Chapter 150: Five Elements Particles, Strawman Nine Revolutions

On the boundless Tian Ye, Zhao Xing strolled along a small path.

On both sides of the road, the spirit rice was visibly sprouting ears, withering, and falling away, only for new seeds to sprout again.

This was the Primordial Dao Field, one of the treasured grounds of the Taicang Academy, located not far from the Myriad Laws Palace.

The Strawman Art belonged to the Benwo Sect's spells. To make great progress in spellcraft within seven days, one naturally had to come comprehend the Yin-Yang Benwo Scripture, one of the three great secret classics of the Sanda Sect.

Zhao Xing possessed two free quotas, and this was his first entry.

At this moment, he was squatting by the roadside, watching the spirit rice grow, mature, and wither.

"The five elements power within the spirit rice has achieved a certain balance with the King Di Zang Return-to-Origin Formation."

"Rapid growth and withering, with primordial energy constantly cycling between the external and internal."

Zhao Xing activated 【Five Elements Observation】.

At this moment, the spirit rice vanished, and so did the Tian Ye.

Under the spell's microscopic vision, the sky displayed a dynamic, bright, seven-colored distribution.

The earth, on the other hand, was a dim seven colors, with the dark yellow representing earth as the main body, while green, gold, blue, red, and purple flowed through the earth like lines.

As the spirit rice grew, five colors interwove and rose from the ground, branching out like a tree diagram as the spirit rice sprouted and forked.

When the spirit rice withered, the tree diagram composed of the five elements slowly disintegrated, flowing back into heaven and earth.

Zhao Xing felt a sudden insight and extended his fingertip.

The surrounding heaven and earth primordial energy suddenly accelerated, with pale blue power gathering toward his fingertip.

Soon, a droplet of water appeared on his fingertip.

"Drip~"

The water droplet fell onto this stalk of spirit rice.

The spirit rice's leaves and stalks were completely destroyed.

The water seeped into the soil, destroying even the roots underground. Within a quarter of an hour, the surrounding spirit rice all repeatedly cycled through 'growth-withering-growth,' but the half-meter square of land before him could no longer grow anything.

A wisp of pure blue occupied the half-meter square of land until the formation automatically repaired itself a quarter of an hour later, restoring it to normal.

"The Water Drop Art borrows the principles of heaven and earth to build momentum. The growth and withering of spirit rice is also an evolution of the principles of heaven and earth, another kind of natural momentum."

"However, natural momentum is far more complex than the momentum my Water Drop Art builds," Zhao Xing thought to himself.

The Water Drop Art was a pure condensation of water element power, a destructive momentum of heaven and earth.

Spirit rice was only first-grade, yet it contained all five elements within. Although this natural momentum was very faint, and Zhao Xing could easily destroy it, he could not simulate it, nor even understand it, because it involved the 'essence of life.'

"The sages of the Benwo Sect believed that all things in the world are composed of the five elements. From the perspective of five elements theory, the essence of life is the same for humans and spirit rice."

"It is only at the deeper foundational level of five elements power that an enormous difference appears."

"The five elements power contained within spirit rice is like threads and strands, countless five elements powers interweaving with each other."

"But the five elements power within the human body is like beams and pillars, the difference is extremely obvious."

Zhao Xing observed the five elements internally, seeing the five types of 'Qi' within his body flowing.

Compared to the spirit rice, his five streams of 'Qi' were stronger, and their vitality was more intense.

"The Benwo Sect believes that internal observation of the five elements and regulating the five elements Qi is only the initial application of five elements power."

"If one continues to cultivate, one can see the deeper 'Five Elements Particles.'"

The Benwo Sect originally proposed this concept, calling it 'Force Particles,' but applying ethical relationships to spellcraft philosophy was inappropriate, so it was renamed 'Particles.'

The Tianshi Sect and Dili Sect both explored in the macroscopic direction, but the Benwo Sect explored in the microscopic direction.

With a shift of his mind, Zhao Xing began regulating the five elements Qi within his body, attempting to observe the existence of the 'Five Elements Particles' mentioned by the Benwo Sect.

But no matter how hard he tried, the five elements Qi within his body, from the internal observation perspective, could at most be seen as 'pillars.'

"The first layer of the Yin-Yang Benwo Scripture: the five elements Qi are like pillars. Internal observation of the five elements self, regulating five elements balance, can only reach this level."

"The second layer: the five elements Qi are like threads. One can see the countless threads of five elements Qi within the body, and regulate them at a deeper level."

"The third layer: five elements particles, virtually infinite."

A wisp of Gang Wind appeared at Zhao Xing's fingertip, harvesting a patch of withered spirit rice around him.

"Rise!"

As the Gang Wind blew past, the rice stalks and leaves automatically assembled, interweaving together to form a 'Detonation Strawman.'

"My operational method is no different from before, but this strawman has only barely reached the first-revolution level."

Behind Zhao Xing were several more strawmen, one of which was a Detonation Strawman woven from firecrackers as its base.

"The reason for such a huge difference is that the fire element Qi contained within firecrackers is on a higher level than that of spirit rice."

"It is nearly impossible to make a strawman based on spirit rice as strong as one based on firecrackers."

"Altering the essence of life is something even a first-rank Grand Minister of Agriculture cannot do."

Zhao Xing observed for a while, feeling that cultivating the Yin-Yang Benwo Scripture was harder and more obscure than cultivating the other secret classics.

Moreover, it was easy to get lost within the boundless microscopic five elements world.

"Dissecting the essence of life can wait until after fifth-rank," Zhao Xing abandoned this method of cultivation, deciding to learn by imitation instead.

Know the what without necessarily knowing the why. The Benwo Sect in the early stages still focused on learning techniques first, and only discussed comprehending the Dao after reaching fifth-rank.

"The Primordial Dao Field's evolution of life—I only need to observe its form, and it will greatly benefit my execution of the Strawman Art."

Zhao Xing rode the Gang Wind into the air, carrying the strawmen behind him, flying over the Tian Ye.

Soon he found a patch of firecracker forest that was rapidly growing and then decaying.

"Bang bang bang bang bang!"

The firecracker forest was practically a minefield, because the rapid growth and decay caused them to naturally explode. Although the power of a single explosion was not great, the sheer number made the resulting effect terrifying.

The entire sky was dyed red. However, the firecracker forest was also enveloped by a formation barrier. Zhao Xing found a suitable spot and began comprehending the eruption of fire element power under different circumstances.

Four hours later, Zhao Xing changed locations, heading toward another planting area of the Primordial Dao Field.

That was a growth area for "Fire Stone Vines" — the ground was covered in fire stone vine creepers, the earth itself turned a mottled blue and red.

Zhao Xing harvested materials here to craft Sacrificial Burst straw figures, constantly comparing the power of the finished straw figures.

Two hours later, he flew off to another place.

【You have woven a "Sacrificial Burst Straw Figure," Sacrificial Burst Straw Figure Art progress +200】

【You have woven a "Sacrificial Burst Straw Figure," Sacrificial Burst Straw Figure Art progress +300】

【You have woven…】

As time passed, Zhao Xing's Straw Figure Art progress improved rapidly.

The sheer variety and abundance of plants in the Primordial Dao Field was beyond imagination — here Zhao Xing could find every kind of plant he had ever read about in books, and for every element, there were several Tier-6 specimens!

The Primordial Dao Field had undergone its own unique evolution, containing plants of every element below Tier-7.

Of course, to ensure the Primordial Dao Field's formation array operated perfectly, nothing here could be taken out.

The straw figures Zhao Xing crafted from harvested materials would explode half an hour later, then be shredded by a force into the purest Five Element energy, which returned to its original place in the field. Likewise, consuming the fruits inside the Primordial Dao Field was forbidden — the principle was the same; anything eaten would be extracted and returned to its origin.

This was a place for comprehension and insight — it could only be used for that.

Even so, the benefits the Primordial Dao Field brought were enormous!

One could say this was a treasure land with inexhaustible materials and an all-encompassing variety of types, where Zhao Xing could practice Straw Figure Art to his heart's content.

Moreover, constantly observing the rapid growth and decay of plants — even without dissecting their essence — naturally deepened his understanding and application of the Five Elements.

Even a hopeless student who entered the Primordial Dao Field and stayed long-term in this environment, watching plant after plant evolve, would find them like "Nature's Own Teachers," constantly demonstrating the Dao before one's eyes… no matter how bad one was, one could still comprehend something.

Twelve hours later, the Sacrificial Burst Straw Figure Art reached the Seventh Revolution tier.

Twenty-four hours later, the Sacrificial Burst Straw Figure Art broke through to the Ninth Revolution.

"Truly worthy of being a treasure land of the Grand Granary Academy." Zhao Xing sat cross-legged on a massive boulder, looking at the dark-red straw figure before him — plain and unremarkable on the surface, but within it condensed terrifying fire-element power, like a volcano about to erupt at any moment.

"Comprehension in a treasure land, endless materials for me to practice with, combined with the panel's verification to adjust my cultivation direction — twenty-four hours, and I've gone from Fourth Revolution to Ninth Revolution!" Zhao Xing was even a little exhilarated.

"I'll sleep for one hour first, then practice the 'Divine Valor' Straw Figure Art after one hour."

Zhao Xing flopped down and slept, and before long his breathing grew faint.

Time flowed on, and soon it was the Mao hour of the seventh day of the seventh month.

At this point, it was already the morning of the seventh day since Zhao Xing had come to the Primordial Dao Field to comprehend.

"Time to go. These seven days, not only was the harvest from Straw Figure Art enormous, but the Wasteland Condensation Art also went from Seventh Revolution to Ninth Revolution."

Zhao Xing flew to a blue vortex — this was the exit of the Primordial Dao Field.

"If I don't leave now, I'll starve to death in here."

The Primordial Dao Field forbade bringing things in or taking things out. One also couldn't eat anything inside, so Zhao Xing had neither drunk a drop of water nor touched a grain of rice during his time here.

"Whoosh~"

After flying out of the Primordial Dao Field, he appeared inside the Grand Granary Academy.

Zhao Xing immediately rushed to the eatery and ate and drank his fill.

After eating and drinking his fill, he flew toward the Myriad Arts Palace.

One figure after another flew toward the Myriad Arts Palace.

Because once the Zi hour passed, the Fourth Trial's examination would begin.

The司農 scattered across the Grand Granary Academy in comprehension would all rush back.

Of course, most people comprehended directly inside the Myriad Arts Palace — after all, only Grade-A Upper geniuses could go to treasure lands for free.

For others to go comprehend? They'd have to accumulate points. Take a Grade-A Lower genius as an example — even saving every point from the monthly free allowance without eating or drinking, it would still take a good half a year to accumulate enough.

"Hoo~"

His Cloud-Stepping Boots touched the ground, the mist dispersed, and Zhao Xing landed once more on the Law-Demonstration Plaza.

"Zhao Xing, over here." Cao Shuang waved his hand. Beside him were still a few others, mostly a few geniuses from the Earth Advantage Academy. "I heard you went to the Primordial Dao Field to comprehend — how did it go?"

"Not bad." Zhao Xing smiled.

It really was not bad — Divine Valor, Great Shield, and Sacrificial Burst had all reached Ninth Revolution, while Illusion Form and Invisibility had also broken through to Seventh Revolution. He had gone purely to practice Straw Figure Art, yet the Wasteland Condensation Art had also broken through.

The comprehension value of the treasure land, for Zhao Xing, was remarkably effective — other Grade-A Upper geniuses probably hadn't done as well as him.

"Which straw figure of yours reached Seventh Revolution?" Zhuang Ziqing asked from the side.

"Only Illusion Form and Invisibility reached Seventh Revolution," Zhao Xing replied. Sacrificial Burst, Divine Valor, and Great Shield had all reached Ninth Revolution.

"Only if you use them well," Han Bing said coldly. "Listening to this makes me want to hit someone."

Mid-tier Straw Figure Arts were rarely circulated even in the old armies — only Liu Tianning's collection here was complete.

Zhao Xing clearly hadn't cultivated to Seventh Revolution beforehand; he had only recently achieved mastery.

"You actually have such high talent in Straw Figure Art too." Even Zhuang Ziqing couldn't help but say, "I haven't really slept these seven days, and I only managed to get one Straw Figure Art to Seventh Revolution."

"I didn't really sleep in the Primordial Dao Field either."

"Can you all stop working so hard?" A dark-skinned, sharp-featured young man spoke up from the side. "Especially you, Zhao Xing — you've made my life miserable."

Zhao Xing looked at the speaker in confusion. His name was Cai Jin, a student of Lu Bang, but he and Zhao Xing were only nodding acquaintances — how had he made his life miserable?

"Brother Cai, what do you mean by that?"

"Yes, Brother Cai, why do you say so?" Cao Shuang and Zhuang Ziqing were also puzzled.

Cai Jin looked at Zhao Xing: "The teacher told me to use you as my model — I must diligently study and practice eleven hours every day."

"This…" Zhao Xing was at a loss for words.

Cao Shuang then said: "Brother Cai, wouldn't it be fine to just not listen to him? Could Lu Bang really watch you for twelve hours straight?"

Cai Jin pulled out a lightning-shaped jade pendant from around his neck: "You think I don't want to slack off? Look at what this is — a custom-made Awakening Spirit Jade Pendant the teacher gave me!"

"I can only sleep for one hour at noon each day. If I sleep at any other time, the pendant will send out a bolt of lightning through my entire body!"

Saying this, Cai Jin grew a bit agitated: "And the thing can't be taken off — the moment I try to remove it, it immediately shocks me!"

"I used to have it pretty easy at the Taicang Academy. I could rest six hours a day."

"But ever since Brother Zhao took second place last time, the teacher rewarded me with this jade pendant."

"Do you know how I've been getting through these days?"

"Hiss…" Hearing Cai Jin's words, the group couldn't help but draw in a sharp breath.

Lu Bang is forcibly making people 'hang themselves from the beam' and 'stab their thighs with an awl.'

That's way too ruthless!

Zhuang Ziqing said he only slept one hour a day, but in reality his rest time exceeded that number.

When he was tired and wanted to rest, he could rest. He thought he had suffered enough.

He never expected Cai Jin to have suffered even more than him.

"Brother Cai, my condolences." Zhuang Ziqing patted Cai Jin on the shoulder.

"Brother Cai, you've worked hard. Just bear with it, it'll pass." Zhao Xing cupped his hands in a salute.

"No wonder Brother Cai always looks so numb. So this is the reason behind it. That Lu Bang truly isn't acting like a human." Cao Shuang said. "How about we send Zhao Xing to Old Man Lu's place to sleep for a few—then you can take it easy."

"Is that how you comfort people?" Cai Jin gritted his teeth. "And you bastards couldn't even keep the corners of your mouths down."

"Hahahaha." Zhao Xing, Cao Shuang, Zhuang Ziqing, and the others all burst into laughter.

Just as everyone was chatting and laughing, a figure suddenly flew out from the main hall of the Ten Thousand Dharma Palace.

"The hour of Zi has arrived. The fourth trial begins!"