All Heavens: A Role-Playing System Starting from Tianlong

Chapter 56 Imperial Preceptor, will you still come to Tianlong Temple?

Kumārajīva's heart sank. Before he could launch a new attack, Zhang Cheng had already drawn his Shaochong Sword once more.

The little finger of the right hand taps out continuously.

"Swoosh swoosh swoosh swoosh—!" A dense barrage of sword energy shot towards them!

Shaochong Sword was already the fastest of the six meridians, and now, with the added boost of [Emerging Brilliance], its speed was even more astonishing.

Kumārajīva used his flaming blade to defend himself.

One, two, three —

At first, he could barely keep up, but as the sword energy became more and more concentrated, he gradually couldn't keep up.

By the time they reached the thirteenth lane, they were already starting to panic.

When he reached the twenty-first block, he made a decisive move, abandoned his defense, and used his lightness skill to dodge.

"Sneer"

A sword aura grazed past his ear, leaving a deep crack in the ground behind him.

"laugh--

'

Another sword aura grazed his shoulder, tearing a hole in his robe.

Kumārajīva moved erratically, dodging left and right, but he could never shake off the sword energy that followed him like a shadow.

The situation on the field suddenly turned into Zhang Cheng firing at Kumārajīva unilaterally.

Kumārajīva wanted to retaliate, but he was so overwhelmed by the continuous sword energy that he couldn't lift his head.

Not long ago, he had relied on his internal strength to suppress Duan Yanqing from a distance with his Flaming Blade. He never expected that in the blink of an eye, he would be the one being chased and beaten like this.

He knew that if things continued this way, defeat was inevitable.

After dodging a few more sword energies, he risked being struck in the right shoulder again, forcibly twisting his body and rushing towards Zhang Cheng!

Seeing this, Zhang Cheng did not avoid it but instead stepped forward to meet him.

The six sword techniques from the Six Meridians Divine Sword Scripture were executed in sequence by him: the Shaoshang Sword was powerful, the Shangyang Sword was agile, the Zhongchong Sword was domineering, the Guanchong Sword was steady, the Shaochong Sword was swift, and the Shaoze Sword was ever-changing.

He tested Kumārajīva's moves, using them one by one, feeding him move by move.

Both men fought with one hand, their sword and saber energies clashing and exchanging dozens of blows in the blink of an eye.

Including Duan Yanqing under the buff of friendly forces, Kumārajīva is the third "Four Great Masters" level expert that Zhang Cheng has faced.

In the battle against the masked man, Zhang Cheng was only a participant. Apart from feigning death at the beginning to launch a sneak attack and severely injure the opponent, he spent the rest of the time acting as a passive support character.

Duan Yanqing could only be considered to have barely reached the edge of the "Four Great Masters" level. Due to his incomplete recovery of internal energy, he was unable to execute many of the subtle variations of the One-Finger Divine Skill, making him slightly inferior in strength.

The current Kumārajīva is the first true master of the Four Great Masters that Zhang Cheng has fought alone.

However, once they started fighting, Zhang Cheng realized that he had underestimated himself.

He currently possesses Duan Yu's complete set of skills. Although his total internal energy is not as great as Duan Yu's at the end, he has the advantage of having learned the complete set of the Northern Darkness Divine Art, making his true energy extremely pure.

At this moment, with the help of the "Danger Omen" skill to anticipate the enemy's moves and the speed boost from the "Initial Show of Talent" skill, they were able to completely suppress Kumārajīva.

As the fight progressed, Kumārajīva realized that Zhang Cheng was deliberately holding back, which fueled his growing anger. However, his desire to win overcame his arrogance, and he remained silent, his attacks becoming even more ferocious.

Even though he attacked more vigorously, he still couldn't achieve any results.

Whenever he used his experience to catch Zhang Cheng's mistakes in his sword moves, Zhang Cheng would always be able to change his moves in time with the warning of the "danger omen," leaving him empty-handed.

The two then exchanged over thirty more blows.

Kumārajīva grew increasingly anxious as he fought, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

Finally, he seized an opportunity and chopped off Zhang Cheng's blocked sword energy with a hand chop.

"Bang!" The energy clashed, and both of them were jolted at the same time.

Kumārajīva gritted his teeth, channeling all his inner strength into his hand.

Seeing that he was being suppressed by Zhang Cheng in ranged attacks and could not gain the upper hand in close combat, he decided to take a desperate gamble and compete with Zhang Cheng in internal strength.

His inner strength caused his monk's robe to swell, and he continuously increased the force in his flaming blade.

Seeing this, Zhang Cheng also gathered the Northern Darkness True Qi into his hand and exerted force to push Kumārajīva's hand blade back.

The two were evenly matched in internal strength, and Kumārajīva's Flaming Blade was a supreme technique not far inferior to the Six Meridians Divine Sword. For a time, neither could gain the upper hand.

During the stalemate, Zhang Cheng suddenly spoke up: "Grand Preceptor, I still have a rudimentary martial art that I haven't used yet. However, this move is difficult to hold back. If I were to use it, I urge the Grand Preceptor to act according to his abilities and call a halt in time."

Upon hearing this, Kumārajīva's anger flared. After fighting so fiercely, this man dared to speak out of turn; he clearly didn't take him seriously!

He increased the pressure on his hand, pressing Zhang Cheng's sword energy towards Zhang Cheng's chest once more.

Just then—"Buzzing—" A faint vibration suddenly rang out.

Kumārajīva suddenly realized that the fiery sword energy he had gathered in his hand was being gradually dissipated.

The buzzing sound grew louder and louder.

The sword energy that he had originally blocked was now vibrating at a high frequency, and through friction and impact, it was gradually "sawing" apart the bundle of true energy in his palm.

Moreover, as the sword and saber energies clashed, Kumārajīva felt his internal energy begin to become stagnant.

Seemingly drawn by the opponent's internal force, it involuntarily trembled in sync with that frequency.

"Imperial Advisor, do not remain stubbornly deluded," Zhang Cheng reminded him again.

As he felt the energy in his palm gradually disintegrate, and the invisible sword energy kept approaching his palm, Kumārajīva's forehead was covered in fine sweat.

He was of high status and possessed superb martial arts skills. He rarely fought with others, and even when he did, he was usually able to win quickly.

Over time, they lost the fearless spirit of those from the lower echelons of the martial arts world.

It was clearly unacceptable for him to sacrifice a palm strike during a sparring match just to save face.

After much hesitation, Kumārajīva finally spoke: "I concede."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Cheng immediately withdrew his sword, and the sword's momentum dissipated. The buzzing vibration also disappeared.

Seeing his opponent suddenly withdraw his inner force, Kumārajīva felt a slight unease, wondering whether he should take the opportunity to launch a sneak attack.

But when he caught a glimpse of Duan Yanqing watching from the sidelines, the thought was quickly suppressed. In his current state, even if he managed to ambush Zhang Cheng, he wouldn't be a match for Duan Yanqing.

He took a deep breath, dissipated the remaining true energy in his palm, clasped his hands together, and bowed slightly to Zhang Cheng: "Lord Zhang, your divine skills are unparalleled. This humble monk is completely convinced of your defeat."

He raised his head, his face still bearing that gentle smile, as if he had not been the one who had just suffered defeat: "I have long heard that the martial arts of the Duan family of Dali are unparalleled in the world. Today, I have first experienced Master Duan's One-Finger Divine Skill, and then witnessed the Prince Consort's Six-Meridian Divine Sword Technique. Only now do I know that the rumors are true. This trip to Dali has been worthwhile."

He nodded slightly to the two men: "I have benefited greatly from today's exchange. I will soon return to Tibet for seclusion and intensive training. If the opportunity arises in the future, I will visit you again to seek your guidance. At that time, I hope you two will be so kind as to offer your instruction."

After saying that, he lightly stepped forward, used his lightness skill, and drifted away towards Dali City.

Zhang Cheng watched his figure disappear into the distance before turning to Duan Yanqing with a strange expression.

"He said he'd be returning to Tibet soon for seclusion? In your opinion, is he still going to Tianlong Temple?"

Tianlong Temple was the family temple of the Duan royal family of Dali, while Kumārajīva was the Dharma Protector of the Tubo Kingdom. Naturally, the two could not visit each other as casually as if they were just visiting each other's homes.

If Kumārajīva wishes to visit Tianlong Temple, he should submit his documents in advance and allow sufficient time, as this would be proper etiquette. However, judging from what the other party just said, it is clear that he intends to leave Dali as soon as possible.

"It seems he saw your martial arts skills and backed down."

Duan Yanqing gazed in the direction where Kumārajīva had disappeared and said calmly, "This is also good news. Tibet is strong while Dali is weak. If he insists on coming to our door, we can't afford to break off relations."

After saying that, he turned around and used his lightness skill to move towards Dali City.

"Let's go, I'll go and inform Uncle Kurong and Zhengming."

"