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Chapter 141: Waiting for Transformation Law, Pig Transformation Law? Feng Qiu Fights Zhao Xing!
🕑 Added 2024-10-22 06:52:22 +0000 UTC"It's Feng Qiu," Yang Yang said, "This is also Feng Qiu's second promotion battle. If he wins, he can advance. If he loses, he has to win again."
"Him?" Yu Chunwu said, "Feng Qiu was ranked fifth last time, and Zhao Xing has pulled ahead by so many points. There's nothing to see here."
"Feng Qiu originally only had a middle-tier status in the Tianshi Academy. It was just last time that he moved up."
"You're underestimating Feng Qiu," Peng Ran shook his head. "Supplementary training is not the same as actual combat. This is different."
"When Feng Qiu first reported, he was ranked third, right behind Shi Yong and Zhuang Zhiqing. In the internal selection of the Hujiao Army, he also only lost to Shi Yong and Zhuang Zhiqing."
"I heard from a friend in the Hujiao Army that the reason Feng Qiu only received middle-tier status during the academy tests was because of his mediocre performance in thunder techniques."
"But his mastery over wind techniques is astonishing!"
"He's devoted to the Dao of Wind. Before coming to the Ten Sun Cave-Heaven, he had already reached the tenth transformation in a wind technique!"
"Hiss, tenth transformation?" Yu Chunwu, He Yu, and Yang Yang all gasped.
A tenth-transformation technique means breaking through the limit. His mastery over this intermediate-level technique surpasses even the founder's.
Of course, the creators of intermediate-level techniques vary in strength.
Some intermediate techniques were created by first-rank experts, and these techniques are particularly powerful. For instance, the Devouring Cloud technique was created by an ancient sage, and no one has managed to improve it beyond the ninth transformation. The ninth transformation is already the peak.
Some intermediate techniques were created by ninth-rank experts and are relatively weaker.
However, any technique promoted by the imperial court is never weak, but advancing beyond a certain point becomes much more difficult.
"After entering the academy, Feng Qiu continued to immerse himself in the Dao of Wind. As for other techniques, he only practices them up to the seventh transformation and then stops, focusing entirely on wind techniques."
"Specializing in a single technique has made his wind techniques terrifying. The teachers at Tianshi Academy say that among the current batch of Shennong candidates, Feng Qiu is the undisputed top when it comes to wind techniques!" Peng Ran said, "In this battle, Feng Qiu has the better odds."
"No, I think Feng Qiu is too focused on one technique," He Yu argued. "In the eighth-rank Spirit Bridge stage, you're supposed to broaden your range of techniques, not deepen your mastery of just one. Combining multiple techniques has greater power. Even if his wind technique has reached the tenth transformation, so what?"
"I never said Feng Qiu's wind technique was the only one he's good at. I heard from my friend that most of his techniques are above the seventh transformation. Any technique at the seventh transformation isn't weak," Peng Ran retorted. "If none of his techniques are weak and one stands out, that's the key to victory."
"Stop arguing," Yu Chunwu cut in, sensing a debate brewing between the two. "You'll see soon enough. Let’s watch the match."
Inside the arena, on the preparation platform.
"My accumulation of insights has reached a critical point, but I don't know how to break through this bottleneck." Zhao Xing opened his eyes and exhaled deeply.
The progress of his Seasonal Qi Command was now at the third transformation for both Start of Spring and Start of Summer.
He was only one point away from breaking through to the next level.
But this single point represented a gap between two levels.
In the first three transformations, using Seasonal Qi Command only enhanced the power of techniques, giving a home-field advantage.
But at the third transformation, Seasonal Qi Command itself became powerful! This was because it involved the mastery of the Hou Bian Fa (Transformation of Phenology).
"Once Seasonal Qi Command reaches the fourth transformation, it will grant initial mastery over the changes in humans, objects, and beasts—the mysteries of the three types of transformations—and I can use Hou Bian Fa."
"Although it won't be as complete as nature’s transformations, mastering even part of it is astounding."
How powerful is the Hou Bian Fa?
It is said that during the reign of the Great Ancestor, the Grand Shennong Wu Cheng once led the army to conquer a country called Guhan.
When Wu Cheng arrived, the king of Guhan surrendered, but after Wu Cheng left, the king broke his word and ordered 100,000 imperial soldiers to attack the Great Ancestor's territory.
The Great Ancestor, being kind-hearted, sent Wu Cheng to suppress the rebellion, giving the Guhan king a second chance. The king surrendered once more.
Three years later, the king rebelled again.
This time, Wu Cheng was furious, and before the Great Ancestor could give the order, he went to the capital of Guhan by himself and used the Hou Bian Fa.
In a single day, the king of Guhan, the wealthy elites, and the 100,000 imperial soldiers were all turned into pigs!
Wu Cheng hadn’t intended to kill anyone, as he didn’t want to tarnish the Great Ancestor's name. He only wanted to give them a lesson and planned to turn them back after seven days.
But unexpectedly, the people of Guhan had long hated their tyrannical king and corrupt officials.
Upon hearing the news, they stormed the palace and slaughtered the king and the elites who had been turned into pigs, even eating them in the end.
Such is the terrifying power of the Hou Bian Fa.
Thinking of this story, Zhao Xing couldn’t help but sigh.
After Wu Cheng used the Hou Bian Fa, it became known by another name: the Pig Transformation Law.
“Dare to call out again? If you do, I'll turn you into a pig and eat you!"
"Hou Bian Fa can be practiced internally or externally. It can be used on enemies or oneself."
"The 72 phases of the moon correspond to the 24 Solar Terms, with three phases for each term. Practicing the Hou Bian Fa internally is called the 72 Transformations."
"However, the 72 Transformations come with risks. If you lose control, you may never return to your original form."
"In the past, the Dao Academy of Creation at the 72 Academies used death row prisoners for experiments, and they created some terrifying things. During Emperor Wen’s reign, this practice was banned for anyone below the fourth rank."
"Now, under Emperor Wu, restrictions have loosened again."
As for using the Hou Bian Fa on beasts and objects, it's much simpler.
Moreover, before reaching the third transformation of Seasonal Qi Command, the Hou Bian Fa has time limits, so you can't use it to cause too much trouble.
In short, Hou Bian Fa is a powerful technique mastered after comprehending the Seasonal Qi Command.
Aside from unethical uses, it's great for nurturing exotic beasts.
"If I can reach the fourth transformation, even learning just the basics will be incredibly useful." Zhao Xing took out the Earth Mirror, preparing for his promotion battle.
Before long, a notification came through the Earth Mirror.
"[Shenwei Army Zhao Xing, you have been randomly matched with your opponent 'Feng Qiu' (Hujiao Army).]"
"[The random environment is 'Wind and Thunder Gorge.']"
"[The battle will begin in 60 breaths. Please prepare.]"
"Feng Qiu? So he's also reached the promotion battle." Zhao Xing pictured the cold face of his opponent, a top-level genius in the upper tier of the rankings—someone he had heard about.
While many other geniuses had a bit of pride, they were still within the normal range. But Feng Qiu was outright aloof.
He rarely interacted with others, and when he did, it was usually only with top-tier talents like Shi Yong and Zhuang Zhiqing from the Hujiao Army.
"I've heard his wind technique is strong. Before entering the Cave-Heaven, he had already reached the tenth transformation, while my Minor Nine Heavenly Gale Technique is only at the eighth transformation."
"His dedication to one technique has made it extremely powerful. His wind technique is considered the best among the reserve Shennongs."
He’s a formidable opponent, but that's exactly what I need for proper training!
"I hope Feng Qiu can push me to my limits."
Zhao Xing put away the Earth Mirror and waited for the battle to begin.
On another preparation platform, a cold-faced young man wearing a green raincoat also opened his eyes.
"Shenwei Army, Zhao Xing?"
"I'm matched against him."
A trace of battle intent lit up in Feng Qiu’s eyes.
"When he reported, he was only ranked 29th. I never paid him any attention, but he’s grown this fast."
"However, training is training, and real combat is a different matter."
"Before I challenge Shi Yong and Zhuang Zhiqing, I'll use you as a warm-up!"
Feng Qiu put away the Earth Mirror and stood up.
"Feng Qiu is matched against Zhao Xing." Zhuang Zhiqing was not in the arena at this time, as he had already completed this round of training. However, he still paid attention to the movements of other talents, especially Feng Qiu from his army and the geniuses from the Dili Academy.
Zhuang Zhiqing yawned. He hadn’t slept for three days and nights, ever since being stimulated by Zhao Xing’s progress. He had been training constantly, caught in a cycle of non-stop effort.
Today, he was feeling the exhaustion and had planned to sleep for three hours before resuming his training. But when he saw the match between Feng Qiu and Zhao Xing, he decided to stay awake a little longer.
"I'll watch this first and sleep later." Zhuang Zhiqing had faced Feng Qiu before, but he had no concept of Zhao Xing's combat ability yet.
The promotion battle between Feng Qiu and Zhao Xing immediately drew the attention of many reserve members of the Shennong Division.
After all, among the over ten thousand reserve members, both Zhao Xing and Feng Qiu were top-ranked figures.
Especially Zhao Xing, who had often been ranked in the top three, yet had not fully displayed his combat abilities.
His previous training didn’t count—using martial techniques wasn't the same as real combat.
So when Zhao Xing and Feng Qiu were paired together...
The news spread like wildfire among the Shennong Division.
"Feng Qiu and Zhao Xing are both in the promotion battle! Hurry and watch!"
"The second genius from the Tianshi Academy is up against the second genius from the Dili Academy!"
"What are you talking about? Who's second? My brother Zhao is ranked first in Dili Academy! He beat Zhuang Zhiqing last time!"
"Feng Qiu has maintained an undefeated streak, never losing a single match. Zhao Xing is the same!"
"Now that they're up against each other, who will win?"
The Shennong Division buzzed with discussions.
Even over in the Martial Division, Xia Jing and Fu Ying had pulled out their Earth Mirrors to watch.
Fu Ying even called out in the Martial Division:
"Place your bets, place your bets! My Hujiao Army's Feng Qiu is up against the Shenwei Army's Zhao Xing. Who's betting? I'm betting on Feng Qiu. Starting at 10 points."
"Fu bro, if you're betting on Feng Qiu, who's going to bet against you? If you're brave, bet on Zhao Xing!"
"Don't look down on people," Fu Ying said. "Zhao Xing ranked second last time. I'm betting on Feng Qiu just because he's from my Hujiao Army. Betting on Zhao Xing wouldn’t feel right."
"I'll bet!" Xia Jing walked over with a group of people. "Fu Ying, what's the maximum you'll accept?"
"Oh?" Fu Ying smiled. "How much do you want to bet?"
"Anything less than 10,000 points isn't fun. I can gather more if you can handle it." Xia Jing pointed to the people beside him. "I can pool more together."
"Oh?" Fu Ying raised his eyebrows and called out, "Where’s my Hujiao Army? Who's betting on Feng Qiu with me?"
"I'll bet 500 points!"
"I'll bet 300 points!"
"I'm in for 1,000 points!"
"..."
The four Martial Divisions were full of talented people with plenty of points to their name.
Soon, Fu Ying had gathered over 70,000 points.
"Xia Jing, I've got 70,000 here. Are you taking it?"
Xia Jing glanced at Zhang Jie, Hu Bing, Chen Fang, and the others behind him.
Fu Ying had initially expected Xia Jing's group to waver, considering the massive 70,000-point pot. But to his surprise, Chen Fang, Hu Bing, and Zhang Jie all looked steadfast.
Where was their confidence coming from? Fu Ying was puzzled.
"Take it!" Xia Jing declared.
"Alright," Fu Ying said, unable to back down now.
With a few words, a large-scale bet was sealed.
Meanwhile, the Earth Mirror began displaying the scene of the battle.
The fight had begun.
Wind and Thunder Gorge was a unique map.
Inside, gale-force winds roared, and thunder echoed overhead.
The gorge was three kilometers long but only fifty meters wide.
On both sides, sheer cliffs towered, and the ground was strewn with water and rocks.
Zhao Xing and Feng Qiu appeared at opposite ends of the gorge.
The distance between them was two thousand meters, with only five hundred meters of space behind each.
There wasn’t much room to retreat; stepping out of bounds meant losing the match.
"Swish~"
As soon as the preparation platform's barrier opened, Feng Qiu rode the gale, rushing toward Zhao Xing.
"Hmm? His speed is fast."
Feng Qiu didn’t use a cloud-riding technique. First, he knew Zhao Xing’s cloud techniques were formidable. Second, he didn’t think it was necessary to summon a cloud.
Just rush over, cast a spell, knock him down, and win.
Why bother summoning a cloud?
"In the past, I’ve used this same method to overwhelm weaker opponents. Now, Feng Qiu is trying to use it against me?" Zhao Xing snorted. "This method works against weaker opponents, but does he think it will work against me, the second-ranked genius?"
"Devouring Cloud!"
"Mist Concealment!"
"Yin Wind!"
Zhao Xing, conserving his energy, swiftly cast three techniques.
The environment of Wind and Thunder Gorge could be leveraged, and Zhao Xing’s cloud immediately absorbed the thunderclouds above.
Meanwhile, Feng Qiu harnessed the power of the gale. As he charged, most of the wind in the gorge gathered toward him.
At that moment, a rare sight appeared in the gorge. Originally, the gorge had been filled with intertwined green and purple forces, but now they split clearly!
The green wind gathered toward Feng Qiu, while the purple clouds converged above Zhao Xing.
As soon as the battle began, both sides immediately fought for control over the favorable environmental conditions.
In terms of battle instincts and capabilities, they were evenly matched.
However, Zhao Xing had an advantage in the second phase of the fight.
Since he wasn’t charging forward, while Feng Qiu needed time to close the distance, Zhao Xing had enough time to cast two more techniques.
"Heavenly Frost!"
A layer of white mist, like a blanket, descended from the sky, bringing with it a chilling aura that wrapped around the green wind. This move showcased Zhao Xing’s mastery of the Heavenly Frost technique.
The green wind was instantly covered in a layer of white frost, slowing down its speed.
"Heavenly Fire!"
Zhao Xing pointed upward again, drawing out the fire-elemental force from the gorge’s environment. In an instant, balls of fire formed and shot toward Feng Qiu.
"Two spells in two breaths! What incredible control!" Outside Cloud Gate, watching the battle, Peng Ran’s pupils shrank. "I know the Heavenly Fire technique, but what’s that white net? I’ve never seen this kind of weather-related technique before."
"Also, that cloud of his looks strange. Why is it extending all the way into the gorge?"
"You’re wrong. It’s two spells in two breaths, but that isn’t a cloud technique," Yang Yang said excitedly beside him. "I asked Zhao Xing about it. That’s his Mist Concealment technique... Haha! That’s it! That’s it! Five spells at once—Feng Qiu is going to suffer this time!"
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