Martial Arts Crossover: My Wife is the Top Scholar

Chapter 543 Li Shengnan VS Tang Xiaolan

As the snow fell softly, Li Shengnan and Tang Xiaolan's figures appeared and disappeared atop the cold, snow-covered peak.

Li Shengnan's cold laugh about "showing weakness to the enemy" still lingered in the wind as her figure approached like a ghost.

Combining the real and the fake is a common tactic of the Demonic Cult, using ambiguous language to make it difficult for the enemy to distinguish between truth and falsehood.

For example, when playing "rock, paper, scissors," Li Shengnan directly stated that she would choose "paper." Can the words of this demoness from the evil sect be trusted? How many tricks are hidden behind her?

Li Shengnan said this was "showing weakness to the enemy." Was she telling the truth, or was she talking nonsense?

As long as Tang Xiaolan follows this line of reasoning, her judgment will be disrupted, and she will fall into a logical loop.

When masters compete, the difference is only a hair's breadth.

A slight misstep could lead to one's own destruction.

With a flick of her wrist, Li Shengnan no longer adhered to the chilling power of the Asura Yin Sha Gong when making her move. The tip of her sword trembled slightly, unleashing dozens of cold stars, but it did not aim directly at vital points.

Sword energy enveloped Tang Xiaolan's vital points, and sword intent blocked all of Tang Xiaolan's evasive routes. The sword's momentum was cunning, unpredictable, and ever-changing, changing dozens of times per second.

This extraordinary sword technique is neither a demonic sect's swordplay nor taught by Li Zhaoting, but rather the "Ice Profound Sword Technique" created by Li Shengnan based on her lifelong insights into swordsmanship.

It possesses both the cold solemnity of a snow-covered wasteland where everything withers, and the alluring, ethereal shadows of a mirage. Its sword strikes are like a celestial maiden scattering flowers, with deadly intent lurking within its ethereal beauty.

Tang Xiaolan's eyes were calm and still. He practiced the orthodox internal energy of the Xuanmen sect, and his temperament was calm and resolute. He didn't care about Li Shengnan's true or false intentions at all.

Whether she genuinely feigned weakness or devised some ingenious strategy, Tang Xiaolan always defended herself with upright swordsmanship, each move combining offense and defense.

Just as Hong Qigong said, no matter how flashy Huang Yaoshi's Falling Flower Divine Sword Palm is, if I use the Regretful Dragon move, Huang Yaoshi will have to change his move.

The seven major sword sects of the martial arts world.

Mount Hua is lofty and unparalleled, a secluded retreat for seeking immortality; the Kunlun School's sword formation is invincible; the Hainan School's swordsmanship is unorthodox; the Bashan School's "Returning Wind and Dancing Willows" sword is ethereal and unforgettable; and the Emei School is ruthless and fierce.

The Tianshan sword technique cannot be described without the word "steady".

His internal strength is steady, his swordsmanship is steady, and his personality is steady.

Even if one's martial arts talent is average, as long as one lives peacefully in seclusion deep in the snow-capped mountains for decades, one can become a Great Wood Master when one reaches seventy or eighty years old.

Of the seven major sword sects in the martial arts world, only the Tianshan Sect can consistently produce a large number of top-tier masters. Tianshan disciples only have two basic requirements: good character and long lifespan.

Tang Xiaolan is one of the best among them.

He was also a rising star in the martial arts world when he was young.

Its foundation is so solid that it surpasses even the gentle breeze of Mount Hua.

The Dragon Sword let out a loud dragon roar.

Tang Xiaolan did not directly block the Ice Profound Sword Flower.

His footwork was as smooth as flowing water, as if he had already anticipated Li Shengnan's attack trajectory. With a few barely perceptible turns, he glided lightly through the gaps.

The swordsman and knight-errant, now over sixty, wield their swords with not only elegance and agility, but also the composure gained from decades of seclusion in the snow-capped mountains, their hearts as still as water and as serene as snow.

The seemingly casual circle and movement of the Dragon Sword unleashed a powerful and concentrated sword energy that, like a blizzard, silently formed a vast and unstoppable icefall.

The icefall swept fiercely toward Li Shengnan's flank, which was the starting stance of the Tianshan Sect's Sixty-Four Styles of Cold Wave Sword.

This sword technique does not seek extreme speed or to kill the enemy, but rather to seal off space. The opponent must either confront it head-on or forcibly change the rhythm of their attack, thereby seizing the initiative.

If the enemy retreats even half a step, their momentum will inevitably be shattered by the impact of the icefall, leaving them utterly defeated.

Tang Xiaolan, as expected of the highest-ranked among the seven sword sect leaders on the Heavenly Gang List, actually transformed his steady and reliable swordsmanship into a deadly move that could decide the outcome in just three or two moves.

Li Shengnan snorted coldly, neither dodging nor avoiding. Except when facing Li Zhaoting, Li Shengnan never backed down.

The Cloud-Cutting Sword transformed from ethereal to tangible, its blade instantly condensing into a foot-long icy sword aura, transforming from a delicate three-foot sword into a heavy horse-slaying sword, with frost spiraling upwards.

The icy sword energy, carrying an aura that pierces to the bone and withers all things, cleaved towards the long river of frost.

"boom!"

Scattered sword energy flew everywhere, and the two figures swayed at the same time. Li Shengnan felt a majestic, upright, and peaceful Xuanmen internal energy coming through the sword.

This true energy was as vast as the sea, layer upon layer like waves. The yin and cold energy was like snow melting in the warm sun, and it dissipated without anyone noticing.

Tang Xiaolan's Tianshan internal energy steadily suppressed the Yin Qi of the Shura Yin Sha Gong, and the restraining effect of Tianshan internal energy on demonic cultivation methods was clearly demonstrated at this moment!
"What a fine and authentic Xuanmen sect!"

Li Shengnan's fighting spirit burned even brighter. The Heavenly Emperor and Earthly Empress Great Yin Yang Mantra was rapidly activated, instantly pushing the Asura Yin Sha Technique to its peak, reaching the ninth level of Asura, where good and evil were united.

The Yin-Yang Cold Qi of the Asura Yin Sha Gong is too heavy. No matter how high one's martial arts aptitude or how deep one's fortune, reaching the eighth level will inevitably lead to qi deviation and backlash.

To break through the Nine Heavens, one must harmonize Yin and Yang with the orthodox internal energy of the Xuanmen sect. In this way, when a cultivator breaks through the Nine Heavens, he will achieve a state of unity between good and evil.

Qiao Beiming took this path.

Qiao Beiming's method of harmonizing Yin and cold energy is exactly the same as Zhang Danfeng's "Mysterious Skill Essentials", which is the predecessor of the Tianshan Sect's internal energy cultivation method. The two complement each other.

If it were a Kagyu lama from the Vajrayana sect attacking, Tang Xiaolan would kill him with a single sword strike without hesitation. However, Li Shengnan inherited Qiao Beiming's lineage and had seen relevant records.

Seemingly restrained, he actually took the opportunity to use the Great Circulation Manipulation Technique left by Qiao Beiming to guide Tang Xiaolan's Tianshan True Qi, thereby achieving the unity of good and evil.

With a light tap of her toes, Li Shengnan's figure floated up like a snowflake, dodging Tang Xiaolan's continuous sword strikes. Her left hand formed a ghost claw and fiercely grabbed out.

Yin-Yang Claws!
The wind is cold and biting, penetrating straight to the bone!
This fighting style, employing both claws and swords, was her specialty when dealing with Qin Mengyao and Zhong Zhongyou.

First, Qin Mengyao "filled in the gaps," and then Zhong Zhongyou verified the moves in actual combat, making the techniques flawless.

Tang Xiaolan, as expected of a top expert of his time, remained unfazed by such a tricky attack. With a flick of his wrist, the Youlong Sword drew an arc.

The sword light surged, filling the empty room with light and constructing an impenetrable wall of steel within a small space.

The Ultimate Skill of Tianshan: The Great Sumeru Sword Technique!
This technique emphasizes "hiding Mount Sumeru in a mustard seed," meaning it can exert immense power in an extremely small space, allowing one to contend with an enemy whose internal strength surpasses one's own by several times.

The claw-like wind collided with the sword curtain, producing a piercing "hissing" sound like tearing silk. The force spread out, and the claw shadows and sword blades collided, scattering golden flowers, but they could not advance even half an inch.

Despite her initial failure, Li Shengnan remained undeterred. She shifted her form again, flitting around Tang Xiaolan like a butterfly, leaving a trail of afterimages with each movement.

With Tang Xiaolan's martial arts foundation, she naturally wouldn't be afraid of illusions, but every afterimage of Li Shengnan carried a chilling aura and sharp finger strikes, and they were all real.

Only one of the afterimages is real!

The force emanating from the afterimages is real!
Tang Xiaolan has lived in seclusion in the snowy mountains for decades. The Tianshan Sect is Tang Xiaolan's domain, but the icy and snowy land is also Li Shengnan's domain. The Caiyun Sword has turned into countless ice crystals.

Autumn and winter, glaciers, and a menacing aura!
As long as one condition is met, Li Shengnan can seize the advantage of timing and location with the Asura Yin Sha Technique. If two conditions are met at the same time, the destructive power will double.

Just like battling Chu Liuxiang in the water, fighting to the death with Wuqing in the machine room, and engaging in a duel with Li Shengnan on the snowy mountain peak, Li Zhaoting also felt a headache coming on.

The temperature of the entire arena plummeted, and frost spread across the ground at a visible speed, not to suppress Tang Xiaolan, but to alter the ground environment.

This is the lesson learned by Leng Yifu.

Martial artists are all "down-to-earth".

Even Chu Liuxiang, the master of light-footed skills, needs to stomp heavily on the ground with both feet to gain momentum for leaping.

Tang Xiaolan was familiar with the snow-capped mountain environment, with every flower, blade of grass, brick, and stone, and this became a habit when she took action.

If a piece of ice suddenly appears under your feet, no matter how solid your foundation is, your body will twist slightly the moment you step on it, and that is the decisive opportunity.

Tang Xiaolan was unaware of Li Shengnan's scheme, but she knew that Li Shengnan's actions were ill-intentioned. She let out a low shout, and her Xuanmen Gang Qi surged forth, shattering the surrounding ice crystals.

The chill that approached Tang Xiaolan within three feet was mostly dispelled by a warm, pure yang energy.

Having lived in the Tianshan Mountains for a long time, Tang Xiaolan possessed profound internal energy and was immune to the cold. He stepped through the Nine Palaces, remaining as steady as a rock amidst the icy mist and crystals created by Li Shengnan.

The Youlong Sword, whether pointing, stabbing, circling, or slicing, fully demonstrates the exquisite nature of the Tianshan sword technique.

Sometimes it is like cold waves crashing against the shore, endless and continuous.

Sometimes it resembles Mount Sumeru and a mustard seed, guarding unparalleled defense.

Occasionally, he would thrust out a sword, his swordplay swift as lightning, aiming directly at the small openings in Li Shengnan's moves.

His moves were upright and exquisite, using a steady balance of offense and defense to defuse Li Shengnan's raging, unpredictable, and destructive attacks one by one.

In the blink of an eye, hundreds of moves had passed.

Li Shengnan fought faster and faster, her aura like a demon, unleashing a barrage of demonic techniques, her sword energy like raging waves, a torrent of water, freezing thousands of miles, and withering all things.

Tang Xiaolan is like a rock that has stood firm on the shore for thousands of years, unmoved by the wind and waves of the enemy, defending against thousands of swords with just one sword.

Tang Xiaolan's swordsmanship was powerful and profound, with an unbelievable level of skill. Her steady, mountain-like swordsmanship could even cause spectators to feel short of breath, dizzy, and lightheaded. This wasn't "altitude sickness," but rather the sheer power of Tang Xiaolan's swordplay. Spectators with less experience would instinctively hold their breath, leading to oxygen deprivation in their brains.

Even someone as strong as Cheng Huaixiu, watching from the sidelines, didn't know how to break through Tang Xiaolan's impenetrable defenses. He clenched his fists anxiously, subconsciously immersing himself in the situation.

Father, like son.

However, to unleash the power of Sword Mind Clarity, one must be involved; it is difficult for bystanders to trigger inspiration.

The spectators had different thoughts.

While admiring Tang Xiaolan's superb martial arts skills and proving the Tianshan Sect's reputation was well-deserved, Li Shengnan also felt that her identity as a demonic witch was incompatible with the sect's image, and that her swordsmanship was too grandiose.

Li Shengnan was completely unaffected by the Demonic Sect's insidious, ruthless, and cruel methods.

Although the moves are sharp, swift, and illusory, they are all legitimate and righteous, with absolutely no crooked or evil tricks.

Some people think it was Tang Xiaolan's influence that led them to use evil tricks against her, which would only bring them trouble. Others think it was Li Zhaoting who led Li Shengnan from the evil path to the right one.

Some people were more imaginative, thinking that Li Shengnan's martial arts skills were so high, yet Li Zhaoting could make her obediently share a husband with Fairy Jingzhai and never quarrel with her.

What level of martial arts skill did Li Zhaoting possess?

Under heaven, besides Li Zhaoting, who else could subdue these beauties? Thinking of this, the heroes couldn't help but feel a little envious and hoped that Li Zhaoting would write a book.

wrong!

This is not called "writing a book".

This is called "writing books and establishing theories".

Just as everyone was lost in thought, Tang Xiaolan and Li Shengnan's battle reached its climax, with both of them unleashing their ultimate skills and immersing themselves completely in the fight.

Tang Xiaolan's sword light is profound and extensive, seemingly able to encompass the heavens and earth, yet also contained within a small space. His offense and defense transitions are seamless, and every gesture contains the ultimate truths of the universe.

The Lingxi Sword that Li Shengnan once used to save Qin Mengyao from death, and the deadly sword that once pierced Zhong Zhongyou's heart and froze him into an ice block, pierced the light barrier of the Great Sumeru Sword Style, but it was like a stone sinking into the sea. It was pulled by an invisible force and had a faint rebounding force, with the power of a hundred rivers flowing into the sea.

Tang Xiaolan's swordsmanship truly achieved the ability to "spread out to fill the six directions, and roll up to hide in secrecy," making Li Shengnan feel as if she were fighting against the entire mountain!
With each breath and each step Tang Xiaolan took, she resonated with the ancient snow-capped mountain beneath her feet, the aura of the snow peaks empowering her and forming a mustard seed Mount Sumeru realm!
Mustard seed Mount Sumeru is a mythical supernatural power.

To store Mount Sumeru in a mustard seed is also known as the precept of storing things.

Many sects created unique techniques based on this.

For example, the Shaolin Sumeru Palm is the most powerful and surging palm strike in the world. Its internal energy is like that of Mount Sumeru, which prevents the palm strike from weakening as the distance increases.

The Great Sumeru Sword Style of the Tianshan Sect uses the power of the Earth Treasury Sumeru within a mustard seed. It only requires a small space, just a fingertip, to unleash its power.

Tang Xiaolan had mastered the Great Sumeru Sword Style to its pinnacle. Even Ling Weifeng, who created this move, could not have imagined that this sword technique could be used to such an extent.

It possesses both the majestic grandeur of the Tianshan snow-capped peaks and the delicate agility of a small space, its size adjustable to any desired dimensions, much like a fusion of the Xuan Tie Heavy Sword and the Ziwei Soft Sword.

Melee combat, ranged attacks, and qi-based attacks...

No matter the battle, it is flawless.

Li Shengnan used hundreds of ingenious moves, whether they were the ultimate moves created by Qiao Beiming, or the insights she gained from years of experience in the martial world, or the unexpected moves she made during her battle with Tang Xiaolan. No matter how Li Shengnan launched her attacks, she could not tear apart the sword energy defense.

Tang Xiaolan stood alone with her sword held horizontally across her chest, giving Li Shengnan the feeling of an ant lifting a snow-capped mountain, achieving an infinite fusion between the snow-capped mountain and the ant.

While others follow the routines of Yin-Yang transformation, the five elements' mutual generation and restraint, and the balance of strength and gentleness, Tang Xiaolan's sword intent is actually a transformation of size, just like—the law of heaven and earth!
The two fought fiercely from morning until noon.

The two exchanged countless blows, perhaps a thousand, perhaps fifteen hundred, no one remembering the exact number, only their focused swordplay.

By this point in the fight, both men were sweating profusely.

Li Shengnan is young and strong, with an even stronger physique.

Tang Xiaolan possessed profound skill and a long, flowing energy.

Li Shengnan's martial arts heart was honed by Tang Xiaolan's upright yet vast pressure, becoming more and more clear and pure in each confrontation, her heart as clear as a mirror.

Stimulated by Li Shengnan's ever-changing, ruthless, and unpredictable demonic arts, Tang Xiaolan mastered all the sword techniques she had learned in her life, and her sword intent became increasingly perfect and flawless.

"clang!"

A long, resonant sword cry suddenly rang out, echoing across the snow-capped peaks.

Li Shengnan gathered all her strength, and the Cloud-Cutting Sword transformed into an extremely cold icy light that pierced through the cold mist, striking straight into the center. It was a variation of her ultimate move to kill Zhong Zhongyou, "Heaven and earth are cold, only I am the killer." The illusory image of an ice lotus appeared and disappeared at the tip of the sword, and the silent sword intent locked onto Tang Xiaolan.

Tang Xiaolan's expression was solemn. Facing Li Shengnan's earth-shattering attack, he slightly lowered his body, channeled his energy throughout his body, and slowly extended the Youlong Sword. Instead of attacking back, he used the defensive ultimate move from the Great Sumeru Sword Style. The sword light condensed in front of him into a mysterious power that was insignificant yet capable of encompassing all things, and slowly spread out.

"Crench!"

The tips of swords touched!
There was no earth-shattering explosion!
An avalanche that did not trigger a cataclysmic event!

There was only one sharp, teeth-grinding sound.

What followed was a dull, thunderous outburst.

The violent energy exploded outwards in a ring, stirring up a cloud of snow and forming a huge white ring of energy, but the arena beneath the two remained completely undamaged.

As the snow mist dissipated, the two stood about ten feet apart, swords in hand. Li Shengnan's face was slightly pale, and the Caiyun Sword trembled slightly, with ice crystals sliding down its blade.

A trickle of blood spilled from the corner of Tang Xiaolan's mouth. The Youlong Sword was held steadily in front of him, with a thin layer of white frost condensing on its blade. However, it was instantly dissolved by his pure Yang internal energy. Only a bloodstain was visible on his wrist where he held the sword, and a tiny tear was cut into his sleeve by the sharp cold air.

Their eyes met, both filled with indescribable shock and the burning passion of having met their match.

"What a fine successor to Qiao Beiming!"

Tang Xiaolan praised in a deep voice, his tone full of recognition of Li Shengnan's swordsmanship, "A thousand moves have passed, Madam Li's martial arts are unparalleled, I, Tang, have lost to you by half a move!"

Li Shengnan took a deep breath, suppressing her surging blood and qi. Demonic flames flickered in her eyes, but a satisfied smile appeared on her lips: "Why is Sect Leader Tang so modest?"

After a pause, Li Shengnan said, "When we fought to the last move, Sect Leader Tang took the initiative to stop and used the Great Sumeru Sword Style to absorb and neutralize my Ice Profound Sword Qi to protect the arena. That's why he suffered a slight internal injury. If he had attacked me head-on, I might not have been able to stand up."

Both of them were extremely proud people.

Tang Xiaolan lost by half a move and voluntarily conceded defeat.

Li Shengnan knew that Tang Xiaolan did not want to fight to the point of mutual destruction, so she took the initiative to give way and was unwilling to admit that she had won. From the perspective of swordsmanship alone, Tang Xiaolan was superior to Li Shengnan, and her mentality was even more so.

Tang Xiaolan looked down at the Youlong Sword: "A sword is a swordsman's life. Madam Li's Caiyun Sword was undamaged, but the Youlong Sword was damaged to its very foundation."

Madam Li won this battle!
Tang did indeed lose by half a move!

Li Shengnan laughed and said, "To be honest, one of the three wonderful techniques left by Master Qiao is to rely on the advantage of weapons. Headmaster Tang, there is no need to be modest. I did not use the Great Universe Hand, and you did not use the Heavenly Mountain Divine Light. The result of this duel is a draw. In the future, Headmaster Tang, if you take in a disciple with extraordinary talent, I will be waiting for you in Jinling!"

Both of them were indeed hiding their trump cards.

Li Shengnan did not use any demonic martial arts techniques, and Tang Xiaolan neither unleashed the Heavenly Mountain Divine Light nor fully displayed her full strength, as she was wary of Li Zhaoting.

Even so, the fact that Tang Xiaolan was able to protect the arena from Li Shengnan's all-out attack without any internal energy leaking out of the arena shows that the Tianshan Sect's Great Sumeru Sword Style is indeed worthy of its reputation. Tang Xiaolan is truly the leader of the seven major sword sects and will be able to go even further in the future.

However, Tang Xiaolan is over sixty years old, and her growth potential is far inferior to that of Li Shengnan. In a few years, Li Shengnan will be able to overtake her until she encounters a bottleneck.

Therefore, if she wants to get revenge in the future, she can only rely on the disciples of Tianshan. The Tianshan Sect has a long history and occupies 80% of the martial arts fortune in Liang's martial arts world. In the future, there will be several successors with protagonist halo. If Li Shengnan thinks she is safe and sound, she will inevitably face a disaster in the future.

As for the "Heavenly Demon Disintegration Technique," it cannot be considered a regular combat force. If Li Shengnan wants to fight to the death, Li Zhaoting will definitely make a move to stop her at the last moment.

The Heavenly Demon Disintegrates; once used, it dies!
It would be better to live as long as heaven and earth!

The battle ended in a manner that satisfied both sides.

Li Shengnan fought to a draw with the Tianshan Sect Leader using honorable means, which allowed Qiao Beiming to rest in peace, and Tang Xiaolan to preserve her reputation. Both sides were happy.

What follows is naturally social interaction within the martial arts world.

You praise me a couple of times, and I'll praise you a couple of times.

A chorus of flattery emanated from below the arena.

"The successor of Qiao Beiming and the successor of Zhang Danfeng are dueling after a century. On such a joyous occasion, how can there only be one fight? I also have a grudge to settle!"

A voice as cold as ice pierced through the chattering flattery and reached everyone's ears.

Upon hearing this, Cheng Huaixiu gripped the Color Void Sword tightly.

Looking in the direction of the voice, one could see a stunningly beautiful woman wearing a straw hat and holding a sword.

"Please invite the successor of Jingzhai to step onto the stage and fight!"

(End of this chapter)