novelraw Chapter 21: Does He Want Me to Show Off in Public?
Chapter 21: Does He Want Me to Show Off in Public?
Song Qing's provocation didn't really bother Jiang Man that much.
As his talent became more apparent, such situations were unavoidable.
There would always be those who couldn't read the room.
All he could do was improve quickly enough to make people lose the heart to challenge him.
Even if challenges came, he could handle them as they appeared - soldiers would be met with generals, floods with earthworks.
However, someone like Fang Yong who scored above sixty points was still beyond his ability to handle for now.
Naturally, he needed to keep his distance respectfully.
To avoid conflicts.
Nowadays, everyone thought Luo Xuan was cultivating him, which had both advantages and disadvantages.
The advantage was having a legitimate excuse for rapid improvement, while the disadvantage was many people feeling resentful about it.After Song Qing left, Little Fatty asked worriedly, "Brother Jiang, what level have you reached with Six Harmonies Palm?"
"What level is Song Qing at?" Jiang Man countered.
"He's been practicing Six Harmonies Palm for quite a while, probably around the fourth or fifth layer," Little Fatty said uncertainly.
"Only fourth or fifth layer?" Jiang Man was somewhat surprised.
"What else did you expect? With scores in the twenties, having to cultivate the Blood Qi Method simultaneously, where would he find the time to improve his spells?" Little Fatty said helplessly. "Without improving the physical body, cultivation level can't advance either.
Those with good talent naturally don't need to worry, but those with average talent have to spend more time improving their physical strength before they can advance their cultivation level.
Other spells just need to be adequate.
Fourth or fifth layer happens to be the adequate level."
Jiang Man nodded, understanding a bit more now.
Spells didn't add to scores, so cultivation level was the most important.
Divine Movement Steps, Six Harmonies Palm, Three Talents Force - aside from the top-ranked few, rarely did anyone cultivate them to the highest levels.
Because it took too much time.
The first five layers were relatively fast, so being adequate was enough.
"What level are you at, Brother Jiang?" Little Fatty asked again.
"I casually practiced to the fifth layer, just wait a moment," Jiang Man said.
Little Fatty looked utterly confused.
What was Brother Jiang talking about?
Forget it, he'd find out during the sparring session.
Brother Jiang probably hadn't had much time to practice and was too embarrassed to say.
The teacher instructing Six Harmonies Palm was a female instructor.
Named Fu Yidan, everyone called her Master Fu.
She taught most of the spells.
She appeared to be in her mid-thirties and was already married.
But her outstanding appearance and lingering charm led many to secretly discuss who exactly she had married.
Jiang Man scoffed at this - how could people have the mind to discuss such things instead of cultivating at a time like this?
"The rankings have just been updated, and the Rear Courtyard has begun sparring practice, so I'll explain more carefully, then you can start sparring to improve your practical combat experience.
Whether for quota competitions or sect assessments, practical combat is particularly important," Master Fu said to everyone.
Then she began explaining Six Harmonies Palm in detail.
Six Harmonies Palm involved channeling spiritual energy within the body to add power to the palms.
As long as the circulation was done well, one could successfully cultivate it and gain continuous power enhancement for the palms - that was the first layer.
The second layer required channeling the power in the palms, extending the connection with the spiritual energy within the body.
The effect was being able to strike with one palm while controlling the palm's direction.
As the palm technique improved, one could release more spiritual energy palm prints.
Up to six palms.
This was already the seventh layer of Six Harmonies Palm.
The eighth layer allowed controlling three palms to merge, unleashing stronger power.
The ninth layer involved controlling six palms to merge, reaching the pinnacle of Six Harmonies Palm.
"Begin sparring after one hour of practice," Master Fu announced.
Hearing this, Jiang Man stopped hesitating and began cultivating.
Song Qing's Six Harmonies Palm at fourth or fifth layer would indeed be difficult to deal with.
Three or four spiritual energy palm prints could be controlled to attack at any moment.
But only with good control could they exert greater effect.
Setting aside further thoughts, Jiang Man began channeling spiritual energy to cultivate Six Harmonies Palm.
Spell Innate Qi moved along with it.
Because this was his first time practicing it, the speed was somewhat slower.
Half a quarter-hour later.
Jiang Man completed one set of practice.
Successfully entered the beginner level.
Subsequent practice became easier.
Perhaps because Spell Innate Qi wasn't as good as Technique Purple Qi.
After two repetitions, he hadn't mastered it yet.
Only after four repetitions did he manage to release a spiritual energy palm print from his hand.
After another eight repetitions, Jiang Man reached the third layer of Six Harmonies Palm.
After another sixteen repetitions, the fourth layer of Six Harmonies Palm.
Could release three palm prints.
Half an hour had passed by now.
Little Fatty watched Jiang Man's practice with astonishment - initially he thought Jiang Man didn't know Six Harmonies Palm, but he soon realized he was wrong. Not only was Jiang Man releasing palm prints, he was releasing not just one but three palms.
This meant at least the fourth layer of Six Harmonies Palm.
So Jiang Man had already qualified long ago?
Must have been arranged in advance by Miss Luo.
It seemed Brother Jiang really was going to become a close guard.
Envious.
For the final half hour, Jiang Man kept practicing, finally completing the last repetition just as Fu Yidan called for them to stop.
He could easily release four palms.
This way he shouldn't suffer losses during sparring.
Of course, winning directly would be best.
It was time to start building his reputation.
No need to hide such small matters.
"Brother Jiang, are you confident?" Little Fatty came over and asked.
Jiang Man looked at him and said, "My talent and effort speak for themselves."
Hearing this, Little Fatty looked at Jiang Man's face.
He nodded slightly, as if praising that the talent was indeed good.
Jiang Man: "..."
Felt like Little Fatty was thinking something inappropriate.
"Now we begin sparring practice. You can discuss the intensity among yourselves, but don't go overboard.
Those with sufficient strength can spar more freely - some minor injuries don't need to be worried about," Master Fu announced.
Hearing this, Song Qing felt somewhat relieved.
Initially he had worried that if he appeared to strike too hard, he might be punished, but now he didn't need to worry.
Soon he and Jiang Man stood facing each other.
Everyone else kept their distance.
Twenty-six people in total.
Divided into thirteen pairs.
"I heard you became a close guard?" Song Qing asked Jiang Man.
His voice was quiet, not intending for others to hear.
Jiang Man shook his head. "No."
"But everyone says so," Song Qing looked at Jiang Man and whispered, "I know that successful matters require secrecy - you definitely wouldn't talk about such good fortune carelessly.
I don't particularly want to target you either, I just want you to help introduce me.
This time I can let you win very impressively - severely injured and collapsing to the ground, to build your reputation.
How about it?"
Jiang Man looked utterly astonished.
The other's words left him somewhat bewildered.
This person should have been deliberately humiliating him initially.
Why had he suddenly changed his tune?
Humiliating him first, then letting him win impressively - was this considered a good thing?
It did count as one - he would quickly gain respect in the small courtyard and establish prestige.
After all, he had always been last place before, and although he wasn't now, everyone still habitually saw him as last place.
If he could defeat the other impressively, it would indeed break that fixed impression.
Then today he had no choice but to win.
"You might have misunderstood me - what I've achieved today isn't thanks to Miss Luo, but entirely due to my own talent and effort," Jiang Man told him truthfully.
"I know you won't say, and we can start sparring now. Of course, people will definitely be watching during the process.
You still have a chance to change your mind. As long as you agree, I'll still let you win impressively, vomiting blood and collapsing," Song Qing said seriously. "I provoke you, then you defeat me - what an inspiring story that would be. I hope you'll consider it carefully.
It would benefit both of us."