Why do I have so many masters?

The martial arts of the Divine Thieves Sect are all centered around Qinggong. Take Beichen, for example, which stands firm while all the stars revolve around it. Every ultimate skill, be it the Qimen Sword Technique or fist and hidden weapons, relies on Qinggong to be executed, imitating a comet striking the moon, a single attack followed by a swift retreat, a method for the weak to overcome the strong.

At this moment, what Hong Luoyu was imparting to Wang Anfeng was a special mental method, which is inseparably connected to this Qinggong.

Stars filled the sky, and there was no one around. The world's number one thief wore an unusually solemn expression as he said,

"Ordinary Qinggong, when dashing about if one encounters a surprise attack, naturally one must readjust one's Inner Strength before being able to face the enemy. Whether it's the speed of attack or the power of the moves, it's difficult to exert full strength."

"But our sect's mental method allows one to accumulate Inner Strength while practicing Qinggong, thus enabling a thunderous strike."

"It is called 'White Rainbow.'"

His voice paused slightly, then he resumed his arrogant and disdainful manner, saying,

"Qi like a white rainbow, as though reaching for the heavens!"

............

The Divine Thieves Sect's White Rainbow mental method, though called a mental method, is actually a Mystical Art. It doesn't interfere with a martial artist's fundamental Inner Strength cultivation. When circulating Qi, it only passes through several meridians. It seems extremely simple, yet practicing it is quite awkward.

Hong Luoyu, with a stalk of grass in his mouth, was leaning against a tree branch, watching the youth fail time after time, yawning with a hint of sleepiness.

Just now, while Wang Anfeng was practicing, he focused too much on the circulation of Inner Strength and failed to control his movement technique properly, colliding head-on into a tree trunk. Even though his Qinggong was not affected, the Vigorous Qi he flicked out with his fingers could only break a tree branch, about the force of a full punch from an eight or nine-year-old boy, which to a martial artist, was barely even enough to tickle, let alone anything else.

The edge of heaven was already brightening with a faint white light.

The divine thief smacked his lips.

"It's been a whole night already..."

"Will this kid make it?"

Just at that moment, the sound of fluttering clothes came to his ears again.

Dozens of meters away, a figure in blue robes soared up, his movements elegant and imposing. With a light tap of his toes on a tree branch, he skimmed several meters away, his right hand reaching back to the sword scabbard as his black hair fluttered and his eyes shone brightly. From inside the sword scabbard, one could faintly hear the hum of the longsword.

Hong Luoyu's eyes brightened slightly, and his spirits lifted a little.

Then he saw in the dimly lit world, a fierce Vigorous Qi burst forth, which not only contained the special Inner Strength of the White Rainbow mental method but also had a layer of blue thunder wrapped around it, becoming even more violent and fierce. In an instant, it shattered the trees in front of it, and the shockwave roared upwards, combining Li Qidao's Gang Thunder Force with the White Rainbow Vigorous Qi.

This made that sword strike even more piercing, now also replete with the might of thunder. Even in Hong Luoyu's eyes, it was quite favorable. He praised inwardly with a nod of approval.

Then he thought of the day when, should this youth suddenly counterattack with a sword while chasing someone with Qinggong, catching the opponent off guard, even an adversary with higher martial arts skills than his would be hit with this move, and the tide of the battle would turn instantly.

Thinking of the opponent's surprised and unwilling face at that time, Hong Luoyu couldn't help but want to burst out laughing.

Just as he was about to offer some praise, he then saw Wang Anfeng make a mistake with his steps. The speed was so fast that it was too late to warn, and with a reluctant twist of his head, he averted his gaze.

A few breaths later, a collision sound, the boy's muffled grunt, and the crisp crack of a snapping tree branch reached his ears. When the gusts and waves had calmed, Hong Luoyu turned around to see Wang Anfeng sitting at the base of a tree, covered in dust, holding his sword, and frowning slightly, seemingly in thought.

Hong Luoyu's eyes whirled with mirth as he gathered a strand of invisible Vigorous Qi and chopped off the branch above the youth's head.

The fragmented branches fell towards Wang Anfeng's head, and the trajectory suggested they would hit without warning.

While Hong Luoyu was secretly snickering to himself, the youth's fingers suddenly stretched out, pinching one of the branches. With a casual flick and twist, Vigorous Qi enveloped it, incorporating the branches and then flinging them away as if they were arrows, shooting off to the other side.

Hong Luoyu's smile stiffened a bit.

Wang Anfeng rose to his feet, dusted off his clothes, sheathed his sword, and looked at the former somewhat helplessly, saying,

"Third Master, stop playing around..."

"It's time to go back for a meal."

He shook his head after speaking, appearing extremely helpless. Then, he unfolded his movement technique and soared like a flying swan. With a couple of light taps on the tree trunk, he headed towards the direction of Shaolin Temple. Hong Luoyu behind him stiffened, trailing a series of remnants, and followed Wang Anfeng, shouting,

"Hey, hey, hey, you little lunatic, what was that tone just now?"

"I'm your Master, you..."

...............…

The day grew colder.

Liang Jingxuan hurried down the street, wearing grey clothes.

He was a Martial Artist.

And also an Assassin.

In the past, he had taken assassination missions for Danfeng Valley, but since this 'big boss' had vanished from Jianghu, he had lost his source of Silver Coin. Explore more at My Virtual Library Empire

Although his skills were not bad, and he was daring and willing to fight, like others who lived on the edge of the knife, he was accustomed to the days of fine wine and beauties and had no savings. With that source now cut off, his days became even harder.

He was considering whether to go outside the city near the end of the year and engage in some business without capital when he happened to see several Martial Artists hanging a list outside the store of the Fire Refining Sect. This list was made of red silk, fluttering slightly in the cold wind, looking like surging blood that gave a chill to the heart.

Liang Jingxuan instinctively glanced over, and seeing the words 'Silver Coin,' his eyes slightly brightened.

He stepped forward immediately to join the crowd of onlookers and saw a sketch of a Longsword drawn with ink, plain in design, concealing the edge within, only three inches unsheathed, yet already showing it was out of the ordinary. To the side of the sword sketch, in corresponding position, was a line of inked characters. Liang Jingxuan read aloud from top to bottom,

"Wooden Sword, Hidden Depths."

"Containing a strand of the Divine Weapon Spirit Rhythm."

"Never having seen its full unsheathing, its divine weapon power is unknown, but refined by the Fire Refining Sect's craftsman Wei Qiguan, it is unusually sharp compared to ordinary swords. Being a wooden Spirit Soldier, it should align with the shocks of Heaven and Earth, resembling the Xun symbol, Shock being Thunder, and Xun being Wind, it possibly possesses the power of Wind and Thunder."

"As the cherished sword carried by Fufeng's archivist guardian Wang Anfeng, its name yet unseen, Wei Qi holds it precious; it is hence named Hidden Depths, taking cue from the noble ideal of concealing one's weapon in the depths, not revealing it to others."

"Valuation... fifty thousand taels!"

Liang Jingxuan's breathing suddenly became heavy, and he momentarily felt dizzy at the thought of what fifty thousand taels of Silver meant. He swallowed hard, turned, and left to calm his mind, then headed in another direction.

Inside the Quiet Room.

The rich merchant brought the Elixir in, while Wei Qi sat cross-legged inside, surrounded by steamy medicinal vapors. Wei Qi, half-naked, sat in meditation, his skin faintly glowing red when he breathed, looking akin to a deity. Without opening his eyes, he said indifferently,@@novelbin@@

"Did you put up the notice?"

The rich merchant replied, hesitating for a moment, then added,

"Young Master, your Subordinate has something he doesn't understand."

"Speak."

"Why not write Wang Anfeng's true strength in the list at this time? His power is certainly not what's described on the Constellation Ranking List."

"His hand-to-hand combat, movement technique, swordsmanship, Inner Strength, all are extraordinary; he surely is qualified to be ranked among the Earthly Fiend."

Wei Qi opened his eyes and cast a glance at the merchant, his face still pale. With a cold laugh, he said,

"Why should I pay the price of internal injuries to assist others' gain?"

"Want to know?"

"Go and fill the void with your life."

PS: First release...