Imagine two puppets. Two strings controlled one puppet while ten strings controlled the other. Which one would have better movements when each and every string was fully utilized? Such was the state of Martial Harmony.
It normally required years of specialized training and monstrous talent in cultivation, none of which Will had. Will was a monster when it came to intent, the soul, and the Dao of water/sword, but he was only above average everywhere else. Innately having 6 open doors was far from being talented enough to achieve Martial Harmony; however, he had unique circumstances.
Yuan had the qualities of both Mana and Qi. Mana strengthened the mind and Qi strengthened the body. Dual mind propagation coupled with synergy from having both his body and mind nourished by the 1st Door led to this situation.
In addition to one's body-movements, Martial Harmony also made one's usage of energy more efficient. Thus, even though opening the 1st Door was taxing, it was taxing to Will as It should be.
The idea behind most mystical martial arts is to deliver the most damage by borrowing the power of nature. A great martial artist can draw power from within, but a nigh invincible martial artist has the ability to use the strength of the environment around them.
Water was a solvent with numerous applications. Water also had the ability to transfer strength. People who can 'draw power' from a foreign body are said to be using a 'force.'
Soul Force is one such example. It's used to manipulate energy by linking one's soul with the Meridians and borrowing their power to drive energy.
Will was now using rain to draw strength. Although it was a stretch to call what he was doing using "Water Force", it was not bad, especially considering it was his first time.
"Boy, you are really a wonder. A premature show of Water Force at such an age. But alas, if this is all you can do-kuh!"
In the middle of his speech, Jingsung Ha was forced to tense up his muscles and strengthen himself. His knees started to ring in despair as Will be pushed down with more force.
'This boy, he is borrowing more and more energy from the rain around us. And not just that!'
At that moment a burst of yuan spread with Will as the epicenter. 2nd Door open! 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th Doors were all opened in an instant. A crater with a dip at the center appeared on the ground. Cracks spread like a myriad collection of spiderwebs that extended underground. But Jingsung still stood strong!
His knees bent to the point where he was almost half kneeling. He was holding his swords above shoulder level to draw some strength from the ground. Will was bearing down with all the energy and strength he could muster but all he could do was force Jingsung into a stalemate.
The latter had some shocks appear on his face but he quickly recovered, and didn't take long for the stalemate to finish.
"This is a surprised really. I didn't think I would have to end up doing this."
Will raised a brow and said, "Do what?"
Jingsung Ha replied, "Why, open my doors of course."
As soon as Will heard these words, a feeling of ill foreboding took over his body.
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Jingsung Ha was forced to muster up as much strength as he could to force the blade down but it did little to help.
Slowly but surely, Jingsung's body started to rise as the calm qi within him started to rise like an unstoppable torrent seeking to destroy everything in it's path!
'This dude, he's opening his doors as well!'
Will tried to muster more strength but the endeavor seemed futile. It was as if his whole body was slowly losing ground in some sort of tug of war. Spiritually and mentally.
It was only when the duo were now standing equally that Jingsung finally relaxed.
Will was not familiar with using doors, not was he familiar with fighting those who could use them. Hence this was a valuable experience for him. He had slowed himself down and pushed Jingsung into a seemingly unnecessary confrontation but now his actions were bearing fruit. His opponent was now taking this more seriously. But as the wise sages said, 'Be careful what you wish for.'
Will sensed 7 open valves within his opponents body.
'He has opened 7 doors? Before level 100. That's serious.'
"Did you think you were the only one who could use Doors?"
Jingsung's sword started to bear down on Will with a somewhat unnatural force. One he was all to familiar with.
"Did you think only you could call upon Water Force?"
Now the roles had reversed once again. This time it was Will who was on the precipice of kneeling while his opponent
"To have forces me into opening my 7th Door, truly impressive. Forcing me to use Water Force is even more impressive. But all that means nothing if you end up losing in shame and taking nothing away."
"You know, when I first saw you I thought you to be more of the silent Zoro type of dude, but your more chatty that I give you credit for. Why the need to talk so much?"
Will felt like there was a reason his opponent was talking to him in such a manner. The question was why? Why go through this?
"While it is true that I am normally a man of few words, circumstance dictate that I speak to you at the moment."
'Circumstances?'
For the life of him Will couldn't figure out why this was happening. And he wouldn't get the chance.
Jingsung's face showed the rate trace of a snicker. This was not disdain or derision. This was the face of a man who no longer held himself back. The face of a man who had no scruples with unleashing himself.
"Now it's time for me to show you why I was called the Raindrop Swordsman."
...
Wodin, Oddyseus, Hercules and everyone else in the room stood up. Even the reticent Narcissus put down his mirror in excitement.
Oddyseus looked at his old friend Wodin and said, "He couldn't actually be thinking of doing 'that' would he?"
Wodin put his hand on his chin and said, "I'm not sure to be honest, but if he does do it, this will cease to be a contest."
Narcissus looked toward Hercules and said, "Brother, I thought restricted Avatars couldn't go passed a certain level of strength? If this continues the battle will end before the candidate even gets serious."
Hercules put his weights down and and said, "The maximum amount of strength that a Restricted Avatar can use is determined by the time of the Avatar's recording. So he will not go above a certain level of power."
Narcissus pointed at one of the screens, "" This is the bloody Seventh Scion of Ha we are telling about. Not some random cultivator from the streets! If he uses 'that' so early the fight Will end soon. I'm supposed to look after this ant right? Let me at least see him reveal more cards before Ha gets serious."
"Your Highness Prince Hercules, I agree with his Highness Prince Narcissus on this. We wish to take an expedition to Fafnir's Grave, for that we need all the talented Truthseekers we can find. I fear the boy will get defeated before he is even display his mastery of Truth. His previous True Strikes we're only the tip of the iceberg." Said a pensive Odysseus.
Wodin on the other hand remained deep in thought. Hercules chose to keep quiet until the number one mind under his charge spoke and it didn't take long.
"Odysseus old friend, I have to disagree." Narcissus, Odysseus and the rest of the room looked befuddled. Wodin and Odysseus not on the same side? This was rare.
"Explain yourself." Ordered a stoic Hercules.
"While Jingsung Ha is an authentic Solitary Sword Sovereign in the truest sense, his power during his early days was not as impressive. Especially before level 100. He still had 'that' but he had not mastered it yet. One could even say it was in development. Also considering what 'that' ability is and who Jingsung's opponent is, one can see that the situation isn't so bad."
A light of understanding shined to Hercules' bright eyes. Odysseus could see where is partner was going and nodded in approval.
'He is indeed more intelligent than me. I have much to do to even try and catch up to my old friend, alas his Highness won't be convinced so easily.'
Narcissus slammed the table and said, "I hate the way you talk, as if you know everything! Speaking in riddles and roundabout manners all day, get to the point!"
...........