I bear witness to immortality in the human world.

Chapter 197 Mastery of Skill

“You’ve used the Thousand-Year Stone Heart Milk before, so the most suitable one for you should be the Profound Origin Spirit Ginseng.”

After pondering for a moment, Zhang Yong offered Wu Ming some advice.

Xuan Yuan Ling Shen (玄元灵参).

This is a rare and precious spiritual treasure worth five thousand spirit points. After consuming it, the body will be revitalized, the spirit will be awakened, and the ability to comprehend martial arts will be greatly increased within seven days.

"Mysterious Origin Ginseng..."

After a moment's thought, Wu Ming read the description of the Xuan Yuan Spirit Ginseng and finally made his decision.

Since it was recommended by Zhang Yong, the deputy hall master, there was naturally no problem. As the deputy hall master of the Hidden Dragon Academy, his understanding of various spiritual objects was undoubtedly far more extensive than Zhang Yong's.

"Okay, wait here for a moment."

As Zhang Yong spoke, his figure immediately disappeared into the main hall.

Not long after, Zhang Yong returned, holding a ginseng that was entirely silver-gray in his hand. This ginseng was only the size of a little finger and was very slender, but just one glance was enough to feel its extraordinary nature. Its silver-gray surface seemed to have some stars floating in it, and the primordial energy of heaven and earth contained within it was extremely profound.

"Thank you for your trouble, Vice Hall Master."

Wu Ming reached out and took the spirit ginseng. Although he had not yet personally tested its effects, he knew from observation and perception that the five thousand spirit points it was worth was indeed well worth it. He then thanked Zhang Yong.

Zhang Yong waved his hand and said, "It's my duty, why bother?"

All the disciples in the Hidden Dragon Academy are geniuses of their generation, and Wu Ming is a genius among geniuses. Even though his current cultivation level is not as high as his, he will not put on airs in front of Wu Ming. He should try his best to befriend a genius like Wu Ming.

In fact, the position of Deputy Hall Master of the Hidden Dragon Academy is considered a desirable post in the capital of Yong Kingdom. Here, one can get to know and support generations of geniuses born in Yong Kingdom, and casually leave some connections. When these geniuses rise to prominence in the future, they will be able to play a role.

For Zhang Yong, this position as deputy temple master was something he wouldn't trade for even the position of chief of the Shenxing or the chief of the Demon Suppression Division.

……

Leave the Hidden Dragon Palace.

Wu Ming quickly returned to his private courtyard where he usually practiced martial arts.

"Five thousand spirit points, let's see the effect."

Looking at the Xuan Yuan Spirit Ginseng in his hand, Wu Ming let out a soft breath. This time, he had spent a lot of money. In the past two years of cultivating the Dao, he had never exchanged for such expensive resources.

The main reason is that his martial arts skills have indeed reached the peak of the Unity Realm, and his mastery of both hard and soft power has reached the ultimate level below the Transformation Realm. He has even glimpsed the true meaning of the Transformation Realm, and he is only one step away from mastering his skills.

Now,

Wu Ming didn't hesitate for long. He put the Xuan Yuan Spirit Ginseng into his mouth, chewed it a few times, and swallowed it.

Often, the more precious a spiritual item is, the less complicated the refining process is required; it can simply be swallowed.

After swallowing the Xuan Yuan Spirit Ginseng, there were no significant changes at first, unlike the other spiritual treasures Wu Ming had consumed before, where there was a noticeable spread of primordial energy from his abdomen.

But as time went by, when the thought arose in Wu Ming's mind, 'Could it be that I've been given a fake?' he finally felt a change in his body. This change was very subtle and difficult to describe in words. It was as if he had become more ethereal and his senses about his body had become clearer.

This feeling is completely different from the perception of the primordial spirit and soul.

"This feeling……"

As Wu Ming experienced the changes in his body, he was somewhat dazed. He was not in a state of enlightenment, nor did he have any sudden flashes of inspiration. All he felt was that the tactile sensations of his body were becoming more subtle.

It may seem like just a tiny, insignificant change, but it is exactly the state that Wu Ming needs most right now!
Swish!
Without hesitation, Wu Ming immediately picked up the spear and began to wield it.

At this moment, every thrust of his spear felt completely different. The touch of the spear, the exertion of physical strength, and every detail of himself seemed to have been subtly sublimated, becoming more refined than before.

Mastering the unity of mind, body, and skill allows one to enter the realm of unity. After entering the realm of unity, one begins to comprehend the power of hardness and softness until one brings the power of hardness and softness to its peak, where they merge seamlessly and perfectly, thus reaching the realm of perfection!
one day,
Two days,

Three days,

……

Next, Wu Ming changed his previous cultivation strategy and used the subtle changes in his body brought about by the Xuan Yuan Spirit Ginseng to focus all his energy on comprehending the spear technique over the next few days. Apart from eating, he spent almost all his time practicing the spear technique in his secluded courtyard, pondering the mysteries of the Transcendent Realm, day and night without rest!

in this way,

Until the night of the sixth day. Wu Ming stood in the secluded courtyard, holding a long spear, constantly wielding it. At the same time, he moved forward and backward within the courtyard, bringing his Thunderclap Spear Technique and Swift Thunder Steps to their fullest potential. His movements and spear techniques flowed perfectly. After an unknown amount of time, Wu Ming suddenly felt as if something had shattered, like an invisible barrier breaking apart.

Swish!
His speed suddenly exploded, increasing by nearly 50% in an instant.

"drink."

Wu Ming let out a low shout and swung his spear fiercely, thrusting it into a silver-gray wooden stake in the corner of the courtyard.

That was a wooden stake made of 'True Profound Iron Tree', which was even tougher than Profound Steel. Even with Wu Ming's previous four attempts at Blood Coagulation, his peak Unity Realm, and the twelfth move of the Thunderclap Spear Technique, he could only poke a tiny dent on the surface of the stake with all his might.

puff.

A sound like a sharp blade piercing flesh was heard.

Wu Ming's spear pierced straight through the True Profound Ironwood stake!
The wooden stake, which could only leave a trace even with full force, could no longer withstand the power of his spear strike. Throughout the entire process, Wu Ming relied entirely on martial arts and did not add any Taoist techniques!
"Good, good, good."

Wu Ming looked at the wooden stake that he had pierced through with his spear, a strange light flashing in his eyes. He said "Good!" three times in a row, and a hint of interest appeared on his face. He then suddenly pulled out his spear.

He once again brandished his spear, unleashing one Thunderclap Spear Technique move after another in the courtyard.

The first move,
The second move,
The third move,
……

Until the twelfth move, all the spear techniques flowed smoothly and appeared no different from before, but in reality, the profound mystery contained within had reached another level. It was a realm of perfect balance between strength and gentleness, and smooth, effortless execution.

After unleashing the twelfth move, Wu Ming did not stop. He continued to wield his spear and unleashed the thirteenth move!
Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle!
This thirteenth move is a skill that can only be mastered by reaching a high level of expertise. Although Wu Ming had long since mastered this move, he had only mastered its 'form' and did not possess its true essence and spirit.

But now, when he used this move again, it was no longer just an empty shell. As he swung his spear, three beams of light, seemingly like lightning, appeared in the void, then converged and condensed into one point, piercing downwards.

puff.

The target of this spear was still that True Profound Ironwood Stake, and this time it was as unstoppable as ever, with the spear piercing straight into it!

"This is... the perfect balance of strength and gentleness, a mastery of skill."

Seeing this, Wu Ming finally let out a long sigh of relief and slowly put away his spear.

Long ago, he had mastered the twelfth move of the Thunderclap Spear Technique, but he was stuck at the thirteenth move. He used up all the Thousand-Year Stone Heart Milk, but still couldn't cross the threshold of the Transcendent Realm. After arriving at the Hidden Dragon Academy, he kept pondering the mysteries of mastering the technique, but still couldn't break through the barrier.

But hard work pays off. His martial arts talent was already extraordinary. After years of accumulation, as well as the many insights he gained after consuming the Millennium Stone Heart Milk and arriving at the Hidden Dragon Academy, he finally used a Profound Origin Spirit Ginseng to fully blossom and bear fruit.

Four successful blood clotting tests—his skill is unparalleled!
Although every ten or twenty years, a martial arts genius of this caliber would emerge in the Hidden Dragon Academy, far surpassing the talent in Daoist arts he displayed when he broke through seven gates upon entering the academy, his primordial spirit cultivation was ultimately due to the influence of the Demon Subduing Diagram and was built upon a foundation of various supreme secret techniques, while his martial arts cultivation was entirely his own doing.

It can be said that even without the Demon Subduing Diagram and the rapid progress in his Yuan Shen Dao techniques, Wu Ming felt that he could have reached his current level in martial arts. However, that would have been much more difficult, might have taken much longer, and might even have stopped at his current level. But for him now, his current level is just the beginning.

……

The next day.

Wu Ming went to the Hidden Dragon Hall and found Zhang Yong again.

He picked up the teacup on the table, gave it a gentle shake, and a round drop of water fell down. He skillfully caught it with one finger. Normally, this drop of water would have scattered upon contact, but Wu Ming's fingertip contained a smooth and gentle strength, like a lotus leaf, deftly holding up the drop of water, letting it roll around on his fingertip, and then flicking it with his finger.

Snapped.

A seemingly ordinary drop of water was flicked by Wu Ming and shot out, hitting a wooden table not far away, causing the table to move backward by nearly half a foot!
Throughout the entire process, only martial arts skills were used, without any Taoist magic.

"You really mastered it?"

Zhang Yong stared in disbelief, knowing full well what this meant.

In fact, given his status as the vice dean of the Hidden Dragon Academy, it was surprising that Wu Ming had mastered the Transcendental Technique through four Blood Condensation Refinements, but it wasn't enough to leave him so astonished. The main reason was that he knew Wu Ming had extremely high talent in Daoist arts, and that Wu Ming focused on Daoist cultivation while not paying much attention to martial arts. In fact, because of his specialization in Daoist arts, he hadn't even achieved the unity of spirit and body in martial arts.

In this situation, the fact that he was still able to master the Transcendental Technique after four attempts at blood coagulation demonstrates that Wu Ming's martial arts talent was also extraordinary, only that his Daoist talent was far superior, making him appear much less impressive.

"...Well, as the saying goes, 'constant dripping wears away a stone, and skill reaches its pinnacle.' You have indeed mastered the skills of the Transcendent Realm. I will report this to the Palace Master now, and the 30,000 spirit points will soon be distributed to you."

Zhang Yong shook his head, quickly regaining his senses, and said to Wu Ming in a serious tone.

Although in his view, Wu Ming had a higher talent for Taoist magic, and it would be putting the cart before the horse to spend energy cultivating martial arts, Wu Ming was a genius who could not be judged by common sense. As deputy hall masters, they could only provide some guidance.

(End of this chapter)