章 20: The Grand Scheme (2 in 1)
Shi Zhang scratched his head. "If I remember correctly, the three types of techniques cultivators cultivate are: cultivation techniques, martial techniques, and auxiliary techniques."
"Cultivation techniques are techniques that allow the cultivator to ascend to higher realms, traversing further in their path of cultivation. These types of techniques can be split into three: internal cultivation techniques, external cultivation techniques, and auxiliary cultivation techniques."
He then noticed that the metal was finished heating up within the furnace so he removed it from the furnace and started to hammer it once more as he continued to explain.
"Internal cultivation techniques focus on nurturing the soul. These types of techniques are the ones most commonly picked by cultivators who want to start out since it offers the same benefits as external techniques while using less effort."
"External cultivation techniques on the other hand focus on the body. Naturally, if a cultivator can ascend realms through internal techniques, a cultivator can ascend realms through external techniques as well. But when you cultivate both internal and external techniques simultaneously, you get a synergistic effect which is for the most part beneficial."
"As for the auxiliary cultivation techniques..." Shi Zhang picked the tempered metal up using tongs and quenched it in a nearby barrel before checking its quality. "They're techniques from legends so I don't know much about them. But they're said to make the effects of internal and external cultivation techniques become more pronounced."
After making sure that the edges of metal have been properly hammered, Shi Zhang then moved on to making the hilt as he was crafting a blade.
"Martial techniques are another set of techniques that are usually used in battling enemies. These could be split into two broad types, which are offensive and defensive martial techniques. I don't really need to say anything else about this, do I?"
Shi Li shook his head as he got the general idea of martial techniques. As for cultivation techniques, Shi Li was surprised that his master explained auxiliary cultivation techniques since he received one from Tian Zhenfei.
'To think that it enhances the effects of both internal and external cultivation techniques, I should take this whole week later to dedicate my external cultivation, even if it means that I haven't learned forging yet! I can watch Master forge every once in a while and that would be enough for me to progress faster than before.'
Seeing that Shi Li shook his head, Shi Zhang continued to explain as he created the rough shape of the hilt and proceeded to sand it down.
"Last but not the least are the auxiliary techniques. To be honest, if the technique doesn't fall under cultivation or fighting, then you have an auxiliary technique on your hands."
"What auxiliary techniques do varies between each technique. Some can heal the cultivator, some can boost the cultivator's abilities, some can turn the cultivator invisible and so on."
As Shi Li continued listening, he remembered a type of technique that enhanced the cultivator's movement speed. In the novels he read back then, they would usually be categorized into another type of technique. He wondered if it was the same for this world.
"Master?" Shi Li raised his hand to show that he wanted to ask a question. "Do techniques that enhance movement speed also fall under auxiliary techniques or are they another category of their own?"
"Well they also fall under auxiliary techniques," Shi Zhang nodded as he polished the hilt and attached it to the metal blade he forged. "But to be honest, auxiliary techniques can be split up into multiple subcategories like healing techniques, life saving techniques, stealth techniques, and so on."
"So you could say that movement techniques, the one you just mentioned, are auxiliary techniques." Shi Zhang then held the blade up and checked if there were any defects. After making sure that there were none, he grabbed a sharpening stone and sharpened the edges of the blade.
"Is that all, Master?" Shi Li asked after seeing that Shi Zhang was now fully focused on making the blade.
"Yep, that's all for now. Just make sure to come next week," Shi Zhang nodded as he continued to sharpen the blade he was holding. "Oh, and don't forget to cultivate the [Energy Condensation Art]."
"I understand, Master." Shi Li nodded and wore the robe he removed a while ago as he said, "I'll be coming to the smithy every once in a while so I get an idea on forging. Would that distract you, Master?"
"Not at all," Shi Zhang shook his head as he finished sharpening the blade. He imbued qi within and swung it down with force. Seeing that the blade he crafted was of a satisfactory level, Shi Zhang grabbed another piece of metal and started to work on it. "I don't mind you coming if it helps out on your cultivation."
Shi Li became elated after hearing his Master's words. He then bowed respectfully and ran off towards his courtyard. "Thank you Master!"
...
Throughout this whole week, Shi Li was assiduously cultivating the [Iron Vessel Tempering Manual] while taking some time off to head towards Shi Zhang's smithy cultivate. During these times at the smithy, he would gradually adjust his hammering pattern and technique, allowing him to progress faster.
"Agh!"
Although he has become somewhat numb to the feeling of being hammered, sometimes he still can't control the strength of his hits properly, resulting in these situations where he grimaces in pain.
And so, after a week later...
Shi clan, Shi Li's courtyard.
Shi Li dropped the hammer he was holding and stood up. He then went towards a nearby mirror and saw the state of his body.
His whole body was colored red as if it was a ripe tomato. Nonetheless, underneath this red layer of skin was power that harmonized with the power in his soul.
Shi Li could feel this power and closed his eyes to see how much progress he has made. Just like how he could see the progress in his soul, he could also see it through this method as well.
"Oh wow. After cultivating throughout this whole week, I have now achieved a skin toughness that's equivalent to wood!"
Shi Li then opened his eyes and headed towards the training space, wanting to find out his current strength.
He bent his knees as he circulated his full strength throughout his body and let it out through the ends of his fist.
Bang!
His punch landed squarely on the pillar, slightly shaking it as a faint white light covered it. After a while, a number manifested on the pillar that made Shi Li happy.
14.
"14 ren! Finally a strength that's at the double digits. With this kind of strength, I think I can fight against tens of normal people at once!"
Realizing that his mind was now more focused on fighting due to his goal of killing the Huang clan, he shook his head and told himself, "I should take some time off during the next week to head to the clan library and read some books. It would be embarassing to be the Young Master of the clan while having no knowledge in different areas other than cultivation."
As he said this, he then started to walk towards the smithy as he regulated his breathing.
"It seems that I have reduced the amount of energy I need for an action by 20%. Not only that, I feel like I can absorb more energy from the surroundings than before."
"That means I have finally reached the first level of the [Energy Condensation Art]! I should tell my master about this!"
With his expression filled with glee, he ran off towards the smithy.
...
Within the town that Shi Li resided in, there stood three clans that ruled over the town. These three clans are the Huang clan, the Huo clan, and the Shi clan.
Many years ago, only two clans ruled over the town, being the Huang clan and the Huo clan. But one day, the Shi clan rose to power, forcing the Huang clan and Huo clan to suppress the Shi clan's rise. Even though they tried to suppress the clan, the Shi clan still rose up to be at the same level of the two clans, leaving the two clans no choice but to fight the Shi clan in secret.
Within the Huang clan stood a small hall adorned in exquisite jewels. In the center of the room lied a throne made out of finely chiseled wood. On it sat a man who wore a golden silk robe. This man had yellow irises that eerily complemented his curly yellow hair while he exuded an aura of wisdom and cunningness.
The man who sat on this throne was none other than the patriarch of the Huang clan, Huang Tiankong.
Looking at the man in front of him, Huang Tiankong opened his mouth. "Tell me everything that has happened within this town during this past week."
The man in front of Huang Tiankong was an attendant. He answered respectfully, "Patriarch, the Huo clan patriarch's son has broken through the Martial Adept stage and is now at the Martial Elite stage. Rumors say that he already has control over his inner energy."
"Oh?" Huang Tiankong raised his eyebrow. "Tell an attendant to send the Young Master of the Huo clan a gift, preferably a Grade 0 cultivation pill or a Low Mortal grade weapon."
"Yes," the attendant respectfully replied as he sent out a wisp of qi towards another attendant. "The next thing is that, the branch of the Red Dawn Pavillion in our town is surprisingly selling a Grade 2 cultivation pill, the Seal Breaker Pill."
"What did you just say?!" Huang Tiankong's eyes widened as he stood up in surprise. "Did I hear it correctly? The Red Dawn Pavillion is selling the Seal Breaker Pill? A pill that allows cultivators at the peak of Martial Master realm and Grand Martial Master realm to have greater chances of breaking through the Martial Lord realm?"
Recalling the information sent out by the Red Dawn Pavillion, the attendant nodded. "That is exactly the pill the Red Dawn Pavillion wants to sell, Patriarch. According to our connections, they'll be selling the Seal Breaker Pill next month."
Thinking of the current assets of the Huang clan, Huang Tiankong replied, "Make sure that around 30% of our assets are left untouched. They shall be used to buy the Seal Breaker Pill."
"As you wish, Patriarch." The attendant bowed respectfully and sent out a few wisps of qi that contained the patriarch's message.
After basking in excitement, Huang Tiankong then asked the attendant in front of him. "Is there anything else?"
The attendant then suddenly kneeled on one leg and gulped his saliva, which somewhat surprised Huang Tiankong. "I-I am afraid to say this but..."
"The Young Master of the Shi clan is alive."
"Eh?" Huang Tiankong didn't understand. "Shouldn't he be dead already? The power of a peak Martial Elite cultivator is nothing to laugh about."
"Though that is the case, Shi Li miraculously survived the attack. He is now currently cultivating under the tutelage of the Slaughterer of the Forge. According to rumors, he has already reached the peak of the first stage of the Martial Novice stage and is going to break through the next stage soon."
"He's currently cultivating? Under that legendary swordsmith?" Huang Tiankong was surprised. Rather than becoming a coward, this Shi Li turned this setback into motivation and cultivated like a madman.
"Not to mention..." the attendant followed, "Shi Li has a cultivation aptitude at the Quasi-World level."
"Q-Quasi..." At this moment, Huang Tiankong couldn't help but look at this Shi Li in a new perspective. The first thing that came to his mind was...
'This Shi Li needs to die. With a Quasi-World level aptitude, he can easily reach the Martial Lord realm and has the chance to break through to the Martial King realm, not to mention the Martial Emperor realm!'
"He should die while he's still young!" Huang Tiankong squinted his eyes that were infused with killing intent.
"But how should I do this..." Huang Tiankong rubbed his chin. "Killing him through assassination would fail since I've done that already..."
All of a sudden, a spark of inspiration flashed through his mind. "I found the perfect solution! Hehehehe..."
Noticing that the patriarch was finished in his monologue, the attendant attentively looked at the patriarch.
"Spread my words," Huang Tiankong said, "The Verdant Breeze Town shall hold a Tri-clan Tournament!"
Although the attendant was shocked, the attendant asked the next question that the clans obviously needed, "When will the Tri-clan Tournament happen, Patriarch?"
Huang Tiankong pondered for a bit before smiling. "3 months later!"
The attendant nodded before sending more wisps of qi containing the patriarch's commands. Afterwards, the attendant bowed respectfully and left the hall.
Huang Tiankong couldn't help but laugh out loud at his plan.
"With this plan, I can kill three birds with one stone! With this tournament, I can effectively weaken the manpower of the Shi clan, kill the Shi clan's hope, and even have the chance to steal their precious Sky grade technique! [1]"
Remembering the first time the Shi clan showed the Sky grade technique to the masses, Huang Tiankong couldn't help but smile.
"Eventually, you shall be mine!"
________
[1] Sky grade techniques are also known as World grade techniques. If you have forgotten, the grades of techniques and weapons are of the following: Mortal, Spirit, World
クリエイターの想い 
TrueDawn
TrueDawn And so, Huang Tiankong finally appears in the novel! How would it play out in the end? Find out as you read.
Anyways, Volume 1: Rebirth of Shi Li is now done (surprisingly)! Volume 2: Rise and Fall shall come out the day after this chapter!
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