Chapter 345
Chapter 345: Seven Sprouts
With his identity as a disciple of Cheng Chan, Wang Jie entered straight into the Scripture Pavilion, grabbed Hundred Million Instant Slash, and left immediately.
On his return, he examined the battle technique. Only after arriving at his residence did he fully grasp the principles and cultivation method behind this Hundred Million Instant Slash.
It truly wasn’t easy to cultivate.
Outsiders believed this technique involved slashing as many times as possible within a single instant. Yet, Wang Jie had always found this strange. [If time couldn’t be paused, how could one possibly slash repeatedly within the same moment? No matter how fast one moves, that would still be impossible.]
Only now did he understand. The so-called countless slashes weren’t about time but about force.
If the strength used in a single slash could be divided into smaller portions, yet combined seamlessly and driven by Starforce or Lockforce, then in that brief instant, the strength could manifest as multiple slashes.
This was the true essence behind Hundred Million Instant Slash.
It was about splitting strength, driven by Starforce, erupting all at once.
Thus, the difficulty of this technique lay first in splitting one’s strength, and second, in training each divided portion. Constantly splitting and shrinking the force increased the number of slashes achievable with a single stroke.
No wonder people said this sword technique consumed so much time.
He couldn’t help but wonder how long Luan Dao had cultivated it and how many slashes he could deliver in that instant.
However he looked at it, nothing seemed missing from the technique. But Wang Jie believed in Star Dome Visage’s intelligence. If they said something was lacking, then there surely was.
Thinking this, Wang Jie began the first step: dividing force using Lockforce.
Grasping his sword, he struck out in the posture of a blade, carefully sensing every division of strength. Truthfully, he had never before deeply felt the exact moment his strength was released. A human’s strength relied on instinct, but now that all his attention was focused on the splitting of strength, he found it difficult to exert the same level of power as before.
Yet, this step was necessary.
He would slowly cultivate it.
In the blink of an eye, a month passed.
Three Chan Heaven Sect, Encircling Corridor, Star Fusion Center.
Nian Wei and many others from Star Dome Visage waited respectfully.
Before long, everyone bowed in greeting, saying: “We greet Young Miss.”
“We greet Young Miss.”
“We greet…”
Many people around looked over from afar and noticed a woman with long, pale pink hair and a cold expression.
“Isn’t that Ting Chen, who fought in the final match of the Full Star Martial Meet?”
“Why did she come to Three Chan Heaven?”
“Could it be for cultivation? But Star Dome Visage is enormous; no matter how powerful Three Chan Heaven might be, it couldn’t surpass Star Dome Visage.”
“How strange.”
The murmurs reached Ting Chen’s ears, but her expression remained unchanged as she entered the Star Fusion Center.
With Ting Chen’s authority, she could directly access information on everyone from Star Dome Visage within Three Chan Heaven.
“Lu Bu Qi?” Ting Chen was surprised. She took notice because this person was a Lockforce cultivator. [Lockforce…] Just thinking about those two words made her teeth grind.
It was fine to lose a fight.
The real problem was that bastard had dared to take liberties with her. That scandalous photo had spread everywhere, filling her with endless fury yet leaving her utterly helpless.
Every night recently, Wang Jie, that hateful bastard, haunted her dreams.
Nian Wei respectfully replied, “Yes. He entered Three Chan Heaven using a Zen Token. Previously, subordinates weren’t authorized to check his information. He is an Analyst and arrived a month ago. His cultivation method is indeed Lockforce.”
Ting Chen stared at her intently. “It’s incredibly hard for Lockforce cultivators to advance. Did he disguise his appearance?”
Nian Wei shook her head, “This subordinate detected no disguise.”
“Have him come see me,” Ting Chen ordered.
“Yes. This subordinate will immediately send word to him. However, if Young Miss wishes to know more about him, you can directly access the records with your privileges.”
Ting Chen didn’t explain. In truth, even she lacked the privileges needed to investigate an Analyst. Analysts held core positions in Star Dome Visage, unlike ordinary Observers. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have needed to meet him personally.
“Young Miss, Young Lady Qing Dai has arrived.”
Ting Chen stood and walked out. She hadn’t wanted to visit Three Chan Heaven, but her great-grandfather required her to cultivate Zen Martial Discipline, which meant she had to enter the Entering Zen Hall. Moreover, Star Dome Visage had encountered recent trouble because she used the Twelve Heavenly Stems technique. Perhaps coming to Three Chan Heaven was also a way to establish alliances; she needed to contribute something meaningful to Star Dome Visage.
On Zen Mountain, Wang Jie had no idea Ting Chen had also arrived.
After a month of diligent practice, he finally succeeded in his first slash.
Hundred Million Instant Slash.
As he swung his sword, two streams of force divided by Lockforce combined seamlessly, striking simultaneously in one instant.
This feeling was strange yet fascinating.
As for the actual power… it was difficult to describe.
He had just begun cultivating it. Simply managing to slash once was already good enough.
The next step was testing it in the fields.
The scenery shifted, and Wang Jie appeared in the first field. He swung his sword, replacing the blade with the sword, the principle remaining the same.
In the next moment, the phantom slash vanished into the soil.
Tender green sprouts suddenly rose from beneath the earth. Wang Jie was overjoyed. It finally happened.
He counted them carefully.
Seven sprouts.
There had been six sprouts before from the Bone Motion Art, eight from the Immortal Body, and even nine from the Heaven Reversal Path. Yet never before had he produced exactly seven sprouts. This Hundred Million Instant Slash landed precisely between the others.
He reached out his hand, gently touching them.
“Hmm? It’s called Hundred Million Instant Slash? Could it be that I’ve finally gathered all the materials for this combat skill?”
He touched each of the small green sprouts, then slowly withdrew his hand, an odd expression on his face.
These materials were indeed strange.
Slash one hundred million times; steal the neighbor’s teapot; obtain an eyelash from the next woman I meet; make a bear-child cry; kill to assert dominance; treat an unmatched beauty to old ginger; and acquire a Five Tribulations Star Artifact blade.
Seven materials in total.
Having endured the torment of all kinds of strange materials before, Wang Jie had long grown accustomed. No matter how bizarre, nothing surprised him anymore.
He just had to complete them one by one.
He only wondered who the next woman he’d meet would be.
Also, the neighbor’s house? That would be Xie Shen Yun next door, wouldn’t it? But how could he steal a teapot when the owner wasn’t home? Wait, if the owner was home, then it wouldn’t be stealing, would it?
Just as he was thinking, there came a knock at the door.
“Excuse me, is Senior Brother Lu home? It’s Junior Sister Su Qing—I have something to discuss with Senior Brother.”
Wang Jie quietly looked toward the entrance. [Well, here she is.]
“I, Lu Bu Qi, greet Senior Sister Su Qing,” Wang Jie politely said, guiding the young woman inside.
She was petite, with a sweet, adorable face. Seeing Wang Jie’s courtesy, she happily bowed in return, “Senior Brother Lu, please don’t. You’re a disciple of Cheng Chan—how could you call me Senior Sister?”
Wang Jie answered politely, “Senior Sister is too modest. My place in Cheng Chan was purely luck; how could I ever compare with a genius like you, who earned her place in Three Chan Heaven through true skill?”
Su Qing was pleased by his words. It seemed Cheng Fan hadn’t lied—this man truly understood his own limits. She smiled gently, “Rules are rules, Senior Brother doesn’t need to humble himself. With your abilities, I’m certain you’ll soar high one day.”
Wang Jie felt confused. [Why is she praising me? As a Lock Force cultivator who joined Three Chan Heaven by luck, shouldn’t she dislike me? Even Cheng Fan initially treated me coldly.]
[She must need something from me. Perfect—I need something from her too.]
Thus, Wang Jie and Su Qing continued exchanging pleasant words, flattering each other happily, though each had their own hidden motives.
Finally, Su Qing hesitantly spoke, cheeks flushed, “Um, Senior Brother Lu, actually I came to ask for your help. I wonder if you could agree?”
Wang Jie pursed his lips, smiling warmly, “If Senior Sister needs something, just say so. Why speak of requests? That’s too formal.”
Su Qing nodded shyly. “Then I’ll be straightforward.” She paused, then bowed deeply. “I’d like to exchange our residences.”
Wang Jie instinctively reached out, gently lifting Su Qing’s arm, “Senior Sister doesn’t need to bow like this. But what exactly do you mean by exchanging residences?”
Su Qing blushed deeper, awkwardly explaining, “It means trading places with you. I know this residence is exclusively for Cheng Chan disciples, but—but…”
Wang Jie raised his hand, stopping her with a serious expression.
Su Qing’s heart sank.
“Senior Sister, you’re treating me like a stranger. It’s just a residence, no need to be so solemn. If you want to live here, I’ll gladly give it to you,” Wang Jie said earnestly.
Su Qing was overjoyed, smiling brightly, “Really? Thank you so much, Senior Brother!”
Wang Jie smiled back. “Of course. I felt an instant connection with you. A small thing like this is nothing. Please, take it.”
Su Qing was moved, saying gratefully, “Thank you, Senior Brother! You’ve helped me greatly. Junior Sister will definitely repay you generously in the future.”
Wang Jie waved his hand dismissively. “Senior Sister, you’re exaggerating. There’s no need for a generous gift. Just something small is enough—it’s the thought that counts. Actually, your eyelashes look quite lovely. A single lash would be perfect.”
Su Qing replied sincerely, “Thank you, Senior Brother! My eyelashes—wait, what?” She froze, thinking she had misheard. She stared at Wang Jie in confusion. “Senior Brother, what exactly did you say you wanted?”
Wang Jie coughed lightly, glancing at her eyelashes again. “Well, it’s just that Senior Sister’s eyelashes are very beautiful. I’d be satisfied with just one.”
Su Qing’s expression shifted instantly—from joyful to furious, then finally deep red embarrassment. Her face seemed to reflect all worldly emotions. Eventually, she shouted angrily, “Lu Bu Qi, are you insulting me?”
Wang Jie was speechless. “Senior Sister, how can you say that? It’s only an eyelash.”
“Silence!” Su Qing shouted, panting angrily, glaring fiercely. “A woman’s personal item isn’t something casually given away. What are your intentions, demanding my eyelash? At best, you’re mocking me; at worst, you’re disrespecting me. Lu Bu Qi, if you don’t want to exchange residences, just say so! Why humiliate me?”
Wang Jie awkwardly smiled. “Senior Sister, there’s no need to be this angry. I genuinely think your eyelashes are lovely, so…”
“Quiet!” Su Qing yelled, striking out with a palm filled with strong Starforce.
Wang Jie dodged effortlessly and caught Su Qing’s arm. She struggled to break free and strike again but discovered she couldn’t move. His strength was immense.
She glared furiously, releasing her Starforce into a roaring avian pattern, forming the Tian Gang Refining Shape Art.
Wang Jie stepped forward, swung his arm, and threw Su Qing straight out of the courtyard.
Su Qing could hardly believe how powerless she felt against someone who cultivated mere Lock Force.
She was a Wandering Star Realm expert from Three Chan Heaven, her combat power surpassing three hundred thousand. How could this mere Full Star Realm Lock Force cultivator be so powerful?
She landed, stumbling several steps backward before looking up again.
Wang Jie stood calmly in the courtyard, respectfully bowing. “I truly meant no offense. If I’ve insulted you in any way, please forgive me, Senior Sister.”
Su Qing grit her teeth, fists clenched, her Starforce surging wildly. “No wonder you dared to humiliate me. Your strength at the Full Star Realm truly makes you worthy of Cheng Chan. Earlier, you kept calling yourself lucky, calling me Senior Sister—you were just pretending. And now you claim innocence?”
Wang Jie sighed helplessly, “Senior Sister, you’ve truly misunderstood me. It was only an eyelash.”
Su Qing shouted once more, furious, “Be silent! I can’t defeat you today, but I won’t let this go easily. This matter isn’t over. Just you wait!” With that, she stormed away in anger.
Wang Jie exhaled slowly. [Perhaps it was my way of asking that was wrong?]