61: The true meaning of martial arts! Terror erupts!

Ji Zhizhang, the Grand Elder of the Pine Crane Longevity Sect, had long since entered the Peak of the True Intent Realm, making him one of the closest individuals to achieving a Breakthrough into the Secret Realm and becoming a Land Immortal.

Normally, Ji Zhizhang mostly Cultivated in seclusion deep within the School, leaving School affairs to Pang Jing and several Elders, rarely inquiring about outside matters.

Xu Nianyun's departure had saddened this Grand Elder, and he had been in secluded Cultivation here for half a year.

But just now, a slight commotion from within the School startled this Grand Elder; he opened his eyes and extended his gaze, seeing the two figures on the Disciple Grand Competition stage.

“Oh?”

“This is...”

A look of astonishment appeared on Ji Zhizhang’s face as he stared intently at the two young figures continuously exchanging blows.

Huangfu Ji’s Crane Wing Feathering was bizarre and hard to discern, every Move lethal...

Li Qi’s Crane Cry Autumn Water was painful and frenzied, like a wail...

A Pine Crane Longevity Art, a Cultivation Technique with profound Concept and an ethereal, transcendent quality, was inexplicably practiced by these two to have a hint of a Demonic Technique!

“These two fellows...”

Ji Zhizhang’s gaze constantly moved between Li Qi and Huangfu Ji, the surprise in his eyes growing more intense.

As a second-generation Disciple of the Pine Crane Longevity Sect, Ji Zhizhang had personally witnessed how Ancestral Master Ji Ying performed this Pine Crane Longevity Art when he was under his tutelage.

The Sword Qi Moves within it were exceptional, embodying a transcendent and lofty Concept, leaving a profound impression on him, yet the Sword Qi of the two present had drastically changed!

One’s Moves were bizarre, almost having stepped onto the Path of the Heretical Sword Sect!

The other fellow’s sword swings produced a wailing sound, giving people goosebumps and making them feel eerie all over!

“Unworthy Disciples!”

“Truly unworthy Disciples!!”

Ji Zhizhang felt his breathing quicken, as if he was about to lose control.

He wanted to scold them, but the words caught in his throat.

The Sword Qi of these two, at first glance, seemed deeply flawed... but also not flawed.

Ji Zhizhang took a deep breath; with his discernment, it was impossible for him not to understand the key, and he naturally knew... why Huangfu Ji and Li Qi’s Sword Qi looked like this.

Because their understanding of the Sword Qi Moves within the Pine Crane Longevity Art was extremely profound, surpassing the very boundaries of the Sword Qi itself!

They had reached the Realm where things are used as the mind desires... where changes arise from the heart!

In the Dao of Martial Arts, adaptability is paramount.

If one can only follow the script, the achievements one can ultimately reach are limited.

Only by Breaking through its original boundaries... can one reach a higher Realm!

Huangfu Ji, the chief Disciple, was still understandable; Crane Wing Feathering was originally a bizarre type of sword technique, and although Huangfu Ji was using it a bit extremely now... it was still justifiable.

But Li Qi was different.

His Crane Cry Autumn Water had changed so drastically it was an eyesore, practically disgracing the School!

However, although Li Qi’s sword Moves were a bit demonic, their exquisite subtlety was not lost in the slightest, and the timing of their execution was perfectly precise, seamlessly flawless; Ji Zhizhang watched for a long time... yet couldn't find a single flaw.

“This child... is also extraordinary.”

This was Ji Zhizhang’s evaluation of Li Qi; although somewhat helpless, he had to admit it.

The two who were fighting suddenly paused, then separated, standing facing each other from a distance.

“Junior Brother Li Qi’s Sword Qi is truly impressive, exhilarating!”

“It’s truly exhilarating!!”

And Li Qi was also very happy; this was his first time fighting a True Essence Realm expert, and the feeling of constantly unleashing his power was so captivating.

After a brief moment of Qi Circulation, a hint of solemnity appeared in Huangfu Ji’s eyes: “Junior Brother, be careful, I’m about to get serious...”

As soon as these words were spoken, not only Li Qi, but even the two Elders who had been standing by also became more serious.

Huangfu Ji stood still, and the Aura around him underwent a different change; a faint white cloud phantom appeared behind Huangfu Ji, exuding an incomparable sense of lightness and etherealness.

Pine Crane Longevity Art · True Meaning Chapter · Baiyun Temple!

This was no longer the Return to Origin Chapter of High Grade Martial Arts... this was a Cultivation Technique of the next level, the True Intent Realm!

Martial Artist in the True Essence Realm who wished to continue improving their strength already involved that profound and elusive Mental Energy; if one could condense a complete Martial Dao True Meaning... then one would have truly stepped into that Realm.

Just now, Huangfu Ji and Li Qi had fought hundreds of Moves, yet neither could do anything to the other, which shocked Huangfu Ji.

He knew that no matter how many conventional methods he used, he would not be able to defeat Li Qi.

As a last resort... he could only use some unconventional methods.

Upon seeing the white cloud phantom behind Huangfu Ji, the two Elders nearby exclaimed in surprise.

“Is that Martial Dao True Meaning?”

“No! This isn’t a complete Martial Dao True Meaning yet!”

“Baiyun Temple is the easiest visualization technique to Cultivate in the True Meaning Chapter, and Huangfu Ji’s comprehension and understanding of this visualization technique is less than thirty percent... This is only an incomplete Baiyun Temple True Meaning!”

The two Elders were well-informed and immediately recognized what the white cloud phantom behind Huangfu Ji was.

That... was actually Martial Dao True Meaning!

Although not complete, it still proved Huangfu Ji's extraordinary talent.

“It’s shameful, you and I have long reached the Peak of the True Essence Realm, and we have also comprehended the visualization technique of the Pine Crane Longevity Art, yet our mastery of Baiyun Temple is only eighty percent, just slightly stronger than Huangfu Ji.”

“Truly shameful...”

“Huangfu Ji, at his current Realm, can comprehend thirty percent of the Baiyun Temple’s essence; it’s truly remarkable... his future is promising! His future is promising!”

Not only the two Elders, but Li Qi, standing in front of Huangfu Ji, also felt a strong sense of alarm!

He heard the words of the two Elders nearby and knew that it was Martial Dao True Meaning, which was by no means simple.

When a Martial Artist reaches the True Intent Realm, the Martial Dao True Meaning will combine with the original Moves, achieving a state where both form and spirit are complete!

This greatly enhances the power of the Moves, making their lethality quite astonishing!

In the eyes of people at that level, Moves performed without comprehending Martial Dao True Meaning are all empty shells, lacking the flesh and bones, and also lacking the spirit and True Meaning!

Like a castle in the air... it can be destroyed with a flick of a finger!

“I cannot maintain this state for too long...”

“Junior Brother... be careful!”

As the words fell, Huangfu Ji instantly raised his sword and charged!

His Mental Energy was being consumed drastically almost every second; he had to defeat Li Qi in the shortest possible time!

Crane Dance Nine Heavens!

Huangfu Ji’s body soared into the air, his entire being shrouded in the white cloud True Meaning phantom, obscuring his figure, like a white crane flying into the clouds!

This was a killing Move from the Pine Crane Longevity Art, immensely powerful; after combining with the incomplete Martial Dao True Meaning, the power of this killing Move surged!

“Clang...”

The sound of a sword ringing out, the white clouds in the air were sliced open by a single sword, Huangfu Ji's True Qi boiled around him, and he struck down with a single sword!

A terrifying sense of sharpness assailed him; Li Qi dared not be slow, he used his lightness skill to the extreme, narrowly dodging Huangfu Ji’s attack.

The longsword struck the ground, directly splitting the arena in half, leaving an extremely thin yet extremely deep sword mark on the ground!

The Sword Qi sweeping outwards forced Li Qi to continuously retreat, and the sharpness within it made his skin tingle with pain.

Facing such a powerful blow, a hint of a smile appeared on Li Qi’s face.

He grinned, revealing his stark white teeth.

“Interesting!”

“This is truly too interesting!”

At the same time, an exceptionally terrifying Aura erupted from Li Qi’s body!

In an instant, Li Qi’s eyes were tinged with a crimson hue, and the sound of surging river waves could be heard from within his body!

Mountain River Qi Circulation Technique!

Dragon Gate Seal · First Dragon Gate!

Vast Martial Dao True Qi surged out from his body, rolling like flames on his skin, seemingly wanting to incinerate everything that came near!

And the Aura around Li Qi had more than doubled in intensity!

“Alright... now, play with me properly!”

A sinister smile appeared on Li Qi’s lips.

His toes heavily stamped the ground, creating a deep pit, and his figure shot towards Huangfu Ji opposite him like a cannonball!