On the training field, a figure sat upright on the grass.
She sat cross-legged with her eyes closed, her face serene, her hands forming a mudra.
A gentle breeze circled around her, and the sunlight plated her in a layer of gold.
Anyone who saw her at this moment would have to praise her as an enlightened master.
"It's absolutely, damnably not working..."
The enlightened master opened her eyes, and the words she spoke destroyed that aura completely.
"...That shouldn't be. You are clearly able to perceive the flow of natural energy, so why can't you generate Qi?"
Invincible stood to the side with a puzzled look, her confusion genuine.
"How would I know? And does this pose even have any meaning?"
Legend looked down at the mudra her hands had formed; it was the Wisdom Mudra, the fundamental mudra of Shakyamuni.
"It doesn't have any meaning, it's just to give you a psychological suggestion." Invincible shook her head, "Sorry, I cannot solve your problem."
"It's fine, it's fine. I'm actually quite happy."
The experience of pouring energy and sweat into something was something she hadn't experienced in a long time.
So even though she had gained nothing, Legend didn't have any negative emotions about it; on the contrary, she was now very interested in this thing.
To a degree that it could probably rank alongside games and gourmet food.
"When it comes down to it, what is Qi? Why is it so hard to learn?"
Legend asked curiously.
"Theoretically speaking, anyone who can perceive the natural flow—whether human or Uma Musume—can easily generate Qi. After all, in essence, it is the product of natural energy and vitality, which is the combination of essence, energy, and spirit."
Invincible explained.
"So what is the use of this thing?"
"Actually, it's similar to a [Domain]—it greatly enhances physical state, improves perception, and so on. It's just that compared to the method of a [Domain], which squeezes the body, Qi is much gentler. It doesn't squeeze potential; on the contrary, it increases potential..."
Besides that, Qi can also greatly improve recovery ability and resistance, strengthen the body, and so on.
"Looking at it this way, this is completely the ideal training method. Why isn't it popularized?"
Legend asked, confused.
"First of all, we don't have any intention of hoarding it for ourselves."
If anything, the [Qi Nurturing Method] is completely public. Even the original texts are openly displayed in the Sutra Library of White Horse Temple (the Chinese Tracen Library) for anyone to read for free.
"The reason it isn't popularized is that it doesn't meet the standards for popularization, and moreover, this method is too difficult!"
Invincible explained calmly.
Compared to the modern training methods passed down and improved by Eclipse, which are simple and easy to understand, this training method, adapted from ancient martial arts, still has a significant difference despite borrowing from Eclipse's training methods.
First of all, because it is centered on the ideas of the sages, to want to learn the Qi Nurturing Method, one must first be proficient in the Chinese language, at least to the extent of being able to roughly understand those ancient words at a glance.
And that is just the entry level.
Because the main researchers were those elderly Legend-class Uma Musume whose levels of attainment were unknown, the training threshold is ridiculously high.
The starting point is perceiving natural energy...
"And the personality of Uma Musume isn't suitable for this thing either."
To perceive nature, one must [Quiet] down. To make a naturally lively and active Uma Musume quiet down, you might as well kill them.
Of course, it is also possible to perceive through [Movement], but those who can do so have basically reached the extreme in this aspect. An Uma Musume of this level, even if she hasn't reached Ultimate Attainment, is an existence at the pinnacle of the Domain.
"And, compared to a Domain, Qi is too slow."
The speed of becoming stronger is too slow.
Compared to a Domain, where one can soar the moment the conditions are met, something like Qi places more emphasis on accumulation.
This thing is actually more suitable for health preservation—the older you get, the stronger you become.
But Uma Musume cannot accept this thing.
What do Uma Musume train for? For races, for victory, and for dreams!
Those elderly retired Uma Musume are fine; they have already fulfilled their dreams, or their dreams have died, and they are looking for something else to enrich their lives.
They can calm their hearts to study some other strange things, like longevity, but active Uma Musume cannot.
Uma Musume is, after all, a profession that relies on youth. The three years after actualization are the most precious three years for an Uma Musume. No Uma Musume would spend these three years on accumulation; the opportunity would have already passed.
And what about a Domain? A Domain actually has no threshold; as long as the talent meets the standard and the realization is reached, the Domain opens.
"Can a Domain and Qi coexist? Can the two training methods be carried out simultaneously?"
"Yes, those seniors who developed it together all practiced Qi more or less." Invincible replied, "But it is not very possible to use both training methods together."
"Why?"
"There are many reasons, but the focus is still the core divergence."
"Oh?"
"The Eclipse method pursues the limit of the Uma Musume, while the Qi Nurturing Method pursues building a foundation." Invincible replied, "And, the requirement of a Domain is to break through the limit, while Qi can increase potential..."
Simply put, one demands that you burst your health bar in one go, while the other is desperately raising the upper limit of the health bar.
"...Then why do you follow the Qi Nurturing Method?"
"I am a bit special." Invincible did not continue, "Back to the main topic, your current situation is very special. My knowledge is shallow, and I have no solution for the time being. How about this: after the Japan Cup ends, how about you go back with me?"
"Go to White Horse Temple?"
"Yes."
"That works."
Anyway, I'll likely have to go there to find Ardan later, so I'll treat it as scouting the location.
...
After seeing off the petite teacher Invincible, Gold Legend fell into a state of having nothing to do again.
Scratching her butt, Legend went to notify the Trainer, then trotted off happily, returning to the Student Council.
Although she didn't really need to do any work here right now, adhering to the corporate slave spirit of "since I'm acting as the Student Council President, I should do the work," Legend came over to act as a qualified stamp machine.
Then she saw the Tracen Chairman, the secretary, and the Student Council Vice President—the trio holding the real power—discussing something with headaches.
"What's wrong?" Legend asked confusedly.
"Ah, it's Legend-chan." Hayakawa Tazuna rubbed her brow, "It's nothing, just that the progress of the reform has been hindered."
"...I thought the news said it was going quite smoothly? Where did a problem pop up again?"
Even though Legend didn't pay much attention to the news, she hadn't been spared from the barrage of related news lately.
Things like conglomerates entering the horse racing industry, or some official from the Horse Racing Association resigning in disgrace, and so on.
"It's the news itself that's the problem," Air Groove said. "Those parasites see they can't protect their interests, so they've started manipulating public opinion."
"Can't you just cut them off completely?" Legend asked naively.
"If we could, we wouldn't be dragging this out until now, and we wouldn't need your help to push it through."
Reform isn't something that happens overnight, especially not reform on the level of a major transfusion.
Not to mention anything else, those getting replaced causing trouble before they leave is enough to give anyone a headache.
"Fine, so what's the situation now?"
"They are trying to protect their current interests through public opinion, and by exposing internal information to make us hold back, citing things like monopolies."
As for why not use the law? Because if they really did that, they would be the first ones to get cut.
"It's a headache. The media they control keeps using all sorts of trivial news to distract the public, making it hard for us to act."
The Chairman tapped her head with her fan and said distressingly.
"Then why don't we do the same?"
"Hmm?" x3.
"The public doesn't understand the ins and outs of the reform, nor do they care about the causes and effects; they're just looking for entertainment," Legend said nonchalantly. "As long as we create a big enough piece of interesting news, they won't care about who is stepping down or things like that."
"..." x3.
"What's wrong?"
Receiving no answer, Legend looked up and saw three subtle gazes.
"Question! Legend, are you interested in succeeding me? I feel like you have a lot more promise than I do."
The Chairman asked with a subtle expression.
"...Please don't joke."
Being Chairman? Not even a dog would want that job!
"Ahem, Legend makes sense, it's worth a try." The reliable Vice President Air Groove spoke up.
"Then let's try it, but, a big news story..."
The three people shifted their gazes to Legend again.
"Why are you looking at me?"
"Legend, you have lots of tricky ideas, tell us what you think." The Chairman leaned in with a smile, her fangs showing.
"What do you mean I have tricky ideas? Think for yourself!" Legend waved her hand dismissively.
"Then let's stir up some scandals about Legend. The scandal of a Triple Crown Horse Girl is bound to be eye-catching."
Air Groove said calmly. In fact, Tracen had often used scandals involving Symboli Rudolf to attract attention, and Air Groove had some experience with that.
"You stop that right now!"
I, Gold Legend, am pure and incorruptible; how could I be tainted by such things!
"Then what do you suggest?"
You wouldn't want to end up with extra memories that don't exist, like Rudolf, would you?
Air Groove quietly made a "plan successful" gesture to the Chairman and Hayakawa Tazuna.
"Emmmmm..."
Think fast, Gold Legend, for the sake of your reputation and honor! Activate your brilliant genius brain and think!
Her peripheral vision suddenly caught a document that hadn't been approved yet.
Legend blinked and picked up the document.
"How about this?"
The Chairman took the document, and Air Groove and Hayakawa leaned in to look.
"'Application for Hosting the Tracen Strongest Trainer Race'?" Hayakawa read the file name.
"Applicant: Gold Ship..." Air Groove felt her blood pressure rise as soon as she saw the name.
"Look, scandals between Uma Musume and Trainers are always popular. As long as we make the event big enough, we won't have to worry about a lack of attention," Legend said earnestly. "If all else fails, I'll add money!"
"This kind of race is way too reckless..."
Air Groove subconsciously wanted to reject this unreliable proposal.
Because it was Gold Ship's application.
"Interesting! I approve!"
The Chairman waved her hand and agreed.
"Chairman?" Air Groove was shocked.
"I'll leave this aspect to you, Legend. I'll approve all your requests, just give me something big!" The Chairman opened her fan, speaking with great excitement.
I'm sorry, Trainer.
Legend mourned for the Trainer in her heart for three seconds.
Don't blame me for being ruthless.
"Yes, Chairman!"
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