Chapter 61 - Match
The Flame Yang Spell had sustained the Huo Family's strength for over a century, showcasing its profound nature. However, Yin Xu's contemptuous expression suggested it was merely an ordinary cultivation technique.
“Then, how long do you reckon it'll take me to reach Huo Zhengquan's current level?” Teng Yu inquired.
“That hinges on your training regimen.”
“How so?”
“The Flame Yang Spell emphasizes utmost masculinity in its cultivation. It's tailored for men, particularly those with robust physiques.” Yin Xu chuckled, eyeing Teng Yu. “Others might not realize, but compared to Huo Yiloong, your aptitude is tenfold superior!”
“Among positive cultivation techniques, the foremost prerequisite is to solidify one's essence and harness one's Yang energy, akin to a ‘child's body.' One can pursue it even at the expense of severe injury, albeit with diminished efficacy.”
Teng Yu grimaced; surely he couldn't forsake female companionship solely for cultivating the Flame Yang Spell, could he?
Reading Teng Yu's thoughts at a glance, Yin Xu teased in a seductive tone, “Is there another method you'd prefer to explore?”
Teng Yu sensed instinctively that this wasn't a prudent route, so he remained silent, fixating his gaze on Yin Xu.
Yin Xu straightened up, adopting a serious tone. “Alternatively, dual cultivation offers a balance between Yin and Yang, mutually enhancing our progress, far surpassing mere self-defense.”
Teng Yu's mind buzzed with confusion. He suspected this youth from the Evil Sect had gleaned such unconventional knowledge from his background.
Setting aside the existence of dual cultivation techniques, even if they did exist, which partner would he choose? Some women in the Dark Guard might be willing, but even contemplating such a proposition went against protocol.
Unaware that dual cultivation wasn't strictly confined to male-female partnerships, the Third Prince suppressed his inner discontent and remarked lightly, “Let's drop this topic; I'm not interested.”
Yin Xu felt a twinge of disappointment, recognizing that dual cultivation hinged on mutual consent and emotion. Committing to a cultivation partner meant a lifetime bond, not to be taken lightly.
Teng Yu changed into his usual attire before summoning assistance for his ablutions.
Yin Xu's bare feet padded on the plush carpet as his gaze lingered on Teng Yu's attendant, realizing they were the same pair from yesterday. He surmised they were trustworthy.
Once tidied, Yin Xu trailed Teng Yu out of the chamber, noticing the courtyard was notably quieter than before.
“Didn't you eliminate a group of guards in An County last time? Why the surplus here?”
“Most of the guards in this mansion aren't aligned with us. There needs to be a pretext to dispose of them, but this batch should suffice. At least this courtyard will be cleared.”
Yin Xu nodded, having grasped Teng Yu's modus operandi over time: leaving no traces and shifting blame onto others.
It's no wonder he could maintain the facade of a prince for so long, attending to his duties with such caution.
Yin Xu had always stuck to his morning routine, yet he portrayed himself as a frivolous youth who indulged in pleasures. He wouldn't rise until the sun was high, but few knew about the hidden passages in his chambers, leading to a clandestine training room in the backyard. Despite appearances, much of his time spent basking in the village's warmth was dedicated to practice, a testament to his current prowess.
Concealment was unnecessary now. The courtyard of Scenic Garden was spacious enough, so Teng Yu had his men clear a space for their practice.
“Shall we spar?” Teng Yu, clad in light training attire, beckoned to Yin Xu with a crooked finger.
“That's precisely what I desire!” Yin Xu shed his thick jacket, rubbing his hands together eagerly. He had been concerned about finding worthy opponents to gauge his current skill level.
Han Sen and Han Qing dismissed all servants from the courtyard, leaving only two stationed—one outside the door, the other in a corner. Though trustworthy, the fewer individuals privy to Teng Yu's martial contest, the better.
Standing ten paces apart, their gazes remained composed, yet before they moved, a gust scattered fallen leaves, thickening the tension.
“Hmph…” A palm strike surged forth, but Yin Xu's legs remained still. He evaded by twisting his body, slicing through the airborne hair with the forceful palm wind.
Squinting, he aimed a hand at Teng Yu's elbow. Simultaneously, Teng Yu withdrew, their palms clashing with a resounding thud, revealing tender, white skin.
Both restrained themselves, exerting only fifty percent of their strength, resulting in a stalemate.
Taking three steps back, they stood erect. Teng Yu chuckled, shaking his numbed arms. “Seems we're in for a good bout.”
Teng Yu fretted over potentially injuring the assistants he'd painstakingly recruited. Meanwhile, Yin Xu worried about his heavy Demonic Qi, fearing he might lose control and harm this perfect vessel.
However, after this trial, they devised a strategy that terrified onlookers during their next assault.
In contrast, Yin Xu remained unfazed. Having faced numerous life-threatening situations in his past life, he considered physical injuries trivial as long as survival was assured.
Consequently, after a brief exchange, both were bruised. Yet mindful of their imminent palace entrance, they refrained from further pleasantries.
Watching Yin Xu's fist collide with the Third Prince's back, Han Sen's eyelids twitched, nearly intervening.
He mused: Despite being thirteen, the Third Prince possesses such robustness. Yet here comes the Seventh Young Master of the Huo Family, heedless as a boulder.
Observing the Third Prince slice his opponent's shoulder, Han Sen lamented: The Seventh Young Master is still but a child.
Unaware of Steward Han's inner conflict, the two men fought fervently, growing increasingly excited and ferocious, gaining insights into each other's strength.
Teng Yu clearly outshone in technique, his maneuvers swift and precise, seamlessly transitioning from one move to the next.
Despite Yin Xu's relaxed approach, his every move inflicted considerable pain upon Teng Yu, who spent most of the time evading Yin Xu's assaults.
The two engaged in a spirited bout, transforming the once picturesque courtyard into a chaotic scene. The delicate flowers were trampled, trees uprooted and snapped as if ravaged by a tempest.
While Yin Xu possessed superior physical prowess, his prolonged exertion was taking its toll. Conversely, Teng Yu, despite his robust physique, had depleted much of his internal energy, rendering him unable to continue the fight.
Using his feet, Yin Xu deftly manipulated a branch from the ground. Infused with Demonic Qi, he thrust it forcefully toward Teng Yu.
Teng Yu watched the iron-black branch hurtling toward his chest, a chill running down his spine. Without hesitation, he retreated, opting not to confront it head-on.
“You're playing dirty!” Teng Yu coughed up blood, evading Yin Xu's strikes while searching for a weapon. However, aside from branches and leaves, there were no stones in sight, a testament to the mansion servants' incompetence.
The lack of stones was solely attributed to the mansion's incompetent staff.
Leaning backward to dodge a descending tree branch, Teng Yu swiftly maneuvered past Yin Xu, leveraging his Qi to ascend a large courtyard tree. As Yin Xu turned, a barrage of pearl-sized fruits hurtled toward him.
Evading the projectile onslaught, Yin Xu attempted to dodge the hidden weaponry. Moments later, he spotted Teng Yu reclining against the tree, brandishing a handful of fruits with a malevolent grin.
Yin Xu anticipated Teng Yu's next move without difficulty, his lips curling into a smirk as he observed the tree laden with fruit. With a flick of his hand, a sinister Demonic Qi materialized.
The courtyard was soon enveloped in a deluge of purple fruit, leaving Yin Xu covered in splotches. Yet, Teng Yu bore the brunt of the assault, his visage tinged with a deep purple hue, lending him a somewhat comical appearance.
“Haha…” Yin Xu chuckled triumphantly, hands on hips.
As Teng Yu wiped his face with stained hands, preparing to retaliate, Han Qing's arrival interrupted them with news of an imperial decree.
“Quite early,” Teng Yu remarked, leading Yin Xu to the front hall, presuming the decree pertained to him.
Without changing attire, the duo traversed the courtyard, drawing bewildered stares from onlookers.
As Lai Jiquan approached, Teng Yu explained the interruption, expressing dissatisfaction at the timing.
Lai Jiquan's cunning gaze swept over them as he remarked jovially about his delayed arrival.
Teng Yu cut him off, demanding the reason for the emperor's summons.
Lai Jiquan, bowing respectfully, relayed the emperor's directive for Seventh Young Master to attend the New Year's Eve feast, complete with formal attire.
Teng Yu expressed surprise, assuming he would be summoned immediately.
Lai Jiquan clarified that the emperor was preoccupied with General Yun's return and planned to welcome him alongside the First Prince of the Imperial Consort Yun.
Teng Yu's eyes narrowed, a subtle tension evident in his grip on the cup.
Despite his dissatisfaction, Teng Yu instructed Lai Jiquan to convey his acknowledgment.
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