Condensing water into characters and controlling the character to rise from the surface of the water caused a great wave of admiration and support to erupt from the crowd.
Even Liu Ji Ya and Liu Yun, two Great Grandmaster Realm powerhouses, admitted that they could not do it.
Most cultivators in this world pursue the condensation and depth of the True Qi in their bodies. Condensed True Qi can make attacks sharper, and deep True Qi can support a longer duration of combat.
Methods of True Qi control like this require special training, which most people consider a waste of time.
"I remember Liu Li cultivated a cultivation technique related to True Qi control."
"This Liu Li, his talent isn't bad, but he spent a long time cultivating True Qi control, which delayed his cultivation. Otherwise, he would at least be a Grandmaster Realm cultivator."
"You can't say that. Liu Li cultivated a unique needle-based martial skill. Needling requires control over True Qi. Every needle he controls requires a separate stream of True Qi. The more needles he can control, the more terrifying his martial skill. With his Pear Blossom Needles, even a tenth-stage Qi Refining Realm cultivator wouldn't be his opponent."
Among the people present, there were quite a few who knew about Liu Li's background and cultivation technique.
At this moment, Liu Li was doing his best to control the "Liu" character, keeping it stable. His face became paler and paler, and cold sweat dripped relentlessly.
After a total of ten breaths, the "Liu" character finally collapsed and dissolved into foam, falling back into the jar.
"Pfft."
Liu Li spat out a mouthful of fresh blood directly. His face was pale, and his body could barely stand still. It was clear that the moment of awe he created for the Great Grandmaster Realm powerhouses came at a significant cost.
"He used a secret technique to temporarily enhance his True Qi control, but he also suffered a serious backlash."
Liu Ji Ya saw through what was happening and couldn't help but sigh.
"This time, to win, Liu Li went all out, even revealing his trump card. In this round... his chances of winning are almost eighty percent, no, ninety percent!"
The people of the Liu family surrounded Liu Li, the atmosphere was lively, and their confidence was soaring.
"You're definitely going to lose," Liu Li looked at Chu Hao, a hint of pride on his lips.
"Shi Yi, what do you think?" A young woman asked on the other side.
Liu Shi Yi considered it and said seriously, "In terms of True Qi control, I'm afraid no one here can compare to Liu Li. Moreover, he used a secret technique and condensed water into a character for a full ten breaths. In this round... perhaps Chu Hao has no more trump cards left."
Liu Shi Yi's beautiful eyes rested on Chu Hao's face. She didn't understand. His consistently calm expression, what kind of power did it stem from?
"If you admit defeat now and apologize to us, we might still spare your life," Liu Feng thought he had victory in the bag for this round.
"You're celebrating too early."
No matter what the other party said, Chu Hao remained indifferent. He walked to the water jar, raised his palm, and the water surface immediately surged. In the next moment, a ball of water jumped out of the water.
"Hmph, I thought he had some kind of trick up his sleeve. It's just a ball of water. Everyone here can do that," Liu Feng pouted.
Condensing water into a character required precise control over every part of the water, but a water ball could be formed with just a little True Qi.
"If that's all he's got, then don't come here and embarrass yourself," another person mocked.
Liu Shi Yi also frowned. Although she knew it would be difficult for him to win, was this really all Chu Hao had?
The mockery from all sides did not affect Chu Hao. He gently clutched his palm. In the next moment, the water ball quickly changed shape. Gradually, an exquisite water lotus appeared in everyone's sight!
Condensing water into a lotus. Such skill immediately silenced many people.
"This water lotus is indeed comparable to condensing water into a character, but Liu Li persevered for ten breaths. What about him..."
Liu Qian's words were cut off by a sudden gasp. Even she, her beautiful eyes, flashed with intense astonishment.
Two more water balls flew out of the jar. They twisted and transformed, turning into water lotuses.
Three flawless water lotuses hung in mid-air, looking incredibly lifelike.
The scene had fallen completely silent.
This silence lasted for a full fifteen breaths! One and a half times longer than Liu Li's!
Chu Hao withdrew his palm, and the water lotuses slowly fell back into the water and dissolved. But people could still faintly see the silhouette of the lotuses, which looked incredibly mysterious.
The winner was obvious at a glance.
Liu Li's fists were clenched, and his body trembled. He had used a secret technique to the point of spitting blood just to last ten breaths.
Yet Chu Hao's three water lotuses lasted for fifteen breaths, and his face showed no change whatsoever, as if he had just done a small, insignificant thing.
The gap between the two was like heaven and earth. Anyone could see that Chu Hao was still holding back.
"You're definitely going to lose," Liu Li's face turned red hot as he recalled his own words. He was so ashamed he wished he could find a hole to hide in.
In this round, Chu Hao took all the primordial stones without any suspense.
"Let's start the fourth round," Chu Hao said.
"You little scoundrel, you're definitely going to lose the fourth round," Liu Feng's voice was sharp.
"Shi Yi, it's your turn to go on stage," the young women beside Liu Shi Yi smiled.
"To be able to hear Shi Yi play the zither... it's worth it to be here today."
Gazes full of anticipation looked towards Liu Shi Yi.
Liu Shi Yi, as one of the Four Great Beauties of Jade City, was not an ordinary person. On the contrary, her zither playing was very famous throughout Jade City.
The two pearls of the Liu family each had their own charm. Liu Ji Ya was famous for her unity of man and sword realm, while Liu Shi Yi was famous for her music.
Countless people dreamed of hearing Liu Shi Yi's zither playing, but she rarely played, or rather, she only played for people she appreciated.