Chapter 144: Lapse In Judgment (1/2)

Zhao Tiefeng indeed possessed a sharp acumen. His words tapped awake an increasingly frenzied Zhao Ling, just when Lu Yun’s new technique had entered the most crucial moment of the development process.

Anguish and incompleteness left an exceedingly uncomfortable feeling in Lu Yun. Such an abrupt interruption in the midst of fighting to his heart’s content was simply worse than death.

“Do you truly believe you can halt my enlightenment just like this? All you did was ruin a fortuitous opportunity for others.” Scorn appeared on the governor’s lips, then he set foot through the Gates of the Abyss.

……

A dreary aura pervaded the broken netherworld, filling the air with the presence of devastation and decay. It wasn’t a suitable place for him to cultivate, but he’d already shaped the embryonic form of his new technique. All that was left was to unceasingly improve on it so that it could reach perfection.

“Aoxue, spar with me and help polish my new art!” he immediately requested, turning to the dragon princess.

Swoosh!

A long sword appeared in her hand and she slashed at him, but her master’s figure vanished once more, giving way to enormous waves rising in a boundless sea. From these waves reared a giant dragon in Aoxue’s direction.

Compared to Zhao Ling, the dragon princess was a much better sparring partner. Someone with her judgment could easily determine what move and amount of force she should use in order to help her master refine his new technique.

The two lost all sense of time in hell, only stopping a long, long while later.

“Congratulations, sir! Felicitations! You have perfected the ‘Vast Dragon Seaturner’!” Stunned astonishment flashed through Aoxue’s eyes. “If this skill can be further improved to the realm of great perfection, it will surpass the Nineteen Cerulean Sword Dragons by far! It will rank in the top ten among all the sword arts in the immortal world!”

Lu Yun lowered his head in contemplation. “Heh, that’s to be expected. With the Tome of Life and Death as a medium, I can communicate with the heavens to analyze the Nineteen Cerulean Sword Dragons. By distilling the essence and discarding the dross, my version will naturally surpass the original. Aoxue, thank you for your help.”

“It’s Aoxue’s honor to help complete your technique, sir!” Happiness tinged Aoxue’s expression.

……

Meanwhile, the crowd around the arena wished for nothing more than to tear Zhao Tiefeng to pieces. Lu Yun’s ‘Vast Dragon Seaturner’ had been moments away from achieving proficiency. They could all see that once it reached perfection, the technique would become a sword art without compare.

In the present age, cultivators were almost all swordsmen. Apart from some treasures, almost everyone refined a companion flying sword. To witness the birth of such a peerless art would’ve been a blessing, not only for cultivators, but also for many immortals. However, Zhao Ling’s sudden withdrawal put a complete stop to this glorious opportunity. Unable to restrain their wrath, many in the crowd swore out loud.

“Zhao Tiefeng, you’ve crossed the line!” roared an immortal, looking at the Exalted Immortal Sect’s elder. “The birth of such a magnificent technique is one for the ages! But thanks to your petty narrow-mindedness, you prematurely broke it off! You’ve committed a grave sin against the entire world!”

Facing the ire of the crowd, Zhao Tiefeng merely smiled. “He’s still in the arena. If you all are so eager to see his sword art, tell your own disciples to challenge him so they can be a grinding stone for his technique!”

Many immortals seethed at his attitude. Opportunities to break through were fleeting and transient. Developing a new sword art necessitated completion in one stroke from a sudden spurt of insight. How could lightning possibly strike twice?

Such a coincidence had never occurred before, at the very least!

An old, wizened immortal suddenly stood and thundered, “Zhao Tiefeng, interrupting Lu Yun’s creation process is ruining an opportunity for us all! You and I can no longer live under the same sky! I, Wanderer Gu Hong, do hereby break all ties of friendship with you. We will only meet again as enemies!”

An immortal from Exalted Major, and one of Zhao Tiefeng’s acquaintances, his declaration agitated the crowd even further.