From Abyssal Invasion to Bursting Stars with a Single Sword-Chapter 180 - 150: Conception Level Contest

Sword Dojo backstage.

Lu Heng began preparing for the martial arts duel. Despite being in the backstage rest room, he could still hear the noisy bustle outside the Sword Dojo.

Lin Zeyu was rubbing his hands together eagerly, looking as if all arrangements were in place. He leaned close to Lu Heng and said,

"You go all out when fighting, and if something seems off, just give me a look. I’ve arranged two hundred men in the neighboring hotel. At your command, we’ll rush in!"

Lu Heng glanced at him, thinking this guy really doesn’t know what to make of the situation.

To have quietly arranged so many people.

Actually, arranging so many people probably wouldn’t be necessary, but with hundreds of people from Fusang arriving for the duel, even if just to support, there was the fear of an actual confrontation breaking out.

If a fight really broke out, without those two hundred men, it would indeed be hard to control the crowd.

Su Muyu stood by, twirling her hair with her fingers.

She wanted to help, but couldn’t.

If it were on the Abyss Battlefield, they could fight side by side.

But the duel was a one-on-one contest, where even teammates could not assist.

Just as Lu Heng was preparing, someone knocked on the rest room door.

Knock, knock, knock…

Jian Qing, after knocking, directly pushed the door open, walked up to Lu Heng, hands in his pockets, and said, "I’m here on behalf of the military. If you don’t want to fight, I can report it and sort this out for you."

Lu Heng had just led his team to resolve the mist crisis in the Liu River region, earning commendation and about to receive a medal. If he were suppressed by someone from Fusang now, his comrades who had entered the mist together would be the first to object.

"No need, it will just be said that I used official means to expel him. It’s bothersome," Lu Heng waved his hand dismissively.

Flies aren’t scary, but their incessant buzzing is annoying.

That was the situation with the large group of people from Fusang outside now.

"Alright then, I’ll watch you perform from below," Jian Qing waved his hand and walked out of the rest room to find a comfortable seat in the audience area of the Sword Dojo.

…

This Coastal International Sword Dojo was booked by the Chunshang Group.

The security at the entrance stopped onlookers from entering, but anyone of Fusang nationality was allowed entry.

Therefore, one side of the audience seats was now filled with people from Fusang.

There were even some oddballs who wore kimonos and disguised themselves as people from Fusang to sneak in.

Indeed, all sorts of creatures exist in a large forest.

On the other side of the audience, there were only Jian Qing and Chen Zihang, the rest of the seats depressingly empty, forming a sharp contrast to the crowded side.

Jian Qing sat with hands spread over the back of the chair, legs crossed, exuding a powerful presence.

Chen Zihang, a bit worried, asked, "Lieutenant Jian, with so many of them over there, what if a fight actually breaks out?"

Jian Qing, with a face full of nonchalance, replied, "Our country is best at self-defense and counterattacks. They better dare to lay a hand."

For some reason, Chen Zihang sensed an undercurrent of looming violence in her answer.

…

The time arrived at ten o’clock.

Saito Takeji looked towards a disciple below the platform and muttered a few words.

This disciple of Kashima Shin-ryu nobly stepped forward and shouted towards Jian Qing and the other, "Hey! Where are your duelists? It’s time; come out and meet your demise!"

Jian Qing looked around and then realized something, this Fusang disciple was addressing them.

Due to the Sword Dojo’s restriction on Da Xia people, there were only Jian Qing and Chen Zihang in Lu Heng’s audience section.

Just then.

Lu Heng strode out of the rest room and slowly stepped onto the platform.

Following that.

A Sword Dojo manager walked onto the platform, holding a tray that contained a document.

"Sign this disclaimer first."

Lu Heng glanced over the document titled ’Duel Disclaimer’ which was essentially a life-and-death contract.

Meaning, by signing this, one acknowledges that in case of any injury or fatality during the duel, the Sword Dojo bears no responsibility, and neither does the opponent. The signee assumes all responsibility.

In fact.

Any sport involving intense physical activity could potentially result in injuries or fatalities.

Boxing, fencing, even ball sports have had incidents.

Such disclaimers indeed carry a certain legal weight.

Lu Heng, expression calm, picked up the pen and signed the disclaimer.

The manager of the Sword Dojo turned to leave the platform.

Lu Heng frowned and called out to him, "Did you forget something?"

The manager turned back, puzzled, "What?"

"Am I the only one required to sign this?" Lu Heng looked at his puzzled face and found it rather laughable.

The manager almost blurted out: Who else then?

But he held back, moved with the tray to Saito Takeji, and had him sign.

Since Lu Heng had signed, for the sake of face, Saito Takeji certainly would sign.

After signing, the manager moved to the edge of the platform and said, "Once I leave the platform, you two can start. This duel has no rules, no points needed. It ends when one party concedes or loses the ability to fight."

Saito Takeji, not rushing to begin, arms folded holding a Tachi, spoke with a chilling voice, letting his disciple translate, "Did you kill Hideyoshi Tsugawa?"

Lu Heng did not deny it, "That duel was initiated by him."

Saito Takeji snorted coldly, "Is Hideyoshi’s tachi, Hequan Tora Kiri, in your possession?"

Lu Heng drew the Aurora Blade from thin air and responded, "I suppose it is."

The Hequan Tora Kiri had already been used as weapon nourishment and had become part of the Aurora Blade.

From this perspective, it could indeed be said to be in Lu Heng’s hands.

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Saito Takeji snorted coldly, "Do you know what tachi I have in my hands?"

"I’m not interested in knowing." Lu Heng truly wasn’t interested, but the other party kept talking. Interrupting someone mid-speech and suddenly attacking seemed like a sneak attack, so he could only let him finish talking.

Saito Takeji drew his tachi out ten centimeters, revealing the shiny blade within the scabbard.

The cold light reflected from the blade made it clear that it was a good sword.

Saito Takeji slowly explained, "This blade is named ’Hequan Zongzheng,’ and it is the ’father’ to Hequan Tora Kiri. So, you must pay a price for what you’ve done."

"Are you done?" Lu Heng still interrupted his lengthy story, urging him to make a move.

"Hmph!"

Saito Takeji snorted coldly, pulled out the Hequan Zongzheng, discarded the scabbard, held the sword with both hands in front of him, and shouted, "Let’s begin, inferior sword student of Da Xia."

Lu Heng positioned himself sideways with his sword, his eyes gathering a sharp glint.

Without making a move, the Sword Dao Realm already enveloped everything around him.

As soon as the Sword Dao Realm appeared, both parties confirmed something—that both had reached the Conception Level.

When masters duel at this level, a single glance sharp enough could sweep across the field.

If Meticulous Level swordsmanship involves achieving perfection in the minutiae and displaying exquisite maneuvers, each maneuver is an intricate game of strategy and contest.

Then, Conception Level swordsmanship focuses more on the dominance and momentum of the sword.

If the opponents are a whole major level apart, at the Conception Level, the Meticulous Level has no chance of making a move—the duel is lost in the stage of clashing auras.

If someone from the Meticulous Level tries to forcefully attack, during the moment of contact, the Conception Level could immediately win with a gap in boundary like a domain.

Both being at the Conception Level, the collision of their auras was evenly matched.

In the spectator seats on the Fusang side, many from the Fusang Swordsmanship Circle were seated. Their strength wasn’t necessarily strong, but their theoretical knowledge was deep.

Thus, many recognized that although neither had made a move, they had already commenced a clash of auras.

This surprised many people.

Because, in many eyes, this was not a fair contest but a crushing defeat by a Fusang Sword Saint against an unknown opponent.

Yet, as both stood on the Sword Platform radiating their aura, something was amiss.

Both had reached the Conception Level.

An unsung character possessing the sword Dao level of Conception Level?

This was beyond everyone’s expectations.

Jian Qing did not understand swordsmanship, but she could feel that although neither had made a move, they were already in combat.

She turned to Su Muyu beside her and asked, "Conception Level?"

"Um…"

Su Muyu had been watching the contest on the platform intently. Hearing Jian Qing’s question, he replied, "Yes, it is Conception Level, but I’m not really sure what that level entails."

Jian Qing’s lips curled into a smile, "This is beyond my expectations. Lu Heng’s basic skills are so strong, no wonder he was unflustered facing the Flame Demon last time."

…

On the platform.

Their standoff in the realm of aura continued.

Neither had moved their swords, but their eyes had clashed many times.

After such a long standoff in the realm, both were certain of one thing—simply clashing auras could not determine the victor.

Now it was about who would break the deadlock and attack first.

However, at the Conception Level, often the tactic of stillness controlling movement secured a better chance of victory.

Thus, a sword master at the Conception Level, during a contest, might never make a move, but when they do, it could very well determine the victor in a single strike.

Moreover, Tsugawa Shindo-ryu was indeed known worldwide for "overcoming the enemy with one move."

And what Saito Takeji was best at was the Retreating Strike Technique, overcoming the enemy in a single move during the dodging process.

In fact.

Hideyoshi Tsugawa was also adept at the Retreating Strike Technique, after all, he was Saito Takeji’s disciple, and the art of the Retreating Strike was passed down through their lineage.

However, Hideyoshi Tsugawa, being younger, sometimes took the initiative to attack, not solely relying on the Retreating Strike Technique to face an opponent.

The Retreating Strike Technique is a defensive counter-attack accomplished while retreating and striking simultaneously.

Saito Takeji was most skilled at the Retreating Strike Technique, so as soon as his opponent made a move, he would counterattack like thunder, killing his opponent in one stroke.

Over his lifetime, he had fought in 39 official duels and had never been defeated.

This was also why he was hailed as a Sword Saint.

Before coming here, Lu Heng had already learned about Saito Takeji’s life and knew his tactics.

Moreover, this old turtle was very patient, his hand holding the sword not trembling at all during the standoff.

Lu Heng had not specifically practiced the Retreating Strike Technique, so he was versatile in both attack and defense.

Since the opponent was so enduring, Lu Heng chose to attack.

At the moment when the clash of auras reached its peak, Lu Heng suddenly made his move, sprinting forward, his sword executing a Zhenyue Style chop.

With a momentum heavy and powerful chop descending, Saito Takeji’s eyes burst with a sharp gleam, his lips even revealing a cold smirk, for Lu Heng’s move had exposed vulnerabilities at his front and both sides.

Saito Takeji immediately stepped back, his thirty-year mastered signature Retreating Strike coming into play—in the instant he stepped back, he drew his sword and made a slash, aiming directly for Lu Heng’s right shoulder.