Chapter 287: Chapter 276: He is Under My Protection! (4K)_2
The second set of swordsmanship she discovered in the Qingxia Ancient Cave might not be inferior to the Supreme Ancestral Sword Technique of Thousand Swords Manor.
Xia Ningxue and Lu Changsheng also mastered a set of marvelous swordsmanship—the Holy Spirit Sword Art.
The Holy Spirit Sword Art is extremely profound, and is no weaker than the Sect-Defending Sword Skills of Thousand Swords Manor.
"What? She actually refused the opportunity to comprehend the Sect-Defending Sword Skills of Thousand Swords Manor!"
"Has this woman's taste gone too high? To ignore even the master of Thousand Swords Manor, ranked among the top powers in Zhong Zhou?"
Other sect powerhouses, especially those from Zhong Zhou, were all astonished.
Xia Ningxue did not accept Sun Jian's request, which was a slight to the Sect-Defending Sword Skills of Thousand Swords Manor.
"Really?"
Sun Jian asked for confirmation again.
Xia Ningxue's defiance of his will annoyed him somewhat.
"The Sect-Defending Sword Skills of Thousand Swords Manor may not necessarily be so impressive."
Lu Changsheng normally kept out of conflicts, but this time, with Sun Jian using the Sect-Defending Sword Skills of Thousand Swords Manor to tempt Xia Ningxue, Lu Changsheng couldn't remain indifferent.
In Lu Changsheng's hands were four superior fairy-grade sword techniques—"Divine Sword Commanding Wind Art," "Divine Sword Thunder Commanding Art," "Divine Sword Fire Commanding Art," and "Divine Sword Commanding Water Art."
Lu Changsheng was also creating his own Supreme Sword Skills. Once he merged the essence of these four techniques, he would be able to create a sword technique that surpassed the fairy grade, hence it was unlikely that he would have any high regard for the Sect-Defending Sword Skills of Thousand Swords Manor.
"Boy, don't spout mad talk. Are you aware that our Thousand Swords Manor is acknowledged as the number one sword cultivator sect in this realm? Your Mount Shu might have been strong during its founding period, but at other times, how could it compare to our Thousand Swords Manor?
Our Thousand Swords Manor could casually produce a fairy-grade swordsmanship that would take your Mount Shu a long time to comprehend."
Sun Jian saw that Lu Changsheng looked down on their Sect-Defending Skills and couldn't help feeling furious.
Thousand Swords Manor prided itself as the strongest sword cultivator sect in this realm, how could a remote place like Mount Shu compare?
In the eyes of the Zhong Zhou powerhouses, cultivators from Xia State were nothing more than country folks. What kind of experiences could they have had?
"Master, this person dares to belittle our Thousand Swords Manor. Should we encounter him at the Zhong Zhou Grand Assembly, we must teach him a lesson."
"Indeed, our Thousand Swords Manor is so powerful in Zhong Zhou that even the Star Pavilion would give us some face, yet this insignificant Mount Shu dares to look down upon our Sect-Defending Sword Skills. They are truly frogs at the bottom of a well."
"If he witnessed our master personally using the Supreme Sword Skills, just one strike would be enough to make him utterly submit."
The Supreme Elders of Thousand Swords Manor spoke sarcastically, providing a way out for the pride of their sect leader.
The Supreme Elders of Thousand Swords Manor started from the Void Refinement Realm, and there were over a dozen strong individuals in the Unity Realm.
The power of Thousand Swords Manor was extremely formidable; just the Unity Realm Supreme Elders who accompanied Sun Jian to the Zhong Zhou Grand Assembly were so numerous. They were stronger than the combined Unity Realm powerhouses from the various sects in Xia State.
Penglai Fairy transmitted a message to Lu Changsheng: "Thousand Swords Manor's power is far stronger than Wind Thunder Pavilion. You cannot continue to provoke Thousand Swords Manor, instead, you must be forbearing. With your talent, you have the potential to surpass Sun Jian in the future, so do not act hastily and impulsively for the sake of short-term gratification."
Penglai Fairy believed that Lu Changsheng's aptitude was even superior to that of the master of Thousand Swords Manor, but Lu Changsheng's time spent in cultivation was too brief, otherwise, the outcome of a battle between him and Sun Jian might be indeterminate.
"I am confident in myself."
The auras of Lu Changsheng and Sun Jian clashed invisibly, like fire and water.
Lu Changsheng's true cultivation level was the peak of the fifth layer of the Unity Realm.
Lu Changsheng tentatively judged that his combat power might not surpass that of Sun Jian, who had attained Great Accomplishment in the Spirit Sword Physique.
But if he stepped into the sixth layer of the Unity Realm, that might not be the case.
Lu Changsheng used the simulation battle system of the Disciple Apprenticeship Simulator to spar multiple times with a simulation of the seventh Sect Leader of Mount Shu, Grandmaster Tailin, who also possessed the Spirit Sword Physique. Thus, Lu Changsheng had a deeper understanding of this body constitution.
Moreover, Lu Changsheng had cultivated other techniques and also possessed an ultimate treasure-class peerless artifact, the "Nirvana Flames Red Lotus," so he might not necessarily fear Sun Jian.
"You've got guts, kid, to actually release your aura and confront me with such fervor. Are you not afraid of death?"
A ruthless glint flickered in Sun Jian's eyes.
The clash of auras between Lu Changsheng and him clearly showed defiance.
He, Sun Jian, was the master of Thousand Swords Manor. If the leader of a remote sect dared to challenge him, how would Thousand Swords Manor establish itself among the multitude of sects in Zhong Zhou in the future?
"Master Sun, this is our Star Pavilion's territory, I kindly ask for a bit of consideration on my behalf."
The lady in green stood between Lu Changsheng and Sun Jian, clearly favoring Lu Changsheng.
Additionally, if Sun Jian were to go all out on the Star Pavilion's territory, it's uncertain how much damage he would cause to the thousands of pavilions there.
"Hmph, teaching a junior a lesson with my own hands, I presume your Pavilion Master will not have much to say about that. For any damage caused, our Thousand Swords Manor will pay double the compensation," said Sun Jian confidently.
Seeing Lu Changsheng challenge him publicly, Sun Jian felt humiliated. Thus, he circulated his cultivation technique, readying himself to make a move and teach Lu Changsheng a lesson, also taking the opportunity to let Xia Ningxue witness Thousand Swords Manor's Supreme Sword Skills.
"..."
The woman in green held a high position in Star Pavilion, but after all, she was only at the Void Refinement Realm, so she was not in a position to stop Sun Jian, a powerhouse on the same level as the Pavilion Master.
"With the Master of Thousand Swords Manor taking action personally, even Star Pavilion cannot intervene. It seems that the Sect Leader of Mount Shu is in big trouble now."
"It's truly exciting to witness the Master of Thousand Swords Manor in action before the Great Meeting of Zhong Zhou starts."
"This is the Unity Realm Great Accomplishment with a Spirit Sword Physique, and not to mention the Immortal Sword and Sword Art—Sect Leader of Mount Shu has no chance of retaliation."
Other powerhouses from the major sects didn't mind escalating the situation. It wasn't bad to have some entertainment before the start of the Great Meeting in Zhong Zhou.
Lu Changsheng fully activated the twelfth layer of the Taiqing Wuji Technique, standing his ground, his figure motionless, yet his aura was fully established.
Even if the opponent was the Master of Thousand Swords Manor, it was unlikely he would dare to kill another Sect Leader on the Star Pavilion's territory.
Lu Changsheng intended to use this opportunity to break through to the sixth level of the Unity Realm in one fell swoop.
"Can you handle it? If not, we can join forces using the Holy Spirit Sword Art, and there should be a chance to defeat him," said Xia Ningxue, her voice laced with a trace of urgency as she secretly communicated with Lu Changsheng.
If Lu Changsheng were to be killed because of her, she would never be at peace with herself.
"I should not die," replied Lu Changsheng.
Lu Changsheng had the Immortal Divine Art, Golden Bell Shield, and the Heavenly Earth Mystical Yellow Exquisite Pagoda—his defenses were impeccable. Unless the opponent was significantly stronger than him, it would be difficult to kill him.
Just as the tension between them reached a peak, a terrifying presence arrived.
The complexions of all cultivators present changed.
"He is under my protection. Sun Jian, if you want to make a move, you'll need to get past me first!" a delightful yet domineering female voice declared, as the Empress of Great Martial led the Great General of the Unity Realm's sixth level, the State Preceptor of the seventh level, and a squad of Imperial Guards to the scene!
The Empress of Great Martial was stunningly beautiful with bright eyes and white teeth, but her expression exuded an air of domineering arrogance unique to her own.
"This is the number one powerhouse of the Wu Domain—the Empress Wu Yue, a Great Accomplishment powerhouse of the Unity Realm!"
"The Sect Leader of Mount Shu's backer is actually the Empress of Great Martial?"
"No wonder the Sect Leader of Mount Shu dares to confront the Master of Thousand Swords Manor—it turns out he has the support of the Empress of Great Martial."
"Now, this will be good to watch."
Some of the cultivators recognized the Empress of Great Martial and exclaimed in surprise.
After her arrival, the Empress of Great Martial gave Lu Changsheng a knowing look.
For some reason, she always felt that Lu Changsheng had limitless potential and, therefore, she deliberately protected him, hoping to foster a good bond.
"It's you..." Sun Jian clenched his teeth.
The Empress Wu Yue was not a powerhouse from Zhong Zhou but was born in the Wu Domain; however, her cultivation and combat strength were comparable to the top-tier powerhouses of Zhong Zhou.
Sun Jian had clashed with the Empress of Great Martial before and had not come out on top.
With the Empress covering for Lu Changsheng, it was not easy for Sun Jian to make his move now.
Sun Jian had no choice but to rein in his aura and glared at Lu Changsheng spitefully.
He really didn't understand why this guy had so much appeal with women; whether it was Xia Ningxue, Penglai Fairy, the Empress of Great Martial, or the lady in green, they all seemed to favor him.
Lu Changsheng felt helpless. The Great Meeting of Zhong Zhou had not even begun, and he had already made quite a few powerful enemies.