Distraction Control Cluster Convergence

The upper limit of micro-control was high, but putting it into practice was far from simple.

First, the human skin was the first barrier. There was no way to judge, with the naked eye, how muscular force traveled through an enemy's body.

To understand the transmission process of an enemy's muscles, one either had to use oneself as a reference and make estimates through long-term experience, or find some additional means of perception.

Second, it placed extraordinarily harsh demands on a Soul Master's control.

Your amplification Soul Skill had to penetrate the enemy's Soul Power blockade, then, at the most crucial point and the most opportune moment, apply the most suitable boost to shatter the integrity of their movement in one stroke.

"This is difficult. Extremely difficult!"

However, Han Tao possessed a unique advantage in this regard.

Blue Silver Grass had the lowest Growth Base, an extraordinarily weak Martial Soul Strength, and barely passable healing abilities. Yet it possessed one remarkably valuable trait.

Perception! The perception of Blue Silver Grass nearly surpassed that of every other Martial Soul in this world.

Han Tao could sense "Acupoints" and "Soul Power Compatibility." A large part of that was actually due to the perception provided by Blue Silver Grass.

And in crowd control theory, perception was a prerequisite for crowd control, one of its three core elements.

"Theory is just theory. It only gains value after being verified through practice."

"The current me has no need for practical application."

In truth, Han Tao had proposed many theories by now, but he had no conditions to put any of them into practice.

Take the power of "Acupoints," for instance. Han Tao had discovered it long ago, but he currently lacked the qualifications to study it in depth.

The same went for "micro-control." Han Tao did not even possess a single amplification Soul Skill yet, so how could he possibly test it in practice? "For now, I'll set it aside."

With a slight sigh, Han Tao turned his attention back to what lay before him.

In three months, Han Tao had trained the Distraction Control Method to the fifth level, still two levels short of Ning Fengzhi's requirement.

"Looks like I won't be getting that surprise from the Sect Leader."

Strictly speaking, even Han Tao's fivefold distraction control was not stable. With his mind split five ways, every branch was highly prone to mistakes, much less capable of handling complicated operations or thoughts.

"I thought such a small difficulty wouldn't stump you. It seems I overestimated you."

Ning Fengzhi's cheek twitched, and he nearly lost control of his expression. He hurriedly employed the relevant techniques of Keep Emotions Hidden.

Requiring Han Tao to reach the pinnacle of the Distraction Control Method in three months had been unreasonable from the start.

That was why he had so generously offered some so-called "surprise."

The truth was, Han Tao could never obtain it.

What a joke. Did he, Ning Fengzhi, look like someone who would willingly take a loss? "Sect Leader Ning, I did not meet your requirement, but I am still quite curious. What exactly is the surprise you prepared?"

Han Tao was not sure whether Ning Fengzhi's display meant he had truly prepared a surprise.

"Could you tell me?"

The question came so abruptly that his expression stiffened. He nearly failed to maintain his composure.

"What a joke! I, Ning Fengzhi, am I really one of those petty, stingy people you imagine?"

"Don't slander me!"

With a sweep of his sleeve, he took out a gold-trimmed book. "Advanced Distraction Control Method - Cluster Convergence."

Han Tao understood. This book was the key to breaking through the seventh level of the Distraction Control Method.

Without this book, the Distraction Control Method could not break through. Without breaking through, he could not obtain Ning Fengzhi's reward—and the reward was this very book. It was a dead loop.

Damn it, Ning Fengzhi was truly a fucking genius.

"Don't think too much. Even if I gave you this manual, you still wouldn't be able to learn it."

"Only if I teach you hand in hand will you have a chance of mastering it. This is the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's one-of-a-kind Secret Method!"

Just as Han Tao and Ning Fengzhi were speaking, a small, graceful figure skipped over.

"Dad, why did you take out this lousy book again?"

Ning Fengzhi instinctively frowned.

When he saw Ning Rongrong, he had no choice but to force out an awkward smile.

"It's you!" Ning Rongrong was quite surprised.

Han Tao had passed the Hall Guardian Elder's test with a high score of 61, and none of those points had come from the elder's generosity.

"What was your name again?" she asked carelessly.

"Han Tao."

With a quiet sound of acknowledgment, Han Tao retreated behind the Sect Leader.

Ning Rongrong did not notice Han Tao's little movement. She snatched the gold-trimmed manual from Ning Fengzhi's hand and declared solemnly.

"Han Tao, don't believe his nonsense."

"This lousy manual has been gathering dust in the Library Pavilion for ages. Since no one would read it, my dad had it trimmed in gold."

"Most of the theories in there are just guesses. They haven't been verified and could have extremely serious side effects. He's looking for guinea pigs to experiment on!"

If Han Tao had been standing in front of Ning Fengzhi at that moment, he would have seen the utterly speechless expression on his face.

Ning Rongrong was tearing him down, yet there was nothing he could do about it. If he dared scold her, those two great figures would come looking for him the next day.

"Sect Leader Ning, is what she said true?"

Han Tao opened his eyes wide and questioned him in disbelief.

Given his emotional intelligence, he normally would not have acted so irrationally. But Ning Rongrong was right beside him, so he had to make his stance clear.

If Ning Rongrong set her sights on him, then with her lawless personality, he would be in for a miserable time.

At that moment, Ning Rongrong glared angrily at Ning Fengzhi.

Ning Fengzhi rubbed his chin and sat down in the chair somewhat awkwardly. Then, with a faint fake smile, he spoke kindly to Han Tao.

"Han Tao, let me make one thing clear first. I never intended to treat you as a guinea pig."

"The first five levels of the Distraction Control Method mainly concern dispersal and expansion. The latter two sections are mainly Focusing and Convergence, though they have not been verified."

"You have practiced the Distraction Control Method for so long that you should know you cannot break through. In essence, that is because your Mental Power is insufficient. Although Focusing and Convergence have not undergone detailed verification, testing has shown that they can enhance Mental Power."

"Whether you want it or not is entirely up to you."

As he spoke, Ning Fengzhi walked over to Ning Rongrong, intending to retrieve the gold-edged manual.

But Ning Rongrong hugged the manual tightly to her chest and refused to return it to Ning Fengzhi. Instead, she glared furiously at Han Tao, waiting for him to state his position.

Ning Fengzhi spread his hands, looking completely unconcerned, as if he had Han Tao firmly in his grasp.

Han Tao let out a deep sigh.

After thinking for a while, he decided that when dealing with a little girl, he should play the sympathy card.

"Ning Rongrong, I am very, very grateful that you told me the truth."

Han Tao gave her a deep bow.

"But you also know that my Martial Soul is Blue Silver Grass. Without other help, I may never be able to break through Level 20 in this lifetime."

"So do you know what this manual means to me?"

"Perhaps this is my only hope of breaking through. Even if that hope is so slim, even if it has never been verified, even if it is riddled with errors and omissions, I still have to give it my all!"

"Because I have no choice."