Lone Star stepped forward and clasped his hands.
"Recently, I have been studying martial arts and created a set of techniques of my own. It is called the Seven Mansions Palm of the Black Tortoise, consisting of seven moves. I ask you, young hero, to offer me your guidance."
Among the Twenty-Eight Mansions, the Black Tortoise referred to the seven northern mansions: Dipper, Ox, Girl, Emptiness, Rooftop, Encampment, and Wall. A man of truly exceptional talent in martial arts could not only master the skills of others, but also create powerful techniques of his own. Such ability required rare aptitude indeed.
Li Jian said with admiration,"Senior's attainments are extraordinary. Though I am unworthy, I shall receive your high moves."
Lone Star stepped forward and cried,
"The first move—Treading the Dipper by the Celestial Steps!"
His steps shifted and turned as though treading upon the stars themselves. Standing first in the central palace, he crouched, sent his left foot straight forward into the Qian position, then swept his right foot in an arc toward Dui. His left foot advanced again into Li. Suddenly, his left palm feinted while his right palm followed swiftly.
Li Jian rushed forward to meet him, pushing out with his left palm. But Lone Star's chop proved false. His body flickered. His right foot entered Xun; his left foot curved into Kan. In an instant he was close, changing palm into finger, thrusting toward three acupoints on Li Jian's back, waist, and leg.
Li Jian was startled. At once he displayed the Eight Cloud Hands, using the move Stars Shift, Things Change. Turning sideways with the flow, he narrowly escaped danger. As his body turned, he moved from Gen to Kun, then struck straight toward the central palace with his right palm.
Lone Star deflected the incoming palm, stepped right into Li, and shouted,
"The second move—The Scholar with Ox-Horns!"
His body twisted suddenly, shifting from Li to Dui. With one turn, he advanced into Dui and sent a palm strike toward Li Jian.
Li Jian praised,"Excellent move! Truly excellent!"
He immediately parried the incoming palm and sent out whistling palm winds in return. Though Lone Star's techniques were subtle and his palm force deep, what was even more remarkable was the way his footwork shifted through the positions.
The two exchanged moves with dazzling speed.
Lone Star turned like lightning through the innate Eight Trigrams positions: the central palace in the middle, with Qian to the south, Kun to the north, Li to the east, Kan to the west, Zhen to the northeast, Dui to the southeast, Xun to the southwest, and Gen to the northwest.
As they fought, Lone Star called out one move after another:
"Nüwa Repairs the Heavens!""Deceiving the Empty and Feigning the False!""Fearless in Peril!"
His footwork and techniques were wondrously intricate. Though Li Jian could evade his attacks, the mysteries within the moves and the profound pattern of the steps could not be broken in a moment. The two battled on, neither gaining victory.
Seeing the marvel of Lone Star's footwork, Li Jian knew that if he fought only by ordinary principles, victory would be difficult. He secretly circulated his inner strength and subtly adjusted his steps, displaying the Flowing Cloud Steps. His figure became like drifting cloud and mist, lightly weaving through Lone Star's palm force.
He observed carefully and found that, though the changes were complex, there was still a pattern beneath them. Drawing a deep breath, he raised both palms slightly, his expression grave, seeking the flaw.
Lone Star saw Li Jian suddenly change his footwork. His steps had become agile beyond expectation. Lone Star was startled, then immediately changed palm into fist and used Clear Division of Walls and Ramparts. His fist wind cut through the air like a blade.
Li Jian seized the timing, turned lightly aside, and with a twist of his wrist used Returning Wind Brushes the Willow, catching Lone Star's wrist in reverse and guiding away his force.
Lone Star sensed Li Jian's quick response and secretly praised him. His body sank; his feet shifted; in an instant he broke free. Turning his palm, he pushed out with Breaking Emptiness, Striking Shadow. His inner force surged so powerfully that the very air seemed to tremble.
Li Jian remained calm in danger. He steadied himself and met palm with palm. Their inner forces collided, and both men took one step back.
The onlookers held their breath. None could keep from praising them. Everyone in the Righteous Alliance knew that Lone Star's martial arts were refined, yet no one had expected Li Jian to fight him to such a degree. The tension in the field grew sharper.
Lone Star drew a deep breath, smiled faintly, and said,"Young hero, your skill is extraordinary. To withstand several of my moves proves your foundation is profound."
Li Jian returned the salute."Senior's martial arts are unfathomably deep. I have gained much from this exchange."
Their words were modest, yet the desire for victory now burned in both their eyes.
Li Jian possessed astonishingly deep inner strength, yet faced with Lone Star's mysterious techniques for the first time, he could only answer move with move and could not seize the upper hand. Lone Star's palm techniques came one after another, ever more fierce. His footwork shifted with extreme speed, his figure drifting like a phantom.
Suddenly, Li Jian saw a blur before his eyes. Lone Star's movement was so swift that it was hard to trace. Li Jian failed to turn in time and was instantly in danger.
Lone Star seized the opening and struck out with a fierce palm straight toward Li Jian's chest.
At the critical instant, Li Jian did not think. He gathered his inner power and received the blow head-on.
With a light crack of impact, Lone Star was shaken back several steps. His blood and qi churned, and his face flushed red. He steadied himself with difficulty, inwardly astonished.
This youth has fought for so long, yet his inner strength remains so abundant. Truly unbelievable!
Lone Star steadied his stance and cried,"Be careful!"
Before the words had faded, he stepped forward, flicked his wrist, and shot out his right palm like lightning. The move Deceiving the Empty and Feigning the False lashed forth suddenly. His body followed the palm, cutting along an oblique line with fierce momentum.
Li Jian crossed leftward, spread his cloud hands, and said with lifted brows,"Well come!"
Before his voice had fallen, the two had already shifted positions and struck at the same time. Palm winds howled, and the entire field tightened with tension.
Lone Star, as though facing a great enemy, unleashed Fearless in Peril. His palms came like storm and rain, driving straight toward Li Jian. Though young, Li Jian answered with composure, his body moving like a wandering dragon, dissolving each attack.
Lone Star had fought countless battles, and the more he fought, the more cautious he became. He knew that while his opponent was young, he was a formidable adversary. He also knew that in inner strength he could not match Li Jian; the earlier palm exchange had already left his wrist aching and numb. Thus he steadied himself and refused to advance greedily.
But just then, Li Jian's figure turned like lightning. Suddenly he used Overturning Rivers and Seas. His palm force surged like crashing waves, arriving in an instant.
Lone Star was startled and hurriedly retreated. At the same time, he used Drawing Light Through the Wall. His left arm extended like a nimble serpent, guiding and drawing away Li Jian's palm force. His two hands seemed now long, now short, coordinating with wondrous precision and making his intentions impossible to read.
At the moment when Li Jian found it difficult to seal and dissolve the attack, Lone Star's right arm shot out. A refined palm technique forced Li Jian half a step back.
Immediately after, Lone Star used Not Ashamed Before the Dark Chamber. He answered attack with attack, his palm force bursting like thunder, sweeping like wind through fallen leaves. His offensive was extremely sharp.
Lone Star's lifelong skills were indeed not to be underestimated. Seeing Li Jian answer every move and dissolve all of his self-created techniques, he became more startled the longer they fought—but also more excited. He therefore displayed the full ferocity of Not Ashamed Before the Dark Chamber.
Facing Lone Star's fierce assault, Li Jian spun lightly, evading like the wind. His palms suddenly unfolded, and in an instant he used the Six Phantom Palms. Fist and palm merged as one—now fist, now palm—his moves flashing like racing stars and streaking lightning, dazzling the eye.
Two soft cracks rang out.
Lone Star's body trembled slightly, and the two men immediately separated.
Li Jian clasped his hands and said,"Senior's martial arts are outstanding, worthy of your reputation. To exchange skills with you today is truly my great fortune."
Though these were words of courtesy, Li Jian truly admired the martial arts Lone Star had created.
Lone Star saw that Li Jian spoke with refinement, did not boast of his own skill, stopped his attacks at the proper point, and in word and deed preserved his opponent's dignity. Gratitude rose in his heart, and admiration followed.
He clasped his hands in return."Young hero, your martial arts are profound. You are truly worthy of being Hall Master of the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness. To have exchanged moves with you today is indeed the joy of mutual refinement."
As the saying goes:
"The gentleman has no contention—yet if he must contend, let it be in archery. He bows and yields before ascending; after descending, he drinks. Such contention is still gentlemanly."
Though the two were opponents, they respected one another. This contest was not merely a trial of martial skill, but a tempering of the heart. Li Jian's humility and Lone Star's broad-mindedness added a rare warmth to this Jianghu dispute.