Chapter 118 – Gathering of Talents (2/2)

“Move that rune three inches to your left!” Ye Wei was focused on the runes in front of Cao Ning, and his smile disappeared as he got in the zone. ‘Precision, efficient… Like Master told me.’

“Yes!” Cao Ning nodded. He was smiling brightly once he realized that Ye Wei seemed to be capable of refining mystic stances. ‘Is he already a Runemaster?! I guess it’s only natural if he is Master Yi’s legacy apprentice…’ Cao Ning wondered what he did in his past life to deserve such a friend.

Cao Ning then moved the rune Ye Wei was pointing at exactly three inches to the side.

“Zoom!”

All thirty-eight runes shone brighter and vibrated after the one rune was moved. Cao Ning has been practicing this stance for years, and he could clearly feel that the energy flow within was stronger than all the other times he had used this stance. ‘This is peak-level energy! He only moved one rune and made Rolling Stone Punch a peak low-level Spirit stance?’

“Calm your mind; let go of other distractions!” Ye Wei scolded coldly as he could see Cao Ning was not focused from his shaking fingers.

Cao Ning immediately took a deep breath and got rid of the random thoughts as he stabilized his body.

“This rune here. Swap it with the one to its right and move it down four inches!” Ye Wei had a serious look on his face as he pointed at more runes knowing where the flaws were.

Cao Ning carefully moved the runes like he was told, and he could feel the energy flow within the rune sequence was reaching the strength of a forbidden stance.

“And the last one!” Cao Ning was excited and smiling, but Ye Wei’s face remained straight while pointed at the last problematic rune, “Disperse this rune, but be careful. When you do it, all the other runes have to stay exactly how they are!”

To make a rune disappear without affecting the rest of the rune sequence was easier said than done. When Cao Ning made the last rune disappear, all the other runes in the sequence went dim marking the end of a failed attempt.

“I’m sorry!”

Cao Ning looked at the dimmed sequence and bit his lips. He was feeling down as he faced the ground. He couldn’t quite believe he failed although he was paying his full attention.

“It’s okay. You did very well; let’s go again!” Ye Wei patted Cao Ning’s shoulder encouraging him.

“Yeah!” Cao Ning rose his head and ground his teeth as he nodded determinedly.

After six more failed attempts and a few more changes, Cao Ning’s Sentient and dantian were exhausted. Finally, he succeeded on his seventh attempt with almost no energy left. With Ye Wei’s help, he was able to make the Rolling Stone Punch a peak mid-level Spirit stance from a simple low-level one.

Because it was a whole level of refinement, this caused cosmic energy to descend from the sky. A milky-white beam of light engulfed Cao Ning nourishing and strengthening his body; it cleansed his Sentient and dantian transforming him at an incredible speed.

When the pillar of light faded, a cracking sound was heard from Cao Ning’s body. He felt the transformation of his body and started laughing hysterically.

“I… I broke through! I just broke through!” Cao Ning said incoherently. His face was as red as a ripe tomato.

With Cao Ning’s level of talent and because he was without any external resources it would have taken him at least one or two years to become a two-star Warrior; therefore, he was extremely grateful for Ye Wei’s help.

“It’s only natural that you get this much cosmic energy. We’ve improved the Rolling Stone Punch to a higher level.” Ye Wei said with a faint smile on his face.

Know that he was running out of time to prepare, Ye Wei started training himself. He channeled his Qi through his meridians while giving tips to Cao Ning regarding the refinement of the Onyx Tortoise stance. The fact that it had greater potential only meant that there was more to be done.

***

Dawn arrived, and Galaxy Academy’s establishment on the mountain was amongst the first places in the city to see the new day’s sun. Shortly after, drops of golden light eventually illuminated the rest of Ning City.

The flat mountain top became a busy place. The arena was teeming with visitors and groups of different school’s representatives, and all of the passages were stationed with fully armed guards sent by the City Lord. They ensured the safety of the venue during the tournament. Which just confirmed the rumor that the City Lord was going to attend this year’s tournament in person.

Apart from the City Lord, there were other important guests as well, and even someone high up in the Green Army would be here to scout for talent!

After a simple breakfast, Xu He led the fourteen South Star cultivators towards the eighteen martial platforms.