Xiao Yunlong stood in the center of the hall, hands behind his back, like a javelin. He snorted, "This old fellow isn't even qualified for me to personally act. Bufan, you go!"
Jun Bufan had long been unable to contain himself. With a push of his feet, he rushed forward, his entire being exuding surging power and formidable battle intent.
On the contrary, Bai Nian was very worried. After all, he was Jun Bufan's master, and it could be said that most of Jun Bufan's martial arts were taught by him. As for He Nian, he was his senior martial brother, and his martial arts cultivation was even stronger than his own.
In other words, in Bai Nian's opinion, his disciple could not possibly be his senior martial uncle's opponent!
Jun Bufan was employing the Wudang Sect's Eight Trigrams Dragon-Wandering Palm. He had been practicing this palm technique since he was twelve years old, and later, with Xiao Yunlong's guidance and improvements, he had achieved mastery.
When He Nian saw the opponent using this palm technique, a look of disdain appeared on his face.
"To use this palm technique in front of me is simply showing off!"
He Nian, the Taoist with the bull nose, let out a cold snort and had already arrived. He brandished his silver long sword, and sword flowers bloomed and rippled in the air.
With a swoosh, the sharp sword tip aimed directly at Jun Bufan's heart!
The surrounding crowd gasped at this display. Clearly, no one had expected He Nian to unleash a killing blow right from the start, intending to kill his opponent.
After all, no matter what, this young man surnamed Jun was his junior martial nephew! Bai Nian was very anxious but helpless.
However, just as most of the onlookers believed that the young man surnamed Jun was about to die under the sword, his figure dodged past the long sword like a swimming fish.
"Hmm? You brat, you can actually evade my Green Pine Sword Technique?" He Nian was greatly astonished.
"What elegant and agile movement! It looks like our Wudang Sect's Eight Trigrams Dragon-Wandering Movement. However, this Eight Trigrams Dragon-Wandering Movement is only qualified for second-generation elders to practice, and it also requires contributions to the sect. Even Bai Nian doesn't know it. How did this brat surnamed Jun learn it?"
Several young disciples of the Wudang Sect in the third generation muttered amongst themselves.
"No, this is not the true Eight Trigrams Dragon-Wandering Movement. It only resembles it. It seems to have been derived from the Eight Trigrams Dragon-Wandering Palm. After all, the Eight Trigrams Dragon-Wandering Palm is similar to movement techniques on some levels!"
At this moment, the white-browed Grand Elder, who had not spoken earlier, said faintly, "I didn't expect this young Jun to have such good martial arts talent. No wonder Bai Nian took him as a lay disciple. At such a young age, he is already a Hua Jin Grandmaster, and his control over inner energy is even more seasoned than that of ordinary Grandmasters!"
Seeing this, Elder Bai breathed a sigh of relief. His heart had been in his throat just now.
In less than ten breaths, He Nian had already thrust out dozens of swords. The silver sword light flashed and intertwined, enveloping Jun Bufan.
Fortunately, Jun Bufan's talent was indeed excellent, especially after Xiao Yunlong improved the Eight Trigrams Dragon-Wandering Palm and evolved the meaning of the Dragon-Wandering Movement. With this formidable movement technique, he was able to constantly maneuver. Although each move seemed perilous, he managed to turn danger into safety every time.
Sword light crisscrossed, and the wind howled. The entire hall was filled with a murderous aura.
After dozens of moves, He Nian found that he still couldn't defeat his opponent. He became enraged and gritted his teeth, roaring, "Damn it, brat, are you only capable of dodging?"
Before Jun Bufan could speak, Elder Bai on the side chuckled, "I say, Senior Martial Brother He Nian, you are already breaking the rules by bullying a junior with your status as a senior martial uncle. Now, you can't even defeat your own junior martial nephew. If this gets out, I'm afraid your reputation as the Green Pine Gentleman Sword will be at stake!"
These words were like adding fuel to the fire. He Nian roared, "A brat who hasn't even grown up, and I can't defeat him? I'll tear him to shreds!"
Although his words were vicious, it was clear to discerning eyes that after that round of fierce assault, He Nian, the Taoist with the bull nose, had rapidly depleted his inner energy. At this moment, trying to attack frantically would undoubtedly be somewhat beyond his strength.
Moreover, coupled with his rage and exasperation, He Nian, the Taoist with the bull nose, began to act somewhat haphazardly, even lacking proper form.
However, Jun Bufan remained very cautious, still maintaining a passive defensive posture. After all, his opponent was a veteran Hua Jin Grandmaster.
Of course, the reason Jun Bufan could hold his ground was not only due to the improved movement technique by Xiao Yunlong but also because Jun Bufan himself possessed great talent and sufficient inner energy.
Seeing this, Xiao Yunlong said in a deep voice, "How can you defeat an enemy by only defending? The best defense is offense!"
This sentence was like a huge stone dropped into his heart, stirring up immense waves within Jun Bufan. He was, after all, an intelligent and decisive person. After understanding the meaning of his elder brother's words, he responded directly.
With a lightning-fast movement, he once again dodged He Nian's long sword. Jun Bufan then sprang forward like a carp leaping out of water!
This move caught He Nian completely off guard. Firstly, he had not expected the opponent to dare to attack actively. Secondly, Jun Bufan's move of springing up in mid-air was too clever, requiring considerable skill and inner energy.
"Release your hand!" Jun Bufan shouted coldly in mid-air, reaching out and pointing directly at the opponent's wrist.
He Nian saw that the situation was not good and wanted to retreat, but it was clearly too late!
With a clang!
Jun Bufan struck the acupoint on his arm. He Nian's entire arm was instantly dislocated, and the long sword in his hand fell to the ground.
At the same time, Jun Bufan struck out with his left palm, knocking the opponent back. He stumbled back several steps.
Jun Bufan did not press his advantage. In fact, he knew that his success was largely due to the opponent's carelessness.
He flicked his toe, picking up the long sword that had fallen to the ground. Jun Bufan grabbed it with his hand and snorted, "You dare to try and teach me with such meager ability? You're simply overestimating yourself!"
He Nian, the Taoist with the bull nose, trembled with anger. Not only was he repelled by a palm strike, but his personal long sword was also taken by the opponent, and he was defeated by a junior. As the saying goes, this was utterly humiliating.
Elder Bai saw this and shouted, "Alright, Bufan. He is your senior martial uncle after all. It's just a spar. There's no need to go too far. Quickly return the sword to your senior martial uncle."
"Yes, Master!" Jun Bufan nodded and handed the sword over.
He Nian's lips twitched. He thought that at such a distance, the brat just stood there and didn't come to hand it over. This was clearly looking down on him!
Gritting his teeth, He Nian still stiffened his neck and walked over, reaching out to take back his long sword.
Jun Bufan was too lazy to argue with him and turned to leave.
However, at this moment, a silver light flashed!
The moment He Nian, the Taoist with the bull nose, took back his sword, he channeled all his inner energy and directly thrust the sword at Jun Bufan's back!
At this moment, they were very close, and this Taoist with the bull nose launched a surprise attack. In such a situation, let alone dodging, Jun Bufan didn't even have time to react.
"Bufan..." Elder Bai shouted.
At this moment, even the more than ten third-generation disciples of the Wudang Sect were shocked. How could they have imagined that He Nian, as an elder of the sect, would launch a sneak attack on a junior!
Just as the sword was about to pierce Jun Bufan's heart from behind.
And just as everyone thought he was doomed, a whooshing sound suddenly echoed through the hall!
Xiao Yunlong finally made his move. With a flick of his finger, an object shot out.
Another crisp clang!
The long sword, upon touching Jun Bufan's skin, was knocked out of He Nian's hand with a forceful impact!
When it fell to the ground, the long sword snapped into two pieces!
For a moment, the entire hall fell silent. Everyone seemed to have forgotten to speak, their eyes fixed on He Nian, the Taoist with the bull nose.
Of course, many people present were also confused, wondering who had saved Jun Bufan, as Xiao Yunlong's move was too fast, and many couldn't discern any clues.
"Could it be the Grand Elders who made the move? That shouldn't be!" Many third-generation disciples of the Wudang Sect muttered to themselves.
The two Grand Elders of the Wudang Sect could no longer sit still. They both turned their heads and focused their gazes on Xiao Yunlong.
It was only then that everyone understood that it was this fellow surnamed Xiao who had made the move.
"How did this guy knock the sword out of Senior Martial Uncle He Nian's hand just now? Did anyone see clearly?"
"A pebble. He just flicked a pebble with his finger, and it knocked out Senior Martial Uncle He Nian's sword!"
"This guy... this is too terrifying, does he know the ultimate skill of Finger Flicking?"
At this moment, the Grand Elder of the Wudang Sect who had spoken earlier said coldly, "No, this is not the Finger Flicking Divine Skill. This brat is actually a hidden peerless master!"
"Indeed, he almost fooled us just now!" another Grand Elder agreed.
Xiao Yunlong was too lazy to bother with these two Taoists with bull noses. He walked up to Jun Bufan and asked, "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, just a slight scratch. Thank you, elder brother, for your timely assistance!" Jun Bufan grinned, feeling a sense of relief after escaping death.
"It's good that you're alright!"
As Xiao Yunlong spoke, he turned to look at He Nian and said, "You call yourself the Green Pine Gentleman Sword, yet you resort to sneak attacks from behind. It's utterly shameless!"
He Nian's face turned ashen, and he roared, "Nonsense! This brat surnamed Jun, as a junior, dared to be disrespectful to me, his senior martial uncle. According to our Wudang Sect rules, I naturally had to teach him a good lesson!"
"Truly shameless!" Xiao Yunlong snorted and lunged forward, his large hand reaching out.
He Nian saw that the situation was not good and instinctively wanted to retreat. After all, he knew better than anyone that this short-haired youth surnamed Xiao could knock his sword out of his hand with a flick of a pebble. The opponent's strength was far beyond his ability to contend with.
However, what He Nian never expected was that as soon as he moved, a dark shadow flashed before his eyes, and his neck was already grasped by the opponent.
"A scumbag like you is just a waste of food!" Xiao Yunlong narrowed his eyes, his gaze filled with killing intent.
The two Grand Elders suddenly stood up and roared, "You surnamed Xiao, how dare you..."
"I dare not?" Xiao Yunlong raised the corner of his mouth and gave the two an amused glance. He immediately exerted force with his three fingers.
Crack...
He Nian's throat snapped. His eyes widened like dead fish, his face filled with disbelief. It seemed he couldn't believe that this short-haired youth would actually dare to kill him.
"Damn it, truly damnable! You surnamed Xiao, you actually killed He Nian! How dare you!"
The two Grand Elders were furious. One picked up the whisk placed on the table, while the other grabbed a long sword.
They strode forward, one on the left and the other on the right, encircling Xiao Yunlong. Seeing this, everyone around them retreated.
Xiao Yunlong threw He Nian's corpse away and said coldly, "They say that chivalry transgresses the law. You mountain sects, thinking you are superior to secular people because you have learned martial arts, go down the mountain and act recklessly. Don't you forget that as early as the last century, there were relevant laws in Long Country to restrain you!"
The Grand Elder on the left roared, "Who do you think you are, lecturing us with Long Country laws? You are truly boastful!"
Liao Huachen, who had already retreated to not far away, sneered, "I am the Deputy City Lord of Jiangdong, and I don't even dare to claim to represent Long Country. You dog surnamed Xiao, you have such a big mouth! You two Grand Elders, don't waste any more time talking to him, just take this kid down!"
Xiao Yunlong stood with his hands behind his back, his words resonating, "During the national crisis of the last century, the Wudang Sect had merits towards the country. In consideration of this past favor, you two Taoists with bull noses, as long as you cripple one of your arms, I will let you leave alive. Otherwise..."
"You're seeking death!"
The two Grand Elders were enraged. They unleashed their full power, charging out like thunder.
In an instant, the entire dining hall was filled with surging energy and a powerful aura.
The two Grand Elders were indeed Martial King-level super experts, and their actions at this moment were quite significant.
The old Taoist on the left flicked his wrist, and the originally soft whisk in his hand, under the infusion of inner energy, suddenly straightened and whipped towards Xiao Yunlong.
The whisk whistled through the air. The surrounding crowd could almost imagine that if they were hit by this whisk, even a stone tablet would break.
The old Taoist on the right held his long sword horizontally, also performing the Wudang Sect's Green Pine Sword Technique. However, his sword technique was more agile and sharper, and naturally, its power was much greater.
Xiao Yunlong, attacked from both sides, did not move. Those who didn't know would think he was intimidated by the powerful aura of the two Grand Elders of the Wudang Sect.
However, just as the white whisk swept towards him like a ribbon, Xiao Yunlong's large hand shot forward like lightning!
He used his bare palm to grab the opponent's whisk!
"Seeking death!"
The whisk-wielding Taoist snorted coldly and instinctively channeled more inner energy into the whisk. He was absolutely confident that not only would this brat not be able to catch his whisk, but his arm would definitely be crippled.
However, the next moment, he realized he was wrong, and gravely wrong!
Xiao Yunlong's hand was like forged iron, even harder than forged iron. With just one grab, he caught the white whisk in his hand!
"You actually..." The whisk-wielding Taoist's face showed shock and horror. He couldn't imagine how the opponent had done it.
Xiao Yunlong did not speak. His answer was a punch.
The moment he grabbed the whisk with his right hand, he moved forward, dodging the horizontal sword attack. With his left hand, he advanced and punched the whisk-wielding Taoist in the abdomen!
The hall seemed to erupt with the sound of thunder, followed by a shrill cry of agony.
The whisk-wielding Taoist squatted on the ground, clutching his abdomen, unable to even hold the whisk steady. His body trembled uncontrollably from the intense pain.
The old Taoist on the right, who was about to deliver a second sword strike, was so startled by this scene that he froze on the spot!