Chapter 32: Chapter 32: The Grand Competition in the Building Begins
In Golden Phoenix Tower, in addition to one Tower Master and three Vice Tower Masters, there are ten Elders.
These fourteen people have the highest power. Even on the Tower Head Self-Review Conference held every five years, if more than half the votes support it, the Tower Master could be directly removed.
On the day before the internal competition, three elders appeared in the study room of the Second Tower Master.
"Second Tower Master, we’ve noticed your diligent efforts for Golden Phoenix Tower over the years. Rest assured, after the competition, we three will support you."
No sooner had the three elders sat down than they expressed their standpoints.
The Second Tower Master, a vigorous looking old man, responded with a smile, "Actually, Supervisor Su is quite capable, but it’s a pity she’s always had ulterior motives. If she hadn’t surrendered a large territory out of private interests back then, Golden Phoenix Tower would have already dominated Feiyan City."
While he seemed to be explaining, he was in fact impugning Su Yanru indirectly. As expected, hearing him bringing up bygones, the three elders’ previous hesitation instantly lessened.
One of the elders said, "Second Tower Master, this time around, the other two Vice Tower Masters are interested in the Tower Master’s position. As such, the internal competition tomorrow is quite crucial."
In this crucial period of battle for influence among the Vice Tower Masters, the inheritance of the Tower Master will unmistakably have an immeasurable impact on the choice of the ten elders.
Granted they have similar abilities, people would undoubtedly choose a direct relative of the inheritor, which ensures a smooth succession and the stability of the Golden Phoenix Tower.
"Lan Ning broke through to the Hidden Qi Realm, Level Nine, a few days ago."
The Second Tower Master revealed a piece of information that almost made the three elder stand up in shock.
As one of the three geniuses of the Golden Phoenix Tower, Lan Ning was capable of defeating experienced martial artists of the Hidden Qi Realm, Level Eight when she was at Level Six. Now that she has advanced to Level Nine, how strong must her power be?
"Ha ha, so that’s it, then allow us to congratulate the Second Tower Master in advance."
The three elders had no more hesitation and were firmly resolved to support the Second Tower Master.
After all, once the Second Tower Master becomes the Tower Master, they could be considered the very first group of ’loyal subjects’, ensuring better treatment than they currently receive.
While the Second Tower Master was plotting in secret, the Third and Fourth Tower Masters were not idle either.
On the other hand, Su Yanru, the Tower Master whose position seemed under threat, didn’t seem to care about what had been happening and went about her usual business.
"You’re saying that Lele is not coming out and is cultivating in isolation?"
Elegant dishes were arranged on the table as Su Yanru looked surprised.
"Yes, this servant hasn’t even seen the Young Master."
The maid reported at a side.
"Alright, you may leave now."
After the maid left, Su Yanru mumbled to herself, "What exactly is that little devil up to?"
Even though she said this, Su Yanru appeared somewhat pleased. After all, she could not possibly protect Shi Xiaole his entire life. If he learns to be self-reliant, then she would feel more reassured even if she could not be with him.
Due to the upcoming competition, the entire Golden Phoenix Tower was soaked in an atmosphere of anticipation and tension.
No one knew that in the eastern courtyard, Shi Xiaole had already been sitting cross-legged for ten two-hour periods.
"Breakthrough for me."
Propelling the Fuyang Qi Skill, Shi Xiaole’s internal power crashed against the invisible barrier time and again. He had already attempted this thousands of times, something that anyone else would have collapsed under.
Firstly, the agony from each collision with the barrier was unbearable to a common person. This is why most people only choose to attempt a breakthrough when they’re fully confident they’re ready.
Secondly, internal power inevitably scatters after colliding into the barrier. Recollecting all of it requires an enormous amount of mental strength. If one fails at this, they’re likely to go astray.
Thirdly, where could an average Qi Realm martial artist possibly obtain the continuous internal power that Shi Xiaole possessed? They would reach their limits after hundreds of attempts.
One could say that willpower, mental strength, and the practice of the Fuyang Qi Skill synchronously ensured Shi Xiaole’s perseverance.
He could feel the cracks on the surface of the barrier increasing and knew it would shatter soon.
As the face of his little aunt flashed across his mind, Shi Xiaole forcefully concentrated his thoughts and once again propelled his internal power towards the barrier.
Boom!
A piercing pain made his body twitch, immediately followed by a warm feeling.
Shi Xiaole’s internal power visibly increased. If his original total volume of internal power were compared to a stream, it was now a spring – utterly incomparable.
Besides volume, the purity of his internal power also improved, enhancing the efficiency of his operation dramatically.
Initial Stage of Hidden Qi Level Six!
Breathing out a long sigh, Shi Xiaole opened his eyes, unable to hold back a satisfied smile.
Initially, he was merely trying it out. Later on, he started to get stubborn about it, almost as if he vowed not to stop until he succeeded.
However, Shi Xiaole knew that the success to a large extent was credited to the Fuyang Qi Skill.
If it was the Embracing the Origin Energy, it certainly wouldn’t have succeeded.
It could be said, the impact of internal power mind methods on martial artists is immense.
This is just like the engine to a car; under the same conditions, the higher the level of the engine, the faster and more stable the car runs.
Of course, individuals vary. Even with the same martial arts mind methods, there will be variations in their rate of progress.
However, no matter how you look at it, a good method for cultivating internal power can not only greatly enhance a martial artist’s strength in the short term, but also stimulate their potential in the long term, allowing them to break through their own limits.
Take an average martial artist for example: if they practice a superior third-rate internal power cultivation method, there’s a slight chance they might be able to surpass the Qi Absorption Realm in the future.
And if they practice an inferior second-rate internal power cultivation method, this possibility would substantially increase!
Unfortunately, the martial arts in this world that are slightly higher in grade are firmly held in the hands of the top martial forces and rarely trickle down to the Martial World.
For instance, an above-average third-rate internal power cultivation method is basically considered a sect’s secret art. This includes the Golden Phoenix Mind Method from the Golden Phoenix Tower which is of the same grade.
If an inferior second-rate martial art were to appear, it would undoubtedly stir up a bloodbath.
Shi Xiaole decided to test his current strength, he went to the courtyard and threw a ’hundred-flower punch’ into the air in front of him.
With a boom.
Three feet away, a string of leaves shook as if there was a breeze, even the slender branches trembled a few times.
"Hmm, my internal power has increased by about thirty to forty percent since the last time."
Shi Xiaole was quite satisfied.
He felt that if he got into an altercation with the likes of Dong Chengwu again, even without activating Stone Qi Cyclone, he would not be at a disadvantage.
And if he were to use the Stone Qi Cyclone, he probably could take his opponent down in three or four moves!
You should know that it’s not just a simple matter of his internal power enhancement, with the addition of Fuyang Qi Skill, his overall strength has also improved significantly.
"Tomorrow is the big competition, I’d like to see for myself how much strength the so-called geniuses of the Golden Phoenix Tower have."
Shi Xiaole chuckled and went back into his room.
...
Daylight dawned, it was another clear and sunny day.
As soon as the 2-hour period started, horse-drawn carriages started parking hundred meters away from the Golden Phoenix Tower. Prominent figures from the Martial World in Feiyan City, who held a great status, got off the carriages and headed towards the Golden Phoenix Tower with gifts in their hands.
"Dart Leader Chen, you’re here, too."
"Gang Leader Wang, aren’t you here as well? As Chen, could I miss the once in a decade internal competition at the Golden Phoenix Tower?"
"Haha, same here."
A multitude of Martial World experts converged towards the Golden Phoenix Tower, they exchanged pleasantries with those who were acquainted, and for those who weren’t as familiar, a simple fist salute served as a greeting. Everyone was led to the guest seats outside the tower plaza by the housekeeper who was poised and unruffled amidst the chaos.
The Golden Phoenix Tower had gone to great lengths for the competition today with dozens of seats arranged, and each seat was equipped with a table and a dedicated servant. Finger food and drinks were neatly arranged on the tables.
The Martial World in Feiyan City, of course, had more than just a handful of prominent figures. However, those who were truly qualified to enter the Golden Phoenix Tower to watch the match were all influential tycoons of the city.
Today, as usual, Su Yanru was dressed in a red gauze dress, her curvaceous figure and stunning face were enough to make quite a few experts present fall head over heels in admiration.
Some wives accompanied by their husbands were present, at this moment, they would poke their husbands in irritation, to express their displeasure.
"The City Lord has arrived."
As the housekeeper announced, all the present individuals, including Su Yanru, stood up.
"City Lord, your presence truly graces the Golden Phoenix Tower."
Su Yanru greeted him with a charming smile.
A flicker of heat passed through the City Lord’s eyes, and he gently spoke, "As one of the three major forces in Feiyan City, how could I not attend such a grand event at the Golden Phoenix Tower?"
With the arrival of the City Lord, the atmosphere at the scene had become even more fervent. Unconsciously, everyone’s anticipation of the grand competition of Golden Phoenix Tower had heightened.
Upon settling the City Lord, everyone else took their respected seats. Violent Bear Meng Qi stood up and announced loudly: "Thank you all for gracing the Golden Phoenix Tower with your presence. Without further ado, the Golden Phoenix Tower competition begins now! All competitors are not allowed to intentionally injure others or use hidden weapons and poison, violators will be penalized according to the tower rules!"
"Furthermore, the winner of this competition, on top of becoming the successor of the tower, will also receive an additional Qi Gathering Pill."
Numerous individuals present changed their expressions in surprise, shocked by the magnanimity of Golden Phoenix Tower.
The Qi Gathering Pill, it’s effective only for practitioners in the Hidden Qi Realm, and can increase the likelihood of breaking through this realm by more than half. On the market, such a pill would fetch a minimum of two hundred thousand taels.
The second, third and fourth master glanced at each other.
The idea of using the Qi Gathering Pill, of course, was proposed by them. In their opinion, regardless, the eventual winner would be their offspring anyway, so there’s no holding back needed in this regard.
After the announcement by Meng Qi, dozens of young people walked out from the side hall, in turn, they took their respective numbers from a wooden box in front.
"Yanru, I heard your nephew is also competing in this competition?" The City Lord, sitting at some distance from Su Yanru, asked.
Hearing his form of address, Su Yanru involuntarily frowned and then laughed, "Indeed."
The second master chimed in, "Little Lele studied at the Huajian Sect for a year, he must have made great strides in his skills and is probably prepared to amaze everyone upon his return. I must take a good look."
His words seemed to be praising, but in reality, his tone was full of mockery. He clearly didn’t believe Shi Xiaole would amount to much in the competition at all.
Upon hearing the mocking words from the second master, the high-ranking officials of the Golden Phoenix Tower present couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
Su Yanru was also laughing, but her eyes held a touch of coldness.
