Lin Ming frowned, looking at the text displayed on the system panel, a faint pang in his heart.
"Tribulation Crossing Perfection... The combat skill is supreme, but the threshold for execution is a sky-high level."
He muttered to himself while turning to look at Jade, who was still hovering near his shoulder. His mind raced before he spoke:
"If I must reach Tribulation Crossing Perfection to execute it, then the fact that I summoned it now only means I can… look at it?"
Jade spun once in the air, her clothes fluttering like delicate petals:
"Who says you can't use it?"
Lin Ming raised an eyebrow:
"Huh?"
Jade clasped her hands behind her back, her expression more serious than usual:
"You must remember, the first layer of the Dragon-Fairy Lineage Ancient Scripture is named Establishing Heaven and Earth (Khai Thiên - Lập Địa). Establishing Heaven refers to opening the dantian, officially stepping onto the path of cultivation. So what does Establishing Earth mean?"
"It means establishing a foundation, but not the foundation of cultivation like ordinary cultivators, but a solid foundation for acquiring and applying all things. Whatever can be used, whatever can be learned—as long as you comprehend it, even if the combat skill's grade is too high, you can still modify it to suit your current realm."
Lin Ming remained silent.
Seeing this, Jade continued:
"To put it simply, while Heavenly Bird originally required a Tribulation Crossing Perfection cultivator as the minimum condition for execution, with the first layer of this cultivation method, you can completely 're-interpret' it, transforming it into a form compatible with your current cultivation base. Though weaker, it is still usable."
"Naturally, its might cannot compare to the original grade, but... you are not bound by the grade limitations like others."
Lin Ming's eyes lit up:
"Meaning I can use it, as long as I adjust it appropriately?"
Jade nodded, smiling smugly:
"Precisely. But this is only true while you cultivate the Dragon-Fairy Lineage Ancient Scripture, and furthermore, you must know how to channel your internal force according to the layer you have unlocked. This is precisely why this cultivation method is named an 'Ancient Scripture'—because it not only teaches you how to cultivate, but also how to 'transform' to suit yourself."
Lin Ming rubbed his chin, tilting his head to look at her:
"Why didn't you tell me this from the start?"
Jade blinked innocently, her voice clear and bright:
"I am the System, you are the Host. Is it you who cultivates the Dragon-Fairy Lineage Ancient Scripture, or me?"
"Besides... you never asked me?"
Lin Ming exhaled sharply, almost choking on his own saliva. He looked at the palm-sized sprite, who was flying circles in front of him with her hands clasped behind her back, thinking to himself:
"You've got nerve, you rotten little girl…"
Lin Ming sat cross-legged in the middle of the room, his hands resting palms up on his knees, his gaze as still as a nocturnal lake. He inhaled deeply, then commanded mentally:
"Receive Combat Skill: Heavenly Bird."
Immediately, a faint purple stream of light gathered from the air, condensing into a small point, which slowly descended, stopping at his Yintang (Third Eye point).
Whoosh…!
The stream of light poured straight into his mind like a cascade. The moment of contact, Lin Ming's entire body shook.
He felt as if his soul was being stretched. Ancient characters and incantations rang in his ears, coming from an unknown place—not exactly a voice, but a melody echoing from deep within the earth, mingled with the distant sound of thunder.
Within his consciousness, ancient runes appeared on his forehead, radiating a cold, bluish-white light, spinning continuously. The Dragon-Fairy Lineage Ancient Scripture chanted:
"Something still flows beneath the earth Though for a thousand years no one calls its name. A breath, a tiny shudder, Like a dream from before creation's form. Some have walked through frozen forests and sharp wind, With frayed sleeves yet hearts bright as the moon. Their steps left behind something That grass and trees still contemplate in silence."
The chanting resonated in segments, overlapping like thunder rumbling within his chest. Lin Ming felt his body resonate with that ancient stream of thought, as if, for a moment, he stood amidst the night, thunder and lightning howling all around, and his body was a lightning rod, channeling a portion of the heavenly might descending.
Flashes of blue light flickered around his body, but only momentarily before dying out, as if being restrained by some invisible chain—which was precisely the Establishing Heaven and Earth layer regulating the fury of this Ninth-Grade combat skill.
Time quietly passed. One quarter-hour... then two... until three quarter-hours had passed, Lin Ming slowly opened his eyes.
His pupils flashed with an electrical light, but it was momentary before it vanished, leaving behind an exceptionally stable look in his gaze.
He subtly moved his fingers, sensing a completely new force lurking within his bloodline. It was not violent or chaotic, but orderly, like a sharp sword resting peacefully in its sheath, only waiting for the right moment to be unsheathed.
Lin Ming had successfully received Heavenly Bird.
"Truly marvelous!"
However, he understood that although this combat skill had been suppressed and transformed by the Dragon-Fairy Lineage Ancient Scripture to suit his current Qi Condensation realm, its essence remained that of a Ninth-Level Supreme technique, far surpassing any technique possessed by cultivators of the same stage.
Jade also spoke up:
"It is as you just thought, but you are lacking one part: although you have received Heavenly Bird, using it immediately is no simple matter. You must learn to adjust and skillfully control your own lightning force; otherwise, the consequences will be unpredictable..." She paused for breath, then continued: "Simply put, it cannot be easily used right now."
To use it skillfully, Lin Ming needed more practice. He needed to become familiar with the technique's unique operational flow, and above all, learn to regulate his Destiny lightning force during execution; otherwise, as Jade just said, "he will pay no small price."
Lin Ming closed his eyes. In his mind, the image of a thousand Thunder Birds hidden among the clouds continued to spin, yet to descend, but already quietly spreading their wings.
Time quietly flowed by.
For a week, in addition to his chores—farming, hauling water, chopping wood, and weeding the garden behind the Ma Manor—Lin Ming was secretly practicing the control of his lightning force into his limbs, constantly coordinating his movement techniques with the newly acquired combat skill. In the darkness of his dilapidated thatched house, punches sliced through the air, and lightning auras flashed momentarily.
With each passing day, he made further progress.
Jade materialized in the middle of the night, sitting cross-legged on the roof beam, her large eyes sparkling:
"A level of comprehension like this is truly hard to find a second person on the Cultivation Star Planet. In just one week, he can already coordinate lightning force with his movement technique. This one... has some real talent."
Lin Ming did not reply, only clenching his fist, feeling the resonance between his Destiny force and his bloodline. He knew that whether it was the capability granted by the System or the new body bestowed upon him, it was all just a foundation. A person unwilling to temper themselves, even with a Dharma Artifact in hand, is still merely a piece of trash.
On the eighth day.
At the Ma family's main gate, dust billowed, and the frantic sound of horse hooves rang out. A group of people wearing uniforms embroidered with the blue cloud insignia of the Zhang family stopped before the main courtyard.
Leading them was Zhang Jun, the eldest young master of the Zhang family. He carried a long sword on his back, his indifferent gaze sweeping over everyone in the courtyard. He cupped his hands and spoke loudly into the hall:
"Patriarch Ma, I have come today to demand justice."
From the main hall, Ma Chao—the Ma family Patriarch—stepped out, cupping his hands, his face displeased.
"Demand justice? Young Master Zhang, you should choose your words carefully. I have already heard about your Zhang family attacking my servant and causing him grievous injury. Now you lead people to my Ma Manor to cause trouble? Do you perhaps wish to twist right and wrong?"
Zhang Jun scoffed:
"Attacking someone? Your Ma family should look closely at those you manage. That servant, A Long, was the one who struck my men that day, beating five of them to the ground, and even Xiao Luzi, a Middle Stage Qi Condensationcultivator, was kicked so hard his chest was nearly broken."
Ma Chao frowned:
"A Long? Isn't he the gardener? A mortal, how could he possibly..."
Zhang Jun interrupted, his voice strained:
"Do you still think he is a mortal? Are you, the Patriarch, unaware that your own servant has already broken through to Middle Stage Qi Condensation?"
As soon as the words left his mouth, the entire courtyard erupted in commotion. The stewards and servants all stared at each other with wide eyes.
A Long—the man who was frail and sickly just a week ago? Yet today, he was a cultivator?
Ma Chao's expression changed, but he quickly regained his composure, his voice level:
"Even if A Long truly had a breakthrough, your Zhang family men were the ones who instigated the fight. A brawl between low-level servants usually only requires negotiation between the stewards of both sides. Why must Young Master Zhang personally lead people to my manor?"
Zhang Jun's eyes darkened:
"A servant is still a Zhang family member. To be beaten so thoroughly is a blow to the Zhang family's reputation. This matter... cannot be overlooked."
Just as the atmosphere reached its extreme tension, a cold, aged voice drifted in from a distance:
"There is no need to overlook it."
Everyone turned their heads.
A middle-aged man in a deep blue Daoist robe slowly entered the main gate. His expression was stern, his long beard flowing freely, and he was followed by two guards.
It was none other than Zhang Xia—the Zhang family Patriarch.
Ma Chao and everyone else hastily rose and cupped their hands:
"So it is Brother Zhang... I did not know Brother Zhang would visit today, and failed to prepare properly..."
Before his words were finished, Ma Chao's face immediately stiffened.
An invisible pressure, like a silent waterfall descending, enveloped the entire Ma Manor courtyard. The air seemed to solidify; the low-cultivation servants began to break out in a cold sweat. This aura was not that of Early or Middle Stage Golden Core, but Late Stage Golden Core.
Ma Chao's heart trembled slightly. Zhang Xia had broken through?
This news had never been spread outside.
No wonder the Zhang family was so confident today.
Zhang Xia clasped his hands behind his back, walking into the main hall, and spoke in a deep voice:
"Recently, my Ma family men encountered someone crossing into the western bamboo forest to cut dry wood for medicine frames. After apprehending him, they were grievously injured by your people. This matter... how will you explain it?"
Ma Chao inhaled deeply, his eyes grave:
"Brother Zhang, that bamboo forest has not been privately owned for generations. My Ma family merely sent someone to collect a few dry medicine frames, yet he was beaten so badly. In this matter, Brother Zhang, you have gone too far."
Zhang Xia replied indifferently:
"As of today, that bamboo forest belongs to the Zhang family."
As soon as he finished speaking, his Late Stage Golden Core aura erupted. The trees in the courtyard swayed, and several roof tiles were shaken loose and fell. The Ma family personnel were terrified, bowing their heads, not daring to look directly.
In the small thatched house at the back of the garden, A Hung and Xiao Gouzi had been observing from afar, their faces pale as paper.
"We're in trouble!"
Both simultaneously ran toward Lin Ming's house.
"A Long! Run! Zhang Xia is here, and he has... broken through to Late Stage Golden Core!"