https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-149-Underwater-Battle-Finger-Tip-Marvel-Technique/12959823/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-151-Seventh-Rank-Death-Mastering-the-Secret-Art-/12959825/
Chapter 150: Whetstone, the Shock of the Seventh Rank
Chapter 150: Whetstone, the Shock of the Seventh Rank
Luo River.
Underneath the water's surface.
Clang!
Clang!
Clang!
Three rapid sounds reverberated through the water.
Liu Qingsong had now pulled away from Jiang Ning, creating a distance of over ten feet between them.
Then, he reached into his waist.
Swish!
A soft sword was instantly drawn from his waist.
His wrist trembled, and the soft sword in his hand instantly straightened into a line.
It was only at this moment that Liu Qingsong finally breathed a sigh of relief and had the leisure to size up Jiang Ning.
At the same time.
The surge of energy in Jiang Ning's body allowed his numbed right arm to return to normal.
"Is this the power of a Seventh Rank Martial Artist?"
"What an astonishing burst of power!"
He marveled inwardly, "A mere iron orb, yet it can unleash a force that numbs my arm, and this is still in the water, with the flowing current mitigating the impact. If we were on land, it would be even more terrifying!"
Thinking of this, he felt even more that leading Liu Qingsong into the lake seemed like a wise decision.
On land, facing a Seventh Rank Martial Artist head-on would be extremely dangerous.
But underwater, he was confident he wouldn't lose.
Jiang Ning's confidence in this regard was unwavering.
The Water Control Technique gave him ample confidence.
At this moment, Liu Qingsong first carefully sized up Jiang Ning, then glanced at the two corpses beside him.
His eyes narrowed, his expression calm as still water.
But beneath his serene exterior, his heart was in turmoil.
In that critical moment, he hadn't considered the consequences.
The four finger snaps unleashed an overwhelming burst of power, rendering those two fingers useless for a short while.
Even with his robust physique and muscular strength, his fingers couldn't withstand the explosive force emanating from his entire body.
He was well aware of the terrifying power unleashed by his four finger snaps.
Even a one-centimeter-thick iron plate would be pierced by the iron orb he just snapped.
Such destructive power, at such close range, in his eyes, even Tian Buyi would have perished.
But it was evident that Jiang Ning, standing before him, was completely unscathed by the four finger snaps.
"You're quite something!"
"Your depth is truly astonishing!"
Liu Qingsong spoke slowly, his wrist trembling.
The long sword in his hand suddenly quivered, and ripples of water instantly spread out in all directions from the sword's edge.
"Now it's my turn!" Liu Qingsong said, and his figure moved swiftly towards Jiang Ning.
With his powerful burst of strength, the water beneath his feet seemed as solid as land.
The long sword in his hand instantly transformed into a blade of light, slicing towards Jiang Ning, visibly parting the flowing water.
This sword aimed for Jiang Ning's edge.
This sword aimed for Jiang Ning's throat.
Seeing this.
Jiang Ning instantly responded, unleashing the power of the Fivefold Strength, allowing him to unleash a peak-level strike once more.
Whoosh!
The water was split by the blade, and even beneath the water's surface, a brief vacuum formed.
The next moment.
Clang!
Blade met sword, and a flash of light passed between them.
A powerful impact erupted from the point of contact between the blade and sword, like a bomb dropped into deep water.
The force was so strong that it even caused some of the water to vaporize, creating a cavity underwater.
Simultaneously, the water rippled, and the two figures involuntarily retreated backward.
Above their heads, ripples appeared on the water's surface.
"What a formidable young man!" Liu Qingsong felt a sense of awe as he sensed the impact transmitted through the sword.
His heart was filled with apprehension.
He realized that in a direct confrontation, he hadn't gained any advantage.
Liu Qingsong, a Seventh Rank Martial Artist and an elder of the Medicine King Valley, was a formidable figure in the entire Luoshui County, even in the entire Dongling County.
Not to mention in the small Luoshui County, only a handful of people could confidently defeat him.
As for Jiang Ning, to Liu Qingsong's knowledge, he had only practiced martial arts for a few months.
If he hadn't experienced it himself, he wouldn't have believed that such a scene could unfold.
What kind of monster was this?
Liu Qingsong's gaze fixed on Jiang Ning, and he recalled the scene he had witnessed upon entering the water, a look of confusion clouding his eyes.
His eyes narrowed again as he noticed the soft sword he had carried for nearly twenty years now had a notch on its edge.
This sight caused him immense pain.
Simultaneously, he felt a sense of apprehension towards the long sword in Jiang Ning's hand.
Liu Qingsong was well aware of the power of the sword in Jiang Ning's hand.
How could one possibly withstand such a weapon solely based on the resilience of their body? Even if one managed to block a single strike, they would still suffer severe injuries, if not death.
On the other side, Jiang Ning's heart was filled with awe.
So powerful!
The direct clash of blades allowed him to truly feel the intensity of Liu Qingsong's burst of strength.
At this moment, he felt a slight numbness in his palms, and his internal energy surged.
It was evident that Liu Qingsong, wielding a flexible sword, was skilled in technique but not in strength.
Even so, the force Liu Qingsong unleashed made Jiang Ning feel utterly outclassed.
If not for his mastery of the Canglang Blade Technique, which allowed him to unleash five layers of inner strength, he wouldn't have been able to block even a single strike from Liu Qingsong's sword.
Jiang Ning was well aware of his own strength and how it paled in comparison to his master, Wang Jin, whom Liu Qingsong seemed to hold in high regard.
During their brief encounter, Cao Rong had clearly held the upper hand against the master.
Thus, although Cao Rong and Liu Qingsong were both Seventh Rank Martial Artists, there was a significant gap in their abilities.
Jiang Ning knew that he wasn't yet ready to face Liu Qingsong.
After this brief exchange, Jiang Ning had a better understanding of his own capabilities.
At his full potential, he could surpass an Eighth Rank Martial Artist.
He could even challenge some Seventh Rank Martial Artists, but in a fair fight, he might not stand a chance against a seasoned Seventh Rank expert like Liu Qingsong.
The next moment, Jiang Ning tightened his grip on his long sword. The discomfort in his body dissipated, and he quickly regained his peak condition.
His spirit, energy, and stamina were at their peak, and he felt like he could burst with power.
At this moment, he gained a deeper understanding of his 'Water Spirit Affinity' trait. As long as he was in the water, the benefits were immense.
Not only did his five senses heighten significantly, but his body also recovered at an astonishing rate.
"Again!"
Feeling the state of his body, Jiang Ning's fighting spirit soared. He held his long sword and advanced towards Liu Qingsong.
"Come!" Liu Qingsong's long sword trembled in his hand, transforming from a rigid, straight blade into a lively, agile snake.
Ssss!
The long sword stabbed forward, creating a vacuum in the water that rushed towards Jiang Ning with lightning speed.
Jiang Ning's expression changed as he swiftly blocked the attack, his sword crossing paths with the tip of Liu Qingsong's blade.
Clang!
A flash of fire appeared, and Jiang Ning retreated.
Liu Qingsong advanced again, and as his flexible sword was knocked away, it instantly straightened.
Ssss!
Another vacuum formed in the water, and the sword tip darted towards Jiang Ning with incredible speed.
Jiang Ning blocked with his sword, and another flash of fire appeared.
Ssss!
Liu Qingsong's swordplay was exquisite, each strike like a blossoming pear flower in the water.
Jiang Ning repeatedly blocked the attacks, his body constantly shifting backward.
Under this relentless onslaught, he dared not even take a breath.
After a few breaths, Liu Qingsong sheathed his sword.
His face turned slightly red, then returned to normal.
"Well done!" He nodded at Jiang Ning, "You're the first person to withstand my Rainfall Sword Technique."
Jiang Ning, relieved, exhaled the breath he had been holding.
"Senior, your praise is undeserved! I've simply had better opportunities than others," he said with a smile.
At this moment, Jiang Ning was happy to engage in conversation with Liu Qingsong.
In the water, he could breathe freely, unlike Liu Qingsong.
Without the ability to breathe underwater, no matter how powerful Liu Qingsong was, he would eventually succumb if he ran out of air.
After Jiang Ning spoke, Liu Qingsong asked, "So, you have the Tiger Pup Transformation Pill?"
"Yes," Jiang Ning replied.
"Then, Tian Bujie also met his end at your hands?"
"Yes," Jiang Ning nodded slightly.
Even though Liu Qingsong had already guessed this with fifty percent certainty, he was still surprised to hear it confirmed by Jiang Ning.
Tian Bujie, the 'Mixing River Dragon,' was an Eighth Rank Divine Strength Realm expert. The fact that he couldn't withstand a single strike from Jiang Ning spoke volumes about the latter's strength.
Liu Qingsong couldn't help but nod in agreement as he recalled their brief exchange.
Indeed!
To withstand his Rainfall Sword Technique without a scratch was beyond Tian Bujie's capabilities.
Liu Qingsong's eyes shone with admiration as he looked at Jiang Ning. Such a talented young man was a rare sight in his lifetime.
"What a pity! This young man will meet his end today," Liu Qingsong thought with a sigh, feeling a sense of loss.
Although he admired Jiang Ning's talent, it only strengthened his resolve to kill him.
Such a monster, once an enemy, must be dealt with without mercy.
In Liu Qingsong's eyes, if Jiang Ning survived this encounter, he would become a future calamity for the Medicine King Valley.
And it was an insurmountable calamity.
In his understanding, even those renowned Grandmasters, at the beginning of their Martial Path, only had a talent comparable to Jiang Ning's.
After a few months of cultivation, he could face Jiang Ning head-on without being at a disadvantage.
Who would believe this if they heard it?
Who would believe it?
If this hadn't happened to him, he wouldn't have believed it either.
After that.
Liu Qingsong steadied his mind and said to Jiang Ning, "You're being so open with me right now, it seems you're planning for only one of us to return alive to the shore today."
"Not bad!" Jiang Ning nodded, "Senior, you see through things clearly."
"You're very confident," said Liu Qingsong.
"Isn't Senior as well?" Jiang Ning smiled.
"Yes!" Liu Qingsong nodded in agreement.
Then he also smiled, "I don't know where your confidence comes from, but I'll soon tell you where my confidence originates."
The next moment.
Liu Qingsong flicked his wrist, and the soft sword in his hand instantly danced out a sword flower.
Then his body rushed straight towards Jiang Ning.
After a simple test, he had already understood Jiang Ning's reliance.
With an extraordinary physique and a profound mastery of sword techniques, he was most likely born with supernatural strength.
For this reason, he could precisely block Liu Qingsong's Rain Sword Technique, intercepting all the sword lights.
But at the same time, he also discovered Jiang Ning's weakness.
His practical combat experience was lacking, and his sword techniques were straightforward, filled with grandeur but without any feints.
Liu Qingsong had encountered many such opponents.
If they met someone weaker than them, their opponents would naturally be overwhelmed and unable to resist.
But in the eyes of an experienced and powerful expert like Liu Qingsong, these were all flaws.
Liu Qingsong stabbed again with the sword in his hand.
Ssss—
The water parted.
A distinct void appeared in the water, forming a vacuum.
This sword was one-tenth faster than the previous one.
In actual combat, a one-tenth difference often meant the difference between heaven and earth.
"Still hiding?" Jiang Ning's heart clenched.
He blocked the sword horizontally again.
In an instant.
Not right!!!
His eyes narrowed slightly.
Being in the water, the surrounding flow was equivalent to his body's perception.
Feeling the feedback from the water, Jiang Ning immediately sensed the change in Liu Qingsong's longsword.
The next moment.
The longsword that was originally stabbing at his blade instantly softened, like a spirit snake, bypassing the horizontally blocking blade and heading towards Jiang Ning's arm tendons.
"As expected!" Jiang Ning thought to himself.
As Liu Qingsong's sword stance changed, he reacted instantly.
His body, which had been standing still, instantly retreated.
With the manipulation of the Water Summoning Technique, his speed at this moment was no less than on land, and even exceeded it.
In this seemingly dangerous situation, Jiang Ning dodged Liu Qingsong's deadly attack.
"Hmm?" Liu Qingsong muttered.
He continued to press towards Jiang Ning, and the sword in his hand fully demonstrated the advantage of a soft sword.
It transformed into an extremely agile spirit snake, coiling without striking, avoiding direct contact with Jiang Ning's longsword.
Then, it continuously attacked Jiang Ning's vital points.
At this moment, Jiang Ning could only retreat, and his longsword also flashed with a cold light as he fought and retreated.
In the flickering sword and blade lights, Jiang Ning could only dodge and parry, without any offensive power.
At this moment, Jiang Ning once again witnessed the formidable power of an elder like Liu Qingsong.
"Fortunately, fortunately, this is in the water. The perception of the water flow is equivalent to the perception of his body. Jiang Ning thought to himself.
At this moment, both of them were enveloped by the lake water during their confrontation.
Every tiny change in Liu Qingsong was clearly reflected in Jiang Ning's mind.
Jiang Ning felt that even if he closed his eyes, he could still accurately see Liu Qingsong's every move.
"What an incredible Water Affinity! In the water, I seem to have gained the ability to anticipate my opponent's moves. This is heaven-defying!" Jiang Ning sighed inwardly.
But he dared not relax for a moment; no one knew if Liu Qingsong was still holding back.
If he was still holding back, once Jiang Ning let down his guard, it would be like seeking his own death.
At the same time, Liu Qingsong felt increasingly pressured.
Initially, he could clearly sense that Jiang Ning was in a state of panic.
But as Jiang Ning adapted, he felt that Jiang Ning gradually entered a state of ease.
The more they fought, the more uncomfortable Liu Qingsong became.
No matter how the sword techniques changed, they seemed to be easily countered by Jiang Ning's sword, always blocking his attacks at their weakest points.
Or attacking his vital spots.
This kind of combat made Liu Qingsong feel extremely uncomfortable.
Although it seemed that he had the upper hand, he had already fallen into a disadvantage.
"What kind of monster is this child?!" Liu Qingsong was shocked at this moment.
He realized that he had become Jiang Ning's whetstone.
The more he honed Jiang Ning's blade, the sharper it became, with a chilling aura.
(End of Chapter)
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