Chapter 102: Sparring with Long Chengfeng, the Demon-Sweeping Heavenly Tome

Elder Chi Yu watched Liu Ruyan with an amused glint in her eyes.

Liu Ruyan carried secrets that even she did not fully understand. That obscure aura was something she had detected the very first time they met. However, that aura was incredibly eerie; Elder Chi Yu had no desire to make an enemy of it.

Furthermore, the Mo family was one of the four great clans of the Blood Moon Holy Land, yet their ancestor had been wiped out. There were hidden details within that event that she was not privy to.

When she combined that with the fact that even the Guardian Dragon Guard had stepped forward to protect Lu Jin at the Eight Desolations Blood Dragon Altar, she realized she would be a fool not to suspect something deeper.

Therefore, she no longer intended to kill Lu Jin with her own hands.

Killing with a borrowed blade was the wisest course of action.

Liu Ruyan harbored a deep, bitter hatred for Lu Jin. Using her hand to eliminate him was naturally the best choice. Although Lu Jin’s strength was formidable and difficult to gauge, the secret Liu Ruyan possessed had repeatedly saved her from being killed by him. Without a doubt, she was a concealed dagger.

All Elder Chi Yu had to do was provide a whetstone to make that blade even sharper.

***

Ten Thousand Swords Sect.

Within Lu Jin’s private cultivation grounds, a figure surrounded by surging waves of aura walked out.

“Through this period of cultivation, I have already reached the 3rd Layer of the Demon-Sweeping Heavenly Tome. It feels as though I have completely mastered it?”

Lu Jin felt the miraculous sensation brought by the circulation of the Demon-Sweeping Heavenly Tome through his body, yet a hint of doubt surfaced in his eyes.

This was a powerful martial art given to him by Chu Tianxiong specifically for slaying demons and devils. Chu Tianxiong himself had practiced it for many years without making significant progress, yet in Lu Jin’s hands, it had taken only a short time to reach full mastery.

*This should be due to the Great Evolution Dragon Transformation Art and the Heaven Burial Coffin; otherwise, I would not have mastered it so quickly. I wonder how much more lethal this Demon-Sweeping Heavenly Tome is against demons compared to ordinary martial arts?*

Just as Lu Jin stepped out, a figure descended from the sky and landed within his cultivation area.

It was none other than Chu Tianxiong.

No one was permitted to intrude upon Lu Jin’s cultivation grounds within the Ten Thousand Swords Sect except for Chu Tianxiong. However, this time, Chu Tianxiong had brought another person with him.

It was a stranger Lu Jin had never seen before.

“Greetings, Sect Master.” Lu Jin cupped his fists in salute upon seeing Chu Tianxiong.

Chu Tianxiong smiled and went straight to the point. “Lu Jin, let me introduce you. This is Long Chengfeng, the Hall Master of the First-Rank Hall from the Blood Moon Holy Land.”

Lu Jin nodded. He knew nothing about this so-called First-Rank Hall. The Blood Moon Holy Land was vast, with tens of thousands of members. He had only heard brief rumors regarding how they were divided and managed. As for the actual status of a Hall Master, he wasn’t entirely sure.

However, since the Sect Master was the one introducing him, Lu Jin naturally would not be disrespectful.

This Long Chengfeng was a man of striking appearance, standing eight feet tall and dressed in white robes. He possessed an extraordinary temperament and looked to be about seven or eight years older than Lu Jin. Given that Chu Tianxiong held him in such high regard—even bringing him directly to Lu Jin’s private quarters—it was clear this man possessed significant capability.

“You are Lu Jin? I have heard your methods are quite remarkable; I wonder if I might test them with a few moves.”

Long Chengfeng’s sword-like brows twitched. Before Chu Tianxiong could even restrain him, he threw a punch directly at Lu Jin.

Lu Jin frowned, his body moving instinctively.

The moment the opponent struck, a cunning technique wrapped in Spiritual Force swept toward him, forcing Lu Jin to respond with caution. After all, the opponent was not using Qi, but Spiritual Force!

One could only utilize Spiritual Force after reaching the Purple Mansion Realm.

Spiritual Force was far more lethal than Spiritual Qi. Furthermore, since he did not know the opponent’s background, he could not afford to be careless even in a simple spar.

*Swish!*

As their figures blurred, both men dodged each other’s tricky attacks. But when the opponent made his next move, Lu Jin’s brows furrowed instantly.

The martial technique Long Chengfeng was using consisted of moves from the Demon-Sweeping Heavenly Tome, the very manual Lu Jin had just mastered to perfection!

*Swish!*

Their figures flashed again as they evaded one another once more. Long Chengfeng laughed. “Good reflexes. To be able to dodge such a cunning move of mine, it seems you aren’t just a useless waste.”

Hearing those words, Lu Jin’s eyes narrowed slightly. “A useless waste? Then we shall have to compare and see.”

*Buzz!*

As Lu Jin spoke, his style shifted abruptly. He directly employed the techniques of the Demon-Sweeping Heavenly Tome.

In that instant, Chu Tianxiong also noticed the change.

Long Chengfeng was a member of the Sanctuary, and his position was vital. He had been hidden within the Blood Moon Holy Land for years, gathering a vast amount of intelligence for Chu Tianxiong. This Demon-Sweeping Heavenly Tome was also something Chu Tianxiong had given him to cultivate.

Chu Tianxiong had intended for Long Chengfeng and Lu Jin to get to know each other so they could look out for one another once Lu Jin reached the Holy Land. He hadn’t expected Long Chengfeng’s arrogant personality to take over; the man had no interest in ordinary people. The only way for him to verify if Lu Jin had talent was to trade blows.

Moreover, he had opened with the Demon-Sweeping Heavenly Tome.

And now, Lu Jin was using the exact same technique!

Chu Tianxiong instantly understood the meaning behind Lu Jin’s words. He intended to use the same moves to deal with Long Chengfeng!

However, Long Chengfeng had been practicing the Demon-Sweeping Heavenly Tome for over two years, while Lu Jin had only just started. How could he possibly compete?

Yet, as Lu Jin’s moves unfolded and the two exchanged blows, Chu Tianxiong’s expression changed. Although their Spiritual Force wasn’t being unleashed at full capacity, the exchange was fierce and overbearing.

He saw that after Lu Jin fully displayed his techniques, he wasn’t at a disadvantage at all!

Move for move, counter for counter. Although Long Chengfeng’s mastery of the moves was at a high level, Lu Jin was able to keep up perfectly. There was no sign of him being suppressed due to a shorter cultivation period!

“Hmm?” Long Chengfeng’s expression also began to change.

Lu Jin was able to neutralize every single one of his moves, and he did so with ease!

Seeing that he was unable to suppress Lu Jin, Long Chengfeng’s offensive became increasingly ferocious. Eventually, he even unleashed the most powerful move he had comprehended from the manual.

Yet, he still failed to gain even the slightest upper hand!

*Peng!*

As Long Chengfeng’s final move was exhausted, an attack from Lu Jin suddenly enveloped him. It was a further advancement of the martial art that Long Chengfeng had not yet comprehended!

His figure was forced back, and Long Chengfeng immediately withdrew his hand.

“Brother Lu Jin is indeed impressive!”

Seeing this, Lu Jin withdrew his Spiritual Force and gave a calm smile. “You flatter me.”

Long Chengfeng’s attitude shifted instantly. It seemed his previous high-and-mighty posture had been a deliberate act; now, his eyes were filled with delight as he looked at Lu Jin.

“Sect Master, Brother Lu Jin’s methods are indeed extraordinary! His level of comprehension regarding the Demon-Sweeping Heavenly Tome is much higher than mine!”

Hearing this, Chu Tianxiong couldn’t help but nod. “Lu Jin’s talent has exceeded even this seat’s expectations. Chengfeng, once he enters the Blood Moon Holy Land this time, you must protect him well.”

Long Chengfeng nodded. “Rest assured, Sect Master. It is my duty to protect a brother of our Sanctuary!”

Lu Jin smiled and said, “The Sect Master has thought of everything. This disciple offers his thanks.”

Lu Jin then turned his gaze to Long Chengfeng. “Brother Long’s strength has reached the Purple Mansion Realm, but in the Blood Moon Holy Land, I fear that might not be enough?”

***

NOTES

Footnotes:

TN1: Spiritual Force (灵力): A higher form of energy used by Purple Mansion Realm cultivators, superior to the Spiritual Qi (灵气) used by lower realms.