bookcurios Chapter 237 No. 1 in the world
Chapter 237 No. 1 in the world
Duan Zhengchun, wielding his sword, charged forward with lightning speed and ghostly movements, surprising even Dugu Qiubai, who hadn't seen him for ten years.
In the blink of an eye, the two clashed. Although Dugu Qiubai had no sword in his hand, he was still not afraid of the sharpness of the Lingxiao Sword and could easily deal with it with every move!
The sand and stones on the ground, the fallen leaves, can all become his sword, and even the surrounding air is filled with a powerful sword intent!
With the Lingxiao Sword in hand, Duan Zhengchun made a series of unexpected moves as he dodged and weaved. He was no longer the young man who wielded a broken sword!
Since they had just clashed, neither of them used their full strength; this was a courtesy they showed each other.
This seems to be a duel where only the strongest can prevail, and neither side wants to really hurt the other.
After a dozen or so moves, Duan Zhengchun's sword techniques began to become faster and more unpredictable!
He didn't use the Dugu Nine Swords taught to him by Dugu Qiubai, nor the First Sword of the East created by Wang Chongyang, but a set of moves that he had figured out through repeated battles!
No fancy tricks, just a decisive blow!
There were no moves, no rules! Even he himself didn't know how he would execute his next strike! All his moves changed according to the changes in his opponent's moves!
As time went on, Dugu Qiubai became increasingly surprised, because he discovered that Duan Zhengchun had indeed not relaxed over the years, and his martial arts skills were now on a completely different level!
After a long while, just as Dugu Qiubai unleashed a wisp of sword energy towards Duan Zhengchun, Duan Zhengchun's eyes lit up instantly. Instead of retreating, he charged forward like a ghost towards Dugu Qiubai and thrust out a sword with all his might!
He saw the flaw in Dugu Qiubai's defenses!
But the Sword Demon could not possibly have a flaw. That was just a sliver of opportunity that Duan Zhengchun had found that might be able to turn the tide, so he risked everything and unleashed a sword strike that shocked heaven and earth without any worries!
This sword strike leaves no way out!
To lose is to die!
Although their contest is only about who is stronger, it doesn't mean that no one will die!
Everything happened so fast!
With a whooshing sound, two sharp sword energies clashed instantly, and Duan Zhengchun was seen staggering back three steps, a trickle of blood spilling from the corner of his mouth!
Dugu Qiubai stood still, but his entire face changed!
What was revealed in his eyes was no longer surprise, but shock!
Duan Zhengchun wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and couldn't help but reveal a wanton smile.
"I lost."
Dugu Qiubai glanced at his shoulder in surprise, said something indifferently, and then the excitement he couldn't suppress gradually surfaced on his face.
"Senior is too kind; it should be me who has lost."
Duan Zhengchun sheathed his sword, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and said with a smile.
Judging from the result, he was injured by the sword energy, but Dugu Qiubai was not, because he only pierced the clothes on Dugu Qiubai's shoulder.
But that was enough for him.
How many people in the world could pierce the Sword Demon's clothes?
"No, I lost!"
"You really are extraordinary, kid. I never expected you to sacrifice yourself and force yourself into a desperate situation to unleash that unparalleled sword strike!"
"To be honest, when I was your age, I hadn't reached your level, and I couldn't have unleashed that sword strike you just used!"
Dugu Qiubai looked at Duan Zhengchun with admiration on his face. He didn't care about winning or losing, but was excited to see someone who could defeat him.
In his view, he had already lost the moment his clothes were pierced, because he was the Sword Demon Dugu Qiubai!
Immediately afterwards, the two exchanged a smile, returned to the campfire, picked up their respective drinking vessels, and drank heartily together.
After the battle just now, Duan Zhengchun has once again achieved great success in swordsmanship, and his cultivation has reached a new level!
Although he could not reach the level of Dugu Qiubai, where there was no sword in his heart and no killing intent, he had already achieved the state of oneness with the sword and the ability to control the sword with his qi!
Such a level of attainment is unparalleled in the entire world!
He couldn't be as detached from killing as Dugu Qiubai, free from the desire for sword and self, because he had too many people and things he couldn't let go of. But it was precisely because of this that he, just as Dugu Qiubai had said back then, forged his own unique path.
Under the cover of night, the old man and the young man sat by the campfire, drinking and debating the true meaning of swordsmanship. They seemed to have their own convictions that the other could not convince, but they also had insights that they found very helpful to each other.
It wasn't until dawn the next day that the two, who hadn't slept all night, reluctantly bid each other farewell and descended the mountain.
Riding a white horse, Duan Zhengchun dragged his slightly tired body towards the desolate city of Muye. His wish had been fulfilled, and this time when he returned to the martial world, he would surely be reborn.
After his battle with Dugu Qiubai, he believed that no one in the world could rival him. Although he had not yet reached the point of having no sword in his hand, he had at least grasped the basics. Although his swordsmanship was still inferior to Dugu Qiubai's, his sword intent had surpassed Dugu Qiubai's!
This was said by Dugu Qiubai himself, because Duan Zhengchun's sword intent contained a killing intent that was not unjust and was decisive in killing!
...
Five days later.
Duan Zhengchun finally returned to Muye Wasteland City. When Hong Lingbo saw Duan Zhengchun, who looked pale, she panicked. She had thought that Duan Zhengchun had gone to find some unknown lover, but now he looked like he was seriously injured.
"Duan Lang, what's wrong?"
"Why do you look so pale?!"
Hong Lingbo quickly approached, took Duan Zhengchun's hand, looked him up and down, and asked him with concern, her eyes full of heartache.
"It's nothing, just a minor injury. How's your master's injury? Is it getting better?"
Duan Zhengchun smiled and shook his head, handing the sword box on his back to Hong Lingbo and immediately changing the subject.
He knew that even if he told Hong Lingbo the truth, she wouldn't know who Dugu Qiubai was. Besides, Dugu Qiubai had specifically instructed him not to tell anyone that he had met him when they parted, and he had to keep his promise.
However, Dugu Qiubai's sword strike was indeed very powerful. Although he was only slightly affected, he was seriously injured. If it weren't for the fact that he had cultivated several profound internal skills, he would probably have lost at least half his life.
“Master’s injuries have improved a lot, and he can now walk on the ground.”
Hong Lingbo hesitated for a moment, then looked away and answered softly as she put the sword box away.
Duan Zhengchun nodded without saying a word and went straight to Li Mochou's residence. As soon as he entered, he saw Xiaolongnu and Ying'er there as well.
"Daddy!"
Ying'er cheered and excitedly ran towards Duan Zhengchun.
Duan Zhengchun smiled, bent down to pick up the baby, and walked to the bedside with a smile.
Although Li Mochou's injuries have improved, she still spends most of her time in bed every day in order to properly recuperate.
"What's wrong with you?!"
When Xiaolongnu and Li Mochou saw Duan Zhengchun's expression, they asked the same question almost in unison.
They were all martial arts practitioners, so they could tell at a glance that Duan Zhengchun was injured!
"Why are you all making such a fuss? It's nothing, I just sparred with someone and got a minor injury."
Duan Zhengchun gave a wry smile and said nonchalantly.
"Who could possibly hurt you?!"
"A Persian Christian?!"
"People from the Vajra Sect?!"
Upon hearing this, Xiaolongnu and Li Mochou pressed for answers again, one thinking it was retaliation from the Persian cult, and the other thinking they had encountered members of the Vajra Sect.
"No, he's just a senior figure in the martial arts world. You may not have heard of him."
"Besides, I promised him that I wouldn't mention his affairs to anyone, so please stop asking."
Duan Zhengchun shook his head and said.
"Is it really okay?"
Xiaolongnu looked at Duan Zhengchun with concern and asked hesitantly.
"It's really okay."
Duan Zhengchun smiled and nodded, then presented his wrist to Xiaolongnu.
Xiaolongnu reached out and checked Duan Zhengchun's pulse, then secretly breathed a sigh of relief, while giving Li Mochou a meaningful look.
"How is it? Is the recovery going smoothly?"
Duan Zhengchun looked at Li Mochou lying on the bed and asked her with concern.
"It's all fine now, and it will be fully recovered in about a month."
Li Mochou smiled and answered softly.
When Duan Zhengchun left the desolate city, he had already copied down the internal cultivation method of the Innate Skill and had Xiaolongnu give it to Li Mochou.
With the blessing of the Innate Skill, Li Mochou's injuries will surely heal faster.
"Then I'll stay for another month, until you're fully recovered."
Duan Zhengchun smiled and said something, then picked up Ying'er and turned to walk outside.
He chose to stay for two reasons: first, he had been at Qixia Mountain for too long and wanted to relax; second, he was worried about the Persian cult coming after him, so he wanted to stay and protect Li Mochou...