Chapter Twenty-Four: Inquiring of Heaven

  "The martial skill Mo Nan Shi Zhan demonstrated seems to be the famous move of a powerful warrior from a thousand years ago, Xiang Wen Tian's signature move - 'Inquiring Sword Under Heaven'." An elderly man with white hair and beard from Qing Yang Gate said.

  Yu Qingyang was shocked: "Guo Lao, you're talking about Xiang Wentian, the one who said 'One sword to ask heaven who is the enemy'?"

  "Not bad, it's him. A thousand years ago, Xiang Wentian was invincible with his sword, and his cultivation at the time of the Divine Spirit Realm could already rival that of a Void Immortal. He was absolutely a rare talent that appears once in a thousand years. Unfortunately, after Xiang Wentian fought against Yuanshi Sect's Void Immortal Yuanxu, no one knows who won or lost, and since then, Xiang Wentian has disappeared."

  The old man said, seemingly he knew a lot about Xiang Wentian.

  "Guo Lao, can you tell us more about Xiang Wentian?" Ling Xinyue was extremely interested.

  It turned out that Xiang Wentian was a naturally talented loose cultivator and soon made a name for himself in the Tianyu Great World.

  At that time, almost all major factions threw out an olive branch, but Qiu Tian was rejected by all.

  Xiang Wentian cultivates alone, challenging famous masters from various sects, his strength increasing rapidly.

  In just a short hundred years, Xiang Wentian cultivated to the realm of divine power and gradually created the sword mantra "Wen Jian Tian Xia", shaking the world.

  Xiang Wentian is extremely formidable, one person with one sword, can actually cross-level challenge.

  Yuanshi sect thought Xiang Wentian was extraordinary and once again extended an invitation to him, but he still refused.

  Xiang Wentian likes to challenge strong opponents and has also challenged famous masters of the Yuanshi Sect during this period, all of whom have been victorious.

  Another hundred years passed, and Xiang Wentian actually cultivated to the Divine Spirit Realm.

  The Yuanshi Sect issued an invitation for the third time, hoping that Xiang Wentian could join the Yuanshi Sect, but Xiang Wentian still looked down on it.

  Later, Yuanshi sent out Yu Xu, who challenged Xiangliu and asked him to fight a decisive battle at Long Ridge Mountain.

  Everyone thought that Xiang Wentian would refuse, after all, Yuanxu was a strong figure in the virtual fairy world, but Xiang Wentian actually agreed.

  The battle at Longling Mountain is over, but the outcome is unknown. All that's known is that Yuan Xiao was severely injured, while Xiang Wentian has gone missing.

  "Turns out that Tian is so formidable! If Mo Nan gets his martial skills, wouldn't it be..." Ling Xinyue exclaimed in surprise.

  "Not bad, it seems that Mo Nan is also one of our key targets for future development. With Jing Feng, Bi Fan and Mo Nan, why worry that Qing Yang Gate won't become powerful?" Yu Qingyang said excitedly.

  Yu Qingyang knew that his sect would soon have another strong person, and he was naturally very happy. His honor and shame were tied to the Qingyang Sect.

  "The leader of our sect must be blessed by heaven, with the acquisition of this 'Inquiring Sword Under Heaven' martial art, our Qingyang Sect will definitely become a top-notch sect." an elder said.

  Yu Qing raised an eyebrow and said, "Everyone listen up, our Qingyang Gate has rules. If a disciple encounters something unusual, unless they volunteer to do so, they absolutely cannot be forced to offer the treasures obtained from the encounter to the sect, including martial skills."

  "The master of the gate, we will never force Mo Nan, but only hope that Mo Nan can contribute his 'Questioning Sword Under Heaven' to make Qing Yang Gate stronger." The elder said.

  "Just knowing is enough, if I find out who broke the rules and knew the consequences." Yu Qingyang said sternly.

  To encourage their disciples, most sects have similar rules that allow their disciples to own treasures obtained through adventures, and the sect will never force them to hand them over.

  Jian Xiang Tian Xia is indeed a formidable sword technique, unfortunately Mo Nan has only grasped a little bit of it.

  Bi Fan used his agility to dodge several rounds of attacks, and Mo Nan had no choice but to re-cast the sword technique "Asking the Sword Under Heaven".

  Bi Fan could remember most of the martial skills after reading them once. Mo Nan's second demonstration didn't pose any threat to him.

  Having grasped the changes of Jian Tianxia, it was extremely easy for Bi Fan to cope with them.

  However, Jian Tianxia's swordsmanship is almost flawless, and at least Bi Fan can't find any weaknesses in a short period of time. Therefore, it is also impossible for Bi Fan to win.

  The swordsmanship of "Qing Jian Tian Xia" is of a very high level, but its consumption is also great. Mo Nan has only used it twice, and his internal energy is already somewhat unable to support it.

  Unable to continue wielding the Inquiring Sword of the World, Mo Nan did not give up and instead wielded the Qingyang Flying Cloud Sword Technique.

  Bi Fan saw Mo Nan's display of Qingyang Piaomiao Sword Technique, and a smile appeared on his face: "Finally unable to hold on, it's time for me to counterattack."

  Immediately, Bi Fan performed the Qingyang Fufeng Sword Technique, with sword energy surging and unmatched sharpness.

  Bi Fan's offensive was fierce, wave after wave, Mo Nan's internal energy consumption was almost depleted, and some moves couldn't be blocked.

  "Storm Sword!" Mo Nan still wanted to struggle a bit, his sword shadow was like a violent storm, stabbing towards Bi Fan.

  Sword shadows overlapped, really don't know which sword shadow is the real thing.

  Bi Fan unexpectedly didn't draw his sword to defend himself and stood there stupidly, as if he had been scared silly.

  "Quickly hide!" Yu Siyan was worried beyond measure, shouting in her heart: "This is terrible, such an important martial arts competition, and yet she's distracted."

  "What's wrong with Bifen? Does he want to die?" Jingfeng asked in puzzlement.

  "Bì fán, kuài duǒ ā!" translates to "Bifan, hide quickly!"

  Bi Fan was deaf to all of this, remaining completely still, even closing his eyes.

  Mo Nan seemed to see a glimmer of hope for victory, his heart bursting with excitement, his speed increasing, his sword moves becoming more urgent.

  In the blink of an eye, the sword shadow had already arrived at Bifan's face. Just as it was about to strike, Bifan made his move. His right hand suddenly appeared, with his index and middle fingers stretched out straight, instantly clamping down on Mo Nan's treasured sword.

  With his fingers pinching the treasure sword, Bi Fan was not doing this for the first time, that's why he could be so calm and composed.

  "Two Finger Zen is amazing! It's too powerful!"

  "I remember last year's disciple selection, Bi Fan also used this move, how did we forget, and got a false alarm."

  Those Qingyang Gate disciples were shocked speechless, especially those who had seen Bi Fan's Two Finger Divine Technique for the first time.

  Yu Siyan was also seeing her for the first time, and she was so surprised that her cherry-like mouth opened wide enough to swallow an egg.

  "What kind of kung fu is this, being able to hold a sword with just fingers!"

  "Miss, Bi Fan's move is very powerful, he used it in the martial arts competition last year. I asked him about it, but he didn't tell me," said Yu Xiao Feng.

  "Really? This skill is quite good, sometimes it can be lifesaving." Yu Siyan smiled.

  Yu Qingyang was equally astonished: "When did Bifan learn this ultimate skill, Vice Sect Master? Did you teach it to him?"

  "It wasn't me who taught him, he hadn't even become my disciple yet and already mastered this ultimate skill." Ling Xinyue said.

  "If only I had known about the last disciple selection, I would have come too. Perhaps Bi Fan would have become my disciple, what a pity." Yu Qingyang said with regret.

  "Haha... I'm really excited, it's because I'll be hosting the naming ceremony for my new disciples." Ling Xinyue laughed from the heart.

  Mo Nan's treasured sword was pinned down, he stood still for a long time before saying: "I lost."

  "Mo Nan Shixiong, we'll have to exchange moves again someday. Your martial skills are truly exquisite and unmatched." Bi Fan said.

  "No problem, I'd also like to learn from you." Mo Nan smiled and said. "Besides, the championship is basically already in your pocket, let me congratulate you first."

  "Thank you!"