Page 54: Earning with speed

Night Swan Inn

-what happens here, stays here!

That was the inn Long Bai decided to stay at for the night. Since the information gathering failed at the restaurant, he may just continue his search for the old man who gave him the skill book. To Long Bai, what he gave was something that was precious since it helped him become stronger than before so it is just appropriate to give something in return. If possible, help him also in a big way. Now that he is capable of some things, he might be able to return the kindness he was bestowed. Just for the night, Long Bai focused in increasing his cultivation. A night's worth of cultivation can save him a good deal of effort, and at the same time, he doesn't feel fatigued since absorbing and circulating the essence all throughout the system revitalizes the worn out body. The night passed peacefully in that inn since the walls were fairly thick.

(Days before the sect's martial and alchemy competition: 119 days)

Early in the morning, Long Bai strolled the streets and and saw stalls that sells food for breakfast. While eating some chosen delicacies, he heard the owners talking about something. Long Bai's curious ears tried to pick up any interesting information he could get.

"Owner Yi, do you think there will be another interesting match today? Have you heard anything interesting?"

"Owner Shi, do you think that Tao Yin will wager his movement skill manual again?"

"I think so. He's been doing this since he knows that no one can catch him. Its just his way of getting free things from anyone who takes the bait."

The conversation seemed interesting. Long Bai came closer and took another order of the steaming meat bun.

"Mister, what is all about the bet you're talking about. It sounds interesting. Ahh, here's my payment."

"You seemed to be uninformed yet but it has been three days already. Tao Yin, the young master the Tao clan stepped on the duel platform and challenges anyone who can catch him in the ring. The price is that you can have an access to the movement skill manual that he wagered. The better your wager, the longer he'll offer for you to read it. He goes to the platform during morning. He uses this challenge as his morning exercise. If you want to see it, you just need to walk via north from here and you'll be able to see a 15m x 15m platform. You'll never miss it since there will be a lot of viewers who will want to watch."

"Awesome! Thanks mister. By the way, your buns are delicious!"

Long Bai took of and headed to the direction he was instructed. While on the way, he was thinking of trying to take the challenge. Since he have some pills with him, he might as well try. There are some reasons why he wanted to do it. First, to check on the skills of the city's youths. Second is the skill manual. Although he already have the flash step basic manual that has evolved, he never had the chance to see if learning another movement skill will give something different. For the martial art skills, although he has learned 3 skills, the system registered them as independent skills since each were of different type.

After walking for ten minutes, he was able to see the platform the stall owner pointed at. Around it were countless number of other cultivators. By their looks, they seem to be waiting for someone. Just as Long Bai reaches the area, everyone's attention were on his direction. Astonished by what happened, he just continued walking. By the time he reached the platform's periphery, he noticed that their eyes were not on him hut on someone who was behind him. He looked at the same direction everyone was looking at and saw a familiar youth. It was the youth from the restaurant yesterday, Tao Yin.

Tao Yin walked leisurely towards the platform while enjoying the attention he's getting. This is his 4th day already and it has stayed well since he started this. He never thought that a reckless challenge would turn out to be extremely beneficial. Because there are a lot who covet the Tao family's movement skill, the incomplete manual copy he had raked a good attention.

After the first day of doing the betting, the family household didn't bother what he was doing since they believe that no one is capable of interpreting it without the elders of the family's guidance. Aside from that, cultivating an incomplete manual may have a detrimental effect. About this, the family members know however these people who are trying to take a peek on it are totally clueless. Tao Yin knows all of these and he used this to rake in additional resources from others.

With his usual walk of confidence, he took the center stage and again, announced the challenge.

"A wonderful morning to everyone! Tao Yin has again come to give you an opportunity, an opportunity to read the manual of our Tao's exclusive movement skill, the <Lightning striding the skies>. As usual, as long as you can present me something I can have an interest with, then you may have a chance. My offer still remains the same. If you can touch any part of my body, you can read this manual on my hands with the time I deem with your bet's worth. Now , show me your bets!"

"Whoo! Choose mine!"

"No, mine instead!"

One after another, those who were around started to show their items. One man appeared to be standing out from the rest.

"I have a low quality berserk pill bought from merchant city!"

The man's words caught Tao Yin's attention and asked him to present it.

"Oho, friend. Show it here on the platform."

The man stepped on the fighting platform and presented a pill bottle. Tao Yin took a whiff of the pill and was able to feel a slight stimulation of his cultivation.

"Friend, this is the real berserk pill. Although it is at the lowest quality, it could still save a life during difficult situations. This pill's worth, I'll give you one minute to read the manual if you can catch me. How's that?"

"Master Tao Yin, that pill is really expensive. Can you at least give me a small rise?"

"Alright then, a minute and a half. That's my final offer."

Tao Yin just follows the charade of being generous as to not discourage anyone from trying. It was a good marketing strategy which he needs to maintain.

"Master Yin is really generous. I accept."

Everyone in the crowd yelled in excitement as they will be able to see some action again. Although the platform is used for real fights, sometimes, it is also used also for entertaining bouts.

The two went to stand ten meters apart. With the strike of the bronze plate as a start signal, one man dashed with all his might straight towards the confident youth at the other end. Yells erupted from the crowd cheering the man who seemed to be trying his best.

Long Bai was watching the event going on and he can't justu help it but be amused. 'Ah, I didn't know you can do it this way. I'm really interested with that skill now that I saw it. His skills are rather admirable considering his cultivation. This place really put on high regards in terms of movement skills.'

After thirty seconds of the play, everyone can see the challenger showing signs of exhaustion already. His movement started to become dull and slower every after second. At the end of the time, the bronze plate was struck and the man in question was already on his knees with the expression of exhaustion. Panting heavily with some perspiration trickling down his face. This just showed how dedicates he was on his attempt. That may be the case, it was still a failure.

A five minute break was issued before the next challenger appeared. Surprisingly, Long Bai is familiar with the next challenger. It was Mu Fan, the youth on the restaurant yesterday. On his hand was a grade 1 weapon that gives off some elegant vibe.

"Wow! Look who showed up! Mu Fan, do you think you have what it takes to challenge me? Hahaha! Did your father sent you to study our manual?"

"Tao Yin, you said anyone can try. I am indeed interested in taking a peek at your family's movement skill. If I can unravel its secreta, it can become a great contribution to my family. However, this has nothing to do with my father or anyone. This is my interest that is why I brought you my weapon. I will bet this. What do you say?"

"Ahh, Mu Fan, indeed. Your sword looks fancy. It must be expensive from the looks of it. This is great! My sister is looking for a sword to play with. I'll take that sword of yours and gift it to her. One minute. That's my offer."

"I demand 2 minutes!"

"I can only go a minute and a half. No more, no less!"

"I'll take it."

There was a stand-off for a while until Mu Fan began his attempt.

"I'll successfully read that manual of yours!

<Immortal's Seven steps>"

People started to make murmurs upon hearing the activated skill. It was the skill that the Mu family pass on to their presecessors. It was believed that the founder of the family received the skill from an immortal a long time ago. They said that if it is practiced to its highest level, a person can cover a kilometer in seven steps however no one really knows since no one from the family reached such level. Although this was what the people were discussing, Long Bai was busy scrutinizing the skill difference.

From what Long Bai observed, Mu Fan's <Immortal's seven steps> slightly resembles the <flash steps> in nature since it focuses more in dexterity rather than agility which Tao Yin's <lightning striding the skies> focuses on. Mu Fan's executions can be said to be in its finest at the intermediate success however, it is no match to the agility- based skill of Tao Yin that was at the advanced success. Even if Tao Yin was on the intermediate success, he would still be able to hold out for more than a minute but with great effort. Both skills are still speed type, its just that there is a huge difference on the mastery level. Tao Yin moves in a straightforward direction like a lightning strike while Mu Fan tries to corner him with his good reflexes. Little by little, Tao Yin is being forced to utilize the corners and just before Mu Fan can touch Tao Yin's clothes, the sound of metal being struck was heard. Mu Fan was out of time, saved by the bell.

Everyone's mind were thinking the same that moment. If they have just mouthed the sentence in their minds, they might have said the words 'that was close' in chorus.