Chapter 9: Dugu Nine Swords

Facing Linghu Chong's question, Lu Li did not feel even a shred of worry; on the contrary, he was quite relaxed.

"What do you mean 'what should be done'? I think this is just fine."

"Not only have we learned the sword techniques of other sects, but we have also obtained a method to counter them. It will be much easier to fight those other sects in the future."

Linghu Chong said, "Junior Brother, do not joke. The sword techniques of our Huashan Sect have also been countered by others."

"So what? Moves are dead, but people are alive."

"He can counter the sword moves, but he cannot counter my sword."

As he spoke, Lu Li walked out of the stone cave.

Hearing Lu Li's words, Linghu Chong felt a vague sense of enlightenment, but he remained half-dreaming and half-awake, unable to grasp the method.

He followed Lu Li to the spacious area outside, only to see him pick up two branches and toss one toward Linghu Chong.

"Senior Brother, for someone as clever as you, why have you suddenly started splitting hairs?"

"Come!"

"Use the countering method you learned to spar with me."

As he spoke, Lu Li slowly thrust out a sword, using the classic move from the Huashan Sword Technique, 'Phoenix Greets the Morning'.

And this sword move had also been countered on the stone wall.

Linghu Chong subconsciously used the countering move, lowering his body, then flicked his sword tip diagonally upward to strike at Lu Li's wrist.

Unexpectedly, Lu Li shifted his feet, and as his wrist flicked, his long sword changed direction, sweeping across from the other side.

He had only performed half of the 'Phoenix Greets the Morning' move, while the second half transformed into 'Wild Goose Vanishing into the Void'.

Linghu Chong could not help but be stunned. At this moment, his sword tip was thrusting toward the upper right; if he were to continue the move according to the countering method on the stone wall, he would have to thrust twice in succession toward the lower left and upper left.

The directions of these two moves conflicted; if Linghu Chong were to strike according to that countering method, he would inevitably twist his own body into a knot and fall over!

Lu Li then unleashed a dozen more sword moves, every one of them a Huashan Sword Technique familiar to Linghu Chong, and every one of them a sword technique for which the stone wall had carved a counter.

Yet, when these sword techniques were linked together, Linghu Chong could no longer counter them!

In the blink of an eye, half a set of the Huashan Sword Technique was finished, and Linghu Chong had been struck several times by the branch.

He stood blankly on the spot, his mind in a state of chaos, unable to decide for a moment whether to be happy or sad.

Lu Li threw the branch aside and said, "This countering method is pieced together and lacks any coherent system."

"At first glance, it is indeed ingenious and can counter each sword move individually."

"But upon closer inspection, it is completely useless."

"I strike with my sword like lightning; if the first move requires him to raise his sword to parry upward, and the next move requires him to block horizontally, how could he possibly manage it?"

Linghu Chong recalled the situation of their recent exchange, and it was indeed as Lu Li had said.

The countering method seemed clever, but it lacked a fundamental system and could not be linked together.

"Today, Junior Brother has cleared up my confusion again."

Lu Li shook his head and said, "Senior Brother is happy too early. This kind of move-countering might be useless to us, but if ordinary disciples encountered it, I fear they would be bewildered at the very first exchange."

"We must find those junior brothers later and have them practice more, so they can experience the joy of having their sword techniques countered."

Prevention is better than cure; it is best to be prepared.

Linghu Chong smiled and agreed. His inner doubts had been resolved, and just as he was about to thank Lu Li for his guidance, he suddenly thought of something else and asked, "If someone really were to combine these moves that counter others' martial arts into a complete set of martial arts, what should be done then?"

Lu Li thought to himself, as expected of Linghu Chong, his mind turns very quickly.

In the Jin-style martial arts world, such situations have not been unheard of.

For example, the Ancient Tomb Sword Art in *The Return of the Condor Heroes* counters the Quanzhen Sword Art, and the Golden Crow Blade Technique in *Ode to Gallantry* counters the Snow Mountain Sword Art.

However, the premise for all of this is based on one's own strength and an understanding of the opponent.

For instance, Lin Chaoying and Wang Zhongyang were both people of peerless martial arts.

Moreover, they already knew each other inside and out, and the strengths and weaknesses of both sides had long since been tested.

"Heh, if someone could really achieve this, how high and peerless would their martial arts be? Even without using a countering method,"

"they would be enough to crush anyone."

"The so-called countering method is to watch the other person move first, and then strike first to arrive later."

"In the end, it is because one's own martial arts and physical condition exceed the opponent's; the two sides are simply not on the same level."

"Where in this world is there a move that can counter all sword techniques? In the end, it is nothing more than the strong bullying the weak."

"That is not necessarily true."

Suddenly, a strange voice interjected.

Lu Li turned his head and saw an old man emerging from behind the cliff.

This person had white hair and a white beard, a face like golden paper, a lean and refined figure, and a lonely expression.

"Little one, your sword technique is not bad, but it is a pity your vision is short-sighted. How do you know there is no sword technique in this world that can counter all moves?"

"Who is the senior, and why have you suddenly appeared on our Huashan?"

Linghu Chong gripped his sword hilt, secretly on guard.

Lu Li, however, knew that the person who had arrived was Feng Qingyang, and he thought to himself that he had finally managed to lure him out.

He naturally knew the power of the Dugu Nine Swords, but he retorted, "You say there is a sword technique that can counter all the martial arts in the world?"

"Of course."

"Really? I don't believe it."

"You!"

Where had Feng Qingyang ever seen such a contrarian? He was so angry he laughed instead, casually picked up a branch, and said, "Make your move against me."

Linghu Chong had not yet figured out who the person was, but Lu Li drew his long sword without hesitation and, with the move 'Green Pine Welcomes the Guest', attacked directly.

Feng Qingyang was holding a branch, while Lu Li was holding a long sword.

Lu Li knew he had the advantage of his weapon, but he still went all out.

On one hand, he knew Feng Qingyang's sword technique was likely extremely high, and he might not necessarily be able to injure the other party.

On the other hand, he also wanted to see if the Dugu Nine Swords were truly as invincible as the original work claimed.

If Feng Qingyang could not block his long sword with a tree branch, then these Dugu Nine Swords were nothing more than that!

Lu Li's sword shimmered with a cold light; each move of the Huashan Sword Technique was like an antelope hanging its horns or a heavenly horse soaring through the skies, making it impossible for anyone to guess his intentions.

One moment his move was the Yangwu Sword Technique, and the next it changed into the Xiyi Sword Technique.

The first half of a move was "Phoenix Descends," yet the next half unexpectedly turned into a move of the Songshan Sword Art recorded on the stone wall!

Standing to the side, Linghu Chong watched in stunned silence, feeling that despite having spent so much time with Lu Li, only today had he witnessed Lu Li's true swordsmanship!

The current Linghu Chong had already learned the Xiyi Sword Technique and practiced the Purple Mist Divine Skill, making his martial arts far superior to those in the original work.

In the pugilistic world, he was not only a leader of the younger generation but also someone comparable to some sect Elders.

Yet Linghu Chong knew that if he were to face Lu Li, he would have no chance of winning at all!

Within ten moves, he would surely perish!

"Master often said my talent for sword techniques was astonishing, yet compared to Junior Brother now, the gap is actually this vast."

Linghu Chong sighed inwardly, his eyes filled with surprise and admiration, yet devoid of any jealousy.

He marveled at the brilliance of Lu Li's sword technique, but was even more astonished by the old man opposite him.

The old man held only a tree branch, yet he remained composed under Lu Li's storm-like offensive!

No matter how Lu Li changed his moves, Feng Qingyang was able to predict them in advance.

He attacked with every move, using the tree branch to strike at Lu Li's vital points in advance with every sword strike, forcing Lu Li to retract his sword to defend.

However, it was not easy for him to defeat Lu Li either.

Feng Qingyang had fought Lu Li for over fifty moves and still hadn't managed to take him down; if it were an ordinary person, they would have been ashamed or even angry, but the joy in his eyes only grew more intense.

After a few more moves, Feng Qingyang laughed aloud, and the True Qi on his body surged suddenly.

The next moment, the tree branch tapped forward, seemingly piercing through space, and arrived instantly at Lu Li's face.

The outcome was decided.

"Hahaha!

Good lad, I never expected your sword technique could reach such a level!

Without using True Qi, it really isn't easy to defeat your long sword with a tree branch."

Lu Li was now convinced and bowed, saying, "Senior's sword technique is transcendent; it is this junior who is shallow."

Feng Qingyang said, "I am Feng Qingyang, and this sword technique is called the Dugu Nine Swords; it can break all martial arts under heaven!

Hahaha!

Lad, are you willing to learn it?"