Chapter 145 Skill Approaching the Dao

Heavy boots... Zhang Yuanqing's forehead was covered in cold sweat. From Fu Qingyang's slightly trembling arm, he guessed that this item was not light.

But he didn't expect it to be so heavy, directly breaking his arm bone.

That's not right, if the boots are so heavy, why didn't Fu Qingyang remind me... Zhang Yuanqing looked up and saw Fu Qingyang's indifferent expression, hiding a hint of mischief.

So petty, still angry about the "disgrace" incident.

"Ah, these boots are as light as a feather in the hands of a centurion, but in my hands, they weigh a ton. I am indeed far behind the centurion." Zhang Yuanqing exclaimed loudly.

Hearing this, Fu Qingyang nodded slightly, "Put it in your inventory. After recognizing you as its master, it will become heavy in the general sense. Before that, you can't lift it."

Zhang Yuanqing nodded, but did not immediately put away the boots, because at this time, the item attribute description happened to appear:

【Name: Houtu Boots】
【Type: Footwear】
【Function: Mountain God (Incomplete); Lethal Leg】
【Introduction: These shoes are made of silk from the Sacred Mountain, light and thin as feathers, difficult to cut with blades. They were buried in the Sacred Mountain for thirty-three years, absorbing the earth's energy and refining the essence of all directions. Named: Houtu Boots.】
【Note 1: It is one of the components of the sacrificial attire, the remaining three pieces are: crown, robe, belt. It is said that collecting the four-piece set can unlock the secret of immortality.】
【Note 2: Wear it, and from then on you will be an honest person, doing things down-to-earth.】
【Note 3: As we all know, honest people have good stamina.】

Mountain God... I remember the Mountain God is the job title after the Earth Monster's class change. Incomplete means that it only possesses some of the Mountain God's abilities... Notes 2 and 3 are obviously the price to pay, the words "honest person" make me a little panicked...

Zhang Yuanqing moved his mind and put the Houtu Boots, which were pressing on his arm, into the inventory, completing the recognition of ownership.

The next second, the Houtu Boots were summoned from the inventory and landed on the carpet with a thud.

Zhang Yuanqing, with his arms drooping, raised his left foot without taking off his shoes and inserted it into the opening of the Houtu Boots. The opening enlarged on its own, easily accommodating his left foot.

Putting them on isn't as convenient as the Red Dancing Shoes, but it's still okay... Zhang Yuanqing put on his right foot in the same way.

The moment he put on these boots, he naturally understood the functions and effects of the Houtu Boots, and also understood the price he had to pay.

First of all, the Lethal Leg, condensing the power of the earth on the leg, can unleash a strike of the Saint level, and can only be used three times a day.

With this ability alone, I can kill ordinary Extraordinary beings, um, only in the case of pure physical confrontation... Zhang Yuanqing was overjoyed.

Secondly, the Mountain God. The Mountain God has a total of two abilities:

1. Absorb the essence of the earth's veins.

Absorbing the essence of the earth's veins and transforming it into a continuous stream of physical strength is the reason why Earth Monsters have endless stamina.

As long as you step on the earth, you won't be tired even if you fight for three days and three nights. It would be great if the production team's donkey had this skill... Zhang Yuanqing muttered in his heart.

2. Refine an area and become the "God" in this area. This is where the name Mountain God comes from. But the ideal area to choose is a deep mountain, because in this way, the Mountain God can use the terrain to deal with enemies even higher than their own level.

The second best is flat ground, and the worst is the city.

"It sounds like the Mountain Gods in myths and legends. Will there be a Water God? Also, refining an area and the Yin-Yang Law Robe's water and fire formation can complement each other," Zhang Yuanqing thought to himself.

As for the Deadly Strike, in terms of the price, Note 1 has a total of two prices, one is an honest person, and the other is down-to-earth.

The so-called honest person refers to the fact that the temperament will become dull and honest. The most direct explanation is that one day Guan Ya asks him if he peeked at the young ladies' chests today.

Normally, Zhang Yuanqing would answer: I only look at yours. But after putting on the Houtu Boots, his answer would be: I, I... I looked at several young ladies' (with a ashamed face). The other price is down-to-earth.

Literal meaning, wearing the Houtu Boots will greatly reduce the range of leaps and bounds, basically restricted to the ground.

Note 2 is both a price and an ability. The stamina mentioned here is not only physical strength, but also mental stamina, such as patience, the ability to endure pain, and the ability to withstand provocation.

At this time, Fu Qingyang on the side commented:

"The Houtu Boots are a good item. If you can make good use of the Mountain God's abilities, you can compete with Zhao Chenghuang."

With Yuan Shi's current strength, he is actually a step behind Zhao Chenghuang.

If it weren't for that set of armor, Yuan Shi's Yin Corpse would be destroyed in a short time. At that time, Zhao Chenghuang would cooperate with the Yin Corpse to launch an attack, and Yuan Shi would definitely be defeated.

Let me try wearing the Yin-Yang Law Robe to see if there are any set skills... Zhang Yuanqing seemed not to have heard Fu Qingyang's words and took out the Yin-Yang Law Robe from his inventory.

Since it is a set, there must be a bonus between the parts, otherwise it would not be called a set.

But whether this bonus will only appear when the set is complete, or as long as two pieces are achieved, Zhang Yuanqing is not sure.

Whoosh~

The robe unfolded and draped over his shoulders.

Zhang Yuanqing sensed it carefully for a moment, and his face showed surprise.

As expected, there is a set skill. This skill is that after the Yin-Yang Formation is deployed, the Water and Fire clones will no longer be Fire Men and Water Bodies, and the Houtu Boots will give the two clones physical entities--Terracotta Warriors.

The bodies of the Terracotta Warriors are indestructible and have immense strength.

Zhang Yuanqing's surprise lies in the fact that he has finally made up for the lack of output from the Water and Fire clones.

If he had the Houtu Boots during the arena competition, and the Yin-Yang Formation was deployed, Zhang Yuanqing guarantees that he could beat Zhao Chenghuang so badly that even his great-grandfather wouldn't recognize him.

"This robe of yours is..."

Fu Qingyang was stunned for a moment, and a look of astonishment appeared in his eyes.

As a scout, he discerned the truth from Yuan Shi's micro-expressions and the action of taking out the robe.

Zhang Yuanqing did not hide anything, "This robe is a hidden item I got from Yin-Yang Town. It is one of the sacrificial attire sets, and so are the Houtu Boots."

Fu Qingyang had already restrained his astonishment and nodded slightly:

"No wonder you asked me to check the attributes of the Houtu Boots at that time. Sets are very rare. So far, the sets that we have collected and know of do not exceed ten sets. Each set is worth a fortune."

"Even the elders find it difficult to collect a complete set. Yuan Shi, your luck is very good."

An uncontrollable smile appeared on Zhang Yuanqing's face, "I plan to find a way to get the sacrificial attire set so that I can keep using it until the Dominator Realm."

Fu Qingyang: "That's very difficult. Within the Five Elements Alliance, very few people have collected a complete set. Each one is a chosen one."

Zhang Yuanqing asked, "Who in our official organization has collected a complete set?"

Fu Qingyang: "Me." I shouldn't have asked. He was waiting for me here... Zhang Yuanqing bowed, "Centurion is amazing. Below the Dominator, who else but you? In the middle of the year, become a Dominator, step into Lingxiao, and dominate the Five Elements Alliance."

Fu Qingyang glanced at him, "You rest for a while, fix your broken bones, and stay here for lunch."

Two o'clock in the afternoon, the arena.

Figures descended one after another. The originally empty stands became crowded in two or three seconds, filled with a sea of heads.

Zhang Yuanqing randomly appeared in a certain part of the stands, and he didn't recognize any of the official members around him.

But others recognized him. "Ah~ Yuan Shi Tianzun!"

The one who screamed was a beautiful girl, covering her mouth with a look of surprise.

Several female companions beside her also had excited and excited expressions.

I am also an idol now... Zhang Yuanqing was overjoyed. Just as he was about to use his social skills to have a good chat with the young ladies, he suddenly caught sight of Guan Ya in the distance, looking at him with a smile.

The teachings of the life mentor flashed in his mind.

Zhang Yuanqing nodded slightly, imitating Fu Qingyang's posture, and walked past the female colleagues with a cold expression, heading towards the old driver at a leisurely pace.

"Wow, he's so aloof. It's different from the liveliness he showed during the competition."

"It's good to be aloof, which means he won't hook up with girls randomly. I like abstinent gods."

Women like abstinent male gods, and men like iceberg beauties for the same reason. Although I can't get them, they are still pure. Men and women with dissolute styles won't have a good reputation, because the suitors who covet their beauty know that their gods and goddesses are having sex with others every day...

The life mentor's words once again appeared in his mind.

"Sister Guan Ya," he sat down next to the old driver.

Zhang Yuanqing knew that the act of looking for her first after entering the arena would definitely win her favor, and the cold attitude towards "fans" just now would also increase her favorability.

"Yes," Guan Ya nodded with a bright smile, her eyes hiding satisfaction.

The chaotic and noisy seat changes quickly ended. The Queen did not watch today's game. According to Guan Ya, she happened to be on duty today and could only stay in reality with tears in her eyes.

As for Little Green Tea and Jiang Jingwei, Zhang Yuanqing did not see them.

Amidst the clashing of armor, the Armored Swordsman took the stage. After a simple opening speech, the Spirit Realm members present received the battle list popped up by the Spirit Realm.

"Fengdu Ghost King vs. One Reed Crossing the River"

"Ling Jun vs. Rosy Pink Head"

"Fu Qingyang vs. Holy Fire Burning"

Zhang Yuanqing quickly scanned the battle list and exclaimed with joy:

"It's only just started, and so many star players have already appeared!"

In the Transcendent stage competition, there are not many star players appearing on the first day.

Ah, in a first-tier city like Songhai, there are only a dozen or twenty Saints, and they may not even participate in the arena competition.

Many older Saints will not participate unless they are confident in making it into the top ten.

On the one hand, they may not participate in the killing dungeon, and on the other hand, it is embarrassing to lose.

Executive Officers are the backbone of the official organization. Usually, when the Elders are not around, the Executive Officers are the highest leaders that official members can contact.

The leader's face is more important than anything else.

Zhang Yuanqing said "Oh oh" a few times and waited patiently. Before long, the first group of players took the stage.

The Fengdu Ghost King was about thirty years old, dressed in black clothes and black pants, with ordinary features, but he had an unspeakable noble aura and a faint domineering presence.

Extremely eye-catching.

One Reed Crossing the River was a woman with a delicate figure, beautiful and quiet, and it was impossible to tell her age.

After the two entered the arena, the Armored Swordsman shouted:

"Start!"

The Fengdu Ghost King slowly took out a small round mirror, looked at his face, and then snapped his fingers.

"Dong dong dong"

Three burly Yin Corpses leaped into the arena, bringing the sound of rolling boulders. They wore uniform clothing, had uniform hairstyles, and stood in exactly the same posture.

"Does this Fengdu Ghost King have obsessive-compulsive disorder?" Zhang Yuanqing joked.

"It's rigidity," Guan Ya said, giving a definite answer based on her observations.

Zhang Yuanqing looked at the Fengdu Ghost King's stern face again, rigid, serious, and unsmiling.

He thought to himself that no wonder Yin Ji didn't like the Fengdu Ghost King and turned to the embrace of the Demon Lord. The Demon Lord was sweet-talking, good-looking, and talented, and was obviously more attractive to women than serious men.

While his thoughts were drifting, the three Yin Corpses formed a triangular formation and charged towards One Reed Crossing the River. The sound of their footsteps was steady, powerful, rapid, and fast.

Each foot cracked the arena's stone slabs.

One Reed Crossing the River's pupils suddenly shrank, her eyeballs turned amber, her pupils stood upright, thick yellow hair grew under her skin, whiskers extended from the corners of her mouth, her nose became black and round, and her nails extended and curved, turning into sharp claws.

In an instant, she turned into a petite and curvaceous catwoman.

The catwoman leaped lightly, jumping over the heads of the three Yin Corpses, causing their attacks to miss.

The catwoman landed silently, without making any sound. Then, she turned into an afterimage, swift as lightning, and swept towards the Fengdu Ghost King.

At the same time, a cluster of green weeds grew from the stone slabs under the Fengdu Ghost King's feet, spreading out like a carpet, turning the arena floor into a lawn.

The Fengdu Ghost King remained calm, leaped up, jumped several meters high, and in full view of the public, entered the Night Wander, disappearing.

The catwoman immediately stopped her charge, vigilantly looking around, observing whether there were any traces of being trampled on the lawn.

But the Fengdu Ghost King seemed to have disappeared.

"Where do you think he is?" Guan Ya asked in a low voice.

Zhang Yuanqing didn't even think about it and said, "On the Yin Corpse's shoulder."

The mixed-race beauty glanced at him in surprise. This was consistent with what she had discerned, but Yuan Shi was not a scout, nor did he wear Explorer glasses. He relied entirely on combat intelligence to infer it.

At this time, the Fengdu Ghost King's figure appeared on the shoulder of one of the Yin Corpses.

He held a small round mirror in his hand and looked at himself in the mirror. He seemed to have seen something satisfactory in the mirror, smiled softly, and then exhaled a continuous stream of Taiyin power.

"Whoo whoo whoo..."

The sound of ghosts crying resounded throughout the arena, and the temperature dropped sharply.

As a Night Wanderer, Zhang Yuanqing clearly saw wisps of green smoke floating out with the power of Taiyin, transforming into various fierce ghosts and vengeful spirits in the air.

There were men and women, old and young, some with hideous faces, and some with disheveled hair.

There were dozens of vengeful spirits in total.

These vengeful spirits held scythes in their hands, drifting in the air, and the group of ghosts danced wildly.

This, this is too many spirit servants, no, not spirit servants, between spirit servants and vengeful spirits, what is this operation... Zhang Yuanqing was stunned.

The vengeful spirits raised their scythes and swooped down towards the catwoman.

Each slash caused the catwoman to scream in pain. She could rely on her agility to avoid the Yin Corpse's attacks, but she couldn't avoid these invisible vengeful spirits.

A few minutes later, the battle ended.

The Fengdu Ghost King won the victory without much effort.

It feels like bullying the weak. Is this the invincible existence below the Dominator of the previous generation? Why did he look in the mirror? So far, the Fengdu Ghost King has only used the abilities of the Night Wanderer. What about the abilities of the Star Official? Zhang Yuanqing sighed secretly.

The second group was Ling Jun and Rosy Pink Head, the latter being a Plague God who was skilled in the abilities of bacteria and microorganisms, which was restrained by the Beast King's healing abilities.

But Ling Jun fought lukewarmly and did not take the initiative to attack from beginning to end, because "Pink Head" was a very charming mature woman.

"Which branch is sister an Executive Officer of?"

"Copper Province."

"Alas, I took advantage of this match. It's not a victory worth boasting about."

"It doesn't matter. Victory and defeat are not important in the first place."

"Yes, victory and defeat are not important. Being able to compete with an excellent woman like sister is the biggest gain from my participation."

"As expected of Young Master Hua, you know how to talk."

"Did sister participate in the arena competition for the rewards?" "It's for sharpening myself."

After dragging on for half an hour, the Armored Swordsman couldn't help but frown and shout loudly

"Resolve it quickly!"

Upon hearing this, Ling Jun clutched his chest and cried out, "Ah, I'm sick, I concede."

The mature woman on the opposite side was stunned and looked shocked.

Just as she was about to say something, Ling Jun had already clutched his chest and staggered back to the audience seats.

He deliberately let me... He wanted me to have more training matches... The Water God Palace's mature woman Executive Officer immediately understood Young Master Hua's intentions.

She was grateful and surprised at the same time, and her good impression of him greatly increased.

"Fu Qingyang and Holy Fire Burning enter the arena."

As the Armored Swordsman's voice fell, a figure in white stood up leisurely from a certain seat. He didn't jump down from the high wall like other contestants, but grabbed a blue cloak and draped it over his shoulders.

Whoosh

The cloak fluttered in the wind, and a vortex of air rose from under Fu Qingyang's feet, carrying him towards the center of the arena.

Cheers came from the audience.

"So flashy..." Zhang Yuanqing said.

Guan Ya agreed with his statement and sighed, "Qingyang has liked to act cool since he was a child."

"And he's rich and stupid."

"But he claims to convince people with virtue."

"Let's talk about these things in private, don't spread them around."

"That's exactly what I intended."

While they were talking, a fireball rose from the audience and smashed towards Fu Qingyang, who was floating in the air.

Fu Qingyang's face turned cold, and he flicked his finger. The fireball exploded with a "boom," and a burly figure appeared in the expanding firelight.

This man was about forty years old, burly, with a beard, a domineering aura, and sharp eyes. He was the kind of guy who would come over and ask you "What are you looking at" if you looked at him a few more times on the street, and then punch you.

"Fu Qingyang!" Holy Fire Burning shouted loudly

"It's said that you are the number one person below the Dominator Realm, and I'm not convinced. I'll take this opportunity to learn from you. I hope you're not just all talk..."

Before he could finish speaking, he, who was slowly falling, saw Fu Qingyang grab a Han-style bronze sword from the void. The sword's edge was sharp, but the body was covered in copper rust.

The cold-faced Young Master Qian slashed down with his sword.

Holy Fire Burning's pupils shrank slightly, and his body trembled violently and strangely. Countless ways to dodge flashed through his mind, but they were self-contradictory and self-denying.

In the end, he did nothing, allowing the sword's edge to cut open his chest and sever his sternum.

Holy Fire Burning crashed heavily onto the arena, and blood exploded in his chest, staining the lawn red.

Fu Qingyang turned his body and floated back to the arena.

The battle was over before it even started.

The logistics team hurried onto the stage and checked the injuries before shouting loudly, "Elder, we need to inject life essence."

The Armored Swordsman nodded slightly.

The logistics team carried Holy Fire Burning away in a hurry.

The whole place was silent.

A few seconds later, a tidal wave of clamor broke out.

"What? That's it? Did Executive Officer Holy Fire take money?"

"That was a fake performance. I could have avoided Fu Qingyang's sword. A dignified Executive Officer couldn't avoid it? Young Master Qian is worthy of being Young Master Qian."

The audience talked non-stop, accusing Fu Qingyang of rigging the match.

Zhang Yuanqing suddenly remembered the Fire Master from Dark Night Rose when he was hunting down Black Impermanence at Third Elementary School. That Fire Master didn't even have the courage to engage in close combat with Fu Qingyang.

In comparison, this one is a genuine Fire Master. That Fire Master from Dark Night Rose is simply a disgrace to Fire Masters.

Amidst the discussion, Zhang Yuanqing heard Guan Ya sigh:

"This is the skill approaching the Dao."

Skill approaching the Dao... He silently repeated these four words in his heart and took the opportunity to ask

"What does this sentence actually mean?"

This question had been bothering him for a long time.

"I told you before that Crossing-the-River Pawn is called Little Qingyang. You've experienced Crossing-the-River Pawn's Insight Expertise," Guan Ya said, "Fu Qingyang's slash is an enhanced version of Crossing-the-River Pawn's Insight Expertise, um, enhanced countless versions."

Zhang Yuanqing nodded. Crossing-the-River Pawn can predict two or three steps ahead. The moment he raises his gun, you feel like you're bound to be hit. Whether you move to the left or to the right, he will predict it.

"So, Centurion predicted seven or eight steps, or even more?"

Guan Ya shook her head, her face serious:

"No, if that's the case, it wouldn't be worthy of the words 'skill approaching the Dao.' His realm is on an even higher level."

Higher level? Zhang Yuanqing raised his eyebrows, "What do you mean?"

"I told you before that Fu Qingyang doesn't have good talent. He was looked down upon by the elders of his family since he was a child. Among his peers, he was below average, but he was very proud. That kind of pride came from his bones. Sometimes I don't understand why he was so proud when he was so weak. Why? Because of his blind pride, he was often bullied by his family's peers." When Guan Ya talked about these things, her eyes were filled with reminiscence, sighing, and admiration.

"Until he was 15 years old, in the family's martial arts competition, I was knocked unconscious by him with a wooden sword. He only used one slash. But that slash was fast, ruthless, and accurate, catching me off guard."

"Later I learned that in the past seven or eight years, Fu Qingyang had only practiced one move, and that was the slash!"

"He knew that he didn't have good talent, so he didn't learn martial arts or techniques, he only practiced the slash. He concentrated all his energy and effort on one move, making it reach its peak."

"I lost fair and square, because I knew that that slash condensed his pride, condensed his life's effort. When he drew his sword, he was already invincible."

Guan Ya sighed

"After becoming a Spirit Realm member, he integrated Insight into the slash and continued to practice day and night. The family elders still didn't approve of him and felt that he was taking too narrow a path. Only knowing one move meant that he could easily be targeted."

"And that was indeed the case. In those days, he was like the current Crossing-the-River Pawn, very strong, but not outstanding. It wasn't until he was promoted to the Saint Realm that we were shocked to discover that he had practiced this slash into a rule."

Speaking of this, Guan Ya looked at the astonished Yuan Shi and nodded, "Yes, it's a rule, the rule of rule-type items."

"His slash cannot be dodged, it can only be resisted head-on. Even Dominators cannot avoid it, just like your Red Dancing Shoes. Even Dog Elder is helpless."

"Fu Qingyang is the first person to master rules since the birth of the Spirit Realm. Of course, I don't know if the Alliance Leaders can do it."

Zhang Yuanqing murmured

"This is, the skill approaching the Dao..."

He suddenly understood, understood why Fu Qingyang looked down on geniuses, why he said those geniuses were trash, why he said the female marshal's diligence didn't match her talent.

Fu Qingyang did have that capital. He didn't have good talent, but he had the heart of a strong person.

It's so sad and inspiring... Zhang Yuanqing said silently in his heart.

At this time, a soft and pleasant voice came from the side

"Yuan Shi Tianzun"

Zhang Yuanqing collected his thoughts and looked in the direction of the voice. The person who came was a mature and charming woman.

Her face was round, delicate, and had flaming red lips, like a plump peony flower.

ps: I will correct the typos after updating first.