Chapter 19: The Selection Contest

Translator: Transn Editor: Transn

You said that your brother-in-law was one of the ranks. The ranks practice the unified Unusual Strength Qigonga most basic Introduction to techniques. How could you own the fire property?

These last words were spoken with a ray of solemnity.

The Unusual Strength Qigong was where I started, but then my brother-in-law taught me the Ignis Skill after I had gained the sense of Qi.

Ignis Skill? Old Xing became more serious upon hearing the two words. How can he understand this method?!

He said he got it as a trophy in the battlefield. He searched for it on the body of an enemy that he had killed.

That makes sense! Old Xing nodded and thoughtfully said, The Ignis Skill, practiced by many disciples of the southern Sect of Flame, is a basic mental cultivation method. The Sect of Flame is the enemy of the court and there are constant conflicts between them. Its not strange that your brother-in-law got it. But your brother-in-law was so bold that he allowed you to practice it. Shallow as it might be, its the basic mental cultivation method in Internal Qi of the Fire after all. Its even widely known to absorb and transform the pneuma of the fire property, which Unusual Strength Qigong is incomparable to. Doesnt he worry that youre possessed by the devil and burned to death?!

After hearing Old Xings words, Junior Leopard smiled more bitterly in his heart. It was not taught by Wang Tianlei but he stole it. Such a thing could not be spoken out loud, so he just kept silent.

Admittedly, thats good. What you practiced is suitable for our martial arts skills. Youve built a solid foundation, which will save me lots of pain!

Junior Leopard found a sense of delight from Old Xings voice. The words he spoke were not like what a blacksmith should have said, but like that of an Elder of a school. Junior Leopard raised his head, stunned.

Dont be surprised. Now that your brother-in-law has taught you martial arts, might he have as well told you something about Jianghu?

Well, yes, but not much, for he didnt know much after all.

Thats not surprising. Things related to Jianghu are so complicated, let alone that he was only among the ranks. Its normal that he knows little. Old Xing truly believed that.

Teacher, arent you actually a top expert? Junior Leopard asked in a low voice. His face was covered by a mysterious air, which amused Old Xing.

Im not a top expert, Im nothing but an ordinary disciple of the Wus.

The Wus?

Yeah, the Wus are the masters of the ironware shop the Wus of Yunzhou! When he mentioned this, the vigor of his body suddenly changed and he straightened his bent waist. Well, let me share something about the Wus with you.

The Wus of Yunzhou, a recognized family devoted to the smelting business, has iron businesses spread all over the realm, wealthier than the court. In fact, in order to protect their wealth, they need powerful martial artists and backers.

They had both.

It was necessary to mention the Wus background. 500 years ago, the Wus forefather was a common blacksmith. Owing to his good aptitude and savvy, he was chosen by the head of Tian Long Taoism to be his disciple at that time.

Tian Long Taoism was one of the three major schools in Jin. It was one of the best schools in the world, where there were many masters of martial arts. Meanwhile, it was also a potent backer of Jins Court.

After the Wus forefather practiced arduously for years, he succeeded in advancing feats, and ascended as a rare Level Nine expert. Later, he founded the Wus.

Speaking of martial arts, the Wus had martial arts skills that their forefather passed down and a person who practiced them would be an expert at Level Nine. While speaking of backers, Tian Long Taoism was their supporter. And some of the Wus young but outstanding descendants were also sent to Tian Long Taoism. So who dared to offend them?

Therefore, for these several hundred years, the Wus businesses have grown bigger and bigger and gradually grew into their big house of today.

Some people may wonder why Tian Long Taoism still served as the protector of the Wus today, as they were allies 500 years ago.

The reason could be traced back to business, which was, in other words, money.

Tian Long Taoism was a top school, where there were many people. Although they were experts of martial arts, they still needed money to buy things such as meals, Magic Drugs, and other resources.

It was impossible for them to go downhill to find them every day. Even if they could, but the world was so vast that, they could not walk through and find all these things.

Therefore, the prestigious sects and schools, like Tian Long Taoism, had their own affiliate influences that could help them do it.

Landlords owned much land and rented most of the land to tenants. However, by the end of every year, what they harvested was always much more than these tenants did. This was the same with Tian Long Taoism.

The Wus was one of the largest affiliate influences and tenants of Tian Long Taoism on earth. On the surface, its business was very prosperous and its fortune was very impressive, but quite a big part of it would be given to Tian Long Taoism. In other words, it was just a disguised protection fee.

Actually, Tian Long Taoism was solely a nominal backer of the Wus. It was unlikely that everything depended on Tian Long Taoismotherwise, Tian Long Taoism would be extremely busy. Hence, the Wus developed their own armed force, which also was a strong one.

The Wus forefather came from Tian Long Taoism, and he practiced the Nine Dragons Heavenly Fire Technique, which was naturally passed down. In addition to the Fire Technique, the Wus owned 81 movements of Wild Hammering Skill, which were created by their forefather after an insight. In the legendary times, it was very mighty. Now, these two became the Wus treasure.

Though the Wus influence was very tremendous, its population was small. The number of real descendants plus other related bloodlines was just about a few thousand. Some of them were not talented. By the way, with time passing by, contradiction and trouble followed close to one another, especially between the real descendants and those with related bloodlines. The war between them was likely to break out at any time. Hence, they needed fresh blood to relax the situation. Gradually, they also accepted apprentices, similar to other schools.

Therefore, to some degree, the Wus deserved to be called the boss of tenants. They farmed their own land, except for the land they rented to others.

Nobody could be an apprentice all the time. By virtue of the Wus fortune and influence, they accepted countless apprentices over the past several hundred years. Among these apprentices, they would pick some with good aptitude and savvy. The apprentices they had picked would practice Introduction to techniques. After a period, they would pick some of the talented ones who had the potential to practice more advanced ones.

Those so-called craftsmen were just apprentices who had practiced Introduction to techniques but couldnt take the next step.

After practicing Nine Dragons Heavenly Fire Technique, they knew a bit about the Fire Power and practiced the first nine movements of Wild Hammering Skills. The Wus forefather created them in the smelter, so the hammering skills were closely linked with smelting. As long as someone combined the two, even though his feats were not advanced, he would fair better than other ordinary blacksmiths in smelting.

These people were the backbone of the Wus family. After retirement, they undertook positions as teachers with another mission, to pick out the talented, like Old Xing, and inject them into the Wus.

Junior Leopard, standing in front of him, was a genius with rare talent.

Eight-year-old Junior Leopard had already developed Internal Qi, even Internal Qi of the Fire, which was the same as the Nine Dragons Heavenly Fire Technique. When he practiced the basic hammering skill, he even ascended into the insight state. All these indicated that he had extremely high potential in hammering skill. If the Wus missed such a talent, it would be their loss.

Standing silently, Junior Leopard heard what Old Xing said, considering something in his mind.

From Old Xings words, he wants me to join the Wus. Well, its a good choice. Just as the old saying goes, the big tree is a good backer. Especially one like the Wus, its such a good place that I can learn martial arts freely. Wow, wow!

Do you understand what I said?

As he pondered, the voice of Old Xing flew into his ears.

Yes! Junior Leopard nodded quickly.

Okay, what ideas do you have?

Its up to you, my teacher! Junior Leopard quickly replied. At this moment, although he had other ideas, he couldnt say a single word.

Excellent! Old Xing nodded contently. His face turned earnest and said, Youve met my demand that the stake has been knocked through. Afterwards, you need not practice with them. Youve practiced the Ignis Skill and have successfully developed the Ignis Internal Qi. This saves me lots of pains. Ill teach you Introduction to techniques of the Nine Dragons Heavenly Fire Technique and the Nine-Styled Hammer method. By the way, your brother-in-law is from the ranks, so you should learn this Killing Army practice from him. This Punching skill is heavily bloody. Its useful in the battle array, but its power will weaken sharply in one-on-one fighting. Ill teach you another punching skill. As for the punching skill used to build the body

Talking about it, Old Xing was in low spirits. You should continue practicing the Dark Bear Fist. If in two years you pass the Wus selection, youll have the opportunity to practice the punching skill of Bone Forging.

Punching skill of Bone Forging? Junior Leopards eyes sparkled. Dark Bear Fist was the punching skill used to toughen the skin. He had arrived at the limits of what his body could bear. He was curious about the punching skill of Bone Forging, for he had never heard of it. Although Taiji could also forge bone, its effect was very slow.

Teacher, as long as I pass the selection, can I learn the punching skill of Bone Forging?

Well, as long as you pass it, youll be a disciple of the inner door. Actually, youll have the opportunity to practice the punching skill of Bone Forging.

Whats the Selection Contest?

The Selection Contest is a contest that every Wus apprentice who reaches ten years old can take part in every year. Its purpose is to pick out elite apprentices. Well, the selection is very strict. Your base is very good, but you cannot be careless. In the next two years, you must practice harder. Do you understand?

I get it, Junior Leopard said respectfully.