Chapter 129: Element Analysis and Essence Condensation, Node Bending and Root Strengthening — The Four Arts of the Benwo Sect

The Taicang Institute has three most important treasure sites.

The first is the Hall of All Things, which, like the Earth Vein Hall of the Geography Institute, is also presented as a mural corridor for visitors to observe, carved with the "Picture of All Things Growing."

This treasure site is divided into inner and outer sections; the outer corridor is open for free comprehension to all, while the inner corridor requires points to purchase entries, or one may become a Grade-A genius and receive one to three free comprehension opportunities.

The second is the Primordial Dao Field, which houses countless original species that bloom and wither at extreme speed, fully demonstrating the complete process of a plant from seed to growth, maturity, and death; there are also zones that remain constant, perpetually keeping the plants at a certain stage. Examples include the 【Newborn Zone】, 【Growth Zone】, 【Maturity Zone】, and 【Withering Zone】.

The Dao Field also has a tier system; the lower-tier zones are free to view, while the mid- and high-tier zones require points to purchase entries, or one may be a Grade-A genius and receive free comprehension opportunities.

The third is the Derivative Dao Field; its function is the same as the Primordial Dao Field, but the difference is that everything inside is artificially cultivated new species.

"I have Grade-A Superior treatment. Although I'm not from the Taicang Institute, I can enter all the paid zones of these treasure sites twice for free."

Grade-A Superior geniuses of our own institute get three free entries; those from other institutes only get two.

Zhao Xing arrived inside the Taicang Institute.

He decided to head to the Hall of All Things first.

"My foundation is rather weak, and not just me — the vast majority of Si Nong are the same."

Most Si Nong only have a smattering of knowledge about Benwo Sect techniques before reaching Third Rank.

Before reaching Third Rank, no Si Nong would dare claim even modest accomplishment in 'Benwo Sect' techniques.

For the Benwo Sect, the period before Third Rank is all about 'laying the foundation.'

"Although the Taicang Institute also takes fifty people, in reality, very few Si Nong truly join the Taicang Institute and walk the Benwo Sect path."

"They all come for the treatment, but in truth they secretly devote their minds to the other paths."

Body in Taicang, heart elsewhere. Taking the benefits of the Taicang Institute while cultivating other sects' methods — this is the current state of the Benwo Sect.

But there's nothing to be done about it. If the Taicang Institute mandated that joining required compulsory main-study of Benwo Sect techniques, then Grade-A geniuses would rather go to the Celestial Timing Institute or the Geography Institute for a Grade-B than join the Taicang Institute.

To reach Third Rank through main-study of the Benwo Sect is far too difficult! One could die without ever touching the threshold of the Benwo Sect.

So the Taicang Institute doesn't force its Si Nong to study, instead using imperial court resource support to attract those with genuine interest and perseverance to cultivate.

"Don't waste the precious comprehension opportunities yet; go browse the free places first." Zhao Xing headed toward the Hall of All Things.

At this moment, there were very few people inside the Taicang Institute.

Those who came to comprehend at the Hall of All Things were also far fewer than at the other treasure sites.

The corridor was empty and desolate; a few dozen people stood scattered before it observing the murals, but many would look for a while and then leave.

"Just as the Celestial Timing has its Four Arts and the Geography has its Four Arts, the Benwo Sect also has its classic four categories of techniques."

"Element Analysis, Essence Condensation, Node Bending, and Root Strengthening — known as the 'Benwo Lesser Four Arts.'"

Why add the word 'Lesser'?

It's not because of 'technique discrimination' or 'school discrimination' that a 'lesser' was tacked on.

It's because they're hard to practice.

Most people can't learn them; only a small portion can walk this path, so it can't be called a Great Way.

Add to that the Five Elements and Four Seasons theory, where the Celestial Timing school's philosophy occupies the mainstream, calling itself the 'Great Five Elements,' while the Benwo Sect is called the 'Inner Five Elements' or 'Lesser Five Elements.' This naming habit extended to techniques as well, and the Benwo Sect could only pinch its nose and accept it by default.

But by the time of the Revival Period, the Benwo Sect, which had been 'trembling with cold' for several thousand years, finally stood up.

After standing up, the Benwo Sect declared: Everyone here is trash — I'm going to wipe you all out!

"Element Analysis, Essence Condensation, Node Bending, Root Strengthening — the Benwo Four Arts. I've already learned one of them." Zhao Xing strolled through the corridor.

The Mid-Tier Nine-Turn 【Wild Growth】 belongs to the 'Root Strengthening' category; it also has other names, such as Stem Strengthening or Foundation Strengthening.

"The extraordinary technique I want is called the 'Mystic Yellow Element Analysis Art.' By rights it should have existed during Emperor Jing's reign, but it wasn't famous, and I don't know whether it's been included here."

Zhao Xing looked at the mural "Picture of All Things Growing." Every mural contains 'techniques' and 'arts' that have been screened by the imperial court.

"The imperial court transmits ten thousand arts — does this collection include the 'Mystic Yellow Element Analysis Art'?"

Zhao Xing couldn't be sure, because he didn't remember the exact time this art appeared; he only remembered that its creator was named 'Mi Fu.'

"Mi Fu reached Third Rank Si Nong Minister in the early Wu Di period, but he didn't hold the post long before dying of old age."

"Emperor Jing's reign had six era names in total: Cheng'an, Yong'an, Dingxin, Jingxin, Dazhi, and Yongzhi."

"The two 'An' eras were the longest, the two 'Zhi' eras the shortest, and among the two 'Xin' eras, Jingxin lasted only thirty-seven years."

"Mi Fu died of old age, so at that time he should have been in the prime of life. The question is what rank he was. If he was Third Rank or above, that's easier to track down. If below Third Rank, it'll be hard — below Fifth Rank in the Great Zhou, those with identical names and surnames are countless."

Mi Fu was only Sixth Rank when he created the "Mystic Yellow Element Analysis Art." Why is it called an extraordinary technique?

Because Mi Fu himself didn't know how incredible the technique he had created was.

When applied to plants, the Mystic Yellow Element Analysis Art could only be rated as an above-average technique.

But when applied to humans, it could help one precipitate 'Pure Element Earth' ahead of time — it was practically a divine technique!

It wasn't until the later Revival Era, with the aid of certain external conditions, that the "Mystic Yellow Element Analysis Art" truly shone, becoming a compulsory technique for Si Nong.

Since it's a compulsory technique, its cultivation conditions can't be too demanding.

If he could obtain this art early, Zhao Xing knew how to use external aids to cultivate it.

Even in the Qi Fortune Dynasty period, Zhao Xing felt that meeting the conditions to cultivate the "Mystic Yellow Element Analysis Art" wasn't particularly difficult.

"I'll ask Old Chen and the others another day. For now, let me comprehend."

It would be best to obtain this art directly from the Picture of All Things Growing; if not, Zhao Xing wasn't worried. As long as Mi Fu reached Fifth Rank official, he would eventually come into Zhao Xing's view.

"Pitter-patter~"

As Zhao Xing walked to a certain spot in the corridor, he was suddenly stirred, and before his eyes it seemed to start drizzling.

So he stopped walking, sat cross-legged on the spot, and quietly gazed at the mural.

The mural depicted an overhead view of a grayish-yellow wasteland, but when Zhao Xing looked at it, his perspective was rapidly magnified.

It was as if he fell from the sky and dropped straight to the ground.

His perspective fixed on a single seedling in the wasteland.

"Wind Ye Zi Grass."

Zhao Xing recognized it instantly — this was a second-rank Wind Ye Zi Grass.

"Wind Ye Zi Grass can be used as medicine, usually to make Wind-Walking Pills; after taking them, one becomes more nimble and agile for a short time."

The seedling was tender, having only just put out five leaves, less than half a meter tall.

The moment Zhao Xing saw the Wind Ye Zi Grass seedling had only five leaves, the seedling began to grow wildly.

A little radiance came from underground, like rainwater flowing in reverse, gathering from the roots upward.

Soon the Wind Ye Zi Grass grew to one meter tall.

At the same time, the five leaves instantly withered, and at the top new buds sprouted.

The new buds branched out, and another five tender green leaves appeared.

At the same time, the Wind Ye Zi Grass also began to droop.

Each time a new bud sprouted, the rest of the plant completely died and withered, with specks of radiance gathering toward the new branch.

Repeating in alternation, the Wind Ye Zi Grass grew longer and longer, soon exceeding ten meters.

Under the acceleration, the Wind Ye Zi Grass writhed and slithered outward like a snake.

"Hum~"

When it reached ten meters, a ball of radiance even larger than before flowed back to the main stem, and at the same time this ten-meter-long branch, leaves and all, completely withered.

Two new buds appeared, with ten leaves.

"Every time it grows a branch, it grows to a certain extent and then withers, all its vital energy supplied to the main root, used to grow more branches, more leaves, to absorb more of the world's vital energy."

"Cycling endlessly, the Wind Ye Zi Grass can grow without limit, with no cap whatsoever."

Clearly, what had been a wasteland at the start — as the Wind Ye Zi Grass spread outward, the wasteland slowly changed from grey-yellow to green.

The green gradually expanded; soon a single spot of green on the wasteland became a green ocean!

"Hum~"

When his gaze settled on that green ocean, Zhao Xing also broke out of his contemplation.

He closed his eyes, and in his mind the scene of the Wind Ye Zi Grass's growth replayed again and again — step by step devouring the entire wasteland, turning it into its own territory…

He did not know how long had passed before Zhao Xing opened his eyes.

【You contemplated the 'Myriad Things Growth Diagram', observed the mysteries of life's growth, and comprehended the 'Wasteland Essence-Gathering Art'.】

【Wasteland Essence-Gathering Art: Mid-rank】

【Progress: 235/9999】

【Effect: Condenses the essence of heaven and earth, causing plant life to grow along the optimal path.】

Because he had studied Cultivation Art, Robust Growth, and Wild Growth spells, the Essence-Gathering Art Zhao Xing comprehended came with some foundations built in.

"Wasteland Essence-Gathering Art." Zhao Xing nodded in satisfaction — this was a rather profound type among the Essence-Gathering methods.

It differed greatly from the Root-Strengthening Art.

Comparing it with 【Wild Growth】, one would find that Wild Growth was a destructive plunder of the earth's vital energy.

It mainly strengthened the roots and stems, drawing nutrients from the ground.

The Essence-Gathering Art, on the other hand, also drew on the world's vital energy, but rather than plundering destructively, it adjusted itself according to the environment to obtain the optimal growth path.

"Wild Growth is about snatching the local advantage's nutrients first; whether it can digest them or whether it's wasteful is another matter."

"The Wasteland Essence-Gathering Art absorbs the world's vital energy and rationally distributes what it absorbs — every link is near-perfect, with no waste." Zhao Xing thought to himself.

The Wasteland Essence-Gathering Art was generally applied in rather harsh environments, so every bit of vital energy was extremely important. It also involved adjusting the plant's own mechanisms for better growth.

The Wild Growth spell was too much for delicate plants to bear; back when Zhao Xing used this spell, he specifically chose hardy varieties like 'Diamond Bamboo'.

And at the start, he always used 【Robust Growth】 to carry the fragile seedling stage through.

The Wasteland Essence-Gathering Art, however, did not need to consider these factors — plant it and use it right away.

"Using the Wasteland Essence-Gathering Art together with the Root-Strengthening Art, as long as I cultivate it to mid-rank nine turns, getting an A on Lu Bang's selection-training course won't be a problem."

Zhao Xing did not continue contemplating other murals; he simply sat there.

Being able to be moved meant this particular mural was comparatively suited to his own comprehension.

Continuing to contemplate other places might not find a better Essence-Gathering method, and would waste time.

Secondly, the Benwo Sect's spells were hard to practice.

One had to know that 【Wild Growth】 was learned very early; the time and effort he had spent on it were not few, yet he had only reached the 'nine turns' level just before coming to the Ten Sun Grotto-Heaven, and had still not achieved mid-rank completion.

If he kept spreading his focus thin, who knew when 【Wasteland Essence-Gathering Art】 would reach nine turns.

Better to be skilled in one thing than mediocre in many — first master one Essence-Gathering method, and take Lu Bang's 【Selection Training】 first.

The interval for 【Unable to Train】 was two days.

For those two days, Zhao Xing stayed in the Myriad Things Hall of Taicang Court, motionless before that wasteland mural.

It was not until the Xu hour of the twentieth of May that he left the Myriad Things Hall.

"Two days, two turns of the spell — the speed is already very fast."

The Essence-Gathering Art and the Root-Strengthening Art had some common ground, and combined with Zhao Xing's comprehension, this Benwo Sect mid-rank spell was also progressing very quickly.

"If I can maintain this cultivation speed, then before the sixth turn, there's no need to waste contemplation attempts." As Zhao Xing was leaving the corridor, he saw many Si Nong scratching their heads in front of the murals.

Some had already torn out a great handful of hair.

If the mechanism-masters' array research was the part that made people lose the most hair, then the Benwo Sect's spells were the hardest for Si Nong.

Studying the ultimate principles of life — how difficult was that?

How many celestial phenomena were there? Only spring, summer, autumn, and winter.

How many earth veins were there? Only the five elements, wind, and thunder.

But life was infinitely diverse, with countless kinds — you never knew what strange life templates you might encounter while researching.

"Hard, too hard! I really can't comprehend it~"

Someone in the Hall of Ten Thousand Things let out a sigh.

May 21st, Southwest Training Ground — a day for getting beaten.

Because last time, under Zhao Xing's lead, the martial artists had been given a small shock.

As a result, those martial artists also reined in their arrogance and no longer treated the Si Nong as playthings as casually as before.

Xia Jing and Fu Ying, right at the start of the drill, quickly leapt from the back of the formation to the front.

Ten people from the four divisions — Qing Long, Bai Hu, Zhu Que, and Xuan Wu — stepped forward to take the first wave of attacks for the martial artist formation.

Zhao Xing's Kui Niu Thunder Roar still caused the martial artist formation considerable trouble. However, its effect was somewhat diminished this time.

In the end, the Si Nong Bureau still lost, and the martial artist formation also retained more people than last time.

? ￠O

Zhao Xing, Shi Yong, Zhuang Ziqing, and others were also eliminated in the middle stage because they had been too conspicuous last time.

But by the drill on May 24th, the situation changed again.

Fewer Si Nong charged, and the battle formation and organization on the martial artist side also dropped sharply.

The Si Nong had been losing in a row. When Zhao Xing organized them for the first time, their anger was at its peak, and that was also their strongest counterattack — yet they still lost that time, and the second attempt also failed to achieve good results, so their morale fell apart.

The vast majority of people only wanted to protect themselves in the chaos.

The martial artists were in the same mindset. Although they had managed a counterattack last time, the four great martial divisions also had many people eliminated, which didn't match their ranking at all.

A contest of pride can only last for a moment; it cannot go on forever, and it doesn't serve their interests, so the martial artists' hearts were no longer united either.

Zhao Xing still gathered quite a few people, charging at the weak points of the martial artist formation, while organizers like Fu Ying and Xia Jing also led people to charge at the Si Nong's weak points.

In the May 24th battle, the geniuses on both sides led their people — you fight yours, I fight mine.

Xia Jing, Fu Ying, and others also no longer chose to clash head-on with Si Nong Bureau geniuses like Zhao Xing, Shi Yong, and Zhuang Ziqing from the very start, because a hard fight also carried the risk of them being downgraded — like how Fu Ying had been eliminated early the time before last.

Zhao Xing's Kui Niu Thunder Roar was at a high level, and the Wu Ji of Shi Yong, Zhuang Ziqing, and others were not low either. For this small group of geniuses to gang up and try to eliminate them from the start was itself very risky.

So the geniuses on both sides, in tacit agreement, eliminated the weaker ones.

In the end, the rankings of both the Si Nong Bureau and the martial divisions returned to roughly the same state as the first time.

May 27th, Zhao Xing's Wasteland Condensation Art broke through to the Fourth Revolution.

During the rest periods of "Unable to Train," he came to the training ground Lu Bang had set up every day.

He used Wild Growth in combination with the Wasteland Condensation Art to experiment on different kinds of plant seedlings.

Now, he was already able to make a third-tier seed blossom, bear fruit, and enter the maturity stage within two hours.

But there was still a large gap from the Grade-A standard Lu Bang had set.

May 30th, Southwest Training Ground — getting beaten.

June 3rd, Southwest Training Ground — getting beaten.

June 6th, Zhao Xing's Wild Growth reached the mid-stage completion, and the Wasteland Condensation Art reached the Fifth Revolution level; he also took his last beating at the Southwest Training Ground.

Because the one-month "Unable to Train" period had already ended.

All the Si Nong let out a long sigh of relief.

"Damn, it's finally over!"

"A whole month, beaten for a whole month! Do you know how I got through this month?!"

"It was miserable, sure, but I feel like I've gotten stronger. In the first melee, I was knocked down almost immediately — I couldn't even last a quarter of an hour — but the last time, I held on for a full two hours!"

"Not bad, the beatings weren't for nothing. Speaking of which, now if I don't get beaten once a day, I actually feel a bit unsatisfied."

"Hiss, brother, something's not right about you…"

The moment the Southwest Training Ground drill was declared over, Zhao Xing also breathed a sigh of relief. His ranking had dropped two consecutive times in the middle, but in the end he still held onto his "Upper Grade-A" evaluation and was not downgraded.

In fact, none of the Upper Grade-A talents were downgraded. The twenty-one people who had made it through layer after layer of selection to train at the Ten Sun Grotto-Heaven were no easy bunch.

"The Si Nong Bureau's first mandatory training course has ended. In half a month, the second mandatory training course will begin." On the Cloud Rain Tower Ship, Fan Zhaoli announced to the Si Nong.

"The second mandatory training course is 'Supply Training.' The rules are as follows:"

"One, every Si Nong will be responsible for supplying food to a group of martial artists, but at the start the Si Nong will only receive seeds or seedlings."

"Two, the environment will change — weather, terrain, and even the seeds and seedlings will be random. The Si Nong must plant these seeds or seedlings, grow them into food, and provide it for the martial artists to eat."

"Three, if there is no food for three consecutive days, points will be deducted. If there is no food for half a month straight, the Si Nong will be eliminated directly…"

"Four, the scoring standards…"