The opportunity came on an afternoon that seemed no different from any other.
As usual, they were in the open clearing in the valley. Aileen swung her staff, sending several sharp ice spikes hurtling toward Lin Qin through a spreading cloud of frigid mist, trying to restrict his movement. At the same time, a sturdy, shimmering Water Shield formed in front of her.
Lin Qin moved with steady steps, swinging his greatsword to knock the ice spikes aside with precision. He darted through the mist, his aim fixed on Aileen. His mind was sharply focused. He wasn't merely keeping his eyes on her; he was also sensing the flow of energy in the water shield before her, feeling out its stable nodes and weak points.
He recalled what he had learned about Earth Pulsation over the past six months: a deep, powerful beat, one that seemed capable of stirring a resonance in all things. He tried not to force "vibrations" into his attacks anymore. Instead, he adjusted the output of his Battle Qi, giving it a specific, inherent frequency that faintly matched the pulse of the earth.
His greatsword thrust forward, its trajectory straight, its power concentrated at a single point. Just as the tip was about to touch the surface of the water shield, inspiration struck. With minute control over his Battle Qi and muscles, Lin Qin perfectly infused the "rhythm" he had grasped into that single thrust.
"Vumm—"
A low vibration rang out, yet seemed to pierce straight into the soul. Aileen felt the water shield she had placed such hopes in shudder as the sword tip touched it. Its stable internal structure of water elements seemed to be forcibly "stirred" by an invisible force, and the energy that had been evenly distributed became instantly chaotic!
There was