Chapter 157: Five Element Particles, Nine Turns of the Strawman

Zhao Xing strolled along a path across the boundless fields. On both sides of the path, primordial rice plants were visibly heading, turning yellow, and withering, only for new seeds to sprout soon after. This was the Primordial Dao Field, one of Taicangyuan's treasured lands, located not far from the Myriad Dharma Palace.

The Straw Effigy Art belonged to the Id Sect's magical arts. To make significant progress in it within seven days, one naturally had to study the *Yin-Yang Id Scripture*, one of the three major sects' secret manuals. Zhao Xing had two free entry slots, and this was his first time using one. At this moment, he was squatting by the roadside, observing the growth, maturation, and decay of the primordial rice.

"The Five Elements power within the primordial rice has achieved a certain balance with the Earth Store Restoration Array," he mused. "Rapid growth and decay, with vital energy constantly cycling between external and internal."

Zhao Xing activated his Five Elements Observation technique. At this point, the primordial rice and the fields themselves seemed to disappear. Under the microscopic view of the technique, the sky displayed a dynamic, bright, seven-colored distribution. The earth, in contrast, was a dull seven colors, with dark yellow, representing the Earth element, as the main body, while green, gold, blue, red, and purple flowed like lines within it. As the primordial rice grew, five colors intertwined and rose from the ground, resembling a treemap as the rice headed and branched out. When the primordial rice withered, the treemap formed by the Five Elements slowly disintegrated and flowed back into the world.

Zhao Xing, as if having a sudden realization, extended his fingertip. The surrounding heaven and earth vital energy suddenly accelerated its flow, and pale blue energy gathered towards his fingertip. Soon, a drop of water appeared at his fingertip.

"Drip."

The water drop fell onto this primordial rice plant. The leaves and stalks of the primordial rice were completely destroyed. The water drop penetrated the soil, destroying even the root system underground. Within a quarter of an hour, the other primordial rice plants continued their cycle of 'growth, decay, growth', but nothing grew back on the half-meter square of land in front of him. A pure blue hue occupied the half-meter square of land until the array automatically repaired itself an hour later, restoring normalcy.

"The Dripping Water Technique harnesses the principles of heaven and earth to form a force," Zhao Xing mused. "The growth and decay of primordial rice are also an evolution of heaven and earth's principles—another kind of natural force."

"However," Zhao Xing thought to himself, "natural forces are far more complex than the forces created by my Dripping Water Technique."

The Dripping Water Technique is a pure condensation of Water element power, a destructive force of heaven and earth. Primordial rice is only a first-tier plant, yet it gathers all Five Elements internally. Although this natural force is very weak and Zhao Xing could easily destroy it, he couldn't replicate or even understand it, as it involved the 'essence of life'.

"The sages of the Id Sect believe that all things in the world are composed of the Five Elements," he recalled. "From the perspective of Five Elements theory, the essence of life for humans and primordial rice is the same. It's just that the Five Elements power exhibits significant differences at a deeper fundamental level. The Five Elements power contained within primordial rice is like threads and wisps, with countless Five Elements powers intertwining. But the Five Elements power within human bodies is like beams and pillars; the difference is quite obvious."

Zhao Xing internally observed the Five Elements, seeing five types of 'Qi' flowing within his own body. Compared to the primordial rice, his five streams of 'Qi' were stronger and held more intense vitality.

"The Id Sect believes that observing the Five Elements internally and regulating Five Elements Qi is only a preliminary application of Five Elements power," he continued. "If cultivation continues, one can see deeper 'Five Elements particles'." The Id Sect initially referred to this concept as 'Lizi' (force particles), but applying ethical relationships to magical concepts was deemed inappropriate, so it was renamed 'particles'. While the Heavenly Time Sect and the Earthly Advantage Sect both explored in the macroscopic direction, the Id Sect delved into the microscopic.

With a thought, Zhao Xing began to regulate the Five Elements Qi within his body, attempting to observe the existence of the 'Five Elements particles' mentioned by the Id Sect. But no matter how hard he tried, the Five Elements Qi within his body, from his internal observation perspective, could at most be seen as 'pillar-shaped'.

"The first layer of the *Yin-Yang Id Scripture* describes the Five Elements Qi as pillars," he recalled. "Observing the Five Elements within oneself and regulating their balance can only reach this level. The second layer describes Five Elements Qi as threads. One can see countless intricate threads of Five Elements Qi within the body and also regulate them at a deeper level. The third layer involves Five Elements particles, which are almost infinite."

A wisp of strong wind appeared at Zhao Xing's fingertip, harvesting a patch of withered primordial rice nearby.

"Rise!"

As the strong wind swept past, the rice stalks and leaves automatically assembled and intertwined, forming a 'Self-Detonating Straw Effigy'.

"My operational method is no different from before," he observed, "but this effigy barely reached the First Transmutation level."

There were several other straw effigies behind Zhao Xing, one of which was a Self-Detonating Straw Effigy woven using firecrackers as its base.

"The difference is so vast," he realized, "because the Fire element Qi contained in firecrackers is of a higher level than that in primordial rice. Making a straw effigy based on primordial rice as strong as one based on firecrackers is almost impossible. Even a First-Rank Grand Minister of Agriculture cannot alter the essence of life."

Zhao Xing observed for a while, feeling that cultivating the *Yin-Yang Id Scripture* was more difficult and much more abstruse than other secret manuals. Moreover, it was easy to get lost, to lose oneself in that endless microscopic Five Elements world.

"Analyzing the essence of life can wait until after I reach Fifth-Rank," Zhao Xing decided, abandoning this cultivation method and choosing to learn by imitation. Knowing what it is without necessarily knowing why, the Id Sect's early stages still focused on academic study, with discussions of enlightenment reserved for after reaching Fifth-Rank.

"For the evolution of life in the Primordial Dao Field, I just need to observe its form," he thought, "which will be of great benefit to the application of the Straw Effigy Art."

Zhao Xing rose into the air, riding the strong wind and carrying the straw effigies behind him, flying over the fields. Soon, he found a bamboo grove of firecracker plants that rapidly grew and then decayed.

"Bang bang bang bang bang!"

The firecracker bamboo grove was practically a minefield. Its rapid growth and decay caused the plants to naturally burst open; although the power of individual explosions was not great, their sheer number created a terrifying effect. The entire sky was dyed red. However, the firecracker bamboo grove was also covered by an array barrier, so Zhao Xing found a suitable spot and began to study the manifestation of Fire element power in different circumstances.

Eight hours later, Zhao Xing moved to another location, heading towards another cultivation area in the Primordial Dao Field. It was a 'Flint Vine' growing area, where the ground was covered with Flint Vine creepers, and the earth itself was a mix of green and red. Zhao Xing gathered materials here to make Self-Detonating Straw Effigies, constantly comparing the power of the completed effigies. Four hours later, he flew elsewhere again.

You wove a 'Self-Detonating Straw Effigy'. Self-Detonating Straw Effigy Art progress: 200.You wove a 'Self-Detonating Straw Effigy'. Self-Detonating Straw Effigy Art progress: 300.You wove...

As time passed, Zhao Xing's Straw Effigy Art progress rapidly increased. The sheer number and variety of plants in the Primordial Dao Field were unimaginable; Zhao Xing could find any plant he had ever read about, and for every attribute, there were several Sixth-tier plants! The Primordial Dao Field underwent unique evolution, containing every type of plant below the Seventh-tier for every attribute. Of course, to ensure the array of the Primordial Dao Field functioned perfectly, nothing from here could be taken out. The straw effigies Zhao Xing made from materials would explode after an hour, then be disintegrated by a force, turning into the purest Five Elements power and returning to their original location in the Dao Field. Similarly, consuming fruits from the Primordial Dao Field was also forbidden for the same reason: they too would be extracted and returned to their original state. This was a place for study and enlightenment; it could only be used for that purpose.

Even so, the benefits brought by the Primordial Dao Field were immense! One could say this was a treasured land with endless materials and all-encompassing variety, allowing Zhao Xing to practice the Straw Effigy Art to his heart's content. Moreover, by constantly observing the rapid growth and decay of plants, even without analyzing their essence, his understanding and application of the Five Elements naturally deepened. Even a poor student entering the Primordial Dao Field and staying in this environment for a long time would gain insight; the evolution of each plant, like a 'natural teacher', constantly demonstrated techniques before their eyes, ensuring that no matter how inept, one would still learn something.

Twenty-four hours later, the Self-Detonating Straw Effigy Art reached the Seventh Transmutation level. Forty-eight hours later, the Self-Detonating Straw Effigy Art broke through to the Ninth Transmutation.

"As expected of Taicangyuan's treasured land," Zhao Xing murmured, sitting cross-legged on a large boulder. He looked at the dark red straw effigy before him; it appeared unremarkable on the surface, but internally, it concentrated terrifying Fire element power, like a volcano ready to erupt at any moment.

"Studying in this treasured land, with endless materials for practice, and adjusting my cultivation direction with the panel's verification, I went from Fourth Transmutation to Ninth Transmutation in just forty-eight hours!" Zhao Xing felt a surge of excitement. "First, I'll sleep for two hours," he decided. "Then I'll practice the 'Divine Valor' Straw Effigy Art."

Zhao Xing lay down and immediately fell asleep; his breathing soon became shallow.

Time flowed by, and it was soon dawn on July 30th. By this time, it was the morning of Zhao Xing's seventh day of study in the Primordial Dao Field.

"It's time to go," he murmured. "In these seven days, not only did I gain a lot from the Straw Effigy Art, but even the Condensation Art progressed from Seventh to Ninth Transmutation."

Zhao Xing flew to a deep blue vortex, the exit of the Primordial Dao Field.

"If I don't leave soon, I'll starve to death here."

The Primordial Dao Field had strict rules: nothing could be brought in or taken out. Furthermore, nothing from inside could be consumed. Thus, Zhao Xing had not had a single drop of water or grain of rice during his time here.

"Whoosh!"

After flying out of the Primordial Dao Field, he appeared inside Taicangyuan. Zhao Xing immediately rushed to an eatery to eat and drink to his heart's content. Having eaten and drunk his fill, he flew towards the Myriad Dharma Palace. Figures flew one after another towards the Myriad Dharma Palace. Because once midnight passed, the fourth trial would begin. The Ministers of Agriculture who had been studying in various parts of Taicangyuan would all rush back. Of course, most people studied directly within the Myriad Dharma Palace; after all, only top-tier (A-grade) geniuses could access the treasured lands for free study. For others to study there, they had to accumulate points. Taking lower-tier (B-grade) geniuses as an example, even if they saved all their monthly free points without spending any on food or drink, it would still take them over half a year to accumulate enough.

"Whoosh!"

His Cloud-Treading Boots touched down, the clouds dissipated, and Zhao Xing landed back on the Dharma Performance Plaza.

"Zhao Xing, over here," Cao Shuang called, waving his hand. There were a few other people around him, mostly several geniuses from the Earthly Advantage Academy. "I heard you went to the Primordial Dao Field to study. How was it?"

"It was alright," Zhao Xing said with a smile.

It really was more than "alright." Divine Valor, Giant Shield, and Self-Detonating effigies had all reached Ninth Transmutation, while Illusion Form and Stealth had also broken through to Seventh Transmutation. Even though he had solely focused on practicing the Straw Effigy Art, his Barren Land Condensation Art had also made breakthroughs. The value of studying in the treasured land had a significant effect on Zhao Xing; other top-tier geniuses probably didn't benefit as much as he did.

"Which of your effigies reached Seventh Transmutation?" Zhuang Ziqing asked from beside him.

"Only Stealth and Illusion Form reached Seventh Transmutation," Zhao Xing replied.

"Just *using them well*," Han Bing said coldly, "Listening to you makes me want to hit someone."

Mid-tier Straw Effigy Arts were rarely circulated in the original army; only Liu Tianning possessed a complete set. Zhao Xing clearly hadn't cultivated to Seventh Transmutation before this, but had only recently achieved this mastery.

"You actually have such high talent in the Straw Effigy Art as well," Zhuang Ziqing couldn't help but exclaim. "I barely slept these past seven days just to get one type of Straw Effigy Art to Seventh Transmutation."

"I didn't get much sleep in the Primordial Dao Field either," Zhao Xing replied.

"Can you guys please stop being so diligent?" a dark-skinned, lean, and capable young man beside them spoke. "Especially you, Zhao Xing, you've really made my life miserable."

Zhao Xing looked at the speaker, Cai Jin, a student of Lu Bang, in confusion. He barely knew Cai Jin; how could he have made his life miserable?

"Brother Cai, why do you say that?"

"Yeah, Brother Cai, why would you say that?" Cao Shuang and Zhuang Ziqing were also puzzled.

Cai Jin looked at Zhao Xing. "My teacher told me to take you as an example and that I must diligently cultivate for twenty-two hours every day."

"This..." Zhao Xing was speechless.

Cao Shuang, on the other hand, said, "Brother Cai, why don't you just not listen to him? Can Lu Bang really stare at you for twenty-four hours a day?"

Cai Jin pulled out a lightning-shaped jade pendant from his neck. "Do you think I don't want to be lazy? Look at this! It's a custom-made Spirit-Awakening Jade Pendant my teacher gave me! I can only sleep for two hours during noon every day," he explained. "If I sleep at any other time, the jade pendant will emit a bolt of lightning that covers my entire body!" At this point, Cai Jin became agitated. "This thing can't even be taken off! The moment I try to take it off, it immediately zaps me! I used to have it pretty easy in Taicangyuan, resting twelve hours a day. But ever since Brother Zhao took second place last time, my teacher bestowed this jade pendant upon me. Do you know what I've been through these past few days?"

"Hiss..." Hearing Cai Jin's words, everyone couldn't help but draw a sharp breath. Lu Bang was essentially forcing people to diligently study under duress. That was truly harsh! Zhuang Ziqing claimed to sleep only two hours a day, but in reality, his resting time exceeded that number. When he was tired and wanted to rest, he could; he had thought his own suffering was great enough. He hadn't expected Cai Jin to suffer even more.

"Brother Cai, my condolences," Zhuang Ziqing said, patting Cai Jin's shoulder.

"Brother Cai, you've worked hard," Zhao Xing said, clasping his hands in a respectful gesture. "Just bear with it, and it will pass."

"No wonder I always see Brother Cai with a numb expression," Cao Shuang said. "So this was the reason! That Lu Bang really isn't human. How about we have Zhao Xing go sleep at Old Man Lu's place for a few days? Maybe then you'll be able to relax."

"Is that how you comfort someone?" Cai Jin gritted his teeth. "And you scoundrels can't even keep your smiles in check."

Zhao Xing, Cao Shuang, Zhuang Ziqing, and the others all burst into laughter.

Just as everyone was chatting and laughing, a figure suddenly flew out from the main hall of the Myriad Dharma Palace.

"Midnight has arrived! The fourth trial begins!"