Chapter 76: The Fish Sets Out

“This taste…”

Zhou Changwang heaped his bowl full with the thunder spirit rice, and with his very first bite, his eyes involuntarily widened. The spirit rice itself already possessed an exquisite texture, but this thunder spirit rice was not only soft, glutinous, and fragrant—it also seemed to burst with a subtle current of lightning as it touched his tongue. A gently numbing sensation spread throughout his mouth, accompanied by a lightness that made him feel as if he might float away.

Once the thunder spirit rice entered his stomach, its rich spiritual energy began to radiate within him, surging and moving in tandem with his breath. The power of thunder, mingled with the dense aura, sent waves of comfortable vibrations through his internal organs, as though every viscera and bowel had been thoroughly exercised, growing tougher and more resilient with each pulse.

After finishing just half a bowl, a feeling of fullness set in, making it impossible to eat another bite. This was a sure sign that the spiritual energy within him was nearly overflowing.

Immediately, the Five Elements Technique, which operated of its own accord within him, sped up under the impetus of the abundant spiritual energy, swiftly grinding and refining it like a millstone.

“Just half a bowl of thunder spirit rice—its effect is nearly on par with a restoring elixir? And there’s no need to worry about the side effects of pill toxins?”

Zhou Changwang was stunned. He quickly calmed his mind and focused all his energy on his cultivation technique.

One cycle. Two cycles...

Cultivation +1

When Zhou Changwang finally emerged from his meditative state, he felt an unprecedented sense of comfort throughout his body. Strangely, he discovered a newfound affinity for the stray currents of thunder attribute spiritual energy drifting between heaven and earth.

He recalled what Chen Yushu had once told him: after eating thunder spirit rice, a residue of thunder attribute spiritual energy would linger within, enhancing the effectiveness of cultivating thunder attribute techniques or spells during that period.

With this realization, Zhou Changwang compared his experience to Chen Yushu’s words and found them completely true.

Not bothering with the little spirit hound who was lazily rolling about on the ground in delight, he hurried to his cultivation chamber. Images of the Thousandfold Thunderflash spell’s rune structure flashed through his mind; focusing his will, he began to cast the spell.

One breath. Two breaths. Three breaths...

The runic structures swiftly coalesced under his spiritual power. Where once there had been obstacles and sluggishness in connecting the runes, now they flowed together effortlessly.

As the final rune took shape—

Boom!

The void cracked with thunder.

Countless bolts of lightning converged at Zhou Changwang’s fingertip.

Crackle!

A blaze of light erupted as hundreds—thousands—of lightning serpents shot forth, winding and darting, raining down upon the spell barrier before him.

Sizzle...sizzle...

Even the air itself seemed to crackle and sing under the onslaught, the noise startlingly loud. Fortunately, the spell barrier was designed to nullify all magical attacks, so even this barrage of thunder barely caused a ripple.

The countless thunder snakes quickly faded away.

Thousandfold Thunderflash +1

“It worked. I’ve finally succeeded in casting the thunder attribute spell, Thousandfold Thunderflash.”

Joy broke across Zhou Changwang’s face. He had pondered this spell for a full seven days, and by his estimation, it would have taken at least another day or two of practice to achieve success. Who would have thought a meal of thunder spirit rice would make everything flow so smoothly and naturally?

He glanced at his attribute panel:

Spell: Thousandfold Thunderflash (Novice 1/100)

A deep sense of satisfaction filled him.

—

The power of Thousandfold Thunderflash, as the steward of the Bai Trading House had once said, was indeed not that impressive. Hundreds, thousands of lightning bolts might look dazzling, but they probably wouldn’t even be enough to kill the armored boar he’d hunted before. For intimidation, it was excellent, but in a real fight, his Metalbane Finger—already imprinted as a spell—was still more effective.

Zhou Changwang was not disappointed as he assessed the spell. It was, after all, merely a fragmented offshoot of the Lesser Fivefold Thunder Arts, focusing only on the “thousandfold thunder” aspect, which naturally diluted its power. By contrast, the Fivefold Thunder Transformation—another technique split from the same source—was far more formidable in terms of raw might, though far more expensive. But for nurturing thunder spirit rice trees, what he needed was precisely this spell’s special thunder attribute, so there was no cause for regret.

Besides, it was only at the novice level. If he could reach proficiency, mastery, or even perfection, who’s to say its power wouldn’t rise accordingly?

Pausing briefly, Zhou Changwang activated his spiritual energy and cast the spell again.

One breath. Two breaths. Three breaths...

After eleven breaths, the spell formed. A thousand bolts of lightning once again fell.

One. Two. Three...

The thunder spirit rice trees in the backyard were still young and tender, freshly transplanted and not ready for the trial of thunder’s power. For now, all he could do was direct the spell at the training wall.

Thousandfold Thunderflash +1

Thousandfold Thunderflash +1

Thousandfold Thunderflash +2

...

“Hm? Experience +2?”

Zhou Changwang blinked in surprise. On the latest attempt, the spell’s experience had increased by two points at once. He quickly realized this was thanks to the thunder attribute spiritual energy from the rice, which doubled his training efficiency with thunder spells.

He could only sigh—he had too little thunder spirit rice. One pound was barely enough for two meals, so while the effect lasted, he had to train as much as possible.

Yet each casting of Thousandfold Thunderflash consumed a fifth of his spiritual energy. By nightfall, the spell’s experience had only reached eighteen.

—

Ten days later.

Zhou Changwang practiced the Eight Forms of Primordial Essence in the courtyard, moving with slow, deliberate motions. When he thrust his hand forward, a surge of heat billowed from his body, sweat pouring to soak through his clothes, and minute impurities and grime were expelled with the steaming perspiration.

“At last, I’ve achieved proficiency in the Eight Forms of Primordial Essence.”

After a long while, Zhou Changwang returned to his senses, relief on his face. After more than a month of diligent practice, he had finally mastered this body-refining technique. The moment he broke through, a sudden surge of pressure further tempered his body and drove out a large amount of filth.

“With this breakthrough, my physical power has surged. I may not be impervious to blades, but my skin is tough enough to withstand the strike of any ordinary innate-tier martial artist.”

He clenched his fist and swung forward.

Boom!

A sharp whistle split the air, as if his punch alone could shatter the empty space before him.

He even sensed a special force growing within his flesh, eager to be unleashed with his blow.

“They say body cultivators are so strong that every move produces a burst of energy, causing the air to explode. I’m not quite there yet, but I’m getting close.”

Zhou Changwang felt a surge of excitement.

His thoughts drifted to the middle-aged Rakshasa Gang cultivator who had knocked on his door ten days earlier. That man was a genuine body cultivator, the first he had ever met. Though he knew he was still far beneath such an expert, he couldn’t help but wish to meet him again and ask for guidance.

Different fields require different expertise, and as a half-trained body cultivator, Zhou longed to learn more about the path.

Afterward, Zhou Changwang used a cleansing spell to wash himself, then hurried to the kitchen.

“The spirit rice is almost gone. Looks like I’ll have to go out and restock.”

He glanced at the thin layer of spirit rice left in the jar, scooped out a portion, then thought twice and scooped again. A single scoop was no longer enough for a meal.

His days were busy—pulling weeds, exterminating pests, cultivating spells, drawing talismans... Especially the Eight Forms of Primordial Essence, which consumed vast amounts of energy and demanded more spirit rice to replenish himself.

“And I’m almost out of talisman paper. I’ll need to sell some of the charms I draw each day to cover household expenses...”

Making a quick calculation, Zhou finished his meal and headed out.

—

“This guy really knows how to hole up. Ten days, and this is the first time he’s left.”

No sooner had Zhou left hurriedly than two figures appeared from behind a boulder near the edge of the cliff by his courtyard. One of them cursed, his face dark with annoyance. This boulder was rarely visited, positioned as it was on the cliffside, making it an ideal spot for a stakeout.

Judging by their complaints, the two had been waiting here for several days.

“At least he finally left. Otherwise, I would’ve suggested Boss Wei just break in,” the other said, his youthful face marred by a look of malice far beyond his years.

These two were none other than the Rakshasa Gang’s lackeys who had appeared before—their names Liu Erhu and Xu Jiang, the latter being the grandson of Old Xu, whom Zhou Changwang knew.

“You think Boss Wei doesn’t want to? But he still has to consider the other residents of South Street. Most of the people here have some abilities, with complex connections among them. It’s not as high-profile as the East District, where the top cultivators live, but they can’t be underestimated. If we act rashly and cause a commotion, it’ll be trouble. Still, with all the chaos lately in the market, our Rakshasa Gang could probably suppress any trouble if we forced our way in. Even if you didn’t mention it, I doubt Boss Wei can hold back much longer. He hasn’t been having an easy time lately, either,” Liu Erhu snorted.

“True, the branch leader’s been pushing too hard. Boss Wei isn’t someone who swallows losses easily. Just the other day, I saw him with He—”

“Careful what you say!” Liu Erhu cut him off sharply. “Go tell Boss Wei—the fish is out. I’ll stay here in case he comes back early.”

“Don’t worry.” Xu Jiang nodded and hurried off in another direction.

(End of chapter)