Chapter 40 Annual Competition Amongst the 3rd Generation 3 . (1/2)
Chapter 40 Annual Competition Amongst the 3rd Generation (3).
Ancient Strengthening Technique: Chapter 40 – Annual Competition Amongst the 3rd Generation (3)
Qing Shui was already up and about as dawn broke. After his morning ablutions, he would enter the Qing Clan’s courtyard and do some simple stretches. The air in the morning was at its freshest during this part of the day. What Qing Shui wanted to do was to cultivate the Qi in his body by practicing a simple breathing technique, simply by breathing deeply.
The Ancient Strengthening Technique placed emphasis on the refinement of one’s body and bones. Everyday without fail, Qing Shui would practice the Solitary Rapid Fist, getting himself used to the harmonization of the muscles of his body, amplifying his strength to the highest level. In a perfect state of harmonization, not to mention a strike containing 100% of his power, even strikes amplified to 200% or higher were possible.
The silence in the courtyard was broken by the growling from the mastiffs lying about, but after seeingthat it was Qing Shui, they soon quieted down and went back to their normally docile posture.
“Ghostly Steps!” Shadows flashed as Qing Shui sped across the courtyard. Qing Shui knew that this set of Ghostly Steps were derived from the essence of all escape techniques. It could even be used to evade and flee when one’s opponent was monstrously stronger than oneself, solely based on this fact one could tell how unfathomably mysterious this technique was.
Not only that, but in his repertoire was also the Solitary Rapid Fists! Qing Shui could not help but feel that both the Ghostly Steps and Solitary Rapid Fists complement each other perfectly, almost to the point where one could call it a flawless combination. The two skills he unlocked from the Ancient Strengthening Technique, could actually complement each other to such a degree… This discovery gave Qing Shui pause. Can other skills I obtain from breakthroughs complement each other as well? What a pity that he had still not broken through to the 4th heavenly layer despite such a long time. For the skills that he had already unlocked, the hidden weapon arts, Solitary Rapid Fist as well as Ghostly Steps, he had already cultivated them to a state where it was tough for him to improve them more in the near future.
However, Qing Shui knew that progress on the path of cultivation was akin to a sailing a boat against the currents! Not only would it be hard to break through after a certain level, if one stagnated for too long, one might actually regress as well.
The quintessential essence of the Solitary Rapid Fists lied in both the words “Solitary” and “Rapid”, one must train to the point where a single strike was so fast and agile that it would transform into two, two to four and so on. As for the Ghostly steps, the quintessential essence of it lied in the word “Ghostly”. One must cultivate the technique to the point where one would be as unpredictable as a shadow, and as illusive as a ghost.
In addition, Qing Shui was now proficient in the usage of swords. Contemplating on the essence of the basic sword techniques through Iaido, following the three-worded mantra – Swiftness, Accuracy, Decisiveness. Swiftness to the point of lightning, Accuracy refers to the way one wield the sword while Decisiveness pertained to the mental state. The essence of the sword could be boiled down to:“It is fine if I do not draw my sword, but when I do, I must obtain victory with a single strike, moving first to counter against any possible retaliation.”
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It was still morning after he finished his regime, Qing Shui could hear the sounds of the store owners, the sounds of children hoo-hahing through the streets and the melodious sounds of chirping birds.
As he entered his residence, a delicious smell wafted over. Qing Shui looked at the table only to see Qing Yi smiling at him. Laid on the table were two dishes of vegetables and two dishes of wild boar meat, the smell was so alluring that it whet his appetite.
“Shui`er, hurry up and eat your meal, let us go and watch the competition later. Observing the battles of others can only bring benefits to your cultivation, even more so than just merely cultivating.” Qing Yi beseeched Qing Shui to eat as she explained the benefits to him.
“En, I have long since planned to watch the yearly competition today mother, I am sure that today will be interesting~” Qing Shui said with a grin. Looking at the elegant features of Qing Shui, one would be shocked to find that his table manners were somewhat lacking. Armed with a voracious appetite, he devoured everything with a speed that would rival that of combat soldiers. Qing Yi could only watch with a stunned expression on her face.
In his eyes, he didn’t bother much about what people thought about him. Qing Shui knew perfectly well that power was everything. If you are strong enough, then no matter what you door how boorish you are, people would start to emulate you. If you were weak, then no matter how elegant you appeared to be, people would still only think of you as a sissy.
“Eat slower dear, no one is going to snatch the food away from you.” Qing Yi hurriedly said as her eyes bubbled with laughter.
“Mother, who will maintain the order and be the host for this year’s competition?” Qing Shui suddenly thought of a question.
“The judges this year will include the Qing Clan, Lan Clan, Feng Clan and the Tong Clan, as well as someone from Hundred Miles City.” Qing Yi replied readily. It seemed like this had always been the case for the past as well.