Chapter 5: The Wuliang Sword Sect

"Yes, Master," a young woman stepped out from the crowd behind the Taoist priestess.

Lu Ziru's left leg had already been struck by the sword, causing her to stumble. As she steadied herself, her long sword propped against the ground, preparing to fight again, Shi Dong had already sheathed his sword and said with a smile: "Junior Sister Lu, I concede, I concede. Are you hurt badly?" Lu Ziru's face turned pale, biting her lip as she replied: "Thank you, Senior Brother Shi, for your mercy with the sword."

Lu Ziru no longer wasted words, swiftly drawing her long sword. A flash of blue light flickered as the blue steel sword suddenly thrust forward, aiming at Shi Dong's left shoulder. Without waiting for the move to be completed, Lu Ziru flicked her wrist, and the sword tip slashed towards Shi Dong's right neck. Shi Dong swung his sword to block, producing a ringing sound as the two swords clashed, buzzing with noise. Before the sound of the impact faded, the two swords' lights flickered as they exchanged three moves. Shi Dong's long sword suddenly struck down, aiming directly at Lu Ziru's head. Lu Ziru dodged to the right, her left hand guiding the sword technique, and the blue steel sword swiftly stabbed at Shi Dong's thigh. Shi Dong swung his sword to block again, producing a ringing sound as the two swords clashed, buzzing with noise. Before the sound of the impact faded, the two swords' lights flickered as they exchanged three moves. Shi Dong's long sword suddenly struck down, aiming directly at Lu Ziru's head. Lu Ziru dodged to the right, her left hand guiding the sword technique, and the blue steel sword swiftly stabbed at Shi Dong's thigh.

"Dizzying fall" Wang Lie couldn't help but exclaim at that moment

But is it the Murong clan of Suzhou that returns the favor in kind?" Zuo Chaoqun exclaimed, and several of the notary and guests nearby also gasped in surprise

In the martial arts hall, two individuals were seated on the east side. The one at the head was a Taoist nun in her forties, with a sallow complexion and tightly closed lips. The one below was an elderly man in his fifties, with a long beard that he twirled with his right hand, appearing quite pleased with himself. The distance between the two was over ten feet, with more than twenty male and female disciples standing behind each of them. On a row of chairs to the west, more than ten guests were seated. The gazes of both sides were focused on the duel between the two in the center.

At that moment, Lu Ziru had already struck out with her left hand, aiming a palm strike at Shi Dong's back. Hearing Wang Lie's voice, there was no time to change her move. At this moment, Shi Dong stepped forward to evade, and with a sudden twist of his long sword, he shouted: "Take that!"

I see. Left Chaoqun was not entangled in this matter and quickly instructed his disciple to arrange a seat for Wang Lie. He also had a little scheme in mind; if he could establish some connection with the Murong family, it would be immensely beneficial for the Wuliang Sword Sect.

A middle-aged man stepped out from the crowd. He approached Lu Ziru, clasped his fists in salute, and said: "I kindly ask for your mercy, Junior Sister Lu."

This competition is not something to be ashamed of; if you wish to observe, we will certainly welcome you. However, the "Dizzy Fall Step" was created by our previous sect leader and has never been used in front of outsiders. I wonder how you came to know of it!" Zuo Chao and the group of scholars spoke sternly. As it involved the sect's martial arts secrets, even Xin Chun stood with Zuo Chao's group, and at the slightest disagreement, it seemed they were ready to take down Wang Lie.

"Shi Dong, come here," Zuo Chaoqun instructed confidently

"Could it be that the young hero hails from the Murong family of Gusu? I wonder what the relationship is between the young hero and the great hero Murong Longcheng?" Zuo Zimu's attitude changed immediately, and his address shifted from 'Your Excellency' to 'young hero'

"Xizong Lu Ziru, I ask for guidance from all the senior brothers of Dongzong." The young woman who walked out cupped her hands in salute towards the long-bearded elder.

Hehe—" Wang Lie stepped out apologetically, "I happened to be admiring the scenery in Wuliang Mountain and accidentally heard that there was a grand event here, so I came uninvited. I hope Master Zuo can forgive me!"

I am not a chivalrous hero either; I am merely a chess companion of the great Murong," Wang Lie humbly stated. "I do not even understand martial arts; I can only watch the excitement." Having practiced for only a month, to outsiders, he indeed appeared to be a frail scholar, although he truly was one, Wang Lie did not wish to admit it

The elder with a long beard said with a triumphant expression, "Our Eastern Sect has already won two battles; if we win one more, we will be able to reside in the 'Sword Lake Palace' for another five years. Sister Xin, thank you for your consideration."

Has the Murong family really become so powerful? Murong Longcheng actually exists after all Wang Lie thought unhappily, as he was quite displeased with Murong Fu

The moment Wang Lie entered the room, the outcome between the two individuals had already been determined

Not at all, I am not a member of the Murong family. I merely had the fortune of meeting the great hero Murong and was fortunate enough to hear his commentary on martial arts from around the world. He mentioned that this particular move from your esteemed sect is quite original

As one observed Lu Ziru and Shi Dong engaged in over seventy exchanges, their sword techniques grew increasingly intense, yet neither had gained the upper hand. Suddenly, Shi Dong swung his sword with great force, causing his body to sway slightly, as if he were about to fall.

Lu Ziru was quite unreserved: "As long as you admit defeat early, I will not harm you."

Haha, Zuo Chaoqun couldn't help but laugh out loud, "Sister Xin, the Eastern Sect has already won three rounds, do we still need to continue competing?"

Seeing her concede, Zuo Chaoqun laughed and said, "The disciples sent by Sister Xin this year have indeed shown remarkable skill in swordsmanship, especially in this last match where our victory was truly a stroke of luck. Young Master Lu, at such a young age, has surprisingly reached this level; his future is truly limitless. In five years, I fear we may have to change positions between the East and West sects, haha, haha!" As he spoke, he laughed heartily, but suddenly his gaze shifted to Wang Lie, and he said, "I wonder who this young hero is, who just managed to expose the flawed move 'Dizzy Step' of my inferior disciple. It seems you were not among the witnesses I invited." This remark was already rather impolite.

Zuo Chaoqun smiled broadly, "I did not expect that the young hero is actually a friend of the great Murong. I truly lack insight. May I ask for your esteemed name, young master?"

The outcome is still unknown, but Senior Brother Zuo is rather pleased too early. The middle-aged Taoist nun snorted coldly and said, "Zirou, it's your turn this time."

How unfortunate, there is actually such a turn of events... Wang Lie thought to himself, feeling troubled, that he was watching such low-level skills with great attention, thinking that he was particularly interested in them. Wang Lie silently scoffed, yet he still found them quite intriguing now

The Wuliang Sword Technique, originating from the Wuliang Sword Sect, is a third-rate swordsmanship. There are many sword techniques with the same name in the martial world, but they are all considered inferior. The techniques are numerous and the swordplay is versatile. When practiced to great perfection, one can become a second-rate master.

"Although my skills are not refined, I do not dare to retreat before the battle has begun," said the middle-aged man, Shi Dong, in a deep voice. "Junior sister, please!"

The long-bearded elder is indeed the current leader of the Eastern Sect, surnamed Zuo, given name Chaoqun, and he is the grandfather of Zuo Zimu. This is something Wang Lie could never have imagined. Similarly, the Daoist nun with the surname Xin is also a senior relative of Xin Shuangqing, and she is simply named Chun.

In a fleeting moment, the light figure had already performed the entire set of sword techniques, and when Wang Lie opened his eyes again, the two individuals in the arena had yet to determine a victor

The two individuals wielded their swords with great swiftness, engaging in a fierce battle with all their might

The esteemed Murong hero also spoke highly of your sect's martial arts, stating that in another ten to twenty years, your sect will surely become a top-tier sect. Wang Lie, however, was speaking nonsense without any consequences. After all, the Murong hero he referred to was not the same Murong Longcheng they understood.

Xin Chunqiang suppressed his anger and said, "The good disciple taught by Senior Brother Zuo, I, from the Western Sect, concede defeat"

I wonder if the Left Sect Leader has heard of the Murong family from Gusu

Wang Lie stealthily entered the hall of the Sword Lake Palace, while everyone was focused on the competition in the arena, no one noticed him.

At this moment, Wang Lie had already closed his eyes, concentrating his attention in his mind. Just as he had thought, as soon as the two of them made a move, a familiar sound of "ding—" echoed in his mind, and the familiar figure appeared, demonstrating the limitless sword technique of the Wuliang Sword Sect.

It is unexpected that at this moment, the Wuliang Sword Sect has been reduced to only two factions, which should be the ancestors of Zuo Zimu and Xin Shuangqing

I have long heard that Murong is well-versed in the martial arts of the world, and it truly lives up to its reputation, " said Zuo Chaoqun with a sigh. "This technique of our school has not been passed down in the Jianghu, yet I did not expect that the great hero Murong would already be aware of it