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Chapter 261: The Ultimate Heavenly Timing Law and Grand Shennong Li Boqian
🕑 Added 2024-11-30 14:15:43 +0000 UTC“The Seven-Star Diagram of Spirit and Soul of the first layer—he’s managed to cultivate two soul stars in just half a month. Such a prodigy is my discovery!” Lord Tianyan smiled proudly.
“However, I can’t let him know this yet. Revealing it now might make him arrogant. I’ll wait until he fully comprehends the first layer. At his current pace, he has the potential to become the fastest person to cultivate the Seven-Star Diagram of Spirit and Soul.”
Lord Tianyan decided not to inform Zhao Xing immediately.
Even if Zhao Xing were highly motivated, knowing this information might cause unnecessary stress. Conversely, if Zhao Xing felt compelled to strive for the title of "fastest in history," it could lead to overtraining and hinder his progress—a clear case of a well-intentioned plan backfiring.
Lord Tianyan meticulously documented Zhao Xing’s cultivation progress:
Jingxin Era, Year 30, October 7th: Shennong Zhao Xing begins practicing the Seven Souls Technique.
October 22nd: Completed the practice of shaping his soul.
October 23rd: Begins the cultivation of the Derivation of the Divine Spirit, Soul Cultivation Chapter.
November 7th: Achieved the dual-star stage of the Seven-Star Diagram of Spirit and Soul.
Satisfied with his notes, Lord Tianyan placed the scroll and the Mirage Pearl used to monitor Zhao Xing’s progress into the top-secret archives of the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion.
“His potential surpasses even Liu Tianning’s,” Tianyan remarked, pulling out another scroll—this one documenting Liu Tianning's achievements.
Dingxin Era, Year 228, May 6th: Shennong Liu Tianning begins practicing soul refinement.
May 26th: Completed shaping his soul.
June 10th: Begins cultivation of the Derivation of the Divine Spirit, Soul Cultivation Chapter.
June 15th: Achieved his first soul star.
July 7th: Achieved his second soul star.
September 18th: Achieved his third soul star.
Year 229, June 7th: Achieved his fourth soul star.
December 5th: Achieved his fifth soul star.
Year 231, April 3rd: Achieved his sixth soul star.
Year 233, May 7th: Achieved his seventh soul star and fully mastered the first layer of the Derivation of the Divine Spirit, manifesting 10,086 transformations of divine will.
Total time for cultivating the first layer: Five years and one day.
Ranking: Ninth in historical records over 35,346 years, and first under the current dynasty.
“Liu Tianning cultivated his first soul star in just five days—an achievement that left both Lord Luohouhou and I stunned. Within less than a month, he advanced to the second star.”
“At that time, he was only at the Fourth Rank Primordial Soul Stage. To protect him, Lord Luohouhou and I had him disguise himself as a Fifth Rank Pure Essence cultivator. Publicly, we only granted him the title of a Fifth Rank official,” Lord Tianyan reminisced.
“He did not disappoint our expectations. Liu Tianning became the fastest in the Great Zhou Dynasty to cultivate the first layer of the Derivation of the Divine Spirit, starting from the mid-level stage at that.”
“I thought such a record would be insurmountable in my lifetime. Now, Zhao Xing has appeared—and these two just so happen to be master and disciple,” Lord Tianyan mused, shaking his head in wonder.
For years, Lord Tianyan believed that the top eight cultivators in historical records were merely legends.
Having cultivated the Derivation of the Divine Spirit himself—reaching the second layer—he deeply understood its difficulty. The idea that someone could surpass Liu Tianning seemed almost impossible.
Yet now, it was happening.
“And Zhao Xing is even younger than Liu Tianning was. If these two reach the higher ranks, I’ll have played a significant role in cultivating such talents,” Tianyan thought with satisfaction. But his delight was tinged with melancholy as he stared at the records in his hand.
“Still, I wonder if I’ll live to see the day these records are officially announced.”
At 678 years old, Lord Tianyan was far older than Lord Luohouhou.
“If Emperor Jing doesn’t grant me a promotion to First Rank Prince within another twenty years, I’ll die of old age,” he muttered bitterly.
Thinking of his brother’s infamously stern demeanor, Lord Tianyan chuckled wryly. “It’s probably a long shot.”
When Zhao Xing next saw Lord Tianyan, he couldn’t explain why, but he sensed a faint hint of sorrow in the elder’s demeanor.
Under normal circumstances, it should have been impossible for him to perceive the emotions of someone at Lord Tianyan’s level. Yet, for a fleeting moment, Zhao Xing caught an unusual fluctuation.
“Huh? I can sense the emotions of a higher-ranked cultivator?” Zhao Xing thought, astonished. “The effects of the dual-star Seven-Star Diagram of Spirit and Soul are truly immediate.”
Through cultivating the Derivation of the Divine Spirit, Zhao Xing’s soul had grown sharper without him even realizing it.
However, Lord Tianyan’s melancholy vanished in an instant, leaving Zhao Xing unable to detect it again.
“Zhao Xing, you’ve now officially embarked on the first layer of the Derivation of the Divine Spirit,” Lord Tianyan said. “However, don’t rush. Use the Soul Essence Fluid liberally when needed. Don’t skimp on it.”
“Yes, I will follow your guidance, Lord Tianyan,” Zhao Xing replied respectfully.
“Also, I have some cultivation insights for you.” Lord Tianyan handed over a vibrant green scroll. “Previously, you wouldn’t have understood these, but now, they should prove helpful.”
“But remember, this is only for reference. Every person’s soul imprint is unique, and cultivation experiences vary.”
“Thank you, Lord Tianyan, for your teachings,” Zhao Xing replied, bowing deeply.
“Feel free to consult me if you encounter any difficulties,” Lord Tianyan said. “I’m always in the Star Palace. As long as you speak, I will hear you.”
“Yes, I understand.”
With that, Zhao Xing took the scroll, sat down, and began his study.
Zhao Xing continued to immerse himself in cultivation within the Star Palace, leaving most administrative affairs to Chen Shijie.
On November 7th, one of Zhao Xing’s incarnations followed Geng Shouchang and Hengyuan to the Xuantian Academy.
Meanwhile, another incarnation, traveling with Meng Kun and Gu Changqing, departed later and only began their journey today.
Among the various divisions, the Earth Division’s tasks were always the most numerous. Meng Kun and Gu Changqing were on an official mission from Daoyuan Continent to Pinghai Prefecture, making them part of the last group to leave.
Since Meng Kun and Gu Changqing were escorting Zhao Xing back to Daoyuan Continent headquarters, there were bound to be additional arrangements along the way. Zhao Xing estimated that his formal admission to Kunyuan Academy wouldn’t be finalized until January next year.
On the other hand, his incarnation had already reached the Xuantian Academy located in Tianyuan Prefecture of Pinghai Prefecture.
Why wasn’t the destination the headquarters? The reasons were many.
First, Junior Shennong Order-holder Wang Tianzhi still had official duties in Pinghai Prefecture, requiring Geng Shouchang, Hengyuan, Simayi Yunhai, and others to remain with him until the tasks were completed.
Second, aside from advancing his studies, Zhao Xing was slated to hold a teaching position. Geng Shouchang had agreed to appoint him as either a Professor of Canonical Studies in the branch academy or a Transmission Master in the main academy.
Given that it was only an incarnation, Geng Shouchang, Hengyuan, and Simayi Yunhai decided to have Zhao Xing serve as a Professor of Canonical Studies in the branch academy within Tianyuan Prefecture for now.
By completing all procedures in the branch academy first, transitioning to the main academy next year would be much smoother.
Heading directly to the main academy could spark opposition. Taking up a nominal position might have been acceptable, but Zhao Xing intended to practice a top-tier technique.
This raised issues of resource allocation and vested interests.
For instance, Zhao Xing’s cultivation in the Star Palace involved significant resources: the Star Altar, the seven-star Secret Pattern, Soul Essence Fluid—all tied to cultivation resources. Where there were resources, there were disputes over distribution.
Given that his arrival was as an incarnation, some dissatisfaction was inevitable.
If he were earnestly attending to study, that would have been fine. But bringing an incarnation? What was that supposed to mean?
Thus, Geng Shouchang, Hengyuan, and Simayi Yunhai decided to finalize the arrangements at the branch academy in Tianyuan Prefecture.
For Zhao Xing, it made no difference. The Tianyuan Prefecture branch academy also offered opportunities for cultivation and comprehension.
In fact, Zhao Xing preferred practicing at the Tianyuan Prefecture branch academy. Since he was only beginning his training in top-tier techniques, it didn’t involve critical resource sites, making headquarters unnecessary.
Moreover, another significant factor was the presence of Grand Shennong Li Boqian at the Tianyuan branch academy.
There was even a chance of triggering a “hidden quest” or obtaining rare rewards from Li Boqian.
“It’s now November of the 30th year of the Jingxin Era. According to the trajectory from my previous life, Li Boqian should have already arrived at the Tianyuan branch academy.”
“Wang Tianzhi, Geng Shouchang, Hengyuan, and Simayi Yunhai likely made this detour to report to him,” Zhao Xing speculated.
The deployment of a cave-heaven like Canghai Cave-Heaven didn’t require so many high-ranking Shennong practitioners.
Wang Tianzhi, a Second-Rank Junior Shennong Order-holder, had brought over a dozen Third-Rank officials.
In contrast, Grand Stable Officer Ji Shuchang didn’t bring nearly as many subordinates.
Still, the court’s emphasis on the Eastern Sea justified the presence of such a large contingent.
“Whether my guess is accurate or not, it remains to be seen if I can meet Li Boqian,” Zhao Xing thought to himself.
If Grand Shennong Li Boqian were present, he would undoubtedly carry one or more sets of Seasonal Qi Commands.
While it was unlikely he brought all 24 Seasonal Qi Commands, as they were needed to stabilize other regions, even a glimpse of these treasures would be invaluable for Zhao Xing’s cultivation of the Seasonal Qi Command technique.
“It’s said that Li Boqian also created three unique ultimate secret techniques: Kunpeng Transformation, A Step to Infinity, and Primordial Seal.”
“Kunpeng Transformation is an internal Hou transformation technique, while A Step to Infinity focuses on cloud manipulation. As for Primordial Seal… I’m not sure.”
Zhao Xing had only heard of Primordial Seal in his previous life; it hadn’t been passed down.
Reportedly, no one could master this ultimate technique created by Li Boqian.
“It’s rumored that Primordial Seal directly targets the pinnacle of techniques but lacks foundational lower- and mid-tier stages,” Zhao Xing mused.
Most top-tier techniques had a foundational system.
For instance, Zhao Xing’s comprehension of the top-tier Essence-Draining Earth Palace was supported by his prior mastery of Boundless Earth Palace, as the techniques shared similar principles.
The foundational training eased the learning curve for Essence-Draining Earth Palace.
Similarly, in the Straw Puppet Techniques, a progression existed: Soul-Binding Straw Puppet to Soul-Devouring Straw Puppet to Soul-Devouring Manifestation.
But Li Boqian’s Primordial Seal seemed to lack such foundational progression.
“Apparently, he died before perfecting it. Without a gradual pathway, understanding his technique becomes extremely difficult,” Zhao Xing reflected.
“My own self-created technique, Thunder Breaking Delusion Finger, faces a similar issue. Without releasing the intermediate-level Thunder Binding Chains and Thunder Palm, it would be hard for others to learn it.”
Most ultimate techniques faced these challenges. Sometimes, only their creators could master them.
When passing down these techniques, distortions often occurred. For example, the first-generation founder might transmit an ultimate technique, but the second generation, unable to fully learn or comprehend it, might miss a key component. This would downgrade it to a top-tier technique.
With a few more generations of errors, the ultimate technique would be entirely lost, emphasizing the importance of choosing the right successors.
Under the Great Zhou Dynasty’s guidance, the Seventy-Two Dao Academies underwent significant evolution, such as the Transmission Tower of the Li Huo Dao Academy.
New talents emerged over generations, often creating powerful new techniques.
Take the Liu Family’s Straw Puppet Techniques, which reached their peak under Liu Tianning’s mastery.
“Li Boqian’s Primordial Seal remained a mystery in my past life. Whether I can observe it this time is uncertain,” Zhao Xing mused.
He wasn’t determined to master Primordial Seal; his curiosity drove him more than anything else.
The Heaven School boasted the most ultimate techniques, far exceeding those of the other two sects. This dominance had long solidified the sect’s position.
Meng Kun and Gu Changqing’s attempts to recruit Zhao Xing had ultimately ended with Geng Shouchang beating them into submission. They had no choice but to wait their turn in line.
“Strength speaks the loudest,” Zhao Xing thought, amused.
“Zhao Xing, follow me,” Geng Shouchang called out as he arrived at a private chamber on the third floor of the Wind Resting Cloudship, knocking on the door.
“Yes.” Zhao Xing quickly followed Geng Shouchang off the ship.
At this moment, the Wind Resting Cloudship had already docked within the Xuantian Academy in Tianyuan Prefecture, Pinghai State.
Glancing around, Zhao Xing noted scattered flower petals and streamers decorating the area. It seemed the welcoming ceremony had already concluded before Geng Shouchang came to fetch him.
Indeed, the ship was now quiet. Most of the people had dispersed, leaving only a few mechanists performing routine maintenance and inspections.
Zhao Xing looked over at Wang Tianzhi’s official vessel, docked atop a nearby mountain peak.
The mountain was perfectly symmetrical and appeared man-made, as though a pyramid had been sliced cleanly at the top.
There were seven other peaks like this one, each serving as berths for ships.
At the base of the mountains stood rows of towering Golden Radiance Trees. Their trunks were tall and straight, with branches and leaves only at the very top.
These golden trees gleamed under the sunlight, creating a majestic and orderly display that was as functional as it was beautiful.
Even the clouds above had been shaped into neat formations. Eight trigram-shaped cloud paths were distributed evenly across the sky.
The azure sky allowed sunlight to filter through these cloud paths, casting brilliant light onto the Golden Radiance Trees. The reflected light illuminated the Wind Resting Cloudship, giving the otherwise modest vessel an air of grandeur.
“For those with a penchant for symmetry, this is paradise,” Zhao Xing thought, appreciating the meticulous design and harmonious aesthetics.
After disembarking from the Wind Resting Cloudship, Zhao Xing and Geng Shouchang boarded a small flying vessel, leaving the docking area.
To avoid drawing unnecessary attention, Zhao Xing’s current avatar was equipped with a conical hat and robes designed to obscure his aura.
When it was time to register at Xuantian Academy, Geng Shouchang had intentionally chosen a time slot to avoid any potential encounters with higher-ranking officials.
The branch’s Vice Dean, who would typically oversee such matters, had coincidentally gone to accompany Wang Tianzhi, leaving only a fifth-rank officer to manage the process.
There was no indication that Zhao Xing’s presence was just a projection of his primary body.
Thanks to the endorsement of three third-rank officials, Zhao Xing quickly completed what would normally be a cumbersome onboarding process.
Still, the clandestine nature of his appointment as Professor of Canonical Studies made him feel as though he was sneaking into the role, trying to avoid anyone noticing.
“From today onward, you are officially the Professor of Canonical Studies for the Tianyuan Prefecture branch of Xuantian Academy,” Geng Shouchang announced.
“I’ve already coordinated with Lu Chunhua. You’ll primarily reside in the Tianyuan Pavilion, with just one public lecture required each month,” he added.
“Your accommodations are arranged as well, in a quiet courtyard near Mirror Lake in the eastern district.”
“I’ll remain here until the year’s end. Heng Yuan and Simayi Yunhai will leave for the main academy ahead of me,” Geng continued.
“Next year, I’ll arrange for your transfer.”
“Understood. Thank you, Lord Geng,” Zhao Xing said with a polite bow. “May I ask when I might begin learning the techniques?”
“There is a Transmission Tower in Xuantian Academy,” Geng Shouchang explained. “The upper levels—above the ninetieth floor—are designated for top-tier techniques. They are structured to help cultivators comprehend the Dao of Heavenly Timing.”
He glanced at the surroundings, seemingly considering the rules specific to this branch of the academy. “However, such resources are limited. You’ll be allotted five days of access to the upper levels each month.”
A monthly allotment of five days was already a generous concession. This privilege had been granted due to the endorsement of three high-ranking officials, prompting the branch Dean, Lu Chunhua, to approve it.
After all, Zhao Xing’s teaching obligations were minimal, consisting of one monthly lecture. His appointment as Professor of Canonical Studies was achieved through a special recommendation system.
It would be unreasonable for him to monopolize too many resources from the outset.
Even Liu Tianning’s promise to allocate a hundred billion cultivation resources for Zhao Xing came with the condition that he would later serve at Shangluo Academy.
“Effort and reward are proportional no matter where you go,” Zhao Xing thought to himself.
“You may also spend time in the Tianyuan Pavilion, which is essentially a massive library. The scriptures and murals housed there are imbued with high-level Heavenly Timing Laws,” Geng Shouchang continued.
“Comprehending them will significantly aid your understanding of top-tier techniques.”
“My residence is located in the Guizhen Garden. You are welcome to come seek guidance from me. However, I specialize only in lightning techniques,” Geng admitted.
“I do know other top-tier techniques, such as wind and rain methods, but my proficiency in those is limited.”
Geng Shouchang was a master of lightning techniques within the Dao of Heavenly Timing. He had attained a level of mastery equivalent to the seventh transformation in two of these top-tier techniques.
His deep understanding of lightning techniques allowed him to teach them effectively to others.
As for other techniques—though he had reached the top-tier level in wind, rain, and cloud methods—they were only at the second or third transformation level.
For techniques at such an early stage of mastery, he could use them himself but lacked the capability to teach them effectively.
“Thank you, Master Geng, for your willingness to teach me. I shall start with lightning techniques,” Zhao Xing replied earnestly, adopting a more respectful term of address.
Geng Shouchang gave a small nod of approval. “Very well. Follow me.”
Geng Shouchang led Zhao Xing to the Guizhen Garden, a sprawling area of rolling hills.
The estate was vast, spanning a radius of twenty miles, with only a single manor amidst mountains, rivers, forests, and open fields.
In a place as densely populated and resource-intensive as Tianyuan Prefecture, such a spacious estate was a luxury afforded only to third-rank officials.
Upon arriving at Guizhen Garden, Geng Shouchang immediately began instructing Zhao Xing.
“I practice two types of top-tier lightning techniques: Yin Lightning and Yang Lightning,” Geng began.
“My Yin Lightning method has reached the seventh transformation, while my Yang Lightning method is at the eighth transformation.”
“The full name of the Yin Lightning technique is ‘Three Yin Nether Lightning Grand Method,’ often shortened to ‘Yin Fiend Lightning’ or ‘Cold Fiend Lightning.’”
“This method was created by Han Ming, a powerful cultivator from Xuantian Academy, twenty-five thousand four hundred years ago. Initially, it only encompassed seven transformations. Through the efforts of subsequent sages, it eventually reached top-tier completion. It remains one of the most complete top-tier techniques preserved within Xuantian Academy.”
“It was derived from insights gained during the Major Cold Solar Term and subsequently refined over generations.”
“It includes three core secret arts across its nine transformations: ‘Three Yin Lightning Seal,’ ‘Cold Fiend Lightning Domain,’ and ‘Five Elements Yin Lightning Boundary.’”
“Each secret technique demonstrates its greatest power when paired with the Major Cold Seasonal Qi Command.”
“I will now demonstrate the first secret technique, the Three Yin Lightning Seal.”
With that, Geng Shouchang raised a finger, and a shimmering Seasonal Qi Command imbued with a chilling aura emerged from his dantian.
The command token floated upward, emitting cold light. As it ascended, Zhao Xing felt the temperature around him plummet. The grass withered instantly.
Oddly, despite the severe drop in temperature, there was no visible frost forming around them.
Before Zhao Xing could study the phenomenon closely, a flash of light radiated from Geng Shouchang’s fingertip.
In an instant, a radius of several hundred meters around him turned barren.
Grass and plants wilted, leaves fell from the trees, and an eerie stillness pervaded the air.
However, just beyond the boundary of the effect, the sun shone brightly, and the vegetation was lush and vibrant.
The stark contrast between the affected area and its surroundings created a striking visual impact.
“How did this happen so suddenly?” Zhao Xing thought. “Where’s the lightning? Where’s the sound?”
It was as if the technique had bypassed conventional displays of power entirely.
Geng Shouchang explained, “The Yin Lightning method is inherently silent and subtle. It’s normal for you not to perceive the technique in action. Now, I’ll break it down for you step by step.”
“Pay close attention,” he instructed.
For the second demonstration, the Seasonal Qi Command floated out again.
This time, three small, purple seals appeared at Geng’s fingertips. Each was about the size of a standard stamp.
“These are the Greater Yin Seal, Lesser Yin Seal, and Jue Yin Seal.”
“Now, watch as they fuse into one!”
With a single command, the three seals merged instantly and vanished.
Moments later, a patch of grassland in the distance mirrored the earlier scene of lifeless stillness.
“Did you see it clearly this time?” Geng Shouchang asked.
“No,” Zhao Xing admitted, shaking his head.
Even though the process was slowed down significantly, the technique was still executed with incredible speed.
“This is already ten times slower than its normal speed,” Geng Shouchang explained. “If it were any slower, it would no longer qualify as a top-tier technique.”
Zhao Xing nodded in understanding. This was the inherent challenge of learning advanced techniques.
One couldn’t expect every step to be slowed to a crawl for easier observation.
It was akin to igniting a sixth-grade firework—the explosion occurred in an instant, with no way to slow it down without losing its essential properties.
The fact that Geng Shouchang could deconstruct and slow down the process by ten times spoke to his exceptional teaching ability.
Less experienced practitioners, who had only mastered one or two transformations of top-tier techniques, wouldn’t be able to slow down the execution at all.
Zhao Xing reflected silently, “If my true body were present, I might grasp this more thoroughly. But with just an avatar here, the fleeting nature of top-tier lightning techniques makes capturing their essence exceedingly difficult.”
The Three Yin Lightning Seal was fundamentally different from the Essence-Draining Earth Palace. The latter was a continuous technique, giving Zhao Xing ample time to observe and comprehend its execution. In contrast, the former operated in bursts, swift and discreet, embodying the essence of Yin Lightning.
This characteristic of Yin Lightning—its rapid and imperceptible nature—added another layer of challenge to mastering it.
“No matter. You can focus on studying three hundred advanced lightning seal techniques in the Tianyuan Pavilion,” Geng Shouchang advised.
“Starting with advanced lightning seals will greatly aid your comprehension of the Three Yin Lightning Seal.”
“Yes, thank you for the guidance, Master Geng,” Zhao Xing replied respectfully. “May I ask about the Yang Lightning method next?”
Geng Shouchang nodded. “The Yang Lightning technique I practice is called the ‘Xuantian Prison Lightning Grand Method,’ one of the core classics of our sect. It’s also known as Prison Lightning or Xuantian Lightning.”
“This technique has three powerful secret arts: ‘Heavenly Thunder Finger,’ ‘Mixed Primordial Lightning Lock,’ and ‘Prison Lightning Pool.’”
“The first, Heavenly Thunder Finger, is a close-range attack with concentrated destructive power, ranking among the top five lightning arts for single-target combat.”
“The second, Mixed Primordial Lightning Lock, is a sealing technique that binds an opponent’s vitality using lightning. Once the lock is complete, the enemy’s life or death is entirely at your discretion.”
“The third, Prison Lightning Pool, is a battlefield-wide technique. It creates a massive lightning cage across the land, refining all enemies caught within its boundaries.”
“These arts are especially potent when paired with Seasonal Qi Commands such as Awakening of Insects, Start of Summer, Minor Heat, and Major Heat.”
“The effectiveness of the Yang Lightning technique varies depending on the season,” Geng added.
Zhao Xing’s eyes brightened. In his past life, he had studied Xuantian Lightning because it was a quintessential lightning method within the Dao of Heavenly Timing.
This familiarity allowed him to immediately recognize the techniques Geng Shouchang had just demonstrated.
“The Heavenly Thunder Finger draws power from both internal and external forces,” Geng explained. “Internally, it channels the five elements, with the liver as the primary conductor for lightning attributes. Externally, it harnesses the forces of heaven and earth to produce its pure yang nature.”
“However, to achieve this pure yang state, you must exclude all yin elements entirely. Any contamination from other elements during the energy’s circulation—such as a detour through the kidneys—will drastically reduce its power or even cause it to fail outright, potentially backfiring on the user.”
“You can use vision-enhancing techniques, such as Five Elements Observation, to study the flow of energy within my body,” Geng said, providing meticulous guidance.
Geng Shouchang’s teaching was exceptionally detailed, and Zhao Xing absorbed every word with utmost seriousness.
The Yang Lightning method was powerful yet controllable, thanks to its charging phase.
Furthermore, Zhao Xing’s self-created Thunder Breaking Delusion Finger had unconsciously drawn inspiration from the Heavenly Thunder Finger in his previous life.
This realization brought him a step closer to understanding the technique.
In his previous life, Zhao Xing had also comprehended the Awakening of Insects and Start of Summer Seasonal Qi Commands, using them to develop his advanced lightning techniques.
With this strong foundational knowledge, Zhao Xing felt a spark of enlightenment as Geng Shouchang demonstrated the Heavenly Thunder Finger.
He instinctively mimicked the technique.
“Zzzzz!”
Arcs of lightning crackled at Zhao Xing’s fingertips, coalescing into the shape of a finger.
The air around him grew scorching hot as a vortex of thunder energy began forming at the tip of his finger.
But just as quickly, the technique unraveled, and Zhao Xing had to redirect the dissipating energy harmlessly into the ground to avoid backlash.
The attempt ended in failure.
“Hm? What was that?” Geng Shouchang looked at Zhao Xing, clearly astonished.
Although the technique had not fully materialized, Zhao Xing’s initial execution already demonstrated a foundation for the Heavenly Thunder Finger.
“Did you…” Geng Shouchang began but stopped himself. He couldn’t imagine how Zhao Xing might have learned the technique already—it was, after all, a top-tier method.
“Your aptitude for lightning techniques is truly remarkable,” Geng Shouchang praised without reservation. “To grasp the core principles after just one demonstration is… extraordinary.”
He paused, a hint of regret crossing his face.
“If your true body were here for training, mastering the Yang Lightning method wouldn’t take you three years,” he said wistfully.
Zhao Xing offered a formal bow. “Master Geng, I have my reasons for using this avatar. My priorities leave me no choice.”
The Derivation of the Divine Spirit required Zhao Xing’s true body to remain at the Destiny Palace of the Military Realm.
Furthermore, his plans for the ancient ruins in the Dragon Court were paramount. Those ruins contained spiritual treasures vital to his cultivation.
Additionally, advancing his Straw Puppet Techniques demanded synchronization with ultimate soul techniques, further tethering his true body to its current path.
“For me, cultivating the Derivation of the Divine Spirit takes precedence over all else,” Zhao Xing thought.
Had he not already begun reaping the benefits of the Derivation of the Divine Spirit, such rapid progress in the Yang Lightning method would have been unthinkable.
Through the dual-star formation of his Fate and Soul Seals, even this avatar’s comprehension abilities had improved significantly.
It felt as though a veil had been lifted—a partial restoration of his innate learning aptitude.
“Let’s not dwell on it,” Geng Shouchang said with a dismissive wave. “Focus on the Yang Lightning method for now. There’s no rush for the Yin Lightning technique.”
“I have an evening banquet to attend, so we’ll stop here for today. Return tomorrow afternoon, and we’ll continue.”
“Yes, Master Geng. I’ll take my leave,” Zhao Xing replied, bowing respectfully.
Leaving Gui Zhen Yuan, Zhao Xing immediately made his way to Tianyuan Pavilion.
Tianyuan Pavilion was a colossal library, housing an extensive collection of techniques and secret arts.
Of course, 90% of its contents consisted of mid- to low-level techniques, with only a small fraction being high-level.
The pavilion towered over a kilometer high, with a cylindrical structure comprising nine nested layers.
Each level was outfitted with independent reading rooms, amounting to hundreds of thousands of private chambers.
Bookshelves lined the walls in every direction. To study, one would simply pick a book and enter a designated reading room.
With the authority granted by his Doctor of Ritual Studies token, Zhao Xing headed straight to the topmost level, entering a spacious chamber.
In the Tianyuan Academy Branch, only individuals holding the title of Doctor of Ritual Studies or higher were permitted access to the collection of top-tier techniques.
Upon entering the top-tier technique library, Zhao Xing began browsing the shelves.
“This collection contains 92 top-tier techniques. However, only one points directly toward the ultimate Dao, and even that only records up to the top-tier stage of cultivation,” Zhao Xing noted while skimming the shelves.
“During Emperor Jing’s reign in the Great Zhou era, the Heaven School developed seven ultimate methods, excluding Li Boqian’s ‘Primordial Seal.’”
The Heaven School had seven ultimate techniques, three of which were Heavenly Timing techniques, while the remaining four corresponded to wind, rain, thunder, and clouds.
These divisions aligned with the Heaven School’s five internal branches.
Similarly, the Earth School comprised five branches: Earth Store, Earth Palace, Rending Earth, Profound Earth, and Spirit Mountain.
Yet only three of these branches—Earth Store, Earth Palace, and Rending Earth—had ultimate techniques. Mountain and Profound Earth techniques lacked such a pinnacle.
As for the Self School, it was hardly worth mentioning.
Apart from the Myriad Law Straw Puppet, it boasted no other ultimate technique. Nevertheless, the Myriad Law Straw Puppet was exceptionally powerful, especially when wielded by Liu Tianning, achieving dominance over other ultimate techniques.
Anyone who could master this path and cultivate a top-tier Dharma body would naturally become a leader within the Self School.
The Self School’s internal branches were based on plant classifications, making it the most internally diverse. However, this diversity fostered greater unity and harmony compared to the fractious infighting found within the Heavenly Dao and Earthly Advantage Sects.
When selecting top-tier techniques, Zhao Xing focused solely on those that could serve as stepping stones toward ultimate methods.
“Among the 92 top-tier techniques here, only the ‘Cloud Gate’ method leads toward an ultimate path,” Zhao Xing remarked.
He pulled out a thick tome. The Cloud Gate technique was one of nine top-tier methods derived from the ultimate technique ‘Cloud Sky Dao.’
Mastering Cloud Gate would grant an opportunity to comprehend the ultimate technique in the future.
Cloud Sky Dao was both the name of the ultimate technique and its creator.
“I’ve decided on my second top-tier technique from the Heaven School,” Zhao Xing concluded, taking the book to his assigned reading room.
“The Xuantian Lightning Technique and Cloud Gate—these will be my focus for the foreseeable future.”
The Xuantian Lightning Technique was also an ultimate method, and Geng Shouchang’s teachings came from the Prison Lightning Chapter of this ultimate path.
By focusing on these two top-tier techniques, Zhao Xing ensured he wouldn’t need to switch paths later on.
From that day, Zhao Xing began immersing himself in the study of the Xuantian Lightning Technique and Cloud Gate at Tianyuan Academy.
However, his progress was noticeably slower compared to his past experiences in comprehending techniques.
It was evident that only by fully mastering the first layer of the Derivation of the Divine Spirit could he significantly accelerate his avatar’s ability to grasp new methods.
Time passed quickly, and before long, it was November 29th.
Within the Star Palace, Zhao Xing’s cultivation made another breakthrough.
He successfully manifested a third Fate Star.
“Gulp~” Zhao Xing downed a drop of Soul-Origin Liquid, instantly restoring his soul to peak condition.
In his Sea of Consciousness, three luminous points now glowed brightly: one at his waist, and one on each shoulder.
“With the Fate Soul Mark—Three Stars as my foundation, I can split into a hundred Fate Souls. Even if this avatar is destroyed, my core essence will remain intact.”
“When seven stars are formed, I’ll achieve the Seven-Star Soul Body. My physical body’s seven souls will also grow stronger as a result,” Zhao Xing mused as he closed his eyes, savoring the moment.
From a distance, Lord Tianyan observed, his excitement palpable as he clenched his fists tightly.
“From November 7th until now, the Three-Star Fate Soul in just 23 days!”
“He’s done it faster than anyone else!”
As he recorded the event in his chronicles, Lord Tianyan’s hand trembled with exhilaration.
This wasn’t just writing a chronicle—it was documenting history!
“My name will surely be remembered by future generations as a witness to this monumental achievement!”
“Hahaha, Zhao Xing, you’d better not let me down!” Lord Tianyan laughed heartily. “Whether I earn a place in history depends entirely on you!”
Although Liu Tianning had set a record ranked ninth in history, it lacked the weight needed for true renown.
In contrast, Zhao Xing’s every step shattered historical records, ensuring his legacy as the undeniable first!
“The dynasty may perish, and I’d only be remembered as a mere prince at best. Even my role as an imperial official might fade into obscurity.”
“But records of this kind of cultivation breakthrough—those will endure!”
“Hoho, that rascal Luo Hou. I’ll finally have some bragging rights the next time we meet!”
At that moment, Lord Tianyan abandoned all pretense of princely decorum, chuckling to himself unabashedly.
The Three-Star Fate Soul provided significant benefits for comprehending techniques, especially when applied to avatars.
This was because the Derivation of the Divine Spirit technique was an exceptional match for the Myriad Law Straw Puppet. By cultivating this method, the efficacy of the Myriad Law Straw Puppet also improved significantly.
On November 25th, Zhao Xing entered the Secret Arts Tower of the Tianyuan Branch Academy.
Each month, he was entitled to five free days within the tower for comprehension—a precious opportunity he didn’t intend to waste.
“Just like the Li Huo Dao Academy, this Secret Arts Tower is also constructed from fragments of miniature worlds,” Zhao Xing murmured, glancing at the expansive skies around him.
“Staying here increases affinity with the forces of the five elements—Heaven and Earth—by dozens of times, making it much easier to comprehend the Dao.”
Here, the power of Heaven and Earth was not only tangible but visibly manifest.
The skies constantly shimmered with vibrant, multicolored radiance. Gold, wood, water, fire, earth, wind, and thunder—each of the world’s natural forces—were vividly displayed before his eyes.
One day of cultivation here was equivalent to several dozen days of training outside.
The unique characteristics of the Secret Arts Tower made every single day spent here extraordinarily valuable.
Naturally, only individuals of high rank—such as Doctors of Ritual Studies or vice deans—had access to this resource.
“Time to continue my comprehension. I can feel my progress with the Xuantian Lightning Technique reaching a critical point!” Zhao Xing resumed his focused cultivation.
Particularly after reaching the Three-Star Fate Soul stage in the Derivation of the Divine Spirit, he noticed a distinct acceleration in his progress.
Within the Secret Arts Tower, at the eighth level of the Tianyuan Branch Academy, an elderly man in plain hemp garments, his hair tied with a wooden pin, strolled leisurely.
Despite his unassuming appearance, he exuded an air of profound calm, like an old farmer inspecting his fields, as he ambled through the tower’s layers.
The Secret Arts Tower was filled with numerous Shennongs practicing techniques, casting spells, and striking at the walls of technique inscriptions.
The old man watched them with an amused expression, casually wandering through the bustling training grounds.
“Hey, boy, where are you aiming? Your lightning technique is almost hitting someone else! The practice wall is to the east! The east!” he chided, pointing toward a young, inexperienced practitioner.
Though the young Shennong couldn’t see him, he scratched his head in frustration as he looked at his poor test results.
“The flow of Essence Qi for your Palm Lightning must pass through your Hegu Point. Only then can you ensure precision. Running it through the Lao Gong Point will make your spells veer uncontrollably, even if you practice ten thousand times.”
“Who’s speaking?” The young Shennong glanced around in confusion but found no one.
Still, when he tried following the advice, his accuracy improved dramatically.
The old man chuckled and continued his casual ascent.
Occasionally, he saw practitioners making glaring mistakes and couldn’t help but offer corrections.
“You’re wielding wind incorrectly! The Wind Gale Technique is a Yang Wind, fierce and unyielding. You must restrain it at the start; otherwise, the later stages will devolve into chaos.”
“Rain and lightning aren’t mutually exclusive! Why are you insisting on summoning thunder before rain? Can’t you conjure rain without lightning? Forget about practicing rain and lightning for now—focus on mastering Cloud Techniques first.”
“Ah, a Shennong performing an invocation? No… a Shennong Priest invoking the Shennong God? Wait… you look familiar… Oh, it’s my old teacher.”
The old man, Li Boqian, gave a respectful bow before continuing upward.
He moved through the tower like a farmer tending his wheat fields, carefully inspecting each stalk, removing weeds, and straightening fallen stems.
Eventually, he reached the eighty-ninth level. Feeling a bit tired, Li Boqian decided to rest beneath a large tree.
Under the tree, a Fourth-Rank Guardian was teaching a small group of fourteen or fifteen students. Given the advanced techniques being discussed, only a few could comprehend them.
Li Boqian initially intended to nap but found himself unable to fall asleep. The instructor, named Huang Dian, was lecturing so poorly that it irritated him.
Unable to restrain himself, Li Boqian rubbed his ears and muttered, “What a lousy teacher! Stop misleading these kids! The Southern Barbarian Worm Shaman’s Ten Disasters can’t be resolved with the Major Heat Solar Term. If it were that simple, the war wouldn’t have dragged on for so long! Ha! And you’re teaching them to use the Earthworm Heavenly Timing Method in battle? Utter nonsense!”
“If someone like you were sent to the battlefield, those bugs would overrun the place!”
Huang Dian jumped in fright. “Who’s there? Show yourself! How dare you question my authority!”
Li Boqian stepped behind him and, with a casual motion, kicked him off the platform. “Do I need some special status to question you? You’re so full of official airs—go back to farming and stop teaching!”
Though it appeared to be a gentle kick, Huang Dian, a Fourth-Rank official, vanished from sight as a burst of mist enveloped him.
Moments later, he inexplicably reappeared in the Dean’s Office, over fifty miles away from the tower.
Seeing Dean Lu Chunhua, Huang Dian was utterly shaken. “Dean? How… how did I end up here?”
Dean Lu Chunhua set down his wolf-hair brush and calmly asked, “Huang, were you kicked just now?”
“Yes… yes, Dean. But… how did you know?”
“What did the person who kicked you say?”
“He said I should go back to farming…”
Lu Chunhua nodded. “Very well, then. Report to the Shennong Division.”
“What?! But… this…”
“Remember: before you leave, visit the Ritual Studies Department and have them cast a Silencing Spell on you. Don’t speak about this to anyone, and don’t make baseless guesses. Otherwise, you’ll be sent straight home.”
“…Yes, Dean.” Huang Dian swallowed hard and quickly fell in line.
After dealing with Huang Dian, Grand Shennong Li Boqian initially intended to return for a leisurely game of chess.
He figured there was little worth seeing above the ninetieth level, as most of the elder Shennongs were absorbed in solitary cultivation.
However, just as he was about to leave, he changed his mind.
With a single step, he vanished from the eighty-ninth level.
The next moment, he appeared in a mist-shrouded meadow on the ninetieth level.
“Who’s there?!” Zhao Xing, deep in cultivation, was startled.
Someone had intruded into his Mist Concealment Technique.
When studying Cloud Techniques, it was essential to also practice Mist Concealment Techniques, as the two were intricately linked.
Zhao Xing had been cross-verifying advanced methods when a figure suddenly materialized within his mist. Despite Zhao Xing’s heightened perception, he couldn’t see the person—only sense their presence as a fleeting shadow.
Li Boqian hadn’t intended to reveal himself or speak. He was ready to leave quietly.
But upon closer inspection, he paused.
“Well, well… a Myriad Law Manifestation?”
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