Chapter 0018: Fire Cloud Step

Chapter 0018: Fire Cloud Step

Seeing Xiao Yuelan's murderous aura, Qin Yun suddenly felt that the cancellation of the marriage contract by the Tian Xiao Empire might not be a bad thing for him.

"Our mothers secretly arranged our marriage and even signed an engagement contract! Do you have the contract?" Although Xiao Yuelan's voice was cold and emotionless, it was unexpectedly pleasant to hear.

"The contract? Senior Sister Taishi gave it to me. You want it?" Qin Yun nodded as he spoke.

The engagement contract was stored in the Nine Yang Divine Essence's storage space.

For some inexplicable reason, he found himself munching on snacks, though they tasted bland.

"Keep the contract safe. In one year, at my engagement ceremony, you must bring this contract!" Xiao Yuelan said, then turned and walked to the door, adding coldly, "If you don't come, I will hunt you down to the ends of the earth."

Baffled, Qin Yun asked, "Are you planning to humiliate me at your engagement ceremony next year?"

"Humiliate you? I don't have the time for that. Besides, without sufficient strength, you're not even worthy of being humiliated by me!" With that, she opened the door and hurriedly left.

Qin Yun looked at Yang Shiyue with a puzzled expression.

"It seems her training at the Heavenly Profound Martial Academy was extremely harsh, which is why she's like this now. She must have sneaked here just to say those few words. Truly incomprehensible!" Yang Shiyue shook her head, equally perplexed.

"Within this year, you must work hard to cultivate so that she doesn't humiliate you publicly!"

"In any case, I'll just give her the contract when the time comes. Her marrying the Crown Prince will be enough to give the Empress a headache." Qin Yun sighed and continued eating.

"Hurry up and finish eating; we still need to go to the Huawu Bookstore!" Yang Shiyue urged, "You need to master martial techniques quickly and participate in the Tian Shi Martial Association!"

"What is the Tian Shi Martial Association?" Qin Yun asked.

"It's a martial arts competition held every five years, open to students at the Fourth and Fifth Levels of Martial Body Realm. Although no Fourth Level students have ever participated, I think you should give it a try," Yang Shiyue explained.

"Is it really okay?" Qin Yun felt a surge of excitement. His cultivation level was equivalent to the Fifth Level of Martial Body Realm, giving him a high chance of winning if he participated.

"I just want you to gain experience and improve your combat skills, not necessarily win first place," Yang Shiyue said while tidying up the table. "You'll be facing senior students, making it difficult to win consecutively."

After finishing his meal, Qin Yun followed Yang Shiyue to the Huawu Bookstore to collect martial techniques, specifically two advanced upper-level techniques.

...

The Huawu Bookstore was a seven-story tower located in the central area of Hualing Martial Arts Academy, surrounded by high walls and heavily guarded.

Yang Shiyue and Qin Yun were allowed entry only after showing their Ninth Class wooden tokens.

The first floor housed all the basic, intermediate, and advanced martial techniques.

Qin Yun gazed up at the ancient stone tower, marveling inwardly. If the first floor contained these levels of martial techniques, what treasures could be found higher up?

Several middle-aged guards stood at the entrance of the bookstore, and more than a dozen middle-aged martial artists patrolled inside. After a thorough questioning, Yang Shiyue and Qin Yun were finally allowed to enter.

"Teacher, how can I obtain better martial techniques?" The Xuan Yang Art Qin Yun was currently learning was merely transitional.

"At Hualing Martial Arts Academy, you can acquire martial techniques up to the Lower Xuan Level if you possess sufficient strength," Yang Shiyue said, navigating through the bookshelves with ease.

The Lower Xuan Level far surpassed the Ling Level. Many martial clans would be immensely proud to possess Ling Level martial techniques.

Determined, Qin Yun resolved to obtain a Xuan Level technique!

Yang Shiyue added, "No one has obtained a Xuan Level technique for many years."

She took a book from a shelf and handed it to Qin Yun. "This is the 'Fire Cloud Step,' a light movement technique suitable for someone with a fire martial soul."

She had a good understanding of martial techniques and chose ones suitable for Qin Yun.

At Hualing Martial Arts Academy, teachers were not allowed to teach students techniques above the Ling Level, as it would disrupt fairness and was strictly prohibited.

The Xuan Yang Art Yang Shiyue taught Qin Yun was not a Ling Level technique, so there was no issue.

Soon, Yang Shiyue found another technique for Qin Yun. "This is the 'Flame Light Fist,' also very suitable for you. Go memorize them in the study room."

Once she selected these two techniques, she was not allowed to search further.

Moreover, the Huawu Bookstore had a rule prohibiting the removal of martial technique books. Students needed to memorize them within the bookstore.

Qin Yun entered a quiet study room and began memorizing the two advanced upper-level techniques.

These books contained numerous annotations left by predecessors, which were crucial.

Many martial clan heirs entered the academy to access these annotated technique books, allowing them to grasp martial techniques more quickly.

In two hours, Qin Yun memorized everything and left the Huawu Bookstore with Yang Shiyue.

"Teacher, you seemed very cautious in the Huawu Bookstore!" Qin Yun whispered once they were outside.

"If you make a mistake inside, you won't be allowed back in, and neither am I exempted," Yang Shiyue whispered back. "If not for the restrictions, I could directly impart techniques to you."

Most of the techniques she mastered came from the academy and could not be easily shared.

Techniques not obtained from the academy were too advanced to teach students, as it would disrupt fairness, according to the academy's rules.

Unless she secretly obtained other techniques, she couldn't pass them on to Qin Yun.

Back at the small house in the bamboo grove, Yang Shiyue guided Qin Yun in learning the newly acquired techniques.

"The Fire Cloud Step primarily utilizes the heat-generating properties of inner fire qi to create a special warmth within the body. This warmth makes the body lighter, and legend has it that upon reaching Great Perfection, one can fly," Yang Shiyue explained.

"Teacher, how are martial techniques ranked? Are higher-ranked techniques always better?" Qin Yun asked, lacking knowledge on the subject.

"Higher-ranked internal cultivation techniques are indeed better! For martial techniques, it depends on the individual. The more proficient one becomes, the stronger the technique! Mastery levels are divided into Beginner, Minor Accomplishment, Major Accomplishment, Great Perfection, and Divine Mastery. Most people only reach Major Accomplishment, with a few achieving Great Perfection."

"As for the realm of perfection, it's merely a concept. Even the founder of a martial art may not reach it."

Yang Shiyue spoke earnestly about martial arts.

"The grading of martial arts is evaluated from two aspects."

"First, it depends on the effectiveness experienced upon reaching the initial stage! Martial arts techniques unlock the power of inner qi. The more advanced the martial art, the stronger the inner qi it can harness."

"At the Spirit level and advanced level, if both are mastered to the initial stage, the Spirit level technique will undoubtedly unleash a stronger inner qi. If you can achieve perfection with an advanced level technique, it can rival the mastery of a Spirit level technique."

"Thank you, Master, for your explanation!" Qin Yun nodded, gaining a better understanding of martial arts and techniques.

"You have cultivated the Profound Yang Art to the minor mastery stage, which shows that your comprehension is extremely high. In martial arts, comprehension is more important than spirit veins and martial souls. Start learning those two techniques on your own, and if you have any questions, I'll answer them when I return."

Yang Shiyue said, "I'll go ask when the Tian Shi Martial Association begins accepting registrations."