Chapter 72: Lotus Seeds and Yellow Paper, Ten Thousand Laws Spiritual Elegance? (Seeking First Subscription!)
Zhao Xing was at the Temple of Heaven Square, precisely at the hour of the Rat [11 PM to 1 AM], when he comprehended the Thunder Method. His speed was swift, and he used up the Thunder Method Spiritual Elegance in less than five ke [a traditional Chinese unit of time, approximately 14 minutes], leaving nearly half a shi [an ancient Chinese unit of time, approximately two hours] until the hour of the Ox [1 AM to 3 AM].
"There's still plenty of time," Zhao Xing glanced at the sundial, planning to continue examining the other two Spiritual Elegances. Suddenly, through the gaps in the crowd, he spotted several familiar figures.
"It's Zong Shichang. He actually came up the mountain," Zhao Xing murmured. Zong Shichang was resting against a pillar with three others, their auras robust and their Yuan Qi [vital energy] dense, clearly the three experts the Zong family had hired for him.
As his gaze swept over, Zhao Xing noticed a woman wearing a wide-brimmed hat in a corner of the square. It was Lu Qian, who had previously failed to charm him and was instead beaten.
"Wearing a hat to cover her face, is she afraid of people seeing her panda eyes?" Lu Qian seemed to sense something, her dark circles under the hat looking in a certain direction.
Upon seeing the straw man, she took a deep breath. "It's him! He's here too!" Lu Qian gritted her teeth in hatred. She recognized him even if he turned to ashes!
"Qianqian, what's wrong?" a woman holding Liu Qin asked curiously, "You're acting strange today. First, you inexplicably wore a hat and refused to take it off, and now you're distracted while talking to me."
"I'm fine, Sister Mu, just a bit uncomfortable. Please don't ask anymore," Lu Qian didn't want to talk about her ordeal, at least not until the bruises were gone. Her eyes were still swollen!
"More experts are arriving. Just now, there were only a few above the seventh level of Gathering Essence," Zhao Xing observed with his 'Five Elements Observation,' knowing that tonight's incense fight would likely be a fierce battle.
"I wonder how Shen Zhui is doing," Zhao Xing had agreed to meet Shen Zhui at the Temple of Heaven Square the next day to enter the temple together, but he hadn't seen him yet.
Entering the temple from the Temple of Heaven Square still required a distance, and fighting in close quarters with so many people was indeed dangerous. If he could team up with Shen Zhui, his chances would be greater.
"Forget it, if he doesn't come, there's nothing I can do," Zhao Xing was prepared to fight alone. Ultimately, he had to rely on his own strength.
Retracting his gaze, Zhao Xing picked up the second Spiritual Elegance. It was a blue lotus pod he had found in the spring water of a mountain cave. When he discovered four blue lotus flowers, only this one was ripe, bearing lotus seeds.
"So cold, why is this lotus pod so icy?" Zhao Xing had previously let the straw man hold it and hadn't paid much attention, but now that he held it himself, he felt a penetrating chill.
"The coldness comes from these lotus seeds," Zhao Xing examined them, finding eight seeds, each emitting a crystalline blue glow. Using the Five Elements Observation, he detected a strong water element power, but its structure was peculiar, not a cohesive mass but rather in an icy crystalline state.
"Ice Frost Power?" Gently plucking a seed, Zhao Xing immediately understood the usage method of this Spiritual Elegance.
"A consumable Spiritual Elegance, could it be similar to Zhu Fruit?" He placed the lotus seed in his mouth, chewing and swallowing it. It was very cold, like biting into ice, and Zhao Xing couldn't help but shiver.
A chill spread throughout his body, making Zhao Xing feel as if he were about to freeze. The bone-chilling cold seemed to halt his thoughts.
"Ah~" Zhao Xing couldn't bear the cold, quickly circulating his Gathering Essence technique. The Yuan Qi in his dantian [energy center] immediately mobilized, attacking and tearing at the cold power.
Soon, his thoughts returned to normal, and Zhao Xing felt a bit warmer. As his Yuan Qi battled the Ice Frost Power, it was also being consumed. However, once he successfully absorbed a unique 'Ice Frost Power,' it could be converted into nourishment, replenishing his dantian.
Although the power levels differed, this consumption balanced out. Zhao Xing's Yuan Qi quickly gained the upper hand.
At the same time, with each absorption of the Ice Frost Power, Zhao Xing's understanding of water element magic arts deepened.
"So that's how it is," Zhao Xing realized the effects of this Spiritual Elegance and fully immersed himself in comprehension and absorption.
After two ke [approximately 28 minutes], the first lotus seed was completely digested.
[You have consumed the water method Spiritual Elegance 'Ice Lotus Seed,' Yuan Qi increased by 800 points.]
[Your affinity with water element power has increased, and your comprehension of Ice Rain Magic Arts has improved by 1000 points!]
[Your initial stage magic arts 'Rainfall' has broken through to Eight Turns, and mid-stage 'Ice Rain' has broken through to Two Turns!]
"The Ice Lotus Seed enhances both 'Yuan' and 'Method,' increasing Yuan Qi and elevating magic arts comprehension," Zhao Xing understood the effects of this Spiritual Elegance.
The Thunder Stone was purely a Thunder Method Spiritual Elegance, while the Ice Lotus Seed was a Yuan Method Spiritual Elegance.
"However, consuming this Spiritual Elegance is more challenging than the Thunder Stone, taking longer," Zhao Xing noted.
The Thunder Stone was purely for comprehension. The Ice Lotus Seed required first digesting the 'Ice Frost Power' before gaining magic arts comprehension from it.
The former was an external to internal process, allowing Zhao Xing to enter a state similar to 'epiphany,' deepening his understanding of magic arts and fundamentally enhancing his Thunder Method.
The Ice Lotus Seed was an internal digestion, enhancing Zhao Xing's 'affinity with water element power,' so no anomalies appeared.
As affinity increased, naturally, comprehension of magic arts deepened.
"Although not as rapid as the Thunder Stone, in the long run, the Ice Lotus Seed's effects are even greater," Zhao Xing concluded.
The Thunder Stone's impact was solely on 'Method,' while the Ice Lotus Seed enhanced both 'Method' and 'Body.'
In future water element magic arts, Zhao Xing would find it easier to perform, with greater power.
One was giving a fish, the other teaching to fish.
"Eat, eat, eat!" Understanding the distinction, Zhao Xing knew how to quickly digest this Spiritual Elegance.
The first Ice Lotus Seed took two ke [approximately 28 minutes] to fully digest. The second took less than one ke [approximately 14 minutes].
Yuan Qi swiftly dismantled the unique 'Ice Frost Power,' naturally gaining more comprehension of water element magic arts.
The third seed, the fourth... each took less time.
When all eight seeds were consumed, it took even less time than the Thunder Stone.
However, the subsequent effects were correspondingly weaker.
"The first Ice Lotus Seed increased magic arts comprehension by 1000 points, the second by over 900, and each subsequent seed decreased by about 100," Zhao Xing calculated.
"In total, it increased water element magic arts comprehension by 5420 points! It's simply beyond expectations!" Zhao Xing was pleasantly surprised.
The Thunder Stone greatly elevated magic arts realms, even allowing Zhao Xing to comprehend new methods.
The Ice Lotus Seed enhanced the affinity with water element power, effectively increasing cultivation speed.
In a short time, it allowed him to gain numerous insights into water element magic arts, raising Ice Rain's magic arts proficiency by a full five turns, proving its effectiveness!
In future ice attribute magic arts within the water element, the cultivation speed would undoubtedly surpass other magic arts, and by several times!
Of course, this was limited to 'ice attribute magic arts' within the water element.
The initial stage magic arts 'Rainfall' went from seven turns to full level, merely a continuous increase.
"Now, my talent in ice system magic arts is terrifyingly strong," Zhao Xing couldn't help but feel this way.
Checking the panel, Zhao Xing found that while the affinity increase was gradually weakening, the Yuan Qi increase remained relatively stable, totaling 6300 points.
Now he had reached 7456 points at the sixth level of Gathering Essence, which could be considered 'late sixth level of Gathering Essence.'
The eight Ice Lotus Seeds ultimately brought Zhao Xing's initial stage magic arts 'Rainfall' to full level.
Mid-stage magic arts [Ice Rain] reached six turns.
The significant increase in Yuan Qi also had hidden and long-term benefits, namely the ice system magic arts cultivation speed, which increased several times.
"No wonder so many people climb Spirit Mountain, especially in the years of Great Open Mountain, it's a mad scramble," Zhao Xing thought.
"If someone without a family background obtains a Spiritual Elegance, it might change their fate," Zhao Xing observed the increasing number of people outside, some even glancing his way.
If it weren't 'stop fighting' time now, countless people might rush over to snatch his Spiritual Elegance.
One person with three Spiritual Elegances, it's enough to make anyone envious!
However, as Zhao Xing used up two Spiritual Elegances, that overwhelming feeling subsided significantly.
The prying eyes also decreased.
"Only one left," Zhao Xing looked at the thin piece of yellow paper.
It was covered with mysterious patterns, glowing with a mystical light, appearing extraordinary.
The yellow paper was very thin, and when Zhao Xing held it, his eyelid twitched: "Is this... Ten Thousand Laws Spiritual Elegance?"
What is Ten Thousand Laws Spiritual Elegance?
Simply put, if you stick this piece of yellow paper on yourself, whichever magic arts you wish to break through will break through!
Moreover, it directly advances to Nine Turns!
Of course, the magic arts itself must not exceed mid-stage.
"A miraculous Spiritual Elegance, Ten Thousand Method added to the body, this piece of yellow paper can elevate any mid-stage magic arts to Nine Turns."
"It's the strongest among Middle Grade Spiritual Elegances and also the rarest."
"In a place like East Lake Mountain, a Spirit Mountain of this level, it might not appear once in twenty or thirty years, and I actually encountered it?" Zhao Xing felt like rewarding Zhou Gang and Fang Jie with a few hundred taels.
Lucky star! This fortune is too great, not giving some benefits would be unjust.
"Are they near the Temple of Heaven?" Zhao Xing stood up, scanning the surroundings, and indeed found the two.
"Let's go," Zhao Xing sent a straw man towards Zhou Gang and Fang Jie.
"Brother Zhou, how did you and Brother Fang get injured?" a concerned friend asked, "Judging by the wounds, it looks like knife injuries..."
"Hmph, it was Qin Feng and those bastards," Fang Jie said bitterly, "He harbored resentment against us, secretly followed, and ambushed us when we found a Spiritual Elegance."
"What? How could that be? Aren't you both disciples of Master Zhang?" the friend was shocked.
"It's true. If not for a mysterious expert passing by and helping us, we might have been killed by them..."
"Oh? What kind of expert?" the friend asked curiously.
"It was a senior from the Sinoong," Fang Jie was speaking energetically when he suddenly noticed a straw man approaching, and he froze.
"It's me," Zhao Xing's voice carried over with the wind.
"Senior, what brings you here?" Zhou Gang asked.
"Come over here," Zhao Xing gestured.
Fang Jie and Zhou Gang exchanged a glance, reluctantly walking over.
When they reached the straw man, Zhao Xing made it disperse, revealing his true form.
"Sen..." Zhou Gang looked at the youthful face of the person before him, unable to utter the word 'senior.' The contrast was too great!
They thought someone who could play with Sinoong magic arts at this level would at least be an old hand, but they didn't expect him to be so young!
"My name is Zhao Xing. No need to call me senior, just use my name," Zhao Xing smiled.
"Brother Zhao, what can we do for you?" Zhou Gang's attitude became even more respectful, feeling unworthy.
"I said before, if I gain something good in the mountain cave, I will repay you," Zhao Xing saw Zhou Gang about to speak and waved his hand, "Don't mention the life-saving grace, one thing at a time, I said it, so I'll do it."
"Now, tell me what you want," Zhao Xing said.
Zhou Gang remained silent, but Fang Jie blinked: "If I must say, we want money."
Money?
That's tricky, who brings that up the mountain?
Zhao Xing thought for a moment, realizing he didn't have anything worth money to give. The things he took from Qin Feng were worth maybe twenty or thirty taels.
Tianyuan Pear Pills and such, he needed to keep for himself, and the Sparrow Feather Robe wasn't suitable either.
For a moment, Zhao Xing was genuinely at a loss.
Promise to give it after descending the mountain?
Once past the Forget Worry Monument, who would remember?
Just as he was in a dilemma, Zhao Xing's eye caught Zong Shichang.
"Wait here for me, don't move, I'll get you some money," Zhao Xing instructed.
The two obediently waited in place.
"Tonight's incense fight, my requirements aren't high, just someone to fight for the top ten. As for Yang Junxiong's matter, you don't need to worry, just escort me down the mountain when the time comes..." Zong Shichang was negotiating with those around him.
Suddenly, he noticed the people beside him looking surprised, and he turned to see Zhao Xing.
With the Ten Thousand Laws Spiritual Elegance on him, it was hard not to attract attention.
"Zhao Top Three, have you finished digesting your Spiritual Elegance?" Zong Shichang asked.
"How do you know?"
Zong Shichang laughed, "I heard someone say, one person with three Spiritual Elegances, truly Zhao Top Three. I saw you surrounded by wind walls and straw men, so I didn't disturb you."
Zhao Xing waved his hand, "Let's not talk about that, I have something to ask you."
"Go ahead," Zong Shichang said.
"Do you have money on you? Silver notes would be best, other valuable jade items are fine too," Zhao Xing asked.
Zong Shichang nodded, "I do have silver notes, how much do you need?"
"Two hundred taels," Zhao Xing replied.
"Alright," Zong Shichang didn't hesitate, immediately taking out the money.
A strong man with a knife couldn't help but remind, "Young master, lending money on the mountain, without written records, you might not remember..."
The Forget Worry Monument would erase memories of these days, including any means of revealing what happened on the mountain, so written records wouldn't work either.
Another person scrutinized Zhao Xing, seemingly questioning how he would repay the two hundred taels.
Zong Shichang laughed, "I find him pleasing to the eye, even if it's just for these three days, it's worth two hundred taels, no need to advise further."
Zhao Xing took the silver notes, shaking them, "Not asking for nothing, I'll repay you before descending the mountain."
Zong Shichang smiled, saying no more. Two hundred taels was a small amount to him, prepared for spending on the mountain.
"If there's anything else, let's talk later."
"Please go ahead," Zong Shichang waved.
Returning to Zhou Gang and Fang Jie, Zhao Xing handed over two one-hundred-tael silver notes.
Fang Jie and Zhou Gang were stunned, as if they couldn't believe Zhao Xing would actually give them money.
"Why are you standing there? Not enough?" Zhao Xing raised an eyebrow.
"No, no, no," Zhou Gang and Fang Jie hurriedly said, "It's already a lot, thank you, thank you."
A hundred taels was enough to significantly improve their living standards, even using it for cultivation, spending some time to break through a level, they would still have plenty left.
"Alright, remember, wealth should not be exposed, and disaster comes from the mouth," Zhao Xing said calmly, "Go on."
"Yes, we understand, we'll descend the mountain now," Zhou Gang and Fang Jie nodded heavily.
It was clear that the silver notes were not only Zhao Xing's goodwill but also a hint to keep the mountain cave's secret.
Zhou Gang and Fang Jie, being honest people, after the Qin Feng incident, were grateful to be alive and receiving a hundred taels of silver notes, they were already immensely grateful, naturally not thinking of anything else. They immediately left the Temple of Heaven and descended the mountain.
Having resolved the matter with Zhou Gang and Fang Jie, Zhao Xing felt much lighter. He then took the Ten Thousand Laws Spiritual Elegance and placed it on his chest.
Zhao Xing's mid-stage magic arts included [Wild Barbarian Growth], [Thunder Snare], [Thunder Palm], [Lead Thunder], [Ice Rain], and [Yin Wind].
The other mid-stage magic arts were at least five turns, using the Ten Thousand Laws Spiritual Elegance on them was clearly not worthwhile.
Only Yin Wind hadn't even reached one turn, just barely grasped.
"Yin Wind, this magic arts is definitely worth maxing out. It can blow away souls, specifically countering those with thick skin and flesh in close combat professions, and can counter those affecting the mind, a must-have for military Sinoong."
"Moreover, Yin Wind is too difficult to practice, only suitable during the Great Cold, Minor Cold, and Clear Brightness seasons, or requiring an excellent cultivation location."
"Even with other mid-stage magic arts, Yin Wind should be prioritized," Zhao Xing closed his eyes, focusing his mind, continuously recalling the Yin Wind magic arts.
Gradually, a cold sensation emerged from the 'yellow paper' on his chest, spreading from his chest to his feet.
Then it extended all the way down, as if enveloping Zhao Xing's soul, endlessly descending.
"Whoo~" It was like the sound of ghosts wailing and wolves howling, echoing in his ears.
It made Zhao Xing feel as if he were deep in the veins of the earth, truly experiencing the presence and operation of Yin Wind.
At the same time, countless techniques for using Yin Wind surged into his mind.
The panel records continuously refreshed, and the progress of Yin Wind magic arts began to climb rapidly.
Time slowly passed.
Sweat dripped from Zhao Xing's forehead, his face growing paler.
When the yellow paper on his chest completely disappeared, Zhao Xing suddenly opened his eyes, his pupils deep and dark, as if hiding a terrifying storm.
"Whoo~" At the Temple of Heaven Square, everyone inexplicably shivered, as if a gust of wind had slipped into their necks in the dead of winter.
Zhao Xing wiped the sweat from his forehead, a slight smile on his lips. The Yin Wind magic arts had reached the realm of Nine Turns!
(End of Chapter)