Chapter 688 - Mind Over Matter (III) (Patreon)

The little 'tournament' finished without much change in the order, as nobody really took it nearly as seriously as Shufen intended. After all, it was just a way to 'show off' their new masteries of arts, and that was what they did, forgoing all else.

As such, I went back to the top of my little mountain, sipping tea and enjoying the quiet not for two hours before I sensed yet another energy of the breakthrough: little Feng was attempting to break through into the Spirit Manifestation Realm. I didn't really worry as much about him, since he was as cautious as they come. If he's deciding to break through, it means he's ready to break through.

It all lasted for about three hours altogether before the energy started dissipating. While the phenomenon itself wasn't as 'eye-catching' as some others, the density of energy was quite... spectacular, to say the least. As if contained within a bottle smeared with blank ink, hiding what's inside of it.

[--congratulations, Host. One of your Disciples, Xing Feng, has successfully broken through into the Spirit Manifestation Realm]
[...]
[Xing Feng has formed Xiezhi Spirit, increasing his ability to comprehend all things of Dao tremendously]
[...]
[Xing Feng's natural talent evolves: low-Jade --> low-Myth]
[Xing Feng's Genius trait evolves: Mind of Dao (Dao)]
[...]
[Mind of Dao (Dao) -- can comprehend all arts, ignoring restrictions, even if he cannot use them. Can see through all illusions, ploys, and deceptions. Can never be put under any mind-altering condition. Will never develop doubt over his Dao Path. Each time he reaches Dao Mastery of any art, one Dao Shackle will be demolished. Upon all 12 being demolished, he will unlock the final trait: Dao Inheritor]
[...]
[Xing Feng has obtained a new trait, All-Knowing Eye (Epic)]
[All-Knowing Eye (Epic) -- can distill the nature of arrays, recipes, and ancient texts with a greater ease. Can more easily read his opponents moves as well as the nature of their martial arts]
[...]
[Due to your Disciple achieving a remarkable feat, a special reward has been triggered]
[Rewards]
[Reward 1: Random Trait evolution]
[Reward 2: All-Breaking Talisman x2]
[...]
[Random Trait is evolving: Purified Breathing (Epic) --> Perfect Breath (Legendary)]
[Perfect Breath (Legendary) -- body naturally purifies all threatening toxins. While cultivating, each breath is taken perfectly, ensuring perfect circulation]
[All-Breaking Talisman x2 -- will temporarily break a formation of ANY level, stopping it from functioning for one hour. Even Grand-Dao formations are not immune]

... huh.

Goddamn.

I mean, it's kind of insane how, each and every time, the kids' breakthroughs just shock me. I always think, 'Man, this is the craziest shit ever! No way will I ever be surprised again!', and yet, time and again, I am surprised.

Again.

It's not as if I didn't know that little Feng was a genius. That much is evident by just talking with the kid for like an hour. But this... isn't it kind of nuts? Plus, it was his 'Genius' trait that evolved and not Dao Prodigy, which, on the surface, would be a more obvious choice. Now, it's like the new trait and Dao Prodigy coexist to create a monster that can't even be measured at this point.

I wonder... just how high will he go? Will he manage to break those 12 shackles, whatever the heck they may be, and unlock some new, super-duper form or whatever?

The rewards aren't anything to sneeze at either. Perfect Breath, though amazing, does feel kind of wasted on me, to be honest. It'd be perfect (pun intended, heh) on someone who doesn't mind sitting on their ass for a thousand years straight, cultivating. Me? I will never be that guy. Seriously. There's no other claim I can make with certainty, but I will never be the kind of a person who can just cultivate for years on end without a stop. It's just not gonna happen.

Still, it's better to have it than not, I suppose.

Then, there's the second one. The creme de la creme of it all. All-Breaking Talisman. Despite its somewhat childish name, if its description is true (and it probably is since the system doesn't lie), it's immediately become the most OP thing in my arsenal. Heck, I don't even know what Grand-Dao formations are, but I'm pretty sure if I asked Long Tao--no, let me even test it. Just for the fun of it.

I summoned him, and he appeared some three minutes later, a quizzical look on his face.

"Sit," I said, taking out one of the two talismans and putting it on the table. "My gift to you."

"Why am I being gifted things?" he asked, curiously picking up the talisman.

"Because I'm a generous Master. What do you think?"

"..." he examined the talisman for a few seconds before suddenly sighing, putting it down, and then rubbing his temples. "No."

"Hm?"

"Keep it."

"E-eh? Why?"

"Because if I have it on me, I'd be to tempted to sell it," he said.

"Sell it?"

"There's been one All-Breaking Talisman that has been sold at an auction house in the recorded history of time," he said. "My grandfather said that, when it was brought forth, every single Sect in the Upper Realm threw every last Spirit Stone they had to purchase it. In the end, do you know what price it fetched?"

"I feel like you're going to say some insane number that will make me regret taking this out."

"Twenty billion Divine Stones," yup, there it is. Holy. Fucking. Shit. "There aren't even that many stones in existence. They had to supplement it with over ten thousand artifacts, and it still wasn't enough. To this day, that Sect is paying off its debt. And yet, do you think anyone mocks them? No. They're envious beyond envy." Hm. Right. So, I was right, after all, in that the talisman is now the most OP thing that I own.

"It's fine," I pushed it back towards him. "You can sell it if you want. I have another."

"... I'll pretend I didn't hear that," he said, standing up and actually leaving the talisman on the table.

"Did you get the chance to examine Feng'er?" I asked him before he had a chance to bolt.

"Hm," he nodded, glancing back at me. "You've raised another monster, Master. I wonder, with Yimu's breakthrough, will it, too, stun me into silence?"

"Who knows?" I shrugged, taking the talisman and putting it away. If I could afford the price of selling the thing, I would sell it in a heartbeat. But, just like a lot of other things in my possession, I'd be hunted down like a dog were it to become known I have it. "Right. Is everything ready for our departure?"

"It's ready," he nodded. "We should get going soon after he breaks through. I've heard some interesting rumors about Gold City."

"... hm? Heard them where?"

"The wind. It and I are quite close friends."

"Hm. Should I be worried about your mental health?"

"Not anymore than yours," he said. "There's been a theft recently, at an auction house, where a particular item of seemingly little value was stolen, and thieves are yet to be caught."

"What item?"

"Distilling Moon Jade." Distilling Moon Jade.... Distilling Moon Jade... why the heck does that sound so familiar?

... "!!!" RIGHT! The weird girl with the grandma in her ring or whatever! Isn't that the name of the item the system gave me?

"Oh?" Long Tao exclaimed softly. "Looks like you may have an idea or two on who took it."

"Haah, I guess?" I mumbled. "Never mind that. Go down and see if Yimu is ready, and if not, help him get ready. Truly, not a day of peace..."