Following the requirements of the technique, Flower Shirong practiced it once and examined his fingers, but there was no movement.
Was the method wrong, or did he make a mistake in the hand gestures?
He practiced again, but still, there was no movement.
The technique was correct, and the hand gestures were also right. The only possibility was that practice makes perfect.
It seemed that this technique wasn't so easy to master; it required hard work.
So, throughout the entire day, Flower Shirong immersed himself in silently reciting the chant and practicing the intricate hand movements. He continued until his right hand's five fingers became sore and numb, then switched to his left hand to continue training.
Both hands became numb and cramped, seemingly even further from attaining that mysterious "power." The fingers were stiff, swollen, unable to keep up with the thoughts in his mind.
Indeed, nothing comes easily; diligent learning and practice were necessary.
Three days, a full three days, Flower Shirong spent most of his time practicing the chant and the complex finger techniques of the Fireball Technique, except for one cultivation session of the "Mortal's Technique" in the morning and evening.
He trained his ten fingers so vigorously that they became achy and unresponsive, as if they no longer obeyed his commands.
Finally, that so-called "power" appeared, albeit very weak.
This "power" couldn't be seen or touched, but its presence could be keenly felt. It was like an aura, lingering between the ten fingers, constantly pulsating as he silently recited the chant.
Flower Shirong tried to envelop a fireball with the "power" and gently threw it towards a pile of debris in the corner of the wall.
Indeed, the fireball didn't extinguish.
As the fireball landed among the debris, it traced a beautiful arc before a loud "boom" resounded.
The fireball exploded!
It ignited and burned rapidly, resembling a spark falling into a frying pan.
A scorching wave of air rolled within the confinement room, hot and intense, startling Flower Shirong, who quickly retreated.
Fortunately, as the Fireball Technique was newly formed, the fireball was small, with limited power and a short duration. It dissipated in an instant.
When the heat wave subsided, and the confinement room regained its calm, Flower Shirong could still smell the aftermath of the scorching in the air.
Looking around the room again, the pile of debris that was previously there had been completely obliterated by the impact of the fireball, leaving no trace behind.
The unpleasant odor of excrement, urine, mold, and rot that once permeated the room was thoroughly eliminated with the dissipation of the heat wave. The damp floor, after being hit by this scorching wave, became unusually dry.
Flower Shirong was astonished by the instant change. He didn't expect such a small Fireball Technique to create such significant power.
However, Flower Shirong didn't know that the reason for this situation was due to the room being too small.
When the Fireball Technique exploded, the shockwaves, scorching waves, and heat radiation continuously spread and overlapped in the narrow space, amplifying their power exponentially. The effects were naturally significant.
If it were outdoors, the power would be greatly reduced.
Flower Shirong was overjoyed to finally possess a formidable weapon.
With the Fireball Technique mastered, the cultivation of the "Purification Technique" and the "Thunder Strike Technique" became much more efficient. In less than half a day, Flower Shirong had mastered the chants and hand gestures for both spells.
When Flower Shirong attempted to use the "Purification Technique," he immediately felt the air in the room become fresh, as if sprinkled with spices, dispelling the sense of stuffiness and suffocation.
Flower Shirong was delighted, but when he attempted to use the Thunder Strike Technique, he found that he couldn't execute it. His internal energy was depleted.
Flower Shirong remembered that after using the Fireball Technique, his internal energy seemed to have been completely drained. This thought immediately brought forth a feeling of exhaustion, as if he had lost strength, which startled him.
This Fireball Technique truly consumed a significant amount of internal energy!
A small-level Fireball Technique could drain all the internal energy in his body.
If, during a confrontation, a Fireball Technique failed to kill the opponent and his own internal energy was depleted, it would mean losing both offensive and defensive capabilities, putting him in an awkward position.
If he were to further train the Fireball Technique to the ninth level, wouldn't he exhaust himself to death? It seemed that this Fireball Technique couldn't be used lightly.
Without delay, Flower Shirong sat down on the ground and resumed cultivating the "Mortal's Technique" to restore his internal energy.
Another three days passed like this.
During these three days, Flower Shirong used three different spells. Besides the Fireball Technique, which consumed a staggering amount of internal energy, the Thunder Strike Technique was also a major consumer of internal energy.
Using a single Thunder Strike Technique depleted half of his internal energy. On the other hand, the Purification Technique, which was rather lackluster, consumed very little internal energy. However, for Flower Shirong, who required powerful spells, it was dispensable.
The current plan was to enhance his own internal energy.
The "Guidance Technique" taught at the academy was, after all, a fundamental method that had limited effects on enhancing internal energy. However, the "Mortal's Technique" was different. As Flower Shirong continued to practice, his internal energy kept accumulating, and after a few days, it was actually thirty percent more than usual.
After Flower Shirong burned the confinement room with a Fireball Technique, it was no longer damp and had no unpleasant odor. With the addition of the Purification Technique, the confinement room felt more like a secluded training chamber for Flower Shirong.
To punish students who had made mistakes, the academy provided only one meal a day, claiming it was a thorough transformation from thoughts to physicality.
The students couldn't bear it. They were at the age of growth and had increased appetites.
The reduction in food caused great hardship for these confined students. Every day, Flower Shirong would hear cries of "I'm hungry," which were truly pitiful.
As someone who had gone through similar experiences, Flower Shirong felt hungry as well, but he could endure it. One meal a day was enough for him. In the current situation, as long as he didn't starve himself to death, he had to persist in practicing the "Mortal's Technique" to become stronger as soon as possible.
Finally, Flower Shirong discovered the difference.
He vividly remembered that the conditions for using the Purification Technique, Thunder Strike Technique, Fireball Technique, and others were the third, fourth, and fifth levels of Qi cultivation. However, in the Nine Provinces Continent, the cultivation realms were defined using different terms. Flower Shirong recalled that there was no cultivation realm called "Qi cultivation" in this world.
Flower Shirong had a bold guess that the cultivation method of the "Mortal's Technique" surpassed the basic technique he learned at the academy, the "Guidance Technique," by a significant margin.
The "Mortal's Technique" was brought by Flower Shirong from Earth and yet it could lead to different cultivation realms while possessing the same abilities. In other words, cultivating the "Mortal's Technique" should correspond to the realm of Qi cultivation, which was defined as the Martial Disciple Realm in the Nine Provinces Continent.
Which was superior and which was inferior? Flower Shirong couldn't make that judgment!
According to the conditions for using the Fireball Technique, Flower Shirong had reached the fifth level of Qi cultivation. However, his true strength at the moment was only at the fifth level of the Martial Disciple Realm. If it came to combat capability, he might even be worse off. He had never experienced real combat before, except for the occasional brawl following Young Master Hua Xiaoxuan.
In other words, Flower Shirong was currently a "rookie" with no experience in facing enemies, so it was no wonder he would be knocked unconscious with a single blow.
Perhaps, once he was out of this confinement room, he would have to undergo actual combat training. Otherwise, in this survival-of-the-fittest continent, he would have no chance of survival. Flower Shirong sighed inwardly.
Days went by, and Flower Shirong focused wholeheartedly on his cultivation.
For many people, being in confinement might be a punishment, but for Flower Shirong, it was a rare opportunity for tranquility, undisturbed by others or worldly matters. Finally, he had the chance to calm his mind and fully practice the Mortal's Technique. With the progression of his cultivation, Flower Shirong's understanding of the Mortal's Technique became increasingly profound.
On that day, Flower Shirong was in the midst of cultivation when suddenly, with a loud bang, the cold iron door that had never been opened swung open.
A dazzling light pierced into the confinement room, causing Flower Shirong to momentarily close his eyes, unable to adapt to the sudden brightness.
Flower Shirong heard the voice of the old man who managed the confinement room.
"Flower Shirong, you must have accumulated good karma in your past life to have someone accompany you in confinement!"
Flower Shirong hesitated, but then he heard the voice of the old man again.
"Ling Yukuan, go in. This year is truly strange. The confinement rooms that were never filled in previous years are not enough this year. I must warn both of you, no private fights during the confinement period. Otherwise, the punishment will be doubled."
"Who would dare, Old Head? We haven't even had time to deeply reflect on ourselves, let alone have time for private fights. I don't want to come to this sunless room for a second time."
A young voice sounded, full of laughter, showing no understanding of the seriousness of being in confinement.
The voice of the Old Head turned cold and said, "Just make sure you understand! Go in."
Then with a loud bang, the cold iron door closed.
The confinement room returned to its previous darkness, and the footsteps of the Old Head gradually faded away.
By the faint light coming through the small square window, Flower Shirong opened his eyes and saw a tall figure.
This tall figure took a step and was already standing where Flower Shirong had been meditating. Flower Shirong felt an icy and chilling aura emanating from this person, making the originally mild confinement room instantly drop several degrees in temperature.
Flower Shirong examined the man in front of him. He was young but had a sturdy physique. When he stood there, he resembled a towering mountain, unmoving.
Flower Shirong recognized him. Ling Yukuan, a descendant of the Ling family, who had been following Ling Yufeng all year round. He was not only Ling Yufeng's attendant but also his trusted enforcer. It was said that he had reached the eighth level of the Martial Disciple Realm due to his solid build and formidable strength, making even the ninth level Martial Disciple Realm students somewhat fearful of him.
Ling Yukuan surveyed the confinement room and chuckled, "No wonder you remain unperturbed. You treat this place as a peaceful chamber for cultivation. Get lost, I want to stand here and breathe some fresh air."
Flower Shirong was meditating right below that ventilation opening.
Flower Shirong stared at Ling Yukuan, slowly standing up, his voice cold and icy.
"Are you sure you want to stand here?"
Ling Yukuan took a step forward, closing in on Flower Shirong.
"I want it, are you going to give it to me?"
"I'll give it to you... Your mother's leg!"
As Flower Shirong let out a vulgar curse, his fingers swiftly moved, rapidly forming hand seals, condensing a "Thunder Strike Technique."
When the "Thunder Strike Technique" landed on Ling Yukuan, a loud crackling sound echoed, and a bright and sparkling lightning exploded above Ling Yukuan's head. Blue arcs with a hint of purple and white flickered, jumped, and entwined around him.
Ling Yukuan seemed to be stimulated by something, jumping up in astonishment. His entire body trembled uncontrollably, and he danced and convulsed, resembling a madman.
This whole process lasted for about five or six seconds, and the arcs began to weaken, about to disappear.
Seizing the opportunity, Flower Shirong lunged forward, delivering a powerful punch to Ling Yukuan's face.
He channeled all his pent-up resentment into strength, striking Ling Yukuan's face heavily.
With a loud "thud," Ling Yukuan screamed in agony.
His face took a harsh blow, causing stars to dance before his eyes. He felt dizzy and his body staggered back several steps before finally falling heavily to the ground, groaning in pain.