Clang,
Under the shower of sparks, Nangong Yifan didn’t retreat a single step. Instead, he swung his Fangtian Painted Halberd again, sweeping it towards Chu Feng.
However, Chu Feng was already prepared. The Blue Jade Mandarin Duck Sword in his hand met the attack once more.
Both sides traded blows, locked in fierce combat, their speed so fast that the younger generation could barely discern the details. Only when their weapons clashed directly could they catch a glimpse of the action.
“Something’s off. Chu Feng’s combat strength far surpasses Nangong Yifan’s. In a weapon clash, he should have an absolute advantage, so why isn’t his advantage showing?” Kong Ci’s beautiful eyes flickered, her delicate face clouded with confusion.
“It’s that Fangtian Painted Halberd. Nangong Yifan’s semi-complete Venerable Weapon is extremely rigid and yang. Even against another semi-complete Venerable Weapon, it’s hard to withstand in a direct clash.”
“Chu Feng’s Blue Jade Mandarin Duck Sword, though exceptionally sharp, doesn’t have much advantage in head-on weapon collisions, especially against Nangong Yifan’s rigid and yang Fangtian Painted Halberd.”
“For Chu Feng to hold his own against Nangong Yifan’s Fangtian Painted Halberd with the Blue Jade Mandarin Duck Sword, without falling behind, it’s not due to the sword’s power but entirely Chu Feng’s own combat strength,” Lord Shoujian explained as the crowd puzzled over the situation.
“So that’s how it is?”
“Nangong Yifan is truly despicable. His combat strength is lacking, so he relies on his weapon to make up for it.”
Kong Tianhui and the others looked visibly displeased.
“Not exactly. Chu Feng’s Blue Jade Mandarin Duck Sword has its own advantages. This weapon isn’t just sharp; it also contains the aura of frost. If it lands even a single strike on Nangong Yifan, the frost aura will spread, hindering his movements and ending the duel,” Lord Shoujian said.
“Lord Shoujian, you’re absolutely right, but I fear Chu Feng may not get that chance,” Beiyang Luo from the All-Heaven Starfield suddenly interjected.
“What do you mean by that, young friend?” Lord Shoujian asked.
“My junior brother Nangong has trained in weapon techniques since childhood. With a weapon in hand, he’s like a different person compared to when he’s unarmed.”
“In hand-to-hand combat, Chu Feng might have some advantage, but in a weapon duel, Chu Feng is certain to lose.”
Beiyang Luo not only explained but spoke with a smug expression, as if he had seen through everything and had already judged Chu Feng as the loser.
Yet, upon hearing Beiyang Luo’s words, Kong Ci and the others frowned.
Although Chu Feng’s combat strength was impressive, they had faced Nangong Yifan themselves. His strength was deeply etched in their minds, so they had no doubt in Beiyang Luo’s words.
Knowing how formidable Nangong Yifan was, they couldn’t help but worry for Chu Feng.
“Young friend, that’s not quite right,” Lord Shoujian countered, casting his gaze over the younger generation from the All-Heaven Starfield and Ancestral Martial Starfield.
“Young friends, with your limited cultivation, you might not fully grasp this spectacular duel. It would be a pity to miss out.”
“How about I explain the current state of the battle for you?” Lord Shoujian suggested.
“That would be wonderful! We’d be grateful for your guidance, Lord Shoujian.”
The younger generation was thrilled. As Lord Shoujian noted, their limited strength prevented them from seeing the precise details of Chu Feng and Nangong Yifan’s fight.
To witness such an exciting duel yet miss its finer points was undoubtedly regrettable. Lord Shoujian’s offer to explain was exactly what they wanted.
Sensing their eager anticipation, Lord Shoujian didn’t delay and began his explanation.
“Nangong Yifan’s mastery of the Fangtian Painted Halberd is indeed exceptional. Even among those who have cultivated for thousands of years, few can wield a weapon so fluidly. This, I suppose, is what you call talent.”
“Talent is something that diligence and time alone cannot compensate for.”
Hearing Lord Shoujian’s words, Kong Ci, Kong Tianhui, and the others grew even more worried.
But before their concern could deepen, Lord Shoujian continued.
“However, Chu Feng’s skill with his weapon is equally masterful, reaching the state of becoming one with his sword. In his hands, the Blue Jade Mandarin Duck Sword is pushed to its absolute limit.”
“In my view, when it comes to weapon mastery alone, Chu Feng may even surpass Nangong Yifan,” Lord Shoujian declared.
“Chu Feng is that strong?” The crowd was taken aback by this revelation.
Though they knew Chu Feng was formidable, their understanding of him was limited. Even when Chu Feng fought Linghu Hongfei to a draw, it was due to his spirit techniques, not his martial cultivation.
Nangong Yifan, on the other hand, was already renowned. They had witnessed his prowess today, defeating five of the Ancestral Martial Starfield’s top geniuses in just a few moves, proving his strength.
Even though Chu Feng had gained a significant advantage in their earlier hand-to-hand clash, Nangong Yifan’s reputation made them instinctively believe he was stronger than Chu Feng.
Thus, Lord Shoujian’s words came as a surprise.
“Lord Shoujian, it’s fine for you to explain, but please analyze fairly and don’t show bias toward your Ancestral Martial Starfield’s people.”
“Even if we can’t see the details clearly, we can still grasp the general situation. The two are clearly evenly matched, so why do you say Chu Feng has the upper hand?” Beiyang Luo asked, visibly displeased.
In fact, it wasn’t just Beiyang Luo. Many from the All-Heaven Starfield shared his discontent, feeling that Lord Shoujian was favoring Chu Feng, which could tarnish Nangong Yifan’s reputation.
“Who sees more clearly, you or I?” Lord Shoujian retorted.
“My junior brother Nangong trained specifically in halberd techniques for this semi-complete Venerable Weapon, reaching the state of becoming one with his weapon. Chu Feng only just obtained the Blue Jade Mandarin Duck Sword and is using it for the first time. How can you say his weapon mastery surpasses my junior brother’s? If that’s not bias, what is?” Beiyang Luo demanded.
“That’s despicable! He’s trained in halberd techniques specifically, so it’s not even a fair fight,” Kong Tianhui exclaimed.
“Exactly, so unfair. All this talk of fairness, yet he resorts to such underhanded tactics. I never thought Nangong Yifan would be so卑鄙,” Wuming Yuanzhi and other Ancestral Martial Starfield juniors chimed in, condemning him.
Hearing their accusations, Beiyang Luo’s expression darkened.
Only then did he realize he had unintentionally revealed something he shouldn’t have, potentially casting Nangong Yifan in a bad light.
But he hadn’t meant to. He was simply frustrated by Lord Shoujian’s perceived bias toward Chu Feng and had spoken out to prove that Nangong Yifan’s weapon mastery surpassed Chu Feng’s.
