Urban Seduction: Housewives Club Chapter 2052 - 381: Power and Speed 2

Wang Yalan remarked, "We can't phrase it that way. The Warriors Alliance's existence ensures we absolutely can't eradicate the Jinling Zhang family. Yet, even so, the Tianhai Zhang family wouldn't risk targeting us, correct? Absent the Warriors Alliance, they'd have unleashed overwhelming experts upon us far earlier."

"Absolutely, under those circumstances, our three great families would truly face peril," Wang Yaning agreed, nodding her head.

"What's this discussion about?" Zhu Liyue popped up nearby all of a sudden, striding over as she inquired.

At that moment, Wang Yalan and the rest understood the reason behind Wang Yue's shift in conversation. Clearly, he'd spotted Zhu Liyue drawing near beforehand.

Thank goodness his cultivation was advanced enough to sense it prior to her catching their words. If outsiders overheard talk of siblings growing overly intimate, it could spark major issues.

"Not a big deal, just chatting about Jinling's ongoing dynamics," Wang Yue explained. "With the Jinling Zhang family backed by the Tianhai Zhang family now, things look grim for our three great families."

"No need to fret over it," Zhu Liyue grinned. "The Tianhai Zhang family won't dispatch overly formidable experts. As for regular ones, I'm confident you all can manage them."

"Is that so? Sister Yue, what makes you so certain?" Wang Yue questioned.

Zhu Liyue answered, "It's thanks to the Warriors Alliance. Over recent years, I've journeyed to various spots and personally seen the might of the Warriors Alliance. Under their vigilant gaze, forget the Tianhai Zhang family—even the truly dominant clans in the capital wouldn't venture bold actions."

"But doesn't the Warriors Alliance fall under the sway of those dominant clans? Why then would they hesitate to move freely?" Wang Yue pressed further.

Zhu Liyue offered a faint smile. "Precisely for that reason, they hold back from reckless steps. Those dominant clans lack unity; some harbor intense grudges against one another. They're all poised to exploit any slip-ups from rivals."

Wang Yue let out a sigh. "We shouldn't rest our hopes entirely on that. To those dominant clans, Jinling's three great families are utterly trivial. Perhaps a minor trade-off among them one day could spell our doom. Thus, bolstering our own strength comes first."

Zhu Liyue felt taken aback. She hadn't anticipated such keen perception from Wang Yue at his tender age. Inwardly, she couldn't help admiring: Indeed, he's the palace master's nephew!

"You're spot on. Strengthening ourselves must take priority," Zhu Liyue beamed. "How about a spar to test your prowess?"

"Sister Zhu, which aspect of my brother's strength are you aiming to check?" Wang Yaru cut in abruptly.

Zhu Liyue caught on that her phrasing might mislead and hastened to clarify, "Naturally, his combat abilities and techniques. So, young Wang Yue, dare you exchange a few bouts with me?"

Wang Yue grasped that Zhu Liyue intended to instruct him through this mock fight.

Though his cultivation surpassed Zhu Liyue's, in martial techniques and battle savvy, he likely trailed her—perhaps by a wide margin.

After all, Zhu Liyue probably hadn't surged ahead in cultivation like he had.

Thus, he nodded and responded, "Sure, I'd welcome Sister Yue's pointers."

"To prevent unintended injuries, we'll both limit our cultivation to the Body Tempering Realm's pinnacle," Zhu Liyue proposed.

She'd also discerned Wang Xiner's actual cultivation, and given Wang Yue was her twin, his strength was no doubt considerable. A full-force clash would expose her Qi Refining Realm facade.

Wang Yue consented, and soon the pair moved to a spacious spot beside the rockery, assumed combat stances, and started clashing.

Unlike Zhu Liyue, who merely restrained her cultivation, Wang Yue faced greater difficulty. He needed to not only curb his power but also mask it to appear at the Tianyuan Realm's mid-stage in her perception.

Luckily, his cultivation far exceeded hers. Through precise management, he avoided any tells.

For martial techniques, Wang Yue stuck to standard Wang family inheritances, avoiding surprises.

The duo traded over dozens of strikes before halting.

"Your techniques show solid mastery, yet you lack real fight experience. Train more going forward," Zhu Liyue advised.

She continued, "Still, I suspect your actual cultivation exceeds the Qi Refining Realm. Recall, our last encounter had you at the fourth layer of Qi Refining. How did you advance so swiftly?"

"I ventured into a secret realm with my aunt once and stumbled upon a cultivation method set. Practicing it propelled me to the Tianyuan Realm," Wang Yue shared, blending truth with fabrication.

"What rank of cultivation method holds such potency? To leap from Qi Refining to Tianyuan in so little time," Zhu Liyue marveled.

No such formidable method exists even in Xuan Nu Palace.

Was it perhaps a deviant path that trades foundational stability for quick gains?

"It's potent, yes, but that method only works up to the Tianyuan Realm. At its peak, the effects fade," Wang Yue mentioned offhandedly.

Upon hearing Wang Yue's account, Zhu Liyue eased up and smiled, "That's impressive nonetheless. Should everyone access this method, it wouldn't be long before the three great families boast peak Tianyuan Realm powerhouses, solidifying their Jinling dominance."

"Exactly, that's driving our current cultivation efforts," Wang Yue affirmed with a nod. "Sister Yue, care to attempt it? I can share it with you."

"Appreciate it, but no thanks. My current method suits me well and doesn't mix with others." A technique capped at peak Tianyuan held scant draw for Zhu Liyue, already at Gui Zhen Realm.

Yet, she remained touched. Cultivation methods were typically guarded secrets, but Wang Yue freely offered hers, treating her like family.

Stirred by his gesture, Zhu Liyue resolved to offer deeper counsel. "I've seen your cultivation runs profound, and your true energy shines purer than typical warriors', doesn't it?"

"Yes, that method includes true energy refinement," Wang Yue confirmed, nodding.

"That's a huge edge. Considered ways to leverage this refined true energy?" Zhu Liyue probed.

"Naturally, to amplify my techniques' might," Wang Yue answered. "Purer true energy flows swifter through the body and yields better control. Channeling it into martial arts boosts true energy delivery per strike."

"Logical," Zhu Liyue nodded initially, then elaborated, "But it falls short of full potential. Even the mightiest technique fails if it doesn't land. Explored other uses for this edge?"

Wang Yue's mind raced. Zhu Liyue had pinpointed his shortfall. His signature "Level 8 Great Fury Wind" packed enough punch to challenge De Fan Realm fifth or sixth layer foes.

Yet he doubted it could fell such experts outright, given the lengthy wind-up.

Though he'd shaved prep time to under 0.1 seconds, it remained excessive against De Fan Realm masters.

So he promptly inquired, "What other applications exist?"

"Speed," Zhu Liyue stated.

"True energy fortifies warriors' bodies against rapid motion damage. What caps strike speed is true energy circulation rate. Instead of ramping output for power, cut true energy per strike to accelerate them."

Wang Yue's thoughts shook. Indeed, he'd fixated on power boosts, overlooking how refined true energy could hasten strikes.

Centuries back, a proverb held: "In all martial paths worldwide, only speed proves unbreakable."

Though extreme, the idea rang true.

Be it common folk or warriors, bodies react on instinct. Attacks trigger innate defenses, tensing the form.

Hence, strikes swift enough with decent force could mimic gaming's "infinite combos."

Plus, Wang Yue's true energy purity dwarfed normals' by over fortyfold, not mere doubles or triples. Maximized, it might multiply strike speed tenfold or beyond.

This was now; further refinement could unlock the fabled "Instant Hell Kill"—thousands of blows in a blink.

Pursuing this insight, Wang Yue grew ever more persuaded of its promise.

Of course, he wouldn't abandon power enhancement. After all, "the mightiest strike avails nothing if dodged."

But insufficient force meant even breaching defenses via speed would falter humiliatingly.

Thus, balancing both directions proved essential.

"Sister Yue, thanks for the insight. I see the path ahead now," Wang Yue expressed earnestly. Zhu Liyue's words jolted him awake.

Zhu Liyue smiled warmly. "No trouble. I merely suggested a direction. True progress rests on your efforts."