Chapter 263: A Glance of Startling Passion

Tyrant Blade was defeated.

If his world-shocking blade had reached perfection, it would likely not have been so easy for Yu Liancheng to overcome him.

Even so, the power of that blade was truly astonishing.

Yu Liancheng used a fist that was impervious to blades, spears, water, and fire to meet it head-on, and he actually sustained an injury.

"Go ahead and stand in the rain to cool off; disciples of the Heaven Beyond Heaven will come to find you and bring you to the main altar." Yu Liancheng raised his gaze to look at the Mad Blade, who was collapsed on the ground, gasping for air.

He turned his body, walked to Liusheng Piaoxu's side, and naturally took the umbrella from her hand, saying, "Let's go."

"Mm." Liusheng Piaoxu nodded lightly, unexpectedly offering no rebuttal.

The rain gradually eased, leaving a misty, drizzling scene.

For some reason, a sense of tranquility arose in Liusheng Piaoxu. It was as if all things in heaven and earth had vanished, leaving only her and Yu Liancheng.

But even the longest road has an end; before they knew it, the two had returned to the front of the residence.

When she saw the residence, that wondrous state of mind vanished, and Liusheng Piaoxu felt a sense of loss once more, feeling even more distracted and unsettled.

Just as she opened the door and stepped inside, she tripped on the threshold and stumbled, nearly falling to the ground. For an expert like her, this was inconceivable.

Fortunately, a broad, powerful palm had already caught her slender waist.

Yu Liancheng frowned, helped Liusheng Piaoxu back into her boudoir, and let her sit against the head of the bed. He checked her pulse and exhaled lightly, saying, "That was my oversight."

Liusheng Piaoxu only felt dizzy, exhibiting a fragility entirely unlike her usual self, much like Xizi clutching her heart: "What has happened to me?"

Yu Liancheng said, "Although Tyrant Blade's strike did not truly wound you, the formless blade Qi injured your spirit; you simply didn't notice it earlier because you were distracted by the fight. It is of no consequence, however; a short rest will suffice."

Having said this, he circulated his Mind-Capturing Technique, and a formless mental energy rippled out to soothe Liusheng Piaoxu's spirit.

Liusheng Piaoxu felt an unprecedented wave of drowsiness wash over her; her eyelids felt as heavy as a thousand catties, and before she knew it, she had drifted into a deep, unconscious sleep.

After Liusheng Piaoxu fell asleep, Yu Liancheng tapped her snow-white forehead with a finger, and streams of mellow True Qi surged into the young woman's body. Not long after, he withdrew his hand, his right palm held in a hollow grip, and in the center of his palm was a cluster of sharp, harmonious blade Qi.

"This blade is truly formidable; it can actually influence a person's spirit and emotions. This has given me inspiration; perhaps I can use the Mind-Capturing Technique to create a martial art that influences emotions."

Yu Liancheng's eyes flickered, as if he had fallen into deep thought.

……

The next day, early morning.

Liusheng Piaoxu slowly woke up, stretched comfortably, her dark hair cascading down like a waterfall. Her beautiful eyes were half-open, and her cloud-like hair was loose and messy, giving her a very lazy and moving appearance.

Soon, she seemed to realize something and shuddered suddenly. She hurriedly lifted the blanket and, seeing that her clothes were intact—save for her shoes and socks—she breathed a slight sigh of relief.

Liusheng Piaoxu shifted her gaze and saw Yu Liancheng sitting to the side.

It seemed he had sat on the stool all night to look after her.

At the thought of this, an indescribable feeling welled up in Liusheng Piaoxu.

Soon, she discovered another anomaly.

Yu Liancheng seemed to be surrounded by a jade-like luster, and this luster seemed to possess a divine power that made her emotions fluctuate.

Suddenly.

Yu Liancheng's eyes snapped open.

In an instant, the entire room seemed to brighten, as if a bolt of lightning had flashed through. It came and went so quickly that one might doubt if it were merely an illusion.

"What is this?" Liusheng Piaoxu was filled with inexplicable astonishment.

Yu Liancheng smiled and said, "I created a martial art last night; would you like to see it?"

A look of great interest appeared on Liusheng Piaoxu's pretty face: "Of course, what kind of martial art is it?"

Yu Liancheng beckoned to her and said, "Why don't you try attacking me."

"Alright."

Liusheng Piaoxu leaped up, agile as a flying phoenix, held her palm like a blade, and slashed horizontally.

Yu Liancheng smiled, not moving a muscle.

He simply raised his head, and his eyes suddenly shimmered with flowing light.

When Liusheng Piaoxu met those eyes, seven emotions—joy, anger, worry, thought, sorrow, fear, and shock—surged into her mind all at once. All her thoughts were scattered, and her True Qi involuntarily stalled.

At this moment, Yu Liancheng opened his arms, and a strange suction force emerged, like a vortex; even the light seemed to dim, as if it were being drawn into his embrace.

Liusheng Piaoxu let out a soft cry; unable to break free from this suction, she fell into Yu Liancheng's arms like a swallow returning to the forest.

"This... what is this martial art?" Liusheng Piaoxu looked up, her pretty face filled with surprise, her whole body resting quietly in his arms, as if she had grown accustomed to it.

Yu Liancheng stroked her cloud-like hair and said with a faint smile, "I call it 'A Glance of Startling Passion.' I had previously practiced a skill called the Mind-Capturing Technique, and later, through various turns, I learned many Mental Secret Techniques. Yesterday, Tyrant Blade's strike injured your spirit, causing you to feel worry, fear, and shock. I wondered if I could create a technique that similarly influences a person's emotions."

Liusheng Piaoxu asked in surprise, "You created 'A Glance of Startling Passion' in just one night?"

"My technique can stir the seven emotions, but it is only a rough draft for now. The reason you were affected is that you had no defenses against me, and you had just woken up, so your consciousness was still somewhat hazy."

Yu Liancheng shrugged: "If I were to encounter a Martial Dao expert like Tyrant Blade or your father, even if they were at a disadvantage, their Xinhu would remain calm and undisturbed. The effect of my 'A Glance of Startling Passion' would be much smaller."

"Even so, it is astonishing enough. Especially at the critical moment of a duel, using this move would achieve unexpected results."

Excitement appeared on Liusheng Piaoxu's pretty face, but suddenly her body trembled, her face flushed red, and she struggled out of Yu Liancheng's arms, glaring at him with her beautiful eyes: "You, can't you be serious for once?"

In those eyes, there seemed to be a mist of water, adding a touch of charm.

"Matters between a man and a woman are quite serious by nature; it is you who thought otherwise." Yu Liancheng shrugged and smiled: "Alright, get ready, we are returning to the main altar."

Liusheng Piaoxu said, "You aren't looking for other experts?"

Yu Liancheng said, "With me, the 'First Heavenly Venerable,' the two of you, and Tyrant Blade, it is enough for now. Once the reputation of the Heaven Beyond Heaven resounds throughout the entire Edo, I will prepare to go to the Capital, and you will come with me then."

"What are you going to the Capital for?"

"To find a divine art that will be of great help to me."

……

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