Chapter 485: Divine Song
Chapter 485: Divine Song
Pan Xiaode and Qi Huixin, both wielding stabbing swords, differed in height and thus, in length. Their styles were also distinct; one focused on direct frontal assaults, while the other favored speed and unpredictability. When combined, one would engage head-on, distracting the enemy, while the other would flank and surprise from the side, a perfect blend of orthodox and unorthodox techniques.
Chen Chuan's physical attributes, even when intentionally lowered, couldn't possibly drop to the second limit.
However, he discovered that by guiding his spiritual power, he could precisely coordinate his body, ensuring his force was applied at the exact spot he needed.
Moreover, with conscious control, he could even reduce his senses to a certain level.
Previously, he had always wondered how those with immense power managed their daily energy consumption. As their power increased, so did their energy and nutritional needs, just to maintain basic physiological functions, let alone during combat.
He could lower his second self's expression, but how did those powerful individuals manage it? Now, he understood; those adept at using spiritual power could self-impose limits, keeping their bodies at a certain level.
In this state, he didn't utilize his advantages in strength and speed. At this moment, he could only rely on his combat skills.
Even if he adjusted his body to the same level as Pan and Qi, his experience remained, his combat skills intact, and his combat observation ability undiminished. These were unchangeable facts, but where was the fairness in combat, or rather, wasn't this the norm?
He casually waved his hand, deflecting Pan Xiaode's stabbing sword, and in that moment, Qi Huixin seized the opportunity, swiftly stabbing her sword forward.
But as Pan Xiaode attacked, Chen Chuan subtly shifted his center of gravity, appearing to retreat, only to surge forward in an instant, dodging the sword's tip and directly rushing in.
Qi Huixin, who had flanked him, was momentarily distracted, her intended strike halfway through. She had to adjust her stance, which made her uncomfortable.
Once inside, Chen Chuan extended his hand, seemingly grabbing for Pan Xiaode's wrist. Pan Xiaode decisively withdrew, lifting his sword to slash at Chen Chuan's arm.
Chen Chuan, as if anticipating this, quickly slapped his palm to the side, striking the sword's spine a moment earlier. Simultaneously, he slightly raised his elbow, causing Pan Xiaode to flinch, expecting an attack to his face, and immediately leaned back to evade.
Chen Chuan ducked, rushing through the opening, using Pan Xiaode's body to block Qi Huixin's path from behind. As a result, Qi Huixin's adjusted stab failed to reach its target.
From then on, no matter how they fought, Chen Chuan ensured he always faced one of them, preventing them from encircling him.
In truth, even if either of them faced him with the same physical attributes, they would only last three or two moves in a hand-to-hand fight. But with weapons and their perfect coordination, they could match Chen Chuan's current level.
The two seemed to share a telepathic connection, demonstrating impeccable teamwork and flawlessly showcasing their skills.
Tan Zhi gave them the first-floor hall, standing on the second-floor balcony for a better view. From his perspective, the three were constantly in motion.
Pan and Qi desperately tried to gain advantageous positions, surrounding Chen Chuan or pushing him against the wall. Yet, Chen Chuan always managed to break free from their uncoordinated attempts.
If Pan and Qi wanted to retreat and adjust, Chen Chuan would immediately close in on one of them, forcing the other to come to their aid, losing the initiative. This scenario repeated, primarily because Chen Chuan controlled the battle's momentum.
Pan and Qi considered using this to lure Chen Chuan into a trap, but after a few failed attempts, they had no choice but to seize the initiative and create opportunities.
Tan Zhi could clearly see this, and he wondered, "If I had joined, would it have made a difference? Could I have won?"
He shook his head, deciding against it. He had a clear understanding of himself and knew he would only cause chaos, possibly becoming the weak link.
It was better this way; he could gain experience and save some energy.
The fight lasted over an hour, ending only when Pan and Qi willingly conceded.
Despite the short duration, they felt immensely drained, and it wasn't just physical exhaustion; it was mental. They had to concentrate every moment, coordinating their moves and planning their next steps. In this brief sparring session, they experienced a long-forgotten fatigue.
Initially, they believed that with similar physical abilities, they had a chance. But Chen Chuan consistently exploited their weaknesses and flaws, making them realize the gap wasn't just in physical attributes but also in perception, judgment, and experience.
Fortunately, the entire exchange was within their understanding. They felt they had gained more in this hour than in a year, and once they reviewed and digested it, they expected significant progress.
Pan Xiaode was delighted and sincerely thanked him, "Chen, thank you so much." Qi Huixin nodded in agreement.
Chen Chuan smiled and said, "It's nothing."
Tan Zhi clapped from above, "Alright, alright, everyone take a break and have a few drinks." He brought down several bottles of energy-replenishing drinks and handed them to the three of them.
After the three sat back on the sofa, he brought over a deck of cards and said, "The musical starts at 3 PM, but we need to enter early. Let's have lunch here, and after we're done, we'll play a few rounds before heading to the theater."
Pan Xiaode asked, "What's the name of this musical again?"
"The foreign name is hard to remember, but the translation is 'Wasteland Divine Song'."
"That's right, I've heard about it many times, but I've never seen it. What's the story about?"
Tan Zhi said, "It's said to be a true love and revenge story that happened in Norlund."
He briefly told the story, which was about a fallen knight in the Norlund Kingdom who, while resting in a wilderness cave, discovered an ancient divine poem passed down from ancient times.
The knight, upon seeing the hidden ancient hero's combat techniques within, was overjoyed and immediately presented them to his king.
However, the royal swordsman and several great nobles couldn't discern anything from it; it was just an ordinary scroll of poetry. They concluded that the knight was a fraud.
The king, furious, ordered the knight's limbs to be crushed with stones and abandoned him in the wilderness. But a kind-hearted mute shepherdess found and took care of him.
The fallen knight was not resigned to his fate. Through his efforts, he turned the divine poem into a song and sang it daily by the roadside, hoping that passing nobles and merchants would understand.
But no one understood, no one empathized, and they even ridiculed him. One day, a young noble's daughter, hearing his song repeatedly, discerned the hero's combat techniques within.
In the 16th book of the 19th series, there was an error-free version!
The noble lady, moved by the knight's spirit, took the initiative to approach him. She was touched by his spirit and promised to fulfill his wish.
After learning all the chapters she could understand from him, the noble lady went to the royal court alone. She relied on her martial prowess to gain ennoblement and brought glory to her family.
But after confirming her own strength, the noble lady's attitude changed. She didn't want anyone else to understand these techniques, so she sent someone to kill the fallen knight.
However, she didn't know that the shepherdess who had been taking care of the knight, though unable to sing, had silently learned those chapters. When the attackers were captured, she forced them to reveal the reason. In his anger and gratitude towards the shepherdess, the knight sang the last chapter.
The shepherdess then donned the tattered knight's armor, picked up a rusty gun, and stormed the king's palace. There, the two of them engaged in a fight that nearly overturned the royal court.
"Wasteland Divine Song" is considered a classic, and during its performance, the roles are played by genuine fighters, with the protagonists and antagonists portrayed by those who stand out from thousands of competitors.
To be honest, if it were just the musical itself, it might not attract them as much. But they are highly anticipating the fighting within, and the real draw is said to be the song, a divine melody passed down from the original protagonist of the story.
The entire musical consists of thirteen chapters, and each chapter features a divine song. It is said that some masters in history have glimpsed a secret within, gaining inspiration.
But to this day, no one has fully understood its true meaning. The more elusive it is, the more attractive it becomes. It's not just for fighters but also has a strong allure for ordinary people. After all, everyone has a dream hidden in their heart, and who knows, maybe they're the one who can understand it?
"Many statesmen and company executives will be there," Tan Zhi threw down a card, "We need to leave early. If we're late, we might get stuck in traffic."
Pan Xiaode followed suit and said, "I hope it's as amazing as Chen Chuan says."
Chen Chuan glanced at the card in his hand, took one, and said, "According to the introduction, both leads are Tier 3 Fighters, so it's worth watching."
The three nodded in agreement; it was indeed the case.
After a sumptuous lunch prepared by Tan Zhi, the four of them left and drove straight to the Weiguang District.
The musical was being performed at the Xi Hui Opera House, which could accommodate three thousand spectators. It often held concerts and dance performances due to its excellent sound system, and some large-scale radio programs were also recorded there.
On the way, they encountered denser traffic than usual. The billboards on both sides of the skyscrapers were playing introductions and advertisements for "Wasteland Divine Song," along with a music excerpt to showcase the performers' captivating voices.
Even with their early departure, it was almost 2 PM by the time they arrived.
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(End of Chapter)
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