"My master has sparred with countless sword masters from other sects, but no one has ever been able to last a hundred moves. Most were defeated within thirty moves…"
Lan Xin's eyes widened, looking at Wan Yunting in disbelief. He could actually spar with her master, Zi Qing, for over three hundred moves without losing, and even showed signs of fighting stronger. She couldn't help but gasp in amazement, "I never thought he was so powerful. No wonder Master couldn't resist coming down the mountain to spar with him…"
Duan Yingying, standing beside her, felt triumphant. She said arrogantly, "I forgot to tell you, our sect leader has only been practicing martial arts for six or seven years. Although he can't compare to your master, he is now in the middle stage of the Martial Dao Dan Jin realm, truly a monstrous genius in martial arts!"
Lan Xin's eyes widened at this statement, and she retorted directly, "Don't lie to me. How could he possibly reach the middle stage of Dan Jin in just six or seven years? Even our Wudang Sect's Grandmaster, Zhong Yulong, did not practice at such a speed."
"Tch, just because your sect leader can't do it doesn't mean others can't."
Duan Yingying smugly glanced at Lan Xin, and this time it was her turn to brag proudly.
Although she disliked Wan Yunting in private, this was in front of other sects, so Duan Yingying naturally had to side with her own.
At this moment, the two were locked in a tireless struggle. Wan Yunting fought with increasing vigor, his sword speed and power growing stronger, establishing a suppression!
This made Zi Qing's delicate eyebrows furrow tighter. With a turn, she used her wooden sword to unleash the Taiyi Xuanmen Sword Technique of the Wudang Sect. Her aura shot out like several peculiar sword-snakes. Wan Yunting's eyes widened at this, and he used a move from the Wuji Tiangang Sword Technique to defend…
Clang!
Instantly, a clear metallic clang exploded in the air before them. The colliding auras sliced several azalea bushes in half from a distance, sending them flying. Petals danced in the air and drifted down slowly. Wan Yunting and Zi Qing also pulled apart, and Wan Yunting couldn't help but exclaim, "Such a powerful sword technique! What sword technique of your Wudang Sect is this?"
"Taiyi Xuanmen Sword Technique!"
Zi Qing did not conceal it. After fighting this far, both could basically ascertain the other's sword dao realm.
Wan Yunting clearly saw two invisible auras transform into sword-snakes and attack him with the Taiyi Xuanmen Sword Technique she had just displayed, which made his heart tremble with excitement.
So, he tested it with his Tai Chi sword. Immediately, he circulated his inner energy, and the Tai Chi sword erupted with an aura, transforming into two invisible sword-snakes that flew out, severing a row of roses in the garden far from the lawn…
At this sight, Zi Qing's phoenix eyes widened further, and she stared at Wan Yunting in disbelief, having used the "Taiyi Sword Snake," a move from the Taiyi Xuanmen Sword Technique she had just performed!
"How do you know the Taiyi Xuanmen Sword Technique?"
Lan Xin, who was watching, exclaimed with disbelief, asking, "You know the Taiyi Xuanmen Sword Technique?" Zi Qing's phoenix eyes also fixed intently on Wan Yunting. Could it be that he had some connection with their Wudang Sect?
Even if he did, it wouldn't make sense. The Taiyi Xuanmen Sword Technique was a supreme sword technique of the Wudang Sect, and ordinary disciples were not qualified to learn it. It was only someone with extremely high talent like Zi Qing, and a direct disciple of the sect leader, who was qualified.
But how could this Wan Yunting know the Taiyi Xuanmen Sword Technique?
"Something's not right!"
Suddenly sensing something, Zi Qing narrowed her phoenix eyes and said, "What you're using is not entirely the Taiyi Xuanmen Sword Technique!"
"Mm."
Wan Yunting nodded and smiled, "I'm only imitating the form, not its true essence!"
This made Zi Qing even more inwardly astonished. Looking at the man before her, she couldn't fathom how he managed it, but simply being able to imitate the shape of her sword moves and exert power no weaker than hers was already incredible to her.
"Alright, Senior Sister Zi Qing, let's stop here."
Wan Yunting sheathed his Tai Chi sword. There was no point in fighting further.
Zi Qing nodded and also sheathed her peach wood sword. Wan Yunting looked at the traces left by their fight and could only ask Huang Guilan to find some gardeners to tidy up the lawn and garden again. He then invited Zi Qing to sit down and served them a pot of tea. After all, they had traveled all the way from Wudang Mountain, and it would be impolite not to offer them a cup of tea.
"Senior Sister Zi Qing, since you've traveled so far, why don't you stay in Huadu for a few more days? That way, I can ask for your guidance. What do you say?" Wan Yunting poured tea for her, looking at Zi Qing and Lan Xin, the master and disciple, and smiled courteously.
"Sure."
Lan Xin immediately became happy and said, "This is our first time in Huadu City, and we were planning to play here for a few days before returning for the New Year."
Zi Qing, holding her teacup, took a small sip. Her delicate eyebrows slightly raised, and her beautiful phoenix eyes returned to their usual naturally dazed appearance. She said, "The water is too hot. It's bitter."
The sudden critique interrupted Wan Yunting's thoughts. He paused for a moment, then apologized with a smile, "Apologies, Senior Sister Zi Qing. I'm not familiar with the art of tea. I'll have someone re-brew it."
"Let me do it."
Zi Qing was not polite about it. She asked him to get new tea leaves and re-boil a pot of water. She very carefully observed the water temperature, and only after it reached the suitable temperature did she begin to brew the tea. Her movements were natural and slow, giving off a pleasing aura that made Wan Yunting involuntarily observe her, unable to imagine if her daily life was also like this.
However, it was not difficult to imagine. After all, these so-called geniuses of the sects, besides practicing martial arts every day, were probably immersed in their own worlds. This Senior Sister Zi Qing before him was likely like that. If she were left alone in Huadu City without Lan Xin, she might not be able to survive…
"Try it."
After brewing the tea, Zi Qing poured him a cup. Wan Yunting took it with both hands, said thank you, and took a small sip. His eyes lit up, and he nodded with a smile, "It's really worlds apart from how I brewed it earlier."
Zi Qing also drank the tea she brewed and calmly said, "Tea has its way, just as swords have their way. Everything in the world follows the same principles and rules."
Wan Yunting's expression froze, and he nodded with a smile, "Philosophy."
"That's right."
Lan Xin couldn't help but say proudly, "My master can watch a blade of grass for a whole day and not get tired of it."
Duan Yingying, unable to understand, rolled her eyes and said, "So proud, huh?"
Wan Yunting smiled and waved at her, gesturing for the girl to stop talking. He then asked, "Senior Sister Zi Qing, where are you staying now? I can drive you back later."
Lan Xin shook her head and said, "We arrived in Huadu City by car at six this morning and came straight here. We don't have a place to stay yet. Moreover, my master and I didn't bring much money when we came down the mountain, so we can't afford a hotel. We might have to sleep on the streets."
"That won't do."
Wan Yunting immediately disagreed. After all, they had come to Huadu City for him. Although it wasn't his intention, consequences follow actions. As the host, Wan Yunting certainly couldn't be impolite.
"Sect Leader Wan, your house is so big, why don't you let my master and me stay for a couple of days?" Lan Xin said with a playful smile, her bright eyes sparkling.
"No…"
"Yes, you can."
Before Duan Yingying could object, Wan Yunting nodded with a smile and said, "You can stay as long as you like. If you need anything, just tell me, and I'll arrange it for you."
"That's wonderful!"
Lan Xin was excited. Zi Qing, with her dazed expression, nodded slightly, "Thank you."
"Alright, you two sit for a while. I'll have Aunt Lan prepare your rooms and tidy up…"
Saying this, Wan Yunting got up, preparing to find Huang Guilan. Duan Yingying immediately chased after him, unhappy, "No, you're really letting them stay?"
Wan Yunting turned his head and glanced at her, saying, "Am I not considering you?"
Duan Yingying was confused. Wan Yunting gestured towards Zi Qing and said, "She's the top sword master of the Wudang Sect, and you've seen her skills. If she stays for a few days to give you some pointers, wouldn't you gain a lot?"
Only then did Duan Yingying realize Wan Yunting had agreed so readily because he had this idea in mind. She pouted and said, "Weren't you evenly matched with her just now? Her skills aren't that great either."
Wan Yunting gave her a speechless look and said, "What do you know? If I had continued fighting with her just now, I would have lost. She's been learning swordplay since she was a child. Besides Wudang Sect's sword techniques, she's also learned sword techniques from other sects. She possesses all the sword techniques under the heavens, while I've only learned a few. If I hadn't cleverly imitated some of her sword moves, I would have been defeated long ago."
He had indeed imitated many of Zi Qing's sword moves using the Little Un-phase Skill, and it was already incredible that he could fight for over three hundred moves without losing.
"Alright, don't say any more."
Wan Yunting cut off Duan Yingying and said, "Let them stay for a few days, and I'll have her give you some pointers on your swordplay. You need to learn properly, understand?"
Duan Yingying pouted her little lips. Although she was unwilling, she had no choice and could only agree.
Wan Yunting had Huang Guilan tidy up two bedrooms on the third floor, arranging for Zi Qing and Lan Xin, the master and disciple, to stay. Although he didn't know how long they would stay, being able to have them stay for a few more days to guide Duan Yingying's swordplay was already a gain.
After settling Zi Qing and Lan Xin into the house, Wan Yunting drove towards the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine. However, while in the car, he dialed Li Zihang's number. It rang twice before being answered by his surprised voice, "Sect Leader Brother, why are you calling me? Is something wrong?"
Wan Yunting, who was driving, smiled and said, "How's it going? Are you busy at the Taoist temple?"
"Busy, so busy I could die!"
Li Zihang, who was at the Taoist temple at that moment, couldn't help but complain, saying, "Now there are only me, Senior Sister, and Senior Brother Qi Wu left at the temple. The rest of the disciples have basically gone down the mountain. We are now handling all the large and small affairs of the temple, and we are busy to death every day."
Hearing this string of complaints, Wan Yunting felt a bit embarrassed. After all, as the sect leader, he hadn't been at the temple to oversee things, which made him feel somewhat ashamed. He said, "Thank you for your hard work. Don't worry, I'll definitely give you a big red envelope as compensation during the New Year."
"Really? That's more like it."
Li Zihang's spirits lifted upon hearing about the big red envelope and asked, "Go on, what's up?"
Wan Yunting returned to the main topic, stopped the car at a traffic light, and asked, "I want to ask you about someone. Kong Yijin from the Wudang Sect, Daoist name Zi Qing. Have you heard of this person?"
"Daoist name Zi Qing? Why does this name sound familiar…"
Hearing the name, Li Zihang scratched his head and began to recall.
Wan Yunting called Li Zihang naturally because he wanted to understand Zi Qing's identity. After all, their sudden visit warranted caution. He wanted to see if they had any other motives besides visiting him!