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Jiao Nantian's eyes widened in disbelief, a flurry of doubts swirling in his mind.
Meanwhile, Xunuo surveyed the crowd and slowly said, "I guarantee you'll learn everything."
A sudden chill ran through Jiao Nantian's heart; he felt as if he had stumbled into a trap. Despite Xunuo's arrogance, the extreme confidence and calmness exuding from him made Jiao Nantian uneasy.
After pondering for a moment, Jiao Nantian cautiously asked, "What if you... what if the situation were reversed?"
Although he believed he could never lose to this young man, Jiao Nantian felt it necessary to inquire. He observed Xunuo's keen interest in the Heavenly Shadow Sect's treasures. To Jiao Nantian, the fact that Xunuo was willing to share the One Flower Six Points sword technique indicated that he sought something of far greater value. This thought weighed heavily on Jiao Nantian's mind. What frustrated him even more was that to Xunuo, the One Flower Six Points technique seemed as common as carrots or cabbage. The phrase "I guarantee you'll learn everything" made Jiao Nantian want to spit blood.
Xunuo chuckled and said, "Aside from sword techniques, I also have a fondness for hidden weapons. I've long heard of the Heavenly Shadow Spike's reputation as the deadliest weapon in the world. If I happen to win, I only wish to catch a glimpse of this sacred artifact."
Jiao Nantian stood there, staring blankly at Xunuo. After a moment of contemplation, he thought that perhaps this young man's mind was not quite right. Although the Heavenly Shadow Spike had a fearsome reputation, aside from the Heavenly Shadow Master who had once unleashed its deadly power, no one else had been able to wield it effectively since. It could be said that it was now just an empty name.
The elders and Hall Masters of the Heavenly Shadow Sect were also growing restless. Some eagerly gestured to Jiao Nantian, urging him to agree quickly. After careful consideration, Jiao Nantian realized there was no chance he would fail. Moreover, the potential reward was too high; it was practically a sure win.
After a pause, Jiao Nantian nodded and said, "This young man is quite bold; if I do not agree, it would tarnish the Heavenly Shadow Sect's reputation. Very well, I accept this wager."
Xunuo laughed heartily and patted the sheath on his back. With a clang, Azure Edge flew out, and Xunuo caught it with his right hand. He said politely, "Please."
Seeing Xunuo so confident made Jiao Nantian cautious not to underestimate him. He unleashed his strongest sword technique, sending a flurry of Sword Flowers toward Xunuo. Upon seeing this, Xunuo recognized it as a strike from Seven Flowers with four points and exclaimed in delight before deftly countering with Azure Edge.
Although Xunuo could only execute One Sword, Seven Flowers, three of those flowers were at six points. This allowed him to adequately counter Jiao Nantian's attack while aiming to grasp the essence of One Sword, Eight Flowers through this encounter. Naturally, he would not simply defeat Jiao Nantian with brute force; instead, he aimed to draw out all of Jiao Nantian's skills to refine his own sword technique.
As Jiao Nantian observed Xunuo's ability to utilize One Flower Six Points effectively but unable to fully master Seven Flowers with all six points, he felt slightly superior and assumed that Xunuo had exhausted his capabilities.
It was akin to how Jiao Nantian had long since broken through One Sword, Seven Flowers but still struggled to step into One Sword, Eight Flowers after ten years of stagnation at four points of Seven Flowers. He believed himself superior in both sword techniques and Inner Strength and relished the opportunity to spar with Xunuo while seeking insights into the essence of One Flower Six Points.
On the other hand, Xunuo had been contemplating how to break through One Sword, Seven Flowers for quite some time; he was merely one step away from success. Though it appeared that he was at a disadvantage against Jiao Nantian's swirling Sword Flowers coming at him head-on, Xunuo felt remarkably relaxed as he watched them approach.
As their duel reached the eighth round, Xunuo suddenly let out a long laugh and swiftly unleashed a powerful strike. Hearing Jiao Nantian's startled cry as he abandoned his sword and retreated several steps left him dumbfounded as he stared at Xunuo in shock.
The people present in the hall gasped in surprise, jumping to their feet. One of the Hall Masters murmured, "Could it be One Sword, Eight Flowers?"
As he spoke, sweat began to trickle down his forehead. The others turned pale, and no one responded.
Jiao Nantian naturally understood that the sword strike just executed by Xunuo was indeed One Sword, Eight Flowers. The sword technique had surpassed Seven Flowers; in fact, the difference was as significant as that between One Flower and the others.
Moreover, the sword strike Xunuo had just unleashed was precisely what Jiao Nantian had pursued for decades. One Sword, Eight Flowers spun and flowed with an extraordinary grace. Jiao Nantian felt utterly lost; if he delayed any longer, he would surely end up bleeding on the spot.
Xunuo sheathed Azure Edge with a hearty laugh. "Today, thanks to your assistance, Master Jiao, I have grasped the supreme sword technique. I must express my gratitude."
Upon hearing this, Jiao Nantian felt a bitter taste in his mouth. Not only had he experienced a moment of joy for nothing, but he had also helped someone else achieve their goals.
Xunuo paid no mind to the thoughts of those around him and continued, "Please, Master Jiao, bring forth the Heavenly Shadow Spike so I can have a look."
Jiao Nantian nodded slightly to one of the Hall Masters, who then quickly left the grand hall. Jiao Nantian's heart was tumultuous as he observed Xunuo for a moment. He no longer regarded him with disdain. He gestured for a disciple to bring over a chair for Xunuo to sit and chat while they awaited the Hall Master from the treasury to fetch the Heavenly Shadow Spike.
At that moment, Jiao Nantian pondered over the various unusual behaviors exhibited by this young man. He began to suspect that Xunuo might have already mastered One Sword, Eight Flowers before setting up this wager—perhaps with ulterior motives aimed at coveting the Heavenly Shadow Spike. Although the Heavenly Shadow Sect no longer relied on the power of the Heavenly Shadow Spike, it had nonetheless established a formidable reputation over thousands of years. The title of the world's deadliest weapon was not without merit. If this young man was determined to obtain it, the Heavenly Shadow Sect might not be unwilling to part with it—provided they received something substantial in return.
Of course, while Jiao Nantian knew that Xunuo's mastery of One Sword, Eight Flowers could upheave the Heavenly Shadow Sect entirely, he did not believe that Xunuo would dare to forcibly seize the Heavenly Shadow Spike. What Jiao Nantian was considering now was what kind of benefit would maximize their interests.
After a while, the Hall Master returned, carrying a Golden Silk Nanmu Wooden Box that measured one and a half feet long and half a foot wide. He glanced at Jiao Nantian.
Jiao Nantian smiled awkwardly and said, "Please take a look at this, Lu Shao Xia. However, this Heavenly Shadow Spike has been lost for over a thousand years; what remains is merely this one piece. But since you are only here to see something rare, having one more or one less doesn't matter."
Xunuo felt greatly dissatisfied upon hearing this. He had intended to take all of these Heavenly Shadow Spikes for himself. Although he did not expect to gather all Six Heavenly Shadow Darts at once, there was only one Heavenly Shadow Spike atop Tianyin Mountain, which left him somewhat disappointed.
Hearing Jiao Nantian's words, the Hall Master approached Xunuo with the Golden Silk Nanmu Wooden Box and lifted its lid. Inside were six grooves; only one side contained a single Heavenly Shadow Spike while the others were long empty.
Xunuo picked up the Heavenly Shadow Spike and gently probed it with his Divine Sense. A familiar sensation washed over him.
Joy surged within Xunuo's heart while his expression feigned curiosity. Suddenly he exclaimed, "Indeed an ancient marvel! After a thousand years without rust, it has not tarnished its reputation as the world's deadliest weapon. I would like to request a venue from you, Master Jiao; I feel an itch to try my hand at this item and see how it compares to the darts I usually practice with."
Jiao Nantian said, "What's so difficult about this?"
He instructed his disciples to set up a target in the back courtyard.
He brought Xunuo to the backyard. The main hall of the Heavenly Shadow Sect had two courtyards, one in the front and one in the back. Beyond the back courtyard was a sheer cliff. The courtyard was quite spacious, measuring over sixty zhang in length and forty zhang in width. The target was placed twenty zhang away.
Xunuo looked at it and said, "I have great strength; move the target further back."
Two disciples went over and moved the target back ten zhang. Xunuo observed and said, "Still too close; move it further."
They continued to move it until it was nearly sixty zhang away, almost against the wall. Only then did Xunuo mutter to himself, "It seems the courtyard is too small."
Jiao Nantian was taken aback. At this distance, even a strong bow or crossbow would feel far, yet this person found it too close. How much strength did he possess?
Xunuo thought for a moment and decided he should distance himself even more. He glanced at Jiao Nantian's two disciples and said, "Why not have your two disciples stand behind the target? If the Heavenly Shadow Spike pierces through the target and hits the wall, it would be a shame to damage it."
These two disciples were figures like Zhang Shoufeng and Liu Yunfei from Wuhua Sect. One of them had even mastered swordsmanship to the level of One Sword, Seven Flowers. They held significant influence within Heavenly Shadow Sect. Upon hearing this suggestion, their faces turned pale.
However, having just witnessed Xunuo's incredible sword strike, they knew they were powerless to resist. With their elder present, they dared not voice any objections. They could only mentally send greetings to Xunuo's female relatives one by one.
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