Qi Technique

"Get ready, Brother Guihu! This time I'm going all out!" announced Hector.

Guihu Luixing just nodded.

Suddenly, the two boys started to control the Qi around them. Qi Gathering Realm cultivators couldn't store a large amount of Qi iside their bodies, however, boosting one's body with Qi and secret techniques usually consumed a lot of Qi.

To avoid running out of Qi, they usually gathered Qi constantly from their surroundings during a fight. Even though the rate of absorption clearly was inferior to the rate of expenditure, it made them last longer in a fight.

"Here I go! Rock Piercer!" like last time, Hector was the first to act.

His right arm vhanged and looked as if it was made of stone. Intead of a hand, the end of his a looked like a giant nail.

Guihu Luixing knew he couldn't recieve that attack with his left lalm like he did before. Hector's right arm would pierce through his palm.

Actually, Guihu Luixing was very surprised that Hector already learned a technique. Guihu Luixing was so focused in cultivation, that he hadn't tried to learn them, and that made this situation very difficult for him.

Using wind Qi, Guihu Luixing increased his movement speed and managed to evade the technique quite easily, after all, Hector used the technique when his guard was up and he could react, but if it was used in a situation like the melee fight earlier...

"What do you think, Brother Guihu? The name of this technique is Rock Piercer. It's just a technique of the Middle Tier Black Grade, but it's easy to learn, easy to use and got quite some power."

Hector seemed quite happy with his achievements.

Black Grade was the lowest grade of techniques, followed by Green, Yellow, Orange, Blue, Red, Purple and White. Every grade was divided in five tiers: bottom, low, middle, high and top.

Rock Piercer was as easy to lear as a bottom tier technique, but it's power and requirements made it a medium tier.

Guihu Luixing now understood how Hector learnt a technique so fast. As a direct disciple of the Qi Gathering Realm, he had access to techniques of the Yellow Grade and below, but he purposely chose a lower grade one in order to quickly learn it.

"I see. That's impressive, Brother Schmitt." praised Guihu Luixing.

"Hehehe." Hector was happy with the praise.

"This time, I'll go first!" said Guihu Luixing.

He ran towards Hector, his legs shining in a myriad of colors. When re reached Hector, he unleashed a kick at his legs.

Hector avoided it by backstepping. He then proceeded to once again release his technique.

"Rock Piercer!"

Being so close, it was much more difficult to Guihu Luixing evade this time. He sidestepped, the stony arm passing clohe to his ear. Gathering Qi on his right arm, he unleashed a palm towards Hector's shoulder.

Seeing Guihu Luixing's counter, Hector turned to the side, recieving the palm on his stony upper arm.

*Tum*

There was a grave noise as if something had hit a wall.

Guihu Luixing's palm didn't affect Hector at all! It seemed the technique could also be used as defensive means.

After defending successfully, Hector swept his arms in an arc in front of him. Guihu Luixing crouched and once again tried sweeping Hector's legs with a spin kick.

This time, instead of evading, Hector reforced his legs. Hector's lower limbs gained a metallic sheen and at some point stone scales could be seen.

*TENG*

A loud metallic noise resounded in the area.

Although Guihu Luixing didn't manage to sweep Hector's legs, Hector was forced to step back, not allowing him to counterattack.

Guihu Luixing pressed on, releasing another Qi-infused palm, this time, to Hector's solar plexus.

Knowing his normal methods of defense couldn't protect him, Hector decided to use his technique again.

"Rock Piercer!"

Guihu Luixing decided not to fight the technique head on, and changed the target of his palm to Hector's arm.

*Tum*

To his surprise, his decision was the best one, as he felt a numbing impact tun through his arm. Even though he managed to change the direction of the technique and evaded it, it was clear that a direct confrontation would spell his immediate defeat.

His right hand numb, Guihu Luixing wouldn't be able to use it for a few seconds. Being so close to Hector, he decided to keep the pressure on. He used his elbow to strike next.

His arm swinging backwards, Hector wouldn't be able to use it to defend himself again and his innate Qi defenses would be obviously not stand the impact. Hector the used the technique with his other arm and placed itnin front of himself.

"Rock Piercer!"

*Tuun*

The arm served as a shield, just like Hector intended. Hector then forced Guihu Luixing to create space between them by delivering a straight kick.

"Hahh....hahhh...hahhhh...hahh"

Guihu Luixing noticed how Hector was gasping for air.

"Should we stop for now, Brother Schmitt? You don't look too good." asked Guihu Luixing.

"Hahh...Hahhh...I didn't think the technique's consumption eould be this high. I concede, Brother Guihu, I don't think I can keep fighting." Hector said.

After resting a bit, the boys started to exchange opinions on how the spar went.

"Brother Schmitt, I believe you already understood that, but you were too reliant on that technique. You used even for defense, while it's clearly an attack technique." said Guihu Luixing.

"That's because your attacks are too strong, Brother Guihu! Even though I have affinities with Rock and Gold, two high defense elements, uou still manage to pierce my defenses!" complained Hector.

"That's another problem. Your elements are more suited to defense and counterattack, but you are too aggressive and attack at every opportunity. You need to learn to bide your time." pointed out Guihu Luixing.

"Guh..." Hector also knew that, but that was how he was how he was, it's not easy tp change.

After some more pointers exchange, the boys said their farewells and each went their way.

This spar was very enlightening to Guihu Luixing. He learnt a lot from it.

First, he is highly disadvantaged against opponents that cab use techniques, even basic one like Hector's. If not Hector not being used to the techniques energy consumption, Luixing would probably be the one to lose.

Second, techniques consume a lot of energy. It's likely because both of them just broke through and can't gather so much energy. But he would have to watch his consumption during fights.

Third, his combat inexperience is starting to show. Hector said he spars a lot with his brothers and, even though he is not good at defense, he's really good at attacking, while Guihu Luixing is just a little lacking in both, but making do with his more mature mind. Against the older disciples during the competition however, that would likely be useless.

"It looks my objectives are even harder that I originally thought. I should look for a good technique." he said out loud while making his way to the Scroll Pavilion.

The Scroll Pavillion looked the same as always, creepy and haunted. Guihu made his way inside, where he found someone he wasn't expecting to meet.