by Translator: Pokka; Author: 我本纯洁 (I Am Pure); Licensed From: Migu
In fact, Xiang Shaoyun's entire body seemed to be slightly glowing, giving off a rather mystical aura. After the energy revolved one round within his body, they were pulled into the astral cosmos sea. The astral cosmos sea then fused with the new energy, and after the fusion, the drop of astral cosmos sea grew slightly in size.
"Hu—"
Xiang Shaoyun heaved a long sigh, feeling much weaker as if the energy he had absorbed earlier had all been emptied.
"Growing the astral cosmos sea is actually so exhausting. No wonder most people can only do it when they grow stronger. Looks like I have been forcing it after all," Xiang Shaoyun muttered to himself.
"I clearly saw you absorbing the purple qi. Why is your energy weakening instead of growing? Have you forgotten even your qi refining method?" Zi Changhe suddenly appeared not far away. It was unknown how long he had been there.
"Senior brother, don't you know that appearing without a sound like this will scare someone to death?" Xiang Shaoyun complained as he was given quite a fright by Zi Changhe's sudden appearance. He then said, "That's an accident. I just hadn't been consolidating my foundations properly."
Xiang Shaoyun couldn't tell Zi Changhe he was forming his astral cosmos sea. Even if he did, his senior brother might not believe him anyway.
"Fine. Just be careful in the future and make sure to not get distracted. The purple qi is the energy that can grow your astral energy the fastest. Try to waste as little of it as possible," Zi Changhe advised. He added, "I'll start teaching you a battle technique today. A martial cultivator without a battle technique is the same as a toothless tiger that can't hurt anyone."
"Ok. What battle technique are you teaching me? A tier-5 or tier-6 battle technique?" Xiang Shaoyun rubbed his hands gleefully.
Zi Changhe's face was immediately filled with black lines, and he said, "Do you think battle techniques are like common vegetables you can get anywhere? Tier-5? Tier-6? Not even the palace master has one of those!"
"Fine, fine. How about a tier-4 battle technique? You should have one of those, right?" Xiang Shaoyun decided to settle for something less.
"Peak-grade, tier-2 battle technique, Lightning Spear Technique!" Zi Changhe named the technique directly as he no longer wished to continue babbling with Xiang Shaoyun.
Even among battle techniques of the same tier, there were weak and strong ones. The Lightning Spear Technique was a peak-grade, tier-2 battle technique, one that was much more powerful than ordinary tier-2 battle techniques.
"Only tier-2? That is totally an insult to your identity as both my senior brother and an elder. Fine, I'll pass you some tier-4 battle techniques when I have the time. I promise you will be unequaled among all elders then," Xiang Shaoyun said, his voice laced with contempt.
"I will only say the mantra once, and I will only demonstrate the moves once as well. Learn if you want!" Zi Changhe could no longer be bothered about anything this narcissist fellow had to say. After the short announcement, he proceeded to chant the mantra of the Lightning Spear Technique.
Next, his body started moving along with the mantra. The spear was stabbed forward again and again, emitting crackling electrical currents with an extremely destructive power that one would be hard-pressed to defend against.
Although Xiang Shaoyun acted like he was above learning a tier-2 battle technique, he still paid full attention to the mantra Zi Changhe was chanting. He also memorized each move Zi Changhe demonstrated. As he listened and watched, his gifts of instincts and visualization were both activated.
By the time Zi Changhe was done teaching, Xiang Shaoyun had completely memorized the mantra and the moves to heart.
"Do you remember them all?" Zi Changhe asked strictly.
"Yes." Xiang Shaoyun nodded.
Naturally, Zi Changhe did not believe him. "Read them out loud then."
Xiang Shaoyun proceeded to chant the entire mantra without missing a single word. By the time he was done, Zi Changhe was already completely stupefied. The mantra wasn't exactly long, but an ordinary person would only be able to memorize it after more than 10 attempts. This kid had memorized it after listening to it once.
"Senior brother, don't look at me like that. I know, I know, I am a genius with a photographic memory," Xiang Shaoyun said vainly.
That earned him a slap on the back of his head. Zi Changhe said, "What are you being all proud about? If you can unleash 3 percent of the Lightning Spear Technique's power in a day, I will acknowledge that you're a genius."
"Don't hit my head!" Xiang Shaoyun protested before he assumed a solemn look and said, "What? Only 3 percent? You are looking down on me! I can comprehend at least 10 percent of a trash technique like this in one day!"
"Sure, you said it yourself. If you can do it, I will teach you a tier-3 battle technique and give you something nice as well," Zi Changhe said and left.
Zi Changhe had always been a straightforward person who would never dilly-dally. Even Xiang Shaoyun couldn't help but praise his senior brother. "My senior brother sure has an attitude. It's a pity he's quite weak. Oh well, I'll just impart him some of my knowledge in the future to help him grow stronger. I suppose with his increased strength, even seducing a few young married women would be nothing difficult for him then."
Zi Changhe had yet to completely leave. So when he heard Xiang Shaoyun's words, he staggered and nearly crashed into the ground. He, Zi Changhe, needed Xiang Shaoyun to impart him some knowledge? So that he could seduce some young married women? That kid truly knew how to talk big!
After Zi Changhe left, Xiang Shaoyun lifted a spear. This was a tier-2 spear called Lightning Spear, which Zi Changhe had left before leaving. The spear had a matching name with the battle technique he was about to practice.
Xiang Shaoyun did not start practicing directly. Rather, images of Zi Changhe's demonstration appeared in his mind one after another, as if Zi Changhe had appeared before him once again. As the images flitted through his mind again and again, Xiang Shaoyun gained a comprehensive understanding of all the moves. He had even discovered all the openings of the moves as well.
About an hour later, Xiang Shaoyun finally started practicing. Initially, he moved slowly. Each stab of his was extremely textbook-like. After he familiarized himself with the Lightning Spear Technique, he started moving faster.
One time, two times, three times...
In the span of one morning, Xiang Shaoyun repeated the moves of the Lightning Spear Technique countless times. He even fixed some of the openings of the moves, further perfecting the spear technique.
"The Lightning Spear Technique's essence is in its lightning-fast speed, able to attack when the opponent least expects an attack. It can also transform astral energy into lightning to unleash extremely destructive attacks. This technique focuses not only on speed; similar emphasis is placed on strength as well. It is not easy to perfectly fuse both speed and strength," Xiang Shaoyun muttered as he pondered the technique after having some smoked meat for lunch.
At present, he had already grasped the technique’s key moves. He only needed to add his astral energy into the equation, and he would be able to see how much of the technique’s power he could unleash for now.
After a short break, Xiang Shaoyun started practicing for real. He stabbed his spear repeatedly while his astral energy surged into the spear, unleashing streams of purple spear energy.
Chapter 49: I Might as Well Smash My Head Against a Tofu and Kill Myself
The day passed quickly. The next day, Zi Changhe appeared in the courtyard again. When he saw Xiang Shaoyun meditating instead of practicing the moves, he mused, Has this kid forgotten the moves I showed him? Hah, that's what you get for bragging so much!
"Shaoyun, this tier-2 battle technique is not as easy as you thought, right? Yes, you are talented. But you are also too conceited." Zi Changhe started giving Xiang Shaoyun his heartfelt advice. He hoped to see Xiang Shaoyun maintain a realistic expectation and learn seriously instead of being the current se
lf-important narcissistic person that he was.
Xiang Shaoyun opened his eyes, and when his gaze landed on Zi Changhe, he shouted, "Senior brother, watch my move!"
The moment he said that, he pounced forward like a tiger with an imposing momentum. He rushed forward with the might of a lightning bolt, and his spear shot forward like a rainbow travelling across the sky. With a purple flash, the spear instantly arrived before Zi Changhe's chest.
Lightning Spear Technique! Fast as lightning, mighty as thunder! This was a stab of someone who had gained a basic mastery over the essence of the spear technique. Zi Changhe raised his brow and bellowed, "Audacious! Show me how capable you are, then! Bring it on!"
As Zi Changhe said that, he sidestepped and dodged the stab. However, Xiang Shaoyun seemed to have seen it coming, as he immediately shifted his spear and sent the other end of the spear on the offensive. This attack with the shoe of the spear chained off the first stab perfectly and was almost impossible to guard against. An astonished light surfaced in Zi Changhe's eyes as his palm glowed with a faint purple radiance. Zi Changhe blocked the second attack.
"Ahhhh!"
Xiang Shaoyun yelled and started stabbing his Lightning Spear forward madly with all his power, as if he wouldn't stop before defeating Zi Changhe. The spear stabbed forward unendingly with an astonishing momentum; crackling electricity whipped around in the air.
Pa! Pa!
A purple glow filled the area while sounds of thunder rumbled in the air, a proof of just how powerful these stabs were. However, no matter how hard Xiang Shaoyun attacked, he failed to break through Zi Changhe's defense. In fact, Zi Changhe was only using one hand to block all of Xiang Shaoyun's attacks. Zi Changhe might seem like he was doing that easily, but inwardly, he was greatly shocked.
T-this...in one day, he is already able to unleash 30 percent of the technique's power? No, for some reason, this spear technique feels somewhat different from the Lightning Spear Technique. But this version of Lightning Spear Technique seems much more powerful? Zi Changhe was practically yelling in his heart.
After a while, Xiang Shaoyun stopped attacking. He grumbled sullenly, "What a weak offensive power."
But of course, he was a first-stage Astral Realm cultivator attacking a Transformation Realm cultivator. The gap between them was too large. Of course his offensive power seemed weak in comparison.
When Zi Changhe saw Xiang Shaoyun's sullen look, he comforted him, "You have a five-stars-illuminate-the-sky physique so you won't need more than 10 years to catch up to me. Continue to work hard!"
"What? I need 10 years just to reach YOUR level? I might as well smash my head against tofu and kill myself," Xiang Shaoyun immediately rebutted with an exaggerated expression on his face. From his expression, it was as if reaching Zi Changhe's level in 10 years was the greatest insult ever.
And thus the kid completely ruined Zi Changhe's good mood.
"Since you are so confident in yourself, I will give you two more days. In two days, I want to see a 70 percent mastery over the Lightning Spear Technique. If you can't do it, wait for my punishment!" Zi Changhe said with an unsightly face.
"Sure, 70 percent in 2 days is not a problem. But what's the point of it if I'm not getting anything?" Xiang Shaoyun started talking terms.
Right after Xiang Shaoyun said that, an inner armor appeared in Zi Changhe's hand. "This is your reward. It's a primary-grade, tier-3 inner armor. With this, regular tier-3 weapons won't be able to harm you anymore."
Xiang Shaoyun took the armor, weighed it in his hands and sighed inwardly. Even trash like this is valuable here.
That might be what he had in mind, but he did not voice his thoughts so as to not deal further blows to Zi Changhe. Thus, he said, "Thank you, senior brother." He paused slightly and continued, "Senior brother, since you are known as the Purple Lightning Marquis, you probably specialize in purple lightning astral energy, right? Why not learn this tier-4 battle technique I have. I promise your combat prowess will become even stronger with it."
But right after he said that, Zi Changhe gave him the finger and said, "Will you die if you stop bluffing for a moment?" Zi Changhe followed that up with, "Alright, try not to leave if possible for the next few days. The Wu Clan brothers have already proclaimed that they will be making a move against you."
After saying all he had to say, Zi Changhe left.
"I'm only afraid they won't come after me!" Xiang Shaoyun muttered with an odd glint in his eyes. Since the Wu Clan was trying to make a move against him, he wouldn't be Xiang Shaoyun if he did not teach them a lesson.
Yet another day passed. It was early in the morning, and Xiang Shaoyun was absorbing purple qi as usual. After he was done, he could vaguely sense that his astral energy was nearing the second stage. He only needed to take one step forward to enter the second stage, yet he once again suppressed his advancement. As for the excess energy resulting from his suppression, he pushed it into his astral cosmos sea instead. He longed greatly to expand his astral cosmos sea so he could carry his stuff around more easily.
Done with the breathing exercise, Xiang Shaoyun stretched before leaving Zi Changhe's courtyard. He wanted to return to his own residence and put his things away before paying Lu Xiaoqing and Xia Liuhui a visit. Of course, he did not forget Wang Zhenchuan, the inner court disciple, either. He would naturally keep the promise he had made Wang Zhenchuan.
Zi Changhe's residence was located in a district belonging solely to the elders. The district was quiet and secluded, surrounded by lush plants, elegant pavilions, tiny bridges and streams, gorgeous demonic beasts, and so on. It would be no exaggeration to say that with each new step one took, a new beautiful landscape would unfold before one's eyes.
But before Xiang Shaoyun, who was once a young master of a powerful sect, the view here was nothing too special.
"Even the elder residences are so crude." Xiang Shaoyun shook his head as he lamented beside a lake. People of different stations in life would view things differently.
"Who dares to rave nonsensically here!" a furious voice suddenly rang out.
Xiang Shaoyun thought to himself, I couldn't have attracted trouble with some random ramblings, right? How unlucky am I?
When he turned and saw the speaker, his eyes turned gloomy. "So it's you, delinquent girl?"
"Impudent! Who do you think you are to call me a delinquent girl? Are you tired of living?" the girl shouted before sending a whip Xiang Shaoyun's way.
The girl was not holding back her punches at all. Astral energy powered her casual lash of whip. If the whip struck someone's face, the person would most certainly be scarred. Fortunately, Xiang Shaoyun was no longer the same as before. He immediately activated his gift of instincts to see the trajectory of the incoming whip clearly, and he reached out to grab the whip.
"Let go of it!" Xiang Shaoyun bellowed as he pulled the whip from the girl's hand.
The girl had not expected Xiang Shaoyun to have such a speedy reaction, and she was caught by surprise. Before she could react, she lost hold of her whip. Even her body was pulled forward, causing her to stagger in the direction of the lake beside her.
Splash!
She failed to maintain her balance and ultimately fell into the lake.
"Haha, this is your retribution, evil woman!" Xiang Shaoyun roared with laughter.
The girl in the lake was Li Hong'er, the girl who had once whipped his face. That was why Xiang Shaoyun felt so happy when he saw her suffer.
Chapter 50: Only Astral Realm
"Bastard! Damn you bastard! This young lady won't spare you!" Li Hong'er shouted from the lake. She grew up in the Martial Hall Palace and was known as the number one tyrannical mistress of the palace. She had always been the one doing the bullying, not the other way around. Today, she was going to teach this conceited kid a lesson but was pulled into the lake instead! That was too infuriating!
Nevertheless, Li Hong'er had practiced martial cultivation since young, and she was pre
sently a mid-phase, third-stage Astral Realm cultivator. It did not take her long to climb out of the water. Her entire body was now wet, perfectly revealing her developing figure before Xiang Shaoyun's eyes.
"Eh, you do look decent. But unfortunately, your chest is too flat, and your backside is not curvy enough. More importantly, your character is terrible. If I have to rate you, your rating will be in the negatives," Xiang Shaoyun said right to Li Hong'er's face.
"Die!" Li Hong'er was not one with a good temper. Upon hearing those words, she erupted in anger. She ignored the sorry state she was in and directly attacked Xiang Shaoyun. She slammed her palm toward Xiang Shaoyun’s chest. The palm was reinforced with astral energy and was glowing with a blood-red radiance.
Blood Noxious Palm!
A third-stage Astral Realm cultivator already qualified as an expert, and an ordinary person would never be able to stop the attack of a cultivator at this level. Facing this attack, instead of dodging, Xiang Shaoyun stepped forward and sent out his own punch.
Rushing Qi Fist!
The punch was not exuding any astral energy, yet it carried an extremely violent momentum with it. The palm and the fist met. A muffled thud sounded in the air. The clash forced Li Hong’er to take two steps back, and even her palm was aching. On the other hand, Xiang Shaoyun did not move a single step, as if he was completely unaffected by Li Hong'er's attack.
"Considering how you have received your lesson, I hereby grant you permission to piss off from my face. Otherwise, don't blame me for not showing you any mercy," Xiang Shaoyun said coldly.
Li Hong'er had once whipped and scarred his beautiful face, and he had once vowed to teach this girl a harsh lesson. But now, when he saw Li Hong’er’s sorry state after falling into the lake, his anger dissipated. Thus, he decided to spare her instead. He believed that as a man, he had to be magnanimous. Unfortunately, Li Hong'er felt no sense of gratefulness toward his magnanimity.
"You dare tell me to piss off? If I don't kill you right this moment, I won't be able to alleviate the anger in my heart!" Li Hong'er shouted before she mustered all her strength and started attacking Xiang Shaoyun madly.