Chapter 185: Advancement
A vortex of Spiritual Power slowly formed around him, continuously being drawn into Zhang Deming’s body.
The disturbance in the Spiritual Power around Zhang Deming’s small courtyard was detected instantly.
Upon discovering the source, Yann Dunming, who was on watch, glanced at Zhang Deming’s courtyard with a hint of envy.
Since there wasn’t a massive, Rune-fueled influx, the Spiritual Power Sea Absorption from his physical enhancement looked no different than a minor advancement within the Tai Chi stage.
Coupled with Zhang Deming’s prior preparations, Yann Dunming only gave it a single glance before losing interest.
Under the cleansing of the Spiritual Power, Zhang Deming’s body began to undergo a complete transformation.
When it was all over, Zhang Deming sat back down on the ground.
The Rune between his brows slowly vanished. In his Dantian, at the core of the Cultivation Technique Script’s vortex, the Rune for the Spirit Nurturing Summoning Skill reappeared.
It slowly transformed into a Rune Ball, encircled by an Aura and embedded in the center of the script.
Just then, Zhang Deming noticed that his Spirit Nurturing Summoning Skill, while still Tier Two, had been optimized and enhanced once again.
The biggest optimization was a fundamental improvement to the "transportation" issue.
Now, when he summoned people over, they shouldn’t vomit anymore. At most, they would feel dazed and a little disoriented.
Moreover, while he could previously only summon one person at a time, he could now summon two.
The energy in his repository surged again. His Qi Fortune increased by one full light ball, while his Merit rose by a tenth of one.
He now had plentiful energy reserves.
White Qi Fortune Light Balls: 12.2;
Golden Merit Light Balls: 2.4.
With the breakthrough complete, Zhang Deming let out a long sigh of relief.
’Over ten years of struggle, and I’ve finally reached the Tai Chi stage. It wasn’t easy!’
Cultivation Technique: Turtle Water Array Skill (Tier Five)
Cultivation: Tai Chi Lv1 (2/300,000)
Skills: Spirit Nurturing Summoning Skill Lv2 (5/10), Thorny Vine Growth Skill Lv2 (0/10)
Spiritual Power Recovery: 100 Spiritual Power / 3 minutes
Experience Growth: 10 Experience Points / 3 minutes
Looking at the script’s information, Zhang Deming paused. Because it was a Tier Five Cultivation Technique, his Experience Growth had increased tenfold, which he found acceptable.
As for the Spirit Nurturing Summoning Skill, the enhancement it received from his breakthrough was also clearly reflected in its experience points.
’It seems the enhancement from a breakthrough is different from the improvements gained by fusing and mutating other techniques.’ Zhang Deming couldn’t help but smile.
After getting his thoughts in order, Zhang Deming glanced at the light balls in his repository, pondered for a moment, then stood up and left the quiet meditation room.
When he stepped into his small courtyard, Zhang Deming detected several probing gazes from the surroundings.
He turned toward the source of the gazes and saw a few of his neighbors, who had come to check on the situation.
Zhang Deming smiled and nodded, and the gazes slowly withdrew.
He glanced around his surroundings and found no other prying eyes.
Light Wings appeared at Zhang Deming’s heels, and he swiftly left the East City Spirit Vein, once again arriving at Hundred Arts Street.
Having been here twice before, he was already somewhat familiar with the place. Zhang Deming went directly to the best magic shop on the street.
He looked up at the plaque. The name on it was very plain: Magic Pavilion.
This was a large chain store, said to have branches in many places. They only sold one type of product: Techniques and Cultivation Techniques.
The quality of the goods at the Magic Pavilion was absolutely guaranteed, and therefore, they were a bit more expensive.
Rumor had it that the shop was backed by a Holy Land!
When Zhang Deming entered the shop, he found that business was booming.
Unlike many other shops, there was no staff dedicated to one-on-one service.
It was somewhat similar to the shop run by Qu Qizhong, resembling a jewelry store from his past life with its counter-style layout.
They had divided the main hall into several counter areas, with a small, auction-like platform in the middle.
After a quick scan of the room, Zhang Deming decided against wandering around and went straight to a counter. "Excuse me," he asked, "which area has the Tier Two Techniques?"
The staff member behind the counter paused before pointing to the staircase. "Tier Two and Tier Three Techniques are in the VIP area on the second floor," he said. "You’ll need to go upstairs, Senior!"
Zhang Deming nodded and went directly to the staircase. Two clerks were standing at the entrance. The moment they saw Zhang Deming, a badge worn on one clerk’s chest flashed.
He sensed a faint probe, but it was extremely weak—just a basic power level check.
Zhang Deming’s brow furrowed slightly. He stirred his Spiritual Power and gently dispersed the fluctuation.
The two by the staircase immediately stepped aside and gestured for him to proceed. Zhang Deming then ascended to the second floor.
Unlike the main hall on the first floor, the moment Zhang Deming set foot on the second floor, a professional attendant approached him and asked:
"What kind of Technique are you interested in purchasing, Senior?"
Zhang Deming replied, "A Swift Technique, a Tier Two Spiritual Shield, and I’m also looking for a Tier Two vine-type Technique."
Realizing he had a big spender on his hands, the clerk broke into a genuine smile and said:
"In that case, Senior, would you prefer the scripture or the Jade Scroll?"
Zhang Deming asked, "What’s the difference?"
The clerk explained carefully, "Inscribing a Jade Scroll is an extremely complex process that requires trained specialists.
As a result, a Jade Scroll typically costs three to four times as much as a scripture.
However, the Jade Scrolls sold here at the Magic Pavilion are of guaranteed quality. They are all standard-grade, guaranteed for a thousand effective readings. You can be completely at ease about that.
Of course, unless you’re collecting them for a Dao Lineage, Senior, you obviously don’t need a Jade Scroll.
When you purchase a scripture from us, we include one complimentary reading from the corresponding Jade Scroll.
That is to say, if you buy the Magic Scripture, Senior, you get one viewing of the corresponding Jade Scroll to memorize the Technique."
’In that case, what’s the point of even taking the book?’
Zhang Deming laughed. "And then, later on, when it’s time to start a sect or establish a family inheritance, they’ll realize they need the Jade Scroll and remember to come running back to the Magic Pavilion, right?
I’ve barely stepped through the door, and you’re already planning for my return business. The clever part is, you make it feel like I’m the one getting the better end of the deal. You all are truly masters of your trade."
The clerk chuckled. "You have a sharp wit, Senior. I admit, we do have that little strategy in mind, but you saw right through it in an instant."
Zhang Deming shook his head. "Just show me the Techniques."
At his words, the clerk immediately led Zhang Deming away. "This way, please, Senior."
The two arrived at an area, and Zhang Deming discovered it was filled entirely with movement-type Techniques.
"Senior, this is the Tier Two Swift Technique area.
This Technique was developed as an upgrade to the Tier One Agility Technique. If you’ve already learned the Agility Technique, learning this one will be significantly easier.
And the more skilled you are with the Agility Technique, the simpler it is to learn.
If your Agility Technique has reached the Mastery Level, you could even develop this Skill yourself with enough time and research.
Because of this, there are numerous versions of the Swift Technique, each with unique characteristics."
the clerk said, gesturing toward the numerous Swift Technique scriptures.
Zhang Deming paused, his brow furrowed slightly. "Are they different?"
The clerk smiled and picked up the scripture in the very center. "This is the most popular version," he said. "Honestly, all these Swift Techniques are pretty much the same.
Most of the subtle differences are just due to the personal habits of the developers.
Of course, there are a few oddballs, like that one, for example."
The clerk pointed to one in the far corner and said, "This one attempts to achieve a Feather Fall effect at the Tier Two stage.
This led to some mutations in the Tier Two Swift Technique.
The Technique’s runic Light Wings appear on the user’s back—the same place as with the Feather Fall Technique—instead of at the heels.
And they aren’t the mini version; they’re a pair of enormous wings.
Visually, it could rival a Tier Four Flying Technique.
But it’s all for show. The overall effect doesn’t have the power of a proper Tier Two Technique; it’s basically just the Tier One Agility Technique with a different look.
It’s considered a pretty worthless upgrade. But for... certain reasons, this kind of superficial Technique—all flash and no substance—still has a market."
Zhang Deming frowned. "Can’t the Tier One Agility Technique already do what you’re describing?"
Zhang Deming could already intentionally make the Light Wings bigger and move them to his back; it just consumed a fair bit of Spiritual Power.
Besides, a change like that offered absolutely no improvement to his speed.
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