Chapter 132 - 124: The Path Ahead, a Special Cultivation Method

Chapter 132: Chapter 124: The Path Ahead, a Special Cultivation Method

Xiao Mingyue took a deep breath and stared closely at him. "Hurry up and tell me, what is the next evolutionary path for your Ten-foot Stone Monkey gene?"

"The next evolutionary path for my Ten-foot Stone Monkey gene is the Tier Four Morning Star Ruyi Stone Monkey gene." Ji Zhixing smiled. "To make the gene evolve, I need to develop my Unmoving Stone Heart ability into the Hundred Generations Stone Heart ability.

"According to the information I’ve obtained, developing this ability also requires treasures that temper the mind."

"Hundred Generations Stone Heart?" Xiao Mingyue muttered the name.

"Correct." Ji Zhixing nodded. "The Hundred Generations Stone Heart ability will not only increase my resistance against mental attacks, but it will also enhance my comprehension."

"Enhance your comprehension?" Xiao Mingyue’s eyes lit up. Such abilities were always exceptionally rare.

"Yeah," Ji Zhixing replied.

Being able to enhance his comprehension was incredibly important to him. Right now, many people claimed that he was able to quickly master the Nine-Tiered Tide Rod because of his astonishing comprehension. However, only he knew the truth of his situation.

Aside from his innate talent in two Three-Star Staff Techniques, the main reason he was able to master the Nine-Tiered Tide Rod so rapidly entirely relied on his ability to refine Genetic Equipment through the Genetic Furnace, increasing his compatibility with it. If not for that, let alone a dozen days, even if he were given another dozen days or longer, he might not have been able to master the Nine-Tiered Tide Rod.

But if he developed the Hundred Generations Stone Heart ability, he would truly become the kind of genius with outstanding comprehension in the future.

Xiao Mingyue also looked delighted. If it were something else, she might not have been able to help. But when it came to treasures that tempered the mind, she could simply continue lending her pillow to Ji Zhixing.

"What about other abilities?" Xiao Mingyue asked. "To evolve your Ten-foot Stone Monkey gene, what other abilities do you need to develop?"

"There is also the Super Gigantification ability," Ji Zhixing said. "I need to develop it into the Size Manipulation ability. This might require a genetic development potion specifically for this ability.

"Additionally, I need to develop the Solid Rock Physique into the Innate Stone Embryo ability, which only requires some higher-quality earth-attribute natural treasures."

Both of these were five-star quality abilities. Once developed, his strength would experience a massive leap.

"Size Manipulation?" Xiao Mingyue frowned. "This ability is indeed quite rare and requires the corresponding genetic development potion. Potions like this are not easy to find.

"There are no genetic beasts with this ability near Yu City Base City. I’m afraid it will be hard to find in the entirety of Yu City Base City." She paused for a moment before continuing, "However, once this selection tournament ends and we all enter the final roster to receive the school’s rewards, we can apply for the Size Manipulation genetic development potion from the school.

"Even if the school doesn’t have it in stock, with their capabilities, they can transfer it from somewhere else for you.

"As for the earth-attribute natural treasures, we can wait until we enter the Spirit Ruins Treasure Land to see if we can find any."

"Yeah." Ji Zhixing nodded, though he immediately shook his head. "But if we do that, I’m afraid evolving my Five-Colored Willow Mutant Tree gene will be delayed for a while."

He had originally planned to exchange this time’s rewards for lightning-attribute natural treasures to accelerate the evolution of the Five-Colored Willow Mutant Tree gene.

"Not necessarily." Xiao Mingyue suddenly smiled, a hint of slyness flashing in her eyes. "Didn’t you tell me that Xu Cheng’s Purple Thunder-Attracting Technique was helpful to you?"

Ji Zhixing was taken aback and looked at her.

Xiao Mingyue went on, "I think you could ask him for a favor. It won’t cost much. He definitely needs to cultivate his genetic abilities, and doing so consumes genetic source power.

"We just need to provide him with enough source power genetic potions, and he’ll probably agree."

"Xu Cheng?" Ji Zhixing’s heart stirred upon hearing Xiao Mingyue’s suggestion.

It was indeed a viable method. Xu Cheng’s Purple Thunder-Attracting Technique packed a massive punch, but it also consumed a lot of energy. During his usual cultivation, he certainly wouldn’t dare to use it unrestrained. If Ji Zhixing provided the source power genetic potions and let him strike to his heart’s content, he shouldn’t have a reason to refuse.

"I’ll give it a try," Ji Zhixing said.

...

That evening, after finishing dinner, Ji Zhixing informed Xiao Mingyue and left the villa, heading toward the dormitory area for the elite class students. The elite class dorms were double rooms. Ji Zhixing hadn’t been there before, but he roughly knew the location. He arrived at the ground floor of the dormitory building, asked a passing student, and found Xu Cheng’s room.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK. He knocked on the door.

The door quickly opened. Xu Cheng stood in the doorway wearing loose training clothes, holding a bottle of water and chugging from it. Seeing Ji Zhixing, he was slightly taken aback.

"Ji Zhixing? What do you want with me?" His tone was a bit stiff, clearly still brooding over his defeat at Ji Zhixing’s hands the previous day.

"I have a deal to make with you," Ji Zhixing said calmly.

"What deal?" Xu Cheng lowered his water bottle, leaned against the doorframe, and crossed his arms, looking him up and down.

"You need to cultivate your genetic abilities," Ji Zhixing stated. "I can provide you with enough source power genetic potions. But I need you to use me as a target when you practice your Purple Thunder-Attracting Technique."

Xu Cheng froze. "Use you as a target to practice my Purple Thunder-Attracting Technique?"

He stared at Ji Zhixing, absolutely stunned. But then, as if realizing something, his expression shifted rapidly. "Are you trying to develop an ability that absorbs lightning-attribute power?"

He recalled yesterday’s battle. Ji Zhixing had stood there, letting the lightning strike him for several minutes without suffering a single scratch; in fact, the more he was struck, the more energetic he became.

"Yesterday, you fought me until my genetic source power ran out. Were you just practicing that ability of yours?"

"Yes." Ji Zhixing nodded. He knew Xu Cheng wasn’t stupid; there was no hiding this. Moreover, even if he hid it now, Xu Cheng would eventually figure it out if he agreed to help him train.

"Damn it!" Xu Cheng cursed inwardly, finally realizing why Ji Zhixing had countered him so perfectly.

Never mind Ji Zhixing—any Cultivator with an ability that absorbed lightning-attribute power would be his natural nemesis. No matter how powerful his Purple Thunder-Attracting Technique was, hitting them was just like charging their batteries. How was he supposed to fight that?

"Fine, I accept." Xu Cheng gritted his teeth and finally nodded.

He had no choice; he was just too broke. Although his ability was strong, cultivating it consumed a massive amount of genetic source power. Normally, he wouldn’t dare to train recklessly. He had to calculate every detail meticulously, afraid that he wouldn’t have enough source power genetic potions. Now that Ji Zhixing was offering to provide them, he would be a fool to refuse.

"Shall we start now?" A smile appeared on Ji Zhixing’s face.

"Alright," Xu Cheng agreed. Both of them were decisive people; once the decision was made, there was no hesitation. Xu Cheng went back into his room to change into fresh clothes and grab a few bottles of water. Then, he left the dormitory with Ji Zhixing, heading toward the school’s enclosed Cultivation Chambers.

The enclosed Cultivation Chambers were special training facilities provided by Yu City University for its students. Each room was equipped with comprehensive protective measures and energy isolation systems. However, these enclosed chambers were not free to use; students had to rent them using points. One hour cost one hundred points.

Naturally, Ji Zhixing was the one paying the points. He swiped his student ID, deducting the required amount, and pushed open the door to one of the Cultivation Chambers. The room wasn’t large—about thirty or forty square meters—and its walls and ceiling were constructed from heavy alloy.

"Bring it on." After entering the enclosed Cultivation Chamber, Ji Zhixing walked to the center of the room and turned to face Xu Cheng.

Xu Cheng took a deep breath, sparing no words. He raised his right hand. Purple electric arcs danced and converged in his palm, forming a thick bolt of lightning in the blink of an eye.

"Careful now." As he spoke, he thrust his right hand forward.

A purple bolt of lightning shot out from his palm, shrieking through the air as it blasted straight toward Ji Zhixing.

This time, Ji Zhixing didn’t use the Nine-Tiered Tide Rod to block. With a mere thought, he condensed the Five-Colored Spiritual Light across his body and simultaneously activated his Solid Rock Physique. The five-colored radiance flowed over his skin while a grayish-white layer of keratin surfaced from beneath, covering him entirely.

ZAP!

The purple lightning struck him, exploding into countless tiny sparks.

The Five-Colored Spiritual Light flowed rapidly, the five hues alternating and flashing as they absorbed and converted every last arc of electricity. At the same time, within his genetic aperture, the phantom of the Five-Colored Willow Mutant Tree trembled slightly as it began to endure the tempering of the lightning’s power.

"Hiss..." Ji Zhixing drew a sharp breath. His voice was slightly hoarse, and his body tensed up.

Xu Cheng’s Purple Thunder-Attracting Technique definitely packed a punch. Last time on the arena, he had only allowed a small fraction of the lightning to strike his body, shattering the majority with his staff techniques. This time, he didn’t block it with his staff; he let the entire bolt strike him directly.

The sensation was akin to being smashed by a massive sledgehammer while simultaneously having countless needles pierced into his skin. Numbness, pain, and searing heat intertwined, spreading from his skin all the way into the depths of his marrow.

However, as he assessed his condition, he felt he could still bear it. The Five-Colored Spiritual Light and the Solid Rock Physique had absorbed a portion of the impact, especially the Five-Colored Spiritual Light, which had converted part of the lightning it absorbed into his genetic source power. Moreover, standing firmly on the ground, his Root of the Earth ability allowed him to endlessly replenish his genetic source power. His Advanced Self-Healing ability wasn’t just for show, either. The damage caused by the lightning was repaired in the blink of an eye under its effect.

"Are you okay?" Xu Cheng was startled by Ji Zhixing’s reaction.

He had assumed Ji Zhixing would do what he did on the arena—block it slightly with the Nine-Tiered Tide Rod and cleave his lightning in half. He hadn’t expected him to take the blast head-on with his bare flesh.

"I’m fine. Keep going," Ji Zhixing said, his voice returning to its steady tone.

"Damn it." Xu Cheng cursed internally once again, finally realizing that Ji Zhixing hadn’t even gone all out against him on the arena.

After that, he hesitated no more. As if venting his frustrations, he unleashed bolt after bolt of lightning at Ji Zhixing.

BZZT BZZT BZZT BZZT BZZT!

Purple lightning crashed down one after another, pouring like a torrential storm, hammering violently against Ji Zhixing’s body.

The Five-Colored Spiritual Light surged furiously, absorbing and converting every single strike. Ji Zhixing stood in the center of the Cultivation Chamber, as motionless as a statue. His body trembled slightly under the bombardment, but his feet never moved an inch.

With every bolt that struck him, he felt a wave of warm power surge into his body. A portion of it was absorbed by the Five-Colored Willow Mutant Tree gene, slowly pushing forward its evolution. The other portion was converted into genetic source power, replenishing his consumption.

"More!" Ji Zhixing shouted, his voice ringing with excitement.

He could feel the Five-Colored Willow Mutant Tree gene changing bit by bit. It wasn’t becoming more vibrant and alive; instead, it was gradually growing deadly still. The change was slow, but it was undeniably there. And this was exactly the change he needed.

Xu Cheng gritted his teeth, waving both hands as lightning surged continuously from his palms. His forehead glistened with sweat, and his breathing grew ragged, but a sense of profound exhilaration shone in his eyes.

During his usual practice, he always had to be frugal, constantly worrying about running out of source power genetic potions. He never dared to unleash his power so recklessly. Now, with Ji Zhixing providing the potions, he didn’t have to worry about consumption anymore; he could unleash his lightning techniques to his heart’s content.

This feeling was simply too satisfying.

Time ticked by. One hour, two hours...

In the Cultivation Chamber, the explosive cracks of lightning resounded endlessly. Ji Zhixing’s clothes were charred black by the strikes, but under the power of the Golden Chapter, those scorched marks were quickly repaired.