Page 96: Results

Waiting on the stage are four stacks of five layered tiles or 45 tiles ready to be broken by anyone who would take up the challenge. The audience were still waiting for a minute now if someone amongst the young generation have the balls to show off. Of course, the audience were waiting for someone from the champions of the martial meet to show off their skills since they were the original stars.

Not a moment later, four from the participant's table stood up and walked towards the stage. First to move towards the stage was a young man with huge built and with a carefree disposition, followed by a young lass who seemed to bring with her a vibrant aura. Next was man with a strong looking face that exudes seriousness to the crowd , and last was a silent alchemist with a non- attractive smile. As they proceed to the stage, elders who were on one table started to talk about them. The elders from the merchant union were the ones mostly asking the questions.

"Great elders, these are the four youths you were talking about? They don't look any special to me. If you're saying that these four practiced the same techniques that were not existing in the six star school, we must really see it for us to evaluate where could such martial technique came from. If its true that these kids are related to someone from the mainland, we need to change how we aporoach them. However, until we are not sure, I won't treat them any better than the others."

"We think the same. We haven't fully established that they really are related to that place but the sect leader had his mind already set that one of those could have from one of the great clans of the mainland. We saw how they fight but since we lacked the knowledge, we dare not draw any conclusions."

All the elders were nodding in response to the last elder who spoke. As for now, all they can do is to watch things unfold in front of them. If they really are what the sect leader thought, then it would be a great benefit as ling as they keep treating them nicely.

On another table, youngsters from the other families were giving their own arguments on who among the four will break the most number of tiles. Many of them have their favor on Ling Tian but still, Yue's fans outnumbered them. Their argument that since Yue placed first in the martial meet, she should possess the greatest strength. On the other hand, Ling Tian's supporters argued that it was only the case because she was good with a weapon that time. If it's only the fist , they believe that Ling Tian hold the greatest advantage over the rest.

On the stage, the participants for the challenge were already in front of their tiles to break. The first one to move was Ah Mu. With his easy going face, he gave the audience a toothy smile and pumped his fist high. After a second, he yelled with a strong ground shaking voice and swung the huge fist onto the top of the stacked tiles.

Craaack!

It was only for a second or two until Ah Mu retrieved his fist and gave a final roar. The crowd was fully awakened by the events. Aside from the ear- deafening roar, the shattering of the tiles were even more appalling. Without using any weapon to aid him, he was able to shatter three complete layers. Many were speculating that he used a fist technique to shatter the tiles instead of just an ordinary punch while the older cultivators were thinking different. For these old ones, they can see Ah Mu's cultivation level but his level doesn't match up with the results. Some believed that aside from his cultivation strength, he might have been able to infuse some kind of power into his arm during the attack.

For Ah Mu, his experience was an enlightening moment. The second he smashed the tiles, he felt some kind of realization about his martial arts. He can't explain it yet but if he would experience it again, he might be able to grasp what it was or so he thought.

Ah Mu had a blank expression on his face while still holding out his fist that smashed 3 complete layers or 27 slabs all together. Since he doesn't want to forget what he felt, he silently bowed to the audience, to his comrades on stage and rushed to his cabin at once.

This action he displayed left everyone baffled but since there's nothing out of the ordinary except the sudden change of pace, they just let it be. Ah Mu's comrades on the other hand, especially Ling Tian and Yue were having some questioning look. When they looked at Long Bai if he would give them some explanation to what happened, they only received a reassuring look.

The event continued amidst the confusing thoughts. Now, it is Yue's turn to smash some tiles. Everyone from the audience were expectant on what she'll do. Since she was the star of the sect, many were having thoughts of her display something extraordinary.

Not knowing all these thoughts, Yue stood in front of the tiles and positioned herself just like Ah Mu did. With this gesture, everyone's mind went on similar direction, "ah! she's doing the same".

This time, the only difference between her and Ah Mu's was that her palm was not clenched but instead opened like someone ready to give a chop. With a serious look on her face, she imagined her arm like a sword and executed a sword skill. Her hand came down like a sword towards the tower of tiles and afterward, everyone heard the same sound. Only this time, the sound took longer than the previous. When everyone counted how many was broken, they counted 3 layers and 6 tiles. It was 6 tiles more than the previous.

People were clapping enthusiastically for Yue however, if one would observe closely, they were trying to cover their disappointment. If only these people knew about what Yue experienced, they will definitely have a different reaction. Just like Ah Mu earlier, Yue felt something she wanted to experience again. There was this urge for her to do it again in order to figure out that mysterious event that took place for a split second during her execution of the tile breaking chop. With a similar but more subtle way, she bowed to the audience, thanked them for watching her perform and silently walked out of the area.

This gesture of hers made Ling Tian even more curious and asked Long Bai directly.

"Brother Bai, what is actually happening? I'm afraid I can't follow. Can you tell me if you know something?"

His inquisitive look made Long Bai smile and replied with a vague answer.

"Brother Ling Tian, try to experience it yourself. It's your turn next." Long Bai gestured the tiles in front of him. Although he wanted to tell what was happening, he can't since he saw this as a an opportunity to teach them something. He was planning to teach them sword intent while they are on the ship bound to the Cup island but such opportunity presented itself. Since the current situation have met the requirement to teach the skill, he purposely lead them to participate.

A few days ago while training his sword skills, he discovered that he could still execute the sword skill without the sword but its strength was lacking compared to when he holds the proper weapon. However because of it, he felt the same thing Ah Mu and the rest experienced and this was identified by the system as sword intent. It was the ability of the user to materialize the sharpness of a sword in every actions he does. For an example, even with a twig, he can make the twig have a sword's sharpness or his finger be as sharp as a sword. However the effects vary depending on the mastery. This intent cannbe felt but won't materialize without the right recipe. Right now, he can only manifest the sharpness of a rusty blade since according to the system, his mastery on it was still at the peak of initial success. If he can reach intermediate, he might have the sharpness of a regular blade and beyond that would even become sharper. Of course, this can only happen as long as one can control the sword aura that contains the sword intent. This sword aura is like a wrap of energy around any weapon the user would like to use. Without materializing the sword aura, there's no sharpness. In the future, this sword aura can be released as sword energy as long as the user meets the requirement. That was what the system explained to him when he practiced this discovery.

Of course, this sword aura, intent and energy works best depending in the weapon that the user was accostumed with. For Ah Mu and Yue, they would definitely learn the sword intent since all their life, they only used the sword. For Ling Tian, he would definitely learn the sabre intent since his fighting style was developed for this weapon. As for Long Bai, he first learned the sword (rapier) intent but the system recognized it as another term when he tried utilizing it with different weapons.

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[STATUS

Cultivation: Core tempering layer (7th level)

Core grade: Unique (multi-elemental)

Gate Channel opened: 2/8

-Gate of strength

*skills can become stronger with more essence used

-Gate of rejuvenation

*healing of wounds has become faster.

Skills:

Movement skills:

~Thunder steps (intermediate success)

-ghostly steps skill mastered

-can be evolved when requirements are met

Martial art skills:

~Sword of Twelve Critical Strikes (mastered)

~Sky Sword of Critical Strikes (perfection)

-sky tier

-can be evolved when requirements are met

~Blazing Sky Palm (perfection)

-sky tier

-can be evolved when requirements are met

~White Dragon's Martial skill (perfection)

-sky tier

-can be evolved when requirements are met ]

Enhancements:

~Sword Aura

-imbued to a weapon to enhance additional effects

~Sharpness Intent Mastery (initial success)

-the weapon of choice (rapier) will gain an addition of 50% sharpness in every attack. Objects except the weapon of choice will have the sharpness of a rusty blade.

~Sword Energy (initial success)

-materialization of a weapon's properties into a form of energy that can be released for a long ranged attack.

Cultivation Base: Five Elemental Conversion(???) ]

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Back to Ling Tian's attempt to break the tikes, after hearing Long Bai's response to his query, he tried to set off all his questions and put his concentration into the task in front of him. He thought that if they felt something, he will definitely have it to. After he reached a peaceful mind, he attacked the tiles similarly as Yue did. Instead of a fist, the chopping motion would definitely be more efficient, he thought.

Craaaack!

There were three layers and three tiles that were broken. Compared with Yue, he was only lagging behind 3 tiles. When Ling Tian pulled out his hand from the broken tiles, he was having the same blank look on his face. He then looked at Long Bai and he received a nod that implied "you did it" based on how he felt the message was. Just like the first two, he also took of and head towards his cabin.

Since it was the third time, the people thought that the three who went away were feeling dejected that they weren't able to break the record of Tan He. Tan He on the other hand had his ego growing taller.

"Ladies and gentlemen, let us not be dejected. Although they weren't able to beat my record, they did their best. In addition, they still have the last member. You should not lose your hopes for our representatives."

Tan He's words seem like he's trying to be on Long Bai's side however the audience knew what he was trying to do. Since they knew that Long Bai was an alchemist, they don't expect something great from him. It has always been the norms that alchemists were practically weaker than martial practitioners since they're efforts were focused in alchemy.

While Tan He was busy talking about himself and saying how he wanted to offer some pointers to the youngsters, Long Bai walked towards the tiles. While nobody was focusing on him, he initiated the tile breaking challenge. Since they don't have the interest to look at him, he doesn't have also the interest to give them a show. He thought of just be done with it and leave.

Crash!

The entire tower of tiles fell all over the floor and the loud sound caused by it stole everyone's attention. For the unprepared audience, everything that happened was too sudden for them to notice how things took place. The only thing that plays in their visuals are the completely broken pieces of tiles on the ground. Long Bai walked down from the performing stage and continuously walked towards the exit. However, just before he could step out of the place, he heard someone stopping him from his tracks.

Tan He who was on the stage couldn't accept what happened. Some also from the audience can't accept the fact that an alchemist was able to do things better than the martial cultivators who showed their capacities.

"Hey, you alchemist! Stop right there!" Tan He clearly doesn't know Long Bai except his profession as an alchemist. "Get back here and tell us how you cheated! If you're not coming back, I'll ask the union to throw you out of this ship."

Long Bai looked at the man on the stage and raised one of his brow. After doing so, he continued his walk towards the exit. Tan He felt he was humiliated and retaliated with another threat.

"Hey, ignorant boy. You cheated and you dare to run away? Do you know who I am? If you don't come back, I'll tell the captain who is my uncle to throw you out of this ship."

Long Bai stopped and sighed. He again turned his head and returned an expression saying "wut r u saying, idiot?". He stared for a few seconds and spoke at Tan He.

"Hey, if you want to fight with backers, then fine. You see those old men at the back enjoying their tea? The one with the red striped clothing is my master. If you have problem with me, go to him instead since that's how you want to do it; using someone of high position to threaten someone." Long Bai said while pointing at Elder Wei on the back who was drinking a cup of tea with the other elders.

Tan He looked at the people whom Long Bai was pointing at and after looking at whom he was referring to, he immediately shut his mouth and averted his eyes.