On July 30th, Chen Chuan returned to the test site. This ti, he would abandon all technique and rely purely on speed to handle everything below.
He had realized after his last two attempts that as long as he was fast enough and his reflexes were sharp enough, he could avoid most of the obstacles below.
He Xiaoxing and Chang Ba stood in the distance, waiting to see his performance.
Chen Chuan took a slow breath, pushed off the tips of his toes, and leaped into the chasm. After a soft splash, a surge of water propelled him forward like an arrow loosed from a bow.
Thanks to over ten days of training and the boost from the Furnace Breathing thod, his reflexes were sharper and his speed was greater than before.
He darted rapidly through the network of chasms, touching one marker after another. When the Hour was up, he hadn’t kept count, but he knew he had surpassed his previous limit of twelve.
But he didn’t stop there. He closed his eyes, folded his arms across his chest, and took a deep breath using the Inner Breathing Technique.
As more oxygen entered his body, driven by the Furnace Breathing thod, he began to grow hot. The rapid gas exchange produced countless tiny bubbles around him, which floated up toward the surface.
At the sa ti, his Second Self suddenly rged with him. He opened his eyes. This ti, he would use the power of his Second Self to head for the depths, to swim once with all his might. He not only wanted to see what he was capable of with his Second Self, but he also longed to swim freely, with his whole being, completely unrestrained.
He kicked off with both feet, leaving a long, lingering trail of turbulence in his wake as he dove into the chasm’s deeper reaches, continuing to press onward.
Before, he had relied purely on speed and reflexes to avoid obstacles. Now, as he shot through the passages, he didn’t bother to change his course at all.
When he encountered powerful currents, he dug his fingers into the chasm walls, pulling himself along while kicking his feet, fighting his way upstream. Once the opposing force subsided, he shot forward again at incredible speed.
He made no effort to avoid the schools of fish in his path, simply plowing straight through them. The ones in his way were instantly pulverized, leaving behind a panicked, scattering school.
The entire process was utterly exhilarating. The feeling of not needing to worry about a thing, of casting everything aside and just forging ahead, was wonderful. The Mutated Organization within him beca fully active, transforming into a force that propelled him, letting him swim faster and faster.
Yet even in the midst of this feeling, he didn’t allow himself to beco a slave to his emotions. After an Hour, he reined himself in and headed for the surface.
After so ti, when he saw the light from above, he stroked with his arms and legs, suddenly accelerating. As he neared the surface, he flexed every muscle in his body and, with a great SPLASH, burst out of the water. He leaped out, unfurling his body before flipping in midair and landing steadily on his feet. His knees bent slightly to absorb the impact, and then he stood up straight.
Then, he looked at He Xiaoxing. This dive was his answer to the challenge of this training, and it was also his gift to He Xiaoxing.
He Xiaoxing looked at Chen Chuan’s still steaming body and slowly nodded.
Chang Ba glanced between them. He didn’t ask how many markers Chen Chuan had touched this ti. He had a feeling that it no longer mattered.
After changing his clothes, Chen Chuan ca before He Xiaoxing again. "Teacher He," he said, "I’ve been away for almost a month. I’m planning to head back tomorrow."
He Xiaoxing said, "Go on back. Old Cheng will be very happy to have a student like you. You will go far."
Chen Chuan said solemnly, "I will."
After leaving the test site, Chen Chuan returned to his inn. He bought a few things and said goodbye to the people he had gotten to know over the past few weeks, telling them he was leaving. Then he went back to his room to pack his bags.
The next morning, he checked out of his room, picked up his luggage, and with the case containing the Snow Monarch Blade on his back, he went to He Xiaoxing’s training hall to say farewell.
As the two of them ca outside, an SUV pulled up. Chang Ba jumped out excitedly, holding a cara. "I made it! I made it!" he said, raising a hand. "Brother Chen, Uncle He, let’s get a photo together!"
Neither of them refused. Chang Ba handed the cara to a photographer in the car and trotted over. He Xiaoxing was much taller than both Chen Chuan and Chang Ba, so he stood in the middle and slightly behind them, with the other two on either side. With a CLICK of the shutter, the mont was frozen in ti.
Chang Ba then clapped Chen Chuan on the shoulder. "Brother Chen, I’ll drive you to the station."
Chen Chuan didn’t refuse. He turned to He Xiaoxing and bowed. "Teacher He, thank you for your guidance over these past few days. I’ll take my leave now." After that, he straightened up, adjusted the case on his back, and got into the car.
He Xiaoxing stood on the mountain, watching as the car slowly drove down the slope and then off into the distance.
After they had driven out of town, Chang Ba handed a hardcover notebook to Chen Chuan. "Brother Chen, here’s a little sothing for you."
Chen Chuan took it and saw that it was filled with Chang Ba’s drawings. They were all scenes from his training over the last few days, including the mont he first dove into the water and a scene of the three of them eating barbecue together.
With just a few simple strokes, he had perfectly captured their movents. Though in the drawings, Chang Ba had depicted himself as being just as impressive as them, if not more so—like so important figure. But it was a drawing, after all, and a little artistic license was to be expected.
Staring ahead, Chang Ba said, "I wanted to learn Fighting Skill when I was a kid, but my dad wouldn’t let . Said it wasn’t the right ti. Back then, all I could do was watch others fight and draw them. I never thought I’d actually have so talent for it. I never got good at fighting, but I did learn how to draw. Heh, they’re a bit rough, so don’t mind them."
Chen Chuan smiled. "I think they’re great. Thanks, Brother Xiaochang. I really like this gift. It’s a great nto."
Chang Ba laughed heartily. Normally, no one ever saw his drawings. Having a knack for it with no one to appreciate his art had been frustrating. Now, with just that one sentence from Chen Chuan, it felt like all his efforts had paid off.
anwhile, back at the training hall in the small town, He Xiaoxing received the developed photograph a few hours later. The photo shop had even put it in a fra for him.
He took it, gave it a look, and walked into a room, placing the fra on a desk. Just then, his gaze fell upon the corner of the table. There was another photo fra there, its kickstand out, holding a picture of him with a young man.
The young man was tall and handso, nearly as tall as He Xiaoxing himself, and was flashing a brilliant, sunny smile. The background was the entrance to the Wuyi South Hill training hall. Light stread in from the side, and the leaves on the tree by the door seed to be rustling in the breeze.
He stared at it for a mont, then turned and left the room.
...
...
User Comments
0 comments from readers