The Spirit Dart Unifies and Resolves the Heart-Splitting Qi Zen

[Cao Xiaochun · Black Iron Tier]

lv9 (220/1400)

Strength: 52

Speed: 70

Spirit: 272

After half a month of training, Cao Xiaochun had not only become quite proficient with the bone flute, but had also raised his level to nine, just one step away from max level.

Moreover, the moment he reached level nine, Cao Xiaochun had comprehended the Gu Master class's first innate skill.

Generally speaking, class users could comprehend their first innate skill upon reaching level five. Hidden classes, however, were different—no one knew the rules governing when they would gain such insights.

Some classes might comprehend one immediately after awakening, while others might not gain one until after level five. But one thing was certain: before breaking through level eleven and entering the Bronze Tier, they would definitely comprehend an innate skill.

The Gu Master's first innate skill was a nine-character mantra.

"Spirit, Dart, Command, Harmony, Release, Heart, Rend, Unity, Zen!"

It sounded somewhat like the Daoist Nine Secrets from his previous life—"Presence, Soldier, Fight, All, Formation, Array, Before"—but this was a method for controlling Gu!

Spirit Art: Could transform Gu into weapons. The higher one's realm, the stronger the weapons formed by the Gu. At mastery, even an ordinary grass Gu could become a divine weapon under the art!

Dart Art: A combat method for Gu insects that could grant them their host's fighting will. The deeper the host's combat experience, the greater the enhancement bestowed upon the Gu insects!

Command Art: A secret Gu-healing technique. Spitting out the Command-character incantation in battle could instantly restore a Gu insect to full strength. It was related to the cultivator's level and could restore Gu insects up to one tier above the cultivator's own tier. Limited to three uses per day!

Harmony Art: Could instantly increase a Gu insect's combat power tenfold, stacking nine times its strength. However, the activation chance was unpredictable—it could trigger from time to time, entirely depending on luck.

Release Art: Could instantly remove a Gu insect's abnormal status effects!

Heart Art: Strengthened formations composed of Gu insects. In theory, it could increase their power threefold!

Rend Art: A secret technique for tempering a class user's divine consciousness. When encountering Gu insects with special skills, one could tear off a fragment of their soul to add another layer of control.

Unity Art: Unknown [Class user level insufficient]

Zen Art: Unknown [Class user level insufficient]

Looking at the talent descriptions in his mind, Cao Xiaochun was exceptionally excited. Even when he had subdued Skasa, he had never been this thrilled.

He had never expected his first innate skill to immediately grant him so many methods. With this, he would no longer be someone who merely relied on his Gu insects in battle while he stood off to the side providing support.

Although these nine-character mantras were still used on Gu insects, they would allow him to enhance their combat power instead of standing around like an idiot watching them fight.

Most importantly, if he studied them carefully, he might be able to comprehend a killing move rooted in Gu insects!

That was the most precious thing of all!

After spending most of the night studying the nine-character mantra, Cao Xiaochun had pulled an all-nighter, yet he did not feel particularly sleepy.

Checking the time, he saw that today was the day of the college entrance examination trial. The test for those who had applied to Imperial Capital University, however, would not be held on the school field.

Thus, after washing his face, Cao Xiaochun prepared to head to the school and catch the bus.

By the time he arrived at school, many students had already gathered. Every prestigious university had set up a small booth on the field, and admissions personnel were constantly fiddling with machines or spatial arenas.

Cao Xiaochun was just about to look for the school bus when he saw Li Hanyi and the other three walking toward him.

"Morning, Xiaochun." Xu Laoba hurried over to Cao Xiaochun, patted him on the shoulder, and beamed brightly.

Because of his outstanding results, when he returned home, his parents had nearly begun worshipping him like an ancestor. Over the past half month, Xu Laoba had thoroughly enjoyed the comfortable treatment and had almost lost himself in it.

Li Wenbin had received much the same treatment. After all, the saying that greatness could emerge from humble origins seemed to have come true in his case.

As for Hong Jianjun, according to him, he had battled wits and courage with his father. After relentless pestering, his father had finally agreed to his request, so this examination was merely a formality!

"Take this concealment stone. With it, no one will be able to see your information unless they have professional equipment or a skill with an advanced detection talent."

Li Hanyi slowly stepped forward and handed Cao Xiaochun a black stone strung on a cord.

Because of Dragon Nest, the four of them were now equipped almost entirely with Platinum-tier gear. Therefore, it was necessary to prevent others from developing greedy intentions.

After Li Hanyi reported the matter to her father, the Li Family had paid a considerable price to obtain five concealment stones.

"Thanks."

Cao Xiaochun smiled and accepted the stone without hesitation. There was no reason to refuse Li Hanyi's kindness; after all, they could now be considered a team.

Besides, he understood better than anyone the principle that possessing a treasure invited trouble.

After chatting for a few moments, they saw their homeroom teacher hurrying over and urging the four of them to board the bus quickly.

It was only after getting on the school bus that they learned why Capital University would be heading to a separate area for the examination.

It turned out that after the results of Cao Xiaochun and the other five were uploaded to the system, cities everywhere had been thrown into an uproar.

Perfect scores were not unheard of, but there had never been anything as outrageous as H City—one school producing five students with perfect trial scores. It was said that the principal, who had been recuperating from illness, was discharged from the hospital that very day. When he went to the provincial meeting, his big mouth never closed once!

Moreover, whether it was Third High School or the other secondary schools, this year's awakening rate had increased by more than fifteen percent. Although there were no hidden classes, all kinds of high-level classes had emerged one after another.

As a result, an unusually large number of H City students had applied to Capital University and passed the review. Imperial Capital University therefore made a unified decision to send more personnel to H City and set up a separate examination venue, striving to finish the tests within a single day.

According to the laws of the Nine Provinces, the college entrance examination could only last one day. Therefore, Imperial Capital University had to be responsible for the students!

"Students, especially those in our class, I believe every one of you is outstanding. Passing this simple test will be a piece of cake, so don't be nervous!"

The homeroom teacher spoke excitedly on the bus. After all, this event that had shocked the entire Nine Provinces had come from his class. As the homeroom teacher, he was glowing with pride—promotion and a raise were just around the corner!

After more than an hour on the school bus, they soon left the city. Passing through a dense forest, they saw a vast stretch of wasteland appear before them.

As they slowly got off the bus, countless staff members were busy at work. Cao Xiaochun clearly saw the principal onstage, dressed in a fitted suit and chatting amiably. He did not look like a sick man in the slightest.

Since the examination platform had yet to be set up, everyone could only wait nearby. Before long, students from all eight middle schools had gathered. Cao Xiaochun gave them a rough look—at least five hundred people would be taking the exam.

It seemed the homeroom teacher had been right. H City's luck this year had truly exploded.