Chapter 1071: Palm Strike

"Mm, this palm technique is called the Great Compassion Demon Palm!" Zhang Xuan nodded.

"You... can tell the name of the technique?"

The stone statue's eyes widened.

He had left various texts on the stone tablet in the form of runes, recording only the true qi circulation route of the cultivation method, without writing the name of the technique. How did this fellow in front of him figure it out?

"This..."

Zhang Xuan was taken aback, his eyebrows twitching involuntarily.

The name of the technique was 'seen' by the Library of Heaven's Path. If one merely cultivated from the stone tablet, they would only know it was a palm technique, but certainly not the specific name.

"I have read records about you, Senior, and know that you possess a lost palm technique of unparalleled power and might. This one resembles it somewhat, so I deduced..." Zhang Xuan said.

Anyway, he would not mention the Library of Heaven's Path. Whether the other believed him or not, he couldn't care less.

"Read records?" The stone statue was startled.

When Boundless wanted to take me as a disciple, why didn't I see you reading any books about me?

But then again, probing into this matter was pointless. The stone statue couldn't help but look at him again. "You say you not only recognized the technique but also practiced it for a while?"

"Yes!" Zhang Xuan nodded.

"Recognizing the technique counts as passing. But directly practicing it... reckless, too reckless!"

The stone statue shook his head.

This technique was created by him back in the day, and he knew its difficulty.

Even the strongest among the crowd, a Saint Realm 4-dan pinnacle, would find it challenging to cultivate. A mere Consonant Saint trying it—wasn't that asking for trouble?

"This palm technique is of high-tier saint grade. If one's cultivation is insufficient, forcibly cultivating it will only cause harm! Moreover, even with sufficient cultivation, mastering it is extremely difficult! When I first created the technique, it took me a full year and three months just to get started, three years to become proficient, and nearly eight years to reach minor accomplishment! Among my many disciples, the fastest to reach minor accomplishment took forty years!"

Recalling the past, the stone statue said.

Although he created this palm technique, cultivating it was not easy. From the start to minor accomplishment, it took a full twelve years.

His many students progressed even more slowly, hardly worth mentioning.

"You probably practiced for a while, found it hard to master, and gave up, right? It's good that you stopped. Without my guidance, blindly cultivating will only lead you astray..."

After a sigh, the stone statue looked again. Before he could finish, he saw the young man in front scratching his head in embarrassment. "I practiced for a while just now... and accidentally reached minor accomplishment..."

"Minor accomplishment? Accidentally?"

The stone statue swayed, nearly cracking.

He had just said that he, the creator, took over twelve years to reach minor accomplishment... How long had this guy been practicing?

At most, not even three hours, right?

Minor accomplishment?

Really?

"Indeed... Actually, although this palm technique is good, it has too many flaws. Cultivating it is quite uncomfortable..." Zhang Xuan remarked.

"You!"

Hearing this, the stone statue nearly fainted from anger.

Boundless had said the same thing, and it had caused his will to dissipate in anger. Now here, it was happening again!

Do I owe you something?

You find it uncomfortable to cultivate, yet you've reached minor accomplishment—what more do you want?

"You've reached minor accomplishment, have you? This palm technique of mine can test the correctness of cultivation and depth of understanding through the force of the palm."

Somewhat displeased, the stone statue looked coldly at him. "How about this: I'll suppress my cultivation to the Consonant Saint level and execute the Great Compassion Demon Palm at minor accomplishment level to strike with you. If you can withstand my palm force, it will prove you haven't lied and have indeed grasped the essence of this technique!"

Anyone would be displeased to be repeatedly questioned by a mere Consonant Saint youth.

This fellow had said such things several times now, and he had decided to teach him a lesson, to make him understand his place.

Otherwise, a young man too arrogant, if not restrained, would harm his future growth.

"This..."

Hearing that the other wanted to strike palms with him, Zhang Xuan was taken aback. "You're a stone statue; can you execute a palm technique?"

"Of course! Although I am a stone statue, with my will residing within, I can still unleash formidable power!"

With a snort, the stone statue shifted and extended his arm.

An invincible aura immediately surged, giving a sense of spiritual suppression.

"Before Qiuwu Ancient Sage followed Confucius, he was already renowned across the world, a top-tier expert unmatched at the same level... Suppressing his cultivation to strike palms with Zhang shi, Zhang shi will probably suffer, right?"

"That's for sure. This palm technique was created by the Ancient Sage, who has cultivated it for who knows how many years. Although Zhang shi seems to have practiced for three hours, he actually didn't comprehend it for the first two hours and only practiced for about one hour... In such a short time, no matter how talented, how much can he grasp?"

"Indeed, they're not even on the same level..."

...

Witnessing this, Wu shi and the others shook their heads.

In their view, Qiuwu Ancient Sage's move was a test for Zhang Xuan, and the two were simply incomparable.

“This…”

Seeing the other party’s firm attitude, Zhang Xuan could only nod. “Fine!”

To be honest, he had only just simulated the technique internally using his true energy and had never actually performed it. Since the other party wanted a contest, it was a good chance to test its power. If it really worked well, he could use it in future battles.

“Then let’s begin!”

The stone statue responded, pushing its arm forward.

Boom!

Even before it reached him, it gave a sense of annihilation, as if countless demons were descending from the sky, crushing not only the physical body but also shaking the mind.

The Great Compassion Demon Palm not only delivered physical attacks but also had an amplifying effect on the soul and primordial spirit.

Because of this, it was highly renowned in ancient times and ranked among the top of saint-grade intermediate techniques.

“So strong…”

“Even though I’m far away and not the target, I feel my body stiffen, unable to resist!”

“Indeed, no wonder it’s a technique left by the ancient sage Qiuwu. If I could learn it, my strength would more than double!”

“This palm technique involves soul power; it’s not easy to cultivate…”

…

Feeling the power of the palm, Master Wu and the others all stiffened, their faces alternating between pale and red.

Too strong!

Although the stone statue executed the move slowly and without any apparent subtlety from its movements, it gave a feeling of being impossible to resist, as if even the soul would be crushed.

This was something many of the martial techniques they practiced could not achieve.

Terrifying!

“No wonder the ancient sage said it was hard to cultivate. This move is indeed not easy. I wonder how much Master Zhang has mastered…” Master Wu sighed.

This palm technique had transcended mere moves; it emphasized spirit, energy, and mind, reaching a certain realm that could not be achieved without years of accumulation.

Although Master Zhang was highly talented, he was still too young, with limited life experience. He probably couldn’t grasp the true essence, right?

Many cultivators travel the world, experiencing joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness to perfect their state of mind. Without such experience, no matter how talented, it is difficult to understand the essence of such martial techniques.

Thinking this, he couldn’t help but look at the young man not far away.

At this moment, Zhang Xuan had not yet made a move. Instead, he stood with his hands behind his back, looking up at a forty-five-degree angle, as if thinking of something, revealing a sorrowful emotion.

It was as if he had lost a lover, or witnessed the death of relatives and friends, giving a sense of detachment and loneliness.

“This is… the ability of a Glimpse Dancer!”

His pupils contracted, and Master Wu couldn’t help exclaiming.

Although the other party was just standing still, it gave a bone-deep sorrow… This was not just a state of mind but a technique of the soul.

“Glimpse Dancer? Isn’t that a profession that only attacks through dancing?”

Feng Xun was puzzled.

In his impression, Glimpse Dancers were a special profession that wore luxurious attire and used various movements to enchant people. They were usually practiced by women… How could this Master Zhang also practice it?

Moreover, he hadn’t changed clothes and was just standing there blankly. How was that the ability of a Glimpse Dancer?

“Glimpse Dancers do need to dance to attack, but… it is said that when one reaches a certain level of understanding, every move carries a divine charm that captivates others. Master Zhang, though not moving, if you look carefully, you can’t help but feel his state of mind and resonate with it…”

Master Wu explained, pointing casually. “Look at them…”

Feng Xun turned his head and saw that the war masters behind him, who were looking at Zhang Xuan, were all infected by the emotion, tears streaming down their faces.

“This…”

His pupils contracted, and Feng Xun was startled.

He had thought that this Zhang Xuan was only strong in formations and combat, never dreaming that his soul attacks were also so terrifying.

These war masters behind him, though only at Saint Domain first or second level, could fight above their rank and were extraordinary. They had also received individual soul training. Yet, just by looking at his standing posture, they were infected. This ability, even he found terrifying.

“Look, it’s starting…”

Just as he was shocked, he heard Master Wu’s shout again. He quickly looked and saw that after a moment of melancholy, Zhang Xuan gently turned his palm and met the stone statue’s hand.

His movement was also slow, without any extravagant motions, just a simple push, yet it gave a sense of overturning rivers and seas.

In an instant, it was as if the Zhang Xuan before him had transformed into a giant demon, and even his soul felt crushed, not daring to resist head-on.

“Hmm?”

Feeling the change in his aura and palm power, the stone statue opposite also shifted from its earlier contempt to seriousness, furrowing its brow and suddenly accelerating the speed of its palm attack.

Bang!

The two palms collided, and the power suddenly exploded, sending out a massive shockwave.

Whoosh!

Before the stone statue could react, it was sent flying into the air, crashing straight into a stone stele and shattering into pieces.

“This…”

“Same strength, same palm technique, same level… Master Zhang defeated the ancient sage Qiuwu in one move?”

Everyone was dumbfounded.