Ancient Strengthening Technique

AST 2071 - Collapsed at the First Blow, a Slap in the Face

Once Qing Shui had laid his eyes on those men, it was certain that they were about to run out of luck. Those men’s strengths were nothing compared to Qing Shui and Shen Huang. Although Shen Huang’s strength had been temporarily debuffed before, even Qing Shui was unclear where Shen Huang’s strength was at, now that she had recovered.

Qing Shui’s current strength was nothing to be taken lightly as well. His Heavenly Dao had risen in power. He could exhibit strength that surpassed his usual prowess. For example, with the strength of 1,000 million, normally one could attack for 1,000 million of damage. With the increase in power in Heavenly Dao, he could attack for 2,000 million or even 3,000 million of damage.

This was one of the benefits of the Heavenly Dao Realm, the ability to exert strength that could crush anyone. It was similar to how difficult it was to have water flow upward but leveraging the force from the natural flow of any body of water, the power was incomparably immense.

Just like a car that was traveling slowly on the road, with an enormous tailwind, the car would be traveling much faster.

This was referred to as borrowing power. Even borrowing power scaled on how much the power was borrowed from the moment. Power could even be generated. Borrowing power was a small part of the Heavenly Dao.

Qing Shui was relaxed. He felt completely different from when he first arrived. Seeing the group approaching made him feel as though he was watching a group of clowns. The only problem was that these were not normal clowns but ones with a formidable backing.

The one known as the Third Brother walked forward while staring at Qing Shui and Shen Huang. He was focusing mostly on Shen Huang. He made no effort to hide his expression of lust. This was the difference between those born from powerful houses and commoner houses. Those from the powerful houses were arrogant, even if they appeared humble on the outside.

They were the type of people that believed any beautiful woman belonged to them. This was a view ingrained within their hearts from birth. Heaven was first and they were second. Once they set their sights on a beautiful woman, without care for the circumstances, they would try to contaminate their beauty.

Qing Shui watched that guy’s expression while feeling various impulses to punch him in the face. Qing Shui had already recalled the conversation the two had before. Qing Shui had warned the person named Huo Lei before, but he did not listen. This time, he would surely make him remember.

“Brat, if you apologize on your hands and knees, maybe I will leave your life intact.” The man smirked as he threatened Qing Shui.

Qing Shui did not pay him any heed. Shen Huang was also very calm. She had seen these types of people before. It was business as usual for her. Those words would have no effect on her. These people had no relations to her and nothing they said could affect her in any way.

“I am Huo Yun of the Fire Manor. I am wondering if the lady would follow me. I will take good care of you in the Fire Manor. You could go anywhere in this Blazing Fire Land,” The man looked at Shen Huang with a vulgar expression.

That smile and expression were from someone filled with arrogance who belonged to a powerful house. That would make any woman who didn’t have many worldly experiences to fall for it but for Shen Huang, he was an existence lower than insects.

“Qing Shui, why do I feel that this guy is an idiot?” Shen Huang asked Qing Shui with a laugh.

“That is because this guy is definitely a giant idiot.” Qing Shui said seriously.

Qing Shui’s words were too rough, even if they were spot on. She had heard what those two brothers were discussing before. Those two were lower than animals.

Qing Shui laughed, “if I don’t scold them, it won’t feel right.”

Huo Yun was stunned and immediately became enraged. He had always been the one calling other people idiots. He did not think he’d be called by someone else. Those two had no idea what they were up against. Huo Yun revealed a smile to Qing Shui, his smile filled with killing intent, “Brat, are you trying to get yourself killed?”

“You? An idiot? Killing me? You are just a fool with some garbage martial arts foundation. An idiot who gets praised by some nobody and starts to think big about himself. Who are those two around you? They are just here to protect you. Do you really think you are some big shot? You are just one brick head,” Qing Shui laughed as he spoke.

Huo Yun was angry to the point that he could explode. To be called an idiot, and a brick head at that, he was extremely infuriated. Even though he had a better life than most, without the Fire Manor, he was nothing.

“You are the real idiot around here. Luck is also a part of one’s strength. Being born in a powerful clan is also strength.” Huo Yun rebutted with disdain.

“Of course. That’s why people say that idiots have dumb luck.” Qing Shui laughed as he spoke.

“You dare to call me an idiot again?” Huo Yun was about to explode from anger.

“You are not just an idiot. You are a bit better than an idiot, but you are not as fortunate as one since today will be your worst nightmare.” Qing Shui replied with scorn as he finished the conversation. His expression pissed Huo Yun off.

“I will have you die! Who are you to laugh at me?!”

Huo Yun retrieved a red longsword and thrust it toward Qing Shui.

The speed was fast. It was a Lava Sword, a sword that was forged from fire metal derived from lava. It carried an overwhelming fire elemental. Qing Shui had observed the members of the Fire Manor for a bit before. He knew immediately that the Fire Manor practiced Fire Elemental Martial Arts.

Fire Elemental was the most berserk amongst the Five Elementals with its encompassing attack power.

The red longsword emitted a faint red glow. The tip of the sword was spraying a flaming blaze that was three feet long. With Origin Qi powering the flames, it could reach a melting temperature. The flames had a formidable defense breaker effect.

Qing Shui laughed as he saw his opponent’s attack. To use a fire attack in front of Qing Shui when he could negate 70% of fire damage was laughable. Qing Shui countered with Dragon-capturing Hands.

Seeing Qing Shui use his bare hands to block Huo Yun’s sword, he yelled in anger, “Die!”

Bang!

Then, the unthinkable happened in front of them. Qing Shui had managed to grip Huo Yun’s longsword. With Qing Shui’s current martial realm level, even without Dragon-capturing Hands, he could easily grab onto Huo Yun’s sword. Though Qing Shui could negate 70 percent of the fire damage, he could still feel the heat from the longsword. It was doing no damage to Qing Shui.

Huo Yun was shocked. Qing Shui could grab his longsword without being hurt. He tried to pry his sword out of Qing Shui’s grasp, but it would not move. Qing Shui then struck him with an elbow strike.

With the increase in strength of Heavenly Dao, any attack or ability Qing Shui used would contain immense strength. It carried a power that struck out with an unexplainable feeling. The attack felt perfect, as if it could not be resisted.

Bang!

Huo Yun was sent flying as he spat blood. Qing Shui did not follow up with any attacks. It would be at least half a year before Huo Yun could leave his bed.

This was the difference between their strengths. The words that Huo Yun boasted about the difference of strength between a genius and a commoner echoed in his mind. Without even being able to defend against Qing Shui’s attack, this was irony. This was a direct slap in the face for Huo Yun.