While others didn’t understand how strong Xiao Shen was, Lu Wen couldn’t be clearer about it. Of Broad Creed Mountain and the Sacred Sun Clan, of their age category, he and Xiao Shen, two similarly extraordinarily remarkable figures, had begun competing long ago in their youth all the way up till now, almost ten years having already passed since then.
While he couldn’t do anything to Xiao Shen, Xiao Shen also couldn’t do anything to him.
This time, Lu Wen had successfully stepped into the Xiantian Martial Scholar realm, leading Xiao Shen by a step.
But such an opponent had been killed by the even younger Yan Zhaoge in a one versus one fight.
How could Lu Wen not feel shocked to the point of even his soul being shaken at this?
Yan Di and Fang Zhun of the previous generation were competing; within their younger generation, how would there not exist competition as well?
News regarding Yan Zhaoge that left all gaping dazedly had been transmitted over time and time again. If not for Lu Wen’s will being strong enough, he felt like his mind would have directly fallen into chaos, losing all will to compete.
Him having left seclusion and stepped into the Xiantian Martial Scholar realm a step before Xiao Shen should originally have led to much reverberation within the internal division of the clan, as a cause of celebration for all its disciples.
But looking at it now, it all seemed like a joke.
It was to the point where Lu Wen even hoped that no one would inquire about or mention it.
The Qilin Spring Baptism which had originally surely been his for the taking now also appeared fleeting and unpredictable before his eyes.
“I must also congratulate you, junior apprentice-brother Yan, for stepping into…the late outer aura Martial Scholar realm,” Looking at Yan Zhaoge, Lu Wen said slowly.
Yan Zhaoge smiled, before he suddenly said, “Drawn on paper lines always seem faint; when known for sure a bow forthcomes.”
Lu Wen’s gaze hardened as he looked at Yan Zhaoge, who only smiled mildly, “Writing about troops on paper, speaking empty words; these do not have much use. Some things cannot be fully understood without actually having been experienced by oneself.”
“Oh? So you’re saying that I can only speak empty words?” Lu Wen strode forward, coming before Yan Zhaoge, “Anything else I’m fine with, but in the art of the Big Dipper Sword, I consider myself to be an authority, within the Martial Scholar realm.”
Yan Zhaoge’s performance in the Eastern Tang had been too utterly dominating that when the news had been transmitted back to the clan, it had inevitably seemed rather unbelievable to all.
If Shi Tie had not verified it, there would really be quite a number of people who would believe Yan Zhaoge to be falsely blowing things out of proportion.
Although he too felt it to be unbelievable, Lu Wen had still chosen to believe that all that had really transpired. And it was also precisely because of that that he felt immense pressure weighing down upon him.
On one hand, from an emotional standpoint, Yan Zhaoge who was younger than himself and he had never gotten along with before making such a soaring leap in his cultivation to look to be coming to surpass him caused Lu Wen to want to prove himself.
On the other hand, from a rational standpoint, unless it was absolutely necessary, Lu Wen actually wanted to stay quietly by the side and observe for changes, not wanting to have a direct clash with Yan Zhaoge first.
However, anything else perhaps might not be fine, but if it was contesting in the Big Dipper Sword, Lu Wen held absolute confidence.
Not just members of the younger generation; even if the Heavenly Connection stage and the late Xiantian stage martial practitioners were all counted in, amongst Broad Creed Mountain’s Martial Scholars, he was the absolute first in the Big Dipper Sword!
It was even to the point that some Martial Grandmaster experts, even though their executed Big Dipper Swords were more powerful, were only superior due to the suppression of realms. In terms of attainment in the Big Dipper Sword alone, they were actually also inferior to him, Lu Wen.
That year, it was precisely because of how much he had suppressed this youth before him that in a fit of anger, the latter had forsaken the Big Dipper Sword and switched to creating his own sword art.
In this domain, he had definite confidence to cause a setback for Yan Zhaoge, whose fame currently resounded throughout the Mountain.
“Since you say so, actions speak louder than words; since the two of us have both cultivated in the Big Dipper Sword, let’s perform a demonstration for junior apprentice-brother Zhao,” Smiling, Yan Zhaoge didn’t say anything further, directly raising his hand with his index and middle fingers formed into a sword, striking towards Lu Wen’s face.
Lu Wen raised his brows slightly, “Well struck.”
Also substituting a sword with his fingers, executing the same Big Dipper Sword, he met Yan Zhaoge’s fingers.
The two did not draw on their aura-qi, competing in pure swordplay alone.
Even so, the Zhao Ming by the side could only feel that in the third floor of the Martial Repository before him, streams of light suddenly shone as the seven stars converged!
“The seven stars worshipping the north is indeed the basis of the Big Dipper Sword, with no variations ever departing from this,” Yan Zhaoge said casually to Zhao Ming, “Occupying the position of the North Star is crucial to the Big Dipper Sword.”
“However, how do you occupy that position? Your enemies are also not wooden puppets, sitting back and allowing you to do as you please. Especially opponents who are familiar with our clan’s Big Dipper Sword-they will contest for that position with you, or perhaps force you away from it…”
As he said this, Yan Zhaoge strode forward, and, as the sword shadows flashed, directly forced Lu Wen back a step.
Zhao Ming’s eyes shone, knowing that this was precisely Yan Zhaoge having occupied the position of the North Star, thus gaining the advantage!
With a low snort, Lu Wen similarly varied his swordplay, his figure shifting as he forced Yan Zhaoge back once more.
Yan Zhaoge, however, seemed not to mind as he continued, “Then, at this time, what should be done?”
History's Strongest Senior Brother Chapter 115: What you can do, I can too; what you can’t do, I can also do
HSSB115: What you can do, I can too; what you can’t do, I can also do
“The variations of the Big Dipper Sword are mysterious and profound. It is a sword art that moves from complicated to simple.” Yan Zhaoge said as he faced off against Lu Wen.
As the two clashed, they continually advanced and retreated. In an instant, the position of the North Star had already changed hands numerous times.
As the one occupying the position of the North Star was pushed back by his opponent, the North Star position was taken over by that opponent, causing the initiative to be lost.
“Concentrating on the essential points is not wrong, but if you truly want to achieve them, transforming the crucial points recorded within the book to something that you yourself can really do, accumulation is key.”
As Yan Zhaoge said this, he moved, substituting a sword with his fingers as sword shadows flew.
As he pointed out, seven sword shadows flickered within the air, resembling the seven stars of the Big Dipper.
“The accumulation of combat experience as well as the accumulation of your understanding towards the dao of the sword is what can allow you to have it at your fingertips, wielding it as you will.”
Yan Zhaoge smiled towards Zhao Ming, “The seven stars converging, the north sky hanging high. It sounds simple, but how does one achieve this?”
“That’s why I said earlier that, you’re in for much training this time.”
As Yan Zhaoge said thus, he strode out, occupying the North Star position once more, before seven sword shadows flashed together, pointing towards Lu Wen.
Lu Wen’s features were silent as he actually performed the exact same movement at
this moment, similarly taking a single stride forward, seven swords flying in unison.
The toes of both of their right feet directly touched!
Within the air, the sword shadows flickered, resembling the real clash of swords as the sound of metal on metal was actually faintly emitted.
The two retreated as soon as they met. After having met in that exchange, they retreated simultaneously, then both rushed forward again immediately!
Only clashing in the variation of their stances, not truly exerting force, the Martial Repository seemed completely unmoved.
But as sword met sword time and time again, Broad Creed Mountain’s two greatest figures of the younger generation had already displayed the profundities of the Big Dipper Sword to the point of perfection.
One of the sword stances was dense and profound, resembling the eternally shining night sky.
Another’s complexities resembled the mysteries of the infinite shifting sky of stars.
After clashing for a moment, Yan Zhaoge’s gaze flickered slightly, having gained a greater understanding of Lu Wen’s path in the dao of the sword.
While Lu Wen, his gaze flickering, was also filled with confidence.
As the two flashed about with their movement techniques, their battle for the North Star position began once again.
Having battled it out to this point, the two’s sword-intent had been already pushed to their maximum level as the fight reached its most crucial stage.
This time, whoever occupied the North Star position once more, the other would be hard pressed to wrest it back, henceforth being placed at the absolute disadvantage.
This side which controlled the North Star, controlled the battle!
Substituting a sword with his fingers, Yan Zhaoge shouted out, the power of his sword rising, in high spirits as he finally released that stifled breath that had been stuck within him for so many years from having always been suppressed by Lu Wen in the Big Dipper Sword.
The Big Dipper Sword shadows flickered in mid-air, toppling mountains and expelling oceans, resembling a meteor shower descending which attacked in the direction of Lu Wen.
Big Dipper Worships North!
The strongest stance of the Big Dipper Sword!
“It seems that you have never really forsaken the Big Dipper Sword all these past years, for you to have such attainment in it.”
Lu Wen said mildly, “Being able to be at a stalemate with me for so long, you indeed already surpass others in the area of the Big Dipper Sword.”
“If you had been at this level that year, you would not have needed to go ponder on whatever Coiling Dragon Sword.”
As he said thus, Lu Wen similarly went forward with his own seven swords, executing a Big Dipper Worships North to clash head-on with Yan Zhaoge.
The two sword-auras whittled down at each other once more. Seeing that Yan Zhaoge’s had been exhausted, Lu Wen’s sword-aura actually suddenly changed, his figure also moving.
“However, while you’ve improved, I too have improved, and even more than you too.”
Substituting his sword with his fingers, Lu Wen’s sword-aura shook as it suddenly switched from seven swords to six swords.
This was not just any ordinary Big Dipper Sword; rather, it had integrated within it Lu Wen’s own understanding and variations in the dao of the sword!
The seven stars of the Big Dipper and the six stars of the Milk Dipper, at this moment, simultaneously shone!
The Big Dipper presides over death; the Milk Dipper presides over life.
Lu Wen’s Big Dipper Sword, originally already having performed all possible variations, actually birthed a new variation!
Completely without having to take respite from his old exerted force that had just dissipated fully, a new force was actually suddenly born.
As Lu Wen struck out with his sword, he strode out, directly occupying the North Star position!
Zhao Ming was watching dumbfounded by the side, completely not having predicted that such a change would actually come over this battle situation!
As one of their Eight Extreme Arts, the Big Dipper Sword had experienced countless polishing and research by Broad Creed Mountain’s past experts, getting rid of its impurities whilst preserving its essence.
Making yet further progress in this area-how unthinkably hard would that be?
And now, Lu Wen had actually managed to birth some new variations.
Although it was still very immature, currently still only being in its embryonic form, at this moment, Zhao Ming seemed to vaguely see from him Shi Tie’s shadow.
That Shi Tie who had cultivated the Vajra Body to a point unheard of throughout all of history, also continuing to improve upon it unceasingly.
If Lu Wen continued on this path of his, arriving at Shi Tie’s current cultivation realm, would he also be able to get the Big Dipper Sword up to a whole new level?
Although he and Lu Wen were from different factions, at this moment, Zhao Ming couldn’t help but acknowledge him within his heart.
Looking worriedly towards Yan Zhaoge, he instead saw the hint of a smile appearing on his face!
On the fourth floor of the Martial Repository, an old man who had been dozing off all along suddenly snapped his eyes open at this very moment, gazing downwards with a gaze that seemed like it could penetrate the floorboards all the way down to the third floor.
The old man’s gaze was directed not towards Lu Wen, but, rather, Yan Zhaoge!
As Yan Zhaoge’s sword-aura was exhausted and he saw Lu Wen birth a new variation in his swordplay, seizing the initiative, another variation actually also appeared in his own swordplay!
Amidst the numerous sword shadows, Yan Zhaoge, rather than advancing, retreated!
The Lu Wen who was currently striking out with his sword suddenly experienced an extremely uncomfortable feeling as he felt that led by the flow of qi, his sword stance was actually also affected by Yan Zhaoge!
As their two sword stances met at this moment, they actually seemed to form a strange resonance.
It was as though they were not trying to kill their opponent, instead resembling two people working side by side to launch an attack on another enemy.
Affected by the flow of qi, the two Big Dipper Swords actually merged into one.
But as Yan Zhaoge retreated, the position of the North Star shockingly changed!
This forced Lu Wen to have to take a further step forward or resign himself to standing there helplessly watching the North Star position fall to Yan Zhaoge.
While knowing in his heart that things were far from good, Lu Wen could only grit his teeth and take a step forward, reclaiming the initiative.
But just as his body moved, the Yan Zhaoge who had originally already taken half a step back, abruptly took a step forward!
The speed of Yan Zhaoge’s advance was much faster than had been the speed of his retreat, as though he had never actually intended to retreat from the start, originally already being prepared to advance.
Switching between a speedy retreat and a speedy advance in an instant without any buffer time in between whatsoever, yet seemingly having achieved it with great ease, without evoking any feeling of dullness at all.
With this advance of his, yet another stance of the Big Dipper Sword was executed.
Lu Wen stared. At this moment, it was as though his entire person was taking his own initiative to propel himself onto the tip of Yan Zhaoge’s sword!
“That’s all.” Yan Zhaoge dispelled his sword and stood there, not looking at Lu Wen, instead swivelling his head over as he smiled at Zhao Ming.
Zhao Ming opened his mouth wide, yet was unable to utter a sound.
Quite some time passed before he finally gave a bitter laugh, “One is a genius, the other a genius who surpasses geniuses!”
It was only that he had not thought that the Yan Zhaoge who had never been able to win against Lu Wen in the Big Dipper Sword in the past, while seemingly having switched to cultivating in other
sword arts, had at the end of the day had still endured silently and nursed his vengeance, coming back to stand up from wherever he had fallen.
Staring fixatedly at Yan Zhaoge, Lu Wen said in a dry voice, “You predicted that ‘from death to life, from nothing to something’ final variation of mine?
Yan Zhaoge glanced at him, then, with a casual sweep of his hands, substituting a sword with his fingers, executed yet another stance of Big Dipper Worships North in mid-air. As the sword-aura neared its end, it suddenly transformed into a sword of the Milk Dipper, new force appearing from nothing as the old force reached its end.
Seemingly having gone out all out, whilst actually still possessing more than sufficient reserves.
“Because I can do it too ah,” Yan Zhaoge spread his hands apart matter-of-factly.
Lu Wen shut his eyes.
Yan Zhaoge’s final variation that had obtained him victory, was something he couldn’t do.
History's Strongest Senior Brother Chapter 116: From where he fell, to stand up once again
HSSB116: From where he fell, to stand up once again
Looking at Lu Wen who had fallen into a deep silence, Yan Zhaoge shrugged.
His body’s original owner, young and spirited, had been jostled by Lu Wen to the point of forsaking the Big Dipper Sword.
In order to prove himself, he had even refused to cultivate in Broad Creed Mountain’s other supreme sword art of the Eight Extreme Arts, instead attempting to create his own sword art, which he did have some accomplishments in.
Actually, his body’s original owner’s talent in the dao of the sword was not weak, similarly having gained an extremely high attainment in the Big Dipper Sword.
It was just that there indeed existed some people to whom a particular martial art just naturally came to very easily.
Such as Chao Yuanlong with the Piercing Sun Needle Art and Lu Wen with the Big Dipper Sword.
Though, whether or not he would be able to match Shi Tie’s accomplishments in the future was still an unknown.
If Shi Tie did not cultivate in the Vajra body, having cultivated in any single other of the Eight Extreme Arts, including the Big Dipper Sword, he would still make for an outstanding Iron Lion King.
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