Blessing of Mount Tianshan

Du Chen slowly shook his head. "I've never seen him!"

Dus marveled, "Then how does he know your Vanishing Snow Burial of Petals?"

'The Blade's' first move used swirling snowflakes as its primary veil, transforming into an ice sculpture as its secondary cover. Yet, his true form, leveraging the speed granted by the icy winds, ambushed his opponent from behind – precisely Du Chen's self-created Secret Technique, Vanishing Snow! And the second move, employing a snowflake's rotational speed imperceptible to the naked eye to erode an opponent's strength and suppress their subsequent maneuvers, if those snowflakes were replaced by snow lotuses, wouldn't it be Du Chen's Burial of Petals?

Though the Secret Techniques differed slightly in their intricacies, their underlying principles were absolutely identical. One was 'Vanishing Snow Burial of Petals', the other 'Love Snow Thoughts of Flower'... even their names bore an ambiguously similar resemblance!

After a long moment of contemplation, Du Chen frowned. "Perhaps 'The Blade' has seen my Vanishing Snow Burial of Petals before. These two moves aren't some secret, unteachable arts; they're merely straightforward applications of ice and snow. With 'The Blade's' discerning eye, he could easily have learned them after observing."

There was indeed such a possibility. Where did Du Chen's Thousand Strands of Benevolent Lock come from? Wasn't it an improvement based on Brockman's Secret Technique? Just moments ago, he was still observing Galas's starlight trajectory, preparing to refine his own Secret Techniques!

Martial techniques and Secret Arts naturally vary in their subtlety. Powerful Secret Techniques are certainly not learned after a few observations! But Du Chen's Vanishing Snow Burial of Petals... that was a Secret Technique he created during his Battle-Warrior stage. At that time, though Du Chen had Deboning's guidance, what formidable moves could a Battle-Warrior's experience and insight possibly devise? Thus, Vanishing Snow Burial of Petals was, at most, an application of "External Arts." As long as one's strength and vision were sufficient, and attributes aligned, it could be replicated after just a few viewings!

So the crucial question was: when did 'The Blade' personally witness Du Chen using Vanishing Snow Burial of Petals!?

Du Chen pondered, tracing the timeline since these two moves were born...

Initially, he used it against Merfolk during his travels. Back then, Jamis, Bovin, Annie, Liana... everyone had seen it! Then, he sought guidance from teachers – Zigurd, Aunt Sherine, and many professors at the Water Pavilion on Battle God Isle had also seen it! Next came the end of his travels, and upon hearing that Avril had also entered Battle God Academy, he dueled Frinda several times... Hmm, at least a few thousand people watched those!

Du Chen's forehead throbbed faintly from the intense thought. He rubbed his nose, giving a bitter smile. "Too many people have seen Vanishing Snow Burial of Petals; there's simply no way to find out when 'The Blade' saw it!"

As he pondered, 'The Blade' exchanged several more blows with Galas. After observing, Dus's single sentence startled Du Chen from his reverie. "Hey, all the moves this guy is using now are self-created; they have nothing to do with you anymore. But... did you hear the names of those moves?"

Du Chen hadn't paid any attention. He asked, "What are they called?"

"The 124th style of Wind-Snow Thorns is called 'Love Snow', followed by 'Thoughts of Flower'. Then he used four more moves, individually named 'Feast of the Poisoned Chalice', 'Sabin's Lament', 'Window Ice', and 'Thorns'..."

What strange names!

Du Chen suddenly started. "Sabin's Lament... If a martial technique is named after a person, it usually holds profound commemorative significance. Do you know anyone named Sabin?"

Fifth Brother chuckled strangely. "Come on, if you don't know, how would I? All Fifth Brother knows is that the Southern Gate of your hometown, Saint John City, is called Sabin's Avenue!"

Du Chen shrugged. What could the Secret Technique of the King of Assassins possibly have to do with Saint John's Southern Gate? He then chuckled, "Feast of the Poisoned Chalice? Why didn't he just call it 'Poisoned Wine'? It seems 'The Blade' must have the background of a well-educated noble, otherwise, he wouldn't pick such an elegant name!"

Lost in the blissful throes of first love with Xue Ji, a certain someone had completely forgotten that his acquaintance with a certain noble young lady back then began because of a poisoned cup! And Sabin's Avenue was the place where he bid farewell to that young lady when he left for his studies...

Just then, Galas exclaimed loudly in admiration, "This night has not been in vain! Are all six of these moves your own creation?"

'The Blade's' voice was peculiar. "Precisely! Though Wind-Snow Thorns contains myriad variations, the strongest moves are always those best suited to oneself. These six moves, born from my own heart, far surpass inherited techniques!"

With that, the two clashed once more. Though 'The Blade's' moves were wondrous and unpredictable, they were still slightly inferior to the millennia-accumulated Secret Techniques of Galas's Starry Sky family. Gradually, 'The Blade' began to lose ground!

Not long after, a faint Fish-Belly White light appeared in the east. Galas looked up at the sky and smiled. "I only fight when the starry sky is brilliant. The sun is about to rise. Within ten moves, we'll decide the victor!"

"Alright, ten moves!" 'The Blade' roared sharply!

Du Chen watched with considerable interest. Just then, Xue Ji, who had been resting for half a day, flew from the direction of Battle God Isle, coming to find Du Chen. Seeing a duel on Mount Tianshan, she didn't wish to disturb them. She gave Du Chen a slight smile, stepped onto the Green Cloud, and naturally nestled beside him.

Du Chen gently embraced Xue Ji's waist and smiled. "Why have you come?"

Xue Ji smiled shyly, then shot Du Chen a playful glance. "You know perfectly well!"

"Oh? You couldn't stop worrying about me?"

The pair of lovers nestled happily together, utterly ignoring the life-and-death struggle below them as they whispered sweet nothings.

On Mount Tianshan, Galas and 'The Blade' saw another person arrive. Galas laughed, "It seems my sister-in-law has arrived. Ten moves is too many, how about three?"

'The Blade' glanced at the lovers on the cloud, then his body suddenly trembled. He roared, "Three moves is too many, one move!"

Saying this, he stared at Galas, who was charging at him, neither dodging nor evading. His body suddenly spun like a top, faster and faster, finally shooting towards Galas like an ice-piercing projectile!

Galas was momentarily stunned. He flashed aside, evading the attack. "This night was just for sparring, why are you fighting to the death?"

"Among assassins, which battle isn't a fight to the death!? This move, created on the fly, is the 126th style of Wind-Snow Thorns – 'Sorrow'!"

Galas shook his head, his body erupting with brilliant starlight. He suddenly soared into the sky. "I have no interest in fighting you to the death! That's enough for tonight! Francis, let's go to Tiger Shark Isle; I have some matters to discuss with you!"

'The Blade' did not obstruct him. Instead, he stood like a dazed fool on the peak of Mount Tianshan, staring blankly at the backs of Du Chen and Xue Ji as they nestled together...

The duel thus ended, with no clear victor, but the snow on Mount Tianshan grew heavier and heavier.

Gradually, as the morning sun began to rise in the east, 'The Blade' suddenly let out a low chuckle, as if mocking himself. "Aren't you leaving yet?"

He moved, flitting through the snowy landscape like a chaotic butterfly amidst flowers. Suddenly, all the snowflakes paused, as if time itself on Mount Tianshan had stopped. 'The Blade' calmly dropped his final words and drifted away, "Newly created, the 127th style of Wind-Snow Thorns – 'Blessing of Mount Tianshan'!"

After 'The Blade' vanished, Fifth Brother Dus furiously tore off his Invisibility Cloak and shrieked, "Damn it! How did 'The Blade' discover me?! Does he have a Tyran Beast!?"

Just now, when Du Chen left, he had left Fifth Brother behind, planning for him to stealthily investigate 'The Blade's' identity. But unexpectedly, 'The Blade' actually discovered him, and even improvised some 'Blessing of Mount Tianshan' to trap Fifth Brother with ice and snow, hindering his pursuit!

In truth, with Dus's current strength, catching 'The Blade' would be simple. But his cover was blown; 'The Blade' clearly possessed the ability to detect Dus's invisibility. What point was there in continuing the pursuit? Dus shrugged and turned back.

Not long after Dus left, 'The Blade' emerged from behind a large rock on Mount Tianshan, staring blankly in the direction of Mount Tianshan!

Suddenly, a small beast crawled out from behind his ear. After transforming, it was chubby, with large ears, cute like a raccoon, and sat palm-sized on 'The Blade's' shoulder... It was the Tyran Beast, Shiri, the younger sister of the twin Tyran Beasts Du Chen rescued that day!

Little Shiri, understanding, patted 'The Blade's' mask. "Sister isn't crying!"

'The Blade' suddenly smiled. "Avril never cries!" He slowly removed the mask from his face, biting his lip tightly, his mouth trembling as he desperately tried to stop the tears. But two lines of crystal-clear tears still couldn't be held back, slipping down his cheeks, freezing into ice before hitting the ground, and shattering with a "clink"...

On Mount Tianshan, the wind and snow continued unabated!

After a long while, "Alas!" a sigh echoed from behind Avril.

Avril wiped away her tears, turned, and smiled. "Martial Uncle, why are you here!"

"Just now, during the rescue, someone reported an upsurge of ice and snow on Mount Tianshan. Now that your Third Martial Uncle has escaped, the only one who could seal Mount Tianshan with Wind-Snow Thorns... would be you!"

Zigurd walked closer, casting a helpless glance at Avril. "Child... you've seen Xue Ji and Francis with your own eyes now, haven't you? Have you finally given up hope?"

Avril pleaded weakly, "Martial Uncle, please, can we not talk about it anymore? I, I... just let me be for a moment!"

Zigurd sighed again, falling silent for a long time. Back then, not long after Avril entered the academy, she trained desperately. Although her talent was considerable, it still couldn't compare to the peerless genius of Francis and Charlemagne. As a result, she suffered Qi Deviation and frequently teetered on the brink of death! Feeling pity for her, he anonymously sent her to Thornwood Valley, so that his Second Sister, Sena, the world's sole master of Plant-based Life-Extension Arts, could save her! Unexpectedly, Sena took a liking to her, accepted her as a personal disciple, and even wrote to him requesting the Tyran Beast, Shiri, to help Avril cultivate Wind-Snow Thorns... Until now, it had been over two years, almost three!

Zigurd opened his mouth, then sighed. "Never mind, let's not mention Francis! Avril, your grandfather Antoine is also on the Isle. Since you're here this time, won't you go see him?"

Avril shook her head. "Martial Uncle, I didn't come here to see grandfather, nor Francis. Tonight was just a coincidental encounter..."

"Then why have you come?"

Avril asked curiously, "Hasn't Third Uncle told you about Master's condition yet? Martial Uncle, Master, that old man, his time is short. He's eager to see you one last time and specifically sent Third Uncle to find you. But Third Uncle has been gone for nearly a month with no news, so Master was worried something happened to him and specifically asked me to come check!"

Zigurd was greatly alarmed. "Se-Sena is dying? Damn Thomas, why didn't you tell me!" He stepped forward, grabbing Avril's shoulders, and anxiously said, "Isn't she proficient in Life-Extension Arts? How can she still die?! Avril, don't, don't lie to Martial Uncle..."

Avril smiled bitterly. "Martial Uncle, you know better than Avril! Unless one reaches the very end of the Battle God's Path, then, then no one can achieve eternal life!"

Zigurd froze. A glimmer of moisture suddenly flickered in his Triangular Eyes. He waved his hand. "Yes, I was confused, I was so confused! Avril, wait for me at the North Dock. Martial Uncle, Martial Uncle will come home with you right now!"

...

Du Chen was unaware of what else transpired on Mount Tianshan. However, hearing Dus mention that 'The Blade' possessed a Secret Technique similar to a Tyran Beast left him greatly astonished.

Meanwhile, after Galas offered congratulations for the engagement, he laughed, "Francis, has someone been deliberately targeting you lately!?"

Du Chen recalled the ten peculiar individuals at the recruitment fair and nodded. "Indeed, someone is targeting me from behind the scenes. Do you have The Clues?"

Galas laughed, "I came specifically for this matter!" He circled Du Chen twice, smiling oddly. "You're perfectly clear about my identity, so there's nothing to hide. I just want to ask you one thing: have any interesting things happened recently between you and our Godslayer Five Families?"

Du Chen thought to himself, 'Does the Savior incident count as interesting?' He chuckled, but on his lips, he feigned confusion. "Recently, I only had a gamble with Old Man Rongke. Could the Godslayer Five Families be retaliating against me for that?"

Galas shook his head, his hands clasped behind his back as he gazed at the eastern sky. "After parting ways at Battle God Isle, I roamed the Three Continents, carefree and unburdened. Although the old man in my family was eager to force me into marriage, he didn't dare push too hard on me, the sole heir of the family! Thus, I enjoyed two years of easy living. But a month ago, the old men and Old Matriarchs of our Five Families somehow passed a resolution – to send people to pledge allegiance to your Durkes City, to help you solidify your foundation!"

Du Chen feigned surprise, asking curiously, "Why is this? And isn't this a secret of your Five Families? Why tell me?"

"Listen to me slowly!" Galas wagged a finger. "To send people, naturally, a list must first be drawn up! Originally, my family had few members, so we could have chosen not to comply with the resolution and not send anyone to pledge allegiance to you. But once that list was compiled, my old man immediately made a definitive decision..."

Gazing helplessly at Du Chen, Galas's expression was pitiful. "The old man told me – 'Galas, you now have only two paths: either go to Durkes City, or immediately propose marriage to Frinda! Don't even think about a third path, continuing your carefree life. This is the family's final ultimatum!'"

Du Chen looked at him, amused. "You detest that violent woman, Frinda, so you definitely won't propose to her. In that case... just come to my Durkes City! We're sworn brothers who escaped arranged marriages together; I certainly wouldn't let you down!"

"Originally, being carefree anywhere is fine, and going to your place wouldn't be an issue..." Galas suddenly grabbed Du Chen's collar, urgently saying, "But do you know, the first person on that list was Frinda! My old man's intention is for me to go be by Frinda's side, and for 'love to blossom over time'!"