Chapter 210: Chapter 200: Overturning Clouds and Rain
"There are many Water Attribute fist techniques that can be cultivated in the Blood Realm: Rushing River Fist, Luoshui Fist, Dragon-Slaying Fist, Flying Waterfall Fist, Cross Fist, Celestial Frost Fist..."
Elder Water Mirror clapped his palms together and, like a waiter reciting a menu, reeled off more than ten fist techniques in one breath, briefly explaining the main characteristics of each.
Zhao Lin had already made up his mind. After listening attentively, he said, "This disciple wishes to cultivate the Celestial Frost Fist."
’Profound Yin Qi added to Cold Ice True Qi,’ he thought. ’That’s adding cold to yin... they’re a perfect match.’
Yang Lin and Elder Water Mirror exchanged a glance. The former said, "The Three Yin Claw and the Celestial Frost Fist share the same origin, as both cultivate Profound Yin Qi. It makes sense for you to choose the Celestial Frost Fist."
Next came the choice of a leg technique.
In the Qi Realm, Zhao Lin had cultivated the Torrential Rain Pear Blossom Leg, which was also a Qi Realm technique. However, unlike the Stone Roar Fist, the Torrential Rain Pear Blossom Leg had a follow-up technique in the Blood Realm called the Cloud Flipping Skill.
Strictly speaking, the Cloud Flipping Skill is two techniques: the Rain Covering Leg and the Cloud-Flipping Force.
The Rain Covering Leg is a leg technique, while the Cloud-Flipping Force is a "body force."
The so-called body force refers to the "body" aspect of the "hand, eye, body, technique, and step" mantra. It includes Body Techniques for rising, falling, advancing, retreating, turning, contracting, and extending.
The Cloud-Flipping Force focuses on controlling the body with Qi. When cultivated to Major Achievement, the body’s forceful Qi will surge like a torrent, and one’s body technique will become as unpredictable and ever-changing as shifting clouds.
Zhao Lin was secretly delighted. ’The Cloud-Flipping Force will be perfect for utilizing the ability of the acupoints on my chest and back to expel forceful Qi.’
"The Cloud Flipping Skill must be paired with footwork to display its full power. I heard from Wei Hong that your footwork is quite good, so you must continue to practice it diligently in the future."
As Yang Lin spoke, he held up four fingers. "Celestial Frost Fist, Three Yin Claw, Rain Covering Leg, and Cloud-Flipping Force—that’s already four techniques. You’ve also practiced the Turtle Shell Force, right? To what level have you cultivated it?"
"I’ve reached Minor Achievement."
"Stop practicing it for now. You simply can’t handle five techniques at once. Besides, the Turtle Shell Force is a defensive technique. Once you break through to the First Layer of the Blood Realm, it will naturally be strengthened."
Zhao Lin also felt he was practicing too many things and agreed, "This disciple obeys."
Remembering the wisp of Thunder Attribute True Qi inside him, he asked tentatively, "Courtyard Head, Elder, does the sect have any Thunder Attribute Skills?"
Elder Water Mirror immediately shook his head. "Our Xingyun Sect’s martial arts primarily focus on the five elements. We have no Thunder Attribute Skills."
Yang Lin asked, puzzled, "Why do you ask about that?"
Zhao Lin had already prepared his excuse and explained, "This disciple was thinking that since cultivation techniques are divided into metal, wood, water, fire, and earth, it seems there should also be categories for wind, ice, and thunder. That’s why I asked."
Yang Lin’s doubts vanished upon hearing this. He said, "Our Xingyun Sect has no inherited Thunder Attribute Skills. Besides, the Three Yin Claw and Celestial Frost Fist you’re cultivating are already extremely difficult. Don’t think about anything else for now."
"Yes."
Zhao Lin felt a pang of disappointment. He had been overjoyed when he absorbed the Thunder Catfish’s Essence Soul, but he never expected this wisp of Thunder Attribute True Qi to be so wild and untamable that he couldn’t control it at all. And without a suitable technique, it seemed he could only wait for a future opportunity.
With the techniques chosen, Elder Water Mirror stayed in the inner courtyard for two days, teaching Zhao Lin the incantations and key cultivation points for the Celestial Frost Fist, Rain Covering Leg, and Cloud-Flipping Force.
Half a month passed in the blink of an eye, and the time came to late August.
"Senior Brother, take care on your journey."
Zhao Lin saw Gao Yuan to the sect’s main gate and waved goodbye.
Gao Yuan’s period of advanced study at the Xingyun Sect was over, and today he was setting off to return to Ying Province.
Zhao Lin didn’t escort him outside the city due to a small superstition. The last time he had seen his master out of the city, Zhu Huaishan had met with misfortune after returning home. So this time, he only went as far as the sect gate for peace of mind.
"Junior Brother, we’ll meet again!"
Gao Yuan cupped his fists firmly, turned, and headed toward Yongning City.
After seeing his senior brother off, Zhao Lin didn’t return to the inner courtyard. Instead, he circled around to the eastern side of Xingyun Mountain and sprinted off, heading deep into the Yanyun Mountain Range.
He had been in the inner courtyard for over a month, had learned everything he needed to, and could now wipe out a nest of Spotted Tail Bees in the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea.
Yang Lin felt the time was right and assigned him a medicinal mountain to guard while cultivating his martial arts.
Zhao Lin, map in hand, ran for half a day, arriving before a large mountain in the afternoon.
"This must be Ancient Rock Mountain!"
Zhao Lin looked up. The green mountain was lush and verdant, its forests thick and thriving, with birds occasionally circling in the sky above.
He moved to the southern foot of the mountain and walked uphill for a while until he saw a square-shaped house built from sand, stone, and earth.
The owner of this place seemed to have a refined taste, having planted many flowers and plants in the open space in front of the house.
Zhao Lin walked up to the house and called out, "Is Senior Brother He here?"
A moment later, with a CREAK, the door opened, and a slender, clean-shaven man in his thirties walked out.
He sized Zhao Lin up and said with a smile, "You must be Junior Brother Zhao from the inner courtyard, right?"
Zhao Lin replied, "That’s right. The Courtyard Head arranged for me to take over the shift."
Senior Brother He nodded slightly. "The sect sent someone yesterday to inform me. I’ve already packed my things."
With that, he stepped aside and gestured. "Junior Brother, please come in and talk."
The two entered the house. Senior Brother He lifted a kettle of hot water from the stove and skillfully washed the teacups and brewed tea.
Zhao Lin looked around. The house was spacious and bright, and the household items were neatly arranged. Although it couldn’t compare to the residences in the inner courtyard, having such living conditions in the mountains was already quite good.
"What do you think of this place?" Senior Brother He asked, looking up.
"It’s very nice," Zhao Lin said sincerely.
"Here, have some tea."
Senior Brother He pushed a teacup toward him and said with a smile, "You don’t need to worry about food and drink; the sect has already arranged everything. Villagers from the foot of the mountain will bring meals up every morning and evening, and you can give them your dirty clothes to wash."
Zhao Lin picked up his cup, took a sip, and asked, "Are there many strange beasts on the mountain?"
Senior Brother He shook his head. "Not many. Just Zhihao and Iron Spike Lizards, and you’d be lucky to kill a few in a year. Remember, after you hunt a strange beast, cut off its left ear and turn it in when you return to the sect. It counts as credit for guarding the mountain."
"Oh, right, one more thing: we only eliminate the strange beasts. Ordinary wild animals are only to be hunted if they are particularly ferocious or have harmed someone."
"Usually, if you encounter them, just scaring them off is enough. You can’t kill them all. You understand the reasoning behind this, don’t you?"
Zhao Lin understood and said solemnly, "I won’t indiscriminately kill ordinary wild animals."
Although the ancients didn’t know the concept of a food chain or understand ecological balance, they had learned from past experiences and lessons that:
if you kill all the wolves, tigers, and leopards in the mountains, animals like sheep, deer, rabbits, and mice will have no natural predators. They will reproduce uncontrollably and eventually devour all the vegetation on the mountain, thus destroying the medicinal mountain.
That’s why there’s a rule against casually hunting wild animals. It’s enough to let them know that humans are not to be trifled with.
The enthusiastic and talkative Senior Brother He explained all the duties of guarding the mountain to Zhao Lin. It wasn’t until the sun began to set in the west that he picked up a small cloth bundle and took his leave.
Zhao Lin walked around the house and found that the bedsheets and quilt were new, neatly folded at the head of the bed. He nodded in satisfaction, thinking, ’From now on, I’ll be stationed here on Ancient Rock Mountain, cultivating all by myself.’
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