Chapter 1172: Night and Snow

At the Qin State's war preparations table.

Zhang Gu, the commander of the Hegemonic Rong army, smiled gently: "It seems that this Qi State prodigy has also made Zhi Zhen feel pressured."

"He specifically went to talk to this Jiang Wang from Qi State before the match, so he probably had some understanding of him beforehand."

Gan Chang'an, whose injuries had mostly recovered, interjected.

Huang Budong, who had been half-asleep, opened his eyes at this moment and mumbled, "So this Jiang Wang might bring even more surprises, surpassing Huang Shelizi and Zhao Rucheng?"

The Yellow River Assembly was a grand event for young prodigies from various countries, with all participants in their prime.

Only this Huang Budong, by his appearance alone, looked several generations older than Zhang Gu.

Sitting with the youthful Gan Chang'an, who was only nineteen, people would believe they were grandfather and grandson.

But among these two prodigies, the one who looked young and inexperienced was the one who surveyed the overall situation, thought meticulously, and worried about everything.

The one who looked weathered and old was bewildered and didn't worry about anything.

"Perhaps that's how Qin Zhizhen sees it, although I don't think it's realistic." Gan Chang'an replied, then wondered, "I thought his saber would only come out in the final... why would he value this Jiang Wang so much?"

Qin State had intelligence on prodigies from all countries, and Gan Chang'an had access to the same information as Qin Zhizhen.

Based on the information, Qi State's Jiang Wang, who was dominant overseas and unmatched within Qi, was indeed brilliant. But when compared to the prodigies of the six great powers of the world, he wasn't considered top-tier.

Qin Zhizhen, with his Celestial Mansion cultivation, was the strongest contender for the Inner Mansion field championship. Without being arrogant, he could at least look down on anyone except Huang Shelizi, and he himself possessed an invincible belief, so he shouldn't appear so cautious.

Furthermore, strategically speaking, after Huang Shelizi, the winner of the upper bracket, displayed terrifying peak divine abilities, Qin Zhizhen should have concealed his strength for the final. Instead, he drew his saber at the beginning, exposing more before Huang Shelizi.

"Who cares, children and grandchildren have their own fortunes." Huang Budong shifted his neck to make himself more comfortable in his slump. "We should worry less."

Gan Chang'an subtly shifted away.

Taking advantage like that, would Qin Zhizhen not fight you to the death if he heard it?

Also... what was with that old partner's tone?

Wang Xixu praised him as "eight years old and still An," but now he was nineteen, and Gan Chang'an found that there were still many people in this world he couldn't understand.

Zhang Gu glanced at Huang Budong's weary appearance, finding it difficult to determine whether this fellow was deliberately taking advantage or if he was simply missing a screw in his head and spouting nonsense.

These two prodigies from Qin State, one worried too much and was easily hurt by excessive intelligence, requiring careful placating. The other thought too little and needed to be whipped forward.

In comparison, the lowest-ranked Qin Zhizhen was the most stable, but unfortunately, he was too introverted and tended to get bogged down in details. Enjoying combat and demanding perfection might be good for cultivation, but not necessarily for leading an army.

In Zhang Gu's military philosophy, war... shouldn't be enjoyed.

Of course, these thoughts remained internal, not showing on his face at all.

He just quietly watched the arena, contemplating the future of Qin State. In his position, he sought to fulfill his duties.

As for Ying Ziyu after Emperor Huai?

There was no need to think about it.

He shouldn't think about it either!

The area enclosed by the Sixfold Pillars was the stage of the world.

But it was well known that the true stage of the world was this one remaining arena, after being combined and re-combined.

Ancient glory and history continued to unfold.

Qin Zhizhen drew his saber from the void.

This saber was entirely black, with a long handle and a straight blade.

Three chi and one cun long, with contained cold light.

This was a true killing saber, without any unnecessary embellishment.

The guard was a horizontal line, and the blade was a vertical line.

Horizontal and vertical, giving a cruel sense of dividing life and death equally.

Within the separating clear light between them, Qin Zhizhen held his saber across his body and said seriously, "My fist techniques are already at the pinnacle of this realm, but because I've practiced the saber longer, my saber is even better. Today, I will use this saber to test your long锋!"

At the Qin State's war preparations table, Gan Chang'an frowned again. In his understanding, Qin Zhizhen wasn't a talkative person. Today seemed a bit... unusual.

But on the stage, Qin Zhizhen undoubtedly showed his respect.

Respect for the opponent, and even more respect for this battle.

Jiang Wang's eyes were calm.

The so-called "pinnacle of this realm" was the limit that could be reached at the current cultivation level.

The pinnacles of this realm he had understood since coming to the River Observing Platform were Gan Chang'an's karmic saber techniques in the Outer Mansion realm, Xiang Bei's Eight Desolation Returnless Halberd Technique driven by his Hegemonic Physique state in the Inner Mansion realm, Huang Shelizi's Sixteen Scattered Hands for Saving the World, and Zhao Rucheng's unified sword techniques.

Of course, the latter two, in their Bodhi and Lingxi states, had surpassed the limits of their realms.

And the only one who stood a level above the pinnacle was Dou Zhao with his Seven Combat Styles. Chong Xuanzun's Sun, Moon, and Stars Three Wheel Delusional Severing Saber had comparable power, but it relied on the fusion of divine abilities, and in terms of saber technique skill, it hadn't even reached the limit.

Qin Zhizhen said his fist techniques were already at the pinnacle of this realm, and he said so even after witnessing the battle between Huang Shelizi and Zhao Rucheng. Then his fist techniques must be no weaker than the Sixteen Scattered Hands for Saving the World.

From his battle with Beigong Ke, one could also get a glimpse, showing a tendency to shatter all techniques with his fists.

Now he said that his saber was even better than his fists.

Didn't that mean that his saber technique was even better than the pinnacle?

Could it be something comparable to the Seven Combat Styles?

A Celestial Mansion cultivator plus the Seven Combat Styles would be virtually invincible in the human realm!

One might not even need to add the word "virtually"!

A figure like Qin Zhizhen would certainly not exaggerate at this moment.

Throughout the circular grandstands, observers from all countries were shocked!

After Qin Zhizhen displayed the power of his Celestial Mansion, many had already firmly believed he would be the champion.

It was only when Zhao Rucheng drew the Son of Heaven's Sword that this speculation slightly wavered.

After Huang Shelizi walked through time, the greatest favorite for the championship shifted.

Now that Qin Zhizhen had said this, a Celestial Mansion plus the Seven Combat Styles, who wouldn't be shaken?

Facing such an opponent, what chance did Jiang Wang of Qi State have?

Amidst a chorus of unsurprised sighs, only at the Qi State observation seats, a cold snort echoed.

Xu Xianggan crossed his arms, disdainfully: "Bragging before the fight even starts, I see nothing special about it! Bluffing, it must be rotten inside! Who is it going to scare? Our Twin Prodigies of Ganma Mountain are not empty names! Jiang Qingyang, who is as famous as me, Xu Xianggan, will certainly not be affected by such petty tricks!"

Zhao Wuyan, who was sitting at least three zhang away, glanced over and asked calmly, "It sounds like the Twin Prodigies of Ganma Mountain are so formidable, may I ask if you, who are as famous as Jiang Qingyang, can defeat a Celestial Mansion cultivator?"

Xu Xianggan said self-righteously, "Not for now."

Zi Shu shook his head, a bit unsure why Xu Gao'e could say "cannot defeat" with the air of "nothing special."

If you only looked at his demeanor and didn't listen to the content, it was as if he could crush Qin Zhizhen with one hand.

The noise outside the arena naturally wouldn't affect the stage.

Although Xu Xianggan was cheering him on in his own way.

But Jiang Wang didn't hear what Xu Xianggan was saying.

However, on the stage, at this moment, he also reached a certain degree of agreement with Xu Xianggan.

The interesting thing was precisely this, the "Twin Prodigies of Ganma Mountain" actually developed a subtle understanding at this time.

It was only at this moment that Jiang Wang suddenly realized.

The battle between Qin Zhizhen and him had already begun!

From the moment Qin Zhizhen walked towards him during the Inner Mansion selection matches, Qin Zhizhen had already pulled him into a battle arena set up only for the two of them.

In the quarterfinals, his battle with Beigong Ke was for Jiang Wang to see!

At that time, although Qin Zhizhen wanted to make Beigong Ke shine, with his firm control of the situation, there was no need for him to illuminate the five mansions simultaneously.

Doing something unnecessary, why?

Of course, it wasn't to boast about himself, but to let Jiang Wang see clearly.

That moment of the five mansions illuminating simultaneously, and this moment of drawing the saber and stating his skill, were all based on the same purpose - to establish his invincible reputation, making Jiang Wang fear before fighting, and lose a step in terms of momentum!

Jiang Wang naturally believed that Qin Zhizhen wouldn't exaggerate and indeed had sufficient strength.

His ostensible strength was the pinnacle of the Inner Mansion.

The problem was—

The saber technique he mentioned, which was even better.

Was it like Huang Shelizi and Zhao Rucheng, slightly above the pinnacle of the realm. Or was it like Dou Zhao, raising it by another level?

For Jiang Wang, this wasn't even a problem.

Even if the person in front of him truly possessed Chong Xuanzun's divine abilities and Dou Zhao's combat techniques, invincible in the same realm and looking down on all heroes, would he, Jiang Wang, retreat by half a step?

Although Xu Xianggan often talked nonsense, there was one thing he said correctly, how could Jiang Wang be affected?

Wang Yiwu was also invincible in the same realm, and Lei Zhangan once dominated the cosmos.

But now it was he, Jiang Wang, standing here, using his sword to test the heroes of the world!

The enemies he had faced, the despair he had felt, were things that many people could never imagine in their lifetimes.

Under the gaze of people who were worried, pitying, relieved, or expectant...

Jiang Wang's eyes were calm, he simply held his sword and said, "I came from the East with my long sword, to test the heroes of the world. Within the same realm, there are no opponents overseas; wherever my sword edge points, it is difficult to find a worthy opponent in the Eastern Domain! Today, if I can witness an unparalleled saber, I shall sing its praises, with boundless joy!"

This situation, this person, these words.

Those who saw were captivated, those who heard were moved, all touched by the heroic spirit in these words.

A heart full of heroic spirit, all in these words!

At such a moment, while Jiang Wang was full of heroic spirit, Qin Zhizhen's momentum was also rising.

He had come all the way from west to east, because the ancient flying sword inheritor who had severed the Wei River with his sword truly regarded Jiang Wang as his greatest opponent on the path to championship, giving him the utmost respect.

The way to respect an opponent is to try your best to defeat him.

So from the first day they met, they began to contend for momentum.

Including throwing out the news of his battle with Xiang Qian, including the simultaneous illumination of the five mansions, and including his self-description of his saber technique.

He naturally wanted to crush his opponent, but if his opponent's will to fight was truly crushed like this, he would only be disappointed!

Now it was good, now it was really good.

He felt the opponent's fearless heart of a strong person, and his own fervent fighting spirit also boiled.

For him, this battle today was his first battle on the River Observing Platform!

But the more agitated he became, the calmer he was.

The angrier the waves, the quieter the reef.

He held his saber horizontally in his right hand and gently stroked the black long saber with his left hand.

He said, "I always hear this phrase from storytellers - 'Either way, it's a death', therefore, this saber is named Heng Shu." (Horizontal and Vertical)

Life and death, in the mouths of storytellers, are always light and airy. But when it comes to each individual, it is a lifetime of turmoil.

Its insignificance is so, and its vastness is also so.

Feeling this solemnity, Jiang Wang also held his sword in his left hand, across his body, and replied, "I have people I cannot forget, places I cannot forget, and hatred I cannot forget. Therefore, this sword is named Changxiangsi." (Long Yearning)

The moment he spoke the sword's name, he seemed to feel Changxiangsi's mood.

The so-called famous artifact coming to life, the sword spirit being born, was not the birth of another life.

The mystery of life and death's cycle was far beyond his current reach.

It should be said that his emotions, his feelings, his understanding, in their constant companionship, had infused this sword, becoming one body, and under the nourishment of divine light, had given birth to spirituality.

So...

Changxiangsi's excitement was his excitement. Changxiangsi's heaviness was his heaviness.

Changxiangsi's mood was his mood.

At this moment, his mood flowed in Changxiangsi, and Changxiangsi, too, remained silent for him.

Qin Zhizhen's unusually solemn sense of ritual was probably to better grasp his saber and better welcome this battle.

Jiang Wang could completely feel this sincere treatment, and thus he wondered—

What had Xiang Qian, the one who would never sit when he could lie down, who wouldn't move even if whipped, left for this Celestial Mansion cultivator in front of him?

To make such a peak prodigy who could illuminate five mansions simultaneously, hold such great respect!

He quickly cut off this thought, he had to focus on winning now, and leave it for later inquiry!

Time seemed to have never passed, and yet it seemed to have long since been annihilated.

The clear light flowed away like water, and Yu Xi's announcement sounded simultaneously...

And the Heng Shu saber and Changxiangsi also met at the same time!

They met at the very center of the arena!

Clang!!!

This was the first sound announcing this most anticipated battle.

One sound returned tenfold.

Echoing in people's hearts.

Like a startling thunder, like a bolt of lightning, waking those in a daze, and terrifying those with a guilty conscience!

Saber and sword, crossing.

One was black as night, the other was white as frost and snow.

Qin Zhizhen and Jiang Wang faced each other, separated by this saber and sword.

The saber and sword crossed, and the edges of the saber and sword produced a terrible, piercing sound.

A long line of sparks flew up, side by side.

Tiny crimson sparks, strung together into a vertical line.

Saber and sword struck stars!

Like fireworks disturbing the quiet night, the morning sun melting frost and snow.

Outside of night and snow, this was the third absolute beauty!

Beauty is always fleeting, just as the "starlight" between the saber and sword flashed and disappeared so quickly.

At the same time it "departed," that piece of night rolled back.

Qin Zhizhen retracted his saber!

This saber, too painful to recall!

The black blade rolled back the night sky, and also shattered memories.

Seeing the past, the past was no longer seen.

Recalling old events, it was difficult to return to the soul's dream.

The past and old events were like smoke, this saber severed the past, and then severed the previous life—

This was the annihilation of the previous life!

It wasn't just Qin Zhizhen "lingering in the starlight," it was also Jiang Wang pursuing life and death.

As the saber and sword crossed, Jiang Wang had already entered the highest level of alertness.

The jade color was not apparent, but his ears were different.

He was sensing another world.

The state of hearing the immortal had been activated!

From then on, for nineteen breaths—

All sounds came, and I heard them all!