Chapter 860

Auntie Liu said, "Actually, you don't need to rush like this. Even after school starts, you can take it to school and write it while attending classes. If you have spare time, you can polish it more. We still have that much time."

Si Ming, "I have no choice but to hurry. I might be assigned a task by my superiors, and I might not be in the country at that time, so I won't be able to give you the manuscript even if I wanted to."

What does "above" refer to?

"Mohist Knight Guard."

Why would they assign you this task, especially one that involves going abroad?

Si Ming thought for a moment, unsure whether he should confess. He had never revealed his identity before. Even his classmates in university thought he was just lucky to be selected as an exchange student. From another perspective, hiding his identity was also beneficial to the safety of those around him. Otherwise, if an enemy wanted to deal with him, they would start with the people around him.

"I can't say. If you really want to ask me, I can only make it up."

"Never mind then, I'm not that curious. I understand that more information isn't always better, but please don't do anything dangerous... Well, if you don't risk your life when you're young, you can't wait until you're old to do it. Just be careful to protect yourself and don't have any accidents, otherwise Qingqing will be sad."

If it were any other parent, they would most likely say, "I don't expect you to do anything great, I just hope you can live a peaceful and safe life." But Auntie Liu is not the kind of elder who is easily satisfied with the status quo. She is a strong woman who likes challenges and is passionate about her career. How could she use a different standard to demand things of others? On the contrary, if Si Ming is not ambitious, she will look down on him.

"It's so kind of you to be understanding, Qingqing."

"In the yard." Auntie Liu waved her hand, deciding to read through the manuscript first, hoping it wouldn't be a case of starting strong but ending weakly.

Just as Si Ming was about to leave, he heard her say, "By the way, I want a granddaughter. When are you planning to have a child?"

Startled, Si Ming stumbled forward, nearly falling to the ground. "What's going on here? It's not even close to happening yet!"

Auntie Liu corrected, "It's already taken shape."

Si Ming thought for a moment, confirming the relationship and gaining the parents' approval, which was indeed a step in the right direction. "But this skipped step is too far, and there will be no one to take care of the child. Not to mention that Qingqing and I are still students, and aren't you busy starting your own business?"

Auntie Liu thought about it. Si Ming has no parents, so she can't leave the child with his elders. In the end, he can only rely on her. She really doesn't have time. However, the advantages are also obvious: she doesn't need to fight for custody of the child.

"Never mind, never mind, forget I said anything."

Si Ming understood. Auntie Liu hadn't gotten over Xie Xiaomei's grief yet, which was why she said those words. But there was nothing to comfort her about; only time could heal it. Besides, Auntie Liu wasn't a sentimental person.

Upon arriving at the courtyard, one sees Liu Qingqing practicing the Five Elements Spirit-Refining Fist. She takes several steps in quick succession, her body twisting dramatically, like a loach swimming rapidly in water. At the same time, the temperature of the surrounding air drops sharply, and everything she steps on freezes into ice. This is the Against the Current, Thousand Chills Step.

"Practicing alone is not as good as sparring with others. Pay attention."

Si Ming gave a reminder, then rubbed his palms together to form a blade, unleashing the True Yang Vermilion Blaze Saber. Instantly, the environment in the courtyard became polarized: on one side, a scorching heatwave rose into the sky, while on the other side, a cold current surged, and snow covered the ground.

Water and fire are mutually destructive, but while Si Ming's True Yang Vermilion Blaze Saber is indeed domineering, its power is too concentrated, and its impact on the environment comes from the leakage of its fiery energy rather than from its own effect. In contrast, the Against the Current, Thousand Chills Step are designed to change the environment.

After Liu Qingqing dodged several sword energies, the entire courtyard had become a frosty ground. The True Yang Vermilion Blaze Saber's power was weakened by three-tenths as soon as it was swung. Unless Si Ming used even more power and speed, continuing would only result in him being devoured.

Si Ming naturally wouldn't do that; it was just a friendly exchange of skills, not a competition for victory. He immediately changed his moves to the Ice Silkworm Heavenly Net Hand. This martial art of the Si Clan had rarely been used since he learned it, but now it finally had a chance to be put to use. In the cold environment, its power increased by 30%.

Liu Qingqing paused, touched by Si Ming's finger. A chill instantly invaded her, causing her to lose her balance. Her steps became unsteady, as if she were drunk. Her "Against the Against the Current, Thousand Chills Step" were broken. She quickly crouched down and steadied herself. Her arms moved like a cloth wrapped around something, her hands opening and closing, leaving many afterimages, like flowing clouds, enveloping herself completely.

This move is the Ten Thousand Trees Silk-Coiling Hand, which is based on the principle of mutual generation of the five elements. When used after the Against the Current, Thousand Chills Step, its power is doubled. She did not confront Si Ming head-on, but instead used indirect methods, such as sticking, deflecting, pulling, and guiding, to neutralize all of his strength.

Seeing this, Si Ming took several steps back, stomped his foot hard, and the mud wall spun around, flying straight towards Liu Qingqing.

Although the Five Elements theory states that Wood overcomes Earth, Si Ming didn't intend to defeat Liu Qingqing; it was merely a friendly spar. Besides, real combat isn't a game. The Five Elements theory is just a reference, not an absolute rule. Even if he could block the mud wall with his Silk-Coiling Hand technique, he would still end up covered in dust.

With a sudden thud, as if tree roots had driven into the ground, he clasped his hands together and raised them above his head. His entire body's Dao energy condensed in his palms, instantly radiating golden light that was dazzling and eye-catching. He then cleaved down at the oncoming mud wall, splitting it in two in an instant.

With Golden Spear and Iron Horse Slash!

Si Ming waved his hand, dispersing the sweeping golden energy, and said, "Not bad, your skills have improved a lot. I thought this was just a Cultivation Method for cultivating the soul, but I didn't expect it to also temper the physical body."

Liu Qingqing said, "The Five Elements Spirit-Refining Formula is originally a martial arts and spiritual Cultivation Method. The human body corresponds to the five elements, namely lung metal, heart fire, liver wood, kidney water, and spleen earth. However, the five elements are not always in balance; there are always some in excess and some in deficiency. This martial art can adjust the distribution of the five elements, making them more balanced."

Some people are born with a deficiency of water, meaning their body has a low proportion of water element. Others are born with a proficiency in fire Technique Method, meaning their body has a strong fire element, meaning it has a high proportion. But no matter what, the proportion of the five elements is always fixed and will not change as your cultivation level increases, unless you practice related Cultivation Method. The "Five Elements Spirit-Refining Formula" can adjust the proportion of a person's five elements.

It should be understood that most people's five elements are not evenly distributed; some have more fire element, while others have less metal element. However, as long as nothing is omitted, a new balance will eventually be formed. If the balance is not achieved, a person will become ill.

Liu Qingqing's current spiritual strength far surpasses that of ordinary people. If she were to cultivate Technique Method, she would be a genius among geniuses. The Five Elements Spirit-Refining Formula is Cultivation Method that combines magic and martial arts, and she has mastered half of it. Therefore, her cultivation is progressing rapidly. She uses the cultivation of her spiritual soul to drive the cultivation of her physical body. This is the first time Si Ming has encountered such a situation.

"But if it really comes down to fighting, you don't need to do it yourself anymore," Si Ming.

Liu Qingqing nodded. Myriad Filth Tainted Blood flowed from her chest and condensed into a human form beside her, with the same appearance as her, but more mature and calm. She had already refined this Law Treasure into an external clone.

Of course, Liu Qingqing wasn't happy about this, because she could no longer freely transform into her clone. Although she could freely control the transformation of the Myriad Filth Tainted Blood, the feeling was ultimately different. The difference between making clay figures and turning herself into a clay figure was like heaven and earth. Liu Qingqing's gaze towards her clone always carried a sense of "you got a great deal."

"Let's see how strong it is."

Si Ming unleashed thirty percent of his power, throwing a punch at the Blood Spirit Clone, who countered with a punch of its own.

The two fists collided, and the Blood Spirit Clone's arm was shattered. Si Ming was also forced back several steps by the opponent's powerful force. Before he could catch his breath, the Blood Spirit Clone launched a preemptive attack. In the next clash, the Blood Spirit Clone's other arm was also shattered. However, in a short while, its arm had already reformed, and it launched another attack.

In the simplest and most direct clash of strength, Si Ming was suppressed and forced to retreat step by step. Even if he increased his strength to 70%, the situation remained the same. At most, he could shatter a little more parts with each punch. However, such injuries could be healed in the blink of an eye for Blood Spirit Body. It was nothing more than a drop in the ocean.

"I'm not fighting anymore. This guy is too effective against strength-based martial artists. Pure brute force is useless against him. The only way to defeat him is to constantly wear him down with True Qi..."

Si Ming suddenly realized that this had become difficult to achieve after the Blood Spirit Clone absorbed the cultivation of the Beast King Anye.

Although he had never fought against Void Returning Great Grandmaster, the Beast King Anye of the Wild Beasts, who had mastered the Power of Sacred and Evil and surpassed the realm of the King of Monsters, had undoubtedly reached the Void Returning Realm. His cultivation was beyond doubt. Even though he had wasted a lot of time in the process of inheritance, he still raised the power of his Blood Spirit Clone to an extremely terrifying level, which even Hongdou was slightly inferior to.

"Now I can really use it as a Stand user."

Si Ming looked at the Blood Spirit Clone with longing in his eyes. It wasn't that he longed for power, but rather he thought it was cool. He didn't have to lift a finger; the clone would take care of all the enemies. All he had to do was put his hands in his pockets, chant "Ora Ora," and then walk towards the enemy.

Of course, he also knew very well that the Blood Spirit Clone would be more effective on Liu Qingqing. For him, it was just another way to look cool, but for Liu Qingqing, it could protect her safety and make up for her weakness in close combat, since she was a ranged archery priest.

"I need to practice a little longer. I have to catch the train this afternoon, or I'll really miss the start of school."

"Um."