He Wants Me to Show Off?

Song Qing's provocation didn't bother Jiang Man much. As his talent came to light, things like this were unavoidable. There would always be blind fools who couldn't read the room. All he could do was improve as quickly as possible until no one dared entertain thoughts of challenging him. Even if someone did, it didn't matter—soldiers to block the enemy, earth to stem the flood; he would deal with whatever came. However, figures with scores above sixty like Fang Yong were people he couldn't stand against for the time being. Naturally, he had to keep a respectful distance. To avoid conflict. Nowadays, everyone thought Luo Xuan was grooming him, which had both pros and cons. The benefit was having a legitimate pretext for growing stronger; the drawback was that many people felt resentful. Once Song Qing left, the little fatty asked worriedly, "Brother Jiang, what layer have you reached with the Six Harmonies Palm?" "What layer is Song Qing at?" Jiang Man asked in return. "He's been cultivating the Six Harmonies Palm for quite a while now. He should be at the fourth or fifth layer." The little fatty wasn't entirely certain either. "Only the fourth or fifth layer?" Jiang Man was somewhat surprised. "What else did you expect? With a score in the twenties and having to cultivate the Qi and Blood Method alongside it, where would he find that much time to raise his spells?" the little fatty said helplessly. "If you don't strengthen your physical body, your cultivation can't advance either. "Those with good talent naturally don't have to worry, but those with mediocre talent must spend more time improving their physical strength just to advance their cultivation. "For other spells, being adequate is enough. "The fourth or fifth layer happens to be just enough." Jiang Man nodded, understanding a bit more now. Spells didn't add points to the score, so cultivation was what mattered most. The Divine Travel Step, Six Harmonies Palm, and Three Powers Force—apart from the top few students, very few ever cultivated them to the highest layer. Because it consumed far too much time. The first five layers progressed relatively quickly, so getting them to an adequate level was enough. "What layer are you at, Brother Jiang?" the little fatty asked again. "Just casually practicing gets it to the fifth layer. Just give me a moment," Jiang Man said. The little fatty looked blank. What was Brother Jiang talking about? Never mind, he would find out once the sparring began. Brother Jiang probably hadn't had much time to practice and felt embarrassed to say it. The teacher instructing them in the Six Harmonies Palm was a woman. Named Fu Yidan, everyone called her Teacher Fu. Practically all their spells were taught by her. She appeared to be around thirty-five or thirty-six, long married. Yet she possessed striking looks and lingering charm, prompting quite a few people to secretly gossip about who she had married. Jiang Man scoffed at this. Instead of cultivating right now, how did they have the idle mind to discuss such nonsense? "The rankings were just updated, and the back courtyard has begun sparring practice, so I will explain things in more detail. Afterward, you will begin sparring to hone your actual combat experience. "Whether in the contest for spots or the sect assessment, practical combat is especially vital," Teacher Fu addressed the crowd. Immediately following that, she began explaining the Six Harmonies Palm in detail. The Six Harmonies Palm involved channeling the spiritual qi within one's body to empower the palms. As long as one circulated it properly, success could be achieved, endowing the palms with a steady stream of power—which constituted the first layer. The second layer required channeling the power in the palm and lengthening its connection to the spiritual qi inside the body. The result was that one could strike out with a palm strike while controlling its trajectory. As mastery of the palm technique advanced, more spiritual qi palm prints could be unleashed. Up to six strikes. This was already the seventh layer of the Six Harmonies Palm. The eighth layer allowed one to merge three palm prints into one, unleashing even greater power. The ninth layer was fusing all six palm prints into one, reaching the pinnacle of the Six Harmonies Palm. "Practice for two hours, then sparring begins," Teacher Fu instructed. Hearing this, Jiang Man hesitated no longer and began cultivating. Song Qing was at the fourth or fifth layer of the Six Harmonies Palm, which truly wouldn't be easy to deal with. Three or four spiritual qi palm prints could be maneuvered to attack at any moment. Still, only when controlled well could they exert their maximum effect. Casting further thoughts aside, Jiang Man began channeling spiritual qi to cultivate the Six Harmonies Palm. His spell innate qi stirred in tandem. Because it was his first time practicing it, his pace was slightly slower. Within half a quarter of an hour, Jiang Man completed one full cycle. He had successfully initiated into the technique. What followed would be much easier. Perhaps because spell innate qi was inferior to cultivation-method purple qi, he failed to break through after two cycles. Only after four cycles was he able to unleash a spiritual qi palm print from his hand. After another eight cycles, Jiang Man entered the third layer of the Six Harmonies Palm. After another sixteen cycles, the fourth layer of the Six Harmonies Palm. He could now unleash three palm prints. By now, an hour had passed. Watching Jiang Man cultivate, the little fatty was somewhat dumbfounded. At first, he had assumed Jiang Man didn't know the Six Harmonies Palm at all, but he soon realized his mistake—not only had Jiang Man unleashed palm prints, but not just one, but three! This was at least the fourth layer of the Six Harmonies Palm. Did that mean Jiang Man had obtained the qualification long ago? Miss Luo must have arranged it in advance. It seemed Brother Jiang really was going to become her personal bodyguard. How envious. During the final hour, Jiang Man cultivated continuously, finally finishing his last cycle just as Fu Yidan called a halt. He could easily unleash four palm strikes. This way, he shouldn't suffer a disadvantage in the sparring match. Of course, winning outright would be best. It was time to start making a name for himself. There was no need to hide or hold back on a minor matter like this. "Brother Jiang, do you feel confident?" the little fatty ran over and asked. Jiang Man looked at him and said, "Talent and hard work are right here for all to see." Hearing that, the little fatty looked at Jiang Man's face. He nodded slightly, seemingly praising that his talent was indeed quite good. Jiang Man: "..." He felt like the little fatty was thinking of something scandalous. "Now we will begin sparring. You may negotiate the intensity amongst yourselves, but do not take things too far. "Those with sufficient strength may spar with full commitment; minor injuries need not be a concern," Teacher Fu announced. Hearing this, Song Qing felt rather relieved. At first, he had worried that if he struck too hard, he might easily be reprimanded, but now there was no need to worry. Soon, he and Jiang Man took their positions together. Everyone stood far apart. Twenty-six people in total, divided into thirteen pairs. "I heard you've become her personal guard?" Song Qing asked, looking at Jiang Man. His voice was hushed, intending not to let anyone else overhear. Jiang Man shook his head. "I haven't." "Yet everyone says so." Song Qing looked at Jiang Man and whispered, "I know affairs succeed through secrecy, so you naturally wouldn't blab about such good fortune. "I didn't mean to single you out or target you either; I only want you to put in a good word and introduce me. "This time, I can let you win in spectacular fashion, taking a severe injury and falling to the ground to make a name for you. "What do you say?" Jiang Man looked completely flabbergasted. The man's words left him momentarily at a loss. Earlier, this guy had clearly intended to deliberately humiliate him. How had his tune changed so abruptly? First humiliating him, then letting him win spectacularly—was this considered a favor? Actually, it kind of did count. It would swiftly allow him to hold his head high in the courtyard and establish prestige. After all, he had previously always been dead last. Even though that was no longer the case, people were still accustomed to viewing him as the bottom ranker. If he could defeat Song Qing in spectacular fashion, it really would shatter their ingrained perception. In that case, he had to win today no matter what. "You might have misunderstood me. I didn't rely on Eldest Miss Luo to get where I am today. It's entirely thanks to my talent and hard work," Jiang Man told him truthfully. "I know you won't admit it. We can begin sparring now, and naturally, people will be watching us during the bout. "You'll still have a chance to change your mind. As long as you agree, I'll still let you win brilliantly and collapse spitting blood," Song Qing said earnestly. "I provoke you, only to be vanquished by you—how inspiring a tale that would be! I hope you'll give it serious thought. "It's good for both of us."