Chapter 123: A Twist of Sound and Form, Zhuang Ziqing's Shock

"It really is 【Untrainable】." Zhao Xing walked out of Fuchun Garden, recalling what Tian Hou had just said.

When campaigning with the army, one might encounter especially extreme situations, such as 【Ten Suns Overhead】, which utterly destroy everything.

There are also extremely special cases, such as 【Forbidden Law Zones】.

Not only the Farming Officials, but any spell-casting profession cannot use spells, leaving only physical combat ability.

At such times, the advantage of martial artists becomes apparent.

Precisely because of such situations, martial artists have always been a very large group; otherwise, the Qi Dynasty would only have trained spell-casters, since spells are often far more useful than Wu Ji.

Zhao Xing had participated in similar training in his previous life, so when Tian Shan gave him those two pills, he vaguely guessed the mandatory training course.

He just hadn't expected it to come so early.

"But thinking about it, the Farming Officials reserves of the Ten Suns Cave Heaven all have a foundation in spells. In a short time, there isn't much room for improvement in spell training. Instead, this kind of physical training yields greater results and can also raise everyone's Gathering Yuan level."

After learning the mandatory training content twenty days from now, Zhao Xing also understood that the gifts Tian Shan had given him were not chosen at random.

Earth Essence Vermilion Fruit, to raise the Gathering Yuan level.

Hundred Beasts Throat Pill and Earth Sha Lung-Forging Pill were preparations for cultivating Wu Ji.

Since the training involved the physical body and combat, one naturally had to prepare some martial techniques.

"For a Farming Official to practice Martial Techniques, unless they already had a foundation, there simply wouldn't be any achievement in such a short time."

A month for the staff, a year for the saber, a lifetime for the spear—practicing weapon techniques? That was even harder.

Practicing fist and leg work? That also couldn't be mastered in a day.

"For quick results, only sound-wave techniques will do. This is what the teacher intended, and the vast majority of Farming Officials will probably also choose this type of Martial Technique."

"Whew, even second and third-tier treasures are starting to rise in price."

Zhao Xing browsed the armory.

Soon he saw over a dozen pills, such as 【Tiger Throat Pill】 and 【Lung-Strengthening Pill】, second-tier pills, beginning to rise in price.

The Four Academies only had 200 people in total.

Resources at the Grade-A Superior level were available to only 21 people.

Based on each academy's situation, Zhao Xing estimated that fewer than 1,000 people received 1,000 training credits per month.

Most people, after being assigned to their academies, received fewer than 500 credits per month.

So the price increases were mainly in second-tier pills; third-tier pills only rose by one or two points.

As for the 【Hundred Beasts Throat Pill】 and 【Earth Sha Lung-Forging Pill】 that Zhao Xing possessed?

Their prices hadn't moved at all.

Because among the Farming Officials reserves, ninety percent couldn't afford even one.

Zhao Xing still had over 6,000 credits on him, as well as the Lei Ting Stones sent by Long Xiao and Chen Shijie, with a recycling value of 8,000 credits.

Seeing the price increase on second-tier treasures, he had thought about hoarding, but the moment he recalled that the recycling price was only eighty percent of the selling price, he immediately abandoned the idea.

"Even if all ten thousand or so Farming Officials reserves came to buy second-tier treasures, the price wouldn't rise by much. Forget it, no underhanded tricks."

Zhao Xing closed the treasure list and switched to browsing the Wu Ji list.

"Let's see if there's a sound-wave technique I want."

A casual search brought up a huge pile of Wu Ji. Even searching for sound-wave type Wu Ji yielded over a thousand kinds, and Zhao Xing once again marveled at the abundance of resources in this era.

In the later period when the Qi Dynasty collapsed, the acquisition difficulty for any one of them would be ten times greater, because of the turmoil, and far fewer people were researching new Wu Ji and spells.

【Tiger Roar: Beginner Wu Ji】

【Category: Sound-wave Secret Art】

【Price: 80 credits】

【After cultivation, one can emit the roar of a fierce tiger】

【Description: Upon purchase, one receives a set of accompanying cultivation resources, including Tiger Throat Pill, Bone Fish Lung Slices, and other materials.】

【Dragon Chant: Beginner Wu Ji】

【Category: Sound-wave Secret Art】

【Price: 110 credits】

【After cultivation, one can emit the clear sound of a dragon's chant】

【Description: Upon purchase, one receives a set of accompanying cultivation resources, including Dragon Food Grass and Lung Qi Liquid.】

The cultivation method itself was free, as always; the 80 credits were mainly for the treasures needed for cultivation, which could assist or speed up the training.

Zhao Xing was now considered well-off; he no longer had any interest in beginner Wu Ji.

He directly chose to view intermediate Wu Ji.

His teacher had already prepared the cultivation materials for him; he only needed to check which parts were still missing. If he had already prepared some materials or treasures, the price would be cheaper as well.

【Tiger Roar Dragon Chant: Intermediate Wu Ji】

【Category: Sound-wave Secret Art】

【Price: 1,200 credits】

【After cultivation, one can emit the sound of a tiger's roar and dragon's chant, unending in cycle, shattering rock and splitting metal.】

【Description: Upon purchase, one receives a set of accompanying cultivation resources, including Dragon Spirit Grass, Lung Metal Spirit Liquid, Swordfish Lung Slices, and Fierce Tiger Throat Pill.】

"The sound-wave technique Tiger Roar Dragon Chant is middling, and the materials needed for cultivation don't overlap with what my teacher gave me. Skip."

Zhao Xing continued browsing. Intermediate Wu Ji also had their grades; now that he was flush with cash, he naturally looked down on these mediocre ones.

【Lushu's Cry: Intermediate Wu Ji.】

【Category: Sound-wave Secret Art】

【Price: 2,500 credits】

【Lushu's Cry, a decadent sound; those who hear it grow weak in hand and foot, powerless all over.】

【Note: After purchase, you will receive a set of accompanying cultivation resources, including a fourth-tier Hundred Beasts Throat Pill, third-tier deer antler, third-tier Lung Pill, and a Sound-Storing Stone.】

"Hmm? This one is pretty good. If I want to buy it, I just need to spend an extra 500 points… let me see if there's anything better."

【Violent Xun Sound: Mid-tier Wu Ji】

【Price: 1500 points】

【Yin Xun Nine Explosions】

【Connects and flings out nine sound waves, producing chain explosions; the power can stack】

【Price: 2200 points】

【Folding Sound Curved Form · Sound Blade】

【Price: 1000 points】

【Folding Sound Curved Form · Sound Spike】

【Price: 1000 points】

Browsing continuously, Zhao Xing saw many sound-wave Wu Ji, both familiar and unfamiliar.

Many had good effects and power, but they were hard to practice and required many supplementary materials.

Some were cheaper, but their power was only so-so.

After carefully looking for half a shichen, Zhao Xing finally settled on three sound-wave Wu Ji.

【Kui Ox Thunder Roar: Mid-tier Wu Ji】

【Category: Sound-wave Secret Art】

【Price: 8000 points】

【Kui Ox Thunder Roar, sun and moon lose their light】

【Note: After purchase, you will receive a set of accompanying cultivation resources, including Hundred Beasts Throat Pills, Earth Fiend Lung-Training Pills, eighth-grade Wild Bull vocal cord meat, Lung Metal Spirit Liquid, and other materials.】

"The Kui Ox's hide can be made into a drum, its bones into a mallet, and its sound carries for ten thousand myriad miles. This is a sound-wave secret art passed down from the era of the ancient sects." Seeing this familiar name, Zhao Xing placed the order without hesitation.

Because he knew the strength of this sound-wave Wu Ji — among sound-wave type Wu Ji, it counted as top-tier, and it could be cultivated upward continuously. The current mid-tier method was only a part of the complete secret art.

"I already have 3 Hundred Beasts Throat Pills and 2 Earth Fiend Lung-Training Pills, so buying this secret art to practice actually only costs 4000 points for the remaining materials."

As for the other two sound-wave secret arts, they were 【Folding Sound Curved Form · Sound Blade】 and 【Folding Sound Curved Form · Sound Spike】.

The materials were relatively cheap, and they were easy to get started with.

Zhao Xing bought double sets of materials, spending another 4000 points.

If the Kui Ox Thunder Roar was hard to practice and showed no results within twenty days, then 【Folding Sound Curved Form】 could be used to get by for now.

"Place the order!"

When purchasing the Kui Ox Thunder Roar, Zhao Xing specifically made a note, and only 4000 points were deducted.

Purchasing the two types of 【Folding Sound Curved Form】, each in double sets, deducted another 4000 points.

Originally, after exchanging the Lei Ting stone for points, plus the 5000 points from the top-grade resources and the thousand points from registration, he had a total of fourteen thousand points.

Now after one deduction, only 6000 points remained.

"Six thousand points, that's enough for now." Zhao Xing didn't feel any heartache over the points. Sitting there they're just a pile of numbers, they can't produce offspring — of course spend them!

A quarter of an hour later, at the gate of the Eighteen Locust Willows courtyard.

"Clop-clop-clop~"

The familiar sound of bamboo horses came, and a Mechanism Master, carrying a large box, stopped outside the courtyard gate.

"Zhao Xing, your goods are here!"

The Mechanism Master shouted at the top of his lungs.

There was no choice — the courtyard was too big, and if he shouted too softly, no one would hear.

The voice spread outward in rings like ripples. Zhao Xing flew over and looked at the Mechanism Master outside the gate, feeling somewhat surprised.

"Old Gao, you've got quite a voice there — did you cultivate a sound-wave art?"

Gao Ming was the name of this delivery Mechanism Master. After delivering letters and goods several times, he had also gotten to know Zhao Xing.

"Mm, I cultivate Yin Xun Nine Explosions. We Mechanism Masters don't have that much time to practice Wu Ji, passing the test is enough." Gao Ming laughed, "I'm too lazy to get off the horse and touch the formation on the courtyard gate, so just shouting once is much easier."

"Alright, toss the stuff to me, you go on with your work."

"Good, catch." Gao Ming flung the package, and it landed steadily in Zhao Xing's hands.

"Clop-clop-clop~" He rode his bamboo horse off into the distance again.

Inside the courtyard, Zhao Xing carried the package to his cultivation room.

"Everything's here."

"It's really quite heavy."

The boxes were separate — three boxes, one large and two small.

The small ones were clearly the two sets of 【Folding Sound Curved Form】.

"Folding Sound Curved Form is a bit easier in difficulty, I'll practice it first to build a foundation."

Opening the box, inside was a Wu Ji manual.

Whether it was a Wu Ji manual or a spell manual, the pages all contained a trace of Dao resonance.

When Zhao Xing flipped it open, the method of circulating Yuan Qi for 《Folding Sound Curved Form》 immediately appeared in his mind, and at the same time the characters before his eyes seemed to come alive.

"Whoosh whoosh whoosh~" All the characters on the page transformed into human figures, demonstrating before Zhao Xing.

"The manuals must have cost money too — they're a bit more advanced than the books I read back in Gucheng." Zhao Xing quietly comprehended.

After finishing reading, he opened two of the small boxes.

Inside the boxes was a type of third-tier pill, and a bottle of regulating spirit liquid to protect the throat and lungs — this was to avoid damaging the lungs and throat during initial cultivation.

Otherwise, after shouting casually for half a shichen, the throat would probably go hoarse.

"Begin cultivating!"

The next day, before dawn.

"Ha!"

Zhao Xing opened his mouth. A surge of Qi rose from his abdomen, bringing a faint stabbing pain, then was compressed through his throat and oral cavity.

"Swoosh!"

His lips moved slightly. A spike, formed of sound waves and faintly diamond-shaped, pierced the air and struck hard against the wall ahead.

"Thud!"

The cultivation room's walls had all been reinforced by formations; the impact left only a small white dent.

"One night of hard cultivation, and this second technique has also entered the door, reaching the one-turn Wu Ji level."

Zhao Xing checked his panel.

【Refracted Sound Curved Form · Sound Blade】

【Mid-grade Wu Ji: 1254/9999】

【Refracted Sound Curved Form · Sound Spike】

【Mid-grade Wu Ji: 1005/9999】

"The Sound Blade and Sound Spike of the Refracted Sound Curved Form are two different Wu Ji, but they share common ground—only the auxiliary materials required differ."

"Easy to pick up, and the power isn't small either." Zhao Xing touched his throat, felt no effect, and so continued cultivating.

【You cultivated Refracted Sound Curved Form · Sound Blade ten times. Having gained some insight, you adjusted the circulation position of your primordial Qi. Refracted Sound Curved Form · Sound Blade progress increased by 200 points.】

【You cultivated Refracted Sound Curved Form · Sound Blade one hundred times, achieving minor success, and perfected the flaws in your exertion of force. Refracted Sound Curved Form · Sound Blade progress increased by 400 points.】

【You cultivated Refracted Sound Curved Form · Sound Spike one thousand times. You now have considerable mastery of this Wu Ji. Refracted Sound Curved Form · Sound Spike progress increased by 500 points.】

……

【You cultivated Refracted Sound Curved Form · Sound Blade five thousand times. You have fully mastered this Wu Ji and begun making overall adjustments based on your own body structure, making it more suitable for you to perform. Refracted Sound Curved Form · Sound Blade progress increased by 2000 points!】

【Refracted Sound Curved Form · Sound Blade has reached seven turns!】

【You cultivated Refracted Sound Curved Form · Sound Spike five thousand times. You have comprehended the mysteries of this Wu Ji and entered the hall of mastery. Your body has also fully adapted to the use of this secret technique. Refracted Sound Curved Form · Sound Spike progress increased by 2000 points!】

【Refracted Sound Curved Form · Sound Spike has reached seven turns!】

For three days straight, Zhao Xing was completely immersed in cultivation.

When tired or sleepy, he would use the Sleep Bug spell to wake himself up.

When hungry, he would eat primordial fruit to recover, keeping himself in peak condition at all times.

In the span of three days and three nights, Zhao Xing had cultivated each of the two sound-wave Wu Ji five thousand times.

"Five thousand practices each, and already seven turns." Zhao Xing smiled slightly.

The descriptions of these two sound-wave Wu Ji in the Martial Repository also mentioned how many practices would reach what realm.

Under circumstances where auxiliary materials were not lacking.

Generally, performing it over a hundred times allowed entry into the door, reaching one turn.

Five thousand times meant already quite proficient. By normal talent cultivation standards, one could cultivate it to about 4 turns.

If below this number, it proved the talent lagged behind average, proving one's talent in this Wu Ji was relatively weak.

"The big data provided by the Martial Repository can help a person observe whether they are suited to practicing a particular secret technique."

"Looking at it now, even with sound-wave Wu Ji, my comprehension is still quite good."

The difference between four turns and seven turns is huge.

One turn to three turns can only be said the technique has just entered the door.

Four turns to six turns is minor accomplishment.

Seven turns to nine turns—that is entering the hall of mastery, having already understood the technique to a profound level.

The Martial Repository's big data only took how long it took to cultivate to four turns, because after that, whether one could enter the hall of mastery varied too greatly by individual talent and held no further reference value.

Some people might reach perfection after five thousand practices. Others practice tens of thousands of times and still remain at four turns.

After a brief rest, Zhao Xing went out and headed to Fuchun Garden.

Tian Shan was a fairly responsible teacher. Every three days, he would spot-check Zhao Xing's cultivation progress.

But today, inside Fuchun Garden, there were more than just himself.

Zhuang Ziqing and Han Bing from the Earth Advantage Institute were both in Fuchun Garden.

Although they apprenticed under different teachers, Tian Shan was still one of the Earth Advantage Institute's Agricultural Overseers, with Grade-A treatment, so they could still come by to seek guidance—of course, it also depended on timing; they couldn't come bother him every day.

"Zhao Xing." Zhuang Ziqing greeted him, his voice somewhat hoarse.

As for Han Bing, he simply said nothing, only nodding.

"You two, also……"

"Yes." Zhuang Ziqing gave a wry smile. "The mandatory training content forbids casting spells; one must cultivate Wu Ji. The Si Nong's first choice is always sound-wave techniques."

Zhuang Ziqing's face had originally been somewhat thin, but now his cheeks were puffed out, making him look square-jawed.

Han Bing, on the other hand, hadn't puffed his cheeks, but his throat was clearly still somewhat red and swollen.

It seemed both of them had run into some problems in cultivation and had come to seek Tian Shan's guidance.

"Everyone's here?" After waiting a while, Tian Shan appeared from behind the screen in the rear hall. His steps were forceful, his bearing as steady as a mountain—somewhat different from his usual kind and gentle demeanor. It seemed he had also just finished practicing.

"Greetings, Teacher."

"Paying respects to Tian Hou."

"Pay…ing… respects… to the Marquis."

The three paid their respects in turn. Han Bing also forced himself to speak through his sore throat, but it was clearly extremely strained.

"How did you practice yourself into this state?" Tian Shan looked at Han Bing and frowned. "In just a few days, your voice is completely hoarse, your throat still red and swollen. Your exertion of force has a serious problem right here……come here."

Han Bing obediently stepped forward.

Tian Shan's palm moved back and forth across his throat, and a faint breeze drifted in, as if the light all around had grown brighter.

"This technique…" Zhao Xing vaguely sensed a change in the surroundings. "Could it be that the teacher used a Solar Term Command to treat Han Bing? I can only faintly tell it's spring, but I can't make out the specific method."

"All done," Tian Shan said. "The problem isn't serious anymore. Try speaking."

"Thank you, Tian Hou." Han Bing hurriedly bowed with hands clasped; his swelling had already gone down.

"Teacher, what method was that?" Zhao Xing asked.

"Solar Term Command — Start of Spring, the revival of life; its Qi can heal all things." Tian Shan pointed at Han Bing's throat. "He's shed a layer of skin now."

Zhao Xing looked, and sure enough, some dead skin had appeared on Han Bing's throat.

It was like a snake shedding its skin or a crab changing its shell — in the process, the old organs and tissues are replaced and new ones grow.

But for humans to achieve such a change is very difficult. Zhao Xing guessed that the Solar Term Command Tian Shan cultivated had already reached a level where it could induce a 'seasonal change' in living things — at the very least, a localized seasonal change.

"Zhuang Ziqing, your problem isn't serious, but you, Zhao Xing—" Tian Shan furrowed his brow. "You speak just as always. Have you been slacking these past few days, or did you fail to grasp my meaning and didn't cultivate the Sound Wave technique?"

The latter half of his words had already taken on a stern tone; Tian Hou suspected that Zhao Xing had grown arrogant after entering the Land Advantage Academy.

"Teacher has misunderstood," Zhao Xing said hurriedly. "Your student has not been slacking."

"Prove it to me." Tian Shan pointed at a stone lion placed outside the hall.

"As you command." Zhao Xing turned around, and between breaths his chest swelled high; then he opened his mouth and spat, and instantly a sound-blade tore through the air and struck the stone lion.

"Crack—" A corner of the stone lion's ear was sliced right off.

"Hm?!" Zhuang Ziqing, standing to the side, saw this and his eyelid twitched at once.

I won't release them all at once — the first chapter is being served up first.