boyutpedia Chapter 294 Sparring
Chapter 294 Sparring
"The illusory form is wonderful, but the heart is not in it, the intention is not pure, it is merely a form. Your heart is still restless." The old master withdrew his palm and commented calmly.
Nie Lingfeng was panting, his back soaked with cold sweat. If the Old Master had harbored even the slightest malice, that palm strike would likely have severely injured him! The difference in skill was too great! But it was precisely this immense difference that ignited his inherent stubbornness and unwillingness to admit defeat!
"Restless? Then fight until you calm down!" Nie Lingfeng wiped away a trace of blood from the corner of his mouth (from the shock), his eyes becoming even more frenzied and focused! He no longer rushed to attack, but instead took a deep breath and slowly closed his eyes. Within his body, the crimson-gold energy no longer surged wildly, but flowed gently like a river, carrying a warmth and resilience reminiscent of rebirth. The illusory scales on his body became more solid, with faint, fine, feather-like golden-red patterns emerging!
"Oh? You've started to meditate?" The old master's interest grew even stronger.
The next moment, Nie Lingfeng opened his eyes! The crimson-gold light in his eyes subsided, leaving only a calm flame! He moved! His movements were no longer as swift as thunder, but rather like flowing water, like drifting clouds, carrying a peculiar rhythm! He threw a punch, seemingly ordinary, yet it seemed to contain the weight of mountains and the explosiveness of flames! Where the wind from the punch passed, the air emitted a low groan!
"Well done!" The old master finally stopped just standing there blocking. He slipped slightly and his figure floated out like a ghost, throwing a punch to meet the attack! This punch was also ordinary, but it seemed to contain the ultimate truth of heaven and earth. It struck first after being thrown later and accurately imprinted on Nie Lingfeng's fist!
boom!!!
This time, it wasn't a dull impact, but a deafening roar! Two equally vast and pure forces, yet completely different in nature, collided head-on! Crimson-gold flames and colorless yet solid as glass-like Qi clashed and annihilated each other frantically! A violent shockwave exploded outwards from the two of them! The hard, dark blue-green rock face shattered as if struck by an invisible giant hammer, spiderweb-like cracks instantly spreading several meters away! The ancient pines around them were whipped about by the violent shockwave, their branches and leaves rustling and swaying wildly! Standing on the edge of the cliff, Zhang Lingyu's clothes fluttered in the wind, a solemn expression on his face. He swayed slightly before regaining his balance.
Deng Deng Deng!
Nie Lingfeng retreated again, this time only three steps! Each step left a deep footprint on the ground, more blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, his arm trembled slightly, his fist was red, and the pain of a cracking bone could be felt. But the light in his eyes grew even brighter! Exhilarating! So exhilarating! This all-out, unreserved clash, this feeling of walking on the edge of life and death (even though it was just a friendly spar), squeezing out every last bit of potential, made his blood feel like it was boiling! The frustration and pent-up energy from taking care of his child was completely released in this exhilarating battle!
The old master opposite him only swayed slightly, his feet not even moving an inch! But the surprise and admiration in his eyes could no longer be concealed! The power and control that Nie Lingfeng unleashed in that punch just now was far superior to before! Especially that fist intent, which combined strength and gentleness, and was full of vitality, already had some of his own flavor! This kid's comprehension and resilience are truly terrifying!
"Alright! Let's go again!" The old Celestial Master was also intrigued and laughed loudly. This time, he took the initiative to step forward and strike out with a palm! The palm wind seemed light and airy, but it seemed to carry the weight and elegance of the entire Longhu Mountain, sealing off all of Nie Lingfeng's room to dodge!
Undeterred, Nie Lingfeng let out a long roar and charged forward once more! Fists, palms, legs, elbows… every part of his body transformed into the most formidable weapon! Crimson-gold light and colorless Qi energy collided and exploded continuously on the cliff face! Deafening roars echoed endlessly, and violent shockwaves swept up the rubble on the ground, forming small tornadoes in the air!
Zhang Lingyu was already mesmerized, his mind completely absorbed in this high-level duel. He witnessed his master's effortless mastery and ability to turn the impossible into the possible, and he also saw Nie Lingfeng's indomitable spirit and ever-growing courage in battle! Every move, every technique contained immense power and exquisite variations, from which he benefited immensely!
This sparring match lasted for a full half hour!
When the final roar subsided and the dust settled, the cliffside was a scene of utter devastation. The solid rock surface was riddled with deep and shallow pits and cracks, as if it had been battered by a meteor shower. The ancient pines all around had fallen branches and leaves, and looked rather withered.
Nie Lingfeng knelt on one knee, panting heavily. His clothes were soaked with sweat and dust, clinging to his body and outlining his well-defined muscles. His body was covered in bruises and abrasions of varying sizes, and blood lingered at the corners of his mouth and nostrils, making him look utterly disheveled. But his eyes shone with a frightening light, filled with excitement, exhaustion, and a hint of indescribable satisfaction and enlightenment.
The old Celestial Master remained as calm and composed as ever, his grey Taoist robe spotless. He stood with his hands behind his back, his breathing steady, as if the earth-shattering battle just moments before was merely a casual flick of his sleeve. Yet, his gaze towards Nie Lingfeng was filled with undisguised admiration.
"That was exhilarating!" The old celestial master stroked his beard and laughed heartily. "It's been a long time since I've stretched my muscles like this! Young friend Ling Feng, your 'Qilin' has truly impressed me! After this Nirvana, not only has your strength reached a new level, but your temperament and control over your power have also improved rapidly! Excellent, very excellent!"
Nie Lingfeng struggled to his feet and bowed deeply to the Old Celestial Master. His voice, though hoarse, was filled with gratitude and respect: "Thank you for your guidance, Old Celestial Master! I... have benefited greatly!" He was genuinely grateful. In the previous battle, the Old Celestial Master seemed to be suppressing him, but in reality, he was guiding and feeding him techniques, allowing him to continuously digest and comprehend the newly acquired power in actual combat, pointing out the shortcomings in his moves and power exertion. This half-hour sparring session yielded more results than a year of arduous training on his own!
"Hmm, it's good that you've gained some insight." The old Celestial Master nodded in satisfaction. "Come again in three days. I, this old Daoist, am also looking forward to seeing what surprises you, my 'Little Qilin,' will bring me next time." After saying that, he turned to Zhang Lingyu, who was still savoring the battle, and said, "Lingyu, help my young friend Lingfeng back to rest. Have someone tidy up this place."
"Yes, Master." Zhang Lingyu quickly replied, stepped forward, and helped the swaying Nie Lingfeng.
"Oh, right," the old master took a few steps, then turned back, smiling as he looked at the injured and disheveled Nie Lingfeng, adding, "Go back and take good care of your injuries. Taking care of children is also a form of spiritual practice. When your mind is at peace, everything seems pleasing. Hehe."
Nie Lingfeng: "..." (；一_一) Your finishing blow really came at the right time...
Strangely, although he was in a lot of pain, the frustration and suffocation he felt from taking care of the child had completely disappeared. In its place was a tired but fulfilling peace, and... anticipation for the next sparring match in three days.
"It seems...fighting to vent my anger is actually quite effective?" Nie Lingfeng thought to himself as he limped towards the courtyard, supported by Zhang Lingyu. At least for now, all he wanted was to go back and get a good night's sleep, and he didn't want to think about what new tricks Xiaoyun would come up with this time.
However, reality is often harsh.
When Nie Lingfeng, bruised and battered and aching all over, was finally "moved" back to the courtyard gate with Zhang Lingyu's help, the scene he saw made his heart, which had just calmed down, jump into his throat again.
In the courtyard, Chen Duo was holding a wet towel, chasing after Xiao Yun, who was covered in a black, sticky, unknown substance, with two cute mud tufts on her face, holding a calligraphy brush that was still dripping ink, and smiling so hard that her eyes were almost closed, trying to wipe her face.
In the center of the courtyard, the brand-new, snow-white stone table and stools that Zhang Lingyu had just delivered yesterday had been completely changed—on the tabletop, several abstract patterns, resembling turtles (or perhaps puppies?), were drawn in thick ink; the table legs and stool bases were decorated with mud and wildflowers and weeds found from who-knows-where; on the ground, there was an overturned inkstone, torn pieces of paper (which looked like Xuan paper used by Zhang Lingyu for calligraphy practice?), and a pool of unidentified liquid still flowing, a mixture of ink, mud, and grass juice…
For the first time, a clear crack appeared on Zhang Lingyu's gentle and refined face. His lips twitched as he looked at the "miserable state" of his beloved writing implements and the newly moved stone table and benches, and he was speechless for a moment.
Nie Lingfeng gasped, feeling that the pain from the blows he had sustained during the sparring session was nothing compared to the throbbing pain in his chest.
Xiaoyun saw Nie Lingfeng standing at the door with a lifeless expression, and her eyes immediately lit up. Holding the ink-dripping calligraphy brush, she ran happily towards him with her short legs, the black mud stains on her face and her two little mustaches shaking with her movements.
"Papa! You're back!" the little girl cheered, completely oblivious to her father's face, which was as black as the bottom of a pot, and the barely maintained gentle smile of her senior brother Zhang Lingyu beside her.
"Look! Yunyun is drawing! Drawing Papa! Drawing Jie Jie! Drawing... drawing a turtle!" Xiaoyun pointed to the abstract pattern on the stone table like she was showing off a treasure, her big golden-red eyes full of expectant light, "Praise me!"
Nie Lingfeng looked at the mangled stone table, then at the silver-haired little mud monkey in front of him, who looked like he'd been pulled out of a mud pit and was still holding a "weapon," and then felt the aches and pains all over his body...
Silently and slowly, he raised his head and gazed up at the azure, cloudless sky above Longhu Mountain.
Good heavens... Will he really get through this month-and-a-half "vacation" safely? Is it too late for him to apply to end his vacation early and go back on a mission? (；´Д｀)