Chapter 27: Stacking Waves Layered Palm . . .
The Scripture Library of the Dan Wu Academy comprised three distinct sections, each catering to different levels of proficiency. The second section, accessible only to those in the Spirit Condensation Realm, remained beyond Ye Yuan's current reach.
In contrast, the first section proved to be a treasure trove for Ye Yuan. It housed Tier 1 martial techniques, aligning perfectly with his current needs. The extensive collection included cultivation laws, martial techniques, and literature on Tier 1 Medicinal Pills, meticulously organized for easy exploration.
Given Ye Yuan's dedication to the Spirit Bristle Nine Yang Divine Art, cultivation laws held no immediate interest. Similarly, his familiarity with medicinal pills rendered the related literature redundant. The real focus for him was on Tier 1 martial techniques.
Navigating through the shelves dedicated to martial techniques, Ye Yuan carefully sought a technique suitable for his requirements. His discerning eye quickly dismissed the likes of Blazing Palm, deeming it too basic and lacking in depth.
Dismissing several flashy yet insubstantial martial techniques, Ye Yuan grew frustrated as none met his expectations. He pondered the apparent stinginess of the Tranquil Cloud Sect in displaying only commonplace techniques.
Nevertheless, Ye Yuan found solace in the realization that truly significant cultivation laws and martial techniques wouldn't be casually exposed to the secular world. Determined to find a technique that suited him, he ventured deeper into the library.
As he delved further, the quality of the martial techniques on the shelves improved, reaching high-grade Tier 1. Yet, Ye Yuan remained unsatisfied, discerning a lack of depth in the available options.
His exploration wasn't borne out of idle curiosity but rather a quest for beneficial insights. To Ye Yuan, the distinction between middle-grade and superior-grade Tier 1 martial techniques was negligible. The potential value lay in the unique aspects of each technique.
Reflecting on his recent encounter with Instant Flash, a middle-grade Tier 1 technique, Ye Yuan considered its distinctiveness despite its lower grade. He had successfully enhanced its potency, demonstrating that higher grades didn't necessarily equate to better performance.
As Ye Yuan delved deeper, the shelves gave way to scattered jade pieces, containing the essence of the first layer's martial techniques. High-grade Tier 1 techniques were etched onto these precious jade fragments, their rarity making them highly coveted outside the academy.
Yet, Ye Yuan's interest in these high-grade techniques waned. His discerning gaze scanned over the jade pieces briefly before he returned them to their place.
Reaching the deepest part of the first layer, Ye Yuan faced the prospect of settling for these high-grade techniques if his search proved fruitless. On the final shelf, he discovered only three jade pieces, distinct from the others.
The first jade piece, named Thousand Feet Leap, drew Ye Yuan's attention. A movement technique, when mastered, it promised the ability to cover immense distances in the blink of an eye.
Intrigued, Ye Yuan delved into the intricacies of Thousand Feet Leap. Comparing it to Instant Flash, he recognized its unique strengths, particularly in straight-line movements. The technique presented potential applications for both sneak attacks and evasive maneuvers, earning Ye Yuan's approval with a muttered, "A bit interesting."
After carefully returning the Thousand Feet Leap jade piece to its designated spot, Ye Yuan turned his attention to a second jade piece. This one showcased a rare lightning-attribute martial technique of similar grade to the Thousand Feet Leap, known for its formidable complexity.
Despite its difficulty, this lightning-attribute technique failed to captivate Ye Yuan's interest. His discerning eyes then shifted to the third and final jade piece in the lineup.
His examination revealed the martial technique's name: "Stacking Waves Layered Palm." Intriguingly, it was labeled as an incomplete martial technique, potentially reaching Tier 3 or beyond. The flaw in its completeness relegated it to the high-grade Tier 1 category.
Ye Yuan found himself drawn to this jade piece not because of its high grade, as Tier 3 martial techniques were not particularly high-tier to him. Rather, the appeal lay in its emphasis on efficient power utilization. Once mastered, it could unleash multiple, even dozens of times one's inherent power, promising substantial might.
The introduction on the jade piece hinted at a powerful figure from either the Tranquil Cloud Sect or the Dan Wu Academy being responsible for its creation. If fully mastered, this technique had the potential to enable leaps in strength during battles, a prospect that left Ye Yuan in awe.
Acknowledging the inherent difficulty in further improvement, Ye Yuan understood that the challenges would escalate significantly. While releasing power twice might be relatively straightforward, the subsequent increments—four times, eight times, 16 times, and even 32 times—posed increasingly immense challenges.
Nevertheless, Ye Yuan recognized the remarkable potential of this martial technique, despite its incomplete nature.
...
Upon selecting this particular martial technique, Ye Yuan's choice surprised Zhao Chunyang. Perplexed, he questioned Ye Yuan's decision, emphasizing the technique's incompleteness and formidable difficulty.
Undeterred, Ye Yuan explained that he found the technique impressive and was willing to endure its challenges for the time being. Zhao Chunyang, expressing concern, highlighted the difficulty of learning the technique, referencing Senior Apprentice Brother Long Tang's failed attempt.
Zhao Chunyang subtly conveyed his skepticism, suggesting that even a month might not be sufficient for Ye Yuan to master the First Layer Wave. He implied that the incremental power boost might not bridge the gap between Ye Yuan and Fei Qingping.
Ye Yuan, appreciating Zhao Chunyang's genuine concern, responded with a smile, expressing gratitude for the advice but insisting on pursuing his own plan. Despite Zhao Chunyang's reservations, Ye Yuan remained confident in facing the impending deathmatch three days away.
Acknowledging Ye Yuan's determination, Zhao Chunyang sighed and accepted his decision, wishing him the best in his endeavor.