The test of the Dual Blades technique lies in the wheels that are formed during the dance. The wheels must be transparent and as thin as a cicada's wing, to the point where they appear beautiful.
Lu Chen has not yet reached this level; the wheels he creates have gaps, resembling the creases on a folding fan, making them imperfect.
The one who can produce the cicada wing effect with the Dual Blades is Yue Shaojun, allowing him to contend with hundreds of soldiers without defeat using just two blades.
Of course, the cicada wing effect is not the pinnacle of the Fire Dance Wheel technique. The highest realm, as suggested by its name, involves the blades violently slicing through the air to create massive fire wheels, hence it is called the Fire Dance Wheel.
Only the Moon King has achieved this level.
Having just practiced a move from the Fire Dance Wheel, Lu Chen disengaged the joint on the hilt and separated his Dual Blades when he heard someone behind him say, "What martial art are you practicing?"
Lu Chen's flesh jolted; someone had approached him without his notice, without any warning. How long had they been there? Did they witness his entire practice of the Moon King Sword Technique?
The Moon King Sword Technique belongs to the Twin Blade Family of Giant Barbarian Island. With Yue Shaojun and Chuan Ru Mage already defeated on the island, if the secret of these Dual Blades were to spread, it would mean Lu Chen was revealing to the world that he was responsible for what happened on that island.
"Master!" Lu Chen knelt down, struggling to address him. He didn't know how to respond to that question; he couldn't just bluntly say it was the Moon King's Blade.
He still tightly gripped his gleaming Dual Blades, unsure if he had forgotten to put them down.
The person who approached was Yin Boqing, a disciple of the Fifty-Ninth Generation of Five Element Sect. He bore many titles: not only was he a disciple but also an elder and a Virtual Immortal Master.
Recently, due to his astonishment at Lu Chen's talent and a recommendation from Su Qingtian's sister, Su Wutong, he took Lu Chen as his formal disciple.
However, Lu Chen's impression of this master remained quite vague; sometimes he felt that following Su Wutong's arrangements was merely a formality rather than a genuine initiation into discipleship.
Because of this relationship, Lu Chen felt that the secret of Dual Blades could not be told to anyone, not even to anyone other than Old Mu. His relationship with Old Mu was extraordinary, akin to that of brothers.
However, contrary to his wishes, the secret of Dual Blades was exposed, and it was none other than Yin Boqing, whom Lu Chen least wanted to face.
Calmly, Lu Chen threw the Dual Blades he had been gripping aside; he had already accepted his fate.
There was no way around it. In front of Yin Boqing, the Void Immortal, he would certainly have no chance to draw his blade. He might not even have the opportunity to use Yin Spirit before being directly crushed, killed on the spot.
“Dual Blades, this is not a martial art from Central Plains. Your movement just now resembled the footwork of Seven Stars from Star Gate and Crazy Serpent Seven Star Classic. Why is your skill so mixed?”
Yin Boqing murmured, almost as if speaking to himself, not really asking a question.
Lu Chen's back chilled, and cold sweat trickled down. It seemed that Yin Boqing did not think things were as complicated as they appeared, and his gaze seemed to have shifted towards Crazy Serpent Seven Star Classic.
“Yes, Star Gate and Five Element Sect are not enemies, but they are definitely not friends. My master is from Five Element Sect and naturally would be interested in the martial arts of Star Gate, which is Five Element Sect's competitor.”
Lu Chen thought for a moment and said, “Master, I used to be a monk at Eastern Shaolin and also served at Han Wangfu. I often watched the adults practice Qigong and would imitate them when I had nothing else to do. The Crazy Serpent Seven Star Classic was learned from someone named Leader Huang at Han Wangfu.”
Lu Chen quietly raised his head to look at Yin Boqing, who stood straight on a nearby hill in black clothing. Surprisingly youthful in appearance, with a white face and no beard, he looked no more than thirty.
Especially his eyes shone brightly as if they could converse on their own, full of vitality that made it hard for others to look directly at him.
“Has Star Gate begun to meddle in Imperial Authority? Leader Huang? It seems I need to discuss this matter with Supreme Master Taihuang to devise a countermeasure.”
Yin Boqing sensed some clues from Lu Chen's words, sparking his interest as he fell into deep thought.
Lu Chen remained kneeling on the ground, silent and patiently waiting for Yin Boqing. Adults often needed more time to contemplate matters, considering various aspects and weighing pros and cons, unlike children who would firmly stick to their thoughts.
Of course, Yin Boqing would not delve into Lu Chen's involvement with Han Wangfu, as Lu Chen was merely a character and would not provide any valuable clues.
It seemed that Lu Chen had made the right choice by leaving the Dual Blades on the ground; if he had continued to hold them, he would have failed the test of reason. Alternatively, if he had taken the risk of putting the Dual Blades into Jun Bell, he feared that Yin Boqing would notice his actions immediately, potentially exposing even Jun Bell.
Finally, Yin Boqing said, "You can get up now."
"Yes, Master!" Lu Chen brushed off the dirt from his knees and stood up. However, he still did not dare to look up because Yin Boqing's presence was overwhelmingly strong, making it hard for anyone to breathe.
"What about the Competing True Inheritor Disciple matter?" Yin Boqing asked.
"I am preparing with all my might and will not disappoint your expectations, Master!" Lu Chen felt a surge of warmth in his heart, his expression filled with respect and fear; it was rare for his master to show concern for his cultivation.
"That's good. Just follow your heart. The disciples competing for this year's Competing True Inheritor Disciple slots come from complex backgrounds. Remember my words: do not get involved in the secular struggles of Imperial Authority. These matters will become the greatest shackles on your path of Cultivation, and the consequences are unimaginable," Yin Boqing warned.
"Yes, Master, I understand!" Lu Chen bowed deeply.
Yin Boqing continued, "I have one more thing to inform you. Recently, in the East Sea and around Blind Man's Island, bandits led by the Red Robe Sect have been growing increasingly rampant, posing a threat to the Great Zhou Empire. The Guardian King of the Great Zhou, Subduing the Waban, is leading the Loyalty and Righteousness Sixteen Men in an alliance with Qi Kingdom, Yushan Kingdom, Governor of the Seven States of the Eastern Sea, as well as Five Element Sect and Star Gate to jointly encircle them."
Yin Boqing's words exploded in Lu Chen's heart like a barrel of concentrated gunpowder, nearly causing him to lose focus. "The Guardian King of the Great Zhou is leading the Loyalty and Righteousness Sixteen Men in an alliance with Qi Kingdom, Yushan Kingdom, Governor of the Seven States of the Eastern Sea, along with Five Element Sect and Star Gate to jointly encircle bandits led by the Red Robe Sect. Could this be due to the incident with the flower thief that angered the King of Qi, prompting such covert operations to eradicate the Red Robe Sect in one fell swoop?"
The Red Robe Sect is just the power that the Sun Tzu Zhao Family has painstakingly built up over the past century in the East Sea. Now, it is facing a combined assault from so many major powers. If this continues, the Red Robe Sect may be on the brink of extinction, and even the Sun Tzu Zhao Family could be in danger.
Huangfu Xin, the Great Zhou Protector King, is the backbone of the Great Zhou Court, a master of Qigong with exceptional martial skills. He has achieved great success in the Elysium of Longevity and has fought across the south and north for decades to defend the Great Zhou Empire. His renowned technique, the Great Destruction Fist, has made him famous; even the current emperor of Zhou refers to him as Uncle Supreme Emperor. This man is essentially Huangfu Qi's great-grandfather.
Under his command are the formidable Loyalty and Righteousness Sixteen Men, each of whom holds a noble title. They are Huangfu Xin's trusted aides, not only powerful but also skilled in leading troops and capable Qi Gong Masters.
The Defender of the Realm personally led troops to the East Sea to eliminate bandits, indicating that he has indeed pacified Wabong and concluded the southern conflict.
Yin Boqing continued, "Our Five Element Sect plans to send Vice Master Supreme Young Sovereign to lead Sixty-First Generation Inner Sect Disciples to join in combat. This will be another opportunity for you to gain experience, strive to improve your Qigong, and fully commit to becoming a Competing True Inheritor Disciple. Make sure to cherish this opportunity!"
After Yin Boqing finished speaking, his figure flickered and vanished without a trace, as Void Immortals do.
It is indeed Vice Master Supreme Young Sovereign leading the team; just this Void Immortal powerhouse alone would be enough for the Red Robe Sect to handle.
Lu Chen picked up the Dual Blades from the ground and stored them in Jun Bell. At this moment, his emotions were tumultuous and hard to calm. He never expected that just after forming an alliance with Sun Zizhao, they would face such a blow. He was unsure how to respond!
At this time, he was even more worried about Sun Zizhao's safety and wondered what countermeasures he would take.
Upon returning to Empty Mountain Cave, he found Old Mu there and asked, "Old Mu, where did Big Shuang go?"
"He went to help at the tavern; our business is getting busier and we can't keep up," Old Mu replied happily.
"Call him back; something has happened in the East Sea and we need to go again," Lu Chen instructed.
Old Mu was momentarily stunned, seemingly still processing the situation.
Although he did not understand, seeing Lu Chen's serious expression made him fear that things were not so simple. He hurriedly left the Empty Mountain Cave and headed down the mountain.
After more than half an hour, Old Mu returned with Lian Dashuang and entered the Cave to listen to Lu Chen's arrangements.
Currently, the Five Element Sect had not issued any missions, likely because the higher-ups were still discussing specific matters. However, Lu Chen could not afford to wait, as when it was time to go to the East Sea, the disciples of the Five Element Sect would definitely travel collectively on the Thunder Warship.
Lian Dashuang was only eight or nine years old, but after careful training from Lu Chen, he had already shown signs of breaking through the Body Refinement Explosion stage in his Qigong cultivation, and his movements were very agile.
Lu Chen planned to take Old Mu and Lian Dashuang along to let them gain some experience. However, they did not have spots on the Thunder Warship and could only take a horse-drawn carriage.
Lu Chen's plan was for Old Mu and Lian Dashuang to set off immediately to meet Sun Zizhao in the East Sea. Then, once the Five Element Sect issued their mission, he would head to the East Sea with the other Inner Sect Disciples and find an opportunity to meet up with Old Mu and the others.
Without further delay, Old Mu and Lian Dashuang exchanged some silver at an inn and immediately set off in their carriage.
Not long after Old Mu and Lian Dashuang departed, Lian Shuang hurriedly arrived at the Empty Mountain Cave and handed a Secret Letter to Lu Chen.
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