Volume One: Odd Jobs in Changshui County Chapter 99: Anomalous Movement of Spiritual Energy

Inside the attic, a sudden gust of wind arose.

The wind grew stronger and stronger, and the books within the attic were swept up, fluttering and rustling in the air.

What was happening?

Zhong Zhengming followed up to the second floor, only to find the wind there even more intense.

Moreover, the spiritual energy from the surrounding heavens and earth was being drawn in, making the atmosphere exceedingly dense with spiritual power, to the point where wisps of mist formed, hinting at the condensation of water.

“How terrifying!” Zhong Zhengming glanced at Director Xue beside him. “He’s at the ninth rank of martial arts, isn’t he?”

“Indeed, precisely the ninth rank,” Director Xue nodded.

“This rate of spiritual energy absorption—even I cannot match it,” Zhong Zhengming remarked in awe.

“You’re too modest, young master. What does a fast absorption rate truly signify?” Director Xue replied. “Lu Jiuzhang is only at the ninth rank of martial arts; to catch up to your seventh rank, who knows how many years it will take.”

“And by then, you will have broken through again in martial arts, always staying ahead of him.”

Director Xue had tremendous faith in his master.

He believed that, given Zhong Zhengming’s talent, reaching the fourth or even third rank of martial arts in the future would not be difficult.

As for Lu Jiuzhang, it was uncertain whether he would ever reach the higher ranks.

“With such a speed of spiritual energy absorption, as long as he does not fall prematurely, he is destined to rise,” Zhong Zhengming thought, feeling a pang of melancholy. “Outsiders often say that talent is unimportant, and hard work matters most.”

“Yet, I often feel that talent is the most crucial. No matter how hard one tries, it’s worthless before true talent.”

Zhong Zhengming felt a sense of loss, convinced of Lu Jiuzhang’s formidable gifts.

But what he didn’t know was that Lu Jiuzhang had a hidden advantage...

“Let’s step outside, and not disturb his cultivation,” Zhong Zhengming said quietly.

“Big Black Dog, you should leave as well,” he added when he noticed the large black dog still dazed beside him.

“I am Jiuzhang’s guardian, and must protect him closely,” the dog replied with a feigned air of wisdom. “You may go; pay me no mind.”

Seeing this, Zhong Zhengming had no choice but to leave for now, positioning himself outside the attic to prevent anyone from disturbing Lu Jiuzhang.

Once Zhong Zhengming left, the black dog secretly rejoiced: what fools, staying by Lu Jiuzhang’s side, how wonderful it would be to steal some of his spiritual energy for cultivation.

No, can a scholarly dog’s actions be called stealing?

This is pilfering!

The richness of spiritual energy here rivaled the legendary paradises.

Cultivating beside Lu Jiuzhang, one’s own strength would increase at an astonishing rate.

The black dog curled up next to Lu Jiuzhang and began to cultivate as well.

...

Within the fortress, many had noticed the unusual phenomenon and headed for the library pavilion.

The master of Sword Mountain Manor strode quickly over. “Gentlemen, what has happened?”

“It’s nothing. My subordinate—no, a young friend of mine is inside reading. He’s had an epiphany and is in deep contemplation,” Zhong Zhengming replied. He had meant to say ‘subordinate’, but, recalling he was no longer the director of the Demon-Slaying Bureau, changed his wording.

“Master, I beg forgiveness for borrowing your precious grounds,” Zhong Zhengming said, clasping his hands respectfully.

“No harm done. I only sensed the disturbance in spiritual energy and thought perhaps the relic’s incomplete formation had been triggered. Since it’s just an epiphany, there’s no issue,” the manor master nodded, then instructed those gathered to disperse so as not to disturb Lu Jiuzhang’s cultivation.

Meanwhile, in the pavilion’s second floor, two whirlpools—one large, one small—were voraciously absorbing spiritual energy.

Lu Jiuzhang’s absorption rate grew ever faster, surpassing that of the black dog.

The dog tried its hardest, but could only catch the remnants after Lu Jiuzhang had absorbed the lion’s share.

“This makes no sense!” the black dog grumbled. Earlier, its cultivation speed had clearly outpaced Lu Jiuzhang’s.

But in such a short time, Lu Jiuzhang’s speed had overtaken it.

If this continued, it would be reduced to working for Lu Jiuzhang.

“Let this divine beast absorb!” the black dog exerted itself with all its might, but the situation did not change.

After an indeterminate time, Lu Jiuzhang slowly awakened.

The Solar Guiding Technique had been thoroughly mastered, yet, despite absorbing so much spiritual energy, Lu Jiuzhang had not broken through to the eighth rank of martial arts.

Where had the issue arisen?

Perplexed, Lu Jiuzhang pulled out the half piece of spiritual stone from his chest and set it on his knee.

He would try again, using what remained.

“Master Jiuzhang, Master Jiuzhang…” the black dog’s eyes glowed green. “You still haven’t used that half spiritual stone? I don’t want to invest anymore—how about you return it to me?”

The dog eyed the stone greedily.

It had given Lu Jiuzhang the stone earlier, but now it regretted its generosity.

With Lu Jiuzhang absorbing spiritual energy so quickly, did he even need the stone?

Such things would be most useful if kept for itself.

“Do you think that’s possible?” Lu Jiuzhang countered.

Now that the item was in his pocket, asking him to give it back was pure fantasy.

The black dog’s face fell. “It’s hard being a dog—this divine beast is bullied everywhere.”

“Enough, I’m continuing my cultivation. Don’t disturb me,” Lu Jiuzhang said, settling down to practice the Solar Guiding Technique again.

The spiritual energy within the stone was swiftly drawn into his body, the surrounding spiritual energy surged once more, filling the attic with its dense presence.

Outside the library pavilion, Zhong Zhengming was about to re-enter to browse more books, but seeing the energy surge again, he remained outside to keep watch.

“My talent truly does fall short of Lu Jiuzhang’s,” Zhong Zhengming sighed.

“You’re too modest, young master. At best, Lu Jiuzhang’s talent matches your own,” Director Xue said. After observing everything, he felt Lu Jiuzhang was indeed a touch stronger than Zhong Zhengming—just a touch.

Yet Zhong Zhengming was his master; he could not undermine his own master’s prestige to praise Lu Jiuzhang.

Better to say they were equal, so as not to dampen his young master’s spirits.

...

When his cultivation ended, Lu Jiuzhang stepped outside the attic, but did not see Zhong Zhengming.

Only Elder Feng stood at the entrance.

“Mr. Lu, Mr. Zhong and Mr. Feng have gone to eat, and left me here to keep watch. Mr. Zhong said when you finish cultivating, you may go to Miss Feng Wanqing’s home and join them for a meal.”

Lu Jiuzhang nodded, then clasped his hands to Elder Feng. “Thank you for watching over my cultivation, Elder Feng.”

“You’re too polite, Mr. Lu. It was a mere trifle; no thanks necessary,” Elder Feng replied, waving his hand dismissively. “You’ve been at it for several hours—best hurry to eat before the food grows cold.”

Lu Jiuzhang took his leave, asked for directions to Feng Wanqing’s home, and set off.

After this round of cultivation, Lu Jiuzhang felt he was on the verge of breaking through to the eighth martial rank.

Yet, for some reason, he was just a hair’s breadth away.

It was like a thin membrane—almost pierced, but not quite, leaving him still at the ninth rank.

He felt his spiritual power was more robust than before, but apart from that, there was no significant change.

Within this library pavilion, aside from cultivation techniques, there were some martial skills as well. Perhaps, when time allowed, he could practice them.