[Seven days of Eight Trigrams Lightning Steps cultivation experience]
The journal only displayed this short line.
But what Xiao Ting felt was anything but simple. In an instant, countless images flooded his mind; even his body began changing.
"Heaven (Qian), Earth (Kun), Wind (Xun), Thunder (Zhen), Water (Kan), Fire (Li), Mountain (Gen), Lake (Dui)."
"Yin and yang in order, deducing nature, with the Eight Trigrams as foundation, the body like thunder, moving like lightning…"
First came a flood of comprehension and insights into Eight Trigrams Lightning Steps.
Then came seven days' worth of unceasing, round-the-clock cultivation memories—memories focused solely on this movement skill.
It wasn't just perception and theory, but also bodily memory and the physical changes from training this skill, the path of Battle Qi in his meridians, and the tempering effects on his body, all presented perfectly to him.
Everyone knew there were twelve hours in a day. Considering the tolerance of the meridians and the consumption of Battle Qi and spirit, cultivating for four hours a day was already considered very diligent.
The "seven days of Eight Trigrams Lightning Steps cultivation experience" granted by the journal was equivalent to him training the skill for twenty-one normal days—or even more—in one go.
This day's blessing from the world made Xiao Ting extremely satisfied.
"With this kind of blessing, I no longer need to worry about biting off more than I can chew."
"In fact, aside from thunder- and fire-attribute skills, I can also train wind, wood, and other attribute skills."
On the Battle Qi Continent, a cultivator's Battle Qi attribute was determined at birth, said to be related to the soul.
But that didn't mean a cultivator couldn't practice skills of other attributes. The classic example was Xiao Yan cultivating Three Thousand Lightning Movement.
It was simply that cultivating same-attribute skills yielded twice the result with half the effort, while cultivating different-attribute skills did the opposite. Normal people naturally knew which choice to make.
But Xiao Ting no longer had to worry. He only had to collect any skill that interested him and could rely on the world's blessings to lengthen his cultivation and deepen his mastery.
As for himself, his main focus would still be on fire and thunder-attribute skills.
"Continue cultivating. I'll give Yao Lao a surprise tomorrow."
Feeling that he had already trained Eight Trigrams Lightning Steps to minor completion, Xiao Ting was even more awake.
How could he not strike while the iron was hot and keep going?
He circulated Thunder-Flame Body Tempering Art, Battle Qi coursing through his meridians.
He had the faint illusion that his speed of cultivation had increased somewhat compared to before obtaining the blessing.
"It's not an illusion!"
…
When the morning sun rose and dawn arrived—
In the secret chamber of a small courtyard within the Xiao Clan, Battle Qi surged around Xiao Ting as he finished a whole night's cultivation.
When the Battle Qi completely settled back into his dantian and a new drop of condensed liquid formed in the vortex, he had successfully advanced from one-star to two-star Dou Master!
"Cultivating battle skills can also aid overall cultivation."
He slowly opened his eyes, flipped his hands to release a seal, and stood up.
Though he hadn't slept all night, he felt clear-headed and invigorated—far more refreshed than after ordinary sleep.
Leaving the chamber, he washed up briefly, then went to the kitchen to personally fry some dough sticks and prepare a bowl of soy milk. He then delivered them to Xun Er.
"Xun Er, starting today I'll be cultivating under Brother Yan and Yao Lao's guidance. Do you want to come as well?"
He believed Yao Lao wouldn't mind serving as Xun Er's teacher for a few days too.
There were plenty in the Gu Clan far stronger than Yao Lao, but right now, no one of that level would actually accept Xun Er as a disciple and teach her as seriously.
"Big Brother Xiao Ting can go by himself."
Xun Er ate gracefully, a gentle smile on her face.
"Xun Er's cultivation method is special; I don't need a teacher for the time being."
"All right." Xiao Ting glanced up at the sky.
"I'll come find you again after training."
After parting with Xun Er, he took another prepared breakfast and went to find Xiao Yan.
"Soy milk, fried dough sticks, and soup dumplings." Xiao Yan grinned.
"Good little brother, you really do think of your big brother."
But when he bit into the now-somewhat-cold dough stick, he immediately put on an exaggeratedly aggrieved act:
"Xiao Ting, we're brothers, but this dough stick is cold. You definitely delivered to Xun Er first before coming to me."
"I can't very well bring yours first and let Xun Er eat the cold ones, can I?" Xiao Ting said without any change in expression. "You should be grateful to have food at all."
"Besides, Yao Lao is a soul body—he can't even eat."
Yao Lao: ?
"Hey, come to think of it…"
Xiao Yan stuffed the dough stick into his mouth and laughed.
"Happiness really does come through comparison."
Yao Lao: !
Unfilial disciple. Just wait and see how I train you both later.
…
A quarter of an hour later, Xiao Yan and Xiao Ting went to the back mountain together and chose a remote open area.
Yao Lao manifested his soul body, stroked his transparent beard, and said:
"Little Yan, don't rush to continue your previous training."
"Many of the principles in this Eight Trigrams Lightning Steps movement skill will also be beneficial to you."
"They'll help you in learning other skills and secret arts later, and even in your alchemy."
Hearing this, Xiao Yan's smile faded and he grew serious.
Xiao Ting sat beside him, also listening intently to Yao Lao.
"The Eight Trigrams…"
Yao Lao began explaining the theories and common knowledge behind the Eight Trigrams as they pertained to this movement skill.
Xiao Yan listened carefully, his expression turning stranger and stranger.
After finishing one portion, Yao Lao asked:
"Any questions?"
Xiao Yan immediately asked:
"Teacher, this Eight Trigrams—who created it, when did it start spreading, where is its origin… do you know?"
Yao Lao froze briefly, his expression quite colorful.
"…"
Xiao Ting almost burst out laughing, feeling that Xiao Yan really looked like a silly husky right now.
Yao Lao was trying to help him understand the Eight Trigrams, not gossip about the Eight Trigrams.
Still, he understood what Xiao Yan was thinking.
In their original world, the Eight Trigrams were said to have been created by Fuxi after observing heaven and earth, a pinnacle of ancient wisdom—one of the earliest high points and milestones of ancient civilization.
Xiao Yan was probably wondering if the Battle Qi Continent was somehow connected to their previous world.
"The history of the Eight Trigrams is at least ten thousand years. I don't know any of those things you mentioned."
Holding back the urge to smack Xiao Yan on the head, Yao Lao said:
"Once you're strong enough, you can try to trace the trail of ancient sages for yourself."
"So even you don't know, Teacher…"
Xiao Yan sounded a bit disappointed, but not surprised.
Xiao Ting found this scene amusing and faithfully recorded it in his journal with elegant, vivid phrasing.
Including, of course, Yao Lao's explanation of the Eight Trigrams and the related information he still remembered from his past life.
The women: "…"
Xiao Ting's diary…
And it's filled with entries about Xiao Yan.
If they didn't know the two were cousins, they might've thought some special preference was involved.
"All right, go train by yourself for now."
Having finished his general explanation, Yao Lao impatiently shooed Xiao Yan away and began personally guiding Xiao Ting on Eight Trigrams Lightning Steps.
…
"This kid Xiao Ting's comprehension is even higher than Yan's…"
About a quarter-hour later, seeing Xiao Ting already grasped the rough usage and flow of Eight Trigrams Lightning Steps, Yao Lao's eyes flashed with admiration.
Then he took out a ruler-shaped weapon from Bone Flame Ring and smiled:
"Good, good. But you're still a bit short of truly entering the door."
"To master a fine movement skill, you must first learn to take a beating and to dodge. Let's begin in earnest."
From a distance, Xiao Yan sent Xiao Ting a sympathetic look.
This shameless teacher is clearly getting ready to 'settle the score'.
But after only an hour, shock covered both Yao Lao and Xiao Yan's faces.
"You're really cultivating Eight Trigrams Lightning Steps for the first time today?"