There was no way he was backing down. Not in this lifetime.
Option three was out, plain and simple.
Han Qiu did want the Tang Sect General Principles, but if he fought Tang San now, he would undoubtedly lose.
As for whether he could win a mountain-climbing race, Han Qiu really wasn't all that confident.
Win or lose, he'd find out after they raced.
"I choose option two."
"Little San, come compete with your Brother Qiu. How about we see who reaches the mountaintop first?"
"No problem!" Tang San agreed loudly, a flicker of eagerness in his eyes.
He had trained diligently in the Mysterious Heaven Skill since childhood, and his physique had long surpassed that of children his age. In sheer physical strength, he was no weaker than an ordinary adult, and he didn't believe he would lose to Han Qiu.
The two arrived at the foot of the small mountain together.
"Three, two, one, go!"
As the countdown ended, Tang San tapped his foot lightly against the ground and shot straight toward the summit like an arrow loosed from its bow. His steps were so light that they made almost no sound on the loose stones.
Han Qiu gripped the rocks on the mountainside like iron pincers and pushed off hard with his feet, swiftly climbing up the small mountain.
Seeing this, Han Qiu didn't dare slack off. Qi-State Origin-Flow circulated within him, wisps of Qi flowing through his limbs and bones. He took a deep breath and roused all the Qi throughout his body, then pushed off with both legs and charged after him.
Tang San took the lead, twisting and maneuvering as he went. Whenever he reached a steep slope, he used both hands and feet, climbing like an ape and staying far ahead all the way.
Han Qiu followed close behind. Though he was weaker than Tang San, the physical recovery granted by Qi-State Origin-Flow constantly made up for the stamina he expended.
Every time he pushed off the rocks, his muscles and bones gave a faint, muffled crack. Sweat streamed down his cheeks, but he gritted his teeth and held on, refusing to be left too far behind.
Seeing this, Tang San's eyes widened in disbelief.
How was this possible?
What the hell?
Han Qiu was rapidly closing the distance between them at a speed visible to the naked eye.
Although he was still slower than Tang San, Tang San's current physical strength was already comparable to that of a fifteen- or sixteen-year-old boy.
Holy crap, holy crap, was that really Han Qiu?
When did this blockhead get so fierce?
Tang San's eyes widened in disbelief, his head full of questions. How the hell did this make sense?
Was this really Han Qiu's first time climbing a mountain? Then how were his movements so practiced, as if every step had been precisely calculated?
Han Qiu had indeed never climbed this mountain, but he had watched Tang San climb it countless times. After recovering his memories of his past life yesterday, he had discovered that his memory was exceptionally good. It was no exaggeration to say he never forgot anything he saw.
In his past life, he had followed quite a few climbing experts, and the climbing techniques they had talked about were still vivid in his mind.
Fuck, fuck! This isn't scientific! How the hell did Han Qiu find these climbing routes?
By the time Han Qiu overtook him and reached the summit again, Tang San had gone numb. He had never imagined that Han Qiu would find a route that saved more time and effort than his own.
[Congratulations to the host for winning the climbing contest. You have obtained Mount Longhu's foundational cultivation technique, the Golden Light Mantra.]
A stream of clear Dao-rhyme information flooded into his sea of consciousness with a roar. The Golden Light Mantra's cultivation method and all its related knowledge were branded deeply into Han Qiu's mind as though engraved there.
As an introductory cultivation technique of Mount Longhu, the Golden Light Mantra had a low threshold and made no demands on talent, but it required an upright disposition and a clear, tranquil mind. There was almost no chance of Qi deviation when cultivating it. The strength of the golden light depended entirely on the concentration and purity of one's own Qi, as well as one's state of mind. It was a prerequisite for cultivating the Thunder Method.
With his Purple Demon Eye active, Tang San could clearly sense that Han Qiu was in excellent condition.
His breathing was long and steady.
Why does it feel like Han Qiu has more stamina than I do? But Han Qiu gave up exercising a year ago... Tang San felt a wave of confusion. That can't be right. Han Qiu doesn't even look as sturdy as me. Could he be exceptionally gifted?
"Let's compete again next time," Tang San said, breathing slightly hard as he stared at Han Qiu.
He raised a hand to wipe the sweat from his face, then grinned, showing a row of white teeth. "There's no need for another climbing contest. How about a match after we awaken our Martial Souls?"
When Han Qiu finished speaking, fighting spirit reignited in Tang San's eyes, and he nodded emphatically. "All right! It's a deal! Once our Martial Souls awaken, we'll have a proper match."
The two then began their respective training.
What is Han Qiu doing? After they had each trained for a while, Tang San noticed Han Qiu making some very strange movements.
It was the Muscle-Tendon Changing Classic, which Han Qiu had learned online in his past life. Every movement was quite difficult, and a moment's carelessness could cause a strain. In his past life, he hadn't dared practice it.
Now that he had obtained Qi-State Origin-Flow, he could use his abundant Qi to permeate the fascia throughout his body, making it the perfect complement to this ancient method of honing his body.
Han Qiu spread his feet, lowered his waist, and slowly pushed both arms outward. A series of soft, fine cracks came from the muscles and bones in his shoulders and back. He stretched every posture to its fullest, pulling at his flesh and fascia. Each movement was simple and weighty, carrying the solemn bearing of Buddhist body refinement.
Nearby, Tang San stopped his Mysterious Heaven Skill breathing exercises and fixed his gaze on Han Qiu, his eyes full of confusion and curiosity.
In his eyes, Han Qiu's postures were strange and uncanny. They involved neither weight training nor running and jumping. They were unlike the labor of an ordinary farm boy, and certainly unlike any body-refining moves recorded by the Tang Sect.
His limbs swept wide and closed in. At times he bent forward at the waist; at others he raised his arms toward the sky. It looked odd and awkward, yet there was a faint, indescribable rhythm to it.
These movements seem to have a Buddhist flavor, but is there Buddhism in this world? Tang San frowned slightly and quietly activated his Purple Demon Eye, hoping to investigate the changes inside Han Qiu's body.
The next moment, his expression shifted slightly. His Purple Demon Eye couldn't see through him.
It seems Han Qiu has secrets of his own too. If I didn't use the Tang Sect's cultivation technique, I probably wouldn't be much stronger than Han Qiu in terms of physical fitness alone!
Tang San couldn't help marveling, "These movements are all highly effective exercises."
Han Qiu naturally saw Tang San's expression.
Just you wait. Don't think you're the only transmigrator. I come from the twenty-first century, the age of the information explosion. Many secrets that were never passed down in ancient times have been made public.
Those who knew, knew.
In his past life, Han Qiu could only have looked on with envy. Now he needed only a day to reach this level.
It was a sense of accomplishment Han Qiu had never experienced in his past life.
Long live the golden finger! Qi-State Origin-Flow is awesome!
That was also why he had the confidence to compete with Tang San.
Han Qiu shook his head slightly. "But now that my physical fitness has improved, breaking through my body's limits again is getting harder and harder. Still, every time I break through my physical limits, it's equivalent to cleansing my essence and marrow. I just don't know how many years old my first Soul Ring will be in the future."