Chapter 214 Chapter 214: Taixuan Pure Heart
Chapter 214: Taixuan Pure Heart
"Is that... also a Seaborn?"
The Chi Xiao in her palm restlessly flickered with crimson light. Glancing at the massive shadow beneath the tide, Ch'en felt her hands and feet turn icy cold.
Her strength was indeed not lacking, but that didn't mean Ch'en could contend with a behemoth that measured several kilometers in length.
Compared to such a giant beast, the Amphibious Crawlers and Flowerbuds that had come ashore were utterly insignificant.
Why would a Seaborn of this size approach the waters near Lungmen?
No one could answer her question, but the Black Raincoats had already reacted. They ignored the still-approaching giant Seaborn.
Instead, they each drew out weapons of various forms: Thousand-Machine Umbrellas, grappling hooks, flexible swords...
The Black Raincoats each threw out an object. At first, it was just a small ball, but in an instant, it expanded into large nets, interweaving to form a seamless black cage!
Large swathes of Seaborn were caught and pinned down. The black net, woven from an unknown material, could not be damaged by the biting or bladed limbs the Seaborn had evolved.
Sixteen Black Raincoats who had been prepared flashed out, each holding an edge of the net at a different position.
Hum!
Talismans?
Ch'en recognized the glowing objects in their palms. They were restrictive military-industrial products from the Celestial Master's Office. Throughout all of Yan, besides the border troops, only... could use such consumable equipment.
She had only heard some rumors roughly from Lady Wen Yue, but now was clearly not the time to consider such things.
Boom!
The gathered dark clouds became the perfect breeding ground for thunder. A blue-white "ocean" poured down!
The overflowing lightning destroyed the bodies of the Seaborn within the net inch by inch. The ash that had just formed in the high temperature was crushed into the ground by the continuous lightning, mixing with the dust.
The lightning was well-contained within the black net. Even though residual power and occasional stray arcs caused the Black Raincoats' robes to billow, they still stood firm like a silent black wall.
The Black Raincoats' combat styles differed, but their coordination was remarkably seamless. The Seaborn that had come ashore were almost wiped out in swathes.
Compared to these retired Imperial Guards, the officers of the Lungmen Guard Department from before were like naive children waving toy swords; the two were completely on different levels.
"The equipment for each Black Raincoat requires facilities from dozens of city-states to jointly manufacture..."
Wei Yenwu glanced at Ch'en. This was Lungmen's most concealed, yet most powerful force.
"Follow me."
Ch'en was slightly stunned. Somewhat bewildered, she followed Wei Yenwu to the seaside. The fine sand gave way, and waves shattered the dark reefs—a sign of the approaching sea beast from afar.
"Draw your sword."
"?"
"Towards that big fellow, draw your sword."
Wei Yenwu grinned and laughed heartily. This man, usually standing at the peak of power in Lungmen with an imposing air, now seemed somewhat heroic, like a carefree and unrestrained gallant.
"..."
The distance wasn't enough; the power wasn't enough. Ch'en had a fairly clear understanding of her own strength, but she didn't answer. She just silently drew Chi Xiao.
Chi Xiao does not retreat!
"If the heart hesitates, then the sword loses its edge, harming oneself instead."
This was a principle Wei Yenwu had taught her from the very beginning of her swordsmanship training.
Clang!
A clear sword hum. Ch'en raised Chi Xiao horizontally over her shoulder. Waves surged forth one after another, but the sharp edge parted the tide, creating a dry area.
The sword was drawn, but she had not yet moved.
She was waiting, waiting for that sea beast to enter a place she could reach.
"Woo—"
Like a mythical leviathan, a cry from the ancient deep sea pierced straight into people's hearts. Wherever the sound waves reached was an extension of the Seaborn species' psychic network, shaking the will deep within people's hearts.
A tail as large as a small mountain stirred up towering waves. The sea beast swam towards the city before it.
It was the deity's final decree: endless waves would wash over the land, cleansing their species of its never-ending suffering.
"Haa~"
The sea beast drew closer. She could even see its mountain-like body clearly. The overwhelming pressure was enough to make ninety-nine percent of the world's swordsmen flee in panic, not to mention the will hidden within its cry disturbing one's mind.
Just as she gritted her teeth and held firm, Chi Xiao began to emanate a special aura—different from its usual murderous intent. This aura was balanced and peaceful.
Still Water, Dustless, Clear Mirror...
What is this?
Ch'en's eyes widened. This aura... it was the same artistic conception as when Kevin wielded his sword-finger back in Dossoles!
Was it left behind when he practiced his sword?
What was once Kevin's casual act had now become pure surprise for Ch'en.
The whispers vanished. At this moment, her heart calmed down!
Taking a deep breath, her dragon eyes firmly locked onto the sea surface.
"Woo—"
Now!
Ch'en locked onto the oceanic leviathan that had once again leaped out of the sea.
Focus on one point; reach the pinnacle!
Chi Xiao — Taixuan Shadowless!
Ch'en had never been in better condition than at this moment. This was her most peak sword strike!
Over a decade of diligent study and hard practice merged wondrously with a trace of lingering Taixuan Sword Intent.
The crimson light of the Dragon-Slaying Sword cleaved through the tide and fiercely struck the rough skin of the sea beast!
Crack—
A fissure appeared on the hard shell composed of keratin and dead barnacles covering the surface of the oceanic leviathan—
Blood! A line of blood splattered!
It was a deep sword wound nearly ten meters long. Even though it seemed minuscule for a sea beast measured in kilometers... she had indeed injured it.
"Just... a scratch?"
The waves of fatigue emanating from within her body provided Ch'en with a rare sense of reality.
"Daring to draw your sword—that's my Lungmen's Senior Superintendent for you! Hahaha."
Wei Yenwu had never placed his hopes of slaying the sea beast on Ch'en from the start.
She had the potential, but she was still too green. But it didn't matter; these old folks hadn't reached the point where they couldn't wield their swords yet.
"Chief Wei..."
"Highly skilled, but not yet reaching the pinnacle."
Taking the pipe from his mouth, Wei Yenwu evaluated Ch'en's sword strike.
"......."
"It's fine. You have talent and more time than our generation. You'll catch up someday. More importantly..."
Her performance had actually completely exceeded Wei Yenwu's expectations. It wasn't about how powerful her sword technique was.
It was that trace of artistic conception mixed within her sword energy—completely different from the artistic conception of Chi Xiao swordsmanship.
"Do you have a second teacher?"
This was what puzzled Wei Yenwu most. Using the heart to drive the sword is precisely the prerequisite for forming Sword Intent.
Back when he said this, Ch'en only had one opinion about his words:
"Nonsense."
But now she had quietly cultivated Sword Intent without a sound?
"What second teacher? Wouldn't you know if I had a second teacher?"
Ch'en also didn't know for now whether she should reveal the truth of this matter.
So she rarely imitated Wei Yenwu's usual demeanor and played the part of an expert feigning ignorance.
"……"
Wei Yenwu fell silent, his mood quite complex.
A child growing up is certainly something to be happy about... but she seems a bit too rebellious.
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