Chapter Seventy-Four: The Rift of Energy

Jing Hao did not move at full speed, clearly accommodating Tang Tian’s clumsy third-level footwork. This gave Tang Tian a chance to closely observe Jing Hao’s movement technique. Jing Hao’s advance was remarkably distinctive—straight, as if measured with a ruler. Only when he reached a place requiring a turn would he sharply shift direction, tracing another straight line. Where the turn demanded a large angle, his movement felt peculiarly mechanical, as though he were a robot, jerking awkwardly through each change.

Noticing Tang Tian studying his footwork, Jing Hao said, “The movement technique I practice is called 'Ruler’s Step.' It’s all about moving in straight lines.”

“What about when you attack?” Tang Tian asked, curious. “Isn’t it easy for your opponent to defend?”

“That’s true,” Jing Hao replied calmly, “but the greatest advantage of a straight line is its brevity—the shortest distance between two points. If you can push your speed to a certain threshold, even if your opponent sees your intent, they can’t defend against it.”

“How fast is fast enough?” Tang Tian was surprised. Everyone knew straight lines were the shortest, but in martial arts, straight-line attacks were rare. They were too easily anticipated. If an opponent reads your intentions in battle, you’re at a disadvantage.

“Fast enough,” Jing Hao said, glancing at Tang Tian’s footwork and frowning slightly. He produced several Soul General Cards. “Here are a few movement cards. See if any suit you.”

Four fourth-level Soul General Cards, all silver: 'Swift Stream Step,' 'Great Roc Wings,' 'Bagua Step,' and 'Forest Drift.'

“'Swift Stream Step' emphasizes speed—good for long-distance travel. 'Great Roc Wings' lets you soar high, and paired with special martial skills, it’s tremendously powerful. 'Bagua Step' is intricate, focusing on shifting and exchanging positions, but hard to master. 'Forest Drift' is best for darting through complex terrain. Each has its strengths and weaknesses,” Jing Hao explained.

Tang Tian thought it over. “I want Bagua Step.”

For long journeys, he had the bronze mechanical ostrich. The other techniques didn’t match his fighting style; only Bagua Step suited his close-combat expertise.

Jing Hao handed him the Bagua Step card without further question.

As they pressed on, Jing Hao’s expression grew tense and alert, his hand resting on the sword at his waist.

Suddenly, a shadow flashed out of the darkness. Tang Tian’s heart jumped—an acrid wind struck his face, swift and unexpected. He barely had time to react.

A cold gleam blossomed before him.

A shadow was sliced in half.

Jing Hao’s sword was already sheathed.

Only then did Tang Tian’s hair stand on end, his face paling. Had Jing Hao not been there, he would be dead! He looked down, shaken. The shadow was cleaved in two, one half bearing black wings.

“It was a Deep Cavern Bat,” Jing Hao’s voice reached Tang Tian’s ears. “A fifth-level Star Soul Beast. Very fast. Search it—there should be a soul core.”

No wonder it was terrifying—a fifth-level Star Soul Beast!

Tang Tian was still pale, but forced himself to steady. He quickly found the bat’s soul core, the size of a soybean and glossy black. He handed it to Jing Hao, who shook his head. “Keep it. I have no use for it.”

Tang Tian didn’t argue and stored it away. Only now did he realize how blindingly fast Jing Hao’s sword had been.

He took a deep breath. His armor emerged, peacock blue, its shade barely visible in the darkness. He tightened his gauntlets.

“Let’s go,” Jing Hao said, wasting no words as he moved forward.

Tang Tian followed closely, eyes scanning the darkness, alert. In a low voice he asked, “Are there a lot of Star Soul Beasts here?”

“Plenty,” Jing Hao replied. “At first, people thought there were secret treasures here. Later, they realized the Star Soul Beasts were too numerous. This area isn’t bad—mostly low-level beasts. But deeper down, there are stronger beasts that even the big shots in the guild dare not face. Nobody knows what lies below.”

Low-level...

Tang Tian felt a pang of frustration—he’d nearly been killed by a low-level Star Soul Beast...

Fortunately, no further dangers appeared on their path. Suddenly, Tang Tian noticed dozens of pits ahead, large and small, some less than half a meter wide, others over ten meters in diameter. He could sense the energy concentration around these pits was much higher than elsewhere.

Noticing Tang Tian’s gaze, Jing Hao said, “Those are energy pools.”

He spoke without stopping, continuing forward.

Tang Tian was puzzled. Energy pools? He could tell these sites were ideal for cultivating true power—the energy density far surpassed the outside world. In other places, such spots would have been seized by powerful factions. Only here in the perilous darkness underground did they remain unclaimed.

They walked for another hour, winding through so many twists Tang Tian’s head spun.

Suddenly, Jing Hao slipped into a small crack, so narrow they had to edge through sideways. Such fissures were common underground. Tang Tian hurried after him.

Emerging from the crack, Tang Tian was stunned.

A bottomless abyss stretched out before him, with countless blue glowing dots floating gently upward, so numerous they resembled a sea of blue light. They rose endlessly from the depths, only to fade and vanish as they reached the sky above.

These tiny glowing grains were born, shone brightly, and then disappeared.

“These spheres are pure energy,” Jing Hao said, his tone tinged with excitement. “Cultivating here will dramatically accelerate your progress. Above us are the energy pools. The energy density here is a hundredfold higher.”

“How can there be places so miraculous?” Tang Tian stammered.

A blue sphere floated to him. He reached out and caught it. It felt cool, and as it touched his skin, a refreshing surge entered his body, sharpening his mind.

“I have no idea,” Jing Hao admitted, rarely showing fascination, though his expression soon returned to calm. “I stumbled upon this place by chance. These energy spheres have no attribute; their energy level is around the fourth tier, perfect for you. They don’t help me much anymore, but compared to outside, they’re still effective. Begin your cultivation.”

With that, Jing Hao sat cross-legged and began his own practice.

Tang Tian followed suit.

As soon as he activated his cultivation method, several energy spheres seemed attracted, drifting toward him.

Tang Tian focused intently. He felt indescribably comfortable as pure power poured in, quickly filling his fourth-tier dantian pool. He stopped absorbing energy spheres and began channeling true power along his meridians.

He had only just begun cultivating 'Four Heavenly Dragons.' The meridians involved were not yet fully opened. His true power moved like a drill, struggling through the channels, gradually widening them. The process was slow, and his energy depleted rapidly.

As usual, Tang Tian restarted his cultivation, repeating the cycle.

He now understood why Jing Hao was so confident. The abundance of energy spheres here greatly shortened the time needed to recover true power.

It truly was a sacred place for cultivation!

Tang Tian soon lost himself in the practice.

Fifth day.

Jing Hao opened his eyes and glanced at Tang Tian meditating nearby, a hint of surprise in his gaze. Even for Jing Hao, ten straight days of cultivation was exhausting. The monotony wore on the mind.

So, every five days, Jing Hao would return to rest for a few days—his limit.

Soon, seeing Tang Tian open his eyes, Jing Hao said, “I’m heading back to the base for some rest. What about you?”

“I’ll keep cultivating,” Tang Tian replied firmly. “I brought rations.”

Jing Hao didn’t object, only advised, “If your mind grows weary, take a proper break. Cultivation isn’t achieved in a day or a night.”

“I’m fine, not tired.” Tang Tian spoke truthfully. Five days of continuous practice was nothing to him.

Seeing Tang Tian’s resolve, Jing Hao didn’t press him. “This place is safe. Don’t leave the fissure.”

“Alright!” Tang Tian answered earnestly.

Jing Hao finished his instructions and departed.

Tang Tian stretched, feeling numb after five days sitting. He practiced his boxing forms, loosening up, then entered the light gate.

“Uncle Bing, have you ever seen a place like this?” Tang Tian asked Bing.

Bing nodded. “I have. It’s called an energy fissure. Our regiment once had one—not at this base, though. I remember its greatest use was body cleansing.”

“Body cleansing?” Tang Tian echoed, intrigued.

“Yes. The human body is mysterious and varied. Some people are born with very poor affinity for energy, so their cultivation progresses slowly. Even if they manage to develop true power, their bodies automatically reject it. In severe cases, martial arts are nearly impossible. However, these people often have talent in other areas.”

“Am I one of those?” Tang Tian asked, pointing at himself.

“No,” Bing explained. “Your body doesn’t reject true power. Your so-called lack of talent is because your five elemental affinities are balanced. Honestly, I’m surprised by your current martial arts. In our era, someone like you would be considered an ideal candidate. We believed that only with balanced elements could one avoid being countered.”

“Really? So I’m amazing!” Tang Tian’s eyes sparkled.

“I don’t know much about modern martial arts, so I can’t offer more explanation,” Bing admitted. “You don’t need body cleansing. Your affinity for energy is good.”

Tang Tian looked disappointed.

“Oh, I just remembered,” Bing said suddenly. “Energy fissures can also be used for soul refinement.”

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Ha! Finally finished before midnight!