Chapter 1467: The Zhang Family Sword Technique

"You..."

Seeing Zhang Qin, who had landed headfirst and was already unconscious, Zhang Xu and the others froze, unable to utter a single word.

They had thought that even if this prodigy's swordsmanship was superb, it wouldn't be overwhelmingly stronger. They never dreamed that Zhang Qin, exerting his full strength, couldn't even withstand a single move—the opponent didn't even use the sword energy at his fingertip, just kicked him... and it was over!

"Let me do it."

Letting out a breath, Zhang Xu stepped forward.

He knew Zhang Qin's strength well. Even if Zhang Qin's understanding of swordsmanship was inferior to his own, he was still a top-tier expert. If the opponent could defeat him without even drawing his sword, then Zhang Hen going up would surely be no match either.

"Let me go first. Even if I can't win, I can force him to use his sword technique, increasing your chances of victory..."

Zhang Hen blocked his way.

"Both of you come together."

Seeing the two deferring to each other, Zhang Xuan looked indifferent. "I don't have time to waste. I'm still a bit weak and need to cultivate."

With that, he opened his acupoints and began absorbing the spiritual energy wafting in the air.

"Hmph, since you're asking for it, don't blame us for being rude..." Seeing the man so dismissive of them, Zhang Xu and the others did not refuse out of face-saving concerns. They exchanged glances and stepped forward together.

"Judging by your moves just now, we indeed can't defeat you in single combat. Now that we're joining forces, we'll still be using the Zhang Family Combined Sword Technique, so it's not against the rules."

Taking their positions, Zhang Xu clasped his hands in a salute.

"Begin."

Knowing the Zhang family's habit of justifying their shamelessness, Zhang Xuan didn't bother with more words. He traced a line in the air with the sword energy at his fingertip, gave a light flick, and entered the battle circle.

Exchanging glances, Zhang Xu and Zhang Hen instantly suppressed their power to the peak of the Domain Realm. Their long swords let out a whimpering sound as they thrust from both sides.

Their swordsmanship seemed unhurried, yet every strike targeted points Zhang Xuan had to defend. No matter how he moved, it pointed directly at his weaknesses, making defense impossible.

"This is... the Xingmeng Sword Technique..."

Jian Qinsheng's whole body trembled.

The couple Xing and Meng had created a profound sword technique that complemented each other so well that even Master Yang had praised it endlessly, a testament to its power.

What Zhang Xu and Zhang Hen were now executing was precisely the sword technique created by that couple. Though the combined technique didn't increase the speed of the swords, it amplified their power and made them far more fearsome.

Not to mention others; even he, at the same level, would have no choice but to concede on the spot!

The Xingmeng Sword Technique, named after the couple's titles, when unleashed, made one experience the rise and fall of history, dreamlike and illusory. It not only had strong offensive power but also greatly affected the primordial spirit. Those slightly weaker in strength simply couldn't resist.

"Not a bad sword technique."

Unlike Jian Qinsheng's shock, Zhang Xuan nodded in approval.

As the two executed the combined sword technique, he immediately felt an illusion of experiencing the rise and fall of dynasties: seeing them build tall towers, seeing them feast guests, seeing their towers collapse... All kinds of power and wealth, like bubbles in a dream, dazzled the eyes and gave a sense of life being but a dream.

For anyone else, encountering such a situation, no matter how firm their will, would surely be affected. But Zhang Xuan was different. With the circulation of Heavenly Dao true energy, even inner demons could not touch him. This level of primordial spirit attack was nothing.

He remained completely clear-headed, wandering through the rise and fall of dynasties like a spectator of history, his long sword at his fingertip cutting through one dynasty after another.

Pfft! Pfft!

Blood spurted. Zhang Xu and Zhang Hen both turned pale. Their long swords had somehow been knocked out of their hands and were stuck in the wall, still quivering.

Though their combined sword technique was exquisite, it was still too weak before Zhang Xuan. He easily broke their artistic conception and severely wounded them.

"We... lost."

Stumbling back a few steps, knowing that even together they couldn't withstand him, and single combat was even more hopeless, Zhang Xu looked utterly dejected.

He had thought that after comprehending the true essence of speed and receiving the family head's inheritance, no one of his generation could surpass him in swordsmanship at the same level. Yet before this man, it was as laughable as child's play.

The opponent's understanding of swordsmanship clearly far surpassed theirs—it was not even comparable.

"Since you've lost, I hope you'll fulfill the first bet and take me to see your sword technique manuals."

Zhang Xuan said.

Although he had already gained some understanding of the so-called "speed" true essence from their exchange, to learn it, he still needed to personally read the texts and condense the Heavenly Dao technique.

"Taking you to see the manuals is no big deal, but there's a time limit—at most one hour."

Zhang Xu said.

Although the Zhang family's manuals were nearly impossible to master without bloodline power, they couldn't allow an outsider to freely memorize them. The promise to let him see them had already set a hurdle—one hour!

In such a short time, with such profound swordsmanship, one couldn't even understand it, let alone remember it!

"That's enough..."

Knowing what the other meant, Zhang Xuan didn't bother to say more.

For him, reading a book was just a glance. As long as he was allowed to see it, he could take away as much as there was.

"This way, please..."

Seeing the opponent agree, Zhang Xu and the others, honoring their bet, immediately led the way. Before long, they arrived at a spacious hall. Like the room Jian Qinsheng had taken Zhang Xuan to see, the center featured a huge character "sword".

This character was different from those left by Sword Elder and Sword Liushui. It gave a sensation of lightning, as if it might tear through space at any moment and slip through one's fingers.

"This is the sword technique left by our ancestor. If you can understand it, you can learn it. If you can't, we can't do anything about it..."

Zhang Xu said.

"Mm."

Knowing that understanding this sword technique required insight, Zhang Xuan didn't dwell on it and looked around.

Like many places he had seen before, beneath the sword character were densely carved various insights, meant to give hints to descendants.

He called out softly in his mind, gathering all these texts into the Library of Heaven's Path. A book appeared before him.

He gently opened it and looked.

"He's come to see the Zhang family's sword technique—does he want to learn it?"

Seeing him so engrossed, Zhang Qin looked over in confusion.

By now, he had recovered from his unconsciousness. Though his head still felt a bit numb, it was no longer a serious issue.

"The family head, known as the foremost swordsman in the clan for thousands of years, took a full three months to comprehend the true essence and break through... Showing him for just one hour, let alone understanding, he probably didn't even grasp anything!"

Zhang Hen waved his hand. "Besides, without our Zhang family bloodline, how could he possibly understand?"

"I think he just wants to take a look, find flaws, and gain an advantage in the duel..." Zhang Xu analyzed.

"Flaws? Our Zhang family sword technique, cultivated by generations of ancestors, has astonishing power—how could it have flaws..."

Zhang Qin disagreed.

Crack!

Before he finished speaking, a crisp sound rang out, and everyone saw a fine crack appear on the "sword" character before them.