During the process of making clay sculptures, Shi Quan keenly noticed something: this focused and singular method of clay sculpting might not only improve the compatibility with his Earth Martial Spirit but also increase his mental force.
If he were to use his Martial Spirit Earth to sculpt a vivid, lifelike, and even spiritually imbued work, the entire process would require him to concentrate all his mental force into his Martial Spirit. This process would absolutely achieve the effect of training his mental force.
His father's agile control over his Martial Spirit consumed his own mental force, and after controlling it for too long, Shi Jian would also feel fatigued.
"Shi Quan, you're doing very well."
Shi Jian looked at Shi Quan, who had just awakened from that state, with eyes full of shock. He had started learning to make clay sculptures at the age of six. The state Shi Quan had just entered was something he himself had only achieved by chance at eighteen or nineteen years old: immersing himself completely in the creation of clay sculptures to the point of self-forgetfulness.
In his plan, it would have been quite good if Shi Quan could enter this state of self-forgetfulness within these three months. However, in just half a month, Shi Quan had already achieved it. How could he not be surprised?
"Is this the talent of a Spirit Master?" Shi Jian thought to himself, genuinely happy for Shi Quan.
"Shi Quan, remember that feeling. From now on, you need to enter that state as much as possible. Practice makes perfect. When you can control it freely, it will be time for you to try using your Martial Spirit to make clay sculptures."
After savoring that feeling for a moment, Shi Quan nodded and replied, "I understand, Dad."
He was currently only using ordinary Earth to make clay sculptures. According to Shi Jian, only when he could freely immerse himself in the process of making clay sculptures could he try using his Martial Spirit to do so.
What seemed like ordinary clay sculpting was actually not as simple as imagined. That feeling of self-forgetful immersion was not so easy to achieve.
If it weren't for Shi Quan's lifelong habit of reading, which made his mind naturally calmer than others, coupled with the assistance of his Martial Spirit Soul, it would have been impossible for him to reach this state for the first time in just half a month.
This state of focused, self-forgetful, and immersive comprehension was very special.
Even if it couldn't help Shi Quan improve his Martial Spirit control, this special state was greatly beneficial to his Cultivation.
With the assistance of his Martial Spirit Soul, after seven days, Shi Quan entered this state of self-forgetfulness for the second time. Throughout the practice, Shi Quan could feel his mental force subtly improving, significantly enhancing his perception of his Martial Spirit Soul.
As the number of times increased, it became easier for Shi Quan to enter this state of self-forgetfulness. More than two months later, he was almost able to enter this state every day.
As Shi Jian had expected, this focused and self-forgetful immersive state was not only useful for controlling his Martial Spirit but also provided a certain level of assistance and improvement to his Cultivation. His Cultivation speed would be a few points faster than normal. Although not much, it would accumulate into a significant improvement over time.
This focused and calm way of learning and Cultivation made Shi Quan as a whole more composed, instinctively allowing him to calm his mind when doing things and quickly immerse himself in them.
What seemed like simple clay sculpting, when truly done well, brought benefits far beyond Shi Quan's expectations.
Shi Quan still admired his father somewhat in his heart. An ordinary person could achieve such a level.
In the Douluo World, without too many external influences, there were countless ordinary people like Shi Jian who dedicated their entire lives to one thing. However, being able to coincidentally comprehend the method of Martial Spirit control from such an extremely ordinary thing, besides the coincidence of Martial Spirit compatibility, was more a manifestation of Shi Jian's own talent.
"If Dad were born in a World of Cultivating the Dao and comprehending the Dao, he would definitely be a Genius."
Three months passed quickly amidst this fulfilling Cultivation.
This special state felt somewhat similar to the Epiphany state described in novels from his previous life. Although similar, there were also clear differences.
He could now freely enter this special state, but what troubled Shi Quan was that there was a prerequisite: it required the assistance of his Martial Spirit Soul.
Therefore, he gave this special state a name: 'Spirit Understanding'.
Currently, he could only rely on his Soul Martial Spirit to quickly clear his mind of Miscellaneous and fully immerse himself in the Spirit Understanding state.
The more times he entered the Spirit Understanding state, the more Shi Quan admired his father. The Spirit Understanding state provided a comprehensive boost to a Spirit Master's Cultivation, and this boost would most likely only increase, not decrease, as their strength improved.
Especially for a Rank 95 Titled Douluo, if Shi Quan remembered correctly, the original work seemed to state that Titled Douluo above Rank 95 did not rely on the accumulation of spirit power, but rather on their comprehension of their own Martial Spirit. If they had the assistance of the Spirit Understanding state, there would be virtually no Bottleneck after Rank 95.
If this news were to spread, the entire continent would likely be shaken.
Of course, Shi Quan wasn't entirely sure, as Tang San's spirit power Rank always soared directly, with no mention of needing comprehension.
Although the Spirit Understanding state was powerful, it also had some drawbacks. Because in the Spirit Understanding state, all of one's consciousness and thoughts were immersed in a certain matter, leading to a disregard for time and everything around them. Once danger was encountered, there would be no time to react. Therefore, one must enter the Spirit Understanding state in a safe place.
...
"Shi Quan, let's rest today."
Shi Quan's footsteps, which had just entered the clay sculpture room, paused. He looked at Shi Jian in the clay sculpture room with confusion, "What's wrong, Dad? Why aren't we Cultivating today?"
Shi Jian said faintly, "Tomorrow you're going to the Spirit Master Academy in Nuoding City to study. You'll be gone for a year. You've been in this clay sculpture room every day during this time. For the last day, go spend some time with your mom."
"I understand, Dad."
Shi Quan's expression subtly changed. He had been Cultivating every day during this period and hadn't paid attention to the time. He hadn't expected to be going to the Academy so soon. Li Meili had doted on him since he was little, and now that Shi Quan was going away to study, she was probably feeling low. Shi Jian must have noticed Li Meili's mood, which was why he specifically told him to go accompany her.
Arriving in front of the courtyard, Li Meili was sitting quietly by herself in the courtyard, staring blankly at a small recliner on one side of the courtyard. The recliner wasn't big; it was prepared for Shi Quan, who usually liked to lie on it to sunbathe and read.
In the past three months, Shi Quan had Cultivated daily and never once laid on it, yet the recliner remained spotlessly clean.
"Mom, what are you doing?" Shi Quan came behind Li Meili and hugged her from the back.
"Why aren't you Cultivating today?" Hearing the voice behind her, a brilliant smile immediately appeared on Li Meili's face.
Shi Quan chuckled, playfully saying, "Isn't it because I missed my beautiful Mom?"
"How can our Shi Quan's mouth be so sweet?" Li Meili giggled, turned around, and pulled Shi Quan into her embrace. "What delicious food do you want for lunch? Mom will make it for you!"
"Sweet and sour pork ribs, spicy rabbit meat..." Shi Quan counted on his fingers, listing a long string of dishes in no time. "...I like everything Mom makes!"
"Hahaha, good, good, good."
In just a few words, Shi Quan had Li Meili giggling with joy.
Happy times always passed quickly. Amidst laughter and joy, night soon fell.
In the room, Shi Quan, uncharacteristically, did not immediately begin Cultivating upon returning to his room. Instead, he stared blankly at the moonlight outside the window for a while. Thinking of the Spirit Master Academy he was about to enroll in, and Tang San, Xiao Wu, and Master within it, Shi Quan felt a rare sense of restlessness.
He had some anticipation for the outside World, and his heart also carried the reluctance of impending separation.
Morning.
Amidst the aroma of porridge, Shi Quan awoke from his Cultivation. For three months, he had spent every night Cultivating. He still only had a few general directions regarding the System's treasure chest trigger rules. He had tried a few times in the past three months, but there was no response. For now, he could only rely on his own diligence and effort to improve his strength as much as possible.
Three months of hard Cultivation had raised his spirit power Rank to five, and he was not far from Rank six. At this rate, he was confident he could Breakthrough Rank twenty before graduating from the Elementary Academy.
In the main house, Li Meili had already prepared breakfast for them. They had already packed Shi Quan's belongings in advance. To see Shi Quan off, both of them wore brand new clothes. Of course, new clothes were also prepared for Shi Quan.
Although they lived in a village, Shi Quan's family was not poor. After all, Shi Jian's craftsmanship was excellent; his clay sculptures alone were enough to ensure their family had plenty to eat and wear.
"Shi Quan, come eat."
Li Meili's call came from the main house.
Perhaps thinking that Shi Quan was going to the Academy today, the breakfast on the table was especially abundant, all of Shi Quan's favorite dishes.
Eating heartily, Shi Quan's stomach quickly swelled up. Even after eating his fill, nearly two-thirds of the breakfast on the table remained.
Couldn't finish it, simply couldn't finish it.
Shi Quan rubbed his bulging little belly, looking utterly content, which made Li Meili beside him giggle.
After the three of them finished breakfast, the carriage Shi Jian had reserved in advance was already steadily parked outside their house. After a quick tidy-up and loading the prepared items onto the carriage, the group set off towards Nuoding City.
The things they prepared for Shi Quan were very comprehensive: bedding, pillows, palm mats, clothes, shoes, and even toiletries were all well-prepared for him.
Shi Jian drove the carriage, while Shi Quan and Li Meili sat in the back. Along the way, the three of them chatted and laughed as if they were on a trip, of course, not without Shi Jian's instructions. Shi Quan was aware of the special nature of the Spirit Understanding state and knew its importance, so he would not expose it casually. Without Shi Jian's guidance, he would have to rely on his own practice to master it.
The carriage's speed was not fast, but the distance between Shi Family Village and Nuoding City was not far. Just before noon, they could already see the towering city walls of Nuoding City in the distance.
Shi Quan had been to Nuoding City many times with Li Meili and Shi Jian before, so it wasn't unfamiliar.
The registration period was still long, and it was almost noon, so Shi Jian drove the carriage directly to the entrance of a restaurant in Nuoding City, intending to have lunch first.
"Oh, Master Shi, are you here to deliver clay sculptures to the city again? Come, come, sit over here."
As soon as they entered the restaurant, the shopkeeper greeted Shi Jian warmly. The restaurant's decor was very grand, and there were many exquisite clay sculptures displayed on the counter behind the hall. However, it was just approaching noon, and the restaurant was already full of diners, with only one or two empty tables at the edges.
Shi Jian also smiled and waved, greeting the shopkeeper, "Shopkeeper Li, your business is still booming. Today, I'm just here to send off our boy."
"Oh?" Shopkeeper Li, while ushering Shi Jian and his family to an empty table, looked at Shi Quan with a slightly changed expression.
This Shopkeeper Li was also a shrewd person. People came and went in his restaurant every day, and he had seen all sorts of people and knew much more than the average person. He cupped his hands and congratulated, "Congratulations, Master Shi, for having such a distinguished son."
Shi Jian smiled unassumingly and said, "Shopkeeper Li, you're joking. This is all his own Opportunity."
"Master Shi, you're still the same. Please sit down first. I'll tell the kitchen to prepare a few of your signature dishes." Shopkeeper Li smiled and walked towards the kitchen.
"Dad, are you very familiar with that Shopkeeper Li?"
Shi Jian shook his head, "He ordered clay sculptures from me twice before, and we only had simple interactions. However, the food at his restaurant is indeed good. Eat more later."
Shi Quan nodded thoughtfully. His father was not only mature and steady but also exceptionally shrewd in his dealings with people.
What was a restaurant for? A place for bragging, chatting, and gathering, where there were many people and loose tongues.
The news of him having Spirit Master talent would soon spread through Shopkeeper Li's mouth among those who knew Shi Jian in Nuoding City. After all, it was rare gossip for an ordinary family to have a Spirit Master. There was no harm in the news spreading; it might even help increase their family's business, with only benefits and no drawbacks.
After lunch.
Li Meili was so afraid that the prepared items weren't enough that she insisted Shi Jian drive the carriage to tour the streets again, calling it "checking for omissions and filling in gaps," and buying anything needed along the way. Shi Jian understood his beloved wife and knew Li Meili wanted to spend more time with Shi Quan, so he obediently drove the carriage towards the street.
The mother and son strolled, played, and laughed, as if they had specifically come to Nuoding City for shopping.
"Hello, sir, do you know where Nuoding Academy is?"
As the three of them were happily strolling, they were all attracted by an old voice from not far away. All three instinctively turned their heads to look in the direction of the voice.