Chapter 8: Courtyard Performance

To save time, the self-study sessions were organized in groups of three to five, where friends with common questions would gather to learn together. Xue Wenzhong weaved through the crowd, explaining as he went, and occasionally letting the young ones practice on their own.

In the courtyard, the wind gradually picked up, clouds surged, thunder rumbled, and a fine rain began to fall, creating a lively atmosphere. While waiting, Chen Ziyu and Qian Dong also started to entertain themselves by teasing their fellow practitioners.

"Brother Zhou, how come your 'Rising Wind' always blows into people's pants? You must have charmed quite a few young ladies with that trick."

"Brother Ye, your 'Thunder Strike' is quite ordinary. The sound isn't as great as your snoring. You need to practice harder."

"Haha, Brother Cao is impressive. His 'Rain Dance' is like a girl's playful splash, spreading everywhere... Hahaha!"

Zhou's laughter echoed continuously, and those being teased weren't annoyed. Instead, they teased each other back, bringing some joy to the otherwise dry practice.

However, as the young men's conversation continued, it gradually veered off-topic, moving towards matters of romance, becoming more and more animated.

"Speaking of this year's Spring Festival, I passed by a village house and suddenly heard a voice from inside. A man was shouting, 'Darling, it's coming out, push harder~,' followed by a woman's complaint, 'You're on top, I'm below, how am I supposed to push? Why don't we switch?'"

"I was curious and went closer to take a look. Can you guess what I saw?" Qian Dong raised his eyebrows and looked at the surrounding youths, deliberately pausing to create suspense.

"Oh~ a couple? Could it be some scandalous affair? Brother Qian, stop talking, don't pollute our ears."

"Brother Cao, you were listening the most intently just now, and now you're pretending? If you don't want to listen, go away. I'm a vulgar person, I love to hear it."

"You're killing me with suspense, Brother Qian, hurry up and tell us."

Everyone laughed and urged him on, but Zhao Xing couldn't help but shake his head, not because of them, but because Elder Xue Wenzhong had unknowingly walked up behind Qian Dong.

"What did you see?" Elder Cang's voice suddenly appeared, startling the youths. Qian Dong turned around, his face turning red and blue, stammering, "N-nothing."

Xue Wenzhong's face was a mix of sternness and amusement. "They can listen, but I can't? If I can't listen, none of you will have a moment's peace. You'll all go to the back mountain to cut grass."

Qian Dong stammered, Chen Ziyu's eyes flickered, and the others turned their heads, except Zhao Xing, who watched the commotion as if it had nothing to do with him.

Seeing this, Xue Wenzhong pointed and said, "Zhao Xing, since they can't say it, you tell us."

Zhao Xing calmly replied, "Elder Xue, what Qian Dong said was just a common occurrence. It was a couple digging up a silver box left by their ancestors in a dry well. He just made a fuss over nothing."

"You're a clever one," Xue Wenzhong chuckled.

Qian Dong quickly added, "Ah, that's exactly what I meant to say."

"Yes, yes, that's what we heard too," the other youths chimed in.

Seeing that Elder Xue didn't make things difficult for them, Qian Dong swiftly changed the subject, "Elder Xue, I've recently been practicing 'Walking Cloud,' but it feels unstable, sometimes great, sometimes small. Could you give me some guidance?"

"Let me see your technique," Xue Wenzhong said.

Qian Dong didn't hesitate, extending a finger, and a gray-white cloud appeared two meters above his head, swaying like a drunken man.

Xue Wenzhong observed for a moment, then gestured for Qian Dong to stop. "Your Yuan Qi is not stable, causing the magic effect to fluctuate."

Qian Dong listened attentively.

"But you don't need to worry. This is a normal phenomenon," Xue Wenzhong reassured, patting Qian Dong's wrist. "You're close to entering the second stage of Gathering Essence, just a step away from breaking through."

"The rest of you are in a similar situation. Most of you are close or have already encountered it. Don't panic, just focus on stabilizing your Yuan Qi, and you'll be fine soon."

"Thank you, Elder Xue."

"Hmm?" When his gaze fell on Zhao Xing, Xue Wenzhong let out a light hum and pulled Zhao Xing's hand.

The others were puzzled and looked over.

After a moment, Xue Wenzhong's eyebrows relaxed, revealing a smile. "Not bad, you've already entered the second stage of Gathering Essence, faster than the others."

The others cast envious glances, while Chen Ziyu showed joy for his brother, and Qian Dong nudged him with a knowing look.

Zhao Xing remained indifferent. He had known the moment he broke through, unlike the others who were still unsure about their own situation.

Next, each person asked about their own issues, and when it was Zhao Xing's turn, he mentioned that he had already acquired three new techniques from the temple and sought Xue Wenzhong's guidance.

"The feeling of 'Rising Wind' and 'Walking Cloud' is similar. Both use Yuan Qi to control the forces of nature, but 'Rising Wind' is slightly more difficult, with directional distinctions. The execution requires more precision. Try using three parts of 'Walking Cloud's' Yuan Qi to control it, starting with the north wind."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xing began to practice.

His fingertip directed Yuan Qi northward, and soon a breeze blew past. Initially, it was just a gentle wind, but gradually it grew stronger, blowing people's hair straight up.

Xue Wenzhong's expression showed some surprise because Zhao Xing's control over 'Rising Wind' was very stable, and the wind was strong, not like a beginner's attempt.

If it were a novice, the wind would have blown their hair up and down, not straight.

"Why didn't Wang discover his talent earlier?" Xue Wenzhong pondered, then said, "Try the other directions."

Zhao Xing nodded lightly, his fingers pointing southeast, northwest, and north. There weren't many people to the north, but in the other directions, there were other youths practicing, causing significant interference.

However, the Dao Embryo Pill's initial effects were evident, and Zhao Xing's control over Yuan Qi was stronger than others, dominantly excluding the interference.

At this moment, in the courtyard, only he could summon the wind, while others could only be disturbed by it.

"Good, that's enough," Xue Wenzhong said with satisfaction, allowing Zhao Xing to stop.

The other youths were still puzzled, but seeing the anomaly from Elder Xue's direction, they didn't think much of it and continued their own practice.

Next, Elder Xue asked Zhao Xing to try 'Thunder Strike.'

"'Walking Cloud' has Yin and Yang, clear and turbid Qi. Using Yuan control techniques, it can turn into rain or thunder. The key lies in..."

"Boom!" Before he finished speaking, a thunderous sound echoed through the courtyard.

The thunder was so loud it seemed to explode right by their ears.

Now, everyone in the courtyard looked over.

They saw a mass of gray-white clouds above Zhao Xing's head, rolling and colliding like war chariots.

In the next moment, purple appeared, followed by another thunderous explosion!

"Ziyu, isn't your brother's 'Thunder Strike' a bit too loud?" Qian Dong stared blankly at the sky.

"I think so too. Could the difference between the first and second stages of Gathering Essence be this great?" Chen Ziyu was somewhat stunned, mostly shocked by the thunder's impact.

Xue Wenzhong opened his mouth, speechless.

He had said too much just now.

If Zhao Xing hadn't had his application letter on him, he would have thought Zhao Xing had been practicing for a long time.

Judging by these two techniques alone, Zhao Xing didn't seem like a beginner at all.

"Elder Xue, please guide me," Zhao Xing stopped his technique, waiting for Xue Wenzhong's instruction, but he smiled and said, "Rising Wind and Thunder Strike, you have a natural talent for them. You've already entered the door. What I have to say is nothing new, just what I've mentioned before. With a bit more practice, you'll be able to master them."

"As for this Every Tree and Bush an Enemy Soldier technique... come with me."

(End of Chapter)