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墨書 Inktalez
Mary stood in the center, surveying her surroundings, and smiled as she spoke, "My master often told me that in Huaxia Martial Arts, there are hidden dragons and crouching tigers, with heroes emerging one after another. I have always yearned for Huaxia, and today I have come to see whether there are more heroes or more fools among you!"
The reason Mary spoke such bold words was that her master, Yan Xiaotian, had just defeated four Divine Realm masters from Huaxia, which gave her the confidence to challenge them here.
The young martial artists of Huaxia were enraged by her words. They prided themselves on being martial arts prodigies and could not allow a foreign woman to humiliate them. However, despite their indignation, no one dared to step forward, as she had Yan Xiaotian backing her.
Suddenly, breaking the tense silence, someone spoke up. "I'll take you on."
A man flew from a painted boat and landed on Mary's black canopy boat. This man was none other than Hu Yuan.
One stood at the bow of the boat while the other stood at the stern, both confronting each other with equal intensity.
Hu Yuan held a katana in his hand, a weapon of great significance known as the Ghost-Suppressing Blade, bestowed upon him by his master, Island Swordsmanship Master Ishii Ansei.
"Who is this young man?" Many people recognized Hu Yuan and began to inquire. Having studied swordsmanship in the Island Nation, he was not well-known in the Huaxia Martial Arts Community. He had come to this Martial Arts Gathering to make a name for himself.
"It seems he is the son of the prominent figure Hu Sanxiong from Zhejiang Province. I heard he went to the Island Nation years ago to study swordsmanship," someone remarked.
"That's him! I heard from Hu Sanxiong that he apprenticed under a swordsmanship master from the Island Nation and has impressive skills," another added.
These words quickly spread, and soon nearly everyone had a general understanding of who Hu Yuan was.
On the black canopy boat, Mary looked at Hu Yuan and saw him holding an Island Samurai Sword. She couldn't help but laugh. "Are you a warrior from the Island Nation?"
"I am Huaxia People," Hu Yuan replied.
"Since you are Huaxia People, why are you wielding an Island Samurai Sword?" Mary questioned.
"I practice Island Swordsmanship; using this Ghost-Suppressing Blade as my weapon should be quite reasonable," Hu Yuan explained.
"Quite reasonable indeed. I've heard that there are many schools of Island Swordsmanship; I wonder which one you belong to?" Mary chuckled lightly.
"Iai-ryu!" Hu Yuan declared proudly.
"I once met a master of the three-sword style in the United States; his skills were so impressive that even my master praised him highly. As for Iai-ryu, it seems rather ordinary. But since you have the courage to challenge me, I shall see what this Iai-ryu is all about," Mary said with a smile before turning to Yan Xiaotian.
"Master, could you lend me that extraordinary blade for a moment?" Mary asked.
Yan Xiaotian nodded and tossed out the extraordinary blade. Mary lightly stepped on the boat's deck and leaped into the air to catch it.
The Supreme Blade, heavy as it was, could be wielded effortlessly by Mary, as if it were an extension of her own body. It was truly impressive.
"Shall we begin?" Hu Yuan said, a serious glint in his eyes. The Supreme Blade was no ordinary weapon. Observing Mary’s graceful movements with the blade, it was clear she had trained in swordsmanship. With a master like Yan Xiaotian, even though Mary was a woman, Hu Yuan dared not underestimate her.
"Let's get started," Mary replied with a smile, and without hesitation, she swung the blade towards Hu Yuan.
"Supreme Blade Technique, First Form: Breaking Waves."
A blade of light extended several meters as it sliced through the air. Hu Yuan was taken aback and quickly drew his sword to block. His swordsmanship was quite formidable; in that split second, he managed to withstand Mary's strike. However, when their energies collided, a shockwave erupted, shattering the black-sailed boat beneath them.
Both Hu Yuan and Mary leaped onto a piece of floating wood. Hu Yuan looked at Mary with surprise.
"You can also perform the Supreme Blade Technique?"
"I have many skills; it just depends on whether you can make me use them all," Mary replied with a grin.
"Even if you know the Supreme Blade Technique, it won’t help you. Let me show you the true swordsmanship of my Iai-ryu," Hu Yuan said solemnly, focusing intently.
With both hands gripping his sword, he rapidly circulated his Inner Energy, causing the Ghost-Suppressing Blade to emanate a fierce aura.
"Stunning Cloud Slash!"
Hu Yuan raised his sword above his head and struck down swiftly. The Stunning Cloud Slash was akin to lightning cutting through dark clouds, stirring even the heavens.
Though the techniques of Island Swordsmanship were complex, they all derived from fundamental moves. This particular strike was a variation of the basic Tang Zhu Style from Island Swordsmanship.
"Supreme Blade Technique, Second Form: Mountain Cleaving."
Mary did not take this lightly; she gave her all. Her cultivation level was on par with Hu Yuan's, and even at full strength, victory seemed uncertain.
Boom!
The collision between Stunning Cloud Slash and Mountain Cleaving resembled two grenades exploding upon impact, sending waves several meters high across the water's surface.
The spectators had already witnessed the battle in the Divine Realm and thus reacted calmly to the clash between Hu Yuan and Mary. Although Mary also practiced the Supreme Blade Technique, she could not be compared to Luo Xiong. Nevertheless, her youth and skill were already remarkable.
"You are strong; however, it's a pity that you use Island Swordsmanship," Mary said regretfully as both were thrown back by the shockwave and landed on a wooden plank on the lake's surface, barely stabilizing themselves.
"What of Island Swordsmanship?" Hu Yuan replied nonchalantly.
"Of course it matters. I came here to challenge the prodigies of Huaxia Martial Arts. Even if we reach a stalemate, you cannot represent Huaxia Martial Arts; you represent Island Swordsmanship," Mary stated firmly.
"I have no objections to that because my purpose in attending this Martial Arts Gathering is to promote my Iai-ryu swordsmanship. Whether in Huaxia or Island Nation or elsewhere, only our Iai-ryu can represent the pinnacle of swordsmanship," Hu Yuan declared loudly.
Upon hearing this, those from Huaxia Martial Arts were immediately displeased, especially those who practiced swordsmanship; their indignation flared up.
As a Huaxia person, Hu Yuan dared to elevate Island Swordsmanship while belittling Huaxia Swordsmanship in front of martial artists from Huaxia. The animosity between the Huaxia people and the Islanders was already deep-rooted. While everyone had remained silent about Hu Yuan's apprenticeship under an Island Swordsmanship Master, his audacious pride in Island Swordsmanship now provoked widespread anger.
"Young man, when you were studying swordsmanship in the Island Nation, didn't your master tell you that Island Swordsmanship originated from us in Huaxia? What you’re saying is rather laughable," remarked a Huaxia Swordmaster.
"Are you not aware of the saying, 'the student surpasses the master'? Island Swordsmanship has developed into its own distinct style over the millennia, far surpassing Huaxia's sword techniques," Hu Yuan declared proudly.
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