Chapter 725: Chapter 724: Crossing the River with a Single Reed
"Brother Shi, I cannot express my gratitude in words. Once I master my martial arts, I will kill those three men to avenge my master, and then come to repay you."
After a few 2-hour periods of hurried travel, they finally escaped danger. Hua Yiyun solemnly saluted Shi Xiaole.
"How long is this going to take? Aren’t you afraid that before you master your martial arts, your enemies would have already been killed?"
These words took Hua Yiyun by surprise and he struggled to respond.
Yes, he was confident that he could break through to the Divine Barrier Realm, but time waits for no man. Decades later, who could tell if the three cunning villains would still be alive?
And where would his Junior Sister Yuan be at that time?
In Shi Xiaole’s eyes, Hua Yiyun was extremely talented. No, extraordinary would be more accurate. Though he was just twenty-five years old, his cultivation had already reached the eighth level of the Dragon Gate Realm.
Moreover, one must not forget, Hua Yiyun wasn’t born into a top-tier force, and his master was merely a third-level expert of the Divine Barrier Realm. Thus, he was at a significant disadvantage in terms of resources and knowledge.
Despite these obstacles, he was able to reach his current level, proving that his aptitude was no lesser than the top talents listed in the local Earth Immortal rankings.
"If you trust me, why not follow me and cultivate for now? I will train you to become one of the top powerhouses in the universe. As for those three, I’m afraid they won’t have the chance to face you. I will take them out first."
Upon hearing this, Hua Yiyun was overwhelmed and couldn’t fully comprehend Shi Xiaole’s words. Was Brother Shi willing to let him follow him and even train him?
"Are you willing?" Shi Xiaole asked.
On account of this incident, Shi Xiaole was confident about Hua Yiyun’s character. Given Hua’s talent, he might even become the master of one his Nine Great Mountain Manors in the future!
After adjusting his breathing, Hua Yiyun neatly dressed himself, and with a bow said, "Brother Shi, as long as you are willing to take me under your wing, I, Hua Yiyun, am willing to go through fire and water for you, sparing no effort!"
Although Hua Yiyun was a thoughtful person, he knew that following Shi Xiaole would definitely be better than wandering aimlessly by himself. With Shi Xiaole’s insight and cunning, and his accurate guidance, even his own master couldn’t compare.
Moreover, Shi Xiaole also saved his life.
They settled down in a cave they found on a mountaintop.
According to Hua Yiyun, he had forgotten the location of the Three Talents Association Spiritual Fortune branch due to the effects of gu poison. Luckily, Shi Xiaole was able to evoke Hua Yiyun’s subconscious memories by using the Heaven and Earth Changing Great Method, they soon found the exact location.
"Those places keep young people with great potential from all over the place. The numbers are not large. The whole branch has only a few dozen members of the Three Talents Association."
Hua Yiyun clenched his teeth in secret.
He regretted that he hadn’t been more thoughtful at first. If only he had been more alert, he would have noticed the suspicious circumstances surrounding his master’s capture. However, he had never experienced anything like it before, and all he could think of was revenge at the time.
"Okay, in at most two months, we’ll go save your Junior Sister Yuan, also taking the chance to kill those three. I hope they are still there."
Shi Xiaole said nonchalantly.
"What?" Hua Yiyun was stunned.
A single one of them was among the top-ranked Fourth Tier Earth Immortals. Together they could even compete with the initial stages of a Fifth Tier Earth Immortal. From where did Shi Xiaole get such confidence?
Before Hua Yiyun could assimilate this surprise, he saw Shi Xiaole using his finger to carve many small characters on the cave wall. Looking closely, he saw the ’Great Universe Shifting Skill’ written on the left side - an Internal Mind Method, and ’Yi Sword Skill’ on the right - naturally a sword technique.
Although Hua Yiyun was not very knowledgeable, he could tell at a glance that the Great Universe Shifting Skill was undoubtedly a top-notch mid-level method, and the Yi Sword Skill was Shi Xiaole’s renowned sword technique, which he had long heard of.
He knew that although his master was a third-level expert in the Divine Barrier Realm, he only practiced a mid-level martial technique of the first class. It seemed that these two techniques were superior.
Without stopping, Shi Xiaole then carved the formula for a third martial art technique.
Without thinking, Hua Yiyun said aloud, "Nine Yang Divine Skill?!"
Smiling, Shi Xiaole nodded, "You first practice the Nine Yang Divine Skill, and then practice the Great Universe Shifting Skill. Maybe the effects will not be much worse than a first-class upper-level technique."
The combination of Nine Yang Divine Skill and the Great Universe Shifting Skill was a super combo in the Martial World. It was, without a doubt, almost invincible.
The Nine Yang Divine Skill alone once mastered, provided limitless power, transforming ordinary moves into attacks of considerable might. Defensive powers also increased significantly, creating an invincible Vajra body, with the ability to resist all kinds of poisons. It was even a Holy Book for healing injuries, bringing together various features in one.
On the other hand, the Great Universe Shifting Skill was the unique skill of the Persian Ming Sect, capable of stimulating potential, imitating opponent’s martial skills, and pulling and shifting power among other amazing benefits.
What was most terrifying was that, after practicing the Nine Yang Divine Skill, practicing the Great Universe Shifting Skill was like completing half the work for ten times the result, unimaginably fast. With Hua Yiyun’s talent, there was no doubt he could bring this combo to its maximum potential.
Of course, if Hua Yiyun had reached the Divine Border Realm, Shi Xiaole wouldn’t mind passing on the Dragon Gate Divine Skill to him too.
Whew!
Suppressing the excitement in his heart, Hua Yiyun also didn’t say much, immediately starting to memorize the chants and immerse himself in cultivation. He knew that the greatest repayment to Shi Xiaole was to successfully practice these three martial arts techniques.
Having arranged Hua Yiyun, Shi Xiaole began to plan for himself.
When he said he would assault the Spiritual Fortune branch in two months, he wasn’t boasting, but indeed planning to do so. It might seem difficult for others to make such a huge leap in just two months, but Shi Xiaole was different.
Mentally entering the system space, he quickly purchased a top-quality, first-class flying skill, Crossing the River with a Single Reed from the Buddhist School!
First-class top-grade flying skills are as valuable as first-class top-grade internal skills, and even rarer. It is said that in the Martial World, the top powerhouses have at most two or three, and the lesser ones have only one.
Once Shi Xiaole becomes proficient, combined with his combat techniques and spiritual power, his strength growth would be much more terrifying than others.
At the peak of the mountain, the two found their own spots and began to cultivate day and night.
"Crossing the River with a Single Reed is based on the principle of using force against force. Only one focal point needs to be ignited, allowing the practitioner to leap with leverage, using very little effort."
After spending several days understanding the essence of it, Shi Xiaole began practicing.
Whoosh!
In the first attempt, he drifted dozens of yards horizontally in the air and exhausted his internal energy.
The second time.
The third time.
...
After countless trials and improvements, Shi Xiaole gradually began to grasp the secret of balance. Facing the early morning sun in the distance, he stepped off the peak, his feet still, and he slowly moved forward on the cloud mist.
If he used Vigorous Air, any Earth Immortal in the Divine Border Realm could do this. But the issue was, at this point, Shi Xiaole used almost no Vigorous Air and relied solely on the initial thrust and environmental force.
When he traveled thousands of kilometers, Shi Xiaole attempted to retreat and suddenly fell from the cloud when he reached five hundred meters.
His Crossing the River with a Single Reed was barely completed, and he had not yet reached the point of being able to control it freely. However, as long as he understood the principle, this would be quite simple for Shi Xiaole.
Indeed.
Just a few days later, he successfully reached that realm.
Above the golden sea of clouds, a figure in green robes roamed freely, moving like the wind, its speed changing unpredictably, and all transitions happened without any signs.
Crossing the River with a Single Reed, mastered!
"With my current flying skill, I can deal with the likes of Shen Canghai in less than ten moves without using special techniques."
Descending back to the cliff edge and looking at the golden sun in the sky, Shi Xiaole laughed heartily.
Strength is made up of many elements, among which, flying skill is definitely one of the most important ones.
To some extent, it could even make up for the gap in attack power. After all, strong attack power without sufficient speed to hit the opponent is pointless.
And now, it was only a month and a half since Shi Xiaole began to practice Crossing the River with a Single Reed. The reason it was so quick was probably because Crossing the River with a Single Reed placed emphasis on control power and skill, which were Shi Xiaole’s strong points.
Entering the cave, Hua Yiyun was fully focused on cultivating the Nine Yang Divine Skill.
In his previous life, Zhang Wuji took five years to master Nine Yang Divine Skill. Hua Yiyun would certainly not take as long.
The world’s spiritual energy was exceptionally vibrant, and the same martial arts could unleash power beyond compare here, naturally making cultivation much easier.
"Brother Shi, I’m dull and haven’t even managed to get started."
Upon noticing the movement, Hua Yiyun inhibited his Vigorous Air and said with an ashamed face.
"Internal power is inherently more challenging than other techniques, and you’re already doing well. By the way, I’m going to the Spiritual Fortune branch tomorrow, do you want to come with?"
Shi Xiaole laughed.
Hua Yiyun practically jumped up from the ground, stared at Shi Xiaole in disbelief, and didn’t say a word for a long time.
How could he not understand Shi Xiaole’s intentions? In the contact so far, Shi Xiaole’s composure was beyond expectation. Since Shi Xiaole decided to go to the Spiritual Fortune branch, it meant he was confident of victory.
But, how can this be possible?!
