“A-Nan, I was thinking. When we dual cultivate, I’ll sing at the same time. That way, the mana from the sound magic will adhere to the surface of our bodies, using the skin as a third mana circulation route. Our cultivation speed should increase even further. Want to give it a try?” Zhang Ye asked.
Nan Long’s eye twitched at the suggestion.
Was this guy a monster?
Others spent their entire lives without ever researching a single new mana circulation route, yet how long had it been for him to already have three?!
Nan Long gave a slight nod. “Alright.”
He still believed in Zhang Ye. Zhang Ye’s abilities were clear for all to see, so he had no reason to doubt him. Besides, he was more than eager to accelerate his cultivation.
Zhang Ye nodded. “If the third mana route operates successfully and speeds up cultivation, then my theory will basically be proven.”
“What theory?” Nan Long couldn't help but ask out of curiosity.
“If meridians, blood vessels, and skin can carry mana and serve as circulation routes, then bones and nerves should be able to as well!” Zhang Ye explained.
“However, bones are one thing, but nerves are far too fragile and sensitive. To use nerves as a mana circulation route, the mana would have to pass through the brain. One slip-up could damage the brain, and the consequences would be unimaginable. So, further research is required...”
Zhang Ye pondered for a moment before saying, “Let’s not think too much about that for now. Let’s begin!”
Nan Long nodded, his heart filled with shock.
Using bones and nerves as mana circulation routes?
That was truly unheard of!
His thinking was far too unconventional; probably only Zhang Ye could come up with such a thing.
Furthermore, this guy’s mana control was too powerful. Even a genius like himself, who had undergone brutal training, was far inferior. Thus, perhaps only Zhang Ye could perform such precise route-opening within the same tier.
If anyone else tried to open routes recklessly, the most likely outcome would be physical injury or even self-crippling.
Mana began to circulate, and the two established routes started moving.
Nan Long’s body trembled slightly.
It felt... so comfortable...
Then, Zhang Ye began multitasking, cultivating while simultaneously starting to chant sound magic.
A melodious and graceful song slowly drifted out.
“Fortunately, you never chose to stop because of fatigue...”
“Familiar voices call out, leading you forward...”
“It is those innocent eyes that see through the world's ways...”
“Always believing in love and tenderness in your heart...”
As soon as the song began, Nan Long’s eyes widened as he looked at Zhang Ye.
Zhang Ye didn't open his eyes, singing softly as the mana on his body rippled slightly, transforming into a beautiful melody.
His singing was dreamlike, like a siren whispering, causing even the flow of air to become gentle.
“May these rising and falling stars...”
“Protect everyone they have ever shone upon...”
“While drifting through hardships, at an unexpected moment...”
“You will quietly encounter your dream...”
The singing suddenly became ethereal.
Nan Long’s tears finally couldn't be held back, falling slowly.
He had cultivated with all his might, trained with all his might!
At the age of fifteen, he was required to cross the Thunderclap Forest alone. On the day he emerged, he was on the verge of death...
Five years!
He had been on the brink of death dozens of times!
He had suffered hundreds of serious injuries and countless minor and internal ones. What was it all for?!
To become stronger?
If that were the case, there would have been no need for such extremes...
Repeated scoldings and constant harsh words had caused his heart to be gradually covered in ice.
He had to become cold-blooded and emotionless to avoid being hurt...
And his dream... had long since been trampled underfoot...
Why... why sing this kind of song?
I can't take it... I really can't take it...
“You head all the way toward the horizon dyed red by dusk...”
“Carrying the dreams of the next life toward the end of this one...”
“Fading away until you can no longer be seen clearly...”
“Leaving all unfinished obsessions in this mortal world...”
The next moment, he began to chant, his voice like spring water, yet imbued with an inexplicable sadness.
Nan Long was suddenly stunned, as if he had understood something.
Your song... is it about me... or is it about yourself as well?
What kind of person are you, exactly?
Why did you come to my side with such tenderness?
What on earth have you experienced to be able to sing such a song?
Why... does my heart hurt so much...
Nan Long looked at Zhang Ye’s soft face, his gaze becoming incredibly gentle at this moment.
If those things hadn't happened, and I had met you then, how wonderful would that have been...
He slowly closed his eyes, using mana to evaporate the tears at the corners of his eyes.
But... that was impossible...
...
In the early morning, Zhang Ye opened his eyes, and the soft singing finally ceased.
He had sung for an entire night, every song coming from the heart. By the end, he didn't even know what he was singing anymore.
And he didn't know how many tears Nan Long had shed throughout the night.
Nan Long also opened his eyes, mana rippling through his body.
Zhang Ye said in surprise, “A-Nan, you’ve advanced!”
Nan Long nodded slightly. “Tier Nine Peak.”
After attending Zhang Ye’s concert, his cultivation had already become infinitely close to the Tier Nine Peak. With the successful opening of the third mana circulation route last night, his cultivation speed reached another level, allowing him to break through to the Tier Nine Peak without any obstacles!
“Congratulations! Alright, let’s get up and eat breakfast. What do you want to eat?” Zhang Ye asked while stretching.
“Custard buns.”
“Got it. Let me take a shower first.” With that, Zhang Ye headed toward the bathroom.
He didn't see that Nan Long’s gaze today was exceptionally gentle.
The days that followed were part of a general routine.
Attending classes, browsing the library, visiting the research institute, eating with everyone, and feeding Tei Tei, the two Origin Rock Beasts, and the group of hungry little cubs.
Every two or three days, Zhang Ye would hold a mini-concert at the Rock Guild.
As a result, more and more people joined the Rock Guild just to hear him sing, and many even transferred from their original guilds.
Over these days, the Rock Guild had transformed from an “endangered” guild with only a hundred or so members into a large guild with a thousand people!
In terms of strength, it was no longer inferior to any other guild!
One could see just how terrifying Zhang Ye’s popularity was.
Now, at least half of the entire academy were his loyal fans.
His songs were not only pleasant to hear but also helpful for cultivation and breakthroughs. Even the concerts held by members of the Rhyme family didn't have such effects; their concerts could only soothe the body and mind or provide some inspiration at most.
They couldn't compare to Zhang Ye’s.
Add to that the fact that Zhang Ye was insanely handsome, had a gentle personality, and was always fun to be around, his popularity in the academy soared, and his fan base continued to grow.
Life could be described as peaceful and fulfilling.
Soon, it was three days before the Monthly Test.
To prepare for the Monthly Test, Zhang Ye specially arranged extra training for everyone.
He focused particularly on Lina.
After all, her rank was only at the Tier Seven Peak, and her only means of attack were the Shining Twins. Therefore, Zhang Ye focused on training her combat techniques and combat awareness.
Although she could trigger the power of laws to enter a state similar to bullet time and even briefly predict the future, actual combat depended entirely on one’s own reactions. Sometimes, no matter how fast her reactions were, it was to no avail.
For example, when sparring with Zhang Ye, his terrifying casting speed and instant cast magic meant she couldn't dodge even if her reactions were twice as fast.
In many battles, if one fell into the opponent’s combat rhythm, they wouldn't be able to react correctly even if they could briefly predict the future.
This was why Zhang Ye emphasized training her combat techniques and awareness.
Furthermore, Zhang Ye put more effort into upgrading her Shining Twins.
He added melee capabilities; a compressed mana blade could pop out from under the muzzle. Blades formed from compressed mana were incomparably sharp. Even with Tier Seven Peak mana quality, they could inflict wounds equivalent to Tier Nine. With higher-tier compressed mana, they could become even stronger. This greatly enhanced Lina’s melee capabilities.
This made Lina even more grateful to Zhang Ye, and she trained even harder, which pleased him greatly.
Today, just after class ended and shortly after Leona had left, a group of uninvited guests arrived.
“So this is Class One’s training ground? It’s quite shabby.”
...
...
Rate on N.U.
