157: Chapter 157 Spirit Rain Sword, Spirit Serpent Step
Li Qing suddenly realized that transportation in this world was inconvenient, and closed circles were formed based on geographic distance. Once these messages formed a stereotype in the minds of the common people, they were difficult to change.
The reason why those at the Huajin Realm did not dare to easily participate in the Sect trials was merely to reduce the pressure of competition.
Moreover, if most Huajin experts left, the cities would lack manpower, and the pyramid of power could not be maintained.
Under this mutual push and pull, many Huajin without backing would be fooled by word-of-mouth rumors like 'the Sect trial is a narrow escape from death' unless they went to witness it for themselves.
And those who had already benefited from it would not speak out, as they also had their own juniors.
But the doubt in Li Qing's heart increased instead of decreasing.
If the Sect trial was not that difficult, why did Zhuang Jin, as an Extreme Realm Martial Artist, suffer such injuries?
According to what Zhuang Jin himself had described, although he did not reveal some details, it was clear that he must have experienced a life-and-death crisis.
A flash of inspiration occurred in Li Qing's mind.
'Or perhaps Zhuang Jin had a choice, but he looked down on ordinary Sects and chose that specific Sect instead.'
There were also gaps between Sects. For the requirements to be so high that even an Extreme Realm Martial Artist found it so difficult, the Sect must be extremely extraordinary.
Thinking of the Extreme Realm, Li Qing asked Zhao Heng.
"May I ask Senior Brother Zhao, have any Extreme Realm Martial Artists joined the Sect?"
"Extreme Realm Martial Artists?" Zhao Heng thought for a moment and then realized, "You mean Limit-Breaking Martial Artists. I remember, ah, that's right, Senior Brother Jin Chan, the First Seat of the Golden Dragon Lineage, is an Extreme Realm Martial Artist. If he hadn't been taken under the Golden Dragon Lineage Master's wing before joining, he would have likely joined one of the Wood and Fire Four Lineages."
Nine Dragon Root Bone, Extreme Realm Martial Artist—Li Qing could be sure that Zhuang Jin's bone structure was definitely inferior to this Jin Chan's, which meant this person might be even stronger than Zhuang Jin.
"Aside from him, I haven't heard of any others. At least among the younger generation, I only remember Senior Brother Jin Chan."
In this way, the Dragon Snake Sect became even clearer in Li Qing's eyes.
Just then, everyone arrived at a Martial Arts Arena. Its area was roughly the same as the front yard of Liuhe Martial Arts Hall, which was surprisingly small to Li Qing.
Xue Ting explained, "Longshan City is where the Mountain Gate is located, with many halls and pavilions. The area of the Spirit Snake Hall is already quite large. The true base of our Spirit Snake Lineage is deep within the Wolong Mountains."
The Wolong Mountains stretched for thousands of miles, and the entire Wolong Mountains was the backyard of the Dragon Snake Sect. That was the headquarters of the Five Elements and Ten Lineages, where each lineage had a massive territory. It was the place for producing resources and secluded cultivation of martial arts.
The highest mountain in the Wolong Mountains was on the edge of the range, and that was this Longshan. Longshan City, built against the mountain, served more as a meeting and administrative point for the Five Elements and Ten Lineages of the Dragon Snake Sect, as well as the trade center of Canglong Prefecture, reaping huge profits for the Dragon Snake Sect.
Meng Guzhou was still sitting in a grand armchair, with Meng Qian presiding over the Minor Competition, and Wang Honghu standing quietly to the side.
Meng Qian said loudly, "In this Minor Competition, including the three newcomers like Zhao Heng, there are twenty-two people in total. The Minor Competition has no specific order; it is for sparring, after which my fa— after which the Vice Lineage Master will examine your foundations."
The rules of the Minor Competition were very casual, feeling less like a competition and more like an exchange.
Meng Qian said to Li Qing and the other two, "The three of you, especially Li Qing, have not yet cultivated the Sect's techniques. There is a large gap in strength between you and the others. If you are no match, just admit defeat."
The three cupped their fists: "Yes!"
The techniques of the Spirit Snake Lineage were far more subtle than the crude martial arts of the outside world. Additionally, in her view, Li Qing and the others were inferior in both Realm and technique subtlety, leaving them with almost no chance of winning.
Li Qing looked over and saw that everyone held a sword in their hands. The blades were slender and gleaming with a cold light; every single one was a rare, high-quality sword by outside standards.
One person was the first to step forward and looked at another.
"Senior Brother Yan, please advise."
A man stepped out in response and stood opposite him.
Swish!
The two rushed toward each other at the same time. Li Qing could see that their Footwork was like a dragonfly skimming the water, leaning toward agility and maneuvering within small spaces. The sword technique they both used was also like those slender swords—elegant and tricky.
The two almost never met sword strikes head-on. Instead, one would strike and the other would dodge, or the other would strike and the first would avoid it, only attacking and evading without blocking moves.
The Footwork beneath their feet was also exceptionally subtle, a mix of reality and illusion, like a swaying snake's head that would pounce and bite once it found the opponent's weakness.
But in Li Qing's eyes, every move they made was full of flaws. It was clear that their cultivation of this sword technique and Footwork could only be said to be at the entry level—they were relatively proficient but could not be called well-mastered.
Li Qing had a feeling that the two before him were like two snakes meeting on a narrow path, each coiling their bodies, extending their heads, flicking their tongues, and swaying in a standoff.
Before long, the challenger was one move short, and his hand was grazed by a sword, leaving a trace of blood.
He cupped his fists and said, "Thank you, Senior Brother Yan, for showing mercy."
If Senior Brother Yan had intended to harm him just now, that sword would not have grazed his hand but his heart.
Of course, it was only because Meng Qian, a Core Formation expert, was watching from the side that he dared to challenge.
Without needing Meng Qian to say more, another person stepped out and challenged someone else.
"Senior Brother, please."
Another bout of combat ensued, and this time it was the Senior Brother who was defeated.
Thus, twenty people went up in succession, giving Li Qing a general idea of their strength.
'Among these people, ten are at the Major Achievement of Huajin. Only four have practiced the sword technique to a profound level, while the other six have strength similar to Kang Shuhan.
The others below the Major Achievement of Huajin are also similar in strength to ordinary Major Achievement Huajin in Shangyun City. As expected of those who joined the Dragon Snake Sect, their talent is high.'
Because these people only used the sword techniques and Footwork of the Spirit Snake Lineage and not their own techniques, Li Qing did not know exactly how strong they were and could only make a rough estimate.
Those four who had practiced the sword technique well probably had their own techniques that matched their Stake Technique also trained to the Major Achievement Realm; they were Geniuses with good Comprehension Ability.
The other six at the Major Achievement of Huajin were relatively mediocre.
After this group finished, Zhao Heng finally went up. He picked the Senior Brother who had performed the weakest just now, struggled to hold on for thirty moves, and was then held with a sword pressed against his throat.
Next was Xue Ting's turn. Zhao Heng stepped down, his expression not one of dejection but excitement, as he smiled at Li Qing:
"This is the power of the Spirit Snake Lineage's techniques, the 'Spirit Rain Sword' and 'Spirit Snake Step'!"
Even though their Realms were similar, the difference in techniques was too great, making it impossible for him to hold his ground.
Li Qing comforted him with a few words and looked back at the arena. Xue Ting was even worse than Zhao Heng, failing after only twenty-some moves.
Li Qing could see that the two winners had not actually exerted their full strength.
Li Qing thought for a moment, stepped out of the line, and chose one of the six Senior Brothers at the Major Achievement of Huajin who had average sword skills.
That man did not feel looked down upon or anything; he was just a bit surprised.
"Are you sure you want to challenge me?"
Li Qing nodded. "To be honest, my Fist Technique has broken through to the Major Achievement Realm."
The man realized, "I see."
There were a few here who had reached the Major Achievement of Huajin and Major Achievement in Fist Techniques before joining, so it was not strange. It was just that Li Qing did not look very old, so people subconsciously ruled out that possibility.