Chapter 1448: Zhang Family Has Arrived

"So, when you face the Zhang Clan, you can first use the Flowing Water Sword Art for defense, then counterattack. With both working in tandem, even Zhang Xu will be no match; you can easily defeat him!" Jian Qinsheng continued.

He couldn't contend with the Zhang Clan members, but the person before him certainly could. Having comprehended two True Insights of the Sword Dao, his understanding of swordsmanship already far surpassed Jian Qinsheng's. As long as these two aspects cooperated without error, his swordsmanship would be absolutely invincible among peers of the same level! Even if Xingmeng Sword Saint were stronger, it would be difficult for him to resist at the same level, just as Jian Qinsheng himself had been beaten without any power to retaliate. Unless... the opponent also comprehended two True Insights, just like the person before him!

"Of course, Zhang Xu is merely a genius from the Zhang Clan who went to study at the Saint Son Hall; he isn't necessarily the strongest or most formidable. After we arrive, be careful about everything and never underestimate anyone!" At this point, Jian Qinsheng's expression grew serious as he added, "Especially that young genius—no one knows anything about him yet. If I'm not mistaken, he's very likely to appear this time, stunning the world with an invincible presence!"

"A young genius?"

"Yes, at the last Zhang Clan Family Assembly, on his full moon, his power was announced to the world. For twenty years, there has been no news of him. I suspect the Zhang Clan deliberately concealed him, with the goal of astonishing everyone now! To let everyone know just how powerful he is!" Jian Qinsheng explained.

Zhang Xuan clenched his fists and narrowed his eyes. The other party was right. Given the Zhang Clan's shameless nature, they truly might do something like this. They would create a mystery, deliberately saying things that were vague and confusing, only to reveal this person at the most critical moment.

Born as a Saint... to be honest, it would be a lie to say he felt no pressure. After all, Luo Ruoxi, without such an ability, already possessed strength far exceeding his own. The other party was born into the Zhang Clan, had countless resources, and possessed exceptional talent... who knew what realm he had already reached?

"Actually, don't be nervous. Even if you lose to him, it's no big deal. Even Master Kong didn't achieve 'born as a Saint' back then, so if you can't compare, no one will say much!" Seeing Zhang Xuan's expression change, Jian Qinsheng offered comfort.

However, it would have been better if he hadn't. With the comfort, Zhang Xuan's face grew even uglier. Lose to that guy who only knows how to show off? In his dreams!

"Senior, do you have any cultivation techniques for the Empyrean Realm? The more, the better!" With an uncertain expression, Zhang Xuan gritted his teeth. He had been consolidating his Saint 6-dan Domain Realm for over twenty days. Since that young genius was very likely to appear, he should find a way to break through as soon as possible! Otherwise, with such a significant gap in their realms, what right would he have to teach the other party a lesson?

"Cultivation techniques for the Empyrean Realm? I only have one, left by an ancestor..." Knowing that the person before him had a fondness for reading, Jian Qinsheng wasn't surprised. He flicked his wrist, took out a book, and handed it over.

"Thank you!" Zhang Xuan casually took it and stored it in his mind.

It was indeed a set of cultivation techniques for the Empyrean Realm, extremely high-level and imbued with sword intent; it seemed to be his unique cultivation method. With a thought, he integrated it with the cultivation techniques he had previously collected. "There's still one flaw..."

Just as he was about to carefully study how to remedy this last flaw, Jian Qinsheng's voice rang out again: "Oh, right, this time you're not coming to interact with the Zhang Clan as my student, but as my senior martial brother!"

"Senior martial brother?" Zhang Xuan looked up.

"You observed the character 'sword' and mastered the Flowing Water Sword Art, something I couldn't even do. Naturally, I'm not qualified to be called your teacher. It's better to just say you're my senior martial brother. That way, we won't be exposed!" Jian Qinsheng explained.

He himself didn't understand the Sword Dao as deeply as the other party, so having him impersonate a student was clearly inappropriate. The other party, by comprehending the character "sword" and learning the Flowing Water Sword Art, had essentially received the ancestor's legacy. They shared the same origin, and his understanding was even deeper than Jian Qinsheng's, so calling him a senior martial brother was not excessive. Understanding the other party's meaning, Zhang Xuan nodded. What identity he held wasn't important to him; as long as he could teach the Zhang Clan a lesson, concealing his identity was fine.

"Alright, adjust yourself for a bit. Once we reach the Zhang Clan, you won't have this much free time!" After relaying everything he needed to, Jian Qinsheng said. Zhang Xuan nodded, said nothing further, closed his eyes, and began to adjust his state and power.

He didn't know how much time had passed when his body suddenly trembled. He then felt a powerful oppressive force sweeping towards them from the air. He hastily opened his eyes and immediately heard a voice: "Friends from ahead, please state your names for early registration..."

Looking out through the window, he saw several elders standing on the back of a Saint Beast, holding their fists in salutation. From a distance, it was impossible to tell how powerful these individuals were, only that they, in conjunction with the Saint Beast, collectively sealed off the surrounding aura, making it impossible to pass through.

"I am Jian Qinsheng from the Saint Son Hall, invited here. This is my invitation!" Jian Qinsheng shook his palm, and a jade token flew straight forward, landing in the palm of one of the elders.

"So it is Sword Saint Qinsheng, my apologies for the oversight. Please, this way..." The elder glanced down, then quickly said.

"Thank you for your trouble!" Nodding, Jian Qinsheng controlled the Saint Beast beneath him, slowly descending.

While still in the air, Zhang Xuan looked ahead and saw a massive town appear before his eyes. This city, relying on the mountain range, formed a strategic posture of a 'Dragon Coiling, Tiger Crouching'. Various formations were densely spread, making it look like a tiger squatting and a dragon coiling. If one tried to force their way in, even a Saint 8-dan, a Saint 9-dan, or even a true 9-star Master Teacher would find it difficult to enter.

"The Zhang Clan is also known as Dragon-Tiger City. The various formations here were personally set up by the Zhang Clan ancestors back then, and their power is limitless... These elders appear to be welcoming guests, but they are actually demonstrating their strength to everyone, telling the world not to infringe upon them..." Jian Qinsheng transmitted his voice.

Zhang Xuan nodded. These elders, in coordination with the surrounding formations, indeed gave off a feeling of controlling the world's grand momentum. Those with slightly weaker strength might not even need to be engaged in combat; the thought of being unable to contend would arise in their minds. Once that thought emerged, it would be difficult to dispel later.

"What an imposing display, and they're even trying to intimidate us... I really don't know who indulged them enough to act this way..." With a cold snort, Zhang Xuan looked up at the densely arranged grand formation before him. As a guest, not receiving the most sincere welcome but instead being met with a preemptive show of force already made him quite displeased. If that was the case, then he would let them see just how powerful their intimidation truly was.

He narrowed his eyes, gazing at the grand formation before him, and couldn't help but exclaim inwardly, "Flaw!" A book appeared in his mind.