Incredible Insight: Cultivating Immortality at Eight, Astonishing Zhang Sanfeng - Chapter 33

Chapter 33 – Wudang’s Number One

“The sword is named Chixiao, and it’s crafted by your disciple from a naturally born sword embryo. Master, please be careful!” Ning Changge said with a serious expression.

Chixiao, the spirit sword, had extraordinary innate material. It could be stored in the dantian and nurtured continuously with spiritual energy. Over the years, its power would increase.

Song Yuanqiao and the others were all amazed. Such a method was beyond belief. To spit out a flying sword from one’s mouth was like witnessing a myth coming to life.

The third-generation disciples stared with wide-open mouths, hardly believing their eyes.

Zhang Sanfeng’s expression was equally unprecedentedly serious. “A good sword!”

With his knowledge, he could fully sense the terrifying nature of this spirit sword. What was typically referred to as divine weapons in the martial world couldn’t hold a candle to it. Especially the sword’s surging radiance, its edge peerless, made it unmatched even by legendary swordsmen.

Previously, he thought that his disciples’ advantage in the cultivation of the Immortal Path lay in longevity, with other aspects not necessarily being strong. But now it seemed that their combat ability was also top-notch.

Zhang Sanfeng became exceptionally focused. He exerted his legs, and his hands traced a profound trajectory, while the black and white Celestial Qi spun, forming a faintly visible Tai Chi diagram.

Everyone became excited. It was apparent that their junior martial uncle and master were about to decide the outcome in a single move.

Ning Changge pinched a sword seal. The previously spinning Chixiao sword abruptly stopped, and its edge surged. In the next moment, it transformed into a streak of crimson spiritual light, slashing towards Zhang Sanfeng.

Its speed was inconceivable!

In an instant, it launched dozens, if not hundreds, of strikes.

The red spiritual light interwove like a heavenly net, continuously slashing around Zhang Sanfeng.

Ding-ding-ding-ding!

Clanging sounds rang out incessantly, as if metal was clashing, the red spiritual light and the black and white Celestial Qi intertwining.

Zhang Sanfeng’s expression grew solemn. He stood in place, using stillness to control motion, exhibiting formidable defensive capabilities. The black and white Tai Chi seemed like a tangible entity, impervious to any of the flying sword’s strikes.

He was immensely shocked. Although it seemed like he was dealing with it easily, only he was fully aware of the true power of the flying sword. Ordinary grandmaster-level figures would hardly withstand a single strike!

If he hadn’t gained insight during his recent seclusion and deepened his understanding of the Tai Chi way, this battle wouldn’t have been this effortless.

Everyone’s breath seemed to freeze.

Ning Changge’s sword manipulation technique was simply terrifying, unlike any swordsmanship seen in the martial world. The spirit sword acted like an extension of Ning Changge’s body, as agile as a fish, spinning and slashing, occasionally splitting into sword shadows.

“I’ve heard of swordsmen like Ximen Chuixue and Ye Gucheng controlling swords with their Qi, but compared to your sword manipulation technique, I’m afraid they are far inferior,” Song Yuanqiao and the others exclaimed.

They had attended several competitions in the Divine Sword Villa, but they had never seen swordsmanship that was similar to Ning Changge’s.

This was the first time he was facing against someone from the Transcendent realm. Whether it was the grand-scale power of the world, as we saw earlier, or Zhang Sanfeng’s manipulation of spiritual energy to form a Tai Chi diagram now, it all indicated that in martial cultivation, when you reach a certain level, you can also utilize spiritual energy. The difference lies in how you use it compared to the Immortal Path.

“It seems my previous knowledge was too shallow,” Ning Changge thought to himself.

After this sparring, he realized that even though martial experts couldn’t refine spiritual energy, they could harness it. It was no wonder that starting from the Transcendent Realm, martial experts had greatly enhanced destructive power and could even split a river with one sword or cleave mountains with another.

In essence, it was still related to spiritual energy. However, martial cultivation involved using their internal Celestial Qi to manipulate spiritual energy. Ning Changge, on the other hand, directly refined spiritual energy, so these two methods couldn’t be directly compared.

Ning Changge understood it thoroughly.

In simpler terms, martial cultivation at an advanced level was what they referred to as connecting with the powers of heaven and earth to amplify their own strength. Immortal cultivation, on the other hand, was directly refining the powers of heaven and earth. The former was like wearing armor, enhancing and enlarging one’s strength, while the latter was about self-strengthening. The merits and demerits were clear without saying much.

“But for me, this is actually a good thing. In the future, I’ll spar with more individuals in the Transcendent Realm and even Earthly Immortals. Naturally, I’ll gain more insights,” Ning Changge smiled.

This exchange was a great benefit for him. He felt that there were countless rays of inspiration flashing before him. Zhang Sanfeng’s Tai Chi philosophy amazed him.

His thoughts changed course. Ning Changge pinched his sword seal, and the spirit sword flew back and rotated slowly by his side.

“Disciple has one more sword technique, named Wood
Element Azure Dragon Sword Qi!” Zhang Sanfeng, who had just relaxed a bit, was suddenly surprised. He immediately focused his full attention, and the black and white Celestial Qi surged, with a powerful wind howling around him.

Everyone’s eyes were fixed, eagerly anticipating Ning Changge’s next sword technique. This was especially true for Song Yuanqiao and the others, as they had used the Qianho Vermillion Bird Sword Qi once with the power of talismans on Song Mountain. Now, they were naturally curious about the might of this other sword Qi.

Ning Changge’s expression remained calm, like a tranquil pool. He pinched the sword seal. The art of controlling a sword had the advantage of flexibility and endurance. However, this Wood Element
Dragon Sword Qi emphasized overwhelming and fierce power.

Boom!

In an instant, Chixiao soared into the sky, turning into a crimson pillar of light that connected to the heavens and earth. Then, from within that pillar of light, terrifying crimson sword qi shot out, taking the form of the Vermilion Bird.

Zhang Sanfeng felt an unprecedented pressure, despite being in the Transcendent Realm.

In the Transcendent Realm, there were nine levels. He had already reached the peak of the Transcendent Realm, but in the face of this formidable Qianho Vermillion Brid  Sword Qi, he felt immense pressure.

“Tai Chi splits into two!” Zhang Sanfeng used his sword for the first time. Martial energy gushed out of him, and the Tai Chi Sword gently swung. The Tai Chi diagram instantly expanded, facing the overwhelming Qianho Vermillion Bird Sword Qi.

Bang, bang, bang, bang!

The dense sound of collisions reverberated across the sky. The swordlight and martial energy were dazzling, forcing Song Yuanqiao and the others to close their eyes. Their hearts were filled with shock, listening to the deafening clashes as if the end of the world had come.

After a while, the radiance gradually dissipated. Song Yuanqiao and the others eagerly looked towards the field.

To their surprise, Ning Changge had already arrived in front of Zhang Sanfeng. He supported Zhang Sanfeng, and master and disciple walked away together, talking and laughing, leaving everyone baffled.

Zhang Cuishan and Song Yuanqiao exchanged glances.

“Who do you think won?” Zhang Cuishan asked.

“I can’t tell. If both Grandmasters couldn’t figure it out, how could we?” Song Yuanqiao replied.

The others scratched their heads. If their Master didn’t speak, they didn’t dare to ask.

“You two Grandmasters can’t figure it out, so we’re even more clueless,” Mo Shenggu said in a calm voice. “But I can’t help but feel that Junior Disciple seems to have a slight advantage. Did you notice that he was supporting the Master just now? It seems the Master’s strength was somewhat depleted!”

He had gauged this from Ning Changge and Zhang Sanfeng’s performances.

The others were dumbfounded. Then their eyes filled with amazement.

“Does that mean Junior Disciple has surpassed the Master?”

“Junior Disciple is now the top martial artist at Wudang!”

The third-generation disciples’ eyes were filled with admiration and enthusiasm.

…

On the second floor of the scripture library, Zhang Sanfeng received the spirit tea prepared by Ning Changge and looked at him with a mix of surprise and delight.

“Changge, Master is getting old,” he said.