Dao Rhyme: Dragon Flood Dragon

Of the various abilities derived from reading, Calm Heart was easy enough to understand.

Reading calmed the mind. There was nothing unusual about that.

As for Scholarly Demeanor... read enough books, and a distinctive air naturally followed.

Since the first three stages could all be acquired through diligent practice, and reading was not some transcendent skill, the first two traits were not particularly powerful.

But the third skill was different. Intent Reading came from the saying, "Read a book a hundred times, and its meaning would reveal itself."

Its effect was also simple and clear. Once this trait was activated, Zhong Ming would find it far easier to understand the principles within whatever book he read.

At that moment, still feeling unsatisfied, Zhong Ming directed Intent Reading toward the Mountain Stream Diagram his Senior Disciple Sister had brought out and began interpreting its true meaning.

"Buzz..."

The instant the ability activated, Zhong Ming felt as if his brain had been jolted by an electric current—or perhaps lubricated with oil.

As his mind raced at high speed, countless inspirations sprang forth in his head like fiery trees and silver blossoms.

At the same time, he felt as though he had shattered his own limits. His mind was incomparably clear.

Right now, I can interpret everything!

"Buzz..."

In this unusual state, Zhong Ming looked once more at the True Intent Diagram that recorded the Dragon Creek Breathing Technique. He discovered that what entered his eyes was no longer a stream flowing through the mountains.

"Whoosh..."

"Roar!"

The stream flowed faster and fiercer, until at last, that flowing stream transformed into—a flood dragon!

An ink flood dragon rushing forward at immense speed.

The springhead of the stream became the location of the Dragon Pearl.

What made Zhong Ming's pupils contract even more was that this flood dragon seemed to have come alive. It stared directly at Zhong Ming, meeting his gaze.

Boom!

The instant their eyes met, countless streams of information surged into Zhong Ming's mind like floodwaters bursting through a dam.

Because of the True Intent Diagram's wonders, after the time it took half an incense stick to burn, everyone had memorized the Mountain Stream Diagram.

At that moment, some continued watching, hoping to comprehend more.

Others closed their eyes and began cultivating, wanting to seize the time to improve their cultivation.

Beyond them, some were conversing.

Jiang Xiaoyu, whose temperament was somewhat spoiled and willful, said to her brother with some dissatisfaction, "Brother, why did you invite Zhong Ming?"

Rubbing his head in frustration, Jiang Yue said helplessly, "What else could it be for? Inner Sect Disciple slots."

"Grade A and Grade B only let us cultivate for an extra year or two. Only by becoming Inner Sect Disciples—or even True Disciples—can we be considered truly safe."

"But Dragon Stream Peak—or rather, the entire Seven Mysteries Sect—has very few Inner Sect Disciple slots. Even a Grade A or Grade B rating merely gives us a chance to become Inner Sect Disciples. To truly enter the inner sect, we still have to pass layer upon layer of trials."

"These trials examine both the individual and the team."

"Zhong Ming may come from a poor background, but for someone of such origins to cultivate this kind of demeanor is not something an ordinary person can accomplish. Bringing him into our team will be of great help to us."

"Fine, I understand..." Jiang Xiaoyu also found Zhong Ming's Scholarly Demeanor quite comfortable, so she nodded and agreed with her brother's decision to bring Zhong Ming over.

She also permitted him to exchange some of their family's cultivation insights with Zhong Ming. Naturally, these would only be ordinary insights; they would not hand over their most secret knowledge.

As she nodded her agreement, Jiang Xiaoyu looked toward Zhong Ming as well.

Then, with just one glance, her expression turned startled. Instinctively, she asked Jiang Yue, "Brother, are you sure Zhong Ming really has ability?"

"Of course..."

Before he could finish, Jiang Yue froze too.

Turning his head, he saw Zhong Ming, who was studying the Mountain Stream Diagram, looking deathly pale and swaying as if about to collapse, as though he had suffered a severe blow.

There were quite a few people like this at the scene.

The True Intent Diagram Mo Shuying had produced was mysterious indeed, allowing people to memorize it quickly.

But forcibly cramming vast amounts of information into one's mind would inevitably inflict spiritual damage upon those with weak souls.

People like that basically had no future.

And this left Jiang Yue puzzled:

"That shouldn't be the case. With his demeanor, no matter what, his soul shouldn't be this weak..."

Zhong Ming knew nothing of the Jiang siblings' conversation, nor did he have the mind to care.

Activating Intent Reading consumed a great deal of mental energy.

Moreover, he had comprehended something extraordinary from the Mountain Stream Diagram, which dealt an even greater blow to his soul.

The fact that he was merely pale was only because his Reading Skill had reached Minor Accomplishment and had strengthened his soul once before.

Of course, the greater reason was that Zhong Ming had received only a small portion of what lay within the Mountain Stream Diagram, which was why his soul had not been severely damaged.

Yet Zhong Ming felt no relief over this. Instead, he was filled with boundless regret.

What a pity. My soul is insufficient, so I cannot fully glimpse the Mountain Stream Diagram's true meaning... Fortunately, if I join Dragon Stream Peak and become its disciple, I will have another chance to view the True Intent Diagram.

"Zhong Ming, don't scare me. Are you all right?"

"I'm fine."

Supported by Dong Hai, it was only after a long while that Zhong Ming's headache eased slightly.

After reassuring Dong Hai, Zhong Ming looked toward his own Attribute Panel.

Although I suffered a little this time, my gains were great as well.

Dao Rhyme—this should be a trait obtained after successfully cultivating the Dragon Creek Breathing Technique. I just don't know at which stage it was gained: Stage 3, Mastery; Stage 4, Minor Accomplishment; or Stage 5, Grandmaster?

Because he knew too little about cultivation, Zhong Ming could not determine the grade of the Dragon Flood Dragon Dao Rhyme. At the same time, he had no time to ponder it slowly.

After the time it took an incense stick to burn, Mo Shuying waved her hand, and the Mountain Stream Diagram floating in the air was taken into her possession.

"Time is up. You may go cultivate now... Oh, and aside from cultivation techniques, you may also use your tokens to claim one spell from the Dragon Creek Scripture Pavilion for free."

"Furthermore, every morning, I will remain here for the time it takes a cup of tea to cool. If you have questions, you may ask me then."

"But remember, do not ask me foolish questions... You may also ask questions now."

"Rustle..."

The moment Mo Shuying finished speaking, everyone swarmed around her, questions pouring forth one after another.

"Senior Disciple Sister, how do we count as entering early Qi Condensation?"

"Perfectly nourish and open the Qi Sea Acupoint."

"I heard that raising one's cultivation technique realm can accelerate cultivation speed. Is that true?"

"Yes."

"Senior Disciple Sister, is there any way to speed up cultivation of the Dragon Creek Breathing Technique without consuming spirit stones?"

"Yes."

That single word—"yes"—instantly silenced the entire crowd. Zhong Ming was no exception.

There really is such a method.

At that moment, everyone looked eagerly at Mo Shuying, hoping she would give them an answer that was easy to accomplish.

Mo Shuying might have been proud, but she was also conscientious and responsible.

"Man follows the earth, earth follows heaven, heaven follows the Dao, and the Dao follows nature... We cultivators of the Dao emulate heaven and earth, emulate nature. Many Dao arts were also created by our predecessors after observing nature's wonders."

"Our Dragon Creek Breathing Technique, for instance, is connected to streams and springheads. Witnessing streams and springheads up close aids the cultivation of our technique."

"Whoosh..."

Once she explained this, everyone hurriedly looked around for streams and springheads.

And only then did they discover that they were standing at the end of a stream. Looking upward, they could even see the locations of quite a few springheads.

But what made everyone frown slightly was that the best springhead locations had mostly been claimed by richly dressed disciples from prominent families, along with a few quick-witted people.

"..."

This scene left Zhong Ming speechless as well.

Having information really does make a difference.

And the impact on my soul has slowed my reactions. Otherwise, I should have noticed those noble disciples' movements and claimed a springhead after them.