Translator: Exodus Tales Editor: Exodus Tales
Advance forth with injuries!
Holding a washbasin in his hand in the bathroom, Qin Fen quietly stood before the mirror, looking at himself and recalling the warning Master had given him before he disappeared. His face was covered with beads of water that had still not been wiped.
Drip… drip…
Few drops of water that had yet to dry out dripped down from the closed faucet, creating ripples on the cold water in the washbasin.
Advance forth with injuries!? Qin Fen shook his head with a bitter smile on his face. Qin Fen grabbed a towel and wipe the water off his face before heading back to the pitch-black room with a glass of clean water.
Everything was still covered in darkness. Nonetheless, Qin Fen was unable to continue sleeping. The realm displayed by Master was full of incomparable attraction to anyone obsessed with martial arts.
External true energy oscillations! Having experienced the internal true energy oscillations with the help of Master, Qin Fen already knew that the external true energy oscillations were different from the internal true energy oscillations.
The external true energy oscillations didn’t need for the internal true energy oscillations to reach the peak to use it.
So long as he understood the initial true energy oscillations, he could use the external true energy oscillations. The only difference would be in the difference in strength produced by the oscillations.
Practicing external true energy oscillations was also tantamount to practicing control over true energy.
Qin Fen was very well aware that if he could master the initial step of external true energy oscillations, it would greatly help him control the internal oscillations. Even if he was unable to immediately improve the control of internal true energy oscillations, he would still make great progress and lay a very solid foundation.
“External true energy oscillations.”
Qin Fen murmured to himself, looking at the glass of water in his hand as the bright gleam in his eyes receded.
Usually, if a cup of water was held by an ordinary person, some ripples would appear in the water due to the holder’s unstable hands.
Looking at the clear water, Qin Fen held the cup tightly with his strong and powerful hand, so that there were no ripples in the cup of water at all.
Ripples should appear!
But it shouldn’t be due to the shaking of his wrist.
Qin Fen took a glance at the three broken glasses near his feet and took a deep breath as he murmured, “If this goes on, I might have to switch to stainless steel glasses.”
Qin Fen closed his eyes as he recalled the scene of oscillations taught by Master. Meanwhile, true energy in his body slowly surged into his palm, bit by bit.
Humm…
The water cup and the water began to vibrate at the same time. Ripples after ripples appeared in the water cup. The moment Qin Fen opened his eyes to look, the water cup in his hand made a crashing noise as a crack appeared on it.
It’s broken again!? Qin Fen threw what was left of the water cup in his hand. Apparently, this round of oscillations was better than the previous tries. Had Master not helped him experienced the internal oscillations, perhaps he would not have been able to reach this step.
Darkness still shrouded the sky. Qin Fen picked up a new water cup and made his way to the bathroom once more.
With his arm injured, the Eighteen Dragon Gathering the Winds and Clouds became even more unsuitable to use for the time being. And it just so happened to be the right time to try out and experience the external true energy oscillations in the battle.
Slowly, the sky began to light up. Stopping the oscillation training for the time being, Qin Fen stood up and started lightly practicing Twenty-Four Simplified Tai Chi Fists in the narrow room. Basics were the foundation of all advanced martial arts. Soft and gentle Tai Chi Fists were the only way to reach the firm and fierce road, there was no other way to make it happen.
Hardness in softness! Every time Qin Fen practiced the Tai Chi Fists, he always had a feeling of having reaped some harvest. Obviously, he was practicing softness, but he indeed progressed in hardness.
Having finished practicing, Qin Fen walked out of the room and entered the canteen. The canteen, which used to be hustling and bustling with laughter and curses was completely quiet today. Almost every recruit was immersed in eating.
Suddenly, a few dozen pairs of eyes fell upon him, shining like lightning in the dark night. Immediately, a chill rose from deep within his bone marrow. As Qin Fen cast a glance around the room, he was suddenly taken aback.
To his surprise, he didn’t find any West Asian recruits! Qin Fen furrowed his brow. Generally, every time he encountered a West Asian recruit, he felt like he was being watched by enemies. But today, these hostile glares that were filled with battle intent didn’t belong to West Asian recruits, but rather to the American recruits. Among them, there was an Afro-American whose gaze was filled with provocation.
Mark Zeus! Qin Fen met Zeus’ gaze head-on. Both sides’ glares clashed in the air like they were electrical currents. Those big eyes of Zeus shone even more brightly as he slowly clenched his thick fingers into a fist and waved it at Qin Fen with force.
Little Dragon King, Yang Lie put down the milk carton in his hand and slowly raised his head, staring at Qin Fen. Unlike Zeus, his eyes weren’t full of sharp provocation but rather an invitation to fight that was hard to describe.
“Qin Fen is mine…”
Suddenly, a cold battle intent rose in the quiet hall. Zeus followed the voice to the table of West Asian recruits and found Shangguan Chuanqi’s junior, Mourad Tshick staring coldly at the American recruits camp.
Mourad’s voice wasn’t that loud yet it was heard throughout the canteen. Upon hearing this, Caesar stared at Mourad Tschick, furrowing his brows slightly. Such a naked provocation did not take all the martial artists in the lower group into account.
Mourad Tschick, putting down the tableware in his hands, slowly stood up. He swept a glance through the crowd. His electric shining eyes shocked the entire crowd of recruits. There is actually such an outstanding recruit in West Asia. It seems the champion of the lower group is not necessarily going to be Europe’s Great Emperor, Zeus.
“You want to fight Old Qin!?” Xue Tian screamed at the top of his voice. “First, you have to ask Caesar who is in the same quarter group with you. And if you beat him, then come and ask me who is in the same group as you.”
“Ask you?”
On the American recruits table, Brooks lightly adjusted the cap covering his face. “Furious Beheader, you don’t even have the chance to win the quarterfinals, if Mourad Tschick has to ask, he should ask me.”
Qin Fen quietly sized up Brooks. Brooks, who was just exuding an aura like he was completely harmless, released a sharp battle intent that could be felt by all the martial artists present in the canteen in the blink of an eye.
“Oh!?” Xue Tian wiped his hands with a paper towel and scratched his head as he asked. There was an ignorant and curious smile on his face. “Excuse me, who are you exactly?”
…
Hearing this, Brooks was slightly shaken. Underneath his cap, his eyes sized up Xue Tian. Some recruits from the other continents chortled. Answering in such a way and using such a disrespectful approach was far sharper than any rhetorical counterattack.
Brooks slowly took a deep breath. Such a reply was truly like the katana of Furious Beheader from the legend, always appearing when you have least expected.
Words as sharp as a knife, huh!? Brooks lowered the cap with his hand, once more. “You don’t need to worry, I believe you will remember me forever.”
“Who is he talking to?” Xue Tian looked at Xing Wuyi next to him with a blank look on his face. “My memory is failing me these days. I can’t seem to remember some small fish-like characters. Why does this man seem to be looking at me? Did I talk to him just now? What did he say a moment ago? How come I forgot?”
In the quiet canteen, the cracking sounds of Brooks clenching his ten fingers crisply rang in everyone’s ears.
Only after a long time did the battle intent of Brooks’ completely dissipate. Underneath the cap, there was a faint smile hanging on his lips. “Furious Beheader, Xue Tian, I want to see how long you can keep on pretending. If someday we have a chance to fight, I hope you won’t let me down.”
Qin Fen sat down at the East Asian recruits table. His loss did not affect his popularity in the slightest. On the contrary, his annihilation of the American aerial combat team using one hand lead to another boom in his popularity. At this point, beautiful Lin Ling’s splendid victory in the sniper tournament was not so noticeable anymore.
After a small storm, everyone lowered their heads to eat. Only Xue Tian, who usually talked a lot, kept on chattering endlessly. He seemed oblivious to the impending battle, as if he had already moved up through inside means and won the championship by default.
After having finished their breakfast, the recruits left in groups of twos and threes.
In the blink of an eye, only Qin Fen and several of East Asian recruits remained in the large canteen, as well as Lin Liqiang who was was eating a haphazard manner, Song Jia and Enzo Rota were left.
Swish…
Enzo Rota silently pushed a metal box to Qin Fen and pressed the button to open it.
A few pills of different colors were lightly rocking in the metal box. One after another, strange smells wafted out of the metal box.
“So smelly!” Xue Tian cried out, pinching his nose. “Old Enz, what the hell did you do? Why is it so smelly?”
Xing Wuyi didn’t say anything but he secretly pinched his nose as well.
Du Peng’s eyebrows twitched as he lightly turned his head and pinched his nose as well.
Lin Liqiang, on the other hand, gave a thumbs up to Enzo Rota. “Old Enz, your taste is really too… in the few days I haven’t seen you, your taste has become weirder and weirder.”
At the entire table, only Lin Ling had no change in her expression. The intense smell pervading the air didn’t seem to affect her, as if she didn’t smell anything whatsoever.
Looking at the prescription, Qin Fen could only give a wry smile. Old Enz had truly learned everything he could learn from Chef. He even learned how to make these weird pills highly unpalatable with this flavor. I wonder if Chef would praise Old Enz for surpassing even him when he sees these pills.
“This is…” Enzo Rota pointed at the red pill in the box. His face turned incomparably solemn as he explained, “Life or Death Pill. It can boost your internal strength for a short period of time. It is difficult to control the growth of true energy. If you are unable to control at the late stage, the true energy will burst the meridians which would ultimately lead to death. Take it with precautions, very carefully. Even antidote is ineffective.”
Everyone, covering their nose, let out a hiss as they drew a breath of cold air. This pill was truly strange. Much to their surprise, it was even more terrifying than the rumored Super Berserker Pill.
“Mhmm, I understand.” Qin Fen looked at his old friend. This Life or Death Pill was even more overbearing than the last. Otherwise, his old friend, who had always been a man of few words, would not give such a detail explanation.
Enzo Rota pushed the iron box to Qin Fen. The remaining few pills were concentrated Berserker Pills and Armor Pills. Everything was understandable from the instructions, there was no need for too much explanation anymore. In any case, Qin Fen wasn’t a fool who would haphazardly take any medicine.
“Old Enz, you are really a man, you knew Old Qin’s Life or Death Pill had been used up, so you made another one.” Lin Liqiang patted Enzo Rota’s shoulder. “I remember this thing cost a lot of money to make. It’s extremely valuable. So, when are you going to give them to your buddies?”
Enzo Rota sized up Lin Liqiang in a serious manner. “Life or Death Pill won’t have any effect on breaking through the limits of your libido.”
Poof… poof…
In the quiet canteen, several people on the table of East Asian recruits burst into laughter immediately.
No one had expected that the always serious man of few words, Enzo Rota, would make such a funny joke with such a serious expression.
“Really?” Only Lin Liqiang wasn’t laughing. Rather he looked at Enzo Rota with a look of disappointment. “Old Enz, you can’t do this, ah! You should treat Old Qin and me equally. You doing like this is making me feel that I am out of your favor.”
Enzo Rota lightly nodded. “I will give it a try.”
“Old Enz! In addition to beauties, you are my favorite!” Lin Liqiang hugged Enzo Rota and laughed. “Then it settled! Also, it would be better to give me a pill without the side effects of Old Qin’s. I believe you can do it, your buddy’s sexual well-being is depending on you.”
“Okay.” Enzo Rota spread his palm before Lin Liqiang. “Funds!”
“Ah!?” Lin Liqiang looked at the box that was being put away by Qin Fen, a dreaded look appearing on his face. It cost a lot for Enzo Rota to make this Life or Death Pill. I am afraid I would have to spend eighty to ninety percent of the money on my hand.
The discipline of pills and biochemical beasts required a huge amount of sum to advance. Even if they were geniuses in both fields, they could not play without any money.
“For my sexual well-being.” Lin Liqiang took out his bank card and handed it to Enzo Rota. “This still has some money, most of which have been won by Old Qin.”
As Enzo Rota took the card, Lin Liqiang turned around, looking at Qin Fen. “Old Qin, you have to work hard! Your buddy is depending on you to make money.”
“Young Master Lin, in fact, we can also cooperate.” Xue Tian bumped Lin Liqiang’s shoulder with his.
The two looked at each other and immediately their gazes clashed with sparks that only those two could understand.
“Young Master Xue!” Lin Liqiang gave a thumbs up. “You sure are loyal to brotherhood! If there are beautiful women in the future, we will never forget you for sure.”
“Young Master Lin, it’s not just the beauties.” Xue Tian rested his elbow on the table. “After Old Qin and I have retired, we have decided to set up a small mercenary group. I hope you can give us some support at that time.”
“Mercenaries!?”
The people around the table looked at Qin Fen with a perplexed look. Qin Fen had never mentioned this thing with them.
Qin Fen smiled and sighed. He had not thought that Xue Tian would still remember this. Mercenary group!? If I can find clues about my brother, then, it doesn’t matter I do it.
“Old Qin, don’t laugh so powerlessly.” A bright smile was plastered on Xue Tian’s face. “We will certainly become the most famous mercs in the mercenary world! Don’t forget, we have the skills and brains that no one has, we have to be mercs, the strongest mercs!”
Under the continuous rambling of Xue Tian, the oppressive atmosphere before the fight quickly disappeared unknowingly.
Soon, Qin Fen noticed Du Peng’s eyes glued to his chest, the place where he had put the Life or Death Pill.
Life or Death Pill was a pill that could evoke memories of many people. Qin Fen heaved a light sigh. Du Peng knew everything that day. Life or Death Pill had also become one of his memories. And now that he heard its name again, Du Zhanpeng’s figure naturally reappeared in his mind.
“Let’s go.” Xing Wuyi stood up. “We should also go to the stadium.”
Stadium!? A bright gleam suddenly appeared in Du Peng’s confused eyes as a shimmering battle intent constantly jumped out from within.
Xing Wuyi, pushing the gold-rimmed spectacles up his nose, nodded with satisfaction. Du Peng was indeed Du Zhanpeng’s brother.
The martial arts tournament was the highlight of the recruit tournament. The attraction of advancing to the top sixteen was far stronger than advancing to the top thirty-two.
The huge stadium that could accommodate eighty thousand people was almost jam-packed. Many people had even written the names of the martial artists they were supporting on their faces. The atmosphere was much more lively than the football world cup that used to be the most lively back in the past.
Several groups of beautiful girls were also a scenic attraction in the grandstands of the stadium. Little Dragon King, Yang Lie’s rallying group had finally debuted in the round of thirty-two, and their numbers were nowhere lacking than the people rallying for Great Emperor, Caesar.
Sky Splitter Brooks’ cheering squad was also no way inferior to Yang Lie’s and Caesar’s.
Apart from the squad of cheerleaders, there were also two special groups in the audience.
These two groups were entirely composed of men, there was not a single woman in it.
A huge flag was fluttering amidst one of the groups, drawn on which was Lin Ling.
Qin Fen looked at Lin Ling with some surprise. He had not expected her to have such a huge fan group so quickly.
But looking at the flag fluttering in the air, there was no change in Lin Ling’s expression, not the slightest bit. As if it had nothing to do with her.
Puzzled, Qin Fen turned his gaze at the second flag fluttering in the air, which also had a beautiful girl with a slightly darker chestnut-color complexion, letting people know that she was a part African.
Her slightly black skin, delicate and beautiful facial features revealed a wild yet seductive beauty.
“Africa!?” Qin Fen raised his eyes and searched about. Soon, he found the female soldier at the edge of the stadium. Her tight military vest wrapped around those bulging peaks of hers and her slender legs matched with shorts wrapped around her hips brought out her wild and seductive beauty to the extreme. Any man who saw her could not help but have a desire to conquer her rise from the bottom of his heart.
“Alice! Alice! Alice!”
The fans of African beauty cheered loudly and even overwhelmed the group of fans cheering other beautiful participants.
Unlike the other participants who remained indifferent to their fans, Alice stood quietly at the edge of the stadium, waving at her fans, which immediately drew loud cheers from many more men.
“It turns out, apart from Lin Ling…” Qin Fen murmured to himself as he sat back on his seat. “There are other female soldiers participating in the martial arts tournament.”
Before the tournament started, Qin Fen came to a box of mineral water and took out a bottle. Holding it in his hand, he slowly began to gather the true energy in his palm, bit by bit.
He felt like it was better to do something rather than sitting doing nothing. And practicing external oscillations seemed like a good way.
Splash.. .
The water in the bottle surged violently. Qin Fen could not help but scratch his head. External oscillations had turned into an eruption of true energy. He failed.
Bit by bit, time went by, Qin Fen kept on practicing the external true energy oscillations with rapt attention until the start of the tournament.
“All right! Dear viewers, hello!”
“Today is the round of thirty-two, where thirty-two participants will compete with each other to advance to the top sixteen. I believe it will be more exciting than the last time, what do you think?”
“Maybe!? But I am more concerned about Qin Fen. Can this injured recruit still continue to win?”
“That’s true! The top thirty-two participants are far stronger than the top sixty-four Had Qin Fen not been injured, perhaps it might have been worth watching. But now!? Haha, he is injured, even if he is lucky enough to advance today, so what? Can an injured participant win the championship!? Don’t forget, as the saying goes, an injury to sinew or bones hurts for a hundred days!”
The three commentators spoke one after another, raising the warm atmosphere before the tournament once more. Only the military enthusiasts remained silent, their eyes locked on Qin Fen among the audience.
We can’t judge Qin Fen with normal methods! After several days of observations, the military enthusiasts finally made their unique judgment on Qin Fen.
“Today’s first match is about to start with Xue Tian from East Asia Military Region on one side and Callas from Europe on the other.”
“Oh! Speaking of which, I know a little bit about this Callas. I heard that he is from a martial arts aristocratic family of Europe. Rumor has it that he has reached the peak of five-star level, and may break through to six-star anytime. He might not be as good as the seven-star level African recruit, but his strength is not bad.”
“Five-star, so what? The biggest selling point of the recruit tournament is that they all have the possibility to breakthrough anytime. After all, they are so young. They are in a stage of rapid growth. It is also the stage where breaking through is easiest. Don’t forget, once there was a champion of martial arts tournament in the recruit tournament. At the beginning of the tournament, he was only at five-star level, but as a result of his last two successive breakthroughs, he had entered the seven-star level and finally became the champion.”
A majority of the audience nodded in agreement. The biggest selling point of the recruit tournament wasn’t just their fights but also their unpredictable breakthroughs, which only added to the unpredictability of the tournament.
If one just wanted to watch a splendid battle, he or she should rather watch other martial arts tournaments held by the Federation instead of watching the recruit martial arts tournament. Like for instance, the Great Ensemble that was the most popular among all the martial artists of the Federation. It was so popular that even the Sacred Martial Hall would send their elites to participate in the Ensemble to win the first place.
Callas, standing quietly at the center of the arena, lightly moved his body to do a final warm-up.
Xue Tian, holding his katana, stepped into the ring in large stride before lightly moving his limbs as well.
Immediately, most of the audience booed. Although the competition was not just about kicks and punches, bringing a sword into battle immediately brought contempt from many people.
In response, Xue Tian walked about, cupping his hands, as if it was not boos he was receiving but most enthusiastic cheers from the audience.
“He actually brought a weapon? I wonder, Callas is going to lose or not?”
“It’s hard to say, having a weapon does not necessarily give you an advantage.”
“That’s right! Well, Callas is actually a six-star martial artist! He had actually already broken through before the match! It seems the East Asian recruit is going to be in a predicament.”
Suddenly, the audience broke into an uproar. Just the day before yesterday, a seven-star martial artist had appeared among the African participants. And now, a six-star martial artist had stepped out from the Europe side. And as the tournament continued, no one could guarantee that this six-star martial artist would become a seven-star if he reached the finals.
Amidst the uproar, the bell to start the match suddenly rang.
Xue Tian, who was standing at the center of the ring, clenched the katana in his hand as the true energy within his body continued to climb. Immediately, cracks appeared on the reinforced concrete underneath his feet.
“Oh my God! Seven-star! Another seven-star martial artist! East Asian recruit, Xue Tian, turned out to be a seven-star martial artist!” The commentator cried out in surprise. The audience in the stands had already started making noises.
Seven-star! In the past, seldom has a seven-star martial artist appeared in the recruit tournament. But today, in just the first match of the round of thirty-two, someone had burst forth with the strength of seven-star level!
There were already two participants who had displayed the seven-star level! In the hearts of everyone, a question mark had already been put on the champion of the tournament. Would it be this East Asian recruit or that African recruit? Or was there someone among the recruits hiding his strength?
Seven-star vs six-star!
Callas’ pupils constricted to the size of a pin. This East Asian recruit is so strong!?
Xue Tian, holding the katana in one hand, pulled it out from the scabbard in a very straightforward manner.
The bright blade along with the cold battle intent exuded a chilling intent under the sun, sending chills to everyone in the audience.
“Isn’t he being too shameless!? A seven-star martial artist even drew the blade against an unarmed six-star martial artist!?” The commentator’s loud complaints spread throughout the audience.
Upon hearing this, everyone immediately nodded in agreement, one after another. A six-star martial artist had almost no chance against a seven-star martial artist. And yet, the seven-star martial artist actually drew his blade against an unarmed opponent. Does this guy even have a shred of martial arts spirit!?
“Tell me.” Xue Tian, carrying the katana on his shoulder, raised his chin and asked, “Do you think we still need to fight?”
Callas’ eyes flickered with despair. The katana smelled of blood. It was a weapon that had been used to kill, and not just once.
A six-star martial artist encountering a seven-star martial artist wasn’t that terrifying. What was really terrifying was a seven-star martial artist that had killed someone. Such an opponent would absolutely not have zero combat experience.
“I admit defeat.” Callas raised his hands slowly before turning around and walking down the arena under the sighs of everyone.
“What a pity! Why did he not fight? Perhaps he might have had another breakthrough in a life and death battle…” The commentator shook his head in an incomprehensible manner, again and again.
Callas, raising his head and looking to the commentary table, pursed his lips into a disdainful smile. “What!? Breakthrough!? That East Asian recruit only needs one move, just one move. And he won’t show any mercy. He would simply not give me a single chance to breakthrough.”
“Awesome! I made a fortune!” Lin Liqiang snapped his fingers and waved his arms vigorously. “It’s still a pleasure to work with Young Master Xue!”
Song Jia smiled and nodded, again and again. Owing to the insider news from Xue Tian, they had indeed made a killing.
Defeating and winning without making a single move, the odds of the two were completely different at the betting station.
How strong Xue Tian was, the betting station was relatively clear about it. The odds of Xue Tian winning by defeating his opponent wasn’t high, but the odds of Xue Tian winning without making a single move was quite high.
In a martial arts tournament, it was not an easy thing to win without making a move. Xue Tian could do it, but the staff who set the odds at the betting station never imagined that Xue Tian, a young man who had the chance to win the championship, would actually choose not to hide himself and directly showcased his strength entirely, putting himself in the spotlight for everyone to study him.
Does he not want to win the championship ? The staff of the betting station looked at Xue Tian’s winning look on the screen, shocked. Everything he was doing went against common sense..
