The two stood facing each other, both slowly drawing their long swords.
Lian Cheng didn’t use his Cold Light Sword, as it was just a sparring match after all. It wouldn't be fair to rely on a powerful sword.
Liang Fa, with the younger disciples watching from a distance, looked serious like a little adult. He then declared as the referee: "Begin!"
Swish! Swish!
Both of them simultaneously used the Rippling Wave Steps, instantly transforming into two blurs.
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!
The two long swords clashed quickly, then immediately separated.
Lian Cheng directly used the Nurturing My Sword Art, his attacks were powerful and forceful, extremely fierce. Linghu Chong felt the force transmitted from the sword, and was instantly startled. He didn’t dare to continue clashing with Lian Cheng head-on, instead using his footwork to dodge, and retaliated with Lian Cheng's sword art.
However, Lian Cheng's Sword Art and Rippling Wave Steps were all created by Lian Cheng himself. How could Linghu Chong possibly take advantage with these two skills?
Furthermore, Lian Cheng had entered the Second-Rate realm earlier, his inner strength was much deeper, and he had a better grasp of Second-Rate inner strength.
After dozens of moves, Linghu Chong was constantly suppressed.
Lian Cheng didn’t hold back either, decisively using Lian Cheng's Sword Art. Compared to Linghu Chong's sword moves, his were even more exquisite, instantly pushing Linghu Chong back, making him lose ground.
Finally, after sixty to seventy moves, Linghu Chong was defeated.
“Hahaha! That was satisfying!”
Linghu Chong, however, was extremely excited, “Second Brother is truly amazing. The only one who can let me fight to my heart’s content is Second Brother!”
The little sprouts also excitedly clapped, even though they couldn’t see clearly, they felt it was incredible.
Lian Cheng smiled, silently putting away his long sword.
He couldn’t help but reflect.
He had actually not exerted his full strength, only using 50% of his power. That means he could even take on two Linghu Chongs at the same time.
But Linghu Chong was the eldest brother after all, so he had to give him some face, he couldn’t let him lose so quickly in front of his fellow disciples. In addition, Linghu Chong was more emotional, if he lost too quickly, he could easily become disheartened.
After all, they were both Second-Rate martial artists, yet he was so much better than his second brother, he might even start to doubt himself.
It’s just, Lian Cheng didn’t feel like he had much of an advantage.
Currently, he and Linghu Chong learned the same martial arts, it was just that he had better comprehension, and had advanced to the Second-Rate realm first. He was ahead of Linghu Chong in every step, so he was stronger than Linghu Chong.
But maybe Linghu Chong would catch up soon.
Those who are ahead are very likely to encounter a bottleneck, giving those behind a chance to overtake.
Besides, it's hard to say whether Feng Qingyang would pass on the Dugu Nine Swords to Linghu Chong as in the original story. If Linghu Chong learns the Dugu Nine Swords, he will naturally become unstoppable, completely surpassing him.
Lian Cheng was not against Linghu Chong becoming stronger than him, but he felt that if he was stronger than Linghu Chong, he could better control the situation.
As mentioned before, Linghu Chong was an emotional person, easily influenced.
Why he always hung out with the people of the Demon Cult in the original story was because he was easily influenced by their seemingly righteous personalities. That sort of situation was unacceptable.
Therefore, Lian Cheng wanted to stay stronger than Linghu Chong, so he could keep “advising” him.
Once there was no one to hold this kid down, he might run wild like a runaway horse.
“I can’t bet on Feng Qingyang’s attitude. Who knows who he’ll teach the Dugu Nine Swords to. For now, I can only rely on my own extraordinary comprehension, to comprehend even more powerful martial arts.”
Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap!
A crisp sound of clapping echoed.
Ning Zhongze strolled over, still as plump and beautiful, with her bold and heroic spirit.
Her smile was loving, gentle, and warm: “Chong’er, Cheng’er, you finally reached the Second-Rate realm, and your strength is no weaker than seasoned Second-Rate masters. Our Huashan Sect has a bright future!”
“Shi Niang/Mother!”
The disciples cheered with delight, the little sprout Yue Lingshan directly rushed into her mother's arms, which everyone envied.
Ning Zhongze hugged and kissed her daughter. She missed her daughter dearly after a month of seclusion. Thankfully, her daughter was still cheerful and lively, that was good enough.
What surprised her most was the progress of Linghu Chong and Lian Cheng.
Now, she had also cultivated the Purple Mist Divine Art, her cultivation had advanced further.
With Linghu Chong and Lian Cheng, the Huashan Sect’s core strength had become even stronger, and they also had the confidence to deal with any surrounding enemies.
Moreover, she believed that her husband Yue Buqun would definitely be able to cultivate the Mysterious Ice Palm, stepping into the Top-Tier realm. At that time, they wouldn't be afraid of the Songshan Sect’s Zuo Lengchan, even Shaolin and Wudang would be no match for them.
By then, they wouldn't need to be so anxious and cautious anymore!
Thinking about it, Ning Zhongze couldn’t help but feel a sense of heroic spirit, and smiled: “Chong’er, Cheng’er, Shi Niang just came out of seclusion, let’s test your skills. Both of you come together!”
Linghu Chong would naturally not refuse: “Okay! Shi Niang, be careful, I'm very strong now!”
He said, and drew his long sword once again, standing in front of his Shi Niang.
After waiting for a while, he found that Lian Cheng hadn't come forward, and turned his head in confusion. He saw Lian Cheng frowning, seemingly deep in thought.
He wanted to remind him, but he was stopped by his Shi Niang.
“Shi Niang, what’s wrong with Second Brother?” Linghu Chong asked softly.
“Shh! Cheng’er seems to have realized something, don’t disturb him.”
Ning Zhongze gave him a silencing gesture, and also told the other little sprouts not to make any noise, so Lian Cheng could have a quiet environment to comprehend.
At this time, Lian Cheng was indeed comprehending something.
“Both of them together? Two? Yes, two together. If I can become two, wouldn’t my strength double? Splitting oneself? No, splitting oneself martial arts is too unbelievable, it’s very difficult to comprehend, and there is no foundation for comprehension. And becoming two doesn’t necessarily mean splitting oneself, there are other methods. For example, Little Dragon Girl using Double Sword Fusion!”
Thinking about it, Lian Cheng suddenly became enlightened.
He had figured out what he needed to comprehend: the Left and Right Mutual-Striking Art created by the Old頑童 Zhou Botong!
The Left and Right Mutual-Striking Art was essentially using two minds at once, controlling both hands to do different actions, using different martial arts, achieving the effect of one person using the techniques of two people.
It was also simple to comprehend, draw a square with the left hand and a circle with the right hand.
As long as he could do this, he could potentially comprehend the Left and Right Mutual-Striking Art!
Lian Cheng sat down cross-legged, extended the index fingers of both hands, and began drawing on the ground.
Others looked on curiously, and then were astonished to discover that Lian Cheng was actually drawing a square with one hand and a circle with the other, and he was doing it at the same time.
Upon seeing this, Ning Zhongze was stunned.
The little sprouts didn’t understand, but she knew very well.
The human body is strangely structured, the coordination of the two hands doesn’t allow both hands to draw different patterns at the same time. So drawing a square with the left hand and a circle with the right hand was truly incredible.
She just didn’t understand what this disciple was trying to do.
Fortunately, Lian Cheng didn’t make them wait too long. He closed his eyes and thought for a while, then opened his eyes again with a look of joy.
“I understand!”