All Heavens: A Role-Playing System Starting from Tianlong

"Oh? Young man, you mean this is 'exchanging ideas and discussing principles'?"

Zhang Cheng said with a playful tone, "Having traveled all over the country, this is the first time I've ever seen a 'discussion' where the many bully the few. I've certainly broadened my horizons today."

As he spoke, he quickly activated and deactivated the [Military Might], and with his deep voice, he actually simulated the effect of transmitting internal force and shaking the hall.

Everyone in the hall felt an invisible pressure as his words came over them. The disciples with weaker skills felt their vision go black and almost collapsed.

At this moment, some time had passed since Zhang Cheng stormed into the martial arts hall, and those with slightly stronger skills had already begun to adapt to the pressure.

The person with the highest skill level in the martial arts hall is naturally Zuo Zimu, the leader of the Eastern Sect of "Wuliang Sword".

The long-bearded old Taoist stepped forward and said in a deep voice:

"You have trespassed into the Wuliang Sword Sect's mountain gate and damaged our entrance. What is your intention?"

"My name is Zhang Cheng. I am from Weizhou in the Great Song Dynasty. I have traveled here and heard that today is a grand gathering of martial arts in southern Yunnan, so I have come here to meet you."

Unexpectedly, just as they arrived outside the martial arts hall, they heard someone inside bullying the weak.

What's even more chilling is that none of those present, reportedly renowned figures in Yunnan's martial arts world, stepped forward to stop it.

Zhang Cheng sneered, "Ha, what kind of skill is it to bully someone who doesn't know martial arts?"

He leaped off his horse, his figure like a roc spreading its wings, and landed steadily in the center of the training ground.

"If you really have the guts, why not step forward and lend me a hand?"

He surveyed the room, his tone indifferent: "Whether it's one-on-one or all at once, I, Zhang, will take it."

Seeing that the burly man who had stood up for him was still going to fight, Duan Yu wanted to say something.

"This brave man, in fact..."

Before he could finish speaking, a small hand suddenly reached out from the side and covered his mouth.

Zhong Ling had somehow slipped up to him and was now standing on tiptoe, trying to reach his mouth.

While covering Duan Yu's mouth, she whispered, "You idiot, you better behave yourself."

Duan Yu: "Ugh... ugh..."

He tried to struggle, but although Zhong Ling was young, she had internal strength and covered him up tightly, so he couldn't utter a single word.

Since Zhang Cheng had already said so much, Zuo Zimu naturally couldn't just sit idly by.

However, he had already experienced the suppressive effect of [Military Might], and had just witnessed Zhang Cheng's speed as he entered the arena, so he knew he was no match for him.

Therefore, he turned his attention to his junior sister, Xin Shuangqing, the head of the Wuliang Sword Western Sect, who was dressed as a middle-aged Taoist nun.

He was still hesitant, not because he was worried about being ridiculed for ganging up on the weak, but because he was concerned about how things would end if they failed to subdue the strong man even if they rushed at him.

Zhang Cheng didn't care about his thoughts.

Seeing that Zuo Zimu remained motionless, he spoke again:

"Sir, I was outside just now, and the voice that was giving orders was indeed yours."

"Since you're the one who said it, and it was your disciple who caused this, why don't we have a spar first?"

Seeing this, Xin Shuangqing had no choice but to step forward: "Since Brother Zhang is so confident, then my fellow disciple and I will learn from him together."

Although this matter originated from the Eastern Sect, Zhang Cheng's words just now implied the entire Wuliang Sword Sect.

As the head of the Western Sect, she could not remain uninvolved.

"Why don't you two call in some more people? Otherwise, I'm afraid I'll be accused of bullying an old person."

"You—!" Xin Shuangqing was about to explode in anger, but was held down by Zuo Zimu.

"No need. Your martial arts are exceptional, and we know we are no match for you. But our sect has been dishonored, and even if it means death, we will fight you!"

Zuo Zimu's words sounded very dignified.

His white-bearded Taoist attire, combined with his long white hair and beard, made him appear even more righteous and awe-inspiring.

Upon hearing this, many disciples in the hall felt their blood boil and looked at Zuo Zimu with more respect.

Seeing this, Zhang Cheng knew in his heart that something was wrong.

Doesn't that make me look like a bad guy?

Although he had learned some "talking techniques" during his time in the border army, they were all strange things like, "Did you know? Humans have twelve pairs of ribs. I'm going to ask you a question, and if you don't answer after three counts, I'll pull one out of you."

If he couldn't take action, he really couldn't argue with Zuo Zimu.

Fortunately, Zhang Cheng wasn't the only one on the field who disliked Zuo Zimu.

"Hehehe—"

Zhong Ling peeked out from behind Duan Yu and made a face at Zuo Zimu, "Old man with the white beard, you're so boring."

Just now, when this young master Duan said he didn't know martial arts, that's not what you said.

He made fun of your disciple without knowing the reason, so he deserved to be slapped.

But later, when you all surrounded a scholar and forced him to kowtow and kneel, weren't you quite imposing?"

She blinked, her face innocent: "Was I not the only girl there just now? Are all you renowned figures blind?"

Although it was Zhong Ling's first time meeting Zhang Cheng, since he had come with Mu Wanqing, Zhong Ling naturally regarded him as one of her own.

Moreover, she had watched the whole thing from the beam and also disliked Zuo Zimu and the others, so she jumped out to sabotage Zuo Zimu.

After she finished speaking, the room fell silent.

Many martial arts practitioners who were watching the ceremony awkwardly looked away.

Zuo Zimu's face turned ashen as he stared at Zhong Ling with hostile eyes.

"Why are you glaring at me?" Zhong Ling was not afraid at all, instead raising her chin. "I'm just telling the truth."

"The young lady came uninvited and then sneaked up to the beam to eavesdrop. Such behavior is not that of a righteous person."

Zhong Ling stuck out her tongue at him, knowing she was in the wrong, and didn't say anything more.

Seeing that there was no way to avoid it, Zuo Zimu slowly drew his longsword from his waist. Xin Shuangqing also drew his sword.

The two exchanged a glance, then stepped forward simultaneously, one on the left and one on the right, surrounding Zhang Cheng in the middle.

The Wuliang Sword Sect has managed to occupy the vast Wuliang Mountain and establish itself in the martial arts world of southern Yunnan for decades, so it must have some skill.

Zuo and Xin's swordplay was exquisite, and their coordination was perfect. Their swords intertwined like a net, and cold light shone as they enveloped Zhang Cheng.

Unfortunately, both of them had only ordinary internal skills. Even after practicing diligently for half their lives, they were only slightly better than Zhong Ling, that lazy girl who only practiced sporadically.

This metal-based martial arts system can be described as "internal strength is king".

No matter how exquisite the moves are, they are useless without sufficient internal strength.

In Zhang Cheng's eyes, the speed of their swords was too slow.

To prevent himself from making a sudden, impulsive move and winning too quickly, so that onlookers wouldn't be able to see the situation clearly.

Zhang Cheng decided to give way first. He only dodged and did not attack, moving leisurely through the flashing swords.

Sometimes he would turn to the side, sometimes he would step back, and sometimes he would slightly turn his head. Each time he narrowly avoided the sword's edge, yet he managed to prevent the sword from touching him even slightly.

In the blink of an eye, the three had exchanged more than ten blows.

Those watching the game gradually began to understand the strategy.

"That man has amazing agility!"

"Even with the Left Sect Leader and the Xin Sect Leader joining forces, they couldn't even touch the hem of his robe..."

Why is he only defending and not attacking? Is he toying with the two of them?

Discussions began to rise.

Zuo Zimu and Xin Shuangqing's expressions grew increasingly grim.

They could tell that the other side wasn't using their full strength at all; they were just toying with them.

"Junior Sister!"

Zuo Zimu suddenly let out a low shout.

Xin Shuangqing understood, and the two of them changed their sword techniques at the same time.

What were originally two complementary sets of sword techniques have suddenly merged into one, becoming a single sword technique.

Two sword lights, like dragons emerging from the sea, one on the left and one on the right, blocked all of Zhang Cheng's escape routes!