Because of this sudden physical change, in that instant, what Qi actually realized first was not the joy of advancing in Ice Release, but the pain of physical transformation caused by the qualitative change in his physical strength.
After the Six Paths Paths' demise, Ninjutsu was divided into two major categories, Yin Release Uchiha Yang Release, following the separation of the Uchiha and Senju Clan families. As direct descendants of the Six Paths, the Senju Clan and Uchiha naturally represented the highest level in this system. The Senju Clan's Inner Body and the Uchiha's Dōjutsu represent the pinnacle of Yang Release and Yin Release within this Ninjutsu system.
Yuki's Ice Release primarily utilizes energy derived from the physical body, thus falling under the category of Yang Release. The characteristic of Yang Release is that, depending on the level of the technique, the physical body is continuously strengthened to varying degrees. Upon reaching a certain level, the user's physical body undergoes very noticeable changes.
Ice Release Tier 3, within the Ice Release system, signifies that Qi has finally reached the point where he can freely use most secret techniques. Looking at the entire Yuki Clan, before their extermination, the number of people possessing Ice Release Tier 3 could basically be counted on one hand.
But this transformation process was indeed unpleasant. Qi first felt a sudden darkness before his eyes, followed by an indescribable pain. A high-intensity cold current circulated throughout his entire body in an instant, and not even a single capillary was spared. Qi felt as if there were countless sharp blades inside his body at that moment, trying to burst out.
Fortunately, the sensation came quickly and dissipated even faster. After the momentary pain subsided, Qi regained his vision, and his skin and eyes returned to their original color. This indicated that the body modification was complete. The biggest advantage of Yang Release over Yin Release is that it causes far less damage to the physical body. Most of the time, Yin Release Yang Release only strengthens the physical body, but the consequence of this is that some Yang Release techniques involve a certain degree of pain during the physical modification process.
However, with this sudden advancement, Qi, judging solely from his strength level, has become a true Jonin, once again leaving Terumi Mei was originally on the same level as him, far behind...
This is definitely not good news for Terumi Mei, because newly promoted Yang Release Ninjutsu users usually can't control their surge of power and end up going too far. Fortunately, she wasn't the first one to be tested.
The first unlucky one was a Cloud Ninja who, seeing Qi standing still, thought he had an opportunity to take advantage of the situation...
Under normal circumstances, this judgment was not wrong at all. In fact, if he had acted earlier, he might have succeeded. Unfortunately, this guy's caution backfired and cost him dearly.
Kunai imbued with Lightning Release Chakra suddenly appeared behind Qi and pierced his body. The destructive power of Lightning Release was clearly evident; the Kunai pierced Qi's skin almost effortlessly and protruded from his chest...
The change occurred at this moment. Qi, who had been pierced, did not bleed at all. Instead, he burst into a cloud of water vapor, which, under the influence of a cold aura, instantly transformed into ice mirrors of various shapes.
The next moment, Qi's figure emerged from an ice mirror directly above the Cloud Ninja, pressing a palm down on the Cloud Ninja's back and slamming him into the ground. The instantaneous burst of Wind Style Chakra crushed all of the Cloud Ninja's internal tissues into minced meat. Apart from retaining the basic human form, he was essentially no different from a lump of rotten flesh.
With the support of Ice Release skill now at level three, the combination of the Water Curtain Flower and the Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals techniques clearly achieved a very good effect...
At least, this Cloud Ninja of Special Jonin rank was instantly killed. Qi's rapid shift from defense to attack, and the unpredictability of his attack pattern, meant that the Cloud Ninja didn't even have time to react before he was dead...
This scene immediately chilled the hearts of the other ninjas from the three major villages who were hiding in the shadows and had originally planned to ambush the team. They quickly abandoned their original ideas and resolutely turned back to find new targets.
"We can begin. I will correct your inappropriate remarks about my mother's clan."
Qi paid no attention to the attacker he had already beaten to a pulp; he was seething with anger, and this anger could only be borne by Terumi Mei, since she was Mist Ninja...
"We've already started!"
Qi's seemingly condescending attitude displeased Terumi Mei as well. Moreover, she never thought there was anything wrong with her assessment of the Yuki Clan. In her view, power struggles between nations were not something ninjas should get involved in. At least, the ninjas of the other four great nations never got involved in such matters. That's why the Land of Water was the only one of the Five Great Nations to have a long civil war, and the ninjas of the Land of Water were the only ninja group that was suspected by the daimyo.
But since Qi had already "invited" her to take action, she naturally wouldn't hold back.
"Smack!"
She slammed her hands together and began forming Hand Seals for Water Release. In ninja battles, it's actually quite difficult to keep your opponent guessing what Ninjutsu you're about to unleash. Skilled Jonin tell what Hand Seals requires just by looking at the enemy's hand seals, which is one of the weaknesses of the ninja profession.
However, despite this weakness, ninjas are a fast-paced combat class, so it doesn't really matter; in fact, it can test a ninja's control abilities even more.
As Terumi Mei rapidly formed hand Hand Seals, a large amount of water rippled around Terumi Mei in a very short time; this was clearly the Water Dragon Bullet Technique.
The Water Dragon Bullet Technique is considered one of the Water Release techniques with an exceptionally high Hand Seals, totaling around forty. It essentially serves as a dividing line between a user's proficiency in Water Release Ninjutsu Hand Seals their average number of hand seals, which is less than ten. Completing so many hand seals in a short period of time is no easy feat. Even the modified Water Dragon Bullet Technique still requires a considerable number of hand seals...
"Rumble..."
As the water volume rapidly increased, the basic form of the Water Dragon Bullet Technique was finally completed. Vast waves of water enveloped Terumi Mei, creating a continuous booming sound as they collided and shaped. Whether it's the Water Dragon Bullet Technique or the Great Waterfall Technique, these types of Ninjutsu protect the user during their formation process. After all, there's a time difference involved; without protective measures, no one would want to use these techniques...
"Go!"
Finally, after she had reached the limit of the amount of water she could control, Terumi Mei released the restraint on the water waves. At this time, she had already condensed three water dragons, which shows that she and Qi Du are just as shameless. When they get angry during a fight, they don't care about the people around them at all.
Instantly, spearheaded by three dragon heads, a torrent of ferocious, white water rushed towards Qi...
" Water Release against me? Are you stupid?"
Seeing this scene, which seemed like something out of a movie from his past life, Qi revealed a disdainful expression. He formed a hand Hand Seals with one hand, stretched out the other, and gave a soft shout.
" The Frozen Realm!"
In an instant, the three water dragons that had been roaring and the waves they carried seemed to freeze in time!
In just a moment, Terumi Mei's Water Dragon Bullet Technique, unleashed at full power, was instantly frozen by Qi's Ice Release!