Martial Universe: Inherit the Future, Quickly Become a Martial Ancestor!

As soon as the words were spoken, the air between the two seemed to freeze instantly.

The breeze in the bamboo forest subsided, leaving only two gradually rising, sharp sword intents, one swift and fierce, the other aloof and cold, surging in an invisible collision.

Ling Qingzhu said no more. Her cyan figure moved slightly, and the three-foot-long cyan sword in her hand trembled. In an instant, seven cold sword lights, as if formed from moonlight, separated from the sword!

These seven sword lights did not rush to attack, but instead spread around her in a mysterious trajectory, faintly forming a sword formation that combined offense and defense. Its power even faintly surpassed the scope of ordinary creation martial arts and approached the level of half-step spiritual martial arts!

This is precisely the essence of the Nine Heavens Taiqing Palace's heritage: it emphasizes not only meaning but also "formation" and "momentum".

Her intention was to "see through" the situation, using stillness to control movement. The seven swords formed an impregnable array, waiting for Lan He to launch a strong attack and reveal a weakness, so that she could defeat him in one strike.

Lan He's eyes narrowed as he felt the immense pressure from the sword formation. But his spirit was high, and with a low shout, the "Azure Scale Sword" in his hand shone brightly.

"Take this!"

Six pale blue sword lights, like arrows released from a bow, accompanied by a piercing whistle, hurtled towards Ling Qingzhu's sword formation at the fastest speed and the most tricky angle.

His swordsmanship seeks only speed, using offense as defense and tearing apart all defenses with the force of thunder!

Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!

The sword light and the sword formation clashed fiercely, and the crisp sound of metal clashing echoed through the bamboo forest, splashing up countless tiny specks of light.

Lanhe's sword light was incredibly fast, and with each impact, it tried to find the weakest point in the sword formation.

However, Ling Qingzhu's Seven Swords Formation was perfectly fluid and flawless, neutralizing Lan He's fierce and relentless attacks one by one. It even had a subtle counter-force that caused Lan He's wrist to go slightly numb.

Several unsuccessful attacks left Lan He's mind racing. The speed of the "Six Swords" alone was indeed insufficient to break through the opponent's already formidable "Seven Swords" defense. A prolonged, unsuccessful assault would easily break their momentum.

In the instant that swords clashed and their energies intertwined once again, a glint of light flashed in Lan He's eyes.

Within the Niwan Palace, spiritual energy quietly surged.

You should know that he is not only a cultivator who has reached the Great Perfection of the Creation Realm, but also a genuine intermediate-level spirit talisman master!

The immense spiritual power, formless and intangible, was condensed into several almost imperceptible "spiritual spikes" at this moment, silently crossing the barrier of sword light and Yuan power, and piercing straight at Ling Qingzhu!

This was not a fatal attack, but rather intended to disrupt the opponent. In a duel between martial artists, especially when focused on the operation of a sword formation, even a slight lapse in concentration can create an opening.

Ling Qingzhu was completely absorbed in controlling the Seven Swords Formation and sensing the changes in Lanhe's sword path.

Suddenly, she felt a chill between her brows, and an invisible force struck. Although it failed to truly shake her steadfast spirit, it caused an extremely subtle, almost imperceptible, stagnation in the flow of her sword intent.

It's this slight hesitation.

The perfect seven-sword formation around her suddenly became disharmonious!

"Now!"

Blue River's combat instincts are incredibly sharp, and its ability to seize opportunities is astonishing.

Without hesitation, he unleashed his full Yuan Power, and the six sword lights merged into one, transforming into a condensed azure streak that shot straight at the tiny flaw that had just been revealed with speed surpassing all his previous attacks!

This sword strike was as fast as lightning, seizing that fleeting opportunity!

A hint of surprise finally flashed across Ling Qingzhu's cold eyes. She hastily mobilized her sword formation to defend, but it was already a fraction too late.

laugh!

The sharp sword wind swept past, not piercing her body, but precisely targeting the corner of the ribbon tied on the light veil beside her cheek.

The sword flashed by.

The frenulum broke.

The thin veil that concealed her face drifted gently down in the wind.

A breathtakingly beautiful face was displayed before Lan He's eyes without reservation.

Her skin was as white as snow, her eyebrows and eyes as beautiful as a painting, her nose delicate and straight, and her lips as pale as cherry blossoms. Most captivating were her eyes, which were slightly wide open in astonishment. Her clear, autumn-water-like eyes reflected the bamboo shadows and the sunlight, as if they held all the beauty and charm of the world.

His aloof and solitary demeanor remained, but this unexpected revelation added a rare and vivid element of astonishment.

Lan He was momentarily stunned, and couldn't help but sigh softly, "Miss Qingzhu, I never knew you... were so beautiful."

This was indeed the first time he had seen Ling Qingzhu's true face. Although he had expected it, her unparalleled beauty still far exceeded his expectations.

Ling Qingzhu snapped back to her senses, raising her hand to touch her cheek. Her skin was smooth to the touch; the veil was gone. Her cool, beautiful face initially showed disbelief, then quickly flushed with shame and anger.

"You... lecher!"

Her voice trembled slightly, a rare occurrence, clearly indicating her extreme anger. As a true disciple of the Nine Heavens Taiqing Palace, how could she have had her veil so abruptly removed?

Lan He then realized that although his actions were unintentional, they had still been offensive.

Faced with Ling Qingzhu's embarrassment and anger, he did not panic. He simply sheathed his sword and stood there, gazing at the face before him that was all the more vivid with anger. Suddenly, something stirred in his heart, and he smiled freely.

This smile silently eased the tense atmosphere, and also contained a hint of appreciation and composure that even he himself was not fully aware of.

He met Ling Qingzhu's icy gaze, his voice soft yet each word clear:

"There is a beautiful woman in the world, aloof and independent. One glance could topple a city, a second glance could topple a nation." He paused, then said gently, "Having met Miss Qingzhu today, I know this is no exaggeration."

This was not a frivolous joke, but rather a heartfelt expression of amazement and admiration.

However, saying it in this way at this time and place only made Ling Qingzhu's cheeks burn, and she felt even more embarrassed and annoyed. Her fingers, which were gripping the sword, tightened unconsciously, and her knuckles turned slightly pale.

Meanwhile, at the edge of the bamboo forest, in a secluded corner concealed by natural vines and ingenious formations.

Two figures silently concealed themselves behind them, their auras perfectly concealed, as if they had blended into the surrounding vegetation and rocks. The brief but exciting sword fight just now, as well as the conversation at this moment, all fell into their sight and ears.

"good!"

"He's even better at flirting than me!"

Lan Zhan transmitted his voice to Lan Zhong beside him, his tone filled with barely suppressed pride and praise, his face beaming with joy, "This kid, damn it, not only has his swordsmanship improved by leaps and bounds, but his skill in flirting with girls is already eight-tenths of my former glory, hahaha!"

Lan Zhong, still wearing his usual smiling expression, replied telepathically, "What Master says is true. Young Master is exceptionally intelligent, and his actions... certainly have unique qualities."

"Of course!"

Lan Zhan stroked his short beard, his gaze sweeping back and forth between the young couple below, his eyes gleaming. "I think this kid and this Fairy Ling have quite a thing... A true disciple of the Nine Heavens Taiqing Palace, if I could bring her back as my daughter-in-law..."

Lan Zhong coughed lightly, reminding him, "Master, what about Elder Mo Yun..."

The implication is that the young lady is still in the mansion.

Lan Zhan's smile froze for a moment, then he waved his hand dismissively: "One thing at a time! It's the young people's business; we old folks will just watch and see!"

He was in a great mood at the moment, and his attention was completely drawn to the "development" section below.

In a clearing in the bamboo grove.

When Ling Qingzhu heard Lan He's almost praising verses, her cheeks burned even more. Amidst her shame and anger, a subtle, strange ripple, which she herself was unaware of, swept through the depths of her heart.

But she quickly suppressed these emotions, her gaze returning to its cool and aloof expression, though with a hint of complexity beneath.

"You..." She bit her lower lip, her voice strained to maintain its calm, "In the duel just now, you used your mental power to interfere, which was an unfair victory."

Lan He nodded frankly: "That's right. In the heat of the moment, I used some extraordinary means to gain an advantage. Please forgive me for any offense I may have caused."

Seeing that he admitted it readily and his attitude was sincere, Ling Qingzhu's anger subsided slightly, but the pride of being a true disciple of the Nine Heavens Taiqing Palace made it difficult for her to admit defeat.

She took a deep breath, her clear eyes looking directly at Lan He: "In that case, do you dare to fight me again? Only swordsmanship, no mental energy involved."

Looking at the aloof and stubborn girl in front of him, Lan He felt a surge of competitive spirit and a desire to learn more about the profound mysteries of the Nine Heavens Taiqing Palace's orthodox sword techniques.

He smiled slightly: "Alright, no need to use mental power."

The two distanced themselves again, their fighting spirit reignited.

This time, Ling Qingzhu's seven sword lights were less defensive and more agile, seeking opportunities to advance; clearly, she had adjusted her strategy.

Lanhe's six sword lights remained swift as the wind, attempting to use speed to overcome slowness and find gaps in the opponent's sword formation transitions.

The sword lights clashed and intertwined once more, even more fiercely than before.

Ling Qingzhu's swordsmanship was indeed exquisite, and she had a profound understanding of the "Taiqing Dividing Light Sword". She wielded the seven swords as if they were her own arms, gradually putting considerable pressure on Lan He.

However, just as the two sides were fiercely clashing and seemingly locked in a stalemate, Lan He's thoughts stirred slightly. Within his Niwan Palace, the dark and profound Devouring Ancestral Symbol silently rotated slightly.

In an instant, an extremely subtle and almost imperceptible devouring force merged into his own sword energy, instantly "absorbing" a trace of pure sword intent contained in Ling Qingzhu's sword light!

The change was so subtle that it seemed to be nothing more than the normal consumption of energy resulting from the collision of the two forces.

However, Ling Qingzhu keenly sensed that her perfectly unified sword intent experienced a very brief "emptiness" at a certain moment, as if it had been "chiseled" by something invisible.

It was just this insignificant moment!

Her mind trembled slightly, and the operation of the sword formation showed a subtle lag that even she herself found hard to believe.

With a thought, Lan He seized the opportunity and unleashed his pent-up Yuan Power. The six sword lights suddenly merged into a single, extremely refined beam of azure light, which pierced the flaw exposed by the sluggish sword intent at an incredibly tricky angle!

"clang!"

A metallic clang, far clearer and louder than before, rang out!

Ling Qingzhu felt a strange force flowing through the sword, and her wrist went numb. She could no longer hold the hilt.

The three-foot-long sword that had been with her for many years flew out of her hand, drawing an arc in the air before diagonally embedding itself in the ground not far away, its blade still humming and trembling.

Ling Qingzhu was stunned.

She looked down at her right hand, which was now completely empty, and then looked up at Lan He, who was standing opposite her with his sword sheathed. For the first time, a clear look of bewilderment and disbelief appeared on her cold and beautiful face.

Lost again?

Moreover, the defeat was even more complete than the last time; he even dropped his sword!

But...why?

She clearly felt that there were no major flaws in her swordsmanship, and the opponent did not use mental power to interfere. Why did her sword intent suddenly become strangely stagnant at the crucial moment?

A hint of self-doubt crept into her heart. This was an extremely rare emotion for Ling Qingzhu, who had always been resolute and incredibly confident.

Seeing Ling Qingzhu's dazed expression, Lan He realized that he had won by trickery this time, and even "bullied" her a bit.

The power of devouring the Ancestral Symbol is too special and domineering; using it for sparring among peers would indeed be considered unfair.

He was not a pedantic person, but seeing the rare fragility of this aloof fairy, he couldn't help but feel a pang of pity.

Immediately, he walked to the green sword stuck in the ground, reached out and pulled it out, wiped the dust off the sword, turned around and walked to Ling Qingzhu, handing the sword back to her with both hands.

"Miss Ling, you flatter me."

His voice softened considerably. "Your swordsmanship is superb, there's no problem with that. It was I... who used some underhanded tricks to disturb your swordsmanship. Today's match is invalid. Please don't doubt yourself because of this."

He frankly admitted that he had "cheated," though he did not specify what method he used. However, his sincere words only deepened Ling Qingzhu's confusion, replacing it with a more complex emotion.

She took her sword, her fingertips touching the lingering warmth of the hilt, and looked up at Lanhe.

The other person's gaze was clear and open, carrying an apology, but also a kind of admiration that she couldn't quite put her finger on...?

That gaze strangely calmed the sense of loss she felt from her defeat, yet it also gently stirred up another kind of slightly chaotic emotion she had never experienced before.

In a secluded corner in the distance, Lan Zhan watched with great interest, almost cheering again, but was stopped in time by a look from Lan Zhong.

"A loss is a loss."

Ling Qingzhu's voice returned to its cool and clear tone, but it lacked its previous sharpness and gained a more frank and earnest quality.

Looking at the man before her who had driven her to the brink of defeat in their first sword duel, even causing her to doubt herself, she said with a calm and solemn tone, "Neither time was by chance. Your swordsmanship is indeed unique."

She paused slightly, then spoke again, her voice even more focused: "Actually, I was already considered defeated in our first encounter. The sword is a weapon of killing, and it is only natural to use every means at one's disposal in the struggle for victory."

Ling Qingzhu paused, her eyes, as clear as autumn water, fixed on Lan He, and said, word by word, "I will remember today's defeat."

A breeze stirred in the bamboo grove, ruffling a few strands of her unbound black hair, which, along with her words, gently reached Lan He:

"If you stand out in the Hundred Dynasties War, you will join my Nine Heavens Taiqing Palace..."

She didn't say anything more, but her unspoken meaning was clear.

Then, she will truly compete with him again.

Upon hearing this, Lan He simply smiled indifferently, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

He will naturally go all out in the Hundred Dynasties War, but whether he ultimately chooses to join the Nine Heavens Taiqing Palace is not necessarily the only answer.

However, he did not reveal his thoughts at the moment, but simply cupped his hands and said, "If there is an opportunity, I will definitely ask for your guidance again."

Ling Qingzhu nodded slightly, then turned around. Her slender figure in green disappeared into the depths of the bamboo forest in a few leaps, leaving only a faint fragrance and a mess of sword marks on the ground.

Lanhe stood there, gazing in the direction she had left. The cool touch of that green blade seemed to linger in his hand, and he could almost smell its faint, cool fragrance.

He shook his head and smiled, but a faint ripple, one that even he himself couldn't quite make out, stirred within his heart.

In a secluded spot, Lan Zhan stroked his chin and winked at Lan Zhong: "See? It's got potential! Absolutely potential! This little girl probably hasn't been this 'interested' in a man her own age before, has she? Hehe..."

Lan Zhong smiled without saying a word, but a hint of relief flashed in his eyes.

Young master, you have indeed grown up.