Chapter 125: Choosing a Cultivation Technique
Translator: Noodletown Translated Editor: Noodletown Translated
Just as Zhao Guang and Zhao Hongyu were having their discussion on the first floor, Hao Ren brought the tutoring materials to Zhao Yanzi’s room on the second floor. Hesitating slightly, Lu Linlin and Lu Lili followed him into the room.
Again, a ‘humph’ came out of Zhao Yanzi when she lifted her head out of her homework and saw that Hao Ren had walked in.
“We only have half an hour this time; let’s focus on improving your English.” Hao Ren pulled up a chair and sat down next to Zhao Yanzi. Then, he spread open the materials and said, “Last time we were on the correct ways of using the prepositions ‘to’ and ‘for’, and there was a little bit we didn’t finish going through. Why don’t you open your notes and check where we left off?”
“I still have a pile of homework to finish today!” Zhao Yanzi objected as she pouted her lips.
“Today’s session is only half an hour long. You can postpone working on your homework to half an hour later.” Hao Ren locked his eyes on her.
Nibbling on her bottom lip, Zhao Yanzi looked at Hao Ren fixedly as well.
With no intent to be fierce or malicious, the two just continued to gaze at each other intensely.
“I already finished my midterm exams; there is nothing for you to tutor me on now!” A few seconds later, Zhao Yanzi couldn’t help but break the silence.
Hao Ren furrowed his eyebrows. “There are final exams after midterm exams; after your finals, there will be all those exams you will be facing again when you get to the Ninth Grade; after that, there…”
“Alright! Alright!” Waving her hand, Zhao Yanzi stopped him. “You are becoming more and more annoying!”
As she couldn’t take Hao Ren’s nagging anymore, she took out the notes from her drawer and flipped to the part where they left off. “You can start now!”
Hao Ren smiled helplessly. Looking at the materials in his hands, he began explaining, “In general, ‘for’ tends to indicate an objective or a goal…”
Zhao Yanzi ripped open some packaging on her desk and took out a piece of bubble gum. She threw it into her mouth and began chewing and taking notes at the same time.
Her puffy cheeks seemed to hint at her objections, and her absent-minded att.i.tude seemed to indicate her disregard for Hao Ren’s efforts.
“This English thingy seems very difficult,” standing behind Hao Ren, Lu Lili whispered to Lu Linlin who was standing next to her.
“If you find it difficult, then ask Gongzi and see if he has time to tutor you on it, too,” Lu Linlin responded.
Looking overwhelmed with honor, Lu Lili rapidly waved her hands and said softly, “This is the privilege of Little Zhumu 1 , I don’t dare to ask Gongzi to tutor me…”
Hao Ren noticed them chattering quietly and turned around. Seeing that they were standing behind him the whole time, he said, “You don’t have to be standing; find a place to sit.”
Right at this moment, Zhao Hongyu pushed the door open and came in. She waved at the sisters and said, “Linlin, Lili, come with me to the next room. I’ve made your bed for you; come to see if you like it.”
Again, Lu Linlin and Lu Lili looked to Hao Ren, seeking permission.
“Go ahead and get some rest too. I will tutor Zi for half an hour, and then we will head out,” Hao Ren told them.
“Yes!” The sisters nodded and followed Zhao Hongyu to the guest room next door.
Looking at the alluring figures of Lu Linlin and Lu Lili, Zhao Yanzi pouted her lips even more. “You must be over the moon with two pretty girls following you around every day now, huh?”
“What? Are you jealous again?” Hao Ren asked.
“Why would I be jealous?” Hao Ren’s teasing irked Zhao Yanzi even more as she began smacking Hao Ren with the nib of her pen.
Hao Ren grabbed onto her delicate small hand and pressed it back down on her notebook. “Enough now, let’s focus on our lecture! For instance, ‘Let’s go for a walk’; the ‘for’ here is followed by a goal.”
“Humph!” Zhao Yanzi uttered lightly. Even though she still held a defiant att.i.tude towards Hao Ren, she finally surrendered and paid attention compliantly. After all, her midterm grades had gone up considerably, so she knew that this ‘Uncle’ was very competent when it came to tutoring. At least, he was able to explain the key points very well and was good at providing clear and vivid examples.
Time was ticking away as the two were immersed in their session. Zhao Yanzi appeared especially tender and delicate in her pink pajamas, and her eyes seemed so bright as if they had two diamonds embroidered inside. Her lips were still pouting, but it was unclear whether it was due to her concentration or anger.
“Ren, time to go!” Suddenly, Zhao Guang knocked on the door.
“Aye, coming!” Hao Ren answered as he closed up the materials and turned to Zhao Yanzi. “We’ll call it a night now. We’ve clarified the ways to use ‘for’ and ‘to properly’. You’ll be running into the uses of them in many other areas; so, if there is time, you should review these ideas some more.”
“Alright, I know! Stop nagging!” Zhao Yanzi shot him a look.
After placing the materials neatly by the corner of the desk, Hao Ren walked out and found Zhao Guang waiting in the hall with the sisters.
“Let’s go!” Zhao Guang led them downstairs.
Zhao Hongyu was fiddling with an architectural model in the living room when she saw the group come down. She stopped and asked, “You’re going now?”
“Yes, you stay home to keep an eye on Zi. I will take Ren there to pick out a cultivation technique. This is a very important choice since it will dictate the future direction of Ren’s cultivation. I’m not going to take Zi, in case she tries to put forward any irresponsible suggestions.” Zhao Guang remarked composedly.
“Zi has to finish her homework anyway. You guys go ahead; I will wait for you at home,” Zhao Hongyu replied as she nodded.
Zhao Guang responded with a nod as well before leading Hao Ren and the Lu sisters out the door.
Observing the solemnity on Zhao Guang’s face, Hao Ren realized that he should not take tonight’s decision lightly as well.
“Driving will be too slow. Ren, since you are on the third level of the Spirit Concentration Scroll, your resistance to the effects of spells should be stronger. Let’s travel there directly.” With a wave of a hand, Zhao Guang created a transparent energy sphere and had it surround himself and Hao Ren completely.
In response, without any physical movements, Lu Linlin and Lu Lili directly raised a ring of rainbow-colored energy around them. Shortly, the ring of lights had become grey and dimmed as the sisters were worried about attracting too much attention.
“Rise!” As Zhao Guang raised both of his hands, the silver energy sphere that enveloped both himself and Hao Ren rapidly traveled towards the direction of the beach.
Paying close attention, Lu Linlin and Lu Lili followed right after them.
At this hour, no one would notice three flashes of light sweeping towards the ocean at a low alt.i.tude.
As they flew past the beach, they continued gliding on the surface of the ocean for a while. Shortly, the lights began descending rapidly and directly to the bottom of the ocean.
Lu Linlin and Lu Lili’s descending speeds were as fast as Zhao Guang’s energy sphere, if not faster. Their incredible abilities as Kun-level Masters were well-demonstrated.
“Grand Array Formation, open!” After moving down vertically for a while in the ocean, Zhao Guang suddenly opened his arms and pointed downwards.
Fizz… Along with a flash of fluttering silver light, the full view of the magnificent and majestic Dragon Palace had appeared before their eyes.
In order to support Hao Ren, Zhao Guang descended at a slow pace. As they landed, the silver Palace Protection Grand Array Formation above their heads had immediately closed up. Following them, Lu Linlin and Lu Lili had also reached the ground of the Dragon Palace. Moreover, after such a long flight, no signs of fatigue or uneasiness could be seen on the sisters’ faces.
On the other hand, Hao Ren who was being dragged by Zhao Guang had turned ghastly pale. It was obvious that he had been running the Spirit Concentration Scroll continuously to the best of his ability during the flight. Consequently, he had exhausted the Nature Essence in his body.
“Your strength is still too weak. With that being said, the Spirit Concentration Scroll is only a very basic cultivation technique. It is understandable that it would be a little too much for you to fly such a long distance with me,” Zhao Guang said as he let go of Hao Ren.
“Gongzi, we will use our techniques and heal you!” The sisters walked up and offered anxiously.
“No, there is no need!” Hao Ren quickly turned down their offer. “I’m only feeling a little light-headed. I need a moment, and then I will be fine!”
At this time, Premier Xia, who was in his royal gown, had promptly run over with his hunched back.
“Best regards from this humble servant to the Dragon King Your Highness, Fuma, Ms. Linlin, and Ms. Lili!”
“Premier Xia, please, this is too much!” Linlin and Lili nervously held Premier Xia up. “We have yet to thank you for looking out for us when we were captives at the Ice Palace!”
“Things are different now. The two of you now serve Fuma Hao, and this humble servant dare not treat you with any disregard,” Premier Xia replied cautiously. Hao Ren secretly admired Premier Xia’s excellent ability to get things done and his supreme art of speaking.
“I’m going to cut to the chase. Tonight, I’ve brought Ren here to pick out a suitable cultivation technique for him. This cultivation technique is for his future long-term cultivation. Also, with the help of this technique, hopefully, he can advance to Kan-level soon.” Zhao Guang explained calmly as he stopped Premier Xia’s polite words.
Premier Xia’s eyes lit up at once. “Fuma is definitely very gifted. In such a short period of time, he’s been able to advance to the third level, that is truly…”
“Enough,” Again, Zhao Guang interrupted him, “We’re on a tight schedule here. Take Ren to the Profound Cultivation Palace and help him choose; anything below the Indigo-Grade would do. Be sure to explain each cultivation technique to Ren in detail. Linlin and Lili, join them and provide some constructive advice when you can. I will check on the progress of my brother’s Heavenly Tribulation Altar; it is also an important matter. When you are done, let me know through voice transmission.”
After giving out the orders, Zhao Guang turned into a flash of light and instantly disappeared to the eastern region of the Dragon Palace.
Flying within the Dragon Palace without authorization was against the rules. However, since Zhao Guang was the Dragon King, he had his privileges.
“Fuma, please come with me!” Premier Xia slightly bowed at Hao Ren.
“You don’t have to call me Fuma,” Hao Ren replied.
“Haha, Gongzi Hao, please come this way. This humble servant has surely missed Gongzi Hao since your last departure…”
With a hunched back, Premier Xia lead them to the Profound Cultivation Palace. On the way, Premier Xia continued to express his fondness to Hao Ren.
As they entered the Profound Cultivation Palace, just like last time, Premier Xia started showing Hao Ren around from the first level.
There were seven levels in the paG.o.da. The cultivation techniques were arranged according to the following grades: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Indigo, Blue, and Violet. In this order, all the Red-Grade techniques that were the weakest cultivation techniques were placed on the first floor, and there were more than three hundred of them.
Yet, any of these lowest level cultivation techniques were still ten times or even a hundred times more powerful than the basic Spirit Concentration Scroll that Hao Ren had been strenuously cultivating.
“Red-Grade cultivation techniques are most fitting for beginners. They are easier to cultivate, but their powers are minimal with little room for advancement.” Leading Hao Ren, Premier Xia showcased the bookshelves one by one. “However, with East Ocean’s treasured collections of more than a thousand years, even these lowest level cultivation techniques would be held in high regards and could lead to reigns of terror if mortal beings were to ever get their hands on them.”
Premier Xia pointed out proudly. He might not know that the human world was now very different from a few hundred years ago. It had become a concrete jungle; it was nothing like the era in which martial art sects and cultivation sects thrived and prospered.
Even if these Red-Grade cultivation techniques were to be discarded on open streets, no one could understand them, let alone fighting over them. The best possible fate for these techniques was for them to be recycled.
“Of course, if Gongzi Hao only hopes to achieve Kan-level, then these Red-Grade cultivation techniques would be your best choice as they are easy to cultivate. With Gongzi Hao’s giftedness, as long as you’re willing to work hard, it should only take about two weeks for you to enter Kan-level,” Premier Xia further added.