Divine Level Witch Doctor

'Looks like I won't be using this Thunder Aura for a while.'

Zhao Yuan sighed. The vast gulf between his imagination and reality was a huge blow.

Although the Information Leaf stated that the Thunder Aura's intensity would increase along with his Cultivation, Qi, and Wish Power, judging by its current state, he probably couldn't count on it being useful for a long time to come.

Poking people with an electrified finger was less effective than just using the Wind and Thunder Whip or a Thunder Light Talisman. At the very least, the power of the lightning they produced was far stronger than his Thunder Aura.

Just as Zhao Yuan was about to retract the Thunder Aura, a potential use suddenly occurred to him: Electric Needle.

The so-called Electric Needle was a modern Acupuncture technique. When a Silver Needle was inserted into a meridian's acupoint, a micro-current would be passed through it to produce continuous stimulation, thereby enhancing the therapeutic effect.

It was impossible to carry an electric needle device with him at all times, and even if he could, finding a power source anytime, anywhere would be a challenge.

'The Thunder Aura is too weak for combat right now,' he thought. 'But using it for Acupuncture, to replicate the effects of an Electric Needle... that seems like a good idea. At least it would be useful for something.'

With a plan in mind, Zhao Yuan decided to test it out immediately.

He opened his Storage Ring Space, retrieved a Silver Needle, and pinched it between the fingers of his right hand.

He closed his fingers slightly, concealing the faint Thunder Aura from view. In an instant, electricity coated the Silver Needle.

Electric needle therapy used a micro-current. Though the Thunder Aura was weak, Zhao Yuan could control it with ease. He immediately reduced the electrical intensity to a suitable level. Then, using himself as a test subject, he inserted the electrified Silver Needle into the Neiguan Acupoint on his left hand.

A stimulating sensation—a mixture of numbness, tingling, and a slight throbbing pain—immediately surged from the acupoint. The current traveled rapidly along the Hand Jueyin Pericardium Meridian, and soon, every acupoint along this channel pulsed with a distinct electrical stimulus.

'Not bad. Adding electricity has significantly improved the Acupuncture's effect. I estimate it's even more effective than a standard Electric Needle treatment.'

Zhao Yuan was quite satisfied with the results of his experiment. At least it proved that his Thunder Aura was useful for something and wouldn't be completely dormant.

After removing the Silver Needle, Zhao Yuan opened his Storage Ring Space, preparing to store it.

But just as he loosened his grip, the Silver Needle suddenly shot out with a SWOOSH.

It didn't fly far before falling to the ground, but the incident was enough to give Zhao Yuan a major shock.

'What was that? Why did the Silver Needle just fly out on its own?' A giant question mark formed in Zhao Yuan's mind.

He retracted the Thunder Aura, took a step, and squatted down to pick up the Silver Needle. He tried a few more times, but the needle didn't fly out of his hand.

'Why isn't it flying now? Wait, could it be the Thunder Aura?' Zhao Yuan suddenly realized. He hurriedly activated the Thunder Aura again, wanting to test his theory.

Flickering arcs of electricity wrapped around his index and middle fingers.

When he loosened his fingers, the Silver Needle once again shot out with a SWOOSH! And because he hadn't reduced the Thunder Aura's intensity this time, the speed and distance it traveled were incomparable to the first time!

Zhao Yuan clearly heard two dull thuds—THUD! THUD! The flying Silver Needle had actually pierced through a large tree in front of him before losing momentum and embedding itself in a second one.

Keep in mind, the trees in this forest weren't the spindly, bowl-thick saplings found in the city. The smallest tree here was so massive a person could barely wrap their arms around it. Yet the slender Silver Needle had pierced clean through a thick trunk. The force, the power—it was terrifyingly strong!

If that hit a person, it would be a miracle if it didn't go right through them!

'So it was the Thunder Aura. But why does this happen?'

Once his astonishment at its power faded, Zhao Yuan began to ponder the cause of this phenomenon.

He conducted several more experiments and finally determined that simply attaching the Thunder Aura to the Silver Needle wouldn't produce the effect. Only when the needle was positioned within the tide of electricity flowing between his two fingers would it shoot out like a bullet!

Zhao Yuan racked his brain but couldn't figure out the reason. No matter. He still had the internet and search engines.

After finding a spot with a decent signal, Zhao Yuan opened his phone's browser, keyed in some relevant terms, and after a bit of searching, he actually found the answer.

"So it's the principle of an Electromagnetic Cannon!" Zhao Yuan exclaimed in a moment of enlightenment. "The current between my two fingers creates an electromagnetic field. When the Silver Needle passes through it, it's accelerated by the magnetic force, causing it to shoot out with incredible power! In other words, with the Thunder Aura, my fingers become a crude version of an Electromagnetic Cannon, and the Silver Needle is the projectile!"

Now that he understood the principle, Zhao Yuan grew excited. 'And here I was thinking the Thunder Aura was only good for healing! I never expected it to have a combat application! The needles it fires are far more powerful than a typical handgun. And most importantly, it's incredibly stealthy. I can attack an enemy without them ever seeing it coming. It's the most badass hidden weapon imaginable!'

Repeated practice, however, also revealed several problems.

Sometimes, even with the Silver Needle between his fingers, it wouldn't launch. Zhao Yuan speculated that the magnetic field generated by the current wasn't reaching the required threshold. Other times, it would fire, but the trajectory would be wildly off course...

Despite the many problems, Zhao Yuan wasn't discouraged. On the contrary, his fighting spirit was soaring.

He knew these were all issues that could be corrected through repeated experimentation and practice. Eventually, he was certain he could thoroughly master this 'Electromagnetic Cannon' technique. When that day came, he would be able to fire the needles at will and hit whatever he aimed at.

Fortunately, his excitement didn't cause him to forget the task at hand. He returned to checking his gains.

In the Elixir Recipe section, Zhao Yuan found a new formula: Purifying Qi Pills.

The function of these Medicine Pills was simple but crucial.

They could purify the Qi absorbed into the body, discarding the impurities and leaving only the essence.

'What amazing things, these Purifying Qi Pills! With them, while my Cultivation speed won't increase, my practice will be more solid and my foundation more stable. It'll also greatly reduce the risk of Qigong Deviation!'

Zhao Yuan continued to search through the Information Leaf but found nothing else new. Even so, he was already extremely satisfied with his haul.

'As expected, a breakthrough in Cultivation brings the greatest rewards. Today was a truly great haul!'