At the peak of a mountain, a black-robed young man sat cross-legged, his hands forming seals for cultivation. His breathing was calm and prolonged, and with each breath, there were subtle ripples in the space around him. Strands of fiery energy seeped out, eventually entering his body through his breath. The silent cultivation lasted nearly two hours before the self-inflating robe on the black-robed youth slowly fell, and his tightly closed eyes flickered and opened.
“Two months of deep mountain cultivation, quite a substantial gain…” Twisting his neck, feeling the flowing energy like a spring, Xiao Yan couldn’t help but smile, speaking softly.
In these two months of hard training, Xiao Yan not only advanced “Three Thousand Thunder Flash” to the first layer, “Thunderbolt,” but also, the energy in his body became more refined and pure under the harsh conditions of the deep mountains. According to Xiao Yan’s guess, he had unknowingly reached the peak of an eight-star Great Fighter during his Three Thousand Thunder Flash training. Of course, reaching the peak of eight stars in just two months could not be compared to the speed in the “Heavenly Fire Refining Tower,” but Xiao Yan was quite satisfied. Being able to advance Three Thousand Thunder Flash to the first layer was already beyond his expectations, and the improvement in his energy was an added bonus. There was no need to feel dejected.
Standing up from the bluish stone, Xiao Yan stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the vast sea of trees. A light breeze blew across the tree sea, causing it to ripple, and massive waves of trees rushed towards him, almost like the sea, evoking awe at the power of nature…
Standing atop the mountain peak, Xiao Yan watched the surging tree waves that had repeated many times. Perhaps due to the peaceful atmosphere, a part of his heart was quietly touched. His thoughts, quick and sharp, instantly grasped this unusual sensation. With his hands still behind his back, Xiao Yan’s eyes slowly narrowed, and after a while, a shiver ran down his back as the Purple Cloud Wings unfurled. Lightly flapping his wings, his figure arced through the air, finally landing steadily in the boundless sea of trees.
The Purple Cloud Wings retracted, and Xiao Yan stood alone in the sea of trees, surrounded by verdant green. He was a tiny, dark spot amidst the lushness, small but eye-catching. Slowly opening his arms, the roaring tree waves swept towards him, carrying a loud rumbling sound, like thunder, passing over him!
His feet gripped the treetops like eagle talons, and Xiao Yan’s figure, amidst the unending tree waves, moved like a leaf, swift and unyielding, never torn apart by the powerful forces of the waves.
The hundred-zhang tree wave lasted nearly ten minutes before gradually receding, leaving a somewhat pale-faced, but excited, black-robed youth. He turned to look at the distant, disappearing tree waves, and something within him was deeply stirred.
“This kind of intent…” Slowly clenching his right hand, a large, pitch-black ruler appeared, and Xiao Yan murmured, “If I could make my attacks like continuous waves, it would be an excellent way to attack.”
Holding the Heavy Ruler, Xiao Yan tilted his head slightly, his black eyes filled with a unique confusion and deep thought. His body seemed completely frozen, but a keen-eyed observer would notice that his right arm, holding the Heavy Ruler, was trembling in a very slight arc, as if adjusting something…
Xiao Yan’s frozen state lasted nearly an hour, and he seemed unaware of it. In his mind, he replayed the sudden flash of inspiration from the tree waves, and in this strange state, time seemed to stand still.
The tree waves surged, disappeared, then surged again, in a never-ending cycle… Outside, time continued to pass, and although it had only been an hour, Xiao Yan, in this strange state, had felt the fleeting moments of the tree waves many times.
In these countless sensations, a faint glimmer of understanding began to appear in Xiao Yan’s black eyes.
“Eh?” As Xiao Yan was in this strange state, Elder Pharmacist’s voice, filled with astonishment, sounded in the shadows. Though extremely soft, it carried a hint of surprise. Clearly, Xiao Yan’s current state was unexpected.
Elder Pharmacist’s exclamation did not break Xiao Yan’s strange state. The experienced elder knew that such a state was a rare opportunity for cultivators. If it were broken, it would be a lifelong regret.
Silently, a powerful soul force emanated from the black, ancient ring on Xiao Yan’s finger, enveloping the nearby area. The low growls of beasts from afar disappeared, and the area became utterly peaceful, preventing any accidental disturbances.
Time continued to pass, and since Xiao Yan entered this state, three hours had passed. During these hours, Xiao Yan’s body was as still as a stone statue, except for the slight tremor in his hand. Anyone would think it was a lifeless statue, but too lifelike.
In the quiet, sealed forest, the black-robed youth, suddenly quivered, and with it, the confusion and deep thought in his eyes rapidly faded, replaced by growing clarity…
Holding the ruler firmly, Xiao Yan’s body stood straight, exuding a sharp aura. His face tense, he slowly raised the black ruler, and at a slow pace, he performed strikes, sweeps, and slashes…
These basic heavy ruler techniques were now fully displayed by Xiao Yan, and as his hand sped up, his entire body was soon enveloped in a black sphere. Such precise techniques were previously unknown to Xiao Yan!
The wind howled over the forest, and a large black sphere rolled, crushing leaves and turning them to dust. The heavy ruler’s movements sped up, but just as it neared its peak, it suddenly slowed, causing a strange, uncomfortable feeling.
A low, muffled groan came from the black sphere, and one could see the young man’s face turn pale. But despite the paleness, Xiao Yan did not stop. Deep in his mind, he recalled the flash of inspiration from the tree waves, and his hand’s movement subtly changed.
Focusing his mind, Xiao Yan relinquished control to the inner inspiration. The sharp ruler wind gradually slowed, replaced by a slow, continuous movement…
As the ruler moved, the black eyes again filled with confusion, but his previously stiff movements suddenly became smooth. The once flawed ruler technique transformed, and the ruler’s path, connecting and intertwining, formed an unbreakable sphere, without any openings for attack!
This technique was vastly different from Xiao Yan’s previous, chaotic reliance on strength and speed.
Since obtaining the Heavy Ruler, Xiao Yan had never practiced a complete set of ruler techniques. In combat, he relied on his brute strength. But true strength must reach a certain level to be effective, and if he met an opponent of similar power, it would come down to the skill of their techniques.
In terms of technique, Xiao Yan’s ruler skills might be crude compared to Bai Shan’s spear. In strength and speed, Xiao Yan was strong, but his technique was a weakness. This sudden insight might help him overcome it.
“Swish!” The heavy ruler suddenly paused, and a sharp gust shot out, slicing off the tops of the nearby trees.
Xiao Yan, maintaining the chopping stance, felt the confusion in his eyes rapidly fade, replaced by clarity. Staring at the ruler, the previous movements remained vivid in his mind, like a brand.
“This…” Opening his mouth, Xiao Yan was at a loss for words. In just a few hours, he had grasped a profound ruler technique. Though it was in its early stages, its potential was clear. With further refinement, it would become a great asset.
“Don’t be surprised. On the path of cultivation, this is not a fluke but an opportunity. You found it and seized it, that’s your fortune,” Elder Pharmacist’s voice echoed in Xiao Yan’s mind, “Many encounter such opportunities, but they don’t seize them. You did, proving your talent and ability. Gaining without effort is a joke.”
Nodding, Xiao Yan felt his surprise wane.
“This ruler technique has a continuous, wave-like intent, likely related to the tree waves. It may be weak now, but don’t be disheartened. It’s just the beginning. With practice, you might create your own unique ruler technique,” Elder Pharmacist smiled, pleased.
Nodding, Xiao Yan stored the heavy ruler and took a qi-restoring pill. Just as he was about to rest, a deafening roar echoed from the distant mountains.
“Such a powerful roar, at least a Dou Wang-level beast, right?” Startled, Xiao Yan looked towards the mountains, amazed.
“Yes, it’s a Dou Wang-level beast. There are other strong presences nearby, probably in battle,” Elder Pharmacist said lightly.
“Someone daring to challenge a Dou Wang-level beast?” Curious, Xiao Yan asked, “Shall we go take a look?”
“Sure, follow me.” Elder Pharmacist was indifferent.
Xiao Yan smiled, and the Purple Cloud Wings unfurled, propelling him towards the source of the roar.
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