"Water-Walking Lightness Technique!"
Oliver pored over the precious martial arts manual he'd exchanged for.
Willowbrook possessed a complete written heritage, clearly not of indigenous origin.
Recognizing literacy's importance, Oliver had devoted time to self-study, mastering most common characters.
The lightness technique manual contained extensive information...
Distilled, it advocated: running with weights to build leg strength, reducing body weight, and maximizing internal energy flow through the legs and feet to temper muscles and bones.
To outpace peers, one naturally required arduous training and self-strengthening.
Oliver had long wondered why Willowbrook focused solely on Energy Cultivation, neglecting physical practices like skin-hardening, bone-strengthening, or organ-fortification.
The water-walking technique described only basic exercises and energy circulation, without inducing qualitative bodily changes.
His thoughts drifted to William's aura during the purification ceremony.
That terrifying presence...
"Perhaps awakening spirit roots is the true path. That level of strength seems beyond mere physical training."
Oliver strapped on weights and began circling the pond.
First, improve physical fitness. Then, enhance balance. Finally, refine energy circulation ability.
When these three elements unified and perfected, one would achieve mobility far exceeding normal limits.
At that level, true "lightness skill" was attained!
...
"The harvest is in – nearly 6,500 kilograms. Another bumper crop!"
"Ha! The neighbors are clamoring to imitate us. Many approach with lavish gifts, hoping you'll oversee their fields. They're offering half the increased yield!"
"Keep it. This year's harvest is bountiful. Sophia's family contributed generously too – 1,300 copper coins in total. Train well. Our entire family depends on you."
James handed Oliver the money, offering numerous instructions and well-wishes.
He also broached the subject of helping other families farm for additional income.
Oliver considered it feasible. His internal strength allowed for rapid farmwork.
A normal person's limit was ten acres.
But Oliver's physical capabilities exceeded ordinary folk tenfold. His speed and precision were unmatched. Even 100 acres posed no challenge, let alone the 20 acres their two families currently managed.
As for selling the farming secrets...
This ancient society guarded knowledge zealously.
Unless a family line ended entirely, inherited techniques remained strictly protected.
Those approaching the Greenes merely sought to pay for increased yields.
"One acre typically yields 50 kilograms of grain. Half must be paid upfront, with payment due when we reach 100 acres," Oliver stipulated.
"But let's not rush. We can discuss further after next year's planting."
James nodded, agreeing there was no hurry. Countless potential partners awaited.
After James departed, Oliver took the money and immediately purchased 1.5 kilograms of monster meat and a substantial quantity of ordinary meat.
His lightness skill training demanded increased caloric intake. Frugality wasn't necessary here.
...
"Tap, tap, tap!"
Spring arrived.
Only a thin layer of ice remained on the water's surface.
So thin and transparent, a finger's press would shatter it. Theoretically, it couldn't support a person's weight.
Yet Oliver, having mastered the lightness skill, danced across the fragile ice with wild abandon.
Most remarkably, he achieved this without actively using internal energy.
Relying solely on the self-generated power of circulating energy, Oliver walked on thin ice.
"Lightness skill mastered!"
Landing, Oliver smiled. He'd discovered a natural affinity for this technique, progressing rapidly. Three months sufficed to grasp its intricacies.
It seemed everyone possessed unique talents. One need only find their niche.
His first water-walking experience had sparked genuine passion. This love, to some extent, was itself a form of talent.
For techniques like the Monster-Slaying Sword, where he struggled to maintain interest, even innate aptitude might prove insufficient.
Diligence and passion were the greatest talents of ordinary folk.
"My lightness skill has advanced, and winter's over. Time to commence our farming enterprise!"
Yield-increasing methods required discretion.
Preparing partners naturally demanded secrecy.
"Only 50 kilograms per acre?"
"Is this genuine? We pay 25 kilograms upfront, and if yields decrease, we owe nothing more?"
"Let's gamble on it. Oliver won't deceive us. He understands the stakes!"
James approached potential partners individually. Within days, they'd secured commitments for 100 acres.
This operation proceeded covertly, attracting minimal attention.
Yet some still noticed.
Or rather, they'd been observing for some time.
After all, though the two families managed only 20 acres, Oliver's methods had increased yields by 50% at minimum, with some fields doubling output. Ordinary plots now rivaled premium farmland.
Such farming prowess represented the pinnacle of the craft.
If these methods could be widely implemented, their value would be immeasurable.
Previously, most attributed this success to Oliver's diligence. As a cultivator, his energy far surpassed ordinary folk. Was increased yield through sheer effort so strange?
Not particularly.
But now, Oliver aimed to expand to 100 acres. This posed a significant issue. Such expansion clearly indicated a scalable production-boosting method, not mere intensive cultivation.
This yield-increasing technique held such value that even hunter families coveted it.
If they acquired this special farming method, couldn't they double their food resources?
The village housed thousands, with tens of thousands of acres of arable land, if not all prime. The profit potential was staggering.
Before they could act, news of Oliver's breakthrough to the third level of Energy Cultivation spread.
This revelation shocked the hunter community.
They knew intimately the challenges of Energy Cultivation!
How could a farmer, bereft of resources and proper guidance, reach the third level in merely four or five years?
Such talent seemed otherworldly. Could he be another William in the making?
Most hunters now harbored no ill intentions.
Oliver's third-level status was established fact, demanding respect. His rightful interests should be protected.
Only the Village Chief himself still sought to control Oliver.
However.
When this news reached the Chief...
He simply remarked: "So, the experimental fields have just begun?"
The messenger hastily withdrew, grasping the Chief's meaning.
Widespread implementation without verification? Who would bear responsibility for thousands of acres at risk?
Leaders prioritized stability. How could they gamble so recklessly?
Even if the effects proved genuine.
To prevent potential deception by Oliver, these methods required a year of testing and confirmation before large-scale promotion.
The experiment had just commenced. There was no need to pluck unripe fruit.