Ruoning. If Yang Zhen really had comprehended the Great Evolution Wind and Thunder Sword in a flash of inspiration, then this boy's talent was rather extraordinary.
Although Gou Shengtian was reluctant to believe it and felt somewhat envious that it wasn't his own disciple who had comprehended the Great Evolution Wind and Thunder Sword, the Shangyuan Sect's acquisition of a high-tier Heaven Grade martial technique was undoubtedly a tremendously joyous event for the sect. He was also delighted.
All three waited for Liu Ruoning's answer, but she hesitated for a long time, looking uncertain.
Gou Shengtian frowned. "Why are you hemming and hawing? Where exactly is Yang Zhen?"
Liu Ruoning's lovely face went blank. She lowered her head, stole a glance at the three elders, and bit her lower lip. "Junior brother, he..." she said bashfully.
"Where is he?" Lu Chenghui asked curiously.
"He went to relieve himself!" Liu Ruoning said through nearly clenched teeth.
Lu Chenghui and the other two were instantly dumbstruck.
After a long while, Lu Chenghui, unsure whether to laugh or cry, said, "Let's head back first. Pass the word down: if Yang Zhen returns, have him come see me in the main hall."
With that, Lu Chenghui turned and walked away. "Ruoning, come with me. It would be better for you to be present when we cancel the engagement."
Liu Ruoning was overjoyed and hurried after him.
The contract is signed! Esteemed readers passing by, please take a moment to add this to your favorites and cast a vote. Nanfeng bows in thanks!
(End of chapter)