Chapter 17: Peerless and Invincible, Dugu Sheng

Although the Sun Moon Holy Cult's actions surprised Su Fan somewhat, he knew that a full-scale war had not yet broken out between the two sides. It had been rumored that the Sun Moon Holy Cult's Cult Leader, Dugu Sheng, had been in seclusion, supposedly attempting to break through to the Innate realm.

Indeed, twenty years ago, the Demonic Cult leader was already at the peak of the super first-class level, just one step away from the peerless realm.

The classification of martial arts experts in the Jianghu.

Third-rate martial artists cultivate from the outside in, generating internal energy in their dantian; second-rate martial artists have opened at least six standard meridians; while first-rate martial artists have opened all twelve standard meridians, connecting the small heavenly circuit.

After that, a first-rate martial artist must open the eight extraordinary meridians. A super first-class peak expert must have opened the Ren and Du meridians, connecting the eight extraordinary meridians with the twelve standard meridians to form the great heavenly circuit.

As for the peerless realm, it means all eight extraordinary meridians are open, leaving only the opening of the Heaven and Earth dual bridges to channel in the essence of heaven and earth, transforming internal energy into Innate True Qi.

It is said that Dugu Sheng opened four of the eight extraordinary meridians twenty years ago, including the Ren and Du meridians, making him a true expert among the super first-class.

Twenty years have passed, and he has remained in seclusion; Jianghu rumors say he is breaking through to the Innate realm.

Now that the Sun Moon Holy Cult is stirring, could it be that this secluded Cult Leader is about to emerge, having broken through to the Innate realm?

This is the reason for the unrest throughout the entire martial arts world.

Of course, according to the *Smiling Proud Wanderer* world, Dugu Sheng definitely did not break through; otherwise, the later Jianghu would never have turned out that way.

After all, an Innate expert is incredibly powerful; even if all the peak experts in the Jianghu were to join forces, they might not be his match.

Therefore, Su Fan is not worried.

However, he is still very curious about Dugu Sheng, who, according to Jianghu rankings, is the number one expert in the world.

Twenty years ago, he single-handedly faced three high monks from Shaolin. One must know that those three divine monks were of the 'Ding' generation and had mastered the Diamond Demon-Subduing Array.

Their combined strength was far beyond that of three ordinary peak experts. Even so, according to sect records, Dugu Sheng did not suffer a disadvantage in that battle.

That is why Su Fan is so curious about this Sun Moon Holy Cult leader.

It must be said that over the decades, the three generations of Sun Moon Holy Cult leaders have all been extraordinary; perhaps only Ren Woxing was a bit lackluster.

At the very least, while the Demonic Cult's strength was decent during his reign, he was unable to become the number one in the world.

He couldn't even completely defeat Zuo Lengchan.

One must know that the Five Mountains Sword Sects of the later era were truly lackluster.

Of course, this is related to the loss of the Five Mountains Sword Sects' martial arts, coupled with their internal strife.

It also shows Ren Woxing's incompetence.

At the very least, compared to Dugu Sheng and Dongfang Bubai, he was far inferior.

"Then how did Dugu Sheng die? Could it be that he suffered a cultivation deviation in seclusion?"

Su Fan compared the *Smiling Proud* world with this world, considering what he would need to do in the future.

According to sect records, this Demonic Cult leader was not very old; even now, he would only be around sixty.

For someone cultivating internal energy, sixty is nothing; many people over seventy still possess strong combat power.

"According to the *Smiling Proud* timeline, there are at least twenty more years. Ren Woxing is currently just a hall master in the Demonic Cult; how did he rise to power?"

Su Fan is quite concerned about news regarding Ren Woxing and Dongfang Bubai, as they are the trendsetters of the later era.

It's just that he hasn't heard any information about Dongfang Bubai, though there is plenty about Ren Woxing.

"However, the Huashan Sect doesn't need to worry for the time being. As long as there is no conflict between the Sword and Qi sects, the Huashan Sect's strength remains very powerful."

Su Fan only learned this after joining the inner sect: the Huashan Sect has more than one super first-class expert. Besides Sect Leader Ning Qingyu, there is also a Great Elder from the previous generation, who is also a super first-class peak expert.

Moreover, he is a super first-class expert who has opened six meridians, and his internal energy cultivation is even above Ning Qingyu's, though he is old and can likely only endure one or two battles at that level.

He is considered the Huashan Sect's final trump card.

It must be said that the Huashan Sect is indeed strong. How many super first-class peak experts are there in the entire Jianghu? Even Shaolin, with its thousand-year foundation, likely only has a handful, if that.

Among the other Five Mountains Sword Sects, only the Songshan Sect has a super first-class expert, the current Sect Leader, Zuo Zhen.

Combined, the Five Mountains Sword Sects have three peak experts; in terms of hard power, they are almost not inferior to the Demonic Cult.

On the training ground of the main courtyard of the Qipan Mountain Huashan Branch.

Two figures, one in blue and one in green, were exchanging blows rapidly in the center, with several people shouting from the sidelines.

The two in the center were using sword techniques that seemed identical, and as they fought, they were evenly matched.

"Senior Brother Lu, I'm starting now."

The blue figure paused his sword and said.

"Haha! Junior Brother, make your move; I've been waiting for your unique sword technique."

After speaking, his expression turned solemn, but when the blue figure moved like a ghost, his eyes narrowed.

"What a fast sword!"

Not daring to have any distractions, he used 'Ancient Cypress Forest', the strongest defensive move in the Huashan Sword Technique, to defend.

With a *ding*, the two longswords collided. Lu Hua felt his right arm, which was holding the sword, tremble; he almost lost his grip.

Before he could reflect, the opponent's sword struck again. This time, it was a thrusting sword, aiming straight for his chin.

The sharp edge of the sword faintly pricked his skin.

He hurriedly used his movement technique to retreat, but the opponent's sword followed like a shadow, continuously stabbing at the major death points on his body.

Although he was very familiar with the sword technique the opponent was using, he exhausted all the counter-methods from the sect.

Unfortunately, after only ten moves, he was covered in sweat; every defense against a sword strike felt like it exhausted his entire spirit.

*Ding! *

Once again, after blocking the opponent's sword with all his might, his right arm finally couldn't hold the longsword, and it fell to the ground with a tremble.

His heart finally relaxed, and he sighed, "Junior Brother, Senior Brother has lost. I never imagined that your sword technique had reached such a level."

"It's simply unfathomable, and Junior Brother, your sword is very heavy."

"How is this possible?"

After speaking, he asked with a curious and puzzled expression.

Putting away his longsword, Su Fan smiled faintly at Lu Hua's question, thought for a moment, and said, "Senior Brother says my sword is heavy; actually, this is a technique of mine."

"Senior Brother knows that I have been cultivating an external body-tempering technique, so my physical fitness has always been stronger than many martial artists; my physical strength is several times that of an ordinary martial artist."

"One day, I was thinking about how to bring out the advantages of my body. Later, after receiving guidance from Master, I now deliberately add my physical strength when performing sword techniques."

"That is why Senior Brother feels that my sword is heavy."

Su Fan explained with a smile, though he omitted some parts.

"So that's how it is."

Upon hearing this, Lu Hua understood immediately. Even so, his eyes were filled with envy. Not to mention Su Fan's unique sword technique, just the weight of the sword alone gave him a huge advantage when facing an enemy.

He had experienced this personally; every time they exchanged blows, he needed to mobilize more internal energy to withstand it. ===== CHAPTER 18 =====