The Dragon-man youth listened attentively to Cang Xu’s advice, while Zi Di nodded repeatedly from the side.
After the three discussed for a while, they finally bought the Snowbird Port City Lord’s equipment at a high price, expressing to the City Lord that they knew he was short on money and indirectly helping him build the Mage Tower in this way. At the same time, they subtly indicated their willingness to exert influence within the Alchemy Guild, but advised not to expect too much, as the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps were outsiders who had just integrated into the Alchemy Guild.
The Jingxiang family, the Lijian family, Shuanglian (Bu Quan), and the Snowbird Port City Lord, these forces, all reacted differently.
Overall, there was no substantial help.
Finally, it was Long Meng’s turn, with the Dragon-man youth seeking guidance personally.
Long Meng first proposed purchasing a set of Magic Structure [Cold Pudding], and upon seeing the Dragon-man youth’s expression, he laughed heartily: "I know what you’re thinking; you’d rather use your fists, your strength to defeat Bao Ligen, wouldn’t you?"
"So naive, yet foolish!"
"A Mage’s wealth is power, and a warrior’s equipment is also a part of power."
"However, I understand your feelings and I agree with you."
"Haha, because that’s the romance of a warrior."
"Since that’s the case, I’ll teach you [Inner Form]."
"Do you know about [Inner Form]?"
The Dragon-man youth paused: "I’ve heard of it; it seems to be a concept in Eastern Empire martial arts."
"[Inner Form] seems to be superior to [Force]. Those who can use [Inner Form] are extremely rare."
"At least I’ve seen fighters using [Force], but never a warrior capable of [Inner Form]."
Long Meng replied: "Not just in the Eastern Holy Bright Empire; [Inner Form] first appeared in the Wilderness Continent during the Panda-man dynasty."
"Our Fighting energy is produced through specific training movements from certain parts of the body."
"Different fighting techniques require different training movements, leading to different body parts producing Fighting energy."
"Fighting Skills are merely mature ways of using Fighting energy. When using Fighting Skills, the Fighting energy operates within us along a certain trajectory. If the Fighting energy reaches the Golden Level, it can move externally along a trajectory, not just internally."
"The so-called [Force] sounds intriguing, but it’s essentially our influence on Fighting energy and Fighting Skills through spirit and will, causing certain transformations."
"For example, when you dealt with Shi Liu by enhancing Blast Fist with Shock Wave, it allowed the explosive power to spread across the entire surface rather than being confined to a spherical area. This type of attack has a special effect on Elemental Life forms."
"[Inner Form], on the other hand, is a state of fusion of Fighting energy, certain Fighting Skills, and certain [Force]."
...
Accompanied by Long Meng’s explanation, the Dragon-man youth’s eyes grew brighter.
This was truly an unexpected gain!
He actually never thought he would have such a big gain.
But Long Meng did not disappoint him further; instead, he gave him a great surprise!
[Inner Form]!
This is the skill of skills, capable of revolutionizing and providing a favorable route for the Dragon-man youth to defeat Bao Ligen, who possesses the Magic Structure [Cold Pudding].
Long Meng didn’t hold back; after explaining, he began to teach the Dragon-man youth [Inner Form].
"I have mastered three types of [Inner Form]: Inner Form [Frog Croak], Outer Form [War General], and Outer Form [White Dragon]."
The Dragon-man youth was slightly stunned.
Long Meng’s depth surpassed his imagination.
Not only did Long Meng master [Inner Form], he possessed three types.
The Dragon-man youth asked: "What is Inner Form and Outer Form?"
Long Meng explained to him: "[Inner Form] is the fusion of Fighting energy, Fighting Skills, and [Force], and it manifests by establishing a cycle of Fighting energy."
"The so-called Inner Form means this cycle of Fighting energy is within the fighter’s body. Outer Form means part, or even all of it, flows outside the fighter’s body."
"The advantage of Inner Form is that even Black Iron Level and Bronze Level can use it. Outer Form, however, requires at least Golden Level, because only at Golden Level can Fighting energy coagulate externally."
The Dragon-man youth nodded.
Long Meng continued: "Inner Form [Frog Croak] regulates body functions, offering great nurturing and healing effects. Applied to our internal organs, it enhances their performance. Applied to the brain’s domain, it improves memory and invigorates spirit. Applied to the entire body, it speeds up recovery, allowing two to three hours of sleep to be as effective as eight to nine hours for an average person."
Long Meng’s Inner Form aids cultivation, while the two Outer Forms are for combat.
"Outer Form [White Dragon] is too complex for you; it cannot be mastered in a short time."
"However, the other Outer Form [War General] can be pursued given your talent. But reaching it might still be uncertain."
The Dragon-man youth was surprised.
Long Meng was aware of his warrior talent, yet he made such a comment. This ignited some competitive spirit within the Dragon-man youth.
"Then please, teach me Outer Form [War General] first!"
...
Unsurprisingly, the upcoming duel of Bao Ligen garnered the greatest nationwide attention.
For a time, Bao Ligen, armed with Magic Structure [Cold Pudding], soared to prominence, overshadowing Long Fu, becoming the top focus of the masses.
Soon, in the largest dueling field at the Ice Sculpture Royal Capital, before thousands of spectators and tens of thousands watching the broadcast, Bao Ligen crushed his second duel.
His opponent was also Golden Level, a Snow Elf Mage renowned in his own right.
But under the prowess of Magic Structure [Cold Pudding], the Snow Elf Mage was suppressed throughout, despite exhausting every effort, his outcome was still a bitter defeat.
[Cold Pudding] performed excellently, Short Ice Spear constantly projected, its long spear sharp in close combat, forcing the Snow Elf Mage to evade.
The flight ability from the Magic Structure allowed Bao Ligen to chase the fleeing mage across the field.
Various spell counterattacks proved ineffective against the Ice Shield and spherical light barrier.
Bao Ligen’s frequent, dense attacks prevented the mage from establishing an effective offensive rhythm. Possessing an external energy core, Bao Ligen, paradoxically, acted more like a mage, bombarding with Fighting Skills throughout.
After all, with the Magic Structure handling defense’s energy burden, the pressure on his Fighting energy was greatly reduced, allowing full leverage on the attack.
The typically stern-faced military officer, post-battle, excitedly patted Bao Ligen on the shoulder.
Bao Ligen kept a cold demeanor; this duel brought him no thrill: "Next, can I challenge Long Fu?"
"Of course, of course!" The military officer nodded repeatedly, but added, "As long as the subsequent data analysis results are good, we’ll arrange it."
Observing Bao Ligen’s cold gaze, he quickly appended: "Rest assured, based on my observation, the data should be favorable!"
...
Following this duel, the Warm Snow Cup exhibition hall was flooded with a series of buyers.
The first being Tide Heart.
This Sea Elf Mage from the Green Sea Kingdom is herself quite wealthy.
"I will buy a set too." The second buyer was Tie Diaozha. He was a master craftsman among the Dwarves, also possessing considerable assets.
As Zi Di previously analyzed, those tempted by Magic Structure are often large powers. They have multiple Golden Level members, wealthy enough for small-scale equipment outfitting.
Returning from the exhibition, the Barbarian warrior Lei Kuang of the Thunder Cloud Tribe was sullen.
Logically, the Magic Structure [Cold Pudding] was highly suitable for the Frost Continent’s environment. Compared to other factions, Lei Kuang seemed the most fitting buyer.
But his Thunder Cloud Tribe’s circumstance was quite dire.
Lei Kuang’s mission this time was nearly thwarted by an ambush halfway; alongside attending the Ice Sculpture National Ceremony, he intended to seek Ice Sculpture Kingdom’s aid, to bring back reinforcements.
"Alas, even the coastline of the Ice Sculpture Kingdom is in chaos, pirates rampant."
"Magic Structure [Cold Pudding] is truly great stuff, if other powers purchase and we don’t, we’ll be weaker!"
"What to do?"
The ambush left Lei Kuang’s party with virtually no supplies. Even if they had, he lacked the funds to purchase a Magic Structure [Cold Pudding].
A penny can thwart a hero.
This valiant Barbarian warrior sat in his position, sighing heavily.
Until a follower reminded him: "Master, why not consult Master Xunliang? He’s a major warrior of the Barbarian tribe. With his strength, he surely can help us overcome this plight."
Lei Kuang’s eyes brightened, as he slapped his head and stood up excitedly.
He left his room and headed to the Prayer Room on the left side.
Before reaching the Prayer Room’s door, he instinctively slowed and lightened his steps.