Chapter 280 - 169: Reversal
Chu Lingguang was eager to learn about the situation and rules inside the Trial Ground.
He saw four books in the room.
He picked one of them up.
’Zhenyuan Technique?’
’An Inner Power Heart Method!’
Chu Lingguang was astonished.
A book just lying around in the room turned out to be an Inner Power Heart Method.
’Zhenyuan Pile Skill!’
’Day and Night Breathing Technique!’
Chu Lingguang also saw the Zhenyuan Pile Skill and the Day and Night Breathing Technique.
He had already obtained the Zhenyuan Pile Skill back at the academy. However, since he already had the Chang Chun Pile Skill, Chu Lingguang had never practiced it, so it had not been recorded on his panel.
As for the Day and Night Breathing Technique, he had already cultivated it to Perfection.
But this was the first time he had ever seen the Zhenyuan Technique.
The name "Zhenyuan" made him instinctively associate it with the Zhenyuan Pile Skill.
’Sunrise Bloodline? Is this a Bloodline Evolution Technique?’
’The Great River Operation Method! Why is this here too?’
Chu Lingguang picked up the other two books.
He discovered they were a Bloodline Evolution Technique and the Great River Operation Method, which he was all too familiar with.
He instinctively checked his status panel.
Favor Points: 0
Chang Chun Pile Skill (2000/2000)
Great River Operation Method (4000/4000)
Mixed Element Skill (0/10000)
Flying Leaf Lotus Spear (6000/6000)
Primordial Bloodline (7196/12000)
Wind-Chasing Step (0/6000)
(Remaining Lifespan: 120 years)
He had already used up the ten thousand-plus Favor Points he’d accumulated.
All of them—the Chang Chun Pile Skill, the Great River Operation Method, and the Flying Leaf Lotus Spear—were at Perfection. Even his Primordial Bloodline’s value had reached over seven thousand.
Now, in his room in the Trial Ground, he saw an identical copy of the Great River Operation Method, along with the Sunrise Bloodline Evolution Method, the Zhenyuan Pile Skill, and the Inner Power Heart Method, Zhenyuan Technique.
Chu Lingguang couldn’t help but compare them.
He felt that the Chang Chun Pile Skill was likely no weaker than the Zhenyuan Pile Skill, whose Perfection value was probably around one thousand. As for the Zhenyuan Technique, it definitely couldn’t compare to the Mixed Element Skill.
But the Mixed Element Skill was the Royal Family’s Inner Power Heart Method, which only the Royal Family and Nobility could cultivate. Chu Lingguang, however, could put some effort into the Zhenyuan Technique.
As for the Primordial Bloodline and the Sunrise Bloodline, Chu Lingguang didn’t think the Sunrise Bloodline could surpass his Primordial Bloodline, either.
However, cultivation skills, no matter how varied, all led to the same destination. Chu Lingguang could compare the two and synthesize their strengths.
Now, his Thoughts could Reach Far and Wide, and his talent far surpassed its previous level. He found that with careful thought, he could figure out things that had once stumped him. He no longer had to worry that learning too many techniques would cause problems for his cultivation.
"Chu Lingguang, could you come out for a moment?"
Just then, a voice came from the doorway.
Ever since he’d been recognized for his A-grade Talent and moved into the A-Class, Heaven-tier room, people outside had been talking about him. Many wanted to visit and get on his good side.
Chu Lingguang wanted to learn more about the Trial Ground.
He couldn’t hide in his room forever, so he readily opened the door and invited the person inside.
"Please, come in!"
"Thank you."
The visitor was a fat young man who also had an A-Class Waist Token at his waist. He clutched a folding fan, his face filled with a broad smile, and was followed by six or seven people.
His followers took it upon themselves to stand guard outside Chu Lingguang’s door, preventing anyone else from getting close.
"My name is Qin Fuhua, and my father is Qin Haixuan, the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. My Breathing Technique is a bit unique, hence my... stout physique. You can call me Fatty Qin, just like everyone else, Chu."
Fatty Qin said with a cupped-fist salute.
"Qin, please have a seat."
Chu Lingguang’s heart skipped a beat. The Minister of the Ministry of Revenue was a major Court official. Even if he were to win the Martial Arts Examination and excel in the Imperial and Palace Examinations, any official post he might eventually receive would be a far cry from that of the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue.
’For this Fatty Qin to have such a background... was his A-Class Waist Token a result of genuine talent, or was it because of his family’s influence?’
’But then again, even someone like Mr. Du only got a single slot. It was obvious that the factions in the Court had little to no influence over what happened in the Trial Ground.’
’Control over the Trial Ground must be held firmly in the hands of the Imperial Family.’
’Fatty Qin must have earned his A-grade Talent through his own abilities.’
"I’ve already heard that you’re a genius recommended by Mr. Du, Chu. To be frank, my father and Mr. Du have a very deep friendship. Here in the Trial Ground, that makes us family."
"I’m sure you’re aware of how fierce the competition is in the Trial Ground. Everyone wants to get their hands on these waist tokens of ours. That’s why I’d like to invite you to join my faction, Chu. We’ll face whatever comes together."
Fatty Qin got straight to the point.
Chu Lingguang didn’t answer immediately. Guo Wei had told him that when he was away from home, he should observe more, listen more, and speak less. But he’d also said that in the Trial Ground, Chu Lingguang shouldn’t be afraid of offending people—he needed to make a name for himself and achieve brilliant results.
His experience at the academy had made one thing clear: only with immense strength could one obtain all kinds of resources and even receive private instruction.
So he asked, "Qin, could you tell me about the various things I should be aware of in the Trial Ground?"
"Of course."
Fatty Qin smiled and nodded. He could tell Chu Lingguang was wary of him, but he wasn’t in a rush and began to explain patiently.
"I presume you’ve been to the academy, Chu."
"You can think of the Trial Ground as a much bigger version of the academy."
"It also has Outer, Inner, and Central Courts."
"Everyone gets a different amount of time here. Mr. Du managed to get you three months, but if your performance isn’t up to par, you’ll be kicked out early. Conversely, if you have exceptional talent—say you grasp the True Meaning of Spear Technique or open your Dantian Qi Sea and truly stand out from the crowd—then your time in the Trial Ground might be extended beyond three months."
Fatty Qin explained earnestly.
Chu Lingguang listened intently.
From Fatty Qin’s explanation, Chu Lingguang not only learned about the time limits but also about the different treatment given to the four talent grades: A, B, C, and D.