Chapter 788 - 8 Rope Knots (2/2)

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Yep, this is it!

Shao Xuan raised his eyebrows slightly when the last step was complete. He felt a ‘boom’ in his mind like a sudden cool breeze activating his neurons, which were now buzzing with excitement. Opening his eyes to look at the rope in his hands, he noticed a strange knot. He could also feel a slight change in his surroundings in the presence of this knot, like there were invisible ripples.

Snap!

There was a light snap as the rope in his hand broke and the knot disintegrated. His head was pounding, probably due to overexertion. He needed rest.

He studied the two sections of rope, unsure if it was due to some sudden interruption because the knot disintegrated after formation. Thank goodness he brought extra rope. Due to the possibility of needing readings on this journey, Shao Xuan had prepared extra rope. A length of hunting rope could be separated into ten thinner ropes used for divination. The braiding process was extremely complicated and time-consuming but this made the rope more sturdy and convenient for separation.

TRacking did not use up too much rope but if Shao Xuan wanted to experiment infiltrating the other dimension the Yi family implied, he would need much more.

REcalling the knots, he repeated the same procedures. One success was just an accident, pure luck. Only repeated success was true mastery. He must not rely on luck for these things because he might not be able to replicate it again when needed, in turn missing out on a lot of insights.

The successful knot was deeply etched into his mind. Shao Xuan was still tying slowly the second time he succeeded, though the process was much smoother.

Then he succeeded a third time, a fourth time…

When he made five consecutively successful knots, he put down this practice to focus on the second knot. The pair of hands made many knots.

Knot-making required a lot of energy. Shao Xuan rested for a while before starting again.

The second knot was even more complicated. When he succeeded, he broke out of his conscious mind impatiently, feeling his vision blackout for a moment. This exhaustion reminded him of the first time he learned knot divination. He rested and drank some water to catch his breath.

Watching a Yi family battle was no simple affair. Without this experience, he never would have known how difficult it was! Previously, Yi Qi and Yi Cong had done every step accurately and in order, also in sync without any hesitation or disruption in rhythm.

“This is difficult, it’s no wonder why they’re one of the six aristocratic families in King City.” The Yi family, also what used to be the Yi tribe, was a large tribe. These tribes must have had their reasons for growing so strong.

Taking a deep breath and feeling re-energized, Shao Xuan proceeded to attempt the third knot.

In his consciousness, the pair of hands had made a total of eight knots. This meant that not only did Shao Xuan have to replicate all eight knots, but he must also make them consecutively without a too long of a pause in between or the rope would disintegrate.

“A difficult task indeed.”

Was Shao Xuan in a hurry? Of course he was. He must learn all eight knots before the battle ended, or being able to see into another dimension would be useless.

However, these things must not be rushed. Chances of errors increased the more impatient he became. He must remain calm.

Every knot was more complicated than the previous one. The first knot was easiest, then as he proceeded, the number of failures rose. At least he had some knotting experience from before but they were quite different from these specific ones.

I need to take advantage of this momentum to practise more!

Third knot…

Fourth knot…

Fifth knot…

When he had finally completed all eight knots, two days had passed since he first started.

Two days, eight knots. Shao Xuan even sacrificed sleep for this. He felt like he had just gone through a famine, feeling utterly exhausted and drenched in sweat. Beads of sweat dripped from his forehead.

Heaving a long sigh, he ate some dried food haphazardly, then went hunting. When he returned after his meal, he felt like a new person.

He looked at Yi Cong and Yi Qi’s side. The eight slaves were still guarding around them both, while Yi Cong and Yi Qi remained like stone statues in the same position from two days ago.