Blood still stained the waters of Hải Long Thành red, the clash of blades ringing like a funeral bell. Yet amid the chaos, Nguyễn Tinh Vân suddenly roared, his voice echoing like thunder:
"EVERYONE, CEASE!"
A surge of invisible internal force exploded outward, so powerful that it sent plumes of seawater spraying like rain, shoving every combatant back several meters.
The Martial Arts System of Jianghu
Nguyễn Tinh Vân swept his gaze across the gathering, his eyes flashing like lightning. His voice rumbled:
"Hải Long Thành holds not merely treasures or secret scrolls. It preserves the Ancient Martial Compendium of Nam Việt, chronicling all the finest techniques in Jianghu."
Quang Minh's eyes blazed with sudden light:
"An ancient martial compendium?"
Nguyễn Tinh Vân nodded. His voice rose and fell like ocean waves crashing upon rock:
"For hundreds of years, martial arts in Jianghu have been divided into the Four Great Martial Ways:
Way of Water: Softness overcoming strength, as in Dripping Water Divine Palm or Swimming Dragon Grapple.
Way of Fire: Fierce and explosive, as in Flame Cloud Saber or Thunderclap Coiling Dragon Palm.
Way of Wind: Swift as the breeze, unpredictable as mist, as in Flying Cloud Steps or Light Feather Sword Art.
Way of Earth: Firm and immovable as mountains, as in Stone Breaking Fist or Diamond Body Indestructible Technique."
Bích Thủy murmured:
"Those Four Ways… have shaped every great sect for centuries."
Nguyễn Tinh Vân nodded gravely:
"Yet… within Hải Long Thành lies a secret art that surpasses even the Four Great Martial Ways. It is martial arts based upon the Theory of the Five Elements Unified as One."
A New Martial Breakthrough: Five Elements Unified
A hush fell over all present. Even Hắc Trường Uy held his breath, silent.
Nguyễn Tinh Vân spoke softly, each word like nails driven into stone:
"The Five Elements Unified means shattering the barriers between the five elemental forces, forging techniques that blend all five essences at once. Master it, and one could:
Transform Water into Fire for sudden strikes.
Use Wind to nourish Earth, turning speed into stillness.
Manipulate Metal to conquer Wood, then convert Wood to fuel Fire in an instant.
In a single breath, all five elements may transform, generating and overcoming one another, limitless in variation."
Bích Thủy's eyes widened:
"Then… could one person wield every martial art under heaven?"
Nguyễn Tinh Vân let out a quiet sigh:
"Yes. But… to practice the Five Elements Unified is also to court disaster. The internal forces swirl chaotically within the meridians. A single misstep… and your bones will shatter, your body torn apart."
Quang Minh stared into his eyes:
"Elder… have you attempted it yourself?"
Nguyễn Tinh Vân fell silent for a long moment. Then he opened his robe slightly, revealing a dark purplish scar running from his shoulder down to his waist:
"Years ago, I tried… and nearly lost my life."
Climax: The Secret Manual Stolen
Suddenly, Vân Lục Yên lunged forward, striking her palm at Nguyễn Tinh Vân's chest, screaming:
"The Five Elements Unified belongs to me!"
Her palm force thundered forth, churning the seawater into white froth. Yet Nguyễn Tinh Vân merely flicked his sleeve, and her energy dissolved like mist.
Nguyễn Tinh Vân growled:
"Child… your lust for power blinds you. Martial arts were never meant to rule Jianghu!"
But Hắc Trường Uy suddenly bellowed:
"Seize the manual! Kill them all!"
The black-clad forces of Hắc Y Môn surged forward, blades flashing as they swarmed Nguyễn Tinh Vân. Yet in that instant, Quang Minh drew his sword, eyes blazing like twin fires, slashing down seven blades in a single sweep.
Bích Thủy lifted her silver flute and played, sending forth piercing notes sharp as sword qi, causing several enemies to convulse, blood spurting into the dark water.
Nguyễn Tinh Vân roared:
"The manual must never fall into evil hands!"
He spun around and pressed a hidden mechanism in the stone wall. A section of the stone slowly parted, revealing a fishskin scroll encased in a golden box.
A brilliant golden glow burst forth, flooding Hải Long Palace in dazzling radiance. In that moment, every eye stared in awe at the Manual of the Five Elements Unified—the secret capable of reshaping the entire martial world.
End of Chapter
Vân Lục Yên lunged like an arrow, but Nguyễn Tinh Vân had already hidden the manual upon his person, vanishing into the shadows.
Hắc Trường Uy screamed:
"After him! Tear apart Hải Long Thành if you must—but seize that manual!"
Bích Thủy clung to Quang Minh, trembling:
"If you practice that martial art… you'll surely die!"
Quang Minh gazed at her, eyes burning with both resolve and turmoil:
"But if the wicked masters it… all under heaven will be drowned in chaos."
Within the emerald depths of Hải Long Thành, the clash of steel rang out once more, heralding a bloodbath yet unseen.