Ancient Strengthening Techniques
Chapter 40 - Annual Competition Among the 3rd Generation (3)
Qing Shui was already awake and around at the crack of dawn. After the morning ablution, he would enter the Qing Clan courtyard and do a simple stretch. The air in the morning is the freshest during the day. What Qing Shui wanted to do was to cultivate the Qi in his body by practicing a simple breathing technique, just by taking a deep breath.
The Ancient Strengthening Technique placed emphasis on the refinement of one's body and bones. Every day without fail, Qing Shui would practice Solitary Rapid Fist, making himself accustomed to harmonizing the muscles of his body, strengthening his strength to the highest level. Under perfect harmonization conditions, not to mention attacks containing 100% of its strength, even attacks that were amplified to 200% or higher were possible.
The silence in the courtyard was broken by the growling sound of the mastiff lying around, but upon seeing that/it was Qing Shui, they immediately calmed down and returned to their usually docile posture.
’’ Steps Spirit! ’’ Shadow flashed as Qing Shui drove across the courtyard. Qing Shui knew that/that this series of Spirit Steps came from the essence of all escape techniques. It could even be used to dodge and escape when one's opponent was much stronger than oneself, just based on this fact one could tell just how mysterious this technique was.
Not only that, but in his repertoire was also Solitary Rapid Boxing! Qing Shui couldn't help but feel that his/her two Spirit Steps and Solitary Quick Fist were complementing each other perfectly, almost to the point where one could call it a perfect combination. The two skills he had unlocked from the Ancient Strengthening Technique, could actually complement each other. Can the other skills I gained from the breakthrough complement each other as well? It was a pity that/that he had still not broken through to the 4th layer of heaven despite it being such a long time ago. For the skills he had already unlocked, hidden weapon arts, Quick Fist As well as Ghost Steps, he had already cultivated them to a state where it was difficult for him to refine them any more in the near future.
However, Qing Shui knew that/it advancement on the path of cultivation was the same as sailing a boat against the current! Not only would it be difficult to break through after a certain level, if one stagnated for too long, one might as well retreat.
Classic essence of Solitary Fast Boxing lies both in the words ” Solitary ” and ” Rapid ”, <TAG1>, one had to train to the point where one attack was so fast and agile that it would turn into two, two to four and so on. As for the steps of Ghostly, its classic essence lies in the word ’’ Ghostly ’. One had to cultivate his technique to the point where one would become as unpredictable as shadows, and as illusive as ghosts.
Moreover, Qing Shui was now proficient in the use of swords. Contemplating the essence of basic sword techniques through Iaido, following the three-word spell – Swiftness, Accuracy, Decisiveness. Speed to the flash point, Accuracy refers to the way one uses the sword while Firmness belongs to the mental state. The core of the sword can be strung together into: ‘’It's okay if I don't draw my sword, but when I do, I have to gain victory with one strike, I have to win, move in advance to counter any possible retaliation.’
It was still early morning after she finished her regime, Qing Shui could hear the shop owner's voice, the sound of children hoo-hahing through the streets and the melodic sounds of birds chirping.
Upon entering his residence, a delicious aroma wafted. Qing Shui looked at the table only to see Qing Yi smiling at him. Relaxing on the table were two plates of vegetables and two plates of wild boar, the smell was so appealing that it aroused his appetite.
’’ Shuie`er, hurry and eat, let's go and watch the game later. Observing the battles of others can only bring benefits to your cultivation, even more so than cultivating. ” Qing Yi begged Qing Shui to eat while explaining the benefits to her.
’’ En, I have long planned to watch the mother of the annual competition today, I am sure today will attract ~ ‘’Qing Shui said with a smile. Looking at the elegant features of Qing Shui, one would be surprised to find that his/her demeanor was somewhat lacking. Armed with a voracious appetite, he devoured everything at a speed that would rival combat warriors. Qing Yi could only watch with a stunned expression on her face.
In his eyes, he didn't really care what people thought of him. Qing Shui knew very well that/that strength is everything. If you are strong enough, then no matter what you do or how rude you are, people will start to imitate you. If you are weak, then no matter how elegant you seem, people will still think of you as a Sissy.
” Eat slower dear, no one will snatch food from you. ” Qing Yi hurriedly said as her eyes bubbled with laughter.
’’ Mother, who will maintain the order and host for this year's competition? ’’Qing Shui suddenly remembered a question.
” The judges this year will include the Qing Clan, the Lan Clan, the Feng Clan, and the Tong Clan, as well as someone from Hundred Miles City. ” Qing Yi replied ready. It seems like this has always been the case for the past too.
When Qing Shui rushed to the courtyard, he found that/it was a courtyard filled with a sea of humans. It was as if everyone in the surrounding area had come if they succeeded! Not surprisingly, the people in the World of the Nine Continents were of religious cultivation.
Standing at the bottom of the judging area, was a member of each of the judge clans. For example, the 3rd generation members of the Qing Clan would gather together with the people of the 2nd generation. It was the same for the Lan Clan, Feng Clan and Tong Clan. Of course, there were also many groups of people standing there in droves, but they were those with no status or power.
Qing Shui walked towards the members of the Qing Clan.
” Oh Qing Shui is here, I thought you always hated watching this annual competition? ” Qing Zi said with a laugh while glancing towards Qing Shui.
’’ Haha, this event is so hyped that everyone around me says that/it will be interesting this year. Also, this might be my last chance to watch this show. After all the ceremonies were over, I had no idea where my path would lead me. ” Qing Shui replied with a slight smile on his lips.
Greetings unceasingly flowed from the surroundings and Qing Shui smiled back towards them. All the members of the 3rd generation had arrived, and they were those who were 6th class martial warriors and above; qing Zi, Qing You, Qing Hui, Qing Yang …………… Qing Hu and Qing Bei.
Qing Bei's current cultivation level was already at the peak of Grade 7 and was only as wide as a hair away from breaking through to Grade 8. He actually lived up to his name as the little genius of the Qing Clan. Despite being one of the youngest, his martial cultivation had already surpassed many others.
A moment later, Qing Yi and the rest of the 2nd generation arrived. On the stage was Grandpa Qing Luo, whom Qing Shui naturally knew. Next to him was Lan Yu from the Lan Clan, whom Qing Shui had met several times before. However, regarding the Tong Clan and the Feng Clan, Qing Shui had never met their judges before. The Tong Clan sent out a middle-aged jerk, while the Feng Clan representative was a charming young lady.
Qing Shui couldn't help but glance at the charming young lady a few times. Her skin was smooth and as smooth as white silk, her pair of phoenix eyes were also very charming to look at. She wore a sky blue dress that tightly embraced her plump figure, displaying the contours of her body for everyone to admire as a slight smile hung on her mature and seductive face. Qing Shui was unable to tell his exact age, but he guessed that/it was not that young.
As Qing Shui was lost in his appreciation of the Feng Clan's beauty, he was shocked to return to reality after seeing Situ Nan Tian standing on stage. To think that/that vice-judge of the Hundred Miles City would be this old cunning fox, Situ Nan Tian. After realizing Situ Nan Tian's existence, Qing Shui couldn't help but scan the crowd a few times, as he didn't know if Situ Bu Fan would also be here in the audience, either, together with Shi Qing Zhuang. Deep in his heart, Qing Shui had a strong desire to see Shi Qing Zhuang's ice-cold face again …
As Qing Shui had expected, the main judge among the five was a cunning old fox! Situ Nan Tian explained his rules once, as his loud and loud voice reached out to everyone in the crowd.
The rules are the general ones: no killing, no poison, no hidden weapons, and after the opponent gives up, the winner must remain in their hands.
Once the rules are explained, the start of the competition is immediately enunciated. This made Qing Shui wonder if all cultivators had such a direct way.
However, what made Qing Shui surprised was that/it rule also stated that/it, out of all the competitors today, the last one standing can be considered as the strongest in the 3rd generation.
However, it wasn't too bad, as everyone had three chances on stage. This means that/that if you lose in the first round, you can still choose to fight until you are defeated three times. The only prerequisite is that you can still participate!
After the start of the competition was announced, the main judge departed. Silence reigned in the courtyard as the spectators waited to see who would be the first participant. After a short moment, Qing Hu stepped in the arena.
The Qing clan knew that/that, since this was their home ground, this martial competition should naturally start with one of their own!
