101: Pearl Thunder

Qin Jin listened intently.

Gu Huang tapped her fingers, and the ink-colored scene changed again.

The specks of ink continually emerging from the visualized monster represented extraordinary factors.

At this moment, the changes in the form of those extraordinary factors, in Qin Jin's perception, seemed to give birth to a certain artistic conception.

Some extraordinary factors had an unsettling appearance, simply looking at them evoked disgust.

Other extraordinary factors, however, made people feel anticipation, instinctively wanting to approach them.

But just as that feeling arose, they transformed again, becoming something that would devour people.

“Extraordinary factors have no good or bad,” Gu Huang’s voice sounded, accompanying this scene, “Only suitability.”

“You need to learn to distinguish in your Visualization Method.”

“In the process of comprehending and absorbing extraordinary factors, obtaining more suitable factors will make your refining speed faster and improve yourself more.”

“As for unsuitable factors, not only will progress be slow, but they may also have other effects on you.”

“This is the essence of the Visualization Method.”

She looked at Qin Jin: “S-class students, due to differences in talent and strength, mostly take elective courses, except for a few necessary ones.”

“Since you advanced to the Congenital Realm before the start of school, your upcoming courses will also change. After school starts, I will arrange a time to take you to the Martial Abyss to truly visualize extraordinary life in the Martial Abyss. That feeling is vastly different from what you experience through a Martial Dao Crystal.”

At this point, Gu Huang said, “Try to perform your Breathing Method.”

Qin Chi nodded.

With a slight thought, the Thunder Beast Breathing Technique was activated, and his chest rose and fell.

The moment the Breathing Method was activated, Qin immediately noticed the difference.

Previously, the Breathing Method was more like internal cultivation.

Now—

As his chest rose and fell, following the rhythm of his breathing, it was as if heavy hammers were striking his body from the outside. Internal cultivation and external tempering of muscles and bones proceeded simultaneously.

“This is the effect of your promotion to the Congenital Realm, making you more attuned to the world itself,” Gu Huang’s voice sounded. “The effect also changes when the life cultivating the Breathing Method is different.”

“You should be able to sense the pressure from the outside world. This is the change in the Breathing Method. The harsher the environment, the stronger this pressure will be, assisting you in tempering yourself.”

“Within the academy, there are specially designed environmental cultivation simulation rooms. You can try them in the future. Although they cannot compare to truly harsh natural environments, they are already quite close.”

She offered a piece of advice, then continued, “A Martial Artist himself is like a container, and the fundamental power is the liquid within it.”

“After reaching the Congenital Realm, practicing the Breathing Method can also enhance fundamental power, but the effect is minimal. Its primary role is to temper oneself, making your ‘container’ more resilient.”

“The Visualization Method, on the other hand, is a means to increase fundamental power.”

“Both are cultivated simultaneously, one internal and one external.”

“I looked at your information before coming to find you.”

Gu Huang’s voice was calm: “The planet you were born on has a high basic level of Breathing Methods due to the birth of a Star God. In your subsequent cultivation, you even advanced your Breathing Method yourself, raising its level.”

“A Martial Artist’s Breathing Method is inherently about continuously learning, attempting to integrate, and finding directions for improvement until it ultimately becomes the most suitable method for oneself.”

“Candle Kite has already helped you apply for borrowing privileges at Zhenwu Tower. Later, I will help you compile a list of Breathing Methods.

During your academy life, you should try to master them one by one and gradually integrate them.”

“Once you have integrated all of them, you will have sufficient insights into Breathing Methods yourself. At that point, you can make your own arrangements.”

Qin Jin nodded.

He had long harbored this idea. Now, having a Celestial being temporarily outline the general direction for him undoubtedly saved him the trouble of not knowing how to choose due to his limited perspective.

“As for the Visualization Method—”

Gu Huang raised her head, looking towards the sky above Zhenwu Tower.

Bookshelves were stacked and suspended, not arranged neatly, yet they appeared orderly to the eye.

A ripple flashed in her eyes, as if she was communicating on a spiritual level.

The next moment.

At the top of Zhenwu Tower, a jade-like treasure bead slowly floated down from above.

“After reaching the Congenital Realm, there are no specific restrictions on the type of extraordinary creatures a Martial Artist can visualize.”

“Even visualizing extraordinary creatures weaker than yourself can still allow you to comprehend extraordinary factors, but this method often offers minimal self-improvement and is extremely inefficient.”

“However—”

“When first attempting to comprehend, it’s still better to visualize extraordinary creatures that are more compatible with your own type. This yields better results and helps lay a stronger foundation.”

“You can borrow this Martial Dao Treasure Bead for a period of time. It contains information related to comprehending extraordinary factors, and it also has a special life form living in the Martial Abyss inscribed within it, which is quite compatible with you.”

Qin’s heart stirred, and he asked, “Teacher Gu, what would happen if one were to visualize and comprehend a creature much stronger than oneself?”

Gu Huang looked at him, her tone calm, and answered seriously: “Let’s not even talk about how you would survive facing a creature of that level.”

“Facing such an existence, the greatest possibility is that you yourself are insufficient to analyze and comprehend the other party, and after much effort, you ultimately gain nothing.”

“At the same time—”

“There’s an extremely small chance that, by some coincidence, you genuinely manage to comprehend an extraordinary factor by relying on the other party.”

“However, such an extraordinary factor’s power would exceed your imagination and your own tempering limit, thereby causing contamination to you.”

At this point, she paused slightly: “Qin, if you want to achieve this, if you want the powerful existence you mentioned to become a catalyst for your growth, then—work hard in your cultivation.”

“Until the day you become a Celestial.”

“You will then truly be able to ignore these limitations.”

“A Celestial, huh?”

Anticipation arose in Qin Jin’s heart.

In front of him.

Gu Huang said, “Before school starts, familiarize yourself with the Visualization Method, the changes in the Breathing Method, and continue cultivating.”

“Once school begins, everything will officially start.”

“I need to prepare some things for you.”

“Qin Jin, do you want to return directly, or would you like to explore the academy grounds with Candle Kite and get familiar with the area?”

“The Zhenwu Tower, where we are now, is diagonally opposite your residence.”

“Please, Teacher Gu, send me back directly,” Qin Jin immediately replied.

Having broken through to the Congenital Realm, and with new cultivation methods before him, he truly had no interest in wandering around.

“Alright,” Gu Huang responded, walking ahead as the three of them left Zhenwu Tower.

After stepping out of the main gate.

Ink mist surged, swirling around Qin and Candle Kite.

Gu Huang’s figure disappeared.

During the teleportation, Qin Chi looked at Candle Kite beside him, thoughtfully: “Candle Kite, what do you think Teacher Gu will prepare?”

“Most likely, things related to your cultivation.”

“You and Gu Professor have already established a teacher-student relationship, so some matters don’t need to be kept secret from you.”

Candle Kite said, “Aside from a few fixed Celestial professors, within the Martial Abyss, every Martial Artist who has just broken through to the Celestial Realm with academy support must, according to academy regulations, settle down in the academy for several years and leave behind their legacy.”

“The former Gu Professor was not as free as she is now.”

“In the coming time, besides cultivating, her most important task will be to teach you, her student. Given her emphasis on you, you can certainly anticipate what she will prepare for you.”

Candle Kite floated around Qin Chi.

The ink-colored mist silently dissipated.

He and Candle Kite had already returned to the entrance of the villa area.

They appeared silently and suddenly.

Not far away, several gazes were drawn over almost immediately.

Leading the way was Xie Wuhai. Nearly half a day had passed since Qin Jin left, and he was still carrying out his “mission,” greeting every arriving S-class student. His enthusiasm seemed comparable to Candle Kite’s.

Behind him, an academy vehicle was parked.

An old man and a young woman stood in front of the vehicle. The young woman was dressed in a JK uniform, which had recently become popular again.

Her face was delicate, like a doll’s, and she appeared to be listening intently to Xie Wuhai.

The elderly man behind them had completely white hair, a calm expression, and waited quietly.

“Qin Jin!”

Seeing Qin, Xie Wuhai immediately became excited, and curiosity arose in his heart: “The person who took you away earlier, was she an academy mentor?”

“Yes,” Qin Jin nodded.

Having received the answer, Xie Wuhai did not press further, but instead said, “Qin Jin, let me introduce you to Ji Tao.”

“The 12th S-class student to arrive at the academy this year.”

He recounted it like a family treasure, then looked at Ji Tao: “This is Qin Jin.”

Qin’s gaze met Ji Tao’s.

The girl’s eyes sparkled, drawing attention.

He paused his gaze for a moment, nodded in greeting, then said, “You two chat.”

With that, he turned and walked towards his residence.

Seeing this, Xie Wuhai withdrew his gaze: “It seems Qin Jin still has things to do, so we won’t bother him.”

“Ji Tao, to be honest, I came to the academy specifically to spar with other geniuses. I’ve already fought with seven of the students who arrived before you.”

“How about it, want to have a fight?”

Hearing his invitation.

Ji Tao was just about to reply.

Just then—

The old man behind her withdrew his gaze from Qin Jin’s retreating figure, lowered his head slightly, and said in a deep voice, “Miss, that young man, it seems he has already broken through to the Congenital Realm.”

“Congenital Realm?”

In front, Xie Wuhai also heard this, and his eyebrows raised: “Old man, are you talking about Qin Jin? He personally told me he hasn’t broken through to the Congenital Realm yet.”

“However, he is indeed very formidable, so it’s no wonder you might have mistaken him.”

Upon hearing this.

The old man’s eyes flickered, but he said nothing.

But just then, at the front.

Xie Wuhai seemed to realize something, and his expression suddenly changed dramatically.

“Wait.”

He instinctively turned his head, looking behind him.

Qin’s figure had already entered the villa and disappeared.

“This isn’t good.”

“He didn’t really reach the Congenital Realm, did he?!”

“He was already beaten so badly without reaching the Congenital Realm, how am I going to catch up now?!”

His mind raced, thinking about Qin being taken away by the academy mentor and now returning with a rather urgent demeanor. He vaguely confirmed his own answer in his heart.

“It seems that for now, ‘don’t bully a young man for being poor’ won’t work.”

“I can only strive for late blooming!”

Thoughts flashed through his mind.

His expression became more serious as he looked forward: “Ji Tao, please, you must accept my challenge.”

Inside the villa area.

In a girl-style room, one of the S-class students, Bai Huaiyu, wore an oversized T-shirt, its hem resting on her thighs, as she gazed silently at herself in the mirror, lost in thought.

Just then, she seemed to sense something and softly said, “Come in.”

As her words fell.

Faint ripples shimmered, and Candle Kite’s projected clone materialized.

She was dressed in office attire, her expression serious, and she said in a deep voice, “Miss Bai.”

“Director Su asked me to inquire if you’ve been comfortable at the academy recently.”

“Quite comfortable,” Bai Huaiyu nodded, her eyes calm as she said, “I know what he means.”

“Since the cooperation has been reached, there will be no issues on my end. Rest assured, the person behind your Director Su.”

“Coming to the Martial Abyss was merely an additional condition. I genuinely wanted to experience life at a Federal academy.”

“As for anything else, don’t worry.”

“Furthermore—”

“From now on, unless it’s absolutely necessary, don’t disturb me.”

“I understand,” the projected clone responded, then silently vanished.

Bai Huaiyu walked to the window, looking at the vibrant green plants in the courtyard, and took a deep breath.

“This place truly is—”

“A world full of vitality.”

Inside the villa.

Candle Kite had already left. Qin stayed in his assigned cultivation room and took out the treasure bead.

The white jade treasure bead had patterns of purple lightning on its surface.

“This can also be considered a Celestial’s selection.”

A thought flashed through Qin’s mind as his spirit sank into it.

The moment he entered, in the darkness before him, streams of information flowed into his mind.

That was precisely the subsequent cultivation method of the Visualization Method.

The initial information was about imprinting!

Before the Congenital Realm, imprinting was merely superficial, only serving as a mimicry of extraordinary life, using the pressure it provided for cultivation.

After reaching the Congenital Realm, the imprinting method changed, truly leaving behind the divine charm and afterimage of extraordinary life within oneself. This way, even without a Martial Dao Crystal or the true body of an extraordinary creature, one could still perform Visualization Method cultivation.

Of course, the effect was slightly diminished.

Such imprinting demanded higher requirements from the Martial Artist themselves. The creatures that could be imprinted depended on the Martial Artist’s own limit. When facing creatures that could not be imprinted, the spiritual level would automatically issue a warning.

After familiarizing himself with it, more information flooded his mind.

The comprehension aspect was divided into four stages:

Using fundamental power as support, analyze, comprehend, absorb, and temper!

This was the core essence of the Visualization Method.

When all the information had been browsed, the darkness before Qin dissipated, replaced by a silent space.

At the center of this space.

A peculiar creature, approximately two hundred meters long, lay prostrate, breathing deeply in its sleep. Its body rose and fell.

[Accumulated Thunder Beast]

Its appearance was extremely peculiar, with a beastly form, resembling both a lion and a tiger. Its entire body glowed, seemingly composed entirely of energy, with lightning flashing, similar to the energy constructs once found on the Mining Star.

However...

Those constructs were forged from the Star God’s unconsciously emitted, minuscule power and lacked consciousness.

This exotic beast, however, clearly possessed the concept of [life].

As Qin observed.

The exotic beast in front seemed to let out a snore. Thunder rumbled in this space, and electric arcs surged across its energy body.

Under Qin’s gaze, it stood up, opened its eyes, and lightning flickered within them. It stretched, then walked to the other end of this silent space, seemingly swallowing something with its open mouth.

However—

In Qin Jin’s line of sight, there was no food present.

“So, this is the purpose of the Martial Dao Treasure Bead?”

Qin’s thoughts raced as he watched the creature in the space before him, ignoring him and living leisurely: “The Martial Dao Crystal merely recorded a certain scene of an extraordinary creature.”

“But the Martial Dao Treasure Bead—”

“It looks like an extraordinary creature has been imprisoned and confined inside.”

The extraordinary creature before him was not truly real.

But in Qin’s eyes, he could sense the astonishing aura emanating from it, and its every movement seemed as if it truly lived there.

“This is clearly an extraordinary life form leaning towards the thunder attribute.”

“Teacher Gu chose it, probably because of my talent in the thunder attribute, which allows me to gain the most from such a creature.”

Thoughts turned.

Qin calmed his mind and focused, activating his first visualization according to the information recorded within the Martial Dao Treasure Bead!

In an instant.

Innumerable lines and light spots appeared on the extraordinary creature before him!