Chapter 428

"Who?"

Meng Zhangqing raised an eyebrow.

"Li Jin, the top disciple of Aoshijian Sect, and Yu Hongxue of the Nine-Colored Glass Pavilion—both have terrifying potential; even upon first entering the Divine Communion realm, they awakened the True Meaning of Martial Dao, though their whereabouts have since become obscure."

"They're likely in seclusion, so no one knows what level their True Meanings have reached now."

Hua Ciyan said.

The cultivation realms of the world's prodigies are all roughly similar, so often it comes down to martial techniques, physical constitution, bloodline, and so on.

Then there's the True Meaning!

The power of the True Meaning is terrifying.

Not to mention a full tenth—even half a tenth creates a massive gap!

"As for the others, there's nothing worth focusing on."

Hua Ciyan lightly patted Meng Zhangqing's chest, her eyes filled with growing satisfaction.

Who would have thought, after all these years,

that the Zong Sect would still produce such an outstanding existence!

Truly, our ancestors' blessings!

At such a young age, with such strength, he truly has greater potential than the Zhang Sect to step across that threshold!

"The Talent War is still about a month away—if you have any questions or wish to learn anything, feel free to come to us."

"We will answer every question without reservation."

Ku Fengchun also smiled and said.

"Then I'm in your debt, Senior Brother and Senior Sister."

Meng Zhangqing felt a quiet joy within.

He couldn't have hoped for better.

After all, both of them possess attributes he finds deeply interesting!

――

The next day.

After a good night's rest,

Meng Zhangqing went to find Hua Ciyan.

"Senior Sister Hua, you also cultivate the Sword Dao, right?"

"Do you practice the 'Scripture of the Ten Emperors: Great Expansion Twenty-Three Swords'?"

In the spacious courtyard, Meng Zhangqing had just sat down when he asked, knowing the answer, he asked anyway.

"Little Brother has sharp eyes."

Hua Ciyan nodded. "Yes, it's the 'Scripture of the Ten Emperors'!"

"I heard Senior Mo say this sword art, though officially ranked Heaven Grade Initial Stage, can be continuously extended—does Senior Sister have the next part?"

Meng Zhangqing looked at Hua Ciyan with palpable 'anticipation'.

"Yes—I created the Twenty-Fourth Sword!"

At this, Hua Ciyan's eyes briefly flashed with rare brightness.

Clearly, even for her now, this was something deeply worthy of pride.

Creating a sword technique! (cjad)

And not just any sword technique.

But a Heaven Grade one!

"May I see it?"

Meng Zhangqing asked.

His voice carried eagerness.

It was genuine.

In truth, he already had a rough framework for Sword Twenty-Four in mind.

But he rarely had time to develop it.

If he could just glimpse Hua Ciyan's Sword Twenty-Four,

it would be immensely helpful.

He wasn't asking to learn Hua Ciyan's Sword Twenty-Four.

He wanted to feel it.

Absorb its essence, internalize it, and ultimately awaken his own Sword Twenty-Four!

For a martial artist, creating a Heaven Grade martial technique carries extraordinary significance!

It means you can then forge your own Dao!

"Of course."

Hua Ciyan didn't hesitate at all.

The Zhang Sect had sent a jade slip message—any request from Little Brother must be fulfilled!

Judging by Little Brother's demeanor,

he must have already brought the 'Scripture of the Ten Emperors' to perfection and now seeks to create Sword Twenty-Four himself!

How fast.

Hua Ciyan's heart trembled with shock.

Wasn't the Sanzong Society Tournament only half a year ago?

So, altogether, Xiao Shidi had spent no more than four months studying the Scripture of the Ten Emperors' Swords.

He mastered it in four months.

That's absurd.

But considering Meng Zhangqing's insight—an anomaly in the Tempered Meridian Realm who already possessed Sword Momentum—this... is actually normal!

"Xiao Shidi, watch closely—this is my Sword Twenty-Four!"

Shaking off his thoughts, Hua Ciyan formed a sword with two fingers.

He pressed it against Meng Zhangqing's third eye.

Hum!

In an instant.

Meng Zhangqing felt a sudden jolt in his mind!

Countless sword lights surged forth!

A slender figure stepped down from the void.

Holding a long sword.

She slashed lightly!

Boom!

In an instant, the winds and clouds of heaven and earth shattered, and ten thousand miles of Shanhe collapsed!

The mortal world ceased to exist!

Meng Zhangqing focused intently.

He dared not divert his attention; under his Superb Insight, he continuously analyzed the essence of this sword strike.

But this wasn't enough!

Meng Zhangqing instinctively activated the Heavenly King Art.

He entered the state of "Heaven and Man as One"!

Hum~

His form vanished instantly, merging into the void!

Only a faint outline remained.

Seeing this,

Hua Ciyan leapt to her feet.

Her face showed shock.

She recognized this state!

This was the Heavenly King Art—the Scripture only cultivable by the Zhang Sect, no, by the successive generations of Zhang Sect leaders of the Zong Sect!