A Picture to Cool the Fire

Si Ming's Cultivation Body are of the fire-yang attribute, so he is basically not suited for cold-attribute martial arts. However, the Ice Silkworm Heavenly Net Hand is an exception. It is a martial art with both ice and poison attributes, which requires external force to master. If he has cold-attribute Internal Cultivation to assist him, he will achieve twice the result with half the effort, but it is not a big deal if he does not have it. Even if he has a fire-attribute Cultivation Body, it is only difficult to master, not impossible.

For Si Ming, there was little difference between mastering a difficult skill and mastering an easy one. Mastering a cold-attribute martial art could make up for the deficiencies in his own martial arts system and might even have a surprise effect when necessary. Therefore, after finding this manual in the Si Clan's martial arts library, he decided to master it.

Upon opening the jade box, a chilling aura immediately rushed out, freezing the moisture in the surrounding air into ice shards that scattered everywhere. However, Si Ming and tough flesh, paid no heed to this temperature and simply poured the Ice Silkworm into his palm.

The human body temperature was far too high for the Ice Silkworm, so it immediately woke up from its slumber and exhaled cold air. Taking advantage of this, Si Ming activated the "Ice Silkworm Heavenly Net Hand" Method Formula, absorbing the cold air into its body.

Steward Kui said with a mocking expression, "The 'Ice Silkworm Heavenly Net Hand' is recognized by the clan as one of the most difficult martial arts to master. It not only emphasizes technique and skill, but also requires relentless tempering of cold energy day and night. Without two or three years of accumulation, one cannot even reach the beginner level. Nowadays, very few people in the clan choose to practice this martial art. If Young Master Ming really wants to practice it, he should take the Ice Silkworm back and absorb it slowly. However, this will definitely affect the clan members who have already reserved the Ice Silkworm, so I can only inform the young clan leader of this matter..."

"You've mastered it."

Si Ming clapped his hand in the air, and crystal-clear ice shards flew out from his palm, falling slowly like snowflakes. Any flowers and plants on the ground that were touched by the frost instantly froze and died, withered and lifeless.

Seeing this, Steward Kui fell silent for a moment before realizing the "answer," and exclaimed, "So Young Master Ming has already mastered the basics. However, condensing ice poison is only the first step in the 'Ice Silkworm Heavenly Net Hand.' Only when one can control the ice poison as if it were an extension of their own arm, manipulating it to condense into threads, can one be considered to have entered the inner sanctum. Moreover, the finer the ice threads drawn, the better."

Is that what you mean?

Si Ming pulled his ten fingers together outwards, and five ice crystal-like threads appeared. Each thread was as thin as a spider's web, almost invisible, and could only be discovered through the reflection of light.

Steward Kui fell silent again. For some reason, a strong urge arose in her heart to mock her, saying, "Pulling ice into a line is nothing. Being able to pull silk into a net is what truly makes one a master of the 'Ice Silkworm Heavenly Net Hand'"—although in the history of the Si Clan, no more than a handful of people have ever achieved this.

However, her intuition told her that if she said those words aloud, she would be proven wrong in an instant. It was clearly a nonsensical statement; if the other party had already mastered martial arts, why would they need to rely on some kind of Ice Silkworm?

After much hesitation, Steward Kui swallowed her words. Ultimately, what did it matter to her whether Si Ming could go this far? What benefit would she gain from provoking him? She felt as if her IQ had just dropped...

Before long, Steward Kui was glad she had made a wise decision, because Si Ming had not only managed to draw silk into a net, but also played with ice sculptures. This godlike speed of cultivation was almost destroying her view of martial arts.

"Fifteen minutes, just as agreed, I've given them back to you."

Si Ming returned the energetic Ice Silkworm to Steward Kui, patted his behind, and left. He had no obligation to help people reshape their values.

Back at his lodgings, Si Ming was about to continue his grand plan to improve his martial arts skills when he found Si Huaruo already waiting for him in the courtyard, looking very troubled and unable to speak.

I want to have a heart-to-heart talk with you about life.

What the heck? Do you have a penchant for playing games with a sister complex?

Chapter 312 Fire Removal Diagram

"So, it's a communication conflict between mother and daughter?"

As Si Huaruo poured out her heart, Si Ming brewed her a cup of tea. With his skills, which earned him praise from the judges at the tea ceremony competition, the tea he brewed was naturally top-notch. Unfortunately, Si Huaruo wasn't really interested in tasting it at the moment.

"Is it communication, or a difference of opinion...? I've told my mother my thoughts frankly, but she's unwilling to listen to me; she only wants me to do things her way."

Si Ming recalled his impression of Si Huamu and said, "To be honest, reclaiming the position of clan leader is an obsession for your mother. She won't listen to anyone else's advice on this matter, no matter how reasonable your words are. Unless she gets what she wants, this knot in her heart will never be untied."

"I understand that too, but that doesn't justify using any means necessary. What's the point of achieving a goal if one can't even uphold their bottom line? Even if I defeat Si Jingyu in front of the clan, does that mean they'll elect me as the clan leader? I have no connections, no followers, and no experience in handling affairs. The clan won't support me just because I'm stronger. This isn't a chaotic world where the strong rule; Mother is oversimplifying things."

Si Huaruo also felt quite helpless. She had told her mother all these reasons, but it was no use. Her mother only had the position of clan leader in her eyes and could not let go of anything else. When a person only focuses on one thing, their vision will become narrower and narrower until they can no longer see anything else.

Si Ming scratched his head. To be honest, if it weren't for his connection with Si Huamu Si Huaruo, he wouldn't care whether Si Hua Mu lived or died. This girl was just a clown with little ability; she just popped up to annoy you from time to time. If Si Jingyu didn't need a "controllable opposition," she would have been defeated long ago. This also shows Si Huamu's capabilities; even her opponents acknowledged her as a "pig teammate" and felt that keeping her was more valuable than getting rid of her.

Si Huaruo finished her tea, looked at Si Ming's expression, sighed, and said, "I'm sorry for putting you in a difficult position. This is clearly my family matter... I've decided, I will find an excuse to avoid the ancestral worship ceremony. Although doing so will make my mother angry, a gentleman has things he will and will not do. He knows what he can do and does it, and he knows what he cannot do and does not do it. Since this matter is wrong, I will stick to my principles and not go along with it."

"Wait a minute, don't rush into a decision. Let me sort out my thoughts first."

Si Ming stopped Si Huaruo from getting up and said, "Answer a few questions for me first. Are you interested in the position of clan leader?"

"That position is full of affairs and responsibilities. It looks glamorous on the surface, but I want to improve my acting skills. How can I have the mood to manage Lineage affairs? Don't be fooled by Si Jingyu's seemingly effortless appearance. She is actually very diligent and hardworking behind the scenes. After squeezing out time to cultivate martial arts, there is nothing left. I'm just grateful that her dancing skills have not deteriorated."

Si Ming nodded and then asked, "Are you interested in defeating Si Jingyu?"

"Of course! I want to beat her every single moment, but it has to be a fair victory, otherwise there's no point in winning."

Do you want to help your mother fulfill her wish?

Si Huaruo hesitated for a moment, then said, "Although she has many faults, she is, after all, my mother who gave birth to me. As long as she is happy, I can tolerate doing things that make me unhappy—as long as it doesn't violate my principles."

"One last question, what is your mother's wish?"

What kind of question is this? Hasn't the answer already been given?

Si Huaruo was puzzled, but still answered, "Of course it's about reclaiming the position of clan leader. Many people know this; it's not a secret within the clan at all."

Si Ming shook his head and said, "That's why I said it's a communication problem. You feel that your mother doesn't understand you, but have you ever understood your mother? You assume that your mother won't care about your thoughts, and you think that many of the things she does are wrong, so you give up on communication. And your willingness to act according to her wishes is only out of filial duty, not out of understanding. Do you think your mother can't sense your thoughts?"

"But... but she has always been..."

Si Huaruo was stunned. She realized she had been blinded by prejudice. What should have been a simple matter required an outsider's explanation to understand. She murmured, "So that's how it is..."

Si Ming continued, "What she wants isn't the position of clan leader, but rather to prove herself."

Si Huaruo asked for help, "What should I do?"

"Challenge Si Jingyu fairly and squarely. At least if you win, you can fulfill both your and your mother's wishes. On this point, you are of the same mind."

"But her injuries haven't healed yet, and if I were to speak to her now, it would seem like I'm kicking her while she's down."

"There are still six days until the ancestral worship ceremony. If she's determined, she can definitely recover her strength before that day arrives."

Martial artists are inherently resilient, especially since Si Jingyu is in the prime of her youth, the period of most vigorous physical development. Even if she suffers a serious injury, with professional treatment and various precious medicinal herbs, a week would be enough for her to recover. If all else fails, she can use forbidden techniques to temporarily enhance her Cultivation Body.

However, recalling Si Jingyu's dejected appearance that day, Si Ming decided, "I will make this happen. What you need to do now is prepare for battle seriously."

After seeing Si Huaruo off, Si Ming immediately went to the young clan leader's residence, inwardly complaining that he was never free.