The Second Elder Misjudged

The bubbles in the pool were probably made by the remaining members of the Moonlit Frog clan, since the Hidden Wind Wolf, no matter how fast it is, is not a good swimmer.

It is, after all, a land-based monster. No matter how fast it can run on four legs, it can't perform well in the water. Not to mention that the Clear Moon Frogs are a hundred times more agile in the water than on land.

I'm afraid that if the Hidden Wind Wolf really dares to step into the water, it won't be long before it's dragged to the bottom of the pond by those seemingly harmless frogs.

As long as the Moonlit Frogs remain underwater, the Hidden Wind Wolves have no way to deal with them.

One side dared not go into the water, and the other dared not go ashore. Taking advantage of the favorable weather and location, the moon frogs in this pond firmly established themselves in this body of water, and no one could do anything about them.

Zhou Lingxuan deliberately stayed away from the pool, slowly luring the Hidden Wind Wolf away, not giving the Clear Moon Frog a chance to launch a sneak attack.

His steps seemed to be casual as he retreated, but in reality, every step was carefully calculated.

Always maintain a sufficient distance from the pool bank, neither giving the Hidden Wind Wolf a route to escape by using the water, nor giving the Clear Moon Frog an opportunity to launch a sneak attack from behind.

The two disciples from the Enforcement Hall who had been watching Zhou Lingxuan's actions showed a hint of amazement in their eyes.

They had been hiding behind a boulder since the start of the battle, initially just wanting to see how much skill this supposedly low-level deacon really possessed.

The more they looked, the more solemn their expressions became, until now, their eyes were filled with disbelief.

"This is truly Deacon Zhou's first time experiencing a battle like this; his combat experience is far too extensive!"

"His playing style is indeed a bit rusty, but his observation skills and attention to detail are far beyond what ordinary people can achieve."

The two looked at each other and saw the same shock in each other's eyes.

They originally thought that Zhou Lingxuan was only able to barely stand in the sect by relying on one or two underhanded tricks, but in this battle, there was not a trace of ordinary skill.

They've witnessed countless battles, at least eighty or a hundred, and have spent years navigating the clash of swords, developing a keen eye for the origins, development, and subtle shifts in every move.

That's why they could see even more clearly that what Zhou Lingxuan was using was definitely not the kind of empty show that ordinary disciples would use when sparring, which was all show and no real killing intent.

Despite the sharpness of Zhou Lingxuan's swordplay, his clumsy movements made it clear at a glance that his moves were not derived from real combat.

Many of his movements carried a rawness of first-time combat experience; sometimes his footwork was slightly hesitant, and sometimes his body transitions were not smooth enough. These were minor flaws that someone who had fought countless life-or-death battles would never make.

Yet, this novice was able to precisely block the Hidden Wind Wolf's retreat with every move, gradually turning his disadvantage of insufficient cultivation into an advantage.

"My master used to tell me that one should only practice with swords and sabers used for killing when actually killing someone. What's going on with you now, Steward Zhou?"

The disciple on the left murmured, his voice tinged with a sense of disorientation.

He recalled his master's teachings: no matter how proficient one's swordsmanship is, it's all just an empty shell until one actually draws blood.

But Zhou Lingxuan, who was standing before him, had clearly never experienced such a battle before. How could he wield his sword so decisively?

"He might also be a genius in combat to some extent!"

"Those sword moves look simple, but they are actually based on fundamental sword techniques. Do you remember the Gentle Breeze Sword Technique you learned at the Heavenly Sword Pavilion?"

"You mean the basic Qingfeng Sword Technique that everyone knows? Could this set of sword moves have evolved from it?"

The two of them gasped almost simultaneously.

They had naturally learned the Qingfeng Sword Technique, a rudimentary sword move that every disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect had to practice repeatedly when they first entered the sect. It aimed to achieve a gentle and continuous force, like a breeze on one's face, and was the most mild of all.

Although the sword moves Zhou Lingxuan is currently using seem simple, the sharp killing intent that is aimed directly at the vital point contained within them has absolutely nothing to do with the gentle and soft Qingfeng Sword Technique.

As a major sect, the Heavenly Sword Pavilion naturally has a set of mature basic sword techniques for its disciples.

This sword technique has been repeatedly revised by generations of elders, removing all the complicated changes and retaining only the core basic movements of chopping, thrusting, parrying, and picking. Ordinary disciples can learn to imitate it after practicing for one or two months.

However, most people only learn the form but not the meaning, let alone develop their own sword style from it.

Everyone, from the most trusted disciples to the lowest-ranking servants, can learn.

But precisely because so many people study it, those who truly master this sword technique are extremely rare.

After all, everyone can use swordsmanship, but only a handful can master it, let alone someone like Zhou Lingxuan who has transformed an ordinary beginner's sword technique into such a deadly and lethal style.

The original sword moves of the Qingfeng Sword Technique were soft and not sharp, and had absolutely no relation to the sword moves that Zhou Lingxuan was using.

One follows the path of yielding to force and responding to all changes with unchanging principles, while the other strikes directly at vital points with every sword, revealing its sharpness. The difference between the two is like the difference between a spring breeze and a cold blade; they are simply incomparable.

The fact that they could master a deadly sword technique was already terrifying.

If this skill were given to those rogue cultivators who walk on the edge of life and death all year round, it wouldn't be too rare. But Zhou Lingxuan was just a weapon-refining steward. His usual duty was to guard the abandoned pill room and furnace. Who would have thought that he had such a deadly sword technique?

But now they have to tell them that this evolved from the Qingfeng Sword Technique, which is truly astonishing.

If a deadly sword technique can be somewhat explained by "having secretly put in hard work," then the evolution of such a fierce killing move from a basic sword technique that everyone knows carries a completely different meaning.

This shows that Zhou Lingxuan not only knows how to use a sword, but also understands it; he can not only learn, but also create.

This level of understanding cannot be described simply by the word "talent".

This completely shattered their previous preconceived notions, and they became more inquisitive about Zhou Lingxuan.

The way the two looked at Zhou Lingxuan again was no longer the disdain and suspicion they had shown before, but a complex light mixed with curiosity, vigilance and awe.

How many secrets does this seemingly transparent butler of the abandoned hall still hide?

"I remember the Second Elder saying that Deacon Zhou's talent isn't high!"

"The Second Elder also said that Deacon Zhou is just an ordinary person with very low cultivation, but he's currently fighting a third-tier demonic beast!"

After they finished speaking, the two looked at each other, both feeling a bit confused.

Who is the Second Elder? He is an influential figure in the Heavenly Sword Sect, whose word is law. He has handled countless bones and muscles, and his judgment is always sharp; he rarely makes a mistake.

But now the facts are right in front of us: that ordinary person who was asserted to have little talent.

He was wielding a Qingfeng Sword, forcing a third-tier demon beast into retreat. How could they believe that?

The two disciples from the Enforcement Hall kept their mouths agape, their astonishment growing stronger with each passing moment.

They even had a wild idea: could it be that the Second Elder had misjudged him?