Ancient Strengthening Technique

AST 1589 - Battle with Silver Battle King Crab

Without looking back, Qing Shui stopped in his tracks for a brief moment before he walked away with long strides again. Watching his retreating back, there was a trace of perplexing melancholy in the woman’s eyes that couldn’t be expressed with words.

Qing Shui went back without knowing the woman’s name or even knowing if she was the Mistress of Sunset Palace. Perhaps affected by the concept of monogamy in his previous life, he had an innate phobia towards relationships; to have more than one woman in his life made him feel as though he had wronged them all.

All of his women were outstanding. After some time together, he could also understand the rationale behind Yiye Jiange’s choice this time. None of his women would intervene with his relationships; they would settle with minding their own affairs because there was no way they could have Qing Shui to themselves at all times.

Qing Shui knew by now that the thought of gathering them would be a difficult feat, much less living with them under the same roof.

Pushing aside these thoughts, he recalled the Portrait of Twelve Beauties—there was only one left. His view on relationships was ever-changing and at this point, even he wasn’t sure about where he stood on them anymore. All that he knew was that he had to evade any more prospective relationships and focus on cherishing what he had now.

Yet, this was just the natural course of life: meeting what you want to avoid, and losing what you want to find.

Qing Shui returned straight to his tent. The two women were still there, seemingly in discussion. Seeing Qing Shui, they greeted him in passing.

“I haven’t seen you for half the day. Did something happen?” Yiye Jiange asked when Qing Shui took a seat.

“I met the Mistress of Sunset Palace.” Qing Shui replied.

“You met the Mistress of Sunset Palace? What did she say?” Muyun Qingge questioned in shock. If it had been anyone else, she would have assumed he was lying—it was difficult for strangers, especially men, to meet her.

“She said that if I’m willing to wed her, then she’ll withdraw all the forces and no longer pursue the matter with the Sea Dragon Palace and the Vicious Shark Palace.”

Muyun Qingge was stunned, then broke into a smile. “I realized you can spout words that are utterly unexpected sometimes. Never in my wildest dreams would I have guessed this. Right, Jiange?”

“I think he’s pretty smug at times.” Yiye Jiange said with a smile. Neither Qing Shui nor Muyun Qingge could guess what was on her mind.

Qing Shui shook his head in resignation. Even when he spoke the truth, there would always be someone who didn’t believe him. “But I rejected her.”

“I guessed it right this time.” Muyun Qingge said seriously.

“However, she gave another condition. A one-on-one duel tomorrow, and they’ll be sending the Silver Battle King Crab. If we win, they’ll withdraw temporarily.”

Muyun Qingge pondered before speaking up again. “The Silver Battle King Crab is really powerful, even more so than the Violet Crystal Crowned Shark King. They are natural warriors with exceptionally strong combat skills. However, forcing a retreat out of him shouldn’t be an issue. I’ll fight him this time.”

“You’re the Palace Mistress of the Sea King’s Palace. It’ll be beneath your social status to fight.” Qing Shui smiled. Muyun Qingge and Yiye Jiange’s strength shouldn’t be inferior to the Silver Battle King Crab, but it was still hard to tell. They had both improved dramatically since when they fought against the Sea Dragon Palace and the Vicious Shark Palace, especially Yiye Jiange.

There was also the Nine-Headed Crystal Beast. Back then, just by using the Nine-Headed Crystal Beast, they were able to scarcely defend themselves against an opponent on the Violet Crystal Crowned Shark King’s level. Now that their strength had increased this much, perhaps the Nine-Headed Crystal Beast would be able to hitch a victory against Silver Battle King Crab.

Of course, this was just his speculation.

“Then who do you think will be a suitable candidate to fight?” Muyun Qingge looked towards Qing Shui as she asked.

“Me.” He smiled.

“You’re the Guardian of Sea King’s Palace. You can’t get into just any battle you please either. If you were going to do it anyway, then you might as well let me do it.” Muyun Qingge frowned.

“That’s different. As a Guardian, I have yet to develop a reputation; there are many out there who don’t even know of my existence. Which is why, as a Guardian, I will need to participate in battles in order to declare my existence, and prove that I have the ability to protect.” Qing Shui maintained his smile as he said this.

“That sounds good. I have faith in your strength.” Muyun Qingge conceded eventually.

Yiye Jiange, on the other hand, turned her focus towards Qing Shui. “Be careful!”

“Don’t worry, there aren’t many who can kill me now. My greatest strength lies in the fact that I can survive even through the worst beatings.” Qing Shui reassured her through this earnest statement that was somehow also a joke.

It wasn’t long before the news spread: the Guardian of the Sea King’s Palace would be battling the Silver Battle King Crab of Sunset Palace tomorrow. The Sunset Palace would retreat upon defeat, however, if the Sea King’s Palace failed in defeating their opponent, then they couldn’t blame Sunset Palace for being discourteous.

Of course, retaliation was always an option.

“What are your thoughts about the Guardian of our Sea King’s Palace?” Among the martial artists gathered in Sea King’s Palace, someone spoke up.

“Our Guardian is the youngest and also the one with the most potential. Even the Violet Crystal Crowned Shark King and the Golden Sea-Dragon Merman died in his hands.”

“That’s right. I am optimistic about our Guardian.”

“I’ve heard that Silver Battle King Crab of Sunset Palace is from an ancient bloodline. Its might is terrifying. This will be a fierce battle.”

“The Silver Battle King Crab is one of the many skilled warriors in the Sunset Palace. It’s fortunate that it isn’t the Golden Battle King Crab that will be fighting this time. Otherwise, it’d be hard to tell. To be honest, the disparity in might between the Sea King’s Palace and the Sunset Palace is quite large.”

……

While those warriors were speculating, Qing Shui was entangled with Yiye Jiange. He was head over heels for this gorgeously delicate body. Their soft moans continued filling the air around them as their sweet melody rushed into his ears.

Qing Shui kissed her body over and over again and the intimacy soon led them to their peak.

It was already late into the night when the room quietened down. Yiye Jiange was curled up in Qing Shui’s embrace, her beautiful face donning a blissful expression.

“Qing Shui, are you confident of defeating the Silver Battle King Crab? Why don’t you let me fight instead?” Yiye Jiange’s dazed eyes found their way to Qing Shui.

Qing Shui stretched his arm and gave her perky bottom a light slap. “You’re my woman. Regardless of what happens in the future, I’ll be the one shielding you.”

When they first met, she had been the one to protect him, blocking him from everything that had the power to destroy him. It was from then on that he told himself he would do the same for her regardless of the situation.

“Since that incident at Hundred Miles City, I’ve already decided on protecting you, and I believe I can finally do it now.”

Yiye Jiange let out a small hum at his touch, snuggling up into his embrace as she shut her eyes. The docile look on her face was the insatiable spark that caused Qing Shui to go off once more…

Qing Shui and Yiye Jiange woke up early the next day—or perhaps, it was more accurate to say that they had not slept at all. They chatted with each other until daybreak before deciding to get up.

There was still a little time left before the scheduled battle, but Qing Shui had already arrived at the nearest point to the Sunset Palace within the Sea King’s Palace. They could see each other at this moment. The Aquatics had exceptional sight in water, and for Qing Shui, his Paragon Water Shield allowed him to see just as well as them.

It wasn’t long before a burly man appeared from the opposite side. His figure was peculiar—both his legs were split into two all the way to his knees, and his arms were also split up to the elbow. He was at least three metres in height, having a snow-white body that appeared to have eight limbs.

This was the Silver Battle King Crab, an ancient battle crab. It was one that resembled a person in Qing Shui’s perspective, but not entirely. Seeing it in person, Qing Shui no longer regarded it as a human in the depths of his heart.

“You’re the Guardian of the Sea King’s Palace?” The burly man asked Qing Shui as it reached the center. His voice rang like metal, and his body seemed to be clad in metal-like scales as well.

“Yes!” Qing Shui gave him a once over while he responded.

“Haha, the Guardian of Sea King’s Palace is a young man who isn’t even done with puberty. How laughable.” The Silver Battle King Crab’s voice was thickly coated with scorn.

Qing Shui didn’t react to it, nor did he grow furious with the mockery. There weren’t many who could anger him, and likewise, this was hardly a big deal.

“I wonder if you can still manage a laugh in a while.” Qing Shui smiled.

The Silver Battle King Crab shook his head. “Let us proceed then. I’m going to have a drink when I’m done here. I told them to go ahead without me. I’m going to catch up with them after this.”

With that, the Silver Battle King Crab rose up to the body of water above in order to avoid accidental manslaughter and the destruction of their buildings during the fight.

With a flash of movement, Qing Shui followed after the Silver Battle King Crab and stopped when he was several meters away. It was then that he noticed the four weapons in his opponent’s hand.

Blade, trident, sword and truncheon!

It was the first time Qing Shui had witnessed such a spectacle. It was no wonder the Silver Battle King Crab was the descendant of the ancient battle bloodline; not just anyone would be able to use this many weapons at once.

Qing Shui held his Golden Battle Halberd and focused his might into it. It was his first time facing off with one of such ancient battle species; it was better for him to be safe than sorry.

This was a type of mighty crab species after all.

Affected by the aura the two were emitting, the surrounding water began having gradual changes as well. With a shift of Qing Shui’s conscious mind, the Nine Continents Mountain appeared, rushing towards the Silver Battle King Crab in an attempt to crush him.

While the Nine Continents Mountain’s strength was immense, the Silver Battle King Crab merely lifted an arm and swung the enormous truncheon in his hand towards it.

Bang!

Gigantic waves rolled with the impact and the Nine Continents Mountain was struck out of range. The body of the Silver Battle King Crab glimmered and his huge body moved forward with the movements of his four muscular limbs. In incomparable queerness, he swam towards Qing Shui.

The Silver Battle King Crab’s weapons were strangely in sync as they struck towards Qing Shui, as though it had been cultivated that way. There was a strangeness in the way it moved that was beyond description.

Nine Palace Steps!

Nine Palace Laws!

Qing Shui dodged in haste. He had absolute confidence in his own body but he had never thought it imperative to dodge so quckly. As such, he knew that he would be at a disadvantage sooner or later, and concluded it would still better for him to lay low.

Art of Pursuing!

Emperor’s Qi!

Phoenix Battle Intent!

Seal of Xuantian!

Qing Shui countered in haste and reduced the Silver Battle King Crab’s speed and might in an instant. With another shift of his conscious mind, the Nine Continents Mountain struck forth again. At the same time, Qing Shui waved his hand and gathered a gigantic Thorn of Earth, sending it piercing towards the Silver Battle King Crab’s body.