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Chapter 124: Mastering the Thunderous Roar of the Kui Niu, Breakthrough to Eighth Tier, Constructing the Bridge of Heaven and Earth!
🕑 Added 2024-10-18 09:28:23 +0000 UTCZhao Xing's sound blade wasn't what shocked Zhuang Ziqing the most—it was the fact that he barely heard any sound!
As the saying goes, "An outsider sees the show; an expert sees the skill."
Zhuang Ziqing immediately recognized that Zhao Xing's technique, Folded Sound – Sound Blade, had already reached at least the seventh Transformation, a truly masterful level!
Everyone had received the same notification about the Martial Arts Training.
But how could Zhao Xing have made such rapid progress in just a few days?
Could he have already been practicing sound techniques before this?
Han Bing was equally astonished, though his stoic face made him seem indifferent as usual.
"Zhuang Ziqing, Han Bing, analyze Zhao Xing's sound technique for me," Lord Tian saw an opportunity to use Zhao Xing as a teaching example, seamlessly transitioning into a lesson. "Han Bing, you first."
"Yes," Han Bing replied first, "Zhao Xing's sound technique fully contains the power of the sound waves."
"The power only exploded when it made contact. In actual combat, this sound technique has significant stealth because sound is invisible and difficult to detect."
"Could you discern its form?"
"No, Lord Tian," Han Bing shook his head.
Lord Tian then turned to Zhuang Ziqing, "You."
"Yes," Zhuang Ziqing replied, "I could see that Zhao Xing's sound attack took the shape of a blade. The smoothness of the cut on the stone lion's surface indicates that the sound blade fully cut through the stone before dispersing."
"It wasn't as Han Bing described, dispersing upon impact."
"Furthermore, I believe Zhao Xing's sound technique didn't entirely lack sound."
"It's just that the sound produced was beyond the range that a ninth-tier human can perceive."
"Zhao Xing's mastery of this sound technique is exceptional, a rare achievement."
Lord Tian nodded, "Very astute, your analysis is spot on."
Internally, Lord Tian was very pleased with Zhao Xing. This Folded Sound – Sound Blade was easy to get started with, but reaching the seventh Transformation within just a few days required talent and relentless effort.
As Zhao Xing's teacher, though, it wouldn't be appropriate to praise him too openly, lest Zhao Xing become arrogant. Instead, Lord Tian used Zhuang Ziqing and Han Bing's analysis to indirectly praise Zhao Xing.
But outwardly, he maintained his composed demeanor.
"Zhao Xing, although your Folded Sound – Sound Blade is coming along well, there are still many flaws."
"Your dantian, lungs, throat, and mouth are the four key points where a sound technique takes shape."
"I observed your technique with my Five Elements Observation and found that your dantian was slightly too forceful at the start, your lungs were too weak, and your throat and mouth slowed down, which created an imbalance."
"Although the differences seem minor, these subtle issues create significant flaws in the final technique. This is why both Zhuang Ziqing and Han Bing could still hear the sound."
"If your technique were truly flawless, it would be entirely silent to the ears of a ninth-tier cultivator."
Zhao Xing asked, "Teacher, how should I adjust?"
"Your throat and mouth are fine, but you need to focus on refining the force from your dantian and strengthening your lungs," Lord Tian explained. "There is no quick fix to achieve perfection. These are all minute adjustments, and it will take time and practice to find the right balance between the four elements."
Zhao Xing pondered this. He had followed the technique manual to the letter and felt that his execution was correct.
Yet, in actual practice, the result was different than he had expected.
He couldn't figure out what was wrong, but Lord Tian had spotted it immediately.
Zhao Xing quietly meditated on this and, within a short time, improved the progress of his Folded Sound – Sound Blade by another 200 points.
This was the benefit of having a skilled teacher, and it was something that many others envied in those with Top-Tier resources.
"Now!" Zhuang Ziqing demonstrated his own sound technique in front of Lord Tian.
Zhao Xing observed closely, keen to learn from this talented peer.
Using his Five Elements Observation, Zhao Xing couldn't see through Zhuang Ziqing's internal workings, as Zhuang had cultivated the Yin-Yang Self Sutra to a high degree, seamlessly cycling his internal energy and concealing all outward signs of his cultivation.
Neither Zhao Xing nor Han Bing could tell what cultivation stage Zhuang Ziqing had reached.
However, the external manifestation of his sound technique was still visible.
Zhao Xing observed that when Zhuang Ziqing opened his mouth, he released two spherical sound waves.
The first sound sphere moved halfway before being caught by the second.
Then, a third sphere, moving even faster, caught up with the first two.
All three spheres merged into one before hitting the stone lion.
"Boom!"
The entire stone lion shattered into dozens of pieces.
"Lord Tian," Zhuang Ziqing looked to Lord Tian for feedback.
"Han Bing, Zhao Xing, analyze it," Lord Tian once again had his students do the initial evaluation. "Han Bing, you first."
"I could sense two sound spheres," Han Bing said, "The second caught up with the first and fused before exploding upon impact, shattering the stone lion."
Lord Tian did not comment and looked toward Zhao Xing.
"Teacher, I saw three sound spheres," Zhao Xing replied thoughtfully. "Zhuang Ziqing's technique appears to be Yin Xun Nine Explosions, at the third Transformation level."
"I noticed that the lion was first shattered in parts, but the sound sphere didn't fully detonate until it entered the lion, where it caused the complete explosion."
Zhuang Ziqing glanced at Zhao Xing, somewhat surprised, because Zhao Xing had perfectly understood the technique.
"Do you know why his Yin Xun Nine Explosions is so powerful?" Lord Tian asked Zhao Xing.
"Perhaps because of the difference in techniques," Zhao Xing suggested.
After all, Yin Xun Nine Explosions was an advanced technique priced at 8,000 points, on par with Kui Niu Thunder Roar.
Quality certainly matters, even with fewer transformations, its power rivaled Folded Sound at five transformations.
"Part of it is the difference in techniques, but the main reason is that Zhuang Ziqing has already reached the eighth tier," Lord Tian revealed.
Zhuang Ziqing had reached the eighth tier?
Zhao Xing and Han Bing exchanged glances, though they weren't too surprised.
After all, Zhuang Ziqing had already been at the peak of the ninth tier before the division into academies.
With access to resources after the division, breaking through was to be expected.
"Zhuang Ziqing, if you want to take your Yin Xun Nine Explosions to the next level, you can..."
Lord Tian then proceeded to offer further guidance to Zhuang Ziqing's cultivation.
Three hours later, the three of them left the Fu Chun Garden.
"I gained a lot from this session," Zhuang Ziqing remarked. "Lord Tian truly lives up to his reputation as a fifth-tier master. Zhao Xing, you're really lucky."
"Why? Are you jealous? Isn't your teacher any good?" Zhao Xing teased.
"Hahaha, of course my teacher is good too," Zhuang Ziqing laughed. "Han Bing, Zhao Xing, I'll be off. Let's work hard. We don't want to get beaten to a pulp during the Martial Arts Training!"
"Farewell."
"Farewell."
Returning to the Eighteen Locust Willow Courtyard, Zhao Xing rested briefly before beginning to practice Kui Niu Thunder Roar.
"With the foundation I've built through Folded Sound, I have some experience with sound techniques now."
"Time to try practicing Kui Niu Thunder Roar."
Zhao Xing opened the box.
Since he already had Earth Essence Vermilion Fruit, Hundred Beast Throat Pills, and Earth Shale Lung Pills, this box only contained supplementary materials: eighth-tier Furious Bull Vocal Cords and Golden Lung Essence.
"Eighth-tier Furious Bull Vocal Cords."
Zhao Xing examined the container. Though called "vocal cords," it was actually a thick, viscous paste.
It's not as simple as eating a piece of meat and gaining its benefits.
The material had been processed by alchemists into a form that could enhance one's training.
It wasn't meant to be eaten but applied externally.
"Golden Lung Essence."
Golden Lung Essence was a drinkable liquid, pale gold in color, stored in a large crystal bottle about half a meter high.
"First, study the technique manual."
Taking out the leather-bound manual, Zhao Xing felt a faint thunderous rumble in his ears the moment he touched it.
The cover depicted a bull-like creature with greenish fur, a single hoof, and no horns.
As Zhao Xing focused, he saw a vision of a great beast standing atop a mountain peak, letting out a thunderous roar.
The roar dispersed all the clouds within thousands of miles, and the entire sky darkened.
Zhao Xing felt as though thunder was booming in his ears, and he instinctively released his grip.
"Such immense power—just a hint of the Kui Niu's essence, imprinted on the cover, is enough to feel its strength."
"How strong must one be to produce such a sound?"
"No wonder it requires so many supplementary materials."
Zhao Xing opened the manual, and the method for practicing Kui Niu Thunder Roar filled his mind.
After carefully studying it, he closed the manual.
He couldn't begin training right away.
He still needed to build up his body.
Otherwise, he'd risk harming himself.
"I'll start by taking the Earth Shale Lung Pills to strengthen my lungs. Once I've fully absorbed the Earth Shale Energy, I can move on to the Hundred Beast Throat Pills."
"While taking the Hundred Beast Throat Pills, I’ll apply the Furious Bull Vocal Cords paste to my throat. Depending on absorption speed, I'll need to apply it four to seven times a day."
"Once all three are absorbed, I'll be ready to practice Kui Niu Thunder Roar."
"However, the strain on the lungs is immense. Until I reach proficiency, each attempt will require me to drink Golden Lung Essence to protect my lungs and help relieve the pressure."
Only by following this tedious process could he safely and quickly learn this powerful technique.
In fact, in ancient times, this technique wasn't intended for ninth-tier cultivators like him, but for those at the eighth-tier, the Spirit Bridge Realm.
It was only after generations of research and the help of alchemists that the training requirements had been reduced.
A method had been found to allow even ninth-tier cultivators to practice it.
Seventeen days before the Martial Arts Training, Zhao Xing took the Earth Shale Lung Pills.
The energy of the Earth Shale was normally absorbed only by seventh-tier cultivators to strengthen their bodies.
Even though the pill contained only a trace of this energy, it took Zhao Xing three days to absorb it fully.
Once absorbed, Zhao Xing checked his lungs.
Finding them not as strong as he had hoped, he took a second pill.
The second one absorbed slightly faster, taking a day and a half.
Next, he moved on to the Hundred Beast Throat Pills.
Each Hundred Beast Throat Pill was about the size of a football.
It took Zhao Xing seven days to consume all three.
During this time, he applied the Furious Bull Vocal Cords paste fourteen times.
After seven days, both the paste and the pills had been fully absorbed.
By now, there were only seven days left before the Martial Arts Training.
"My external appearance has changed a bit—my Adam's apple is more pronounced, and my upper body has become more muscular," Zhao Xing said, looking at himself in the mirror.
Before, he had been leaner, but now he had bulked up, with clear muscle definition—he was now undeniably strong.
"At least I haven't turned into something strange," Zhao Xing chuckled.
His worry was unfounded; the cultivation methods designed for humans always maintained their form. Any technique that altered one's appearance drastically would be banned in Great Zhou.
Only those from outside sects or barbarian tribes would use any method, regardless of the consequences, to gain strength.
"Seven days left. Let's see how far I can go."
Zhao Xing put on his clothes and stepped outside to begin his first attempt.
"Urk!"
Zhao Xing let out an awkward burp.
His first attempt was a failure.
"Gulp."
He quickly drank some Golden Lung Essence to protect his lungs.
"Urk, urk, urk!"
Zhao Xing let out several more burps, finally clearing the aftereffects of his failure.
"Damn, I'm burping like a chicken now!"
He couldn't help but laugh at himself.
He had been sure he'd done everything correctly, but the result was laughably off.
Where had he gone wrong?
Rather than rushing, Zhao Xing paused to reflect.
One hour later.
He began his second attempt.
"Roar!"
A thunderous bellow erupted from Zhao Xing's mouth, sending ripples of sound outward.
The grass at his feet was instantly sliced in half, and the remaining stems stood upright.
The locust trees shed their leaves, and broken branches flew everywhere.
"Gulp."
Zhao Xing took another sip of Golden Lung Essence and checked his progress.
【You have successfully performed Kui Niu Thunder Roar, gaining basic mastery. Progress +50 points.】
"It still feels off. Just basic mastery."
Looking around at the mess of fallen leaves and snapped grass, Zhao Xing shook his head.
A successful attempt would have caused the grass to shatter, not be cut.
"Again!"
【Your tenth successful attempt at Kui Niu Thunder Roar—basic mastery, progress +100.】
【Your hundredth successful attempt at Kui Niu Thunder Roar—energy assumes form, progress +1,000.】
【Your thousandth successful attempt at Kui Niu Thunder Roar—energy transforms, progress +1,000.】
【Your five-thousandth successful attempt at Kui Niu Thunder Roar—sound roars like thunder, progress +1,000.】
【Kui Niu Thunder Roar has reached the fifth Transformation.】
【Kui Niu Thunder Roar: Mid-Tier Technique.】
【Category: Soundwave Secret Technique.】
【Progress: Fifth Transformation (5241/9999).】
"Fifth Transformation."
"After seven days of continuous training, 5,000 attempts, I finally reached the fifth Transformation." Zhao Xing’s eyes glimmered with excitement.
Even at the fifth Transformation, the technique's power exceeded that of Folded Sound at the eighth Transformation.
"Without much extra practice, Folded Sound naturally advanced to the eighth Transformation due to my body’s strengthened condition. My organs are stronger, and my control is now instinctual."
Training in Kui Niu Thunder Roar had even helped push his other soundwave techniques, Sound Blade and Sound Stab, to the eighth Transformation.
"Tomorrow is the start of the Martial Arts Training. The training will be brutal, and my current essence-gathering speed may not be enough for such high-intensity exercises."
"It's time for me to break through to the eighth tier."
Zhao Xing returned to his room and began consuming the remaining Earth Essence Vermilion Fruits.
"Here we go!"
Taking a bite of the Earth Essence Vermilion Fruit, Zhao Xing quickly absorbed its power within a quarter of an hour.
He had previously consumed the Great Whale Pill from the Dream Academy, which had already strengthened his organs.
Now, with his enhanced lungs from soundwave training, his dantian had also been fortified.
Absorbing the fruit’s essence was now effortless.
In half an hour, he reached the eighteenth tier.
One hour later, he reached the nineteenth tier.
Assessing his limits, Zhao Xing decided to eat the remaining three Earth Essence Vermilion Fruits all at once.
"Boom!"
A torrent of powerful energy surged through him.
Zhao Xing internalized the energy, using Yin-Yang Self Sutra to guide the essence through his body.
"It’s effortless."
"There are no blockages, no obstacles."
Zhao Xing smiled.
"I've been practicing various techniques, and my comprehension of the Dao already surpasses that of many seasoned eighth-tier cultivators. My internal organs align naturally with the principles of heaven and earth."
"With an abundance of essence, my body effortlessly strengthens in accordance with these principles."
Soon, the breakthrough was complete.
Zhao Xing felt his senses sharpen—his hearing and sight had both improved.
His dantian now spun faster, and the quality of his essence had also increased.
"In ancient cultivation, the eighth tier is known as the Spirit Bridge Realm."
"This involves building a bridge between one's inner five elements and the forces of heaven and earth."
Sitting cross-legged, Zhao Xing activated his cultivation technique, and his essence-gathering speed skyrocketed.
Above his head, a phantom bridge appeared, stretching from his crown down to his dantian.
"The difference is remarkable."
"With the enhanced essence quality at the eighth tier, all my techniques have grown stronger."
"My life soul has passively advanced from mid-ninth tier to late ninth tier."
"The seven mortal souls have nourished the three immortal souls."
"The path to immortality has progressed another step."
Satisfied with his breakthrough, Zhao Xing laid down to rest.
After seven days and nights without sleep, and with the intense training and breakthrough, he needed to recover quickly for tomorrow’s Martial Arts Training.
On the seventh day of May, exactly one month after the division into academies.
Before dawn, Zhao Xing was jolted awake by the sound of a drum.
"Boom!"
It felt like a drum was beating right beside his ear.
He sprang up, listening carefully.
"All reserve officers of the Nine Armies are to report to the southwestern training grounds of Yangcheng."
"Any absentees by the end of the third drum, regardless of rank or status, will be expelled from the reserve forces and sent back to their place of origin!"
Then came a rapid series of drumbeats.
"The first drum has already sounded."
Zhao Xing wasted no time.
He quickly dressed and sprinted toward the southwestern training grounds of Yangcheng.
Outside, countless figures rushed through the streets.
This was a war drum, a call to arms.
If one didn't arrive by the third drum, expulsion was the least of their worries—during wartime, such delays would cost a soldier their head!
This was just training, but even so, being late meant no exceptions—no matter which academy or rank, no one would be allowed to intervene.
Leaping onto the main road of Yangcheng, the crowds thickened.
"The second drum! Run faster!" someone shouted.
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