The Earth Travel Technique Profundity

After gaining an initial grasp of the Profound Mystery of Strength, Hillman's close-combat prowess soared. When sparring with the Spined Iron-Armored Dragon, he could now meet its sharp claws head-on with the weighty power of his fists. But he did not lose himself in the thrill of strength. Instead, he turned his attention to the more practical Earth Travel Technique Profundity, one of the six profound mysteries in Coiling Dragon.

Though ranked as a lesser profound mystery, it was an indispensable lifesaving technique for Earth Element experts. The original novel stated that those who comprehended the Earth Travel Technique could become earth, moving freely through underground rock, passing through mountains and walls as though walking on level ground. They could approach enemies without a sound or burrow underground to escape desperate situations. Previously, Hillman had relied on his Earth Affinity Talent to increase his speed on the surface, but he had never truly been able to merge with the earth. Each step merely borrowed the power of the earth's veins rather than making him part of the earth itself.

"The Earth Element is about controlling particles, and the Profound Mystery of Strength is about concentrating pressure. Then the Earth Travel Technique must be about resonating at the same frequency as the earth." Hillman sat cross-legged beside the spring in the underground cavern, rubbing his fingertips over the rock beneath him as he murmured to himself. Through comprehending the first two profound mysteries, he had already discerned the underlying structure of the Laws of Earth-all profound mysteries were rooted in establishing a deeper connection with the earth.

One day, before dawn had penetrated Mist Canyon, Hillman brought dry rations to the foot of the cliff on the canyon's western side. The cliff face consisted of hard granite with dense layers, making it an excellent training ground for the Earth Travel Technique. He first circulated the Mountain-Shaking Art, slowly directing the Saint-level Battle Qi within him throughout his limbs and body. Once his breathing steadied, he pressed his palm firmly against the cold cliff face.

His spiritual power seeped slowly from his palm into the rock like a fine spiderweb. Unlike when he had comprehended the Earth Element, this time he did not try to dismantle the rock's particle structure. Instead, taking his cue from Earth Pulsation, he tried to match the frequency of his spiritual power to the vibrations of the rock particles.

[Ding! Host detected analyzing the Earth Travel Technique Profundity. Current compatibility: 8%! Recommendation: abandon the desire to control and make "merging" your core principle. Only by resonating your own aura with earth element particles can you become earth and travel underground!]

The system's notification brought a sudden flash of enlightenment to Hillman. Previously, whenever he manipulated the earth element, he had always regarded himself as its "controller." Yet the true essence of the Earth Travel Technique was to "become part of the earth."

He slowly closed his eyes, cleared away all distracting thoughts, and shifted his spiritual power from "control" to "resonance." He could clearly sense the earth element particles in the cliff vibrating at an extremely slow rhythm, each vibration carrying the earth's weight and steadiness. Hillman tried adjusting the frequency of his spiritual power, bringing it closer, little by little, to the vibration frequency of the rock particles.

At first, the two frequencies were like parallel lines, never intersecting. The moment his spiritual power approached, the vibrations of the rock particles repelled it, even causing a slight backlash that sent a sharp pain through his head. But Hillman did not lose heart. He recalled the days he had spent comprehending Earth Pulsation in the underground cavern, remembering the feeling of breathing with the earth and sharing its fate.

He drew a deep breath and slowly released the Saint-level Battle Qi within him. Rather than deliberately compressing it, he let it flow like a stream along the pathways of his spiritual power, slowly seeping into the rock. The instant his Battle Qi touched the earth element particles, a faint sizzling sound arose, as though scalding oil had met cold water. But this time, Hillman did not retreat. He allowed the rock particles to assimilate his Battle Qi, allowing his own aura to intertwine with the earth's.

Time passed little by little. The sun gradually rose, its light falling through gaps in the canyon onto Hillman. Fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, and his clothes had long since become soaked, clinging to his skin. Yet through repeated attempts, his spiritual power gradually synchronized with the vibrations of the rock particles.

Finally, after the sun passed its zenith, the frequency of Hillman's spiritual power matched the vibrations of the rock particles perfectly.

In an instant, a wondrous sensation swept through his entire body. He could clearly feel himself becoming light, as though he had lost all weight. A gentle suction arose where his palm touched the cliff, slowly drawing his hand into the rock.

Now! At Hillman's thought, the earthen-yellow glow around him surged.

His arm slowly sank into the hard granite cliff as though slipping into mud. There was no resistance and no pain, only a gentle, enveloping sensation, as though he were in his mother's embrace. The earth element particles in the cliff moved aside of their own accord to form a passage, allowing his arm to move through them.

Wild joy filled Hillman's heart. Without further hesitation, he willed his entire body to sink slowly into the cliff.

Cold stone swept past him without offering the slightest resistance, feeling instead as gentle as flowing water. He could clearly "see" the structure of the rock, sense the flow of the earth's veins, and even "hear" the burbling of hidden streams beneath the rock layers. He traveled underground like a swimming fish, moving up and down, speeding up and slowing down.

When he emerged from another cliff face dozens of meters away, not a speck of dust clung to him. Not even a strand of his hair was out of place.

The Spined Iron-Armored Dragon had already been waiting there, its enormous body curled on the grass, its blood-red eyes fixed on the cliff where Hillman had vanished. When it saw him emerge from another cliff face, it let out a surprised draconic cry. It brought its massive head closer and curiously sniffed his scent, seemingly wondering how he had passed through the hard rock.

Hillman grinned. He could clearly feel that his connection with the earth had deepened another level. But he was not satisfied. Gaining an initial grasp of the Earth Travel Technique Profundity meant more than merely moving through rock; he also had to do so silently and at will.

Over the next several days, Hillman practiced repeatedly within the canyon's rock layers. At first, he could only move slowly through granite; later, he could race through hard black iron rock. At first, his passage caused slight tremors in the rock; later, he moved underground like a phantom without any magical beast noticing him. At first, he could only travel in straight lines; later, he could turn and change direction freely underground, and even pause briefly within the rock to observe movements on the surface.

One day, Hillman entered the ground again. With a thought, his body became a streak of earthen-yellow light and raced toward the depths of the canyon. He passed through thick rock layers, rushing underground streams, and crevices filled with sharp stone spikes. Under his control, the earth element particles cleared every obstacle for him like the most obedient servants.

When he silently emerged from the ground behind the Spined Iron-Armored Dragon, the Iron-Armored Dragon did not even notice his arrival. Only when Hillman patted its scales did it abruptly turn around and let out a surprised draconic cry.

[Ding! Host detected having proficiently mastered the Earth Travel Technique Profundity, able to move freely through the earth, silently and at will! Earth Travel Technique Profundity compatibility has reached 100%!]

[Congratulations, host, on gaining an initial grasp of the Earth Travel Technique Profundity! Underground travel speed increased by 200%. You can conceal your aura while moving, greatly reducing the probability of detection! Battle Qi consumption while traveling underground reduced by 50%!]

The instant the system's notifications ended, a new stream of information poured into Hillman's mind. He understood the direction for advancing the Earth Travel Technique Profundity-not only could he travel underground himself, but he could also bring others along; not only could he pass through rock, but he could also open safe passages through quicksand, swamps, and even magma. He could even draw upon Earth Power while traveling underground to launch unexpected attacks.

Hillman slowly opened his eyes, a glimmer of understanding flashing through them. With a thought, he sank underground once more. This time, he moved faster and traveled farther. When he emerged from the cliff face at the canyon entrance, an excited smile appeared on his face.

He raised his head to look at the sky beyond the canyon, his eyes shining with anticipation for the future. Gaining an initial grasp of the Earth Travel Technique Profundity had given him another lifesaving technique and raised his understanding of the Laws of the Earth to an entirely new height.

"Next comes the Life Force Profundity," Hillman murmured, his voice full of anticipation.

The Spined Iron-Armored Dragon let out a low draconic rumble and gently rubbed its massive head against his shoulder, as though cheering him on.

The sun sank in the west, and golden-red light filled the canyon, stretching the shadows of the man and dragon far into the distance. Mist gradually billowed up and shrouded the entire canyon, as though guarding this sacred training ground that belonged to the strong.