C7 Cloudstrider(1)
As he finished speaking, Yang Xiao's demeanor underwent a dramatic shift. Gone was the arrogance and showiness, replaced by the poise of a sharpened sword, his features taking on a keen edge.
"So, you're finally ready to unsheathe your sword?"
A smirk played at the corner of Ling Chen's mouth as his body gave a slight shudder, causing the multitude of avatars surrounding him to vanish into thin air.
His cultivation level wasn't high enough to sustain the release of so many avatars at once, and it had indeed drained some of his energy. Yet, this very act struck a nerve with Yang Xiao, who interpreted it as Ling Chen's disdain for him, prompting him to forgo using his own avatar.
"Court death!" Yang Xiao barked, and in a flash, he charged forward, sword in hand.
"Chi!"
The sword's keen edge sliced through the air, leaving a lengthy trail behind it, and even the space itself rippled from the force. His attack, swift as it was, appeared to onlookers like a ribbon of white silk, the swordplay fluid and enchanting, devoid of any rigidity, reminiscent of clouds drifting across a stream.
"Cloudstrider!"
Liu Yan exclaimed at the sight of the technique.
"Such exquisite swordsmanship indeed belongs to Cloudstrider!" Tan Wei agreed, his gaze fixed intently on Yang Xiao.
He too was a swordsmanship enthusiast. To master even one or two moves would elevate his own skill to new heights.
Yet, as the sword thrust toward him, Ling Chen stood his ground, stepping back just enough for the blade to narrowly miss him.
Yang Xiao's expression darkened. The descending sword suddenly shifted, transforming from a vertical chop to a horizontal slash in an instant.
Whoosh!
The sword's edge traced a fierce arc through the air. As it seemed destined to strike Ling Chen, the young man arched back, the blade skimming perilously close to his nose.
Undeterred, Yang Xiao twisted his wrist, raising the sword for another vicious swing at Ling Chen below. But in that moment, Ling Chen somersaulted with the agility of a swallow, deftly evading the blade before propelling himself with a powerful leap to land behind Yang Xiao.
The entire sequence flowed even more smoothly than the Cloudstrider itself.
It was as though he had completely deciphered Yang Xiao's swordsmanship!
On the battle platform, the two combatants exchanged blows, one thrusting and the other evading. Both were paragons of their generation, and their duel had the onlookers utterly captivated, leaving them with an overwhelming sense of their own inadequacy.
Yet, despite Ling Chen's seemingly effortless composure, Yang Xiao grew increasingly panicked, his heart tumultuous as if caught in a stormy sea!
He realized that despite his numerous thrusts, not one had managed to strike Ling Chen!
He even began to suspect...
That at this moment, it wasn't he who was attacking Ling Chen, but rather that he was being outmaneuvered at every turn.
With each failed attempt to land a hit, Yang Xiao's desperation mounted. His once fluid swordsmanship now became erratic.
The more he missed, the more his fury grew!
The more enraged he became!
"Yang Xiao, that was not the right move to make," Ling Chen remarked leisurely.
"What?" Yang Xiao responded, taken aback.
With a slight smile, Ling Chen explained, "Your strike should have targeted my lower body, not the upper. Had you adjusted just two inches downward, you would have pierced my flesh. The pain would have caused me to pause, and you might have claimed victory."
"Absurd!" Yang Xiao retorted in anger.
This man's audacity knew no bounds!
Despite Yang Xiao's visible outrage, Ling Chen maintained his serene smile, "Yang Xiao, if I'm not mistaken, that move was the third form of the Cloudstrider..."
At these words, Yang Xiao was astounded, voicing his disbelief, "How could you possibly know I executed the third form?"
The Cloudstrider consisted of thirty-six forms, yet he had only demonstrated a few. Each form was intricately complex, and without years of dedicated practice, it would be nearly impossible to discern which form corresponded to each move!
And yet, Ling Chen, having only sparred with him briefly, had pinpointed the exact form he had used?
How could Yang Xiao not be astonished?
Ling Chen simply smiled, offering no explanation.
He spoke softly, "The Cloudstrider consists of thirty-six techniques, each one requiring a serene body and mind, akin to clouds drifting and water flowing. Only by dedicating your entire being to the sword can you tap into the true essence of the Cloudstrider. Yet, you are too impetuous at the moment, incapable of harnessing even half of the Cloudstrider's power."
At these words, Yang Xiao's surprise deepened.
His perception of Ling Chen shifted.
Could this guy... actually be spot on?
Ling Chen stepped back, smiling lightly, "Well then, since our paths have crossed, I'll consider it a good deed to give you some guidance. I'm about to demonstrate the full Cloudstrider sequence. Pay close attention."
"You're versed in the Cloudstrider?" Yang Xiao raised an eyebrow, skepticism written all over his face.
Talking the talk was one thing, but walking the walk was another.
Despite Ling Chen's convincing words, Yang Xiao remained unconvinced of his mastery of the Cloudstrider. After all, this swordsmanship was among the empire's top three, with a level of difficulty beyond imagination. Even Yang Xiao had mastered only twenty-seven techniques!
"Do you have a sword?"
Ling Chen scanned the surroundings.
"I have one!" Su Wanqing chimed in, tossing a sword his way.
She, too, was eager to see if Ling Chen truly knew the Cloudstrider.
As Ling Chen caught the sword, his demeanor transformed!
Gone was the sharpness, replaced by tranquility, his eyes softening.
He raised his right hand slightly, the sword in his grasp sweeping through the air with grace.
Not just him, but the sword itself seemed to soften, its movement like a pliable ribbon...
A flash of blue sword light burst forth.
"This is the first technique of the Cloudstrider, Cloudwalk!"
He declared, then swung his sword once more.
"This is the second technique, Flowing Water!"
And then...
The third strike!
The fourth!
...
In that moment, Ling Chen resembled a graceful dancer, his steps deft as he brandished his sword before Yang Xiao.
"This is the eighth technique, Floating Cloud!"
"This is the twenty-first technique of the Cloudstrider swordsmanship, Cloudplay!"
...
"This is the thirty-sixth technique of the Cloudstrider swordsmanship, Cloudplay!"
...
Each sword strike followed seamlessly after the previous one.
The audience was utterly captivated.
It seemed as though what unfolded before them was not merely a display of swordsmanship, but the creation of a stunning painting.
Yang Xiao grew increasingly astonished as he observed.
