Chapter 113: More Surprises
Five hours later, Jun Wu slowly came out from his trance.
The stillness in his chamber felt different now, as though every particle of air carried a meaning that only he could perceive.
Without even consciously examining his body, he knew something fundamental had changed.
His very perception of the world had sharpened, transcending the limits of his five senses.
The world appeared brighter, clearer, richer in detail than ever before.
For his sight, his eyes now functioned like polished crystals.
He could make out the faintest movements, such as tiny ants crawling diligently across the cracks on the walls.
His hearing became so acute he could detect the faint hum of the wind brushing past the roof.
His nose twitched involuntarily, drawing in a storm of scents that had previously gone unnoticed—metallic traces of iron, the faint musk of dust, the subtle scent of ink from the scrolls stacked in the corner.
For a moment, the influx was overwhelming.
"What is this smell?" Jun Wu muttered, wrinkling his nose as he pinched it shut.
That was when he noticed the black soot covering his body like a second skin.
His expression twisted in disgust.
"What’s this?" He brushed at it lightly, and the stench instantly became unbearable.
A wave of nausea rose in his throat, making his stomach churn.
Without hesitation, he turned toward the bathroom.
But the moment his foot touched the floor, the stone tiles beneath him cracked with a deep, thunderous sound.
"What!" His eyes widened in shock.
He stared at the long crack spreading across the floor where he had stepped.
Never in his wildest imagination had he expected such strength from a casual movement.
When had he become this powerful?
Closing his eyes, he immediately sensed it—the pure spiritual energy coursing vigorously through his body.
And deeper still, he felt the presence of a dantian faintly glowing with power.
For a heartbeat, he froze in place.
Then, slowly, his gaze drifted back toward the strange mural on the wall.
"I was right," he whispered, a grin tugging at the corner of his lips.
Controlling his steps more carefully this time, he made his way toward the bathroom to cleanse himself.
His gamble had paid off.
He had suspected that the strange mural was more than decoration, that it held the key to breaking through into the realm of true cultivation.
And he had been correct.
To become a cultivator was to cross the great divide.
In the Soaring Cloud Region, Master Realm warriors were considered the true pillars of power.
Any clan with even a single Master Realm cultivator could endure for generations, becoming a hidden family with the strength to survive for hundreds of years.
They were the backbone of every great clan in the land, the unshakable foundation upon which wealth and influence were built.
And now, he has joined their ranks.
When he finally emerged from the bathroom, scrubbed clean and dressed in fresh robes, he paused before a mirror.
"Why do I look... younger?" he whispered, tracing his reflection with narrowed eyes.
In truth, he had indeed grown younger.
First, he had undergone the baptism of heaven’s blessing.
Then, he had shattered the mortal shackles upon breaking into the Master Realm.
Both events had rejuvenated his vitality and life force, restoring his body to a state of youth and vigor.
If he continued to shatter more mortal shackles in the future, his appearance would remain eternally young.
After indulging briefly in his vanity, Jun Wu’s gaze once again returned to the strange mural.
He had intended only to glance at it, to appreciate its mysterious aura for a brief moment before leaving the chamber.
But the instant his eyes locked upon it, everything shifted.
He was pulled into a trance into the depths of another vision.
This time, he heard a mantra, faint at first, then louder, echoing directly into his soul.
It was as though an ancient sage, older than heaven and earth, was standing beside him, whispering truths beyond comprehension.
"Huh!" Jun Wu gasped aloud as he snapped out of the trance, drenched in sweat and breathing heavily.
He staggered, staring at the mural with his mouth slightly open.
He had thought he understood the mural’s purpose, that it was merely an item to help in becoming a Master.
But now he realized how wrong he was.
The mural was toying with him, testing him, perhaps guiding him.
With little effort, he steadied his breathing.
Shaking his head, he turned away from the mural. He could not afford to lose himself again.
He had more pressing matters to address.
The mysterious sage in his vision had imparted something priceless—a cultivation technique.
Jun Wu hurried back to his study.
Taking up an empty scroll, he dipped his brush into ink and allowed his hand to dance across the paper.
The words flowed without hesitation, as though etched directly into his memory.
The name of the technique: Thousand Petal Lotus Technique.
A technique so profound it could be cultivated beyond the Master Realm, carrying cultivators into higher realms.
Minutes later, he finished transcribing the technique. Gazing at the still-drying ink, his lips curled into a bright smile.
Previously, he had planned to dig through the ancient soul’s memories to unearth a suitable cultivation method.
Now, however, he had found something better—something that felt tailor-made for him.
Before he could enjoy the joy of the new cultivation technique, a chime echoed in his mind.
[Do you want to optimize the Thousand Petal Lotus Technique?]
[Cost: 100 Gold Coins]
[Yes | No]
Jun Wu blinked, stunned for a heartbeat, before laughter bubbled up in his chest.
The Thousand Petal Lotus Technique was already extraordinary.
What would happen if he optimized it?
His anticipation surged as he pulled out 100 gold coins from his storage pouch.
’Yes.’
The coins vanished instantly, dissolving into nothingness. A torrent of new information poured into his mind like an open dam.
Five minutes later, the stream stopped.
His eyes snapped open, gleaming with excitement.
Without delay, he grabbed another scroll and began writing furiously.
When he finished, he stared at the parchment with trembling hands.
The technique had changed.
Its new name: Thousand Mind Petal Lotus.
Jun Wu’s heart pounded heavily against his chest filled with uncontained excitement..
The old version of the technique could only be cultivated beyond the Master Realm.
But the new, optimized version could be cultivated beyond the Expert Realm, carrying him all the way into the Grandmaster Realm.
"Hissss!" He sucked in a cold breath, overwhelmed.
"This is insane..."
What made the technique even more astonishing was its effect on the mind.
With every breakthrough, his soul energy would strengthen, sharpening his comprehension.
And comprehension. whether for cultivation, runes, or arrays.
It was the true measure of genius.
As an Array Master, was there technique better suited for him?
He grinned foolishly, like a child holding his very first gift.
It took him half an hour just to calm the storm of joy swelling in his chest.
Then, his stomach growled loudly.
Startled, Jun Wu laughed wryly.
He hadn’t eaten since before his seclusion. In fact, he wasn’t even sure how much time had passed.
Creak!
He opened the chamber door and stepped out.
Outside, Zhang Wei and Mao Yun stood with worried expressions etched across their faces.
Their young master had entered his chamber since yesterday and had not come out.
They battled their anxiety, clinging to the little hope, but they had already decided.
If Jun Wu did not come out by today, they would break in no matter the consequences.
When they finally saw him, their relief burst out uncontrollably.
"Young Master!" they cried in unison.
Jun Wu smiled warmly. "Sorry to have you worried."
He realized, belatedly, how selfish he was.
He was immersed in his own discoveries while forgetting the concern of those who cared for him.
"Young Master, it’s nothing," Mao Yun said quickly, waving a hand.
Their little worries were insignificant compared to Jun Wu’s safety.
Since the night of the heavenly blessing, Mystic City had been in upheaval.
Hundreds of people had flocked, seeking an audience which gave them more headache than worrying about him.
"Y-Young Master!" a soft voice called suddenly.
Xinyue rushed into the courtyard, her eyes red with relief. Before anyone could react, she threw herself into Jun Wu’s arms.
Jun Wu froze, stunned.
The shy and reserved Xinyue rarely revealed her emotions so openly.
"Haha. Don’t tell me you were worried about me?" he teased gently.
"Mm." She nodded into his chest, too embarrassed to raise her head.
Hao Ran, watching from the side, let out a quiet sigh of relief.
He had witnessed how restless and listless his sister had been during Jun Wu’s absence.
Seeing her now, clinging tightly to him, he could only smile.
Jun Wu chuckled softly, patting her back. "Don’t worry. Nothing will happen to me."
She nodded again, then slowly stepped away, her cheeks crimson. She lowered her head, as though trying to bury her face in her own chest.
Everyone laughed at her actions.
"Xinyue," Jun Wu said, smiling kindly, "I’ve missed your cooking. Will you make something for me?"
Her heart swelled with pride at the request.
"Young Master, give me a few minutes, and I’ll prepare your favorite dish!" she said eagerly, then rushed off, dragging her younger brother Hao Ran along with her.
As she disappeared, Jun Wu turned back to Mao Yun.
"Where is Elder Peng?" he asked.
Mao Yun chuckled. "Elder Peng was too worried to sit idle. He’s been channeling all of his energy into forging. I wouldn’t be surprised if he hammered out a dozen blades by now."