391 Hiding the Trump Cards
Fang Huo was slightly embarrassed. He was regarded as one of the strongest among the younger generation in Qingzhou, so his defeat by Qin Huai, who he had challenged, was a real blow to his pride.
“You’re too kind, Brother Fang. I’m nearly spent,” Qin Huai cupped his hands and bowed.
For the first time, he truly felt his physical limits. Having developed two full patterns, his body was stronger than ever before. He was well adapted to the dragon king qi, blood, and muscle fusion.
Along with the blood heart technique’s powerful healing, Qin Huai figured he could keep this up for a few more days. After all, the blood heart technique, a foundation of the Sacred Heart sect, had the miraculous ability to repair flesh and blood. It was far superior to the healing methods of Lion Spirit Mountain.
Fang Huo nodded. ‘Nearly spent, huh? Who are you trying to fool?’ He eyed Qin Huai’s lively complexion, clearly seeing that he was still full of energy.
Rubbing his belly, Fang Huo moved towards the roast meat, not giving Qin Huai another look.
“Why aren’t you fighting anymore?” She Wanshan asked, looking puzzled at Fang Huo. “Are you on a break?”
Fang Huo frowned. “Can you shut up, future Lotus Peak Master?”
“Okay, Brother Fang.” She Wanshan promptly closed his mouth upon hearing this.
Qin Huai joined Xiang Mingfeng and the others, his dragon king form gone and his clothes ripped to shreds. Luckily, he had wisely replaced his remaining poisonous creatures with animal skins, so he fit right into the group.
“Brother Zhou, your strength is far beyond what I had imagined,” Xiang Mingfeng said, surprised by Qin Huai’s power.
He had expected Qin Huai to be strong, but not strong enough to beat Fang Huo senseless. Even though it wasn’t a fight to the death, the significance of this victory was not lost on anyone. “Do you have any secret moves left?” Xiang Mingfeng asked directly.
Qin Huai was taken aback. He was not used to such blunt honesty, so much so that he did not know what to say.
“If this is the case, then it’s still going to be very difficult to defeat those old monsters,” said Xiang Mingfeng. “The fighters from the major sects have highly compatible cultivation techniques, and they strive to perfect their patterned bones to best match their techniques. Plus, these major sects have deep roots and their fighters have deadly moves as their trump cards.” He added, “I’m concerned about your life. Even if you manage to beat Fang Huo now, you might not be able to kill him in a life-or-death battle.”
“Brother Xiang, don’t worry. I still have some tricks up my sleeve,” he said quietly.
Xiang Mingfeng looked seriously at Qin Huai. “Think carefully before you answer. Emotion can cloud judgment, and there is no room for error when your life is on the line. You’ve seen what happened to Guo Ze.” He added, “Can I take a look?”
Qin Huai shook his head, smiling. “Brother Xiang, you know it’s not smart to reveal your trump cards to others.”
Though aware of Xiang Mingfeng’s good intentions, Qin Huai remained wary. He didn’t want to reveal his flame longevity technique or illusion realm fist prematurely.
“Yes, that’s a tough one,” Xiang Mingfeng acknowledged, falling into silence.
Qin Huai didn’t add anything more, understanding his concerns. This upcoming battle was extremely important, potentially deciding the fate of the entire bronze realm and the destinies of future kings. A single mistake could cost everyone their lives.
Another half month passed.
Qin Huai’s blood heart technique finally reached the fifth-level bone pattern realm. He sat cross-legged at a quiet spot away from the stone monument forest, his back itching as if something was growing there.
Kakaka…
Loud noises erupted from within Qin Huai’s body, sounding like internal firecrackers going off. With a puff, hot air streamed out of his nostrils, his skin turning a lava-like red.
“Has my strength increased again?” he wondered aloud, examining his hands and rising to his feet. He seemed to have grown slightly, gaining a height of one or two centimeters.
Taking another deep breath, he mused, “The air feels much fresher now…”
This familiar sensation brought back memories of his training in the qi confinement and one body technique. He paused in surprise. “Could it be that the blood heart technique also has the power to transform life levels?”
He commended, “Truly, a top-notch cultivation technique.” However, he felt a sense of regret thinking about how the Sacred Heart sect had deviated from their path. By corrupting the blood heart technique into an evil technique, they’d reduced many people to a state somewhere between human and ghost.
Raising his head, he glanced into the distance where She Wanshan was approaching. The latter stopped at a safe distance from Qin Huai, calling out to him from afar, and only walked nearer after gaining his permission. “Brother Zhou, Senior Brother Xiang is requesting your presence,” he said, a faint bitterness playing across his smile.
“Is the selection done?” Qin Huai inquired, to which the latter affirmed with a nod. Together, they walked towards the forest of stone tablets, their strides matching.
The stone tablet forest was now teeming with ten prodigies. As Qin Huai’s gaze swept over them, he noted they were all masters from the five great sects in Qingzhou’s inner city: Xiang Mingfeng of Wuji Mountain, Fang Huo of Lion Spirit Mountain, Xu Tong of Blue Sea Pavilion, and Little Cattle King of Ghost Ox sect.
There was also a unique individual from the Thousand Divination Tower. He was garbed in a long robe that was half Daoist, half monk, standing out amidst the crowd. In his left hand, he held a horsetail whisk, while a sandalwood bead was clasped in his right.
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