Chapter 341 - 338: Body Technique Talent Improvement
Chapter 341: Chapter 338: Body Technique Talent Improvement
A flash of inspiration struck Fang Han. He subconsciously visualized the core principles of the Wind and Cloud Escape in his mind: its Body Technique essentials, its Stepping Technique Atlas, and the key points for coordinating his Inner Qi.
The very instant his thoughts touched upon the Wind and Cloud Escape—
"HUM!"
It was as if a clear spring flowed through his mind, reflecting a bright moon.
A massive influx of insights, understandings, and inspirations related to the Body Technique sprang forth uncontrollably, like bamboo shoots after a spring rain!
The subtle points that had once felt stagnant and difficult to grasp during his Cultivation now became crystal clear.
The various Transformations and techniques that once required repeated trials and contemplation were now understood as naturally as water carving a path.
Even the subtle flavors of the "True Meaning of Wind" and the "Cloud’s Impermanence"—concepts hinted at but never explicitly stated in the Wind and Cloud Escape manual, meant to be grasped only through intuition—slowly unfurled in his mind like a scroll painting, becoming tangible and within his reach.
This was an enhancement of his comprehension, a fundamental leap in the essence of his Body Technique Talent!
Under the miraculous effects of the Howling Moon Spirit Deer Antlers, combined with his already massive 128-fold Stepping Talent Amplification, the two effects stacked to produce an unimaginable qualitative transformation.
’So that’s how this step connects. I should use a subtle Hidden Force from the tips of my toes to pivot instead of forcing my body to turn...’
’The Wind and Cloud are impermanent. Movement like lightning, stillness like a boulder. This "stillness" isn’t true immobility, but a momentary coordination of Inner Qi and muscle, gathering Momentum to strike...’
’To evoke the Wind Momentum, I shouldn’t just rely on simulating it with Inner Qi. My mind must be in harmony, sensing the "wind" flowing between heaven and earth, borrowing its Momentum and guiding its force...’
Countless epiphanies strung together like lustrous pearls, forming a dazzling necklace.
Fang Han was immersed in the wonderful sensation of this rapid "enlightenment," forgetting the passage of time and his own whereabouts.
At times, he would close his eyes in deep thought, his fingers tracing the patterns of the Step Technique on his knees. At other times, he would open his eyes, a sharp light glinting within them, as if the shadows of Flowing Wind and clouds were flitting past.
He could feel his understanding of the Wind and Cloud Escape deepening and broadening at an unprecedented rate.
The barrier preventing him from stepping into the Realm of "Mastery" was growing thinner and more transparent under the assault of this surging tide of insight.
Time slipped by in silent comprehension. Outside the cave, the sky brightened, then gradually began to dim as the sun moved west.
Fang Han had been sitting like this for several long hours.
When he opened his eyes again, they shone with a brilliant divine light that was also restrained and profound, as if they contained the endless Transformations of wind and clouds.
He rose to his feet, feeling as though his body had become much lighter.
His weight hadn’t decreased. Rather, his control over his body, his application of force, and especially his instincts related to "movement," "dodging," and "advancing and retreating" had all ascended to a new level.
’With my current Body Technique Talent, it won’t be long before I break through to Mastery!’
Fang Han muttered to himself, his voice tinged with suppressed excitement.
He could clearly sense that he was just one final step away from reaching the "Mastery" Realm in Wind and Cloud Escape.
This thin barrier might be easily broken through with the stimulation of his next real battle or during a moment of insight while running at full speed.
The effect of the Howling Moon Spirit Deer Antlers far exceeded his expectations.
It had permanently improved his aptitude for Body Techniques, multiplying his Talent several times over. His future Cultivation would surely yield twice the results with half the effort.
However, now was not the time to focus on Cultivation and achieving a breakthrough.
He was still in Donglu County, and the danger had not passed. He had to leave as soon as possible and return to Qingyang County.
"HUMMM—"
After confirming the area outside the cave was safe with the Spirit Smelling Technique, Fang Han moved the boulder and slipped out.
The afterglow of the setting sun draped the mountain forest in a layer of warm gold, but he was in no mood to admire it.
"SWOOSH!"
He naturally executed the Wind and Cloud Escape, not sprinting at full power, but moving in a more effortless and efficient manner that aligned with his newfound insights, weaving through the dense forest and scattered rocks.
He could feel his Body Technique’s speed, agility, and even his stamina for long-distance travel were all subtly increasing under the influence of his multiplied Talent.
With every step, his use of the ground’s reactive force became more exquisite. With every turn, the coordination between his body and Inner Qi grew more harmonious.
Although his Realm had not advanced, his actual performance had already improved by more than twenty percent!
For the next few days, Fang Han avoided the main roads and even the small paths frequented by hunters and Medicine Gatherers. Relying solely on his map, he traveled toward Qingyang County.
When he was thirsty, he sought out mountain springs and streams. When hungry, he picked wild fruits he recognized or hunted small birds and beasts with pebbles or Sword Qi, roasting them over a fire to fill his stomach.
He did his best to avoid entering any towns or villages to avoid leaving a trail.
Hiding by day and traveling by night, exposed to the elements, he used the Spirit Smelling Technique to avoid potential human presence and danger. Fang Han trekked through the mountains and wilderness of Donglu County for four days.
At noon on the fifth day, after crossing a long mountain ridge and standing on a high slope to gaze into the distance, the landscape ahead gradually became familiar.
Although it was still a land of rolling hills, the distribution of vegetation and the direction of the mountain ranges already carried the unique characteristics of the Qingyang County border.
After traveling another dozen or so miles, a winding official road appeared below the mountain. On a crooked stone monument by the roadside, he could faintly make out the words "Qingyang County Border."
Not until his feet were on the soil of Qingyang County and he had seen the boundary marker with his own eyes did Fang Han’s constantly anxious heart finally settle.
An indescribable feeling, a mixture of relief and exhaustion, washed over him.
He slowly stopped and turned to look back in the direction of Donglu County. The vast mountains were shrouded in clouds and mist, and Cuihua City was long out of sight.
But the bloody night of the auction, the ambush and his counter-attack, the likely roars and fury of the various faction leaders—all of it felt like smoke and clouds from a distant world, temporarily blocked out by the invisible barrier of the county line.
No matter how powerful those local tyrants were in Donglu County, no matter how far their reach, they would never dare to blatantly extend the tendrils of their pursuit into Qingyang County.
This was one of the core regions under the Qingxuan Sect’s sphere of influence.
And he, Fang Han, was currently ranked sixty-eighth on the Qingxuan Sect’s Celestial Pride List, a rising True Disciple in the limelight.
Hunting a Qingxuan Sect True Disciple was a blatant provocation against the Sect’s authority and could potentially trigger a direct conflict between the powers of the two counties, or even the Sects behind them.
This was a price that the powers of Donglu County, motivated only by profit or revenge, were neither willing nor able to bear.
"Finally... I’m safe."
Standing before the boundary marker, Fang Han took a deep breath of the Qingyang County air.
The fatigue from days of tension, fleeing, and fighting washed over his limbs like a rising tide.
"First, I need to find a place to rest."
Fang Han muttered to himself, his voice quickly carried away by the mountain wind.
He took out his map to get his bearings and headed toward the nearest city.
The city was called Pinggu City, a medium-sized city on the border of Qingyang County. Due to its proximity to the junction of the two counties, merchant caravans often passed through, making it quite prosperous.
Over an hour later, the dusty gray walls of Pinggu City came into view.
It was nearly dusk, and a constant stream of pedestrians and carriages moved in and out of the city gate. The city guards leaned lazily in the shadows of the gate archway, giving only casual glances to those passing by.
Dressed in simple clothes, covered in dust, and carrying a longsword and a pack on his back, Fang Han looked no different from any other wandering martial artist on the road and entered the city without any trouble.
In stark contrast to the nerve-wracking, murderous atmosphere of Donglu County, this was Qingyang County, a place under the protection of the Qingxuan Sect.
Once inside the city, Fang Han’s mind relaxed even further.
After five consecutive days of traveling through desolate mountain forests—drinking from springs, eating wild fruits and meat, sleeping in caves and tree hollows—his body and mind had accumulated a profound exhaustion.
Now that he could relax, his muscles felt sore and weak, and his mind was a bit groggy.
’I need to eat a proper meal and get a good night’s sleep.’
His gaze swept across both sides of the street and quickly locked onto a rather impressive-looking restaurant.
It was a three-story wooden building with upturned eaves from which hung a string of red lanterns. The plaque above the entrance bore the three large words "Guest Welcoming Building." Many customers were coming and going, and business seemed to be booming.
Fang Han strode inside.
The ground-floor hall was extremely spacious, filled with over twenty square tables, seventy percent of which were already occupied.
Waiters with white towels draped over their shoulders bustled between the tables. The air was filled with shouts, laughter, and the clatter of dishes, creating a lively atmosphere.
"Welcome, sir! Right this way! A table for one?"
A sharp-witted waiter immediately came over to greet him, his face wreathed in an enthusiastic smile.
"Yes. Find me a quieter spot," Fang Han said.
"Right away! This way, please. The second floor has private booths. It’s much quieter!" The waiter led Fang Han up the wooden staircase.
The second floor was indeed much quieter than the first. Screens were used to partition off more than a dozen semi-private booths, each set some distance apart.
The waiter led Fang Han to a table by the window, which offered a view of the street below. Being in a corner, it was also quite secluded.
"What would you like to eat, sir? Our Guest Welcoming Building’s signature dishes include braised pork knuckle, steamed sea bass, eight-treasure duck, pork meatballs with crab roe..."
The waiter rattled off a list of dishes.
"Braised pork knuckle, steamed sea bass, eight-treasure duck, white-cut chicken, soy-braised beef, stir-fried greens with garlic, and an old duck soup. Also, a pot of your best wine and three bowls of rice to start."
Fang Han cut the waiter off, ordering seven dishes in one breath.
Having not eaten a proper meal for five days straight, his stomach was completely empty. The aroma of food wafting through the restaurant made his hunger feel unbearable.
The waiter was taken aback for a moment. He looked at Fang Han’s handsome young face, which couldn’t be concealed by the travel dust, then glanced at the long, cloth-wrapped object on his back, and understanding dawned on him.
’This must be a young master who practices martial arts. He must be starving.’
His smile grew even wider. "Right away! Your food and wine will be out shortly, sir!"
The waiter hurried downstairs to place the order. Fang Han unwrapped the Cloud Splitting Sword from his back, placed it on the empty chair beside him, and leaned back, closing his eyes slightly to listen to the various sounds in the restaurant.
The footsteps of the waiters, the faint clang of pots and pans from the kitchen, the conversations of other diners... These ordinary sounds, to his ears right now, brought a strange sense of peace.
Before long, the wine and dishes began to arrive.
The braised pork knuckle, glistening red and trembling, was fragrant and enticing.
The steamed sea bass was snow-white and tender, garnished with slivers of scallion and ginger.
The eight-treasure duck shone with oil, its belly generously stuffed.
The white-cut chicken had crispy skin and smooth meat, the soy-braised beef had clear grain, the garlic stir-fried greens were an alluring emerald green, and the old duck soup was steaming hot with a milky-white broth.
Added to that was a pot of perfectly warmed flower-carving wine and three bowls of pearly white rice.
The sight made his mouth water.