Chapter 1090: Palm Duel

“Yes, this palm technique is called the Great Compassion Demonic Palm!” Zhang Xuan nodded.

“You… you can tell the name of the palm technique?” The stone statue’s eyes widened. He had inscribed various texts and rune-like patterns on the stele, only recording the circulation routes for true qi within the cultivation method, but he hadn’t written down the name of the technique itself. How did this guy in front of him figure it out?

“Uh…” Zhang Xuan was startled, his eyebrows twitching involuntarily. The name of the cultivation method was something the Library had “seen.” If one were to simply cultivate by looking at the stele, they would only know it was a palm technique; the specific name would definitely be impossible to know. “I’ve read records about senior, and I know senior mastered a lost palm technique of unmatched and formidable power, which has some similarities to this one. So, I deduced it…” Zhang Xuan said. Anyway, he wouldn’t reveal the truth; whether the other party believed him or not was beyond his control.

“You’ve read records?” The stone statue was taken aback. When the Boundless Realm was about to accept him as a disciple, why hadn’t he seen any books about him then? However, there was no point in asking about this further. The stone statue couldn’t help but look at him again: “You said you not only recognized the palm technique but also practiced it for a bit?”

“Yes!” Zhang Xuan nodded.

“Being able to recognize the cultivation method means you’ve passed, but to directly practice it… that’s reckless, extremely reckless!” The stone statue shook its head. He had personally created this cultivation method back then and knew its difficulty. Even the strongest person in the crowd, a Saint 4-dan peak cultivator, would likely struggle to practice it. For a Half-Saint to attempt it, wasn’t that just asking for trouble?

“This palm technique is a middle-tier Saint-grade skill. If your cultivation isn’t high enough, forcing yourself to practice it will only cause harm! Furthermore, even if your cultivation is sufficient, mastering it is extremely difficult! When I first created this technique, it took me a full year and three months just to get started, and three years to achieve proficiency. As for minor accomplishment… it took nearly eight years! Among my many disciples, the fastest one to achieve minor accomplishment took forty years!” The stone statue reminisced. Although he had created this palm technique, practicing it wasn’t easy. It took him a full twelve years from beginning to minor accomplishment. His many students progressed even slower, making them hardly worth mentioning.

“You probably practiced for a bit, found it difficult to master, and didn’t continue, right? It’s good you didn’t continue; without my guidance, blind cultivation would only lead you astray…” The stone statue sighed, then looked again. Before he could finish speaking, he saw the young man in front of him scratching his head, looking a little embarrassed: “I just practiced for a bit… and accidentally achieved minor accomplishment…”

“Minor accomplishment? Accidentally?” The stone statue wobbled, nearly cracking. He had just mentioned that he, the creator, took over twelve years to reach minor accomplishment... How long had this person been practicing? At most, it hadn't even been three hours, had it? Minor accomplishment? Was this for real?

“Yes, actually… while this palm technique is quite good, it just has too many flaws, making it rather unpleasant to practice…” Zhang Xuan mused.

“You!” It was bad enough to hear it, but hearing this, the stone statue nearly fainted from anger. That guy in the Boundless Realm said the same thing, which resulted in his intent manifestation there dissipating, and now here… it’s happening again! What did he owe this person? If he achieved minor accomplishment even while finding it “unpleasant” to practice, what else did he want?

“So, you’ve reached minor accomplishment, have you? My palm technique allows me to gauge the correctness of the practice and the depth of understanding based on the power of the palm strike!” Feeling displeased, the stone statue looked over coldly: “Alright, I’ll suppress my strength to the Half-Saint level and perform the Great Compassion Demonic Palm at the minor accomplishment stage, then exchange blows with you… If you can withstand my palm strike, it will prove that you weren’t lying and have indeed grasped the essence of this move!” Anyone would be unhappy after being repeatedly questioned by a mere Half-Saint. This person had said such things time and again, and the stone statue decided it was time to teach him a lesson and show him his place. Otherwise, if young people were too arrogant and not reined in, it would be detrimental to their future growth.

Hearing that the other party wanted to exchange palm strikes with him, Zhang Xuan was momentarily stunned: “You’re a stone statue; can you perform palm techniques?”

“Of course! Although I am a stone statue, my intent remains within me, allowing me to display powerful strength!” The stone statue snorted, swayed, and extended an arm. An invincible aura immediately surged forth, giving off a sense of spiritual oppression.

“Before Ancient Sage Qiuwu followed Confucius, he was already renowned throughout the world, an unrivaled master of the highest caliber, invincible among his peers… Suppressing his cultivation to exchange blows with Master Zhang, Master Zhang will probably suffer a disadvantage!”

“That’s for sure. This palm technique was created by an Ancient Sage and has been practiced for countless years. Although Master Zhang appears to have practiced for three hours, he didn’t grasp it for the first two hours; he’s only really practiced for about an hour… In such a short time, no matter how exceptional his talent, how much could he have possibly grasped?”

“Indeed, they’re not even on the same level…”

Witnessing this scene, Master Wu and the others shook their heads. In their view, Ancient Sage Qiuwu’s action was a test for Zhang Xuan, and there was simply no comparison between the two.

Seeing the other party’s firm stance, Zhang Xuan had no choice but to nod: “Alright!” To be honest, he had only internally simulated the technique once with true qi and hadn’t actually performed it. Since the other party wanted a match, it would be a good opportunity to test its power. If it proved effective, he could use it in future battles.

“Then let’s begin!” The stone statue responded, pushing its arm forward.

Boom! Before it even reached them, it gave off a sense of destruction, as if countless celestial demons were descending from the heavens, not only crushing the physical body but also greatly shocking the mind. The Great Compassion Demonic Palm not only had physical attacks but also had bonus effects on the soul and primordial spirit. Because of this, it was extremely famous in ancient times, definitely ranking high among middle-tier Saint-grade cultivation methods.

“So powerful…”

“Even from this distance, and without being the target of the attack, I feel my body stiffen, unable to resist!”

“Indeed, it’s worthy of being a technique left by Ancient Sage Qiuwu. If I could learn it, my strength would definitely more than double!”

“This palm technique involves soul power; it’s not easy to cultivate…”

Feeling the power of the palm strike, Master Wu and the others all stiffened, their faces alternating between pale and flushed. It was too strong! Although the stone statue’s execution of the move wasn’t fast, and its movements seemed unrefined, it gave off a feeling of being utterly irresistible, as if one’s very soul would be crushed. This was something many of the martial skills they had cultivated couldn’t achieve. Terrifying!

“No wonder the Ancient Sage said it was difficult to cultivate; this move is indeed not easy. I wonder to what extent Master Zhang has cultivated it…” Master Wu mused. This palm technique had gone beyond mere physical moves; it emphasized essence, qi, and spirit, reaching a profound state that couldn’t be achieved without years of accumulation. Although Master Zhang’s talent was high, he was still too young and lacked worldly experience. He probably wouldn’t be able to grasp its true essence, would he? Many cultivators traverse the world, experiencing joys and sorrows, precisely to perfect their mental state. Without such experiences, no matter how talented one was, it would be difficult to comprehend the essence of such martial arts. Thinking of this, he couldn’t help but look at the young man not far away.

At this moment, Zhang Xuan wasn’t in a hurry to strike. Instead, with his hands clasped behind his back, he gazed upwards at a forty-five-degree angle, displaying an expression of profound sadness, as if recalling something. He seemed like someone who had lost a lover or witnessed the passing of loved ones, exuding a sense of being alone in the world, filled with solitude.

“This is… the ability of a Startling Swan Master!” Master Wu’s pupils contracted, and he couldn’t help but exclaim. Although the other party was merely standing, it conveyed a sorrow that pierced to the bone… This wasn’t just a state of mind, but a technique affecting the soul.

“Startling Swan Master? Isn’t that a profession where attacks can only be unleashed through dance?” Feng Xun was puzzled. In his impression, Startling Swan Masters were special practitioners who wore elaborate clothing and captivated people through various movements, usually cultivated by women… How did Master Zhang cultivate it too? Moreover, he hadn’t changed clothes; he was just standing there blankly. How was that a Startling Swan Master’s ability?

“A Startling Swan Master does need to dance to attack, but… it’s said that once you reach a certain level of understanding, every movement naturally carries a charm that fascinates people… Although Master Zhang isn’t moving, if you observe closely, you’ll involuntarily feel his state of mind and resonate with it…” Master Wu explained, then gestured with his hand: “Look at them…”

Feng Xun turned his head and saw that many of the battle masters behind him, who were looking at Zhang Xuan, were all overcome with emotion, their faces streaming with tears. His pupils contracted, and Feng Xun was startled. He had thought that Zhang Xuan was merely strong in formations and not weak in combat, but he never dreamed that his soul attacks could be so terrifying. Although these battle masters behind him were only at Saint 1-dan or 2-dan, they were all capable of fighting above their rank, possessing extraordinary strength, and had also received specialized soul training. Yet, just by looking at his motionless posture, they were affected. Even Feng Xun felt a surge of fear at such an ability.

“Look, it’s starting…”

While still in shock, he heard Master Wu’s shout again and quickly looked over. He saw Master Zhang remain somber for a moment, then gently flipped his palm out, meeting the stone statue’s hand. His movement was also not fast, nor did it contain any elaborate flourishes; it was just a simple, flat push, yet it gave the same sensation of overturning rivers and seas. In an instant, it was as if Master Zhang in front of them had transformed into a colossal celestial demon, and their souls felt crushed, daring not to resist.

“Hmm?” Feeling the change in his aura and palm power, the stone statue opposite him also grew serious, losing its previous disdain. Its brow furrowed, and the speed of its palm strike suddenly accelerated. The two palms collided, and power abruptly exploded, sending massive waves of air rushing out. Before the stone statue could even react, it was lifted into the air, flying straight backward, crashing into a stone tablet, and shattering into pieces.

“The same strength, the same palm technique, the same level… Master Zhang defeated Ancient Sage Qiuwu with one move?” Everyone was dumbfounded.