Transcending Dreams
B2 - Chapter 63

William stepped back when Lan Yang moved closer, not wanting to be near that ball of lightning now floating a foot in front of the older cultivator.

“So, Junior Wei,” Lan Yang spoke loudly to be clear over the crackle of the lightning. “You have a few options here.”

He took another small step back, his wariness increasing drastically. He hadn’t forgotten that Lan Yang promised to inflict great harm on him just a short time ago.

“There are a few ways of learning how to access Lightning Qi,” Lan Yang bounced the floating lightning ball… somehow. “One is to use this ball like this. Meditate on it for a few months, and you can probably get it.”

That sounded good to William. He had plenty of time to spend.

“Another is this,” the lightning ball disappeared, but his body lit up. Fibers of small electric currents started glowing through his skin. “The natural electricity that is contained in our bodies. This is the slowest and easiest method to access Lightning Qi. I’d say it will take one to two years.”

“Oh,” William thought it was a miracle he wasn’t gaping in shock at the display Lan Yang was putting on. “This might be a little too long, Senior Yang.”

“Hm,” Lan Yang nodded, the glowing fibers disappearing. “There is another, far quicker option, with the same benefits as studying the natural electricity in your body.”

“… Is there?” He asked suspiciously.

“There is.”

William’s eyes widened when the lightning buzzing around Lan Yang’s body grew more violent, frequently sparking nearly a foot away from his body.

“The last, best, and quickest option is direct, repeated contact,” Lan Yang smiled wickedly. “So, which do you prefer?”

His instinct was to pick ‘direct contact,’ but it was easy to guess the negative for this method. Plus, did he really want to put himself under the mercy of a probably still quietly furious Lan Yang?

No, he did not.

“That ball of lightning looked good, Senior Yang,” William said earnestly. “I think it would do me good to take some time to learn this.”

“I see,” Lan Yang tilted his head for a moment. “That’s a shame. I think otherwise.”

“What?”

“Well, as your concerned mentor, I am forced to override your decision,” Lan Yang walked closer. “I don’t feel that the ball is for you. It’s best to be the best, don’t you agree?”

[Side Quest: Access Lightning Qi]

[Information: Lan Yang has chosen the way you will learn how to access Lightning Qi. Be able to convert 1% of your Qi into Lightning Qi.]

[Reward: 10000 XP]

[Penalty: Decreased reputation with Lan Yang]

[Accept: Y/N]

He quickly accepted. There was a far more pressing issue to think of.

[Side Quest Accepted |Access Lightning Qi]

William was getting some major murder vibes at the moment. He didn’t like it.

“And, Junior Wei?” He stopped several feet away. “This is better for you, but I will not lie and say I won’t enjoy it. Think of this as deserved retribution for spending my Spirit Stones without permission.”

[-200 Spiritual Energy]

He didn’t mean to activate [Force Multiplier]. Not that he was complaining. He spread the Qi evenly inside his body in preparation when Lan Yang started to speak suspiciously.

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If William was going to take punishment, it wouldn’t be without a fight. It also helped that a large part of him wanted to find out how well he would match up against a peak foundation establishment realm cultivator.

The Seedling, the monster he fought in the Shard, was in the foundation establishment realm, but it certainly wasn’t at the peak. He would finally get to test the limits of his power with [Force Multiplier] activated. Even if it wasn’t planned.

“Oh? What’s this?” Lan Yang’s voice was distorted, the lightning crackling around his body likely being the cause. “You want to spar? Even better.”

“It won’t be as easy as you think, Senior Yang,” William retorted. He missed this. The peace and quiet was nice. Fighting against someone who clearly overmatched him was better.

The Shard really ruined his mentality. He shuddered at the thought of wanting to be fighting for his life instead of worrying about making a merchant house successful.

“So you say,” Lan Yang’s smile grew sharp. “Prepare yourself.”

William heard the sonic boom just as Lan Yang occupied his entire field of view. Far too close. His martial arts training clicked into place.

He recognized that Lan Yang was fast even with [Force Multiplier] activated. Enough to the point where he had barely been able to keep track of the man. He could do very few things against someone this much faster, but there were still some options.

The best hope was that Lan Yang was worse than a novice in martial arts. It would leave William with some ability to predict his moves.

Right fist.

He grunted in pain as he blocked it with his palm, a deafening sound exploding at the point of contact.

[-10 HP]

The Lightning Qi devoured his Qi, easily overpowering it until William attempted a counter. A jab at Lan Yang’s face.

He didn’t connect. It was never meant to. Still, the goal was accomplished. His palm was no longer in contact with Lan Yang’s fist.

“Well, that’s embarrassing,” Lan Yang stared at William, who was shaking his hand to get some feeling back. “I didn’t expect you to actually be able to block that.”

He narrowed his eyes. “Does that mean you wanted to knock me out? You would have hit my head.”

“Don’t be stupid, Junior Wei,” Lan Yang chuckled. “What’s the point of having you unconscious? You must be awake to observe how my Qi interacts with yours.”

“… How considerate,” William narrowed his eyes even further. He was hyperaware of any movement from Lan Yang. “Let’s continue.”

Weight shifted to the back leg. Body leaning forward minutely. Fingers staring to curl into a fist.

William registered all he could before Lan Yang’s body blurred at his sheer speed. He had already vacated his spot to avoid an instant defeat.

Lan Yang made it sound like he had plenty more to give, and standing still would be the easiest way to be punished heavily.

His eyes widened, arm quickly rising up to shield the right side of his face.

“Impressive!” Lan Yang laughed as his fist smashed into Willam’s forearm, leaving a deep imprint on the skin. “Looks like I should move faster!”

He grunted when he couldn’t block the next strike, a knee cracking his ribs with ease.

[-100 HP]

William jumped back, trying to put as much space as possible between him and Lan Yang. The man sure liked to use close combat for someone who sneered at martial arts.

It was like his thoughts were heard.

“Apologies, Junior Wei,” Lan Yang said unconvincingly. “I forgot to use Lightning Qi with that one. It’s not usual for me to fight like a mortal. Shame that it’s necessary to teach you.”

“Again,” William winced, finding that speaking was a chore, “you are very considerate, Senior Yang.”

“Hm, indeed,” Lan Yang smiled gently. “Well, enough playing around.”

He gasped in a combination of pain and shock when Lan Yang was suddenly before him, fist buried in his stomach and Lightning Qi torturously invading his body.

[-200 HP]

There was no warning or signs that William could have gathered. It seemed that Lan Yang truly was limiting himself.

“There we are,” Lan Yang nodded, the lightning crackling around his body slowly disappearing. “As Su Rou said, focus on your Qi. Throw it against the Lightning Qi I injected and observe.” sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ ɴøᴠel Fɪre.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

William was on his knees, fighting the urge to retaliate. But he knew all that would do is necessitate a repeat of the beatdown. Not that he could put up any sort of fight at the moment. He could barely move with the Lightning Qi rampaging through his body.

“Not that I mind, but the longer you wait, the longer you feel this pain. Smother the Lightning Qi, Junior Wei.”

He finally sat crosslegged with a struggle and did as Lan Yang suggested.

“As a bonus, I also left you with the perfect variation of injuries,” Lan Yang continued with amusement. “Just as Su Rou suggested. Perfect for you to practice with the Healing Qi afterward.”

“I understand,” William opened his eyes, his voice filled with tension. “Thank you. I would appreciate it if you could leave me to it.”

“Of course, of course,” Lan Yang smiled and made to leave. “Ah, right. We’ve been talking a bit too long. The Lightning Qi might not be enough.”

[-50 HP]

William doubled over in pain when a bolt left Lan Yang’s finger and sank into his body.

“Oh,” Lan Yang said in fake surprise. “Seems like it wasn’t necessary to fight like a mortal.”

He was too busy trying to crush the rampaging Qi inside his body to bother with his ‘mentor.’ Still, he could faintly hear his final words.

“By giving back the Spirit Stones, you redeemed yourself, Junior Wei. You narrowly escaped a grave punishment. But this settles our score.”

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