Eternal Saber

Chapter 434 - 40: Testing My Sword on You

Everything happened too fast.

So fast that many people hadn’t reacted yet.

Xia Yuanxian looked at Qiu Meng’s corpse, frowning slightly.

Ambush?

His first reaction was that Qiu Meng, having just stepped onto the martial arts arena and not yet steady on his feet, was shot dead by a single arrow from Chen Tang.

Otherwise, as a martial artist in the Inner Core Realm, it’s hard to explain why Qiu Meng would die so quickly.

Qiu Meng, as a guard of the Prime Minister’s Mansion, was strictly selected. His gray iron armor was forged from high-quality refined iron, and even a five-stone strong bow couldn’t pierce it within a hundred meters!

What kind of bow did that person use?

Xia Yuanxian withdrew his gaze, no longer sparing another glance at Qiu Meng.

The dead guard was worthless in his eyes.

Xia Yuanxian looked towards the crowd, searching for the next guard to step up.

He believed that with the lesson learned, whoever it was would be more cautious and fully alert.

"He Fan, you go."

Xia Yuanxian called out one of the men.

"Yes, sir!"

The guard named ’He Fan’ looked lean and short, wearing no armor, just a tight-fitting outfit, making him appear more agile. In a few swift steps, he leaped onto the martial arts arena.

The second guard was obviously not randomly chosen.

Qiu Meng was tall and clad in heavy armor, moving slowly, which made it difficult to fend off Chen Tang’s strong bow.

But this ’He Fan’ was the best in body technique and lightweight skill among the guards!

He served as a scout leader in the Prime Minister’s Mansion.

The width of the martial arts arena was only a dozen or so feet, making the killing power of the bow and arrow indeed significant within this distance.

But once the first arrow missed, there would be little chance to shoot again!

"If He Fan can rely on his body technique to evade the first arrow, he could seize the opportunity to get close. But at such a close range, a bow and arrow become almost useless and a burden..."

Xia Yuanxian speculated about the situation behind him while walking away.

Twang!

The familiar sound of the bowstring resonated.

Again, a familiar faint breeze with a hint of blood scent brushed past his face.

Another shadow flew past him, landing heavily on the ground.

He Fan was dead.

Xia Yuanxian: "..."

He still couldn’t understand how this could happen?

"What just happened? How did He Fan lose so quickly?"

Facing away from the arena, Xia Yuanxian saw nothing. He randomly called over a guard from the crowd and asked with a frown.

"J-just that person raised his hand and shot an arrow, and He Fan didn’t dodge it..."

The guard stammered.

That’s it?

Xia Yuanxian still felt it was a bit ridiculous.

However, these two arrows finally piqued his interest.

"Great archery!"

"Well done!"

Voices of praise echoed from the crowd.

Though they didn’t know Chen Tang’s background, his two arrows killed two guards of the Prime Minister’s Mansion neatly, providing the Jianghu people, who had been holding their breath for the whole event, a good release of anger!

"Very well."

Xia Yuanxian turned around, heading towards the martial arts arena, saying, "Since you seek death so earnestly, I shall fulfill your wish."

Seeing Xia Yuanxian step onto the arena, Chen Tang threw his bow and arrow to the ground.

The Flood Dragon Bow could easily kill a Fifth Grade Inner Core, but it was far from enough to deal with Xia Yuanxian.

Chen Tang wasn’t arrogant enough to think otherwise.

Xia Yuanxian didn’t rush to attack, only asked casually, "What weapon do you use?"

With the corner of his eye, Chen Tang saw a familiar figure at the back of the arena. That person was waving frantically through the crowd, looking excited and flushed.

Chen Tang felt a firm resolve, raised his arm, and shouted loudly, "Sword, come!"

Seeing Chen Tang looking into the distance with an extraordinary aura, as if at the next moment, thousands of swords would break through the sky and cover the sun, Xia Yuanxian couldn’t help but tense up, concentrating and maintaining his guard.

The crowd, seeing Chen Tang so composed, displaying an air of an exceptional master, also couldn’t help but follow his gaze with anticipation.

It was long heard that some divine weapons, having followed their masters for years, would nurture a trace of spirituality.

Even separated by thousands of miles, a single thought could still summon them instantly!

Could this young man be such a master, deeply hidden?

However, after waiting for a long time, there was no movement.

Only a few crows flew overhead, cawing loudly.

The martial arts arena fell silent for a moment.

Madam Su held her forehead.

What’s with the young people these days, making such a fuss? A single call for the sword and I’m all stirred up.

"If you want to use a sword, use it. What’s with all the drama? Really lacks any discerning eye."

On the contrary, Mei Zhenyu, seeing the awkwardness of the situation, disregarded the risk of exposing his identity and said loudly, "Brother Chen, use my sword!"

"Brother Chen, the sword is here!"

Finally, a voice emerged from the crowd.

Chen Tang let out a soft sigh of relief.

You finally arrived.

He had noticed a thrilled Uncle Qi at the back of the crowd earlier and guessed that the sword must have been finished!

"Brother Chen, glad to have fulfilled the task!"

Uncle Qi presented a long sword wrapped in sharkskin in both hands, offering it to Chen Tang.

Chen Tang took the long sword.

The hilt was intricately carved from ancient nanmu wood, with patterns winding like the ripples of autumn water. It felt rough and sandy, hard as a rock, with a hint of coolness to prevent sweating from prolonged holding.

Buzz!

The long sword was drawn; its blade fully revealed, Chen Tang’s eyes lit up.

The sword blade was about three feet long and two fingers wide, slender and smooth, like a pool of autumn water, clear and transparent, with a slight chill.

Forged by superimposing seven flying swords, the blade bore natural-looking water ripple patterns.

Chen Tang gently rotated the blade, and under the sunlight, those ripples refracted glistening light, like silent autumn water flowing continuously, merging with the vast sky.

Everyone present couldn’t help but silently praise such a fine sword!

The martial artists from the Sword Casting Manor watched, thoughtful.

Among them, only one person had met Chen Tang and three others on that day and wasn’t quite sure about the situation, planning to report to the three Manor Masters before making a decision.

"This sword is my life’s proudest work. With its completion, I have no regrets," said Uncle Qi.

"Please, Brother Chen, give this sword a name."

Chen Tang extended two fingers, gently brushing over the spine of the sword, closed his eyes, and felt the chill emanating from the blade edges on both sides.

His two fingers suddenly stopped in the middle of the blade, and he lightly flicked the edge.

Drip!

It was like a drop of water falling onto a lake covered with evening glow, crisp and melodious, refreshing and uplifting.

As the blade vibrated gently, ripples spread across the lake surface.

The evening glow filled the sky, and the sword was etched like autumn water.

Chen Tang opened his eyes and said, "The sword shall be named ’Qiushui’ (Autumn Water)."

"Good, good, good!"

Uncle Qi praised repeatedly, laughing heartily, "Qiushui, Qiushui! This sword will surely become renowned throughout the world!"

"Hmph!"

Xia Yuanxian sneered, "Whether a divine weapon can become renowned depends on whose hand it is in. If it falls into the hands of a mediocre person, no matter how powerful, it will be like a pearl covered in dust."

"’Qiushui’ has just been forged, perfect to test on you."

Chen Tang turned around, holding the Qiushui sword, his aura shifting instantly.

"Such arrogance!"

Xia Yuanxian, having waited impatiently, touched the ground with his toes. His body darted forward like a ghost and approached Chen Tang in the blink of an eye, drawing his blade to strike!

Using Floating Light and Shadow in combination with the Moonlit Ten Forms, no one of the same rank could withstand his edge.

In the previous battle, Shen Zhiyuan had faced him head-on only once before changing tactics, using the power of the "Riverside Preface" to trap him, not daring to confront him directly.

Yet, Chen Tang neither dodged nor evaded, seemingly casually thrusting his sword forward.

Clang!

Xia Yuanxian’s long blade had just emerged from its sheath, and before fully executing the Moonlit Ten Forms, Chen Tang’s sword had already pierced the blade edge!

"Hmm?"

Xia Yuanxian felt a tremendous force surging through the blade. He could barely withstand it and slid half a foot backward!

This move stirred the crowd into a commotion.

Xia Yuanxian had trained his body horizontally, forged the inner strength of his viscera, and reached the Opening Acupoints Realm.

Even those like Shen Zhiyuan and Su Muzhe from the Wind and Cloud Ranking dared not clash with him, yet Chen Tang had forced him back with just a casual sword strike!

The strength of this person seemed to surpass Xia Yuanxian!

Everyone clearly saw that Chen Tang’s temples showed no sign of bulging.

Could this person also have taken the path of horizontal body training?

Zhu Lingxue, seeing this sword move, was puzzled and couldn’t resist asking, "Senior Brother, wasn’t that last move by Brother Chen from the Cold Plum Sword Technique’s ’Fragrant Floating’?"

Mei Zhenyu nodded, "Indeed it was."

"How does he know our sect’s swordsmanship?"

Zhu Lingxue’s eyes widened in confusion.

Mei Zhenyu paused in silence, then said, "Brother Chen has seen me practice it a few times..."

Zhu Lingxue opened her mouth but was speechless for a moment.

He learned it just by watching Senior Brother a few times?

She had practiced the Cold Plum Swordsmanship for years and hadn’t fully mastered it.

"Good, good, good."

In the martial arts arena, Xia Yuanxian nodded repeatedly, saying, "No wonder you dare to challenge me. You have indeed trained your body horizontally, and reached the Opening Acupoints Realm!"

"However, brute strength alone is useless to me; you’re nothing but fish on the chopping block!"

Before his words faded, Xia Yuanxian again made his move, his body technique remaining swift and agile, elusive.

With the fierce knife skills of the Moonlit Ten Forms, he charged at Chen Tang.

Chen Tang, calm and composed, stood still, wielding his sword effortlessly. At times using moves from the Cold Plum Sword Technique, at times from the White Ape Swordsmanship, and occasionally from the "Riverside Preface" sword techniques.

Though appearing disorganized and lacking a system,

Chen Tang’s every sword stroke easily neutralized Xia Yuanxian’s attacks.

In the eyes of the crowd, Xia Yuanxian constantly attacked Chen Tang in the martial arts arena, yet returned empty-handed each time.

Chen Tang remained easygoing, drawing upon numerous exquisite sword techniques at will.

With every move, he forced Xia Yuanxian to retreat, making him appear extremely embarrassed!

"Good!"

"Great swordsmanship!"

Many Jianghu guests couldn’t help cheering and applauding, boosting Chen Tang’s momentum.

"What’s the fuss?"

Beside them, Xiao Wuhen listened, growing annoyed, and sneered, "Young Master Xia still has many cards up his sleeve, for now, he’s just playing with this person."

After all, many Jianghu heroes had just witnessed Xia Yuanxian’s methods and knew Xiao Wuhen spoke the truth.

As long as Xia Yuanxian wielded those two flying swords, the situation would immediately reverse!

But at least for now, seeing the previously arrogant Xia Yuanxian unable to succeed despite his efforts brought immense satisfaction to the crowd.

In reality, many were just watching for amusement, unaware that Xia Yuanxian, still fighting Chen Tang, felt so suffocated that he wanted to vomit blood.