Despite his long absence, the name of Chen Ang still reverberated in Jiang Hu. Many harbored animosity toward him, yet when discussing martial arts, they couldn't deny his extraordinary skills. The master of Demon Sect had a formidable presence. Even those lacking in martial prowess would boast endlessly.
Chen Ang's words not only failed to unite the group against a common enemy but seemed to deepen the disdain towards him. In a world where strength was revered, Chen Ang, by undermining martial arts, risked coming across as audacious. Some couldn't help revealing their contemptuous expressions. Even Ding Yi Grandmaster felt Chen Ang's attitude bordered on arrogance.
Linghu Chong, while sensing Chen Ang's inappropriate manner, recognized his lofty ambition. He believed that Chen Ang's future accomplishments might rival those of his own lineage.
Naturally, Chen Ang's discourse had no bearing on any particular expedition. Ding Yi Grandmaster stepped back, signaling a desire to disengage from conversing with Chen Ang.
Glancing at the somewhat lost Linghu Chong, Chen Ang suddenly smiled and remarked, "Speaking of my 'Attracting Star Great Technique,' Brother Linghu, there's a martial art in your Huashan, superior to mine. It rivals the depths of Wudang and Shaolin, especially in finesse and purity!"
An audible gasp resonated among the listeners. The Huashan faction, allied with the Five Top Sword Factions, was acknowledged in Jiang Hu. While part of the Jiang Hu, Huashan Faction's reputation wasn't as prominent as other larger factions. Linghu Chong, fortunately, refrained from voicing his astonishment. He pondered if the Huashan's "Zixia Secret" was considered inferior to Lushan's Inner Strength, as per the evaluations in Jiang Hu.
Noticing Linghu Chong's surprised expression, Chen Ang queried, "Do you think I'm exaggerating, Brother Linghu?"
However, Linghu Chong made sure not to reveal his thoughts, keeping his surface expressions neutral. He knew that if Jiang Hu learned of any negative comments about Huashan's martial arts, even their sect master wouldn't pardon him.
Quickly and earnestly, Linghu Chong responded, "Brother Chen, your words ring true!" Unbeknownst to Chen Ang, Yue Buqun, somewhere out of sight, didn't seem too pleased with the affirmation.
"The 'Purple Dawn Divine Merit' may seem ordinary at the outset, but it's remarkably resilient. Its impact is far-reaching and indispensable. Its internal force is pure and continuous, surpassing 'Attracting Star Great Technique' in purity, 'Taichi Fist Classic' in tenacity, and 'Sinew-Transformation Canon' in its unending flow. It's undoubtedly a deserved contender for the world's Qigong practice!"
However, these remarks were only within the context of 'Sinew-Transformation Canon' and 'Taichi Fist Classic.' Facing 'Taiji' from the Zhang Sanfeng era or 'Sinew-Transformation Canon' in its prime, the 'Purple Dawn Divine Merit' would pale in comparison.
Chen Ang muttered silently to himself.
Linghu Chong felt ashamed and embarrassed, thinking to himself: My own martial arts effort doesn't match the skills of Brother Chen, and it shouldn't be that way. His heart stirred with a bit of frustration. He deeply respected Yue Buqun, knowing how much happiness Yue Buqun's teachings brought to him. Yet, he wondered if Yue Buqun, lurking in the shadows, might not be pleased with the conversation.
Liu Zhengfeng, who had been silent for a while, suddenly inquired, "Young brother, you mentioned the 'Purple Dawn Divine Merit' is powerful, so why isn't it well-known in Jiang Hu?"
Chen Ang glanced at Linghu Chong. "I'm not the best one to answer that."
Observing Chen Ang's look, Linghu Chong sensed that Brother Chen deliberately avoided discrediting the power of Purple Dawn Divine Merit. He believed that Chen might be reluctant to criticize his Master. Linghu Chong wondered if Chen was holding back thoughts like, "Purple Dawn Divine Merit is ineffective, whereas my Master's teachings are potent, and I'm renowned!"
Fortunately, Lin Pingzhi noticed Linghu Chong's discomfort and quickly intervened, "The four skills you mentioned are indeed potent, but how are they related to my family's quest for revenge?"
"Don't worry, here's how it connects," Chen Ang waved his hand. "This fifth skill isn't well-known, but its descendants are known, from the Demonic Cult Leader in the East who remains undefeated, down to Lin Yuantu from the Fuwei Escort Service. Even the Huashan sword qi is intertwined with this skill!"
The mention of the unbeaten leader from the East left everyone momentarily stunned. Despite their disagreements with the Sun Moon Divine Cult, they acknowledged the leader's exceptional martial prowess.
When Lin Ping mentioned the "Psychology of the evil spirits," Ding Yi Grandmaster, Liu Zhengfeng, and even the Ming camel wood peak appeared visibly uneasy. In the shadows, Yue Buqun clenched his fists, glaring murderously at Chen Ang.
The Beibei Ming camel from the North immediately speculated that Yu Canghai might opt for a public surrender rather than aggravating two enemies. If Yu Canghai harbored other major plans, he might forsake them. He thought it was an excellent idea. The achievement of Lin Family's evil spirits was indeed remarkable. Gazing intensely at Lin Pingzhi, he believed that this martial arts treasure would soon fall into his hands.
However, the look in Lin Pingzhi's eyes wasn't right.
Lin Pingzhi didn't dwell on these thoughts much. He turned his attention to Chen Ang, who seemed embarrassed. Chen Ang waved his hand, saying, "Yes, exactly!"
"Right, isn't it?" Stirred by emotions, Mufeng found Chen Ang's response unwelcome.
Chen Ang, listening calmly, inwardly smirked, "Wait until you're done, then I'll confront you!"
"I mentioned the evil spirits as they obtained only 40% essence of that amazing work. But it's because the 'Spirit of the Evil' is indeed something else!" Chen Ang explained.
"Lin Yuantu managed to defeat half of the Jiangnan's invincible fighters with just 40% essence. Even the Sichuan Sect sect master Changqingzi suffered a severe loss. This martial arts technique stands unparalleled in the world!" Chen Ang proclaimed.
Feeling desolate, Lin Pingzhi closed his eyes. "Is Yu Canghai a result of this? Have I seen my family's 'Spirit of the Evil'?"
"Yes," Chen Ang nodded.
Hearing about the world's first incredible technique, even the wood peak couldn't hold back. "But you haven't mentioned the name of this martial art yet!"
"Sunrise in the East, undefeated am I. The Sunflower Scripture, it's an extremely powerful martial art! Naturally, the East's undefeated practice the Sunflower Scripture! Apart from the East's undefeated, who else in the world practices such martial arts and is called the world's best?" Chen Ang revealed.
The mention of the East's undefeated status immediately subdued any intentions to act among the audience. Even those desiring the world's best martial arts would have to confront the unparalleled prowess of the East's undefeated. They contemplated whether, even if they acquired the Divine Art, they would have the life to master it.
Mu Gao's covetous gaze immediately fixed on Lin Ping's body as he thought to himself, "The East's undefeated is formidable, but this weakling is an easy target. Even without the 'Sunflower Scripture', starting with the 'Evil Sword' isn't a bad idea."
Without delay, he clenched his hands into claw-like shapes and lunged towards Lin Ping like a soaring eagle.
Despite his physical disability, Lin Ping's movements were swift. With a sudden rush, he leaped about one zhang high. His body's shape was so fierce that reacting in time was impossible. Lin Pingzhi was crushed under the force of this attack, appearing small and vulnerable, much like a chicken.
Observing this, Linghu Chong noticed that Chen Ang held a dart in his hand. It had a dark black body with a rough appearance and a beautifully streamlined shape, differing significantly from most of the weapons seen in Jiang Hu, exuding an aesthetic smoothness.
All these events transpired in a blink of an eye.
Yet, in Chen Ang's perception, the world seemed to slow down. Despite the wood peak's rapid movements, they appeared sluggish to Chen Ang, almost comically so. He noticed everything around him distinctly—the wind's rise, the changing airflow around the body, and even the breeze from the sky.
Shifting into an accelerated mental state, most of the world's information couldn't escape Chen Ang's calculations. He accounted for 68 coping styles, 12 trajectories, and even 29 rescue strategies formulated within his mind.
As the darts were released, Chen Ang had already concluded that the wood peak was defeated.
"The Little Li Flying Dagger is most terrifying before it's even launched because its victims are unaware of the horrors that follow. The dead never anticipate their fate!" he thought.