Chapter 67 - 65: Ding Huan's Students

Returning to the laboratory, Ding Huan tossed the stone monkey aside and also took out the unknown little thing from his bag and threw it in the corner. Considering that the little thing might starve to death, Ding Huan also dropped some food and water in front of it, as for whether it would eat or not, that was its own business. Ding Huan did not immediately seek out the memory gene of the stone monkey but took out the blood from the brow of the Great Wilderness Golden Ape. Looking for the memory gene of the stone monkey was just incidental for Ding Huan; what he needed to do now was to refine the Eye of the Great Wilderness gene from the Great Wilderness Golden Ape. It was a tedious and lengthy task, and Ding Huan had long been mentally prepared. However, with the Gene Swallowing Technique, this would save Ding Huan a lot of time. As time passed, Ding Huan created various gene solvents, and one by one, the data were recorded by him. During the period when Ding Huan was conducting gene experiments, Kong Dan had already come up a few times. Each time, he brought a box lunch over, but since Ding Huan's laboratory door was always closed, he could only take it away again. Da Han Yi Academy. As one of the Blue Star Ten Great Colleges, even if it was ranked last, it was an institution everyone aspired to be part of. Fang Chong tossed a vital energy stone that had been ground into powder to one side and stood up, exhaling a breath of turbid air. A third-level gene cultivator now, he had spent nearly half a year to reach the third level of gene cultivators. Li Wanran probably couldn't even dream that for the sake of a vital energy stone, she joined the Martial Vein Mountain, while after he arrived at the Da Han Yi Academy. The old Dean, Zhang Yongcheng, personally mentored him and even gave him five vital energy stones. Not only that, but he also had three chances a month to visit the Scripture Pavilion to read various scriptures belonging to Da Han Yi Academy. Fang Chong had never imagined that after entering Da Han Yi Academy, he would gain access to so many resources. He guessed that Lv Zi at the Guardian wouldn't do too badly, but for Li Wanran in Martial Vein Mountain, it would probably be difficult to obtain more cultivation resources besides a vital energy stone. That woman, Qin Qiang, he saw at a glance that she was no good. She definitely wouldn't allot many cultivation resources to her students; she probably wouldn't have enough for herself. It was only after arriving at the Da Han Yi Academy that he understood that the academy originated from the Yi Jin Jing. It's just that he had chosen to cultivate the Thousand Filaments Gene Technique, so he did not choose to cultivate the Da Han Yi Dao Skills derived from the Yi Jin Jing. But Fang Chong believed choosing Da Han Yi Academy was the wisest decision he ever made, no, it was Master Ding Huan's most brilliant idea. Here, in addition to gaining cultivation resources, he also learned the One Yang Finger. Of course, One Yang Finger was a name he came up with himself. Because he liked the coolness and strength of the One Yang Finger in the novels. In reality, what he learned was the One Finger Zen. Strictly speaking, One Finger Zen was neither a cultivation technique nor a martial technique. One Finger Zen was a Zen story that Fang Chong came across while reading in the Scripture Pavilion of Da Han Yi Academy. When he first saw the story, Fang Chong even laughed about it. Because some folk artists, because of the name, created the finger techniques of One Finger Zen. Now he knew that One Finger Zen was not any sort of finger technique; it was merely a little Zen story. After leaving the Scripture Pavilion, Fang Chong suddenly had an unusual idea. If others had created One Finger Zen, why couldn't he create a One Finger Zen too? Who decreed how One Finger Zen should be used? If what others created was One Finger Zen, then what he, Fang Chong, created wouldn't count? Moreover, his inner qi was now profound, and using it merely to practice basic boxing seemed a bit of an overkill. The thought triggered action, and Fang Chong kept condensing inner qi to his fingertips and then using his fingertips to attack wood. In the beginning, the stronger the condensation of inner qi, the deeper the finger marks left on the wood. But this method was quite damaging to the hands, and his fingers were often fractured. His inner qi cultivation had reached an appropriate level, but it seemed his finger was still flesh and blood. If it wasn't for Master Ding Huan giving him a gene potion that aided in injury recovery, not to mention practicing One Finger Zen, he would not even have enough time to heal. Later, Fang Chong figured out a way not to use his fingertips to make contact with the wood, but to try to attack from a distance using inner qi. It was a good idea, but difficult to implement. Fang Chong didn't care; every day, besides practicing the Thousand Filaments Gene Technique and basic boxing, he kept trying this method of projecting inner qi. Projecting inner qi was simple, but concentrating it into a single point or even controlling the force was difficult. To Fang Chong's surprise, this One Finger Zen, which he originally cultivated as a pastime and a way to practice inner qi, actually released a strand of inner qi after four months. This strand of inner qi obediently formed a line and blew a small hole in the wood. This excited Fang Chong tremendously; he kept refining the method of projecting strands of inner qi and adjusting the changes of inner breath in the finger through the practice of the Thousand Filaments Gene Technique. By the fifth month, he had finally created his very own first Small Magic, "One Yang Finger." When executing the finger strike, it was necessary to coordinate with the flow of Inner Qi from his Thousand Threads gene formula, channeling the Qi through his finger and releasing it in a precise line of force. Fang Chong was unaware that this already fell under the category of Hand Formation. He didn't care whether he was clear on the theory or not; once he learned "One Yang Finger," he almost practiced it every day. Compared to the basic long fist moves, the power of "One Yang Finger" was simply too great. Within a distance of several zhang, he could even blast a wooden block through with one finger; imagine that happening to a person's body—who could withstand it? "Fang Chong..." A crisp voice came through. Fang Chong turned and saw Ai Xi. After arriving at the Da Han Yi Academy together, Ai Xi witnessed for the first time the transformation of the Muscle-Tendon Changing Classic into the Da Han Yi Dao Skills. This made Ai Xi even more grateful that she hadn't made the wrong choice. However, she didn't cultivate the Muscle-Tendon Changing Classic but wanted to practice the Cultivation Technique that Ding Huan taught to Fang Chong. Fang Chong remembered what Ding Huan had told him; as long as he felt it was appropriate, he could teach it to others. Thus, Fang Chong didn't withhold anything and passed the Thousand Threads gene formula to Ai Xi. It has to be said, compared to Fang Chong, who relied on Genetic Potions to boost his potential, Ai Xi's talent was truly incredible. In less than five months, Ai Xi's cultivation had surpassed Fang Chong's, and she had now reached the rank of a Fourth-Level gene cultivator. It might well be the first time a student's cultivation speed surpassed that of their teacher; seeing this, Fang Chong simply decided to teach the basic long fist to Ai Xi as well. "Fang Chong, look at my technique," Ai Xi said, and then her hands moved through the air like blooming flowers. In less than a second, she raised her hand and struck out. A wooden block at a distance was cleaved into two by Ai Xi's casual wave. Fang Chong stared blankly at Ai Xi. He thought creating "One Yang Finger" was already defying the heavens. Ai Xi had effortlessly produced Sword Energy with a wave of her hand—if that hit a person, wouldn't it tear them apart limb by limb? "Amazing," Fang Chong murmured. The degree to which it was impressive was perhaps beyond even his Master Ding Huan's capabilities. "Do you want me to teach you?" Ai Xi said with a smile. She was very grateful to Fang Chong for teaching her the Thousand Threads gene formula without any reservations. Therefore, after creating the Wind Blade Skill through the circulation of Inner Qi in the Thousand Threads gene formula, she came to teach Fang Chong. "Of course I do, and I'll also pass on something great to you later," Fang Chong quickly said, deciding to share his "One Yang Finger" with Ai Xi as well. ... Drenched in sweat, Lv Zi walked out of the Guardian's training ground. He could only practice the basic long fist every day on the training field and the Wind Blade Technique, which had been personally taught to him by the Dean, Li Chuan. He had cultivated to the Perfect stage of a Third-Level gene cultivator, just one step away from advancing to a Fourth-Level gene cultivator. However, he didn't have any cultivation method for the Thousand Threads gene formula past the Third-Level, so he was stuck without progressing further. At least he had a good handle on the basic long fist and Wind Blade Technique. "Ah, it looks like I still need to seek out Master Ding Huan. Otherwise, I can't advance any further," Lv Zi sighed, preparing to go take a bath. "Junior Brother Lv, Blue Star Ten Great Colleges are dispatching people to the human corridor front line; are you signing up?" A rough voice queried. Lv Zi turned to see Zhang Qiang, a senior brother who had arrived at the Guardian two years before him. Zhang Qiang wasn't a gene cultivator but a Martial Arts Cultivator, and he was one of the top-ranking members of the whole Guardian. It was said that he entered the Profound Level of Martial Arts a year ago. "Brother Zhang, are all the Ten Great Colleges sending people?" Lv Zi asked. Zhang Qiang replied with a smile, "Technically speaking, first-year freshmen don't need to go. However, knowing that you are strong, I invite you to join us. There are many treasures to be had at the human corridor front line. Not only are the rewards astonishing, but also various kinds of Spiritual Medicine are available. As for the rewards, if you can achieve an international Star Guardian rank, you'll die laughing." Spiritual Medicine is a term that has come into use recently, as an upgraded version of Mutated Medicinal Materials. This kind of medicine surpasses the level of Mutated Medicinal Materials, with a fine specimen of Spiritual Medicine even capable of altering one's marrow and hair. "I'll go," Lv Zi agreed after only a moment's hesitation. Master Ding Huan had said that true strength is forged in real combat. If he wanted to achieve an international Star Guardian rank, he had to go to the human corridor front line. Once attained, that Star Guardian rank wasn't just substantial benefit; it was a supreme glory wherever one went. Even if he didn't get the Star Guardian rank, there were still rewards apart from Spiritual Medicine like Essence Stones. He had received five of those when he first arrived, and they were all used up now. Once he met with Mentor Ding Huan and got the next stage of cultivation method, collecting Essence Stones would be his first priority. So, it was better to go to the front line sooner rather than later to gather them. (Today's update ends here, goodnight to my fellow Daoists, and I ask for your support with the monthly ticket!)