Unrestricted Dao Lord

Chapter 287: Chapter 141: A Sword Strike Empowered by 36 Sword Techniques: Crushing Second-Grade Gang Force

There were Postnatal Realm Martial Artists present, but most of them lacked the strength to challenge for the Middle Three Layers and could only linger in the Lower Three Layers.

What Zhang Su was looking for were precisely these Gang Force Martial Artists.

As time passed, one Martial Artist after another began their challenges.

Zhang Su stood at the edge of the valley, watching with rapt attention.

The rules of the challenge were simple.

A challenger would announce which Cultivation Room they wished to challenge. The occupant would then emerge, and the two would face off in the valley.

Once a victor was decided, the winner would enter the Cultivation Room, and the loser would depart.

Zhang Su noticed that most of the challenges were aimed at the Lower and Middle Three Layers.

The Lower Three Layers saw the most challenges, with a new one occurring every few moments.

Challenges for the Middle Three Layers were less frequent, but every match was intense.

The battles between Postnatal Realm Martial Artists, with their Inner Power colliding, were shockingly destructive.

After watching a few matches, Zhang Su had a much clearer sense of the combat power of Postnatal Realm Martial Artists.

The Upper Three Layers saw no challenges all morning.

This was understandable.

The Upper Three Layers were occupied almost exclusively by Direct Disciples, all of whom possessed Innate Combat Power.

The number of Direct Disciples was relatively small, so challenges were naturally less frequent.

Zhang Su carefully observed the Martial Artists challenging for the Lower Three Layers.

Most of them were in the Postnatal Realm.

Logically, Postnatal Realm Martial Artists had no reason to be in the Lower Three Layers.

For Postnatal Realm Martial Artists, the cultivation effects of the Lower Three Layers were barely better than nothing.

Yet here they were, and in considerable numbers.

The reason was simple: they couldn’t defeat the ruthless experts in the Middle Three Layers, but they were unwilling to leave empty-handed, so they settled for the next best thing and occupied a Cultivation Room in the Lower Three Layers.

The effects might be worse, but something was better than nothing.

The First Layer, on the other hand, was occupied almost entirely by Gang Force Martial Artists.

Most Postnatal Realm Martial Artists looked down on the First Layer; its effects were so minuscule as to be of almost no help to them.

Therefore, the Cultivation Rooms on the First Layer were filled with Gang Force Martial Artists.

’The Postnatal Realm... doesn’t seem that strong?’

Zhang Su silently calculated as he watched dozens of challenges between Postnatal Realm disciples.

He estimated that if he used the Infinite Sword Scripture, he should be able to defeat a Postnatal Realm Martial Artist.

’The speed of the Extreme Sword Form and the power of the Bursting Sword Form are not things an ordinary Postnatal Realm Martial Artist could withstand.’

’Back in the Guiyuan Sect, I was able to slay Zhou Dingshan, who was at the Peak of Gang Force, just by using the Bursting Sword Form with my Embracing Pill Cultivation.’

’Now that I’ve stepped into the Gang Force realm, and my Pure Yang Gang Power is a Third-Grade Gang Force, the Infinite Sword Scripture will only be more powerful when I use it again.’

’But I can’t control the Infinite Sword Scripture right now.’

’A single strike means either the enemy dies or my Inner Power is completely depleted. It’s not suitable for use in the Five Elements Valley.’

The rules of the Five Elements Valley forbade killing.

If he couldn’t control the power of the Infinite Sword Scripture and ended up killing someone, it would be a huge problem.

The Steward had said that killing would be met with severe punishment.

’As for whether I can handle a Postnatal Realm Martial Artist without relying on the Infinite Sword Scripture... I’ll have to fight one to know for sure.’

His Guiyi Swordsmanship, which integrated the Thirty-Six Swift Swords and twenty-one Burst Sword Techniques, was far more powerful than the swordsmanship of an ordinary Gang Force Martial Artist.

’But Postnatal Realm Martial Artists cultivate Inner Power, not Inner Strength.’

’The gap between Inner Power and Inner Strength is a qualitative one.’

Zhang Su wasn’t confident that his Guiyi Swordsmanship could break through the Protective Inner Power of a Postnatal Late Stage Martial Artist.

After all, he had never fought a Postnatal Realm Martial Artist before.

However, compared to a Postnatal Realm Martial Artist, Zhang Su currently had a fatal flaw.

’My Pure Yang Gang Power is only a Third-Grade Gang Force; I probably couldn’t withstand a single blow from a Postnatal Realm Martial Artist.’

’After all, the Inner Power of a Postnatal Realm Martial Artist is far more potent than Inner Strength.’

’What’s more, my Gang Force has yet to achieve the Unity of Inner and Outer. I can’t command it as easily as my own limbs, making it instantly reach any part of my body.’

Unless Zhang Su could guarantee he wouldn’t be hit.

Obviously, that would be very difficult.

To go through an entire battle without being hit once was nearly impossible.

Unless there was a vast difference in strength between the combatants.

But Zhang Su had come to the Five Elements Valley mainly to focus on his Cultivation, not to show off.

’I just need to find a Cultivation Room in the Lower Three Layers and peacefully cultivate the Great Five Elements Divine Technique.’

’Then I’ll start by challenging the First Layer!’

Zhang Su had made his decision.

’The First Layer is almost entirely Gang Force Martial Artists, so I don’t have to worry about accidentally challenging someone from the Postnatal Realm.’

’Although the cultivation effect on the First Layer is the worst, it’s probably enough for me right now. What I need is a stable place to cultivate.’

’Once I’m stronger, it won’t be too late to challenge the Second or Third Layer.’

「Two hours passed in a flash, and it was almost noon.」

"Senior Brother Zhang, hurry over! It’s your turn."

Luo Feng’s voice called out from a distance.

Zhang Su looked in the direction of the voice to see Luo Feng standing in a distant line, waving frantically at him.

’It’s finally my turn.’

Zhang Su immediately stood up and walked toward Luo Feng.

He quickly reached Luo Feng’s side.

Another Named Disciple in a gray robe stood in front of Luo Feng, holding a Token and waiting for the Steward to handle his registration.

When Zhang Su reached him, Luo Feng immediately stepped aside, giving up his spot in the line.

The people waiting in line behind them saw this but thought nothing of it.

Everyone did the same thing.

The Stewards were aware of this practice but never intervened.

As long as the person registering could present a Token to prove their identity, it was fine.

However, they didn’t seem to recognize Zhang Su, and their gazes turned curious.

It was clear from his gray robes that Zhang Su was a Named Disciple from Mixed Element Peak.