The Ancient Strengthening Technique

AST 1518 - I'm at the peak of false gods. What capabilities do you have to fight against me?

When Qing Shui heard Qin Qing's words, he knew that she was alright and didn't mind. But he still continued pressing on, "Let me take a look. As long as I know for sure you are fine, I will leave here. If not, I will stay here to guard you forever."

When the sound of his voice faded, Qing Shui felt his words were extremely mushy and even filled with ambiguous affection. He knew it wasn't suitable but since the words were already spoken, there was nothing he could do about it.

Qin Qing was silent behind that door. Qing Shui stood outside with trepidation in his heart. He didn't know when, but he actually started to care for this woman.

Qin Qing was very beautiful, able to cause an empire to topple. Qing Shui also knew that she was one of the portraits of beauty. When he had nothing to do, he would often see Qin Qing in his Realm of Violet Jade Immortal. Inside the realm, the time ratio was different from the outside world. He has already obtained Qin Qing's portrait of beauty for over ten years hence Qing Shui felt that they have been acquainted since a very long time ago.

Suddenly, a clicking sound rang out as the door opened. A perfect figure appeared before Qing Shui, smiling at him. "I'm alright. You can rest at ease now!"

Qing Shui also laughed, but he didn't know what to reply. Between the two of them, their friendship couldn't be considered deep. But through the interactions between them recently, their friendship was definitely deeper compared to ordinary friends.

"What's wrong with you?" Qin Qing felt a little panic when she saw Qing Shui staring in a daze at her. She couldn't help but to lower her head.

"Mhm, nothing. It's good that you are alright. Rest well, I will see you tomorrow." Qing Shui got all panicky as he spoke. After that he waved his hand and departed, feeling awkward.

Qing Shui left. Qin Qing smiled as she stared at the vanishing back view of Qing Shui. In the depths of her heart, there was an explosion of the most brilliantly beautiful fireworks. Sadly, Qing Shui wasn't able to see this.

Since the start, Qing Shui was always very calm but today, he was actually in a fluster. He realised that he has fallen in love with Qin Qing. But as to why he fallen in love with her, he wasn't able to give voice to the reason.

If it's because of her strength and beauty, Qing Shui didn't believe so. If he loved someone, he didn't merely love a part or two of them, but their entire being instead.

After returning, Qing Shui entered the Realm of Violet Jade Immortal. Only after a long moment did he tidy up his thoughts. At the end, he still decided to let nature takes its cause and wouldn't evade her intentionally.

The six-yang pill has finally been concocted and there was quite a number of them. However, the seven-yang pill still needed time to refine and concoct. Also, his experience bar has reached the limit and he couldn't gain any more experience points in alchemy. Despite so, Qing Shui was too lazy to find out the reason why.

With the earth divine stone, the time to refine a seven-yang pill shorten by a fold.

……

Durin the next day, a special person appeared in the Imperial Cuisine Hall. This person was an old man, and although his aura wasn't considered domineering, his character was extremely oppressive and demanded to see Qing Shui.

Just so coincidentally Qing Shui came down and noticed the old man instantly. Because the strength of the old man was very high, he appeared to be like a small sun to Qing Shui's spiritual sense.

The old man looked extremely aged with a headful of white hair. But his muscles were taut and didn't appear to be weakened despite his advanced age. His bright eyes shone with an ancient archaic air and his long brows and large mouth actually cause him to emanate a sense of heroism.

"Old man, what's the reason for your presence here?" Qing Shui had a slight smile on his face as he walked over.

The old man studied Qing Shui for a long time to the point where Qing Shui almost cursed out loud, wondering if this old man was an old gay.

"I'm from the Hua Clan." The simple words of the old man caused Qing Shui to start.

"Two days ago, there's someone from my clan here to invite Mister Qing. But since Mister Qing is so busy, I have no choice but to come myself." The old man slowly spoke, in a laughing manner.

However, Qing Shui felt that the laughter of this old man was somewhat sinister. Under broad daylight, he felt goosebumps on his skin when he heard that laughed, but he controlled himself not to exhibit any discomfort.

The aura and spiritual sense of the old man has already locked on to Qing Shui, hence the people in the surroundings had no idea what was happening. For Qing Shui, his principles have always been simple - respect me and I will respect you. But if someone harbors bad intentions towards him, he wouldn't allow that person to have an easy time as well.

"Let's head out before we continue our conversation." Qing Shui pointed outside. Even without the old man agreeing, he directly walked towards the location he pointed.

The expression on the old man's face didn't change. With a flash, he too, disappeared from the Imperial Cuisine Hall.

Qing Shui could feel the spiritual sense of the old man locking onto it. This was an extremely intense feeling. This old man from the Hua Clan wasn't weak and was much stronger than him. But even so, he was no longer the him of the past, and his strength has also improved. What was most important is the fact that he still had the two powerful demonic beasts.

Qing Shui's speed wasn't slow, but the old man could match him easily. Qing Shui soared into the air before smiling at the old man who appeared before him an instant later.

Right now, this old man was completely different from before. The him now was like an unsheathed sword that was incomparably sharp.

His powerful aura constantly gushed towards Qing Shui, layer after layer.

"There's no need to release that pathetic pressure. In my perspective, it's really embarrassing." Qing Shui smiled. Regardless of who this old man or how powerful he is, his behavior has already made Qing Shui dislike him.

"Do you know that you caused my Hua Clan to lose all face and became the joke of the Linhai City?" The old man radiated towering amounts of anger as he stared at Qing Shui.

The temperature in the surroundings instantly plunged. Qing Shui was still very calm, his control of heavenly dao wasn't weaker than this old man, and was able to neutralise the pressure. "You are here today because of this matter?"

Qing Shui felt a little depressed. Although he caused the Hua Clan to lose face, it was the Hua Clan who antagonise him first. Frankly speaking, the Hua Clan and his Imperial Cuisine Hall didn't really have that great of a conflict.

But the incidents earlier apparently counted. The young master of the Hua Clan was being beaten up so badly until he could no longer be a man. Not only was the Hua Clan's reputation damaged, they suffered tremendously as well.

But what sort of character was Qing Shui? Not killing the young master was already considered him being extremely kind. The reason for the old man coming here wasn't because of that silkpants young master but rather, it was because of the prestige of the Hua Clan.

"In that case, does it mean that if my friends and I got bullied, I can only tolerate it and not retaliate?" Qing Shui smiled and look at the old man.

"It's easy for young people to be impulsive when doing things, disregarding the consequences. I will give you one more chance. Cure the people of my Hua Clan, return the courtyard to us and compensate us for our losses. I can spare your life." The old man seriously spoke as he stared at Qing Shui.

Qing Shui looked at the old man for a long period of time. He was sure that this old man wasn't joking with him. He then smiled, "Are you so confident that you can take me down?"

The old man also smiled. "I don't mind telling you this. I'm at the peak of false gods. What capabilities do you have to fight against me?"