Rise of the Sword Son-in-Law

``` Xu Ping'an carried a shield on his back, drawing the attention of many. Everyone looked at Xu Ping'an with surprise; it would have been acceptable if he had carried a sword, but carrying a shield made him seem rather odd. "What is this kid trying to do? Has he trained in sword and shield combat skills?" the Second Elder, Xie Tianqiong, asked from the high platform, with surprise in his voice. Sword and shield combat skills are very rare. They are usually found only within the military. After all, cultivators either pursue the extreme in offense or focus entirely on defense. Jack of all trades, master of none! The way of the sword and shield often appears neither here nor there. "Hmph, sword and shield combat skills. If this kid has really trained in that way, then he's an absolute fool," the Third Elder, Wu Changlin, snorted coldly. "The Third Elder is right. Sword and shield combat skills are indeed difficult to master. It's better to focus all one's energy on one aspect to achieve greatness," the Fourth Elder, Tang Tianyuan, also nodded in agreement. "In fact, the way of the sword and shield is not necessarily without merit, but it requires an even more immense amount of energy. To perfectly coordinate the sword and shield is hard. Many people fail to fully comprehend both, hence the unsatisfactory impression they give when using sword and shield techniques," Dugu Tianyu said with a smile. "The Sect Master is correct. Even some powerful masters dare not claim they have fully mastered both the sword and shield, so disciples with sword intent don't usually train in both sword and shield combat skills at the same time," the Great Elder, Zhao Tianlong, said. "Hmph, I don't believe this Xu Ping'an has fully mastered both the sword and shield," the Third Elder, Wu Changlin, once again snorted coldly. The other elders nodded one after another. Even if Xu Ping'an was the reincarnation of a strong warrior, they still didn't believe he could perfect the way of the sword and shield simultaneously. "All right, let's focus on the match. I always feel that Xu Ping'an will give us some surprises," Dugu Tianyu said with a laugh. Murmurs arose from the audience seats, but Xu Ping'an paid no attention to them, walking straight up to the arena. Tong Shan had already leaped onto the arena, his eyes sharp as he looked at Xu Ping'an. "Draw your sword, let me see what makes you qualified to challenge me," Tong Shan snorted coldly, his tone quite unfriendly. As a Third Rank First Layer Realm cultivator, being challenged by a Second Rank Ninth Layer Realm cultivator was in itself a humiliation. Even if he won, that would be expected, and nothing to be proud of. Moreover, Xu Ping'an's close proximity to Li Qingyi had stirred a sense of jealousy within him. "There's no need to draw the sword; you're not worthy of it," Xu Ping'an responded indifferently. Immediately after, Xu Ping'an took out the meteorite level shield from behind and held it in his hand. His words sent a wave of shock throughout the venue. "He wants to fight Tong Shan with just a shield? And he says Tong Shan isn't worthy for him to draw his sword?" Wang Feifei said in utter disbelief. "So arrogant, this guy is even more arrogant than I imagined," Tang Qingheng couldn't help but add. Even he wouldn't dare to say such things to Tong Shan. Long Yan and Zhao Kai were also extremely surprised. Was Xu Ping'an arrogant or did he truly possess genuine ability? Sun Yan couldn't help but glance at Li Qingyi, curious to see her reaction. However, Li Qingyi appeared calm, even a hint of a beautiful smile curling the corners of her mouth. Sun Yan was dumbfounded. Li Qingyi was actually smiling? Many disciples noticed Li Qingyi's smile as well, each of them astounded. It was their first time seeing Li Qingyi show a smile. Was Li Qingyi smiling at Xu Ping'an? "Arrogance. Tong Shan is my disciple. I won't say he's very strong, but he certainly doesn't lag far behind Zhao Kai or Long Yan. For Xu Ping'an to say he will fight him with a shield, it's like slapping me in the face," the Fourth Elder, Tang Tianyuan, laughed. Indeed, he was Tong Shan's master. Nobody knew Tong Shan's capabilities better than he did. In the entire Beichen Sword Sect, perhaps only Li Qingyi could claim to say such words. "Elder Tang, there's no need to get angry. It's good for disciples to spar with each other. Even if Xu Ping'an really wins in the end, it will be a learning experience for Tong Shan," Dugu Tianyu said with a smile. "Hmph, if he wins, I will call him 'junior brother' whenever I see him from now on and acknowledge his status as the Sect Master's junior brother," Tang Tianyuan snorted coldly. Clearly, he did not believe Xu Ping'an could defeat Tong Shan with just a shield. At that moment, fury consumed Tong Shan on the arena floor. Xu Ping'an's mere use of a shield was a complete humiliation to him. "Since you're so conceited, then I'll let you learn the price of arrogance." The next moment, Tong Shan immediately charged forward. With a single step, he was in front of Xu Ping'an, his sharp sword slashing in a frenzy, attacking Xu Ping'an with a violent onslaught. Tong Shan was best at continuous sword techniques, with a never-ending series of sword shadows. He didn't believe Xu Ping'an could defend against it. ``` However, Xu Ping'an waved the shield in his hand with ease, and completely blocked all of Tong Shan's attacks. "Clang clang clang!" The sound of metal colliding rang out continuously on the field, with dazzling sparks flickering non-stop. Tong Shan's figure dodged swiftly, his dense blade shadows kept sweeping in from all directions towards Xu Ping'an. But Xu Ping'an just stood in place, waving his shield, without even moving a step. "So strong, Tong Shan's sword is too fast, integrating his movement technique with swordsmanship perfectly." Tang Qingheng couldn't help but say. "But Xu Ping'an is even stronger. He can predict every one of Tong Shan's swords and block them with the least effort. His defense is like an impenetrable wall that completely stops all of Tong Shan's attacks," Long Yan said. "Not only that, the force on Tong Shan's sword is not weak, a regular Third Rank would be injured by the force even if they could block it." "But Xu Ping'an skillfully uses shield techniques to completely dissipate the force. Take a closer look at the platform under his feet—it's already cracked all over from the vibrations; he has transferred all the force to the ground," Zhao Kai couldn't help but say. Long Yan and others took a look and were immediately shocked. That was terrifying. How precise does one's control need to be to completely neutralize the force? "Does this mean Xu Ping'an is sure to win?" Wang Feifei couldn't help but ask. Xu Ping'an's defense was indeed strong, so much so that she had no confidence in breaking through it. "Not necessarily, if he just defends, he will still lose in the end. As long as Tong Shan catches his flaws, or deliberately exposes them, then he will still lose," Tang Qingheng said. Long Yan nodded in agreement. A strong defense is good, but it's also very passive. On the high platform. "Xu Ping'an's mastery of shield techniques seems quite strong, able to form such a perfect defense and dissipating seventy percent of the force. His control over power is extremely strong," the Fifth Elder Song Ruoxi said. "Hmph, his defense is not weak, but mere defense cannot overcome Tong Shan," the Fourth Elder Tang Tianyuan snorted. To be honest, Xu Ping'an's shield technique was also a surprise to him. But what can mere defense do? "Haha, I actually think Xu Ping'an has a high chance of winning. His defense consumes very little energy. Once he masters the attack technique, Tong Shan probably won't be able to withstand it," Dugu Tianyu laughed. "Shield techniques can also attack?" Tang Tianyuan scoffed. Dugu Tianyu just smiled and didn't say anything. At this moment, he was looking forward to Xu Ping'an even more. "Bang!" Tong Shan's sword struck the shield, and he was repelled, creating a distance between him and Xu Ping'an, his eyes turning grave. Xu Ping'an's defense was stronger than he had imagined. His Chasing Wind Sixteen Consecutive Slashes had not managed to cause any damage to Xu Ping'an. This was unprecedented! "Do you only know how to defend? If that's the case, your loss is certain," Tong Shan coldly snorted. Upon hearing this, Xu Ping'an smiled faintly and said, "That's not the case. I'm just worried that if I launch an attack, you'll lose too quickly and be unsatisfied." "Arrogant. I don't believe that a shield can deliver any sort of attack," Tong Shan coldly snorted. "Then you better be prepared," Xu Ping'an said with a slight smile. The next moment, he stepped forward, and his figure burst forth instantly. In the blink of an eye, he was in front of Tong Shan. "So fast!" Tong Shan was shocked. He hurriedly swung his sword to slash. But Xu Ping'an just smiled faintly, suddenly transforming the speed into power. Both he and the shield slammed brutally against Tong Shan's body. Similar to the Sticking Mountain Lean from the ancient Fist Techniques, this was also the second move in Xu Ping'an's self-created Shield Technique: Xuanwu Crashing Mountain. "Boom!" Tong Shan only felt an immense force pouring down on him. The next moment, his figure turned into a straight line as he was sent flying backward, crashing into the distant spectator wall. The wall of the spectator stand exploded, spiderweb cracks spreading everywhere. Tong Shan passed out on the spot. Silence fell across the field, everyone was stunned. Tong Shan had been sent flying?