’Dengan laju kultivasi seperti ini, paling lama sepuluh hari...’
Perasaan lega yang tak terlukiskan menyelimuti Fang Han.
Sebelumnya, peningkatan Amplifikasi Bakat Langkah-nya dari seratus dua puluh delapan kali lipat menjadi dua ratus lima puluh enam kali lipat telah membawa perubahan yang hanya bisa disebut sebagai metamorfosis total.
Hal-hal rumit yang dulu butuh berulang kali direnungkan untuk dipahami, kini sejernih air.
Waktu yang dibutuhkan untuk memajukan *Langkah Dewa Angin* dari Pencapaian Kecil ke Penguasaan sudah sangat berkurang.
Sekarang, dengan Giok Angin ini, waktu itu akan semakin singkat.
Ia merasa paling lama sepuluh hari, atau mungkin lebih cepat, ia akan bisa menyentuh ambang Penguasaan.
Saat itu, baik kecepatan maupun kelincahan *Langkah Dewa Angin*-nya akan mengalami lompatan kualitatif.
’Pantas saja disebut sebagai salah satu Benda Surgawi dan Harta Karun Bumi Kelas Menengah yang langka!’
Fang Han berhenti dan berdiri tegak, perlahan menenangkan napasnya yang sedikit tersengal.
Giok Angin di lehernya menempel di dada, masih memancarkan kehangatan sejuk yang samar.
Ia mengangkat tangan dan menekan batu giok itu melalui jubahnya, senyum tipis terulas di bibirnya.
Sungguh pantas menjadi Benda Surgawi dan Harta Karun Bumi Kelas Menengah.
Giok Angin tidak bisa meningkatkan Qi Dalam, memperkuat tubuh fisik, atau meningkatkan pemahaman, tetapi dorongannya terhadap Afinitas Atribut Angin seseorang nyata dan langsung.
Bagi Praktisi Martial yang melatih Teknik Bela Diri Atribut Angin, efek peningkatan ini tak kalah dengan Benda Surgawi dan Harta Karun Bumi yang secara langsung meningkatkan pemahaman.
’Benda Surgawi dan Harta Karun Bumi seperti Giok Angin memiliki Afinitas Atribut, jadi orang seharusnya juga memiliki Bakat Afinitas Atribut!’
Fang Han melepas Giok Angin dari lehernya dan menggenggamnya di telapak tangan, mengamatinya sejenak.
Cahaya matahari menembus celah-celah hutan bambu, jatuh ke permata cyan berbentuk tetesan air mata itu. Lingkaran cahaya samar mengalir tanpa henti di permukaannya, lembut dan halus.
Ia menggantung kembali Giok Angin di lehernya dan berbalik untuk keluar dari Lapangan Kultivasi, tetapi sebuah pertanyaan muncul di benaknya.
Teknik Bela Diri hadir dalam berbagai atribut.
Angin, Api, Air, Petir, Es, Bumi, dan sebagainya—setiap atribut memiliki Teknik Bela Diri dan Teknik Kultivasi yang sesuai.
Orang yang berbeda cocok melatih Teknik Bela Diri dengan atribut yang berbeda. Misalnya, Yun Qianyue cocok untuk Teknik Bela Diri Atribut Air. Ilmu Pedang-nya mengikuti jalur Teknik Lembut Mengalahkan Keras, mengalir tanpa henti. Saat Momentum Pedang-nya dilepaskan, samar-samar terdengar suara gelombang pasang saat kabut air menyebar.
Kakaknya, Yun Muyao, sebaliknya, cocok untuk Teknik Bela Diri Atribut Es. Ilmu Pedang-nya dingin dan tajam, dan aura menusuk terpancar dari bilahnya, mampu membekukan darah dan Qi Dalam lawan.
Inilah Afinitas Atribut.
Orang yang berbeda memiliki konstitusi yang berbeda, sehingga afinitas alami mereka terhadap atribut tertentu juga berbeda.
Semakin tinggi Afinitas Atribut seseorang, semakin mudah mencapai Level Dasar dari Teknik Bela Diri yang sesuai, dan semakin cepat kemajuannya.
Sebaliknya, memaksakan diri melatih Teknik Bela Diri yang tidak sesuai dengan atribut sendiri adalah perjuangan yang tidak efisien.
Dalam arti tertentu, Afinitas Atribut juga merupakan sejenis Bakat.
Seperti Akar Tulang, Ilmu Pedang, dan Body Technique, ini adalah faktor fundamental yang menentukan seberapa jauh seorang Praktisi Martial bisa melangkah dan seberapa tinggi mereka bisa mendaki.
’Tetapi jika Afinitas Atribut juga merupakan Bakat, mengapa opsi seperti "Amplifikasi Afinitas Atribut Angin" belum muncul di panel sistem?’
Langkah Fang Han terhenti sesaat sebelum ia melanjutkan dengan langkah semula.
Ia dengan cepat mengingat kembali dalam pikirannya keadaan-keadaan di mana berbagai opsi Amplifikasi Bakat muncul di panel sistem.
Amplifikasi Bakat Teknik Rahasia muncul setelah ia mulai melatih *Teknik Hidung Roh*.
Amplifikasi Bakat Body Hardening muncul setelah ia memperoleh *Keterampilan Sejati Xuanwu* dan mencoba memahami Teknik Body Hardening tingkat Grandmaster ini.
Ilmu Pedang, Teknik Langkah, Akar Tulang—tanpa kecuali, opsi-opsi Amplifikasi Bakat ini hanya muncul setelah ia bersentuhan dengan bidangnya masing-masing.
Munculnya opsi Amplifikasi Bakat tertentu memerlukan syarat pemicu.
Itu tidak muncul begitu saja dari udara. Ada "katalis", seperti pintu yang memerlukan kunci khusus untuk dibuka.
Tanpa mulai melatih Teknik Rahasia, tidak ada opsi Amplifikasi Bakat Teknik Rahasia. Tanpa mulai melatih Teknik Body Hardening, tidak ada opsi Amplifikasi Bakat Body Hardening.
Oleh karena itu, alasan opsi seperti Amplifikasi Afinitas Atribut Angin belum muncul kemungkinan besar karena ia belum memenuhi syarat pemicunya.
’Tetapi apa sebenarnya syarat pemicunya?’
Fang Han mengerutkan kening dalam-dalam.
Ia telah melatih Teknik Bela Diri Atribut Angin selama beberapa tahun. *Sembilan Pedang Pembelah Langit*-nya telah mencapai Kesempurnaan, dan *Teknik Pedang Pembelah Langit*-nya bahkan telah memasuki Ranah Penguasaan. Jadi mengapa ia belum memicu opsi Amplifikasi Bakat Afinitas Atribut Angin?
Jika ia belum memenuhi syarat pemicunya, apa syaratnya?
’Tak perlu dipikirkan berlebihan. Itu akan terpicu secara alami saat waktunya tepat!’
Fang Han menggelengkan kepala, untuk sementara mengesampingkan pertanyaan itu.
Ia masih belum sepenuhnya memahami semua misteri panel sistem.
Beberapa hal tidak bisa terburu-buru. Saat waktunya tiba, semuanya akan menemukan tempatnya.
Pada hari-hari berikutnya, Fang Han tanpa gagal mengenakan Giok Angin untuk membantu Kultivasi *Teknik Pedang Pembelah Langit* dan *Langkah Dewa Angin*-nya.
Pemahamannya tentang Ranah Angin semakin kuat setiap hari perenungannya, dan kemajuannya dalam Ilmu Pedang serta Body Technique menjadi semakin pesat.
Selain itu, ia tidak mengabaikan Kultivasi Qi Dalam, Body Hardening, dan Teknik Rahasianya.
Hari pertama, hari kedua, hari ketiga.
Manfaat dari Giok Angin terus bertambah. Fang Han dapat dengan jelas merasakan ambang menuju Penguasaan semakin menipis, sedikit demi sedikit.
Hari kelima, hari ketujuh.
「Tujuh hari kemudian, sore hari.」
Lapangan Kultivasi di halaman belakang yang berlantai batu obsidian sedikit panas karena matahari sore. Gelombang panas berkilau di udara, namun anehnya, tidak ada suara angin sedikit pun.
Fang Han berdiri di tengah lapangan, matanya terpejam dalam konsentrasi. Giok Angin di lehernya menempel di dada, memancarkan kehangatan sejuk yang konstan.
Metode Inti dari *Langkah Dewa Angin* perlahan mengalir dalam pikirannya.
Selama tujuh hari terakhir, dorongan dari Giok Angin, dikombinasikan dengan Amplifikasi Bakat Langkah-nya, telah memungkinkannya berkembang pesat dalam Body Technique.
Hal-hal rumit yang dulu butuh berulang kali direnungkan untuk dipahami kini terasa sewajar bernapas saat ia mempraktikkannya.
Ia dapat dengan jelas merasakan bahwa hambatan menuju Penguasaan telah menjadi setipis selembar kertas jendela.
Ia membuka mata dan sosoknya bergerak.
WHOOSH—
Tidak ada suara angin yang pecah, tidak ada gemerisik pakaian, dan bahkan bayangan sisa tubuhnya terlalu samar untuk dilihat.
Sosok berjubah hijau itu bergerak tanpa suara melintasi Lapangan Kultivasi, melesat dari dinding timur ke sudut barat. Sebelum jejak yang ditinggalkan gerakannya memudar dari pandangan, ia sudah berbelok ke arah dinding selatan.
Belokannya mengalir, tanpa keraguan. Gerakannya tidak menimbulkan debu. Ia seperti hembusan angin sejati, bergerak bebas di dalam ruang sempit.
Kecepatannya semakin cepat, begitu cepat hingga bahkan ia sendiri sedikit terkejut.
Bekas-bekas pedang yang bersilangan di tanah obsidian melesat di bawah kakinya, tertinggal jauh di belakangnya.
Perasaan menyatu dengan angin, menjadi satu dengan langit dan bumi, sangatlah kuat.
Pada suatu saat—
HUM...
Dengung lembut yang hanya bisa ia rasakan terdengar dari dalam tubuhnya.
Suaranya sangat samar, hampir tak terdengar, namun seolah-olah telah membuka pintu tak terlihat.
Pada saat berikutnya, pemahamannya tentang *Langkah Dewa Angin* mengalami lompatan kualitatif.
Transformasi yang dulu memerlukan usaha sadar kini bisa dilakukan sesuka hati, dengan mudah.
Kecepatannya tiba-tiba melonjak.
Ia begitu cepat hingga bahkan ia sendiri tidak bisa beradaptasi tepat waktu.
Ia tadinya sekitar satu zhang dari dinding selatan, tetapi dengan ledakan kecepatan mendadak ini, tubuhnya melesat ke depan seperti kilat hijau, langsung menuju ke sana.
Untunglah refleksnya sangat cepat. Sesaat sebelum benturan, ia memutar tubuhnya dan berbalik, mengetuk ujung kakinya dengan ringan ke dinding. Seperti kapas willow yang tersapu angin, ia melayang tanpa suara ke sisi lain Lapangan Kultivasi.
’*Langkah Dewa Angin*, Penguasaan.’
Fang Han berhenti, berdiri di tengah ruang terbuka.
Jubah hijaunya benar-benar diam dan napasnya setenang air. Hanya kilatan kegembiraan yang tak disembunyikan melintas di matanya sebelum menghilang.
Ia dengan cermat menikmati perubahan yang dibawa oleh terobosan itu.
Kecepatannya beberapa kali lebih cepat daripada saat tahap Pencapaian Kecil.
Itu bukan sekadar kecepatan lari lurus, melainkan keanggunan yang sulit ditangkap dan lincah yang berasal dari menyatu dengan angin dan menjadi satu dengan dunia.
Jika kecepatan Body Technique-nya sebelumnya setara dengan Praktisi Martial Tingkat Pertama biasa, sekarang ia benar-benar melampauinya.
Jika ia memiliki kecepatan seperti ini saat bertemu Meng Zhao di luar Kabupaten Songquan, bajingan tua itu bahkan tidak akan bisa menyentuh bayangannya.
SWOOSH SWOOSH SWOOSH!
Fang Han tidak terburu-buru meninggalkan Lapangan Kultivasi. Sebaliknya, ia berlatih lebih lama, beradaptasi dengan lonjakan kecepatan yang eksplosif setelah terobosan.
Setiap berhenti mendadak, setiap belokan tajam, dan setiap perubahan arah yang halus menjadi lebih lancar dan tepat dengan latihan berulang.
Butiran keringat halus terbentuk di dahinya, tetapi matanya sangat cerah.
Ia tidak berhenti sampai matahari mulai terbenam di barat, mewarnai awan dengan nuansa oranye dan merah yang megah. Ia kemudian berhenti dan menghembuskan napas panjang dan keruh.
Di bawah lorong beratap, Qiu Lan sudah menunggu, meskipun ia tidak menyadari kedatangannya. Ia memegang nampan dengan teko teh dingin dan beberapa cangkir teh.
Melihatnya berhenti, ia berjalan mendekat, meletakkan nampan di meja batu, menuangkan secangkir, dan menawarkannya kepada Fang Han dengan kedua tangan.
’At this rate of Cultivation, ten days at most...’
An indescribable sense of relief washed over Fang Han.
Previously, the increase in his Stepping Talent Amplification from one hundred twenty-eight-fold to two hundred fifty-six-fold had brought about a change that could only be described as a complete metamorphosis.
The subtleties that once required repeated contemplation to grasp were now as clear as day.
The time needed to advance the *Wind God Step* from Minor Achievement to Mastery had already been drastically reduced.
Now, with this Wind Jade, that time would be shortened even further.
He had a feeling that in ten days at most, or perhaps even less, he would be able to touch the threshold of Mastery.
At that time, both the speed and agility of his *Wind God Step* would experience a qualitative leap.
’Worthy of its reputation as one of the rare Mid-grade Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures!’
Fang Han stopped and stood his ground, slowly steadying his slightly ragged breath.
The Wind Jade on his neck rested against his chest, still emitting its faint, cool warmth.
He raised a hand and pressed the jade stone through his robes, a faint smile gracing his lips.
Truly worthy of being a Mid-grade Heavenly Material and Earthly Treasure.
The Wind Jade couldn’t enhance Inner Qi, strengthen the physical body, or improve comprehension, but its boost to one’s Wind Attribute Affinity was tangible and immediate.
For a Martial Artist practicing a Wind Attribute Martial Technique, the effect of this enhancement was no less than that of Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures that directly improved comprehension.
’Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures like the Wind Jade have Attribute Affinities, so people should have Attribute Affinity Talents too!’
Fang Han took the Wind Jade from his neck and held it in his palm, studying it for a moment.
Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the bamboo forest, falling upon the teardrop-shaped cyan gemstone. A faint halo of light flowed unceasingly across its surface, gentle and soft.
He hung the Wind Jade back around his neck and turned to walk out of the Cultivation Field, but a question surfaced in his mind.
Martial Techniques came in various attributes.
Wind, Fire, Water, Lightning, Ice, Earth, and so on—each attribute had corresponding Martial Techniques and Cultivation Techniques.
Different people were suited to practicing Martial Techniques of different attributes. For example, Yun Qianyue was suited for Water Attribute Martial Techniques. Her Swordsmanship followed the path of the Soft Overcomes Hard Technique, flowing without end. When her Sword Momentum was unleashed, one could faintly hear the sound of tides as a mist of water spread.
Her sister, Yun Muyao, on the other hand, was suited for Ice Attribute Martial Techniques. Her Swordsmanship was cold and sharp, and a chilling aura emanated from her blade, capable of freezing an opponent’s blood and Inner Qi.
This was Attribute Affinity.
Different people had different constitutions, and thus, their natural affinity for certain attributes also differed.
The higher one’s Attribute Affinity, the easier it was to reach the Entry Level of a corresponding Martial Technique, and the faster one’s progress would be.
Conversely, forcefully cultivating a Martial Technique that didn’t align with one’s own attributes would be an inefficient struggle.
In a sense, Attribute Affinity was also a type of Talent.
Like Root Bone, Swordsmanship, and Body Technique, it was a fundamental factor that determined how far a Martial Artist could go and how high they could climb.
’But if Attribute Affinity is also a Talent, why hasn’t an option like "Wind Attribute Affinity Amplification" appeared on the system panel?’
Fang Han’s steps faltered for a moment before he resumed his original pace.
He quickly reviewed in his mind the circumstances under which the various Talent Amplification options had appeared on the system panel.
Secret Technique Talent Amplification had appeared after he started practicing the *Spirit Nose Technique*.
Body Hardening Talent Amplification had appeared after he obtained the *Xuanwu True Skill* and attempted to comprehend this Grandmaster Level Body Hardening Technique.
Swordsmanship, Step Technique, Root Bone—without exception, these Talent Amplification options only appeared after he had come into contact with their respective fields.
The appearance of a particular Talent Amplification option required a trigger condition.
It didn’t just appear out of thin air. There was a "catalyst," like a door that required a specific key to open.
Without starting to cultivate a Secret Technique, there was no Secret Technique Talent Amplification option. Without starting to cultivate a Body Hardening Technique, there was no Body Hardening Talent Amplification option.
Therefore, the reason an option like Wind Attribute Affinity Amplification hadn’t appeared was likely because he hadn’t yet met the trigger condition.
’But what exactly is the trigger condition?’
Fang Han frowned in thought.
He had been cultivating Wind Attribute Martial Techniques for several years. His *Nine Swords of Sky Splitting* had reached Perfection, and his *Sky-Splitting Sword Technique* had even entered the Mastery Realm. So why hadn’t he triggered the Wind Attribute Affinity Talent Amplification option?
If he hadn’t met the trigger conditions, what were they?
’No need to overthink it. It will trigger naturally when the time is right!’
Fang Han shook his head, temporarily pushing the question aside.
He still hadn’t fully comprehended all the mysteries of the system panel.
Some things couldn’t be rushed. When the time came, everything would fall into place.
In the following days, Fang Han unfailingly wore the Wind Jade to aid his Cultivation of the *Sky-Splitting Sword Technique* and the *Wind God Step*.
His understanding of the Wind Realm grew stronger with each passing day of comprehension, and his progress in Swordsmanship and Body Technique became increasingly rapid.
In addition, he didn’t neglect his Cultivation of Inner Qi, Body Hardening, and Secret Techniques.
The first day, the second day, the third day.
The benefits from the Wind Jade continued to compound. Fang Han could clearly feel the threshold to Mastery growing thinner, bit by bit.
The fifth day, the seventh day.
「Seven days later, in the afternoon.」
The obsidian-paved backyard Cultivation Field was slightly hot from the afternoon sun. Heat waves shimmered in the air, yet strangely, there wasn’t the slightest sound of wind.
Fang Han stood in the center of the field, his eyes closed in concentration. The Wind Jade on his neck rested against his chest, emitting its constant, cool warmth.
The Heart Method of the *Wind God Step* slowly flowed through his mind.
Over the past seven days, the boost from the Wind Jade, combined with his Stepping Talent Amplification, had allowed him to progress in his Body Technique by leaps and bounds.
The subtleties that once required repeated contemplation to grasp now felt as natural as breathing when he practiced them.
He could clearly feel that the bottleneck to Mastery had become as thin as a single sheet of window paper.
He opened his eyes and his figure moved.
WHOOSH—
There was no sound of breaking wind, no rustle of clothes, and even his afterimage was too faint to be seen.
The green-robed figure moved silently across the Cultivation Field, flashing from the east wall to the west corner. Before the trail left by his movement could fade from sight, he had already turned toward the south wall.
His turns were fluid, without any hesitation. His movements stirred no dust. He was like a true wisp of wind, moving freely within the confined space.
His speed grew faster and faster, so fast that even he was a little surprised.
The crisscrossing sword marks on the obsidian ground flew past under his feet, left far behind him.
The feeling of merging with the wind, of becoming one with the heavens and earth, was incredibly intense.
At a certain moment—
HUM...
A soft hum that only he could perceive sounded from deep within his body.
The sound was extremely faint, almost imperceptible, yet it was as if it had opened an invisible door.
In the next instant, his understanding of the *Wind God Step* underwent a qualitative leap.
The Transformations that once required conscious effort could now be performed at will, with ease.
His speed suddenly skyrocketed.
He was so fast that even he couldn’t adapt in time.
He had been about a zhang away from the south wall, but with this sudden burst of speed, his body shot forward like a bolt of green lightning, heading straight for it.
Fortunately, his reflexes were extremely fast. The moment before impact, he twisted his body and turned, lightly tapping his toes against the wall. Like a willow catkin swept up by the wind, he floated silently to the other side of the Cultivation Field.
’*Wind God Step*, Mastery.’
Fang Han came to a halt, standing in the center of the open space.
His green robes were perfectly still and his breathing was as steady as water. Only a flicker of undisguised joy flashed through his eyes before vanishing.
He carefully savored the changes brought by the breakthrough.
His speed was several times faster than it had been at the Minor Achievement stage.
It wasn’t merely the speed of a straight-line sprint, but an elusive and nimble grace that came from merging with the wind and being one with the world.
If his Body Technique speed was previously on par with an ordinary First Grade Martial Artist, it now genuinely surpassed it.
If he’d had this kind of speed when he encountered Meng Zhao outside Songquan County, that old scoundrel wouldn’t have even been able to touch his shadow.
SWOOSH SWOOSH SWOOSH!
Fang Han didn’t rush to leave the Cultivation Field. Instead, he practiced for a while longer, adapting to the explosive increase in speed after his breakthrough.
Every abrupt stop, every sharp turn, and every subtle change in direction became smoother and more precise with repeated practice.
Fine beads of sweat formed on his forehead, but his eyes were astonishingly bright.
He didn’t stop until the sun began to set in the west, painting the clouds in magnificent shades of orange and red. He then came to a halt and let out a long, turbid breath.
Under the covered walkway, Qiu Lan was already waiting, though he hadn’t noticed her arrive. She held a tray with a pot of cool tea and several teacups.
Seeing him stop, she walked over, placed the tray on the stone table, poured a cup, and offered it to Fang Han with both hands.
"Senior Brother, dinner is ready."
Fang Han took the teacup, drained it in one gulp, and nodded. He sheathed his Cloud Splitting Sword and walked toward the side hall.
The side hall was brightly lit, and the table was already laden with dishes.
In the center, a large celadon bowl held a braised demon beast elbow, its color a glossy red, steaming and trembling slightly.
Next to it was a steamed perch resting on a bed of green onion shreds, its flesh snowy-white and tender.
A plate of soy-braised beef was sliced evenly, its grain clearly visible.
A platter of garlic bok choy was a glossy, vibrant green.
There were also several exquisite side dishes and a pot of perfectly warmed yellow wine.
Fang Han sat down at the table, picked up his chopsticks, and put a piece of the elbow into his mouth.
The meat was fall-off-the-bone tender, rich but not greasy. The savory sauce carried a hint of sweetness, making his mouth water as it melted on his tongue.
He then picked up a slice of beef and chewed it slowly before lifting his wine cup for a small sip. The warm liquid slid down his throat, dispelling some of the fatigue accumulated from days of Cultivation.
He ate slowly, but savored every bite.
「The next morning.」
Morning light streamed through the gaps in the window lattice, casting long, slender shadows on the blue brick floor.
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