Water Control Technique

At dawn, mist hung like gauze along the banks of the Three-Bath River, veiling the tranquil reed marshes.

Chu Bai stood motionless atop a bluestone polished smooth by the river, his eyes slightly narrowed and his expression solemn.

As he breathed in and out, the air around him seemed to freeze, and an invisible pressure faintly radiated outward.

"Condense!"

With a low shout in his heart, Chu Bai lightly tapped the air with his right index finger.

In an instant, the water vapor filling the surroundings seemed to receive some irresistible summons and rapidly gathered toward his fingertip.

The water needle, which had originally required three breaths to barely take shape, now solidified completely within a single breath.

It was a slender, deep-blue needle only a few inches long, yet it radiated a bone-chilling cold that made the heart tremble, as though it had been carved from the purest ice crystal.

This was the "Spirit Water Needle" empowered by [Pure Bathing Spell Power]. Not only did it take shape far faster, but the spiritual power contained within it was also incomparably condensed.

"Go!"

Chu Bai flicked his finger.

"Whoosh!"

Without the slightest hesitation or wasted motion, the water needle shot away from his body. Unlike ordinary Spell Arts condensed from spiritual energy, which dispersed the moment they left the body, it moved like an exceptionally nimble fish, tracing an elegant yet uncanny arc through the air before accurately piercing a withered yellow reed leaf drifting down several meters away.

A round hole the size of a needle's eye appeared in the center of the leaf. Its edges were neat and smooth, without causing even the slightest tremor, as if the leaf had always been meant to have a hole there.

Chu Bai lowered his finger and glanced at the panel.

[Spirit Water Needle: Beginner (29/100)]

"Although its proficiency hasn't reached the next level yet, with the enhancement from Spell Power, its might is already worlds apart. If it struck a person, it could probably pierce straight through flesh with ease."

Chu Bai nodded in satisfaction. Today was another day for him to accompany the Zhao Household for training. Perhaps... he could reveal a little of his strength.

After all, simply taking beatings all the time would not earn him more money to support his subsequent cultivation.

Besides, he also wanted to test just how strong his current combat ability really was.

That afternoon, at the Zhao Residence Annex.

Heat rolled in waves, and the Martial Training Ground was a complete mess.

"Take this!"

Zhao Xing shouted, his hand seals shifting. Two Fireballs shot out one after another, carrying scorching waves of heat and sealing off every avenue of retreat for Gu Qinghe.

Zhao Xing had not been idle during this time either. Under Wu Shang's strict instruction, his Fireball Technique had reached the "Proficient" level. Not only was he faster at casting it and able to unleash greater power, but he could even fire two in quick succession, making it impossible to guard against.

Although Gu Qinghe had also improved considerably over the past few months, accumulating more than half a reserve of spiritual energy and honing his movement technique through repeated beatings, he still struggled desperately against the upgraded Zhao Xing.

"Bang!"

One Fireball exploded beside his feet, the wave of heat flipping the round shield from his hands. The other grazed his shoulder, scorching part of his sleeve and even singeing his eyebrows.

"Whew... whew..." Gu Qinghe rolled away awkwardly, covered in dust and dirt. He gasped heavily, his eyes filled with helplessness and a trace of exhaustion he could barely conceal.

"Next, Chu Bai!"

Zhao Xing was caught up in the fight and gave no one a chance to catch their breath. He turned toward Chu Bai, a vicious grin tugging at his lips. "Be careful. I've practiced this move for a long time, specifically to deal with slippery little loaches like you!"

Chu Bai's expression remained calm as he slowly walked onto the field.

He carried the round shield that had long since turned black and mottled with scorch marks. He looked utterly undefended, like a lamb waiting to be slaughtered at any moment.

"Take this!"

Zhao Xing swept both hands through a series of motions. Amid the surge of spiritual energy, three Fireballs shot over in a triangular formation, their momentum astonishing, as though they meant to devour Chu Bai completely.

In Zhao Xing's eyes, this attack was as fast as lightning and sealed every blind spot. Chu Bai had no choice but to endure it head-on.

Yet in Chu Bai's field of vision, the scene was entirely different.

As his Divine Sense at the Qi Refining stage spread outward, everything around him seemed to slow down several times over.

The flow of Fire Spiritual Energy through the air was clearly visible. Even the minute tremors in Zhao Xing's muscles as he raised his hand and the slightest shifts in his gaze were all captured in full.

"Too slow..."

Chu Bai thought to himself.

During this period, he had already grown accustomed to Zhao Xing's attack patterns.

He did not roll about awkwardly like Gu Qinghe. Instead, he made a slight adjustment with his foot, his figure drifting unpredictably like willow catkins in the wind, yet avoiding every edge of the attack with perfect precision.

"Whoosh—whoosh—whoosh—"

The three Fireballs flew past almost flush with his body. The first grazed his left shoulder without even touching the edge of his clothes; the second swept past his waist, stirring only a breeze; the third passed over his head without disturbing a single strand of hair.

It looked incomparably perilous, as though he were dancing on the blade's edge, yet in truth he was as steady as Mount Tai.

"This..."

Gu Qinghe had just crawled to his feet. Now he stared wide-eyed, his mouth slightly agape and disbelief written across his face.

He and Chu Bai had entered the Zhao Residence together, and their progress had always been more or less the same. If he had faced those three Fireballs just now, there was absolutely no way he could have avoided them. He could only have raised his shield and endured them head-on. But Chu Bai had actually... dodged them? And so effortlessly, without even throwing off his footwork?

"A coincidence? Or..." A storm of shock surged through Gu Qinghe's heart. "Could this be the difference in talent?"

Wu Shang, the Instructor who had been drinking tea at the side, also set down his teacup. His brows furrowed slightly as his sharp eyes locked onto Chu Bai in the middle of the field.

At first, he thought it was a coincidence.

But over the next dozen breaths, Zhao Xing launched more than a dozen frenzied barrages. Every time, Chu Bai made the most economical and precise evasive move at the very last moment before the Fireballs reached him.

Not one movement too many, not one fraction too few. His control over distance and timing was simply hair-raising.

This absolutely could not be explained by luck or quick reactions. This was—Divine Sense prediction!

Only someone with Divine Sense could capture the trajectory of spiritual energy's fluctuations with such precision!

"This boy's aura... why does it feel several times more solid than before? And that keen perception of spiritual energy..." Wu Shang formed a bold conjecture. A trace of shock flashed through his eyes. "Could he have already touched the threshold of Qi Refining? Or even... broken through?"

"Stop!"

Just as Zhao Xing was preparing to unleash another round of attacks, Wu Shang suddenly shouted to halt him.

Zhao Xing had no choice but to stop. He looked at the Instructor with some displeasure, having been fighting to his heart's content. "What is it? I was just getting into the rhythm!"

Wu Shang ignored his young master and instead walked slowly into the field. Looking at Chu Bai, who remained composed and had barely even broken a sweat, he curled his lips into an amused smile.

"To use you as nothing but a target is wasting your talents."

The instant Wu Shang finished speaking, the field fell silent.

Gu Qinghe stared blankly at Chu Bai, then at the Instructor, unable to understand what he meant for a moment. Wasn't a target supposed to take beatings? How could that be a waste of talent?

"What does the Instructor mean?" Zhao Xing was equally bewildered, the flames in his hands not yet fully dispersed.

"Dodging constantly will not hone true offensive techniques, and you aren't enjoying yourself fighting like this either."

Wu Shang looked at Chu Bai and said bluntly, "Chu Bai, I can see that your aura is steady and your movement technique exquisite. Clearly, you've gained some understanding of how to use spiritual energy. Rather than be beaten like a wooden stake, let's change the rules today. You may fight back and spar with the young master."

"Fight back?!"

Zhao Xing's eyes lit up. He had been frustrated at being unable to hit anyone, and now he was overjoyed. "Good! I've long thought you were as slippery as a loach because you had some hidden skill. Since the Instructor says you're capable, stop hiding it and show this young master what you can do!"

Chu Bai feigned panic. He cupped his hands and declined, saying, "Young master, you jest. I merely have tough skin and thick flesh. How could I understand any offensive techniques? If I accidentally injured you, that would be a grave offense..."

"If you injure me, I won't blame you! The Zhao Household is paying you so that you'll put in the effort!"

Zhao Xing waved impatiently, battle intent burning in his eyes. "Hurry up! Don't dawdle like some girl! If I can't even beat you, I might as well stop cultivating immortality!"

"Since that's the case... then I'll have to make a fool of myself." Seeing that he could no longer refuse, Chu Bai stopped pretending to be modest. He bowed slightly, tossed the round shield aside, and assumed a starting stance.

"Take this!"

Zhao Xing struck first. This time, he held nothing back. His spiritual power surged to its fullest, flames blazing in his palm as Fireballs shot out one after another like a string of pearls, sealing off Chu Bai's front, back, left, and right.

Facing this overwhelming assault, Chu Bai no longer focused solely on dodging.

At the instant the first Fireball was about to reach him, he did not raise his shield. Instead, he slightly bent his index finger and flicked it lightly.

"Go."

A tiny droplet of water flew from his fingertip. Though inconspicuous, it contained a solid, piercing force. This was a subtle technique he had comprehended after countless repetitions of practicing the "Spirit Water Needle."

The droplet struck the weakest core point of the Fireball with perfect accuracy.

With a soft pop, the terrifying Fireball exploded prematurely in midair, transforming into a sky full of sparks that vanished without a trace, like a punctured balloon.

"What?!"

Everyone present froze at the sight.

Gu Qinghe's eyes nearly bulged from their sockets.

He and Chu Bai had entered the Inner Gate together and worked as sparring partners together. He had never seen Chu Bai display any special technique before.

How had he suddenly managed to break the Fireball Technique with a single droplet of water?

"This is... Water Control Technique?" Gu Qinghe was utterly shaken. "Could he have already mastered Spell Arts? How is that possible? Haven't we only just completed Qi Induction? I haven't even touched the threshold of Spell Arts, yet he can already use them in actual combat?"

The enormous gap left him speechless for a moment.

Compared to Gu Qinghe's shock, Zhao Xing felt unprecedented excitement. "Now that's a good move! Again!"

The battle instantly escalated.

Chu Bai did not use the extremely penetrating "Spirit Water Needle" to clash head-on. Instead, he transformed the water spiritual energy into soft force.

He moved in a wandering pattern, sometimes drawing on the water vapor in the air to form a curtain of water that blocked his opponent's vision, and sometimes flicking out a droplet of water to disrupt Zhao Xing's casting rhythm.

Using softness to overcome hardness, and a force of four ounces to deflect a thousand pounds.

The two came and went, actually fighting to a draw!

After dozens of exchanges, Zhao Xing's fighting spirit caught fire. He let out a great roar and unleashed his trump card—forming hand seals with both hands at once. Two Fireballs fused together, transforming into an Exploding Fireball as large as a washbasin, which charged straight at Chu Bai amid rolling waves of heat.

"Good!"

Chu Bai's gaze sharpened. He knew he could no longer hold back too much.

Blue light flashed at his fingertip, and a condensed line of water shot out. It was no longer soft force, but a razor-sharp penetrating power!

"Break!"

The line of water met the Fireball head-on.

"Boom—"

Water and fire collided, stirring up a great expanse of white mist that instantly shrouded the entire Martial Training Ground. The enormous shock wave sent the broken stones on the ground flying, while the wave of heat forced Gu Qinghe to retreat several steps.

Once the mist dispersed, the situation in the field was revealed.

Zhao Xing had exhausted his spiritual power. He knelt halfway on the ground, panting heavily. A clear mark of water stained the Protective Spell Shield before him, positioned directly in front of his throat. If this had been actual combat, he would already have been a corpse.

Chu Bai also pretended to be exhausted. He knelt halfway in the distance, his face slightly pale, and cupped his hands. "The young master's might is formidable. I lost by half a move."

"Hahahaha! That was great! Truly great!"

Although Zhao Xing was so exhausted that he was nearly limp, his face was filled with excitement.

He slapped his thigh and laughed loudly. "I never expected you to have hidden yourself so deeply! That fight was exhilarating! It was ten thousand times better than beating those dead logs!"

He might have been arrogant, but he was not a fool.

He could naturally tell that Chu Bai had held back at the end. Otherwise, that line of water would not have pierced his Spell Shield—it would have pierced his throat.

Wu Shang cast a deep look at Chu Bai, now certain that the youth had entered the Qi Refining stage.

Moreover, his control over spiritual energy far exceeded that of his own young master.

But he saw through it without saying anything. This was the tacit understanding of intelligent people.

"Not bad. Today's sparring was greatly beneficial to the young master's practical combat ability." Wu Shang spoke up at the appropriate moment.

"Reward him! He must be heavily rewarded!" Zhao Xing was in an excellent mood and waved his hand grandly. "From now on, raise Chu Bai's remuneration to six hundred wen! This is the kind of sparring partner this young master needs! You two, pay close attention and learn from him!"

"Six hundred wen..."

Gu Qinghe stood at the side, dumbfounded. He looked at Chu Bai with emotions too complicated to describe.

He was happy for his friend, yet he also felt the enormous gap between them.

A few months ago, they had started from the same point. Now Chu Bai could stand on equal footing with the Zhao Household's young master, and might even surpass him, while he... was still rolling about awkwardly to dodge Fireballs.

"Brother Chu... just how far have you gone?" Gu Qinghe murmured inwardly.

"Thank you for your generous reward, young master."

Chu Bai accepted the weighty silver, his expression remaining calm.