with all his progress, he started trying the Qi Blood Set, immediately, a big improvement was visible.
each strike had all the control, honed through repeated effort.
the 1st move of the Qi Blood Set, split the earth without launching him forward!
and every move afterwards, had a..
seamless control.
he finally thought he was ready, ‘plus, more contribution points means more martial arts!’ he got up and stretched.
then immediately felt light headed.
‘right..
haven’t slept in a while..’ he went back to the apartment to rest, but as soon as he opened the door.
BAM he got punched in the guts!
“what was that for?!” he shouts clutching his belly.
“you were gone for 3 days!
and right after you had 2 weeks in a mission!” his little sister shouted.
“we had to make all our meals!
so you got to cook now!” his little brother added.
he could only sigh and prepare.
only to see the mess in the kitchen.
SMACK, SMACK after teaching the kids a lesson, making them clean up their mess, he started cooking up a basic meal using the mysterious legumes and rice.
though, with his amount of money he gets from doing missions, he easily bought and cooked some Pork for all of them!
they had their fill, as they talked the night away, questioning each others day.
*** he woke up late.
not too much, but certainly not how he got up to work like before.
but he was ready.
he walked up to the mission hall clerk and stated.
“I am Ma Qing!
a member of 3 weeks!
and I have reached Minor Achievement in Blood Nourishing!
may I please be granted the test!” the same tone, flamboyance and confidence he had when asking to meet the gang leader, was now reflected here.
the clerk, hearing such bravado, could only smile dumbfounded and ask a nearing attendant to look whose off mission.
she then guided me to the arena, where a handful of people were watching.
“the rules are simple.
the Clerk said.
“no killing or long term crippling, blows that could be deadly but are controllable are allowed, and to win, you have to survive for 10 minutes or beat the senior.” “YOU GOT THIS BIG BROTHER!!” the twins were shouting, also watching the fight happen.
He nods and an extreme focus lights up in his eyes.
he was completely ready.
the Senior he was facing, was yawning, presumably woken up recently, but after seeing my eyes, he straightened out and got into his stance without delay.
“I am Lin Changsheng, Minor Achievement in Blood Nourishing.” “I am Ma Qing!
Minor Achievement in Blood Nourishing!” they bowed politely to one another, while also simultaneously assessing the threat level of their opponent.
“let the battle begin!” immediately a loud clash rumbled throughout the Arena!
everyone present felt the immediate pressure of the clash!
‘Earth Shattering Saber as well!’ this was the one saber technique he was utterly confident in when drawing!’ ‘ahh, Earth Shattering Saber.’ the Senior reflected in his thought.
for the 1st minute, an exchange of over 10 moves occurred, where each attack was rather mirrored with each other.
and everyone could feel it.
he was an utter equal compared to the Senior Brother!
a Senior who was a well known member of the agency, who has honed his Earth Shattering Saber through blood and grit…
yet, was a complete match to this Junior!
but anyone high as or higher could sense it.
‘he’s holding on by a thread..’ Ma Qing, even though having Reached Minor Achievement in Blood Nourishing and Earth Shattering Saber, he hasn’t had the true experience that could perfect his craft.
essentially making his cultivation look like Swiss cheese, when compared to this Senior.
matching every attack, though planned out, was clearly no longer a viable option for Ma Qing.
but as he was about to change his style and back out, something deep in his soul reacted violently…
Ego.
immediately, when he was about to be pushed back, he firmed up his stance and held his ground!
immediately the spectators of their levels noticed.
meanwhile the Twins thought their brother looked awesome and more badass!
but on the face of Ma Qing, he was calmer.
the first minute seemed to have..
awakened something in him.
‘Devour him.’ instead of backing out, he went into a state of clarity, so profound, that it looked like staring into a void!
with the next class, something changed.
instead of looking at the Blade, he looked at the entire body of Lin Changsheng.
analysing every movement.
this time, the clash pushed both of them back equal steps.
and then another, and then another..
soon, each attack was matched with the same force!
‘what the hell is this!!’ the Senior Lin was utterly stunned!
it was almost as if he was fighting a mirror now, rather than a beginner!
the spectators noticed it too, and soon, they noticed that Ma Qing, had entered a state of Clarity…