Jade Dynasty: I am the master of the Burning Sword, my swordsmanship is unparalleled.

Chapter 37 The Sword Shocks the Audience
The area below the "Kun" character platform was packed with people, with many Qingyun disciples surrounding the platform in three or four layers. Not only were there male disciples from the six peaks, but even many female disciples from Xiaozhu Peak came to watch the battle from below the platform.

It can be said that this is the most popular arena, no less so than yesterday's 'Qian' arena.

The reason for this may be related to Zhang Xiaofan's appearance on stage yesterday and his single-handed disarming of the sword. Although the Tianya Divine Sword was not drawn, it was still a divine weapon from the heavens, yet Zhang Xiaofan controlled it with one hand, leaving countless people in awe.

Perhaps it is for this reason that the competition was held on the 'Kun' platform, the large arena corresponding to the 'Qian' platform, and also the highest platform.

Below the stage, the sect leader Dao Xuan Zhenren, the head of Dazhu Peak Tian Buyi, and the head of Chaoyang Peak Shang Zhengliang were all present, along with many elders from other peaks, watching the battle.

After Zhang Xiaofan bowed to Tian Buyi and Su Ru and her husband, he stepped onto the arena. On the other side, Chu Yuhong also stepped onto the arena with excitement after bowing to Shang Zhengliang.

"Senior Brother Zhang, this is Chu Yuhong, a disciple of Chaoyang Peak. I would like to ask for your guidance!"

As soon as he stepped onto the stage, Chu Yuhong took the initiative to bow to Zhang Xiaofan, speaking with great respect, because he had once met Zhang Xiaofan by chance on Tongtian Peak and had asked him some questions.

Zhang Xiaofan still had a strong impression of Chu Yuhong. He had a good memory and could remember almost everyone he had ever interacted with.

"Senior Brother Chu, you're too kind. Your Taoist skills are superb, and you've made further progress. Besides, we're fellow disciples who are exchanging sparring tips. I wouldn't dare to offer you guidance; I would appreciate your instruction, Senior Brother Chu!"

After returning Chu Yuhong's greeting, Zhang Xiaofan raised his hand and drew the Mo Xue sword from behind his back. Upon seeing this, Chu Yuhong's expression became more serious, but his excitement only intensified.

Being able to spar with someone he respected, and even to make him draw his sword, filled Chu Yuhong with an indescribable sense of pride and honor.

With a wave of his hand, Chu Yuhong summoned a celestial sword that emitted a faint orange-yellow halo. The sword's light was gentle and restrained, and there seemed to be a blazing energy hidden within it, like the rising sun hidden among the mountains. Once it rises, it will unleash the mighty power of the heavens and the earth.

"What a fine sword! It seems that Senior Brother Chu's Shaoyang Sword has improved quite a bit."

Upon seeing the Shaoyang Sword in Chu Yuhong's hand, Zhang Xiaofan couldn't help but offer a soft compliment. Chu Yuhong was delighted to hear this, raised his hand to assume a starting stance, and then responded in a deep voice.

"Please correct me, senior brother!"

After speaking, Chu Yuhong's expression turned solemn. On the Shaoyang Sword in his hand, a gentle light, like the rising sun, gradually rose. After a short while, the light shone brightly, and a ball of dazzling white light could be seen gathering on the longsword.

The next moment, Chu Yuhong moved, holding a long sword and thrusting it straight at Zhang Xiaofan. The white light suddenly burst out, like the rising sun, majestic and powerful, like a white rainbow piercing the sun, with overwhelming heavenly might.

Although her cultivation was somewhat lacking, the brilliance of her sword strike still caught the eye of the senior elders below the stage. Su Ru even took the initiative to speak up and congratulate Shang Zhengliang, who was standing to the side.

"I never imagined that Senior Brother Shang would have such a prodigy among his disciples. Under Senior Brother Shang's leadership, Chaoyang Peak has been flourishing day by day."

"Junior Sister Su, what are you saying? My disciple is far from being good enough. It is Junior Brother Tian's disciple Zhang Xiaofan who is truly a peerless genius. I misjudged him that day in the Jade Purity Hall. Otherwise, even if Senior Brother Sect Leader had stopped me, I would have competed for him."

Upon hearing this, Shang Zhengliang quickly replied politely, but he couldn't hide the smile on his face.

Chu Yuhong has only been a disciple for about twenty years, which seems like a long time, but even among young disciples, he is still considered one of the younger ones.

Having been a disciple for over twenty years, reaching the fifth level of the Jade Purity Realm is already quite impressive; within the Qingyun Sect, he can be considered above average.

Those with consistently high qualifications are Xiao Yicai and Qi Hao from the previous year. This year, there are more, including two famous child prodigies from Qingyun Sect, Zeng Shushu and Tian Ling'er, as well as three extraordinary talents, Lin Jingyu, Lu Xueqi and Zhang Xiaofan.

The other elite disciples were all of similar aptitude; the differences between them mainly lay in their diligence, comprehension, and innate wisdom.

Chu Yuhong was such an elite disciple. Although Shang Zhengliang occasionally paid attention to him, he did not value him too much. After all, he was not his eldest disciple. His talent was acceptable, but he felt that he was lacking in other aspects.

However, unexpectedly, Chu Yuhong's comprehension is quite good. Although his cultivation has not improved much, his Taoist techniques are quite exquisite. He has already grasped the essence of the rising sun. Given time, he may be able to reach the Upper Clarity realm.

Although being the head of a lineage might fall short of inheriting Shang Zhengliang's position, becoming an elder and strengthening the Chaoyang Peak lineage wouldn't be a problem.

"Senior Brother Shang, you flatter me. Haha, my unworthy disciple is a bit lacking in talent, but he has good comprehension. I usually just give him a few pointers, but I never thought he could achieve such a level of cultivation today. It's all thanks to the Ancestral Master's blessing, the Ancestral Master's blessing!"

Tian Buyi smiled and replied, his chubby face beaming with pride.

In the past, Shang Zhengliang would have been furious and would have scoffed, saying things like "good luck" or "a petty person getting ahead." But today, he couldn't bring himself to say it.

Shang Zhengliang knew that his disciple's Taoist skills were quite good, which must have been due to the guidance he received from Zhang Xiaofan.

However, though he didn't say it, Shang Zhengliang felt genuinely bitter. The way he looked at Zhang Xiaofan changed, and there seemed to be a hint of reminiscence in his eyes.

On the stage, Zhang Xiaofan held the Mo Xue sword, his face calm as he watched the Shao Yang sword thrust towards him.

With a flick of his fingers, Zhang Xiaofan conjured a magic seal, and a surge of dark magic power erupted from the Ink Snow Sword, transforming into a brushstroke that drew a dark cloud in the air. The next moment, Zhang Xiaofan raised the Ink Snow Sword, channeling his magic power, and the surrounding clouds instantly converged, transforming into layers of dark clouds that obscured the vast sun.

"Ink becomes wind and clouds!"

Several wisps of dark clouds transformed into chains, binding the Shaoyang Sword and confining all its Shaoyang energy within the sword, greatly reducing its power.

"clang!"

The Shaoyang Sword, its power greatly diminished, struck the blade of the Moxue Sword, producing a crisp sound.

Then, Zhang Xiaofan bent his arm and shook it, directly knocking Chu Yuhong, who was holding a sword, back.

Chu Yuhong stared at the Shaoyang Sword in his hand, a look of confusion flashing in his eyes. He seemed to have realized something, but he couldn't grasp anything.

Seeing Zhang Xiaofan standing at a distance with his sword, Chu Yuhong calmed himself down and drew his sword again. A faint, pure, and gentle light rose from the sword once more.

Zhang Xiaofan didn't attack; instead, he raised his hand and used the Ink Snow Sword Technique, which he had learned over the years, to defend against Chu Yuhong's attack.

For a time, the battle on the stage became quite intense, with various spells and sword techniques emerging one after another. The Qingyun disciples below were full of praise, and many disciples were even more amazed, discovering for the first time that there were so many ways to fight.

"Hiss! Junior Sister Su, does our Qingyun Sect ever possess such a sword technique?"

Shang Zhengliang, sitting below the stage, stared in astonishment at the strange and unusual sword techniques Zhang Xiaofan was performing with his Mo Xue sword.

Those sword techniques are quite different from those of the Qingyun Sect.

The Qingyun Daoist arts are known for drawing upon the great power of heaven and earth. The immense power and strength of the true Daoist methods are fully demonstrated in the many sword techniques of the Qingyun Sect.

I won't go into details about techniques like the Heavenly Ice Falling to Earth True Technique, but let's talk about the Four Great Sword Techniques of Qingyun.

Among them, the most famous is the Divine Sword Thunder Control Technique, which draws upon the power of thunder from the nine heavens, its majestic heavenly might is unstoppable; the Demon-Slaying Sword Technique, once unleashed, scatters demons and monsters, slaying gods and ghosts, advancing without hesitation; the Seven Star Sword Style, borrowing the power of heaven and earth and stars, is mysterious and unpredictable, causing all evil to retreat...

All the true techniques of the Qingyun Sect borrow the power of heaven and earth, making them exceptionally fierce. However, Zhang Xiaofan's sword technique today is more rounded and gentle, subtly in line with the Taoist principle of water benefiting all things, which is quite profound.

"No, I'm not afraid to tell you, Senior Brother Shang, but I've never seen such a sword technique before."

Su Ru gently shook her head, a hint of relief appearing in her eyes. Dao Xuan Zhenren and the others were even more shocked upon hearing this.

With their discerning eye, they could naturally see how profound and mysterious these sword techniques were. Of course, in terms of power, they were no match for the many profound Daoist arts of the Qingyun Sect.

But the most profound and mysterious aspect of these sword techniques is that they subtly align with the Tai Chi essence of the Qingyun Daoist method. They appear to be round and soft, focusing solely on defense. This is because Zhang Xiaofan himself is highly skilled and intentionally yields, offering a few pointers while giving up the opportunity to attack.

The deeper one comprehends these sword techniques, the deeper one's understanding of the Dao, and the deeper one's cultivation. Furthermore, as one's cultivation and Dao improve, the power of the sword techniques also increases.

"Our Qingyun Sect is about to produce another Patriarch, Qingye!"

Dao Xuan Zhenren couldn't help but exclaim in amazement, a hint of eagerness flickering in his eyes.

The previous Qingye Ancestor made Qingyun Sect prosperous to this day. If another Qingye Ancestor were to come, what would Qingyun Sect be like then?

One Zhuxian Sword and one Zhuxian Sword Formation have allowed Qingyun Sect to stand firm. If there were also a Fenji Sword and this sword technique, then Qingyun Sect might truly be able to prosper forever!

"Dang! Dang! Dang!"

On the stage, after exchanging dozens of blows, Chu Yuhong sheathed his sword, bowed respectfully to Zhang Xiaofan, and said in a respectful voice.

"Senior Brother Zhang's Taoist skills are profound; I, your junior brother, am deeply impressed!"

"Senior Brother Chu, you are too kind!"

Zhang Xiaofan returned the greeting, and the elder beside him, after regaining his senses, laughed and announced loudly.

"Zhang Xiaofan of Dazhu Peak wins!"

Upon hearing this, Chu Yuhong laughed the most heartily.

(End of this chapter)