Chapter 31

The Ancient Tomb Sect had two types of poison needles. One was the Ice Soul Silver Needle, which Li Mochou had used to harm countless people, making those in the Jianghu tremble at the mere mention of it. The other was the Jade Bee Needle. Compared to the Ice Soul Silver Needle, the Jade Bee Needle was more toxic, though this toxicity did not kill; rather, like the Life-Death Talisman, it caused an itch that penetrated to the marrow.

Caught off guard, Jinlun Fawang was struck by the needle and immediately felt his internal organs...!"

Jinlun Fawang intended to pay Gu Qing back for his sneak attack.

Seeing this, Gu Qing walked directly to Sun Bu'er and Hao Datong and drew Sun Bu'er's sword. The long sword shimmered with light, quite extraordinary.

Most of the people at the Hero Assembly did not know Gu Qing. Seeing his connection to the Quanzhen Sect, they inquired about his identity. Upon learning he was a disciple of the "Qing" generation, they felt he was a truly remarkable young hero.

"Be careful in everything; if you cannot hold your own, call for help immediately."

"With Guo Jing here, he will surely be able to assist in time."

Sun Bu'er and Hao Datong cautioned him respectively.

... Are you two not going to assist?

Right, you are both too weak.

Gu Qing turned back, stepping on the Jin Yangong, and thrust his sword at Jinlun Fawang.

Jinlun Fawang advanced with his wheel, which hummed as it spun. This golden wheel was his most proficient weapon; it appeared strange, but once spun, it could snatch away an enemy's saber, sword, whip, or staff. Now, he smashed the wheel toward Gu Qing's sword, rotating it to sweep the long sword away.

Gu Qing's sword was already in front. He flicked his wrist, and the sword flower split into three—this was the Quanzhen Sect's "One Qi Transforms into Three Purities" sword move, pointing at the vital points around Jinlun Fawang. The sword light was subtle, fully displaying the profound brilliance of the Daoist school, forcing Jinlun Fawang to guard his defenses. The wheel in his hand blocked left and right. In an instant, the two exchanged twenty moves. Gu Qing tapped the edge of Jinlun Fawang's weapon with his sword, the force traveling through the blade, and he retreated.

Seeing this, Jinlun Fawang shook his golden wheel and pursued Gu Qing, slashing at him.

Gu Qing thrust his sword plainly, moving forward. The sword light was clear and its changes indescribable. Relying on the uniqueness of his weapon, Jinlun Fawang pressed down with the golden wheel, intending to snatch the sword. As they clashed, a "clang" sounded, and a sudden change occurred. Gu Qing's body drifted like paper, completely devoid of force, while the sword that had been caught twisted and turned, stabbing toward Jinlun Fawang's brow.

Such a move filled the Fawang with fear. He flung his golden wheel and retreated six or seven steps before shaking off the deadly sword, watching as Gu Qing stood in the arena, forming a seal with his fingers.

"Father, did that monk lose?"

Guo Fu only saw Jinlun Fawang retreat and asked Guo Jing.

Guo Jing's expression was solemn as he whispered: "That great monk's martial arts are not below mine. I do not know why his hand is trembling inexplicably, preventing him from exerting his full strength. Gu Qing's swordplay is excellent, and he cannot break through either. Just now, he used the long sword to lure the opponent forward, then used the Quanzhen Sect's swordplay, with its 'needle hidden in cotton' momentum, to counterattack... Although Jinlun Fawang retreated, in my view, it is a draw."

That was what Guo Jing said, but Sun Bu'er and Hao Datong were so moved they were about to cry.

Wang Chongyang had been dead for a long time. Among the Quanzhen disciples, Qiu Chuji and Wang Chuyi had worked very hard to cultivate their martial arts, but the same techniques always lacked that certain flavor compared to Wang Chongyang's, which greatly reduced their power. Now, that missing flavor in the Quanzhen martial arts was being displayed by Gu Qing.

True Qi fused within, brilliance radiated without.

It was just like Wang Chongyang in his youth.

He is back!

Wang Chongyang is back!

"Come again!"

Jinlun Fawang looked at Gu Qing with hatred. He had been struck by the Jade Bee Needle, and his internal organs were itching unbearably. He could only use one of his five wheels, meaning his own strength was greatly weakened. Now, being forced back by Gu Qing's sword was a source of shame for him.

Gu Qing held Sun Bu'er's sword, examined it carefully, and tossed it away. The sword swished and flew back into Sun Bu'er's scabbard.

"I don't need a precious sword to beat you."

Gu Qing walked into the arena, casually took a long sword from a Jianghu man, and flicked it twice. The sword swayed left and right, and after he poured his Primordial Qi Art internal energy into it, the sword rang out clearly.

"This sword is enough!"

Gu Qing pointed the long sword from afar and said with a sidelong glance.

Many of the Jianghu people around could not tell who was better; they only knew that Gu Qing had just forced back Jinlun Fawang and was now using an ordinary long sword to fight, which was the ultimate contempt for Jinlun Fawang. One by one, they cheered.

Seeing this, Jinlun Fawang's face darkened. The golden wheel in his hand spun with a harsh, wailing sound. Seeing Gu Qing approach, he let go of the wheel, which flew straight at Gu Qing, while Jinlun Fawang gathered his palm power and followed closely behind the wheel.

This move was already Jinlun Fawang's lethal strike.

Gu Qing did not clash head-on with Jinlun Fawang. Seeing this, he dodged left and right. The Jin Yangong had many wonderful uses in his hands. After dodging Jinlun Fawang's lethal move, he watched the golden wheel return to the Fawang's hand, then suddenly exploded into action, thrusting his sword at Jinlun Fawang!

Jinlun Fawang was still affected by the Jade Bee Needle and was already very impatient. Seeing Gu Qing thrust with the long sword, he also saw that the sword move was incomparably miraculous... but it was, after all, just an ordinary weapon.

Jinlun Fawang vibrated the golden wheel in his hand and twisted it directly toward the long sword!

"Crack!"

The golden wheel and the long sword clashed and twisted. This time, there was no sign of Gu Qing flying with the sword; instead, the ordinary long sword snapped at the sound. Just as Jinlun Fawang was secretly rejoicing, he saw the broken blade whistle and twist toward his head!

"Soaring in the Empty Blue!"

Yang Guo recognized this move.

This was a martial art from the Ancient Tomb. Xiaolongnu could use this move to make silk ribbons fly in the air. Now, Gu Qing first broke the sword, vibrated it with internal energy, and then used this move to make the long sword twist in a small range, gaining the upper hand!

Seeing the broken sword a foot from his brow, the changes within it were so fast that Jinlun Fawang had no time to think. He flicked his left hand to slap the blade and danced his right hand wildly to protect his front.

"Got you!"

The other half of the broken sword in Gu Qing's hand tapped onto Jinlun Fawang's golden wheel, his energy releasing and catching the momentum of the Elephant Prajna Qi, causing Jinlun Fawang's hand to pause.

Gu Qing's other palm had already slammed heavily onto Jinlun Fawang's chest!

"Frost-Breaking Ice Palm!"

Jinlun Fawang barely blocked the broken sword, but his chest was struck, and he retreated repeatedly, finally sitting on the ground on his backside.

Gu Qing, wins!

"I am not convinced!"

Jinlun Fawang said hatefully.

His defeat was because he was poisoned by the Jade Bee Needle, making it difficult to exert his full strength. Furthermore, Gu Qing's moves were strange and far beyond his expectations, which was why he lost. If he could exert his full strength, he would definitely be able to kill Gu Qing!

"Oh."

Gu Qing just responded, saying: "If you're not convinced, hold it in."

(End of chapter)