Chapter 183

"Lao Zhou, see you later!"

In the core area of the Great Rift Valley, Qin Shi waved toward Zhou Yuanchen, who was being taken away by the rescue team.

The latter's face was bruised and swollen, he wailed and cried out in garbled sounds; judging only from his mouth movements, it probably wasn't anything nice.

Having dealt with the biggest opponent in this Top Hundred competition, Qin Shi let out a long breath of relief.

Had he not used the Entropy Sea Bank's Premium Customer Privilege to freeze Zhou Yuanchen's account, he most likely would not have beaten the other party.

The all-round enhancement brought by entering the Professional Realm is sufficient to form a solid barrier of absolute crushing pressure.

"Finally I can peacefully comprehend the Mo Shan Breathing Method."

The "furnace" constantly oscillating inside Qin Shi's body gradually returned to calm; the hundred bones crying out in unison places an enormous burden on the mortal flesh.

Even though he broke the Three Great Limits, he still felt his whole body about to fall apart; he forcibly propped himself up waiting for Lao Zhou to leave, only then staggering to sit down.

"The Professional Realm's barrier is too hard."

Qin Shi closed his eyes, the Cultivation Furnace rising up.

Light radiance of Qi life force, like flame light, strand by strand winding around inch by inch of flesh and blood.

Under the skin it was as if countless tiny fire snakes roamed, traversing among the large tendons.

Pores faintly spraying out rolling hot gas, steaming and intertwining, like a vast furnace body, distributing a golden-red color outward.

"The Cultivation Furnace advanced another layer, prompting my skin pass omens to become increasingly obvious."

Qin Shi's mouth corners curled up; he felt that as blood circulated, it seemed like heavy mercury beads rolling, faintly linking into a string.

Each time a grand circulation completed, it was like some living thing wriggling swiftly, making the body undulate, matching the breathing frequency, presenting unparalleled strength and beauty.

"Old martial physical body, indeed extraordinary."

At some point on the mountain summit's broad flat, a man and a woman emerged; they had climbed from the other direction, struggling their way up to here.

The young woman wearing a tight combat suit with jet-black glossy long braids, those big eyes staring at Qin Shi, as if seeing treasure:

"Ah Ying, look, his skin is like tanned tough leather, supple yet strong, swords and blades hard to injure! Fist and foot strikes landing, ten parts force might not even exert half!"

The young woman's name is Xia Hong, same as Qin Shi, also an Old Martial Arts practitioner.

However she and her younger brother Xia Ying belong to the comprehension school; this lineage most likes to use battle to nurture battle, breaking through in the heat of combat.

Not to mention being rare in Dongxia, even in Hengzhou where martial paths flourish, they are not commonly seen.

"Sister, he's much younger than you, don't go lusting after youth, wanting to eat tender grass."

Xia Ying reminded.

Center City Education Bureau's promoted Zhou Yuanchen, breaking through Professional level, was eliminated by this guy.

They siblings joining forces, estimate still not enough to watch.

"What are you saying."

Xia Hong raised pink fist, forcefully smashing younger brother Xia Ying's shoulder.

"I'm just respecting traditional custom! How did it become lusting after youth!"

Xia Hong, Xia Ying siblings, are Hengzhou mountain area's Gu clan people.

Early period of Great Expansion, these scarce minority ethnicities were Dongxia's unity objects.

Gu clan people are freedom-loving by nature, dwelling by water; their women's status greater than men's, hence marriage customs extremely unrestrained.

If marriageable woman takes fancy to certain man, can at weekly bonfire festival gift token of affection, after nightfall then use blanket wrap him back home.

This then counts as married.

In younger brother Xia Ying's eyes, sister Xia Hong is standard battle maniac.

Previously following master learning arts, lineage's not few senior brothers and junior brothers all had interest in Xia Hong.

Xia Hong every bonfire festival just catches pleasing guy, casually gift something.

Then night quietly sneak over, find person fight, beat other party bruised and swollen.

That one who defeated Zhou Yuanchen, Nanhuang Daoist Hall Disciple, looks outstanding, actual combat again strong, perfectly matches sister Xia Hong's mate selection standard, Xia Ying really worried sister Xia Hong would say nothing just run over challenge.

"What he cultivates, is it Nanhuang Daoist Hall's Cultivation Furnace?"

Xia Hong, Xia Ying siblings, being Old Martial Arts practitioners, know propriety well.

Disturbing others' cultivation, is major taboo.

So did not approach.

"Should be right. However breathing method's rhythm with Copper Mountain Pulse very similar, this deep, this heavy breath entering and exiting flesh and blood."

Xia Hong's eyes full of wildness and curiosity blinking:

"His mortal body how withstand? Swap your small body, viscera organs already thousand wounds hundred holes."

Xia Ying lowered head looking at his own arguably strong body, dissatisfied said:

"Hey hey hey, sister, where such comparison. He is breaking Professional Realm barrier's monster, Top Hundred's champion, entire Hengzhou also no one compares ah!"

Xia Hong ignored younger brother's muttering, Gu clan people have innate extraordinary gifts, they close to nature, perception very outstanding.

She opened palm, from whistling raging wind captured strands of air current, placed at nose tip light sniff.

"Scorching hot, strong, yet full of vibrant life force, truly too perfect!"

Xia Ying covered forehead, sister's "lusting after youth" acting up again.

So-called lusting after youth, means easily producing fantasies toward opposite sex.

Xia Hong somewhat different, she doesn't much care about opposite sex's appearance superficial, only values martial path fellow travelers' emitted vigorous breath, whether "palatable".

Very obvious, that Nanhuang Daoist Hall Disciple, currently displayed life force, already made sister unable to restrain herself.

"Calm down ah! Sister! Old Martial Arts not few understand cherishing fragrance treasuring jade, wait moment get beat up, how ugly!"

Xia Ying persuaded.

"We with great difficulty only climbed here, still hope complete trial, enter top five!"

Xia Hong showed a regretful expression. If she could fight fiercely with a Nanhuang Daoist Hall Disciple up close, feeling the flow of their breath and the intensity of their physical body.

How wonderful that would be!

……

……

Several hours passed in a flash, and the sun gradually moved westward.

Qin Shi opened his eyes; the soft glow of the setting sun fell, outlining the silhouette of his upright figure.

"Life Force has broken ninety points."

The rolling heat radiating from the Ru Shen Ti overflowed outward, then was guided by breathing, slowly gathering back into every part of his body.

The Perfect Grade Electric Shock Military Saber stuck in the ground hummed, suddenly shook, spun into the air, and landed in Qin Shi's palm.

He stroked the cold, gleaming blade, and the radiance of Life Force filling every part of his body interacted with it.

"The best attributes for a top-tier weapon are one, the noble 'True Damage,' and two, the rare 'Growth Potential.'"

Qin Shi thought that once his Life Force broke the Hundred Point Threshold, he would ask Lao Liang if there were any "weapon forging secret arts."

He read books to broaden his vision and increase his experience, having heard people mention it a few times.

It was said that the Old Martial Arts school, especially the Comprehension Flow, emphasized "weapon nurturing" for anyone wielding a weapon.

Using one's Heart Momentum to warmly nourish the weapon, increasing compatibility, making it easier to comprehend profound killing moves.

"You two have watched for so long; why not come out and chat?"

Qin Shi, through seated meditation practice, washed away the consumption and fatigue from his fierce battle with Zhou Yuanchen.

His gaze was bright, like a great star, looking toward the direction where Xia Hong and Xia Ying were.

Many participants in the Core Area had already been eliminated.

Besides those few knocked down to the Mountain Foot, only the Old Martial Arts siblings should remain.

"Qin Classmate, hello."

Xia Ying spoke first, a smile on her lips, showing friendliness.

"We were afraid of disturbing your cultivation, so we stayed far away. In this Hengzhou Bai Qiang Sai, you defeated Zhou Yuanchen, stepping on the Professional Level to win the championship, with full gold content! The Champion is well deserved! Congratulations!"

Qin Shi sensed the other party had no malice and smiled faintly:

"Xia Classmate flatters me. I was able to defeat Old Zhou only by luck."

The Nanhuang Daoist Hall Disciple had a pretty good personality, lacking the arrogance of disciples from major sects.

Although Xia Ying was from the Old Martial Arts school, she looked down quite a bit on those types who relied on their ancestors' leftover shade and talked about past glory.

These people not only clung to the old and refused progress, but were also arrogant beyond measure, completely unwilling to open their eyes and accept reality.

The Old Martial Arts school did not have a very good reputation, mostly started by these people.

"Qin Classmate, was the method you just used to guide breath and circulate it comprehended from this Copper Mountain? It feels very similar to me."

Xia Hong asked excitedly.

This young lady looks at me with a strange gaze.

Qin Shi avoided Xia Hong's fervent gaze and said softly:

"This Copper Mountain is the embodiment of some kind of rule; the pulse it emits, every vibration, has a unique rhythm."

"You can regard this Copper Mountain as a heart, capture its beating rhythm, and then correspond it with human breathing."

Xia Ying followed Qin Shi's guidance, closed her eyes to comprehend for a moment, then said in surprise:

"Sister, it really is so! This feeling is so magical, like a giant personally demonstrating the cultivation process of a breathing method!"

Xia Hong said unhappily:

"I discovered it long ago! I already said, your small body simply cannot withstand this breathing rhythm; it will only ruin your organs!"

Qin Shi shook his head and said:

"It cannot be put that way. Everything values gradual progress. The Mo Shan Breathing Method has strict requirements, but at the beginning, you can lower them, just like when first stepping onto the Martial Path, using one breathing cycle as the standard, gradually increasing. I see Xia Classmate's physical body is also well-tempered and worth trying."

Xia Hong's attitude toward Qin Shi was completely different from the tone she used when speaking to her younger brother Xia Ying.

She thought seriously, feeling it made some sense, and said to Xia Ying:

"Haven't you thanked Qin Classmate yet! The standard of this breathing method is not inferior to the inheritance of major sects!"

Xia Ying pouted but dared not say much; he had been beaten by his older sister Xia Hong since childhood.

"Just remember, do not be impatient. If you rush for success, it will instead harm yourself."

Qin Shi instructed.

Although the Mo Shan Breathing Method, the deeper one cultivates it, the easier it is to lean toward the Netherworld Great Demon.

But Xia Hong and Xia Ying were from the Old Martial Arts school, walking the path of Comprehension Flow.

With firm minds and strong wills, there was not much worry about this point.

"Thank you, Qin Classmate!"

Xia Ying bowed with clasped fists toward Qin Shi, performing the ancient salute of the Old Martial Arts school.

"We are all fellow practitioners, helping each other; it's nothing."

Qin Shi waved his hand; he originally hoped to have more exchanges with the Old Martial Arts school.

"I will go first to the Trial's end; we have a chance to meet again and can exchange pointers more."

Xia Hong's eyes flashed with brilliance, watching Qin Shi's upright figure as he went down the mountain:

"Little brother, did you feel it?"

Xia Ying was still immersed in the rhythm of the Copper Mountain Pulse coordinating with human breathing, and blankly looked up:

"What?"

Xia Hong had a look of disappointment on her face and raised her fist to smash toward her younger brother Xia Ying:

"Idiot! Instead of pondering Copper Mountain's pulse, you'd better carefully observe Classmate Qin's breathing! I reckon he not only comprehended the Breathing Method through talent, but also improved it according to his own cultivation characteristics! A genius among geniuses!"

Xia Ying glanced at her elder sister, whose eyes were about to turn to silk, her heart gave a "thump," then she smiled and said:

"Elder Sister, if you can lure Classmate Qin to be my brother-in-law, I support it with both hands!"

Xia Hong narrowed her eyes, rolled up her sleeves, and said:

"Very well, then I'll guarantee your pair of hands! Your two legs don't need to be kept!"

……

……

At the end of the Great Rift Valley, the night sky was dotted with stars, and a cool breeze blew.

After leaving the Core Area, the climate was no longer so harsh.

Especially as Chief Examiner, the oasis where Xu Sheng was located could be described as pleasant and agreeable.

After witnessing the two strongest contestants of this Top Hundred Tournament give their all in battle, he couldn't help but sigh:

"Predecessor, your Nanhuang Dojo has picked up a treasure. A genius who broke through the Specialized Field Barrier, in the past, that would be above heroes, the level of a born Strange Person!"

Old Zhang said in a calm tone:

"Xiao Qin did not fail my expectations of him; his performance was indeed outstanding."

The Predecessor was forcing himself to stay calm!

Just now you were so excited you almost stood up!

Xu Sheng slandered in his heart, but did not say it outright.

"Predecessor, the Champion has been decided. The Core Area assessment content is undoubtedly best for Qin Shi. As for second and third place, probably the Xia siblings sweep them. With Ji Yuqi and Zheng Xu eliminated, Pei Han takes fourth place... Eighth, choose Yan Ren."

Xu Sheng took out a small notebook and wrote something with a pen. As Chief Examiner, after the first round results were announced, the second round assessment results were naturally decided by him.

"The Hengzhou Martial Association should be very satisfied. Nanhuang Dojo is the Martial Association's signboard, and Xia Hong and Xia Ying are the twin stars of recent years. In contrast, the Education Bureau of Center City gained nothing this time."

Old Zhang turned a deaf ear, silently lowering his head and counting on his fingers, if he returned to his peak state, driving a Jun Shen Qi Ji, how long it would take to pierce Center City's Iron Curtain Defense.

"Five minutes."

Soon, this Nanhuang Dao Guan Master came to an answer.

From driving a Divine Machine to break into Center City, then reaching the Red Tower, breaking the Iron Curtain Defense that concentrated eighty percent of Hengzhou's domain resources.

At least five minutes were needed!

"Time makes people old. If I were twenty years younger, three minutes would do."

Old Zhang sighed; with his current state, persisting in five minutes of full-power output was not easy.

"I can only take pills. Xiao Liang's Hong Sheng Lineage is good at this; I'll ask him another day."

Hong Sheng's Lei Hongsheng was famously a master of Health Preservation.

Many past Old Martial Arts masters who liked to squeeze their potential but collapsed halfway had all received help from that Master Uncle of Old Liang's.

"The person has arrived. Predecessor, I must take your Nanhuang Dojo Disciple to the altar left by Marshal Qin to receive the Heavenly Light Baptism."

Xu Sheng said with a smile.

Not far away, Qin Shi's figure gradually became clear, as if parting the thick fog, walking slowly forward.

"Hope Xiao Qin can benefit greatly from it."

Old Zhang sighed.

During the Great Expedition, Marshal Qin once came to Hengzhou, and the Star God sleeping deep in the earth's core was sealed by his own hand.

That supreme Marshal, whose glorious deeds illuminated Dongxia and even half the Galaxy, opened thirteen Xu Kong Altars, personally lit thirteen Star Torches, and established Route Anchors.

Later, Hengzhou experienced several Retinue Wars; high-intensity Contamination covered it in dust, and with technical breakthroughs from the highest Research Institute, navigation technology iterated, Xu Kong Altars lost their use, gradually becoming "resource points" for the Martial Association and Center City to cultivate talent.

"Heavenly Light Baptism has always been the best way for the Old Martial Arts school to break limits since ancient times."

Xu Sheng said.

"I remember He Lanchan once contemplated for a period at Hengzhou's Xu Kong Ji Tan. Qin Shi, as a Nanhuang Dojo Disciple, should not be inferior."

(Chapter End)