The All-Heavens Cloud Diagram is the pinnacle of Enlightening Paintings, renowned for its comprehensive understanding of cloud techniques, and it possesses a unique feature: it can present corresponding insights based on the viewer's intentions.
For instance, Zhao Xing's Phantom Palace Painting from before also had a top-tier work named 'All-Heavens Subterranean Palace,' where Zhao Xing could likely gain the type of Subterranean Palace Technique he wished to comprehend.
Thus, Lu Qian wrote, may your heart's desires come true.
The All-Heavens Cloud Diagram truly has the ability to make the comprehender's wishes come to fruition.
Before comprehending, Zhao Xing mentally filtered through his thoughts:
"Among the mid-tier cloud techniques, the most notable is the Floating Cloud Technique. The clouds flow endlessly, and when they billow, their momentum is like that of great rivers, swift and powerful."
"The Military Cloud Technique has the strongest attack power, capable of transforming clouds into various divine weapons, inflicting the highest damage during cloud battles."
"The Blood Cloud Technique is the most bizarre, capable of rebounding against the caster through the cloud energy. Once ensnared by the Blood Cloud, one cannot break free for a short time, and both blood energy and cloud energy will be excessively consumed, causing the greatest harm to the enemy upon victory in cloud battles."
"The Thunder Cloud Technique can enhance the power of thunder techniques."
"And there are also relatively obscure techniques like the Frozen Cloud Technique..."
"However, the path of cloud techniques is primarily domineering, and I believe the most domineering is the Cloud Swallowing Technique! This is also a spell skill I was quite familiar with in my previous life."
"It can slice and devour the enemy's cloud energy, turning it into one's own, and even briefly gain the effects of other cloud techniques."
"The main focus is on dominance, and in large-scale chaotic battles, the more one fights, the stronger one becomes."
"My initial-level cloud technique already subtly hints at the Cloud Swallowing Technique, but it is still not perfected, merely a result of my operational skills and experience."
After this reflection, Zhao Xing confirmed his thoughts and then opened his eyes to gaze at the painting.
The scene of enlightenment presented in the painting was a sea of clouds.
In the sea of clouds, there were various shapes of cloud layers, some resembling mountain peaks, which were more ordinary cloud techniques.
Zhao Xing swiftly skimmed past them.
Some appeared in the shape of weapons, which was the Military Cloud Technique, and Zhao Xing also bypassed those.
Some cloud layers were colorful, and with a thought, these clouds floated past him.
He maintained a single thought throughout. That was to find the Cloud Swallowing Technique!
"Why hasn't it been found yet? Wasn't it said that the All-Heavens Cloud Diagram makes wishes come true?"
"Could it be a fake?"
Zhao Xing felt that his resolve was strong enough, and logically, he should easily find this Cloud Swallowing Technique.
However, many types of clouds floated by, yet he did not find what he sought.
"Cloud Swallowing Technique, I want the Cloud Swallowing Technique!"
Zhao Xing shouted in his heart.
Suddenly—
The clouds before him vanished, all the clouds floated away, revealing a blue sky.
"Is it over? Is it really a fake? Impossible... Huh?"
Just as Zhao Xing was puzzled, he suddenly looked in one direction.
He saw all the cloud layers he had seen earlier drifting toward that direction.
In the distance, at the edge of the sky, a pitch-black cloud vortex appeared, sucking in all the clouds.
With each cloud absorbed, it flickered once, then grew larger.
At this terrifying speed of absorption, the black cloud rapidly expanded, and in the blink of an eye, it filled Zhao Xing's entire field of vision.
"Buzz~"
Zhao Xing was also sucked into this black cloud vortex.
In the center of the cloud vortex.
Specks of black light entered Zhao Xing's body.
Zhao Xing's body flickered with black light, appearing extremely enchanting.
It flickered seven times before the blackness gradually calmed.
The next moment.
In the real world, Zhao Xing opened his eyes.
Four meters above his head, a pitch-black cloud appeared, and in the center of this cloud, there was a massive vortex.
"Cloud Swallowing Technique! This is the Cloud Swallowing Technique!"
Zhao Xing looked up, somewhat delighted.
"Whoosh~"
The Enlightening Painting suddenly ignited, quickly turning to ashes.
Unlike other Enlightening Paintings, the top-tier All-Heavens series has only one opportunity for comprehension.
However, the effect of the All-Heavens Cloud Diagram is even more powerful!
During his comprehension, the black light flickered seven times, proving that he had grasped this technique to the Seven Transformations level!
Achieving seven transformations in one breath shows how fierce its effects are.
"Under the effect of a top-tier Enlightening Painting, unless one's talent is too poor, it would lead to only comprehending the technique at one or two transformation levels."
"With normal talent, comprehending the desired cloud technique, this opportunity can reach three to six transformations."
"Seven transformations is the limit for the fourth-tier cloud diagram's enlightenment."
Although it cannot compare to the 'All-Heavens Spiritual Elegance' found in major spiritual mountains, its effect is already quite good.
After all, how rare is the All-Heavens Spiritual Elegance? It typically only appears in major sealed mountains or newly opened mountains.
Enlightening Paintings can be mass-produced, making their acquisition routes much more stable by comparison.
"With the Cloud Swallowing Technique, the mid-tier Four Celestial Techniques can barely be considered complete," Zhao Xing felt at ease.
With the Four Celestial Techniques complete, the combination of spells would yield greater power.
Of course, the 【Yin Wind】 he learned cannot be considered a normal mid-tier wind technique, so it does not enhance the Cloud Swallowing Technique.
But for other techniques, such as first using the Cloud Swallowing Technique and then using the Thunder Summoning Technique, the power would be significantly stronger than before, and the Rain Technique is the same.
The Four Celestial Techniques are named so because they have connections with each other, allowing for mutual enhancement.
Similarly, the Four Earthly Techniques—Mysterious Earth, Earthly Zang, Cracked Earth, and Subterranean Palace Techniques—are also interconnected.
"The last painting."
"Fourth-tier mid-grade Enlightening Painting 【Earth Rift】."
After a brief rest, Zhao Xing opened the final box and pulled out the painting.
"Boom~"
Zhao Xing felt the ground beneath him tremble, and a nearby mountain shook violently.
"Crack, crack, crack~"
The earth split open with deep, bottomless fissures, spewing forth terrifying earth vein power.
"Whoosh~"
Just as Zhao Xing was about to jump over the fissure, a fiery red beam suddenly erupted from the front.
The scorching magma, accompanied by intense heat, splashed nearby, melting the hard boulders beside it.
Zhao Xing hurriedly retreated, but another fissure appeared behind him.
Once again, violent earth vein power emerged, but this time it was the familiar Yin Wind!
Whoosh~
It felt as if his soul was about to be blown away, and Zhao Xing felt himself teetering on the edge.
Just as he gritted his teeth to endure, suddenly—
"Boom!"
A loud sound erupted as the mountain peak ahead split in half, and massive stones rolled down from above.
Zhao Xing wanted to dodge but found that unknown vines had appeared beneath his feet, wrapping around him like a creeping creature.
After a struggle, he finally broke free.
"Glug, glug~"
A fountain suddenly erupted beneath him, sending Zhao Xing flying.
When he finally landed freely.
"Clang!"
A sharp object pierced through his chest.
It was a massive stone sword that had emerged from the ground.
His entire body was completely impaled.
Pain and tearing sensations surged, but strangely, Zhao Xing's mind became even clearer.
Like before with the Yin Wind and magma, he could still observe the mysteries of these terrifying scenes.
Thus, Zhao Xing was impaled by the stone sword, suspended in mid-air, watching the horrifying scenes unfold on the ground.
"Buzz~" Half an hour later, Zhao Xing opened his eyes.
【You have observed the fourth-tier mid-grade Enlightening Painting 'Earth Rift,' and you have comprehended the mid-tier technique 'Five Elements Earth Rift.' Remaining comprehension attempts: 3】
【Five Elements Earth Rift: Mid-tier Technique】
【Progress: Three Transformations (3546/9999)】
【Effect: Earth veins surge violently, wreaking havoc in the world, utilizing random five-element earth vein power for attacks.】
"Five Elements Earth Rift Technique? I actually comprehended this technique from the Earth Rift Technique." Zhao Xing had a strange expression. "This Earth Rift painting contains many types of Earth Rift techniques, yet I ended up comprehending this one?"
Zhao Xing's peculiar expression was entirely due to the nickname of this technique.
The Five Elements Earth Rift Technique is also known as the 'Dog Fighting Tactics'!
The practical effect of this technique entirely relies on luck.
It randomly produces one or more effects from the five elements.
When strong, it can be terrifying. When all five elements emerge, one technique can act as five!
When weak, casting the Five Elements Earth Rift Technique might only produce a small seedling, merely providing some entertainment during battle.
"The earth veins in different places are also different. For example, the earth veins in Nanyang County are very stable, while this technique can only exert its maximum power in areas with violent earth veins."
"The Dog Fighting Tactics rely entirely on luck, which is acceptable. I should have a relatively high probability of triggering a complete five-element effect." With this thought, Zhao Xing felt somewhat comforted.
After all, he currently possesses the Fortune of the Third Generation, and encountering this 'luck-based' technique, the chance of triggering a great success is still relatively high.
Most other techniques have strong stability.
Only when one is just starting out and at a low realm will they trigger Fortune.
Of course, there are probabilities for both success and failure.
The power of the technique fluctuates greatly, which is actually a manifestation of the instability in spell control during the novice stage.
Once one enters the threshold, with a higher Gathering Essence level and realm, it becomes more stable, and the triggering probability will decrease significantly.
During battles, occasionally being in peak condition can enhance the power of the technique, but as for breaking through during combat? The probability is extremely low.
"I'll see if there's an opportunity to use it in the future. If there's really a chance to gamble on luck or encounter an extreme geographical environment, then this move could be useful."
The first three paintings exceeded expectations, and the last one was barely satisfactory.
On October 4th, Zhao Xing visited the Zong Mansion.
On October 5th, Zhao Xing visited the Xue Residence.
On October 6th, Zhao Xing visited the Chen Estate.
During the five days at the Zong Mansion, he completed comprehension of two Enlightening Paintings.
He intended to go to the old Agricultural Affairs Bureau to comprehend another technique, but unexpectedly, after only one night, Xue Wenzhong had matters to attend to in the county city to visit his grandson, Xue Bai.
Thus, on October 6th, he arrived at Chen Shijie's residence as a guest.
At dusk, a mysterious guest also arrived outside the Chen Estate.
Chen Shijie was conducting his daily training in the front hall, while Zhao Xing was comprehending in the pear garden.
Suddenly, Chen Shijie sensed some unusual fluctuations in the breeze and quickly looked outside.
Through the door, he saw a vague black shadow appearing outside.
"Who dares to spy on this official?!"
"Chen Shijie, you have quite the authority!" The shadow stabilized its form, and an ancient voice echoed in his ears.
Upon hearing this voice, Chen Shijie immediately showed joy: "Long Xiao? Why did you arrive so early?!"
"How boring, I've changed my voice, yet you still recognized me?" The shadow's voice returned to normal.
"You and I are brothers; I would recognize you even if you turned to ash." Chen Shijie smiled. "But why did you come so early?"
"Shouldn't you invite me in first?" Long Xiao replied.
"Oh, almost forgot. Please come in."
After Chen Shijie finished speaking, the figure outside the door leaped over and appeared in the training ground.
Long Xiao removed his black cloak, revealing his true appearance. With sword-like brows and bright eyes, and a large sword on his back, he stood in the training ground like a sharp sword drawn from its sheath.
"Good lad, your Killing Sword Technique has improved." Chen Shijie praised after sizing him up.
"You haven't been idle either. After leaving the Divine Might Army for five years, your perception has sharpened." Long Xiao's gaze was piercing as he stared at Chen Shijie, "I noticed you the moment I arrived at your gate."
The two exchanged glances and burst into hearty laughter.
They both realized that during the years they had been apart, neither had slacked off; with just a glance, they knew the other was still the same like-minded good brother!
"Come, let's talk inside."
The two walked side by side into the main hall.
At this moment, Zhao Xing, who had completed his comprehension, also walked to the hall's entrance. Although he hadn't heard Long Xiao's voice, he had heard Chen Shijie's.
"Lord Chen, is something the matter?"
"Nothing much, a guest has arrived. You're just in time; come in, I'll introduce you."
Once inside, Zhao Xing saw Long Xiao beside Chen Shijie, his expression somewhat surprised.
"Hmm?" Long Xiao keenly noticed the change in Zhao Xing's expression, "You seem to know me?"
Of course, he knew. The Divine Might Marquis Long Xiao... I even worked under you before. But which year was it that you were conferred the title? It wasn't during the Jing Xin period; it seems like it was during the Da Zhi period?
"I don't know you; I just feel the imposing aura of the lord, like a sharp sword. I'm merely overwhelmed by your presence." Zhao Xing cupped his hands and bowed his head, quickly adjusting himself.
Long Xiao nodded and turned to Chen Shijie: "Is this the kid you mentioned? He seems rather ordinary."
Chen Shijie replied nonchalantly: "He's still young and hasn't seen a sword master like you. If he joins the army and trains for a decade or so, perhaps you'll end up relying on him for your meals."
"Oh? Relying on you, the Agricultural Affairs Bureau, is one thing, but you say I'll rely on him for my meals?" Long Xiao scrutinized Zhao Xing again. Earlier, he thought Zhao Xing was merely ordinary, but after Chen Shijie's words, he took a closer look and found Zhao Xing's demeanor extraordinary.
"Zhao Xing, let me introduce you. This is the Winged Cavalry Lieutenant Long Xiao of the Divine Might Army, and also my good brother."
"Greetings, General." Zhao Xing cupped his hands. The Winged Cavalry Lieutenant is a seventh-rank official, which means Long Xiao is at least a seventh-rank expert, if not higher.
"No need for such formality; I haven't resumed my official military position yet, just a free rank." Long Xiao waved his hand.
"Please, have a seat." Chen Shijie said.
Zhao Xing cupped his hands and took a seat.
At this moment, although he appeared calm on the surface, he was quite surprised inside.
Because the current Winged Cavalry Lieutenant Long Xiao and the Divine Might Marquis were vastly different.
The current Long Xiao had a relatively outgoing and cheerful personality, while the Divine Might Marquis was stable, reserved, and even somewhat melancholic.
Zhao Xing had never heard of Chen Shijie in his previous life, but it seemed that Chen Shijie was indeed a person from the Divine Might Army.
Long Xiao had achieved the rank of Marquis, yet Old Chen had no name; had he met an untimely end?
"So Long Xiao also came from the Divine Might Army, then his current superior is the Divine Might Marquis?"
"The Divine Might Marquis is gone, and Old Chen is also gone. This army seems to have perished in..." Zhao Xing recalled carefully, but for a moment, he couldn't remember, as the Divine Might Army had already ceased to exist during his missions.
"You haven't mentioned how you arrived so quickly from Xie Er County? That's quite a distance. Even if you set off the day you received the letter, there's no way you could have arrived so soon, even on the Dragon Head Warship of the army," Chen Shijie's words suddenly reminded Zhao Xing. 'Pingman Six Counties,' 'Xie Er County' brought back some memories.
However, he wasn't very certain at this moment, so he decided to listen more.
Long Xiao smiled: "I didn't take the Dragon Head Warship; I borrowed a path from the Li Fire Dao Academy, first arriving at Dayuan Prefecture, then to Nanyang County."
"How about that? My brother is quite generous, borrowing the path of fire. When we return, I’ll have to run at least eighty thousand miles to repay the Li Fire True Lord's path."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Xing instinctively used the Five Elements to observe Long Xiao and saw that a faint but high-quality fire energy was wrapped around his body.
If his level were higher, he might even see that this fire energy would form a divine image pattern.
This observation did not escape Long Xiao's perception, and he curiously asked, "Kid, did you understand?"
Zhao Xing cupped his hands and replied, "I understand. What the general refers to as borrowing the path of fire is utilizing the Li Fire Dao Academy's Li Fire Divine Altar, employing an extraordinary distance fire escape formation to instantly reach the Li Fire Branch of Dayuan Prefecture from thousands of miles away."
"Correct." Long Xiao nodded slightly, "Do you know why I have to travel eighty thousand miles to return?"
Zhao Xing continued, "Since it’s a loan, it must be repaid. The Li Fire True Lord worshipped by the Li Fire Dao Academy is a figure from ancient times. He feared that his disciples could not guard the Li Fire Divine Altar, so he cast a spell to establish a grand wish."
"Any outsider using the Li Fire Divine Altar, after traveling a certain distance, must rely on their own legs, without using any magical power, to walk the double distance of the borrowed fire path."
"The general borrowed it for a round trip, so it’s about forty thousand miles, hence after completing the borrowing, you need to walk eighty thousand miles to repay the Li Fire True Lord's path."
"Correct, you have some knowledge." Long Xiao was somewhat surprised. A mere Agricultural Affairs Bureau clerk could know about the seventy-two academies of the Great Zhou, indicating his breadth of knowledge and reading. In this regard, he at least met the requirements for the military Agricultural Affairs Bureau.
To know the world and its affairs allows one to quickly adapt wherever they go.
And a military Agricultural Affairs Bureau member's ability to quickly adapt to unfamiliar environments means that the army they belong to can also quickly adapt and establish a foothold.
"I've always said you shouldn't underestimate him." Chen Shijie smiled. "Though young, it doesn't mean his knowledge is lacking."
"Hahaha, indeed." Long Xiao laughed heartily, "But you, kid, are too reserved. Why do you keep calling me General? I’ve said I haven’t resumed my official position yet. Be bold and call me Brother Long."
Zhao Xing didn't know what to say; he was merely activating some habits upon seeing Long Xiao.
Then Long Xiao pointed at Chen Shijie: "Call him, Old Chen."
In Zhao Xing's somewhat astonished expression, Chen Shijie coldly smiled: "You’re trying to take advantage of me, huh? Once we return to the army, I’ll make sure to starve you a few times!"
"Hahahaha. I was wrong, I was wrong, I admit my mistake." Long Xiao quickly laughed and changed the subject: "Brother Chen, Brother Chen, you’re the oldest, let’s talk about serious matters."
"Now that I’ve arrived twenty days early, and no one knows, can we take this opportunity to wipe out the Mysterious Heaven Sect's stronghold here?"
The setting of great success in Fortune was mentioned at the beginning but had not been brought up since; here it is patched up and standardized.
(End of Chapter)