NOVEL WEB Chapter 142: Has My Acting Improved?
Ordinary people need to absorb quintessential Essence Qi to successfully open their Aperture, nurturing it to prevent their aptitude from declining—Hong Yuan did just that when he first opened his Aperture.
However, as soon as the Power Tao Avatar opened its Aperture, it was already at a high-level first rank, and the True Essence within its body continuously scoured the stone membrane. Every minute, every second, it was autonomously enhancing, seemingly without end.
What monstrous aptitude! Especially since he hadn't even settled on a fifth-rank primary Cultivation Technique.
"The gap between a perfect ten-out-of-ten and a nine-point-five Class A is truly vast," Hong Yuan murmured in appreciation. But when he felt a distending sensation from his Power Tao Aperture, his brow furrowed slightly.
"Unfortunately, the more perfect something is, the less wonderful it can be."
"If I cannot achieve Saint status before the Aperture explodes from overload, my investment in the Great Power True Martial Body will be like drawing water with a bamboo basket—an effort in vain."
"The Saint Achievement Immortal Transcending Tribulation of the Ten Extreme Bodies..."
The Saint Achievement Immortal Transcending Tribulation of the Ten Extreme Bodies was no trivial matter. It was terrifyingly powerful, on par with the Heaven Tribulations and natural disasters faced by seventh-rank Martial Saints, making it nearly a certainty of death!
Right now, Hong Yuan wasn't confident that his Power Tao Avatar could survive the Saint Achievement Immortal Transcending Tribulation. However, his purpose in creating the Power Tao Avatar wasn't to get through the tribulation; instead, it was to cultivate a method of protection.
In the misty practice room, the Power Tao Avatar accepted nearly a hundred Cultivation Worms transmitted from Hong Yuan's main body.
These nearly one hundred Cultivation Worms included dozens of Power Tao Worms, and more than ten each of Fire Tao Worms and Wind Tao Worms.
Power Tao Worms were used for offensive tactics. They mainly invoked phantoms to augment one's own Power Tao when attacking enemies, or materialized these phantoms to strike foes.
Fire Tao Worms and Wind Tao Worms were used for movement. Fire borrowed the wind's power, and wind amplified fire's might. This combination perfectly showcased the domineering aspect of Power Tao Martial Artists, maximizing their strengths.
After this set of Cultivation Worms was transferred, Hong Yuan returned to his normal rhythm.
The Avatar delved into the Small Seven Star Skill, seeking to increase its mental strength. This was so it could create a Sword Tao Avatar to avenge his Senior Brother.
The main body methodically polished the Myriad Silence Origin Body, progressing calmly and steadily.
「Three days later.」
In the early morning, Hong Yuan left the practice room and headed toward the White Frost Stone House, leaving only the Power Tao Avatar in the training room to continue its grueling practice, acting as a tireless worker.
It had to be said, with such a Great Power True Martial Body Avatar, Hong Yuan's cultivation had become much easier.
The main reason was that Cultivation Worms could be transferred between the main body and the Avatar. This allowed Hong Yuan's main body to focus solely on breakthroughs, no longer needing to worry about cultivating protective fighting techniques for his cultivation path.
Walking along Greenstone Avenue, Hong Yuan often saw yellowed leaves drifting down from the sky, landing to his left and right.
"The autumn wind is bleak, and the waves surge—another year has passed, and it's autumn again." As he neared the White Frost Stone House, Hong Yuan reached out and caught a withered leaf, feeling slightly emotional.
In past years at this time, he would be worrying about which escape-focused Cultivation Technique to practice to ensure his survival in trial missions. Now, however, he no longer had such troubles. Instead, his path of cultivation lay wide open before him, unobstructed—truly a transformation of circumstances.
"Uncle!"
"Uncle!"
A child's voice, clear and melodious as a young phoenix, rang through the bamboo forest. Its sound spread, and the bamboo rustled as if echoing the voice's owner.
Yue'er ran out from the front of the White Frost Stone House, scampering toward Hong Yuan. Behind her, Lin Yiru stood by the doorway, supporting herself on the doorframe as she watched him.
Lin Yiru pouted slightly, somewhat displeased. "Why does Yuan get so much affection from Yue'er, when I'm the one who's with her every day?"
However, when she watched Yue'er being lifted high by Hong Yuan and spun around a few times, eliciting happy laughter from the girl, Lin Yiru let go of her inexplicable sense of competition. She then stood up and walked towards Hong Yuan.
Approaching Hong Yuan, Lin Yiru said, "Yuan, remember to bring Yue'er back early."
Hong Yuan stroked Yue'er in his arms and nodded gently, his demeanor very calm.
"Don't worry, Yiru, I understand," he reassured.
In the past, Hong Yuan would have found Lin Yiru's competitive spirit amusing. But after many experiences, especially the death of Senior Brother Mo—a very strong Martial Artist—Hong Yuan suddenly realized he shouldn't concern himself with such trivialities.
His sights should be set on the stars and the ocean, the Martial Emperor Demon Supreme!
"Hmph, as long as you know. Go on, go find your 'Little Spirit Plant Master'," Lin Yiru said, suddenly raising an eyebrow and crossing her arms.
Hong Yuan did not respond to Lin Yiru's words. He smiled warmly and, holding Yue'er, headed for the Spirit Plant Garden.
Their destination was indeed the Spirit Plant Garden, and it did involve Jiang Nai, an official Disciple there. But that had little to do with her, Lin Yiru!
Hong Yuan's figure gradually receded into the distance until he was no longer visible.
Meanwhile, Lin Yiru's lips curved into a smile. She was happy that her younger brother might find a suitable cultivation partner.
Although it hadn't happened yet, it was almost a certainty.
If Hong Yuan knew what Lin Yiru was thinking, he might wonder if his acting skills had improved.
He truly had no intention of becoming cultivation partners with Jiang Nai.
This was mainly because he was a Martial Artist of the Longevity Martial Arts. Even if he didn't follow this path, his natural aptitude was that of a Heavenly Talent. With a little caution, he was highly likely to become a Martial Saint, blessed with great fortune and longevity.
And Jiang Nai was just an ordinary Disciple with mediocre aptitude, her chances of living past two hundred years uncertain.
"Uncle, what kind of Spirit Plants do you think Sister Jiang has cultivated?" Yue'er asked, her eyes wide with curiosity.
"I'm not sure. Don't worry, we'll be there soon," Hong Yuan replied. He then quickened his pace, taking the eager Yue'er towards the Spirit Plant Garden.
Hong Yuan was going out mainly because Jiang Nai had sent word that the Spirit Plant she had cultivated had matured and was ready for viewing.
Children are the least resistant to temptation, and Yue'er was very interested. So, Hong Yuan had decided to take her for a look.
Of course, the most important reason was that Hong Yuan no longer needed to be on edge all the time.
With his Power Tao Avatar, his cultivation no longer needed to be so rigorous.
The Spirit Plant Garden was different from the many workshops of the Refining Equipment Hall that Hong Yuan was familiar with. It primarily consisted of a series of Spiritual Fields. Each field was protected by small Energy Arrays, much like the experimental plots from Hong Yuan's past life.
Along the way, Yue'er clapped her hands continuously, full of admiration.
In the C-rank area, at Spiritual Field number four hundred and ninety-eight, Hong Yuan found Jiang Nai.
At that moment, Jiang Nai was dressed in a simple mulberry-picking outfit, her appearance plain. As soon as she saw Hong Yuan and Yue'er, she trotted over to them.
"Senior Brother Hong, Yue'er, you're here!" Jiang Nai said in a soft, sweet voice.
"Sister Jiang, where are the Spirit Plants? Where are they?" Yue'er exclaimed excitedly.
Jiang Nai looked to Hong Yuan. He nodded slightly, after which Jiang Nai led them into her Spiritual Field.