Luoshui River.
Underwater.
Clang
Clang
Clang
With three sharp sounds echoing underwater.
Liu Qingsong finally managed to put a distance of about ten feet between himself and Jiang Ning.
Then, he reached into his waist.
Swish
A soft sword instantly slid out from his waist.
With a flick of his wrist, the soft sword straightened into a rigid line.
Only at this moment did Liu Qingsong let out a long sigh of relief, finally having the leisure to observe Jiang Ning.
At the same time.
Jiang Ning's right arm, numbed by the impact, quickly recovered as his blood and qi circulated.
"Is this the power of a seventh-grade martial artist?"
"Such terrifying explosive force!"
He marveled inwardly: "Just a few iron beads and the force they carried was enough to numb my arm. And this is underwater, where the water cushions the impact. On land, it would be even more terrifying!"
Thinking this, he felt even more convinced that luring Liu Qingsong into the water had been the right decision.
On land, facing a seventh-grade martial artist head-on would have been far more dangerous.
But underwater was different.
Against a mere seventh-grade martial artist, as long as they were in the water, Jiang Ning couldn't lose.
He was utterly confident in this.
His water manipulation ability gave him all the confidence he needed.
At this moment, Liu Qingsong first carefully examined Jiang Ning and then glanced at the two corpses nearby.
His eyes narrowed slightly, his expression calm as still water.
But beneath this calm exterior, his mind was in turmoil.
In that critical moment earlier, he hadn't hesitated to act.
Four finger flicks, each unleashing an overwhelming burst of force, had left his two fingers temporarily useless.
Even with his physical strength and muscle resilience, his fingers couldn't withstand the full force of his body's power.
He knew exactly how terrifying the explosive force of those four-finger flicks had been.
Even a one-centimeter-thick iron plate would have been pierced by the iron beads he had just shot.
At such close range, he believed that even Tian Buyi would have been killed.
But clearly, Jiang Ning stood before him unharmed, proving that those four finger flicks had done no damage.
"You're impressive!"
"To hide your strength so deeply!"
Liu Qingsong spoke slowly, his wrist flicking.
The sword in his hand trembled slightly, creating ripples that spread outward in all directions.
"Now it's my turn!" Liu Qingsong said, his body moving as he lunged toward Jiang Ning.
With his immense explosive power, the water beneath his feet felt like solid ground.
The sword in his hand transformed into a flash of light, slicing through the water with visible ease.
This strike aimed straight for Jiang Ning's throat.
Seeing this.
Jiang Ning instantly reacted, unleashing five layers of force, allowing him to deliver another peak-level strike.
Swoosh
The water was split by the blade, creating a brief vacuum even underwater.
In the next moment.
Clang
Blade met sword, sparks flying.
A powerful shockwave erupted from the point of impact, like a bomb exploding in deep water.
The force was so strong that part of the water vaporized, creating a temporary void underwater.
At the same time, the water surged, forcing both combatants to retreat.
On the surface of the lake above them, waves began to churn.
"What a strong kid!!!" Liu Qingsong felt the impact transmitted through his sword, his expression turning grave.
A sense of wariness filled his heart.
He realized that in a direct clash, he hadn't gained any advantage.
He was a seventh-grade martial artist, an elder of the Medicine King Valley. In terms of strength, even in the entire Dongling County, he was among the top fighters.
In the small Luoshui County, those who could definitively defeat him could be counted on one hand.
And yet, Jiang Ning, who had only been practicing martial arts for a few months, stood before him.
If he hadn't experienced it himself, he would never have believed such a thing could happen.
What kind of monster was this??
Liu Qingsong's gaze fixed on Jiang Ning, recalling what he had seen when he first entered the water, his heart filled with doubt.
Then, his eyes flicked to the soft sword in his hand, and his pupils contracted once more.
He saw a notch on the blade of the sword that had accompanied him for nearly twenty years.
Seeing this notch, he felt a pang of pain.
At the same time, he felt a sense of dread toward the blade in Jiang Ning's hand.
Liu Qingsong knew exactly how much of an advantage a superior weapon could provide in a situation like this.
Ordinary weapons couldn't even break his defense, let alone inflict a fatal wound.
So against ordinary weapons, he could focus solely on offense, dominating the fight.
Even if his opponent was 20-30% stronger, they wouldn't be a match for him under such circumstances.
But now, things were different. The blade in Jiang Ning's hand was extraordinary, capable of notching his treasured sword.
How could his body withstand such a weapon?
A single missed block, and he would either die or be severely injured.
On the other side.
Jiang Ning was also inwardly shocked.
So strong!!!
The direct clash had given him a true sense of Liu Qingsong's explosive power.
At this moment, he felt his palms slightly numb, his blood and qi churning within him.
It was worth noting that Liu Qingsong wielded a soft sword, clearly skilled in technique rather than raw strength.
Yet even so, the force Liu Qingsong had unleashed made Jiang Ning feel utterly outmatched.
If he hadn't mastered the Surging Waves Blade Art to perfection, allowing him to unleash five layers of force.
He wouldn't have been able to withstand even a single strike from Liu Qingsong.
Liu Qingsong was so powerful, yet he was so wary of his master, Wang Jin.
This showed just how strong Wang Jin was, undoubtedly surpassing Liu Qingsong.
And yet, during their brief encounter, Cao Rong had held the upper hand against Wang Jin.
From this, it was clear that although Cao Rong and Liu Qingsong were both seventh-grade martial artists, there was a significant gap in their strength.
I'm not yet strong enough to face him.
After this brief exchange, Jiang Ning had a rough estimate of his strength.
At full power, he could surpass most eighth-grade martial artists.
He could hold his own against some seventh-grade martial artists, but in a fair fight, he was likely no match for seasoned experts like Liu Qingsong.
In the next moment.
Jiang Ning tightened his grip on the blade, and the discomfort in his body quickly dissipated in the water. In an instant, he was back at his peak.
His spirit, energy, and vitality were all at their fullest, overflowing.
At this moment, he gained a deeper understanding of the [Water Spirit Affinity] trait. As long as he was in the water, the benefits were immense.
Not only were his senses greatly enhanced, but his physical condition also recovered at an astonishing rate.
"Again!"
Feeling his body's condition, Jiang Ning's fighting spirit soared. Gripping his blade, he closed the distance.
"Come at me!" Liu Qingsong laughed.
With a flick of his wrist, the soft sword transformed from rigid to flexible, like a striking serpent.
Swoosh
The sword thrust forward, creating a vacuum in the water as it shot toward Jiang Ning like lightning.
Seeing this, Jiang Ning's expression changed slightly.
He shifted his blade's momentum, positioning it to block the sword's tip.
Clang
Sparks flew, and Jiang Ning retreated.
Liu Qingsong pressed forward, the soft sword that had just been deflected now straightened with a flick of his wrist.
Swoosh
Another vacuum formed in the water as the sword tip shot forward like lightning.
Clang
Jiang Ning blocked with his blade, sparks flying once more.
Then.
Swoosh
Swoosh
Swoosh
The soft sword danced in Liu Qingsong's hands, moving with divine skill.
Thrust after thrust, it created blooming flowers of water in the river.
Jiang Ning blocked repeatedly, his body continuously retreating.
Under this relentless assault, he didn't dare to exhale.
If he lost his breath, he would no longer be able to defend himself.
After a few breaths.
Liu Qingsong sheathed his sword and stood still.
His face flushed slightly, then returned to normal.
"Not bad!" He nodded slightly at Jiang Ning. "You're the first person of your age to withstand my Rainstorm Sword Technique."
Phew
Only now did Jiang Ning dare to exhale the stale air he had been holding.
He then smiled at Liu Qingsong. "You flatter me, elder. I've just been luckier than others!"
At this moment, Jiang Ning was happy to engage in conversation with Liu Qingsong.
In the water, he could breathe freely, while Liu Qingsong could not.
Without reaching the Internal Strengthening stage and tempering his internal organs, no matter how strong Liu Qingsong was, his ability to hold his breath underwater was limited.
The longer this dragged on, the more advantageous it was for Jiang Ning.
Because once Liu Qingsong's oxygen ran out, no matter how powerful he was, he would meet his end here.
After Jiang Ning spoke, Liu Qingsong asked, "The Leopard Fetus Transformation Pill is with you, isn't it?"
"Correct," Jiang Ning nodded.
Liu Qingsong continued, "So, Tian Buyi died at your hands?"
"Correct," Jiang Ning nodded again.
Even though Liu Qingsong had been 50% certain, hearing Jiang Ning confirm it still left him shocked.
Tian Buyi, the River Dragon, was an eighth-grade Divine Strength expert. Surviving a palm strike from Liu Qingsong and still escaping showed his strength.
Yet, he had ultimately fallen to Jiang Ning, a junior.
Then, recalling his earlier exchange with Jiang Ning, Liu Qingsong couldn't help but nod slowly.
Of course!
To withstand my Rainstorm Sword Technique unscathed, such strength was beyond Tian Buyi's ability.
Thinking this, Liu Qingsong looked at Jiang Ning with admiration and amazement.
Such an outstanding junior was the first he had ever seen in his life.
"What a pity. Today, this young man will perish here," Liu Qingsong thought with regret, sighing inwardly.
Although he admired Jiang Ning's talent, this only strengthened his resolve to kill him.
Such a prodigy, once an enemy, could not be allowed to live.
In Liu Qingsong's view, if Jiang Ning survived this day.
Once he grew stronger, he would become a calamity for the Medicine King Valley.
A calamity they couldn't withstand.
From what he knew, even those renowned grandmasters, in their early martial arts days, had not been as monstrous as Jiang Ning.
Practicing martial arts for just a few months, yet able to face him head-on without losing ground.
Who would believe it?
Who could believe it?
If this hadn't happened to him, he wouldn't have believed it either.
Then.
Liu Qingsong steadied his mind and said to Jiang Ning, "You're being so candid with me now. It seems you've decided that only one of us will return to shore alive today."
"Correct," Jiang Ning nodded. "Elder, you see things."
Liu Qingsong said, "You're very confident."
"Aren't you as well?" Jiang Ning smiled.
"True," Liu Qingsong nodded in agreement.
Then he smiled as well. "I don't know where your confidence comes from, but I'll soon show you the source of mine."
In the next moment.
Liu Qingsong flicked his wrist, and the soft sword in his hand instantly formed a flower-like pattern.
Then he lunged toward Jiang Ning.
From their earlier exchange, he had already discerned Jiang Ning's strengths.
His physique was extraordinary, his blade skills were masterful, and he was likely born with immense strength.
This was why he had been able to precisely block every strike of Liu Qingsong's Rainstorm Sword Technique.
But at the same time, he had also discovered Jiang Ning's weakness.
His combat experience was lacking. His blade techniques were straightforward and powerful but lacked any feints or variations.
Liu Qingsong had seen many such opponents.
When facing weaker opponents, they would be overwhelmed and unable to fight back.
But in the eyes of an experienced expert like Liu Qingsong, these were nothing but openings.
Liu Qingsong closed the distance, his sword thrusting forward once more.
Swoosh
The water parted.
A visible vacuum formed in the water, creating a temporary void.
This strike was 10% faster than before.
In combat, a 10% difference could mean the difference between life and death.
"He's still holding back?" Jiang Ning's heart tightened.
He raised his blade to block once more.
In that instant.
Something's wrong!!!
His eyes narrowed slightly.
Underwater, the flow of water around him was like an extension of his senses.
Feeling the water's feedback, Jiang Ning immediately sensed a change in Liu Qingsong's sword.
In the next moment.
The sword that had been thrusting toward his blade suddenly softened, coiling like a serpent around the blade and aiming for the tendons in Jiang Ning's wrist.
"Just as I thought!" Jiang Ning thought to himself.
The moment Liu Qingsong's sword shifted, Jiang Ning reacted.
His body instantly retreated at explosive speed.
With his water manipulation ability, his speed underwater was no less than on land, perhaps even faster.
In what seemed like a precarious situation, Jiang Ning dodged Liu Qingsong's killing strike.
"Huh?" Liu Qingsong murmured.
He continued to press forward, his sword fully showcasing the advantages of a soft blade.
It transformed into an agile serpent, coiling without striking, avoiding direct clashes with Jiang Ning's blade.
Instead, it continuously targeted Jiang Ning's vital points.
Jiang Ning could only retreat, his blade flashing as he blocked and dodged.
Amidst the interplay of sword and blade, Jiang Ning could only defend, with no opportunity to attack.
At this moment, Jiang Ning once again witnessed the terrifying prowess of an old master like Liu Qingsong.
"Thankfully, we're underwater. The flow of water is like an extension of my senses," Jiang Ning thought.
Now, as they fought underwater, both were enveloped by the lake's currents.
Every subtle change in Liu Qingsong's movements was transmitted to Jiang Ning's mind.
At this moment, Jiang Ning felt that even if he closed his eyes, he could still accurately perceive Liu Qingsong's every move.
"The Water Spirit Affinity trait is truly incredible. In the water, it's like I can predict my enemy's moves. This effect is beyond belief!" Jiang Ning marveled inwardly.
But he didn't dare relax for a moment!
There was no telling if Liu Qingsong still had more tricks up his sleeve.
If he let his guard down, it would be tantamount to seeking death.
At the same time, the more Liu Qingsong fought, the more shocked he became.
At the start, he could sense Jiang Ning's flustered state.
But as Jiang Ning adapted, he began to feel that Jiang Ning was gradually becoming more at ease.
And the more he fought, the more uncomfortable he felt.
No matter how he changed his sword techniques, Jiang Ning seemed to effortlessly anticipate them, always positioning his blade at the critical point of Liu Qingsong's strikes.
Or targeting his weak spots.
This kind of battle left him feeling extremely uneasy.
Although he seemed to have the upper hand, he was actually at a disadvantage.
"What kind of monster is this kid!!!" Liu Qingsong was utterly shocked.
He realized that he had become Jiang Ning's grindstone.
The more he honed Jiang Ning, the sharper and more menacing Jiang Ning's blade became!
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