Staff shock

"Staff technique?"

At those words, everyone turned toward Ji Zhixing, curiosity and confusion in their eyes.

Ji Zhixing stepped out of the crowd, his expression calm.

"You've mastered your staff technique?" He Yanbing's eyes lit up as she looked at him.

Over the past few days, she had wondered whether Ji Zhixing had been lying.

After all, there was no way to verify either his seventy-two percent compatibility or his claim that he had heard the gene's voice immediately after fusion.

But now, if Ji Zhixing could achieve a certain proficiency with the staff in just three days, that would prove he really did have a talent for it.

"You can see for yourself, Teacher." Ji Zhixing nodded and walked over to the weapon rack at the edge of the training ground.

The rack held all kinds of training weapons-sabers, swords, spears, and staffs. They were all made from ordinary materials, intended purely for practice.

Since he was demonstrating his staff technique, he naturally couldn't use gene equipment.

A staff technique performed with gene equipment would show the equipment's ability, not his own.

Ji Zhixing took a longstaff from the rack and hefted it.

It was a little lighter than the Black Longstaff, but it would do.

"What's going on?"

"Has Ji Zhixing been practicing staff techniques?"

"It's only been three days since he fused with his gene. Even if he's been practicing, how much could he have learned?"

His classmates exchanged looks and whispered among themselves.

Huang Yu and Yu Zhirou were also surprised, unsure what Ji Zhixing was up to.

"All right. Give it a try."

He Yanbing spoke.

She felt a flicker of anticipation. If Ji Zhixing dared to demonstrate, he must have some confidence.

"Yes!"

Holding the longstaff, Ji Zhixing walked to the center of the training ground.

He took a deep breath and slowly closed his eyes.

Three days of grueling practice, repeating the moves a thousand times, two thousand times...

Now it's time to show how far I've come!

He opened his eyes.

The next instant, the longstaff moved.

Chop!

The longstaff rose high, then chopped down fiercely, tracing a sharp arc through the air with a rushing whistle.

Sweep!

The staff swung sideways, sweeping across with imposing force, like an autumn wind scattering fallen leaves.

Thrust!

The tip shot forward like a venomous snake darting from its hole, striking empty air with a muffled pop.

"That staff technique..."

The teachers on the training ground all looked astonished at the sight.

The staff technique Ji Zhixing demonstrated contained no complicated moves, only the twelve fundamental forms of the Basic Staff Technique.

Yet every form whistled through the air with startling power.

That wasn't a sound random flailing could produce. It was the whistle of air being cut as power flowed through the staff.

An ordinary person could never swing a staff like that.

"What's going on? Has he actually mastered the Basic Staff Technique?" one teacher asked.

"He certainly has!" Another teacher nodded, equally incredulous. "Mastering the Basic Staff Technique from scratch in three days-even with gene equipment helping him, that's far too fast!"

First-order gene cultivators could only master first-order gene abilities.

But even first-order gene abilities varied in strength.

Huang Yu's Leopard Claw was a first-order, two-star ability.

His Leopard Speed and violet lightning were first-order, three-star abilities.

Yu Zhirou's Wind Blade and Light Body were both first-order, three-star abilities.

Most of their other classmates' gene abilities were first-order, one-star. Only a few reached first-order, two-star, such as Liu Qifan's ironback.

But Liu Qifan's ironback was a defensive ability.

And it only protected his back, offering little advantage in actual combat.

Now that Ji Zhixing had mastered the Basic Staff Technique, his combat strength was already on par with most of his classmates.

"This kid really does have a talent for the staff?"

Several teachers found it hard to believe.

Only three days. His progress was far too fast.

"Teacher Sun, you use a staff too. How long did it take you to learn the Basic Staff Technique?"

One teacher asked curiously.

"Two and a half years!"

A burly, dark-faced man's expression darkened.

"It actually took you that long?"

Another teacher sounded incredulous.

"Heh!"

The dark-faced man surnamed Sun sneered. "Practicing the Basic Staff Technique isn't just about learning the moves. You also have to be able to channel most of your body's strength into the staff at any given moment."

"And I didn't have gene equipment helping me back then."

At those words, the teachers' gazes shifted again as they looked at Ji Zhixing.

He really mastered it?

He Yanbing, who had been watching Ji Zhixing intently, also had a gleam in her eyes.

Snap!

Ji Zhixing continued his demonstration.

He could clearly feel his body's strength being fully engaged with every swing, flowing from his legs to his waist, from his waist to his back, from his back to his arms, and finally into the staff.

Every move drew on most of his body's strength, giving each form tremendous power.

It was nothing like casually flailing a staff around.

"This is the Basic Staff Technique?" someone murmured.

"How long has he practiced? Three days?"

"That's impossible, isn't it? How could he get this good in three days?"

Everyone on the training ground looked at Ji Zhixing differently now.

"Could this guy really evolve the Three-Inch Stone Monkey Gene?"

Huang Yu was stunned too.

The Basic Staff Technique was a universal gene skill that anyone could practice.

But someone without talent might spend a lifetime practicing and still never master it.

Even among those with some talent, he had never heard of anyone mastering it so quickly.

"This was unexpected."

Yu Zhirou nodded, then shook her head. "But evolving a gene isn't something you can accomplish so easily."

She admitted that Ji Zhixing had surprised her, but she still doubted he could evolve the Three-Inch Stone Monkey Gene. That was far too difficult.

He Yanbing said nothing, but the delight in her eyes grew.

Three days. He mastered the Basic Staff Technique from scratch, she thought. That means he really does have a talent for the staff, and he really might be able to develop the innate staff heart talent.

Although He Yanbing had applied for gene equipment for Ji Zhixing earlier, she had still harbored doubts.

After all, choosing the Three-Inch Stone Monkey Gene sounded far too crazy.

Now that she had seen Ji Zhixing's staff technique for herself, she could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

"Excellent!"

When Ji Zhixing finished his demonstration, He Yanbing praised him outright, delight showing on her face.

That single word made everyone present pause in surprise.

He Yanbing usually said little and rarely showed any expression. It was unusual to see her praise someone so directly.

"Ji Zhixing, come to my office," He Yanbing said. "Everyone else, practice your gene abilities under the other teachers' guidance, or spar with each other to gain combat experience."

She turned to the other teachers. "Sorry for the trouble, everyone."

"No need to be so polite, Teacher He." The other teachers nodded. They had come to help, after all. Someone had to supervise when students sparred.

Once she had made the arrangements, He Yanbing turned and walked out of the training ground.

"Teacher."

Ji Zhixing lowered the longstaff and returned it to the weapon rack, then followed He Yanbing away under everyone's mixed gazes.

Sure enough, showing my strength was the right choice.

Walking beside He Yanbing, Ji Zhixing felt anticipation well up inside him.

Teacher He must have called me to her office to ask about my staff technique.

I just wonder whether the school will give me more support...