https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1078-Crossing-the-Stream-on-Horseback/13274534/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1080-Ling-Xiang-s-Purity-Amidst-the-Rubble/13274536/
Chapter 1079: The HeartThink Style's Resolve
Chapter 1079: The HeartThink Style's Resolve
Gui Zihan knew that someone had been following them, and since Chen Chuan asked them to leave first, there was likely an enemy inside that only he could handle.
This battle was not one he could participate in, and he felt a tinge of regret at not being able to witness the fight. But this trip was meant to retrieve the Voice of Star Spirits, and personal desires had to be set aside for now.
So he replied with a nod and quickly led his team into the depths of the cave.
The One-Eyed Elder had been here before, so he strode ahead, leading the way. Inside the cave, a passageway extended deeper into its core, its walls adorned with glowing moss, bathing the surroundings in a soft, gentle light.
But as they reached this point, he suddenly halted, causing one of his team members to ask, "Lie Feng Changzhe, why aren't we moving forward?"
The One-Eyed Elder exchanged glances with his fellow First People, then turned to face the Daxun group, speaking earnestly and solemnly:
"We came together, so we should enter together. This is how we Isumtalans treat our companions and allies."
"We'll wait here."
The other First People agreed wholeheartedly.
They knew their abilities were limited and couldn't assist Chen Chuan, so staying behind was their only option. Yet, they refused to leave Chen Chuan behind and venture deeper into the cave.
Especially now, as he was dealing with their problems, they couldn't bring themselves to abandon him.
Gui Zihan wasn't skilled at persuasion, so he gestured for his team to try convincing the First People, but to no avail. They were stubborn, and not one of them budged. Without their guidance, they also weren't sure what challenges lay ahead, making it unwise to force them inside.
Gao Ming smiled and said, "I think everyone's tired from the journey. We don't know what's ahead, so let's take a break, eat something, and hydrate. It won't be long before our leader resolves the issue."
Yuan Qiuyuan agreed, "Gao Ming is right. It'll only take a moment for our captain to handle the problem. Let's take this time to rest and replenish our energy." Qin Qingque and Su Wei nodded in agreement.
Seeing that everyone was in agreement, Gui Zihan remained silent.
But as they sat down, they soon realized that when they had climbed up earlier, the mouth of the cave had been shrouded in mist, obscuring the interior. Now, looking out from within, the view was unobstructed, and they could clearly see the path they had taken and the scenery they had passed. Moreover, due to their elevated position, the vista was expansive.
Gui Zihan, sensing this, walked to the cave's entrance with his sword in hand and peered down. Others were drawn to the cave's entrance, gazing downward.
Chen Chuan stood at the cave's mouth, his sword in hand, with hao Ming circling above. After a while, hao Ming let out a loud, clear chirp.
Chen Chuan's gaze followed the sound, and soon, the rhythmic pounding of hooves echoed through the air. A squad of cavalry rounded the bend in the mountain path ahead and came into view.
The Hunter Cavalry leader, upon reaching this spot, also sensed something. He pulled on the reins, halting his horse, and looked up at the figure standing above.
Chen Chuan, representing the Daxun Visit Group in the Federation, wore his usual uniform—a wide-brimmed ranch hat with the Daxun emblem, an outer cloak, and a long sword with a red scarf tied to its hilt. This distinctive attire immediately identified his affiliation.
But the Hunter Cavalry leader felt his hairs stand on end, and even his breathing became labored.
Chen Chuan hadn't expanded his field, yet his stance, his calm demeanor, and the confidence born from countless victories conveyed an intense sense of oppression.
The altered tissue within the leader's body stirred restlessly, and though he had already reached this point, he couldn't retreat now. Suppressing the urge to flee, he slowly exhaled, his eyes now fixed on Master Bai Shi, his last hope.
Master Bai Shi, at this moment, also gazed upward, his solemn expression tinged with joy, as if his entire being had come alive.
Indeed, this was the opponent he had been seeking!
The HeartThink Style, a branch of martial arts originating over three hundred years ago, was a legacy of the Twenty-First Hall of HeartThink in the foreign lands. However, they had to leave their homeland and travel to Yinglu due to internal conflicts within the hall.
The current lineage of this style chose to settle in Yinglu but didn't seek the support of the First People. Instead, they aligned themselves with the nobles of the Western Continent, serving as their enforcers.
Since then, this branch had stood with the Western Continent immigrants, gaining status over the past three centuries.
Through centuries of interaction, the HeartThink Style not only incorporated some of the First People's martial arts techniques but also absorbed many Western Continent combat philosophies. Ultimately, they abandoned the use of swords, forging a new path.
This style prized technical prowess above all, believing that with sufficient skill, even a pure physical confrontation could defeat powerful foes. This philosophy had permeated their minds and hearts, driving them to improve with each victory, especially when they overcame stronger opponents.
In his previous research, Bai Shi had come across information about Chen Chuan, and without hesitation, he followed the riding squad and now, upon seeing the man himself, his excitement grew. In his eyes, Chen Chuan was undoubtedly the formidable opponent he anticipated on his path.
Bai Shi dismounted and approached Chen Chuan on the mountain path, stopping in front of him. With a slight bow, he spoke in Daxun's language, "Xinsiang Style, Noah Bai Shi." He spread his hands, slightly bending his fingers, and took a step forward, shifting his weight to the rear, as he said, "Please, enlighten me."
Chen Chuan sized up his opponent, a tall and well-proportioned figure with broad shoulders, not overly bulky, exuding a sense of lightness yet imbued with strength.
He noticed that Chen Chuan carried no weapons, seemingly relying solely on his fists in combat, which was slightly disappointing.
"No weapons, huh? Then..."
Bai Shi sheathed the Xuejun Knife at his side and said, "Jun Qing Pai, Chen Chuan."
Chen Chuan's response visibly excited Bai Shi. At this moment, an orange-red flame flickered around him, and behind him, a vague silhouette of over twenty meters tall emerged, mirroring Chen Chuan's stance.
Chen Chuan glanced at the Ren Xiang, curious.
Those who follow the path of Ren Xiang and reach the realm of Chang Sheng Guan are no ordinary fighters.
Before coming, Bai Shi had briefly familiarized himself with the Federation's martial arts styles, and Xinsiang Style was one he had heard of. Now, he wanted to see what this man was capable of.
The hunting squad members watched from behind, their leader confident in Bai Shi's abilities, well-known for his practical combat experience and international reputation, unlike Chen Chuan, who seemed to rarely venture beyond his country's borders, according to the available information.
Martial arts, after all, was about continuous exchange, especially in terms of techniques and combat experience. Judging by these criteria, their side seemed to have the upper hand.
Bai Shi, seeing that Chen Chuan remained stationary, didn't wait any longer. He adjusted his breath and let out a loud shout. Behind him, a massive fist from the Ling Xiang shot towards Chen Chuan, enveloped in a swirling orange-red flame.
Chen Chuan, instead of evading, reached out and blocked the fist with a single hand. A loud boom reverberated as he single-handedly pushed back the enormous fist.
At the point of contact, their spiritual powers clashed, erupting into a burst of overflowing light.
"What?" Bai Shi's eyes widened, his heart racing. He realized that Chen Chuan wasn't standing on the ground; he was slightly levitating, propelled by his own strength and spiritual power, countering Bai Shi's punch.
Ling Xiang, due to its massive size, might be slightly slower than its physical form, but it typically held an overwhelming strength advantage. Yet, Chen Chuan, with just one hand, was holding back the fist. What kind of power was this?!
Bai Shi immediately recognized he had encountered an unprecedentedly formidable opponent, but instead of retreating, he became more excited. This was the adversary he had been seeking, one who could push him to his limits in a desperate battle, breaking free from his current constraints!
If strength falls short, one must compensate with superior technique!
As Bai Shi realized that Ling Xiang might not overpower his opponent, his response was swift. The force on the Ling Xiang's fist transformed into a sticky, adhesive power. Simultaneously, he tapped his feet, and his body became a blur as he rushed towards Chen Chuan.
Bai Shi knew that if Chen Chuan unleashed his Ling Xiang, he would be at a severe disadvantage. So, he rushed forward, aiming to gain the upper hand with speed and effective attacks, rendering Ling Xiang irrelevant.
Chen Chuan instantly understood Bai Shi's intention. Unable to find an advantage in strength, he swiftly changed tactics, seeking to gain the upper hand in speed.
This strategy was sound and appropriate, and Chen Chuan's transition was seamless, demonstrating unwavering determination and a strong will to advance. His movements were fluid, as if he had prepared for this very moment, a textbook display of technique.
However...
In an instant, Bai Shi closed the distance, fingers clenched together. He thrust a hand knife towards Chen Chuan's face. Chen Chuan's hand, which had been pressing against the Ling Xiang's fist, exerted force from his palm, pushing back the Ling Xiang's fist while simultaneously freeing himself from the adhesive force and gaining backward momentum. He shot backwards, and due to his rapid movement, the surrounding scenery blurred momentarily.
At that moment, Chen Chuan slightly sidestepped, and despite the high-speed motion, his body arced outward in a wide curve.
Bai Shi, however, exhibited exceptional combat prowess. Like a shadow, he followed Chen Chuan's movement, his hand knife tearing through the air. Without retracting his hand, he slightly rotated his palm, mirroring Chen Chuan's motion. Simultaneously, his other hand, poised at his waist, gathered strength, ready to deliver a fatal blow!
...
...
(End of Chapter)
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