DHMB - Chapter 28

Chapter 28

Qin Linshan relaxed his fingers, placed his hands on Lu Que's shoulders, and his expression turned serious.

He slowly channeled his internal energy into Lu Que's body, letting it travel through all his meridians.

Only then did Lu Que feel that he was indeed worthy of being the Alliance's former peerless First Shield. His internal energy was almost completely non-threatening; he didn't feel the slightest discomfort. In fact, wherever it passed, the restless agitation that had been stirring was soothed.

His originally stiff shoulders and tired muscles began to slowly relax.

He hadn't felt this way in a long time.

Qin Linshan lifted his chin towards the serious-faced Xue Chengwu and asked, "Your friend?"

Lu Que gave a faint "Mm."

Xue Chengwu was instead stunned by this "Mm."

Qin Linshan said, "Friends are hard to come by."

Lu Que, being cooperative, gave another "Mm."

Qin Linshan withdrew his hand, took the cigarette back from Xue Chengwu, and took a deep, satisfying drag.

Everyone was waiting for him to speak, but he, with a touch of mischief, slowly said, "I do have a cultivation method that can temporarily suppress internal energy outbursts. I bought it from a black market merchant while traveling the stars."

Lu Que asked, "Does it cost money?"

Qin Linshan glanced at him, signaling for the kid not to interrupt.

"This cultivation method can be effective for people with unstable internal energy, but it only treats the symptoms, not the root cause. If you can't stabilize your internal energy in the future, its effect will only get worse. It's like developing drug resistance. So, essentially, it can't cure your outbursts, only temporarily alleviate them. You can use that feeling to slowly overcome your outbursts."

Hearing him say this, Lu Que's expression softened, believing him seven or eight parts.

Let alone alleviation, even if it was only effective once, it would be well worth it.

For martial artists, which outburst doesn't carry the risk of death?

"I can teach it to you, it's no big deal. It's easy to learn, just a breathing technique. You have a foundation, so you'll pick it up quickly." Qin Linshan pointed at Kai Yun and said, "You follow along and learn too, just for strengthening your body. If anything unexpected happens, you can react in time."

Immediately, Qin Linshan explained the key points of the cultivation method, which indeed sounded very simple. Then he had the three of them circulate their energy according to the method in front of him. He guided them from behind, leading their internal energy through a smooth cycle, so their bodies could remember the feeling more quickly and avoid mistakes in the future.

It must be said that having an experienced coach guiding them hands-on, especially someone like Qin Linshan, where hands-on wasn't enough – it was internal energy guiding internal energy – describing the effect as achieving twice the result with half the effort was no exaggeration at all.

Xue Chengwu admitted he wasn't a genius and couldn't compare to Lu Que or Kai Yun, but after trying it twice like this, he was actually able to continue on his own, albeit a bit haltingly.

This was definitely the fastest he had ever learned a cultivation method.

As for Kai Yun, she was fast at everything, and circulating energy was no exception. While Qin Linshan was still guiding Lu Que, her internal energy had already rapidly completed three and a half cycles around her body, shooting up like a rocket.

Qin Linshan smacked her head, thinking she was messing around, but then didn't bother with her anymore.

Kai Yun's master had indeed never taught her a similar cultivation method before. After the first attempt, the effect was truly significant, as if all the impurities in her body had been swept away. Her senses became sharp, and her body felt completely cleansed by water.

Details in the environment were magnified, and all her attention was focused on her five senses.

Kai Yun scanned her surroundings and was also puzzled why the grass was so green.

However... Kai Yun felt it wasn't very useful.

Her internal energy was still surging, galloping freely through her meridians like a runaway pony, with no feeling of being suppressed at all.

And once she stopped circulating the energy, that perceptive observation of the environment would be lost simultaneously.

She wasn't skilled yet and couldn't keep the method running in her body constantly like Qin Linshan. When fighting, she couldn't possibly circulate it once, slash, then circulate it again, right?

Kai Yun quietly opened her eyes a crack to observe her surroundings, wanting to see everyone's reaction. She found that Lu Que was practicing incredibly seriously and didn't notice anything unusual. Xue Chengwu also had a look of amazed surprise.

Had she done it wrong? Or did the two of them have rose-tinted glasses on?

---

Because the next round of the Tournament was starting the next morning, after confirming they had memorized the method, the two of them left.

Qin Linshan relaxed and sat back down, lighting one old-fashioned cigarette after another.

Even though the Alliance had more advanced e-cigarettes, which caused less harm after technological improvements, he just liked to seek out these expensive and pungent ones.

Qin Linshan's expression was blank as he gazed vaguely into the distance. Kai Yun keenly asked, "Are you lying to them?"

Qin Linshan blew a puff of white smoke towards her face and scolded, "Can you call what a spiritual mentor does 'lying'? You really don't know how to talk, kid."

Kai Yun said, "Then if I think it's not working, it might be better to tell them early."

"This is a heart ailment, you know? What's a heart ailment? It has to be treated with heart medicine." Qin Linshan waved his hand, and a wisp of white smoke drifted upwards. "No one can save him but himself."

Kai Yun subtly flattered him, "But isn't there still you?"

"You haven't experienced an outburst, so you don't understand. Some people's outbursts aren't because their cultivation method went wrong, or because they cultivated too intensely, but because they aren't at ease. People under too much mental stress will put excessive burden on their bodies," Qin Linshan said. "Actually, deep down, he feels like he won't be able to control himself. His internal energy is in a state of tension almost every moment. Think about it, if you had to be on edge every moment, you'd go crazy too."

Kai Yun said, "But didn't they say it was because of genetics?"

Qin Linshan scoffed, "Then according to you, what kind of internal energy should someone with my genes, your Uncle Qin, cultivate? And what kind of internal energy should someone with your small physique have? Don't you know what 'contrast moe' is?"

Kai Yun: "..."

This person was too strong; she really couldn't refute him.

Qin Linshan said, "Don't worry, the cultivation method I taught him is the most suitable for him at this stage. As long as he believes in me, there will be no problem. Of course, if his mental state develops pathological issues, then there's nothing I can do."

Kai Yun: "Oh."

Qin Linshan waved his hand, "You go back and rest too."

Kai Yun was about to leave, then thought about it and asked one more question, "Is there anything you want to tell me?"

Qin Linshan raised an eyebrow and said, "Tell you what?"

Kai Yun: "Just things to pay attention to in the competition or something." Don't coaches usually talk about that?

"You're fighting pretty well," Qin Linshan said. "Don't listen to others' nonsense, just fight in your own style!"

Kai Yun again: "Oh."

"Hey, wait!" Qin Linshan suddenly remembered, beckoning her back while extinguishing his cigarette. He said, "I'll teach you a big move, simple, easy to learn, and especially suitable for you! No one else can use it, only you can!"

Kai Yun excitedly said, "A big move?!"

Qin Linshan also excitedly said, "Yes! It'll scare them to death! Fundamentally dismantle the enemy!"

---

The next morning at nine o'clock, the third round of the Alliance Military Academy Tournament began as scheduled. Kai Yun still arrived early at the venue to check in.

Today, she was also someone with teammates!

At the entrance, Kai Yun met the familiar proctor again.

"You're here." The proctor saw her appear and immediately smiled kindly, standing up from afar and waving. "No rush, take your time, it's still early. Did you eat breakfast?"

Kai Yun nodded, flattered.

The proctor took her card, swiped it on the machine, and said, "Third venue, second floor entrance, first room on the right. Have a good match. Just maintain a normal mindset, you'll definitely be fine."

Kai Yun suddenly felt a little flustered.

Except for the first time they met when he acted normally, every time she saw him afterward, he seemed like he had been possessed. Was this the Alliance Military University's secret technique – face-changing?

She walked towards the venue in small steps. Halfway there, she looked back and saw the proctor still waving enthusiastically at her. Kai Yun darted into the corridor.

It was still safer inside the simulation system.

The complete team list and venue arrangements had already been released yesterday. But since Kai Yun didn't know anyone, she entrusted this important task to her teammates and waited for them to explain it to her.

This was what security felt like.

Kai Yun logged into the scene. The other members of the team were already in position. Unlike before, this time their login entrance was only for their team, no longer a public preparation area.

Lu Que and Ye Sa stood back to back, each occupying a side, while Jiang Tu was quietly discussing match matters with Xue Chengwu. Lei Kaiding stood abnormally to the side, hands in his pockets, looking aloof.

Kai Yun wanted to greet them but found there was no way to start.

Jiang Tu proactively approached her and explained, "For our venue this time, Sanyao seems to have hired a dedicated commentator. Besides us, there's also a very strong team. If there are no surprises, today will be a contest between our two teams."

Kai Yun: "A commentator?"

Hiring a commentator already in the preliminary rounds was enough to show Sanyao's attention to this venue.

Jiang Tu nodded and continued, "As you can see, the terrain of this map is a mountainous area."

There were a total of three paths, separated by towering mountain walls in the middle. The paths themselves had been flattened and were not difficult to walk on. However, the parts of the paths close to the mountain walls became complex and steep.

Every so often, there would be a small path connecting the three main roads, allowing participants to change routes.

The layout of this map was very simple, basically three main roads going straight to the end, with no obstacles set on the paths. Because the vegetation on both sides was lush, ambush battles were very feasible.

Sanyao's venue map designers were practically roaring into everyone's ears, "Fight! Hurry up and fight!"

Jiang Tu said, "The start times for this venue are different. I just drew lots on behalf of our team and we're ranked sixteenth."

This meant that teams starting earlier could set up ambushes first, which was a great advantage.

The sixteenth team was already in the later part of the lineup.

Jiang Tu smiled helplessly, "My luck isn't great."

Kai Yun said, "It's okay."

Those people whose burdens were heavier than mountains probably didn't care about this at all.

At this moment, the live broadcast room had already started warming up.

The professional commentator introduced the teams based on the content on the screen.

"Alright! We can see now that another team's members have all arrived! These are all players we're familiar with. Lu Que! Last year's top ten. Ye Sa, a professional bounty hunter, whose strength is as famous as his looks! And then there are a few of our rookies this year!"

The commentator shouted loudly to express his excitement.

"The players in this team are all very strong, coming from different schools and having different styles. It's truly a very inclusive team! Currently, the nominal captain of the team is the swordsman named Jiang Tu. His personality seems very gentle, which is probably how he can coordinate the players with overly prominent personalities in the team! They haven't cooperated very well before, so what kind of sparks will fly between them? Let's wait and see!"

Seeing the incredibly awkward atmosphere among the six people, Jiang Tu wanted to move things along and asked a question that would make him regret it for a lifetime.

"Right, which path should we take?"

Kai Yun, Ye Sa, and Lu Que all raised their hands simultaneously, pointing in different directions.

Jiang Tu: "..."

Kai Yun immediately said, "When in doubt, go left. When paths meet, the left side wins. Of course, we go left!"

Lu Que said concisely, "Going straight is the shortest distance."

Ye Sa argued confidently, "My intuition tells me the right side is full of points."

The scene returned to dead silence. A drop of cold sweat trickled down Jiang Tu's forehead.

These three didn't seem like the type to follow behind others.

Commentator: "Alright, it seems their team has a disagreement now. Whose opinion will they ultimately adopt? This is where we see how the captain handles it."

Jiang Tu: "How about we..."

Kai Yun followed his lead and finished, "Go our separate ways?"

Lei Kaiding felt like spitting blood upon hearing this. What the hell was the point of forming a team then?! Just for that chat group among teammates?!

To show he was right, Ye Sa firmly stated, "Anyway, I'm going right."

Lu Que stared sinisterly at the middle path.

The meaning was clear.

One mountain cannot hold two tigers.

Xue Chengwu proactively sided, saying, "Then I'll go down the middle path with Lu Que."

Jiang Tu looked at Lei Kaiding pleadingly, hoping he could refute the masses and awaken their sleeping souls.

Lei Kaiding looked left and right, and suddenly realized it was time for him to pick a side! He got excited and immediately started brainstorming.

If he followed Lu Que, he would definitely be reduced to a subordinate. If he followed Kai Yun, the same situation as the last match would likely occur, and he refused that. To completely break free from Kai Yun's curse, he could only...

Lei Kaiding nodded and said, "I also think the right path looks better."

Jiang Tu: "..."

Why did it turn out like this?

Commentator: "Alright, this team has disbanded before the match even started! They've! Dis! Banded!!"

Explore Previous Contents Next

Support my work!