Chapter 114: Five Luo Light Smoke
The three layers of force transformation, from the balance of hardness and softness with free control, to the microscopic level grandmaster, are not some mystical realm leap.
It’s about the skill in controlling force.
Reaching the level of ‘applying force like drawing silk’.
However, force can erupt, and it circulates within the human body. If one is not careful and loses control of the force, it will backlash internally, which is extremely dangerous.
Therefore, even if a martial artist has eight or nine tenths certainty, they will proceed with extreme caution, continue to hone their force control, and only attempt microscopic level force transformation when they can no longer improve.
Don’t think that Qing Lingzi claiming he’ll reach microscopic level force soon means there’s no possibility of failure.
Hong Yuan cannot directly elevate Qing Lingzi to the microscopic level, but he can forcefully suppress and even absorb the scattered backlash force with Six Void Force if Qing Lingzi fails.
One failure for others might lead to a permanent setback, and even with a chance to try again, it would require numerous secret medicines and years of recovery.
Hong Yuan, however, has given Qing Lingzi multiple chances to make mistakes.
The reason he personally intervened to help Qing Lingzi reach the microscopic level, besides the subordinate’s diligent work, is also due to the scarcity of capable masters under his command.
Next, he will be heading to the Vajra Temple.
With a microscopic level grandmaster guarding it, at least there’ll be some prestige.
“Thank you, Alliance Leader!” Qing Lingzi was overjoyed, bowed, and showed a respectful expression.
He had already experienced the marvel of Six Void Force earlier and had no doubt in Hong Yuan’s words.
Hong Yuan waved his hand, “If you have any questions about the path of force, feel free to ask!”
Qing Lingzi knew this was Hong Yuan offering him special tutoring, so he didn’t act coy and immediately laid out all his doubts about cultivation.
Hong Yuan, having reached the unprecedented fourth layer of force transformation, understood the microscopic level as if he could see it on his palm. He answered casually and extended a hand.
wisps of force filled his palm, demonstrating various force transformations.
Qing Lingzi’s eyes gleamed as he carefully observed and fell into contemplation.
Hong Yuan didn’t disturb him, eating his breakfast. Only after the meal was cleared did Qing Lingzi snap back to reality, filled with determination. Right there in front of Hong Yuan, he made his first attempt at the microscopic level.
However, Qing Lingzi dared not be as reckless as Hong Yuan once was.
Hong Yuan’s body was powerful in all aspects, with resilient internal organs, unafraid of the impact of scattered force. Even if his technique wasn’t perfect, he could still employ microscopic level force.
Qing Lingzi, on the other hand, regulated his breathing and mind, slowly controlling his Qi and Blood with the breathing method, meticulously maneuvering the force transformation, until…
*Poof!*
Qing Lingzi let out a muffled grunt, his face turning slightly pale. The force that had been condensed within him instantly scattered like retreating soldiers.
Seeing that it was about to injure his internal organs, Hong Yuan pressed his palm downwards, and an invisible net spread out, silently enveloping Qing Lingzi.
The next moment, the backlash force within Qing Lingzi became as obedient as mice seeing a cat; some stopped moving, while others were guided out by the net and dissipated into the air.
Qing Lingzi slowly exhaled and opened his eyes, still feeling a lingering fear.
He had thought he had a sure thing, but when he actually tried, ‘applying force like drawing silk’ sounded simple, yet operating it within the body was truly difficult.
A slight waver in his intent led to the failure of his efforts.
Qing Lingzi looked at Hong Yuan, stood up, and was about to bow in thanks again.
Hong Yuan waved his hand, “You may go down now. Carefully reflect on the feeling you just had, and we’ll continue tomorrow.”
“Qing Lingzi takes his leave!”
After Qing Lingzi agreed, he quickly departed.
Several days later.
On the training ground.
*Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!*
A figure in green moved with lightning speed, swift as a gale, darting left and right unpredictably. Force surged between his fingers and claws, and amidst short, sharp whistling sounds, the air was constantly torn, launching attacks from angles unimaginable to ordinary people.
This was the Wuding Sword Sect’s microscopic level secret technique, ‘Flowing Cloud Wuding Strength’!
The person practicing martial arts in the arena was naturally Qing Lingzi. After days of contemplation and two consecutive failures, Qing Lingzi finally grasped the technique of ‘applying force like drawing silk’ on his third attempt.
He could also be considered a microscopic level grandmaster!
Hong Yuan stood at the edge of the arena, with Tao Xiyue and Xu Qingjing standing on either side, staring intently at Qing Lingzi’s martial arts practice, occasionally clapping and cheering.
Allowing outsiders to observe one’s secret techniques was a major taboo in the martial world.
But Qing Lingzi naturally didn’t mind this.
After all, when it came to mastering ‘Flowing Cloud Wuding Strength’, Hong Yuan was far superior to him.
*Whoosh!*
Qing Lingzi’s figure darted, covering several zhang with each step. In a flash, he lunged towards a green stone at the edge of the training ground. Instantly, his force became like a sharp blade, gravel flying, and several deep claw marks appeared on the large green stone.
Qing Lingzi then concluded his practice and hurried back to Hong Yuan, kneeling and bowing with sincere admiration, “Qing Lingzi pays his respects to my Lord. Without my Lord’s support and grace, I would have had no chance to achieve the microscopic level.”
Qing Lingzi’s address to Hong Yuan changed from “Alliance Leader” to “Lord”.
This was a genuine and sincere submission.
“Rise, there’s no need for such ceremony,” Hong Yuan smiled.
“Lord, I wish to send a letter to my sect, asking my Senior Brother Qing Songzi and a few promising disciples under my command to come and serve you. May I know your wishes…”
After rising, Qing Lingzi pondered for a moment before speaking.
“I welcome all talented individuals from across the land to serve me.”
Hong Yuan understood Qing Lingzi’s intention; he had benefited and now wanted to help others achieve the microscopic level.
“If that is the case, your subordinate will go write the letter now…”
“Go!”
After Qing Lingzi left, Tao Xiyue said with a smile, “Congratulations, Young Master, for gaining the loyalty of a microscopic level grandmaster.”
Xu Qingjing’s beautiful eyes also shimmered with admiration.
For the Tao family, a microscopic level grandmaster was enough to stand on equal footing with Tao Gongwang, while a force like Black Iron Town would only be able to curry favor.
The two had heard of Hong Yuan’s various battle records, but had never witnessed them firsthand. The impact of a microscopic level grandmaster kneeling and pledging allegiance was far more profound.
Hong Yuan simply smiled and said, “I have recently created a new martial art. Do you two want to learn it?”
Tao Xiyue and Xu Qingjing’s eyes lit up.
Tao Xiyue immediately hugged Hong Yuan’s arm, tilting her face up, her cute dimples appearing, “Yes!”
“The martial art taught by Young Master must be the best. Qingjing will definitely learn it,” Xu Qingjing also said.
Tao Xiyue already had a teacher and greatly admired martial arts, and Xu Qingjing had also practiced.
They knew Hong Yuan was fond of martial arts and understood the principle that beauty fades and love wanes, so they didn’t want to be mere decorative pieces. They had been asking Hong Yuan for martial arts guidance during this period.
They had both now grasped Qi and Blood, and entering Force was just around the corner.
Hearing that Hong Yuan wanted to teach them martial arts, they naturally wouldn’t refuse.
“This martial art is an extension and variation of Soft Force. Practicing it continuously can reach the microscopic level…”
Hong Yuan’s self-created ‘Diamond Palm’ evolved from Hard Force.
At that time, he fought against many masters and absorbed their skills. However, his foundation was still shallow. Initially, it was only at the entering force level, and later he gradually elevated the ‘Diamond Force’ to the microscopic level.
Now, from a superior position, it only took him some time to deduce the microscopic level method for Soft Force, which was actually created specifically for women.
“I have named it ‘Five Luo Light Smoke Palm’. The force transformation in this palm technique does not pursue rigidity, nor does it dwell on softness and length. Its core lies in the word ‘transformation’. It appears gentle and powerless, but in reality, it subtly infiltrates with killing intent, deceiving the enemy and killing without a trace…”
As he spoke, Hong Yuan slowly demonstrated in the arena. Every movement was gentle and graceful, as unpredictable as a wisp of light smoke.
Tao Xiyue and Xu Qingjing watched intently. However, their cultivation was still shallow, so they could only see the superficial movements and had no knowledge of the subtleties of the internal soft force transformations.
After Hong Yuan finished demonstrating, he saw their confused little faces and chuckled, “Don’t worry, I’ll teach you the force method first.”
Hong Yuan spent some time teaching the force method to the two women. Both Tao Xiyue and Xu Qingjing were very intelligent women. Although there were still many unclear points, they had temporarily memorized everything.
Following that, Hong Yuan guided the two in practicing ‘Five Luo Light Smoke Palm’. After seeing them gradually become proficient, he smiled and said, “You two practice for now, I have some matters to attend to.”
“Young Master, please go ahead and attend to your business.”
Tao Xiyue and Xu Qingjing were practicing with great enjoyment in the training ground. They displayed their palm techniques like smoke and mist, their postures graceful, their skirts fluttering, red and green intermingling, truly a pleasure to behold, like celestial beings dancing.
However, Hong Yuan was not in the mood to admire them. After all, he was a gentleman and never indulged in sensual pleasures. His figure moved with the wind, his robes billowing, and he crossed over the city wall.
He headed towards Black Iron Town.
The thirty-odd li journey took less than a moment. Hong Yuan passed through the city wall silently, entering like a wisp of clear breeze.
In the blink of an eye, he arrived above the Ou family’s mansion. He spread out his net to search, and after a short while, Hong Yuan descended and entered a serene and elegant courtyard.
In a room within the courtyard, where a light was on, a faint floral fragrance could be detected, indicating a lady’s boudoir.
Hong Yuan sensed the room with his net, smiled, placed his palm on the door, and exhaled a breath of force. Instantly, the door silently swung open.
Before the cold wind could rush in, he had already flashed inside, and the door silently closed behind him.
The room was filled with warmth, the furnishings were exquisite, and a clear, elegant aroma permeated the air.
A slender girl in a white jacket skirt sat by the window, holding a brush and meticulously drawing something at her desk.
Just observing her profile, her skin was as fair as snow, like immortal dew and jade pearls, possessing a refined and tranquil scholarly air.
She was indeed a young lady from a respectable family.
Hong Yuan slowly walked behind the girl. Although he moved silently, he was not invisible, and the changing light and shadow in the room were enough to attract attention.
However, this girl was clearly focused on the scroll on her desk, her mind engrossed, and she hadn’t noticed him.
Looking down, the girl was drawing a portrait of a man, whose appearance bore a seven or eight-tenths resemblance to Hong Yuan, only lacking a bit of his spirit.
The girl was clearly not satisfied either, her brow slightly furrowed. Her fair, slender hand held the paintbrush, but she seemed troubled about where to make the next stroke.
Hong Yuan leaned down and blew into her crystalline ear.
“Ah!”
The young girl in the jacket skirt was clearly startled. The brush in her hand immediately swiped across the drawing, leaving a large smudge. At the same time, ink splattered onto her collar and cheek.
Before she could turn to look back, a pair of hands had already wrapped around her from behind, and a voice chuckled, “What are you drawing, Shuyyao?”
Ou Shuyyao’s body stiffened, then relaxed, but her heart was still pounding. Even with the girl’s good temper, she chided him playfully, “Young Master, you haven’t come to see me for so many days since you left, and now you come to scare me!”
As she spoke, she turned her head back, puffing out her small face, looking both charming and annoyed. Although her cheeks were smudged with ink, it did not detract from her refined beauty, but rather added a touch of lively playfulness.
Hong Yuan found her slightly angry expression very cute. He reached out and pinched her slightly chubby cheek, smiling, “This is my fault then. So, Shuyyao, how do you want me to atone?”
“How dare I blame you, Young Master? It’s just that the painting I spent days on has been ruined by you…” Ou Shuyyao pouted, clearly still a little annoyed.
“I am here in person, why do you need a painting?” Hong Yuan gently lifted Ou Shuyyao’s delicate body from the chair and nibbled her pouting lips.
Ou Shuyyao’s body became even softer, her hands weakly tugging at Hong Yuan’s clothes. After kissing the girl’s tender lips for a while, he then hugged her and sat down at the desk.
Ou Shuyyao’s cheeks were flushed, and she buried her head in his embrace, dazed. Her eyes held both shyness and moisture, clearly moved.
Hong Yuan stroked her body and smiled, “Shuyyao, are you still angry?”
Ou Shuyyao then looked up. Just as she was about to speak, she couldn’t help but burst into laughter, tapping her tender cheek, “Young Master, your face…”
Hong Yuan didn’t need a mirror to know that he must have gotten some of Ou Shuyyao’s ink on his face earlier. He didn’t bother to clean it off and patted her round backside, saying, “Hurry and get up, I’ll teach you how to paint.”
Soon after, Ou Shuyyao sat in Hong Yuan’s embrace, holding a brush in one hand, with a brand new sheet of paper spread on the desk.
Hong Yuan held her with his left arm, resting against Ou Shuyyao’s flat abdomen, while his right hand held hers as she painted, teaching with great seriousness.
As a teacher, he was very confident, whether in novel creation or drawing, he possessed great artistry.
For some reason, Ou Shuyyao, just like Tao Xiyue before, didn’t listen to his instruction at all. The brush and ink flew wildly, quickly smearing the white paper black.
With such a disobedient student, Hong Yuan, as a teacher, could only lightly chastise her as punishment and then proceeded to teach her to sing, her clear hum filling the room.
After teaching in Ou Shuyyao’s boudoir for the entire afternoon, as noon approached, he went to see Ou Zhenyun and Xu Jingren.
The next day arrived in a flash.
Hong Yuan left Black Iron Town in the morning breeze and returned to the prefecture city shortly after.
Upon entering the Tao Mansion, Tao Xiyue received the news and came over with a confused look, asking, “Young Master, why didn’t you return last night?”
As she spoke, Tao Xiyue naturally linked arms with Hong Yuan. On the other side, Xu Qingjing, with her beautiful figure and a more charming and gentle expression, also walked up.
Tao Xiyue sniffed and felt a familiar scent on Hong Yuan. After a moment of thought, she pouted and huffed, “No wonder Young Master didn’t return for a day and a night. You lied to Qingjing and me, saying you were dealing with matters, humph, so you were visiting a beauty.”
“What is the name of the elder or younger sister you were hiding, I’m very curious?”
“Qingjing is also very curious,” Xu Qingjing said, a little annoyed.
Hong Yuan leaned close to Xu Qingjing’s ear and whispered something. As surprise dawned on her face, he smiled at Tao Xiyue, “I’ve already told you her name, ask Qingjing.”
