Chapter 106: Chapter 96: The Curator's Thoughts
Chapter 106: Chapter 96: The Curator's Thoughts
"Yeah, I had some stuff to handle when I came back, so I'll need some time to digest it all properly," Tao Yu responded to Yi Wei's inquiry with a smile.
"You didn't level up another skill to lv3 during this time, did you?" Yi Wei joked.
"Sort of," Tao Yu answered.
"Really?" Yi Wei was momentarily stunned. He had only been joking, but it turned out to be true!
Previously, the other person had been training full-time, and with enough Yuan Force to continuously practice. Hence, it was normal for them to master all the entry levels and even achieve lv3 in one skill, as the Yuan Force was inherently miraculous.
But weren't you off to the Abyss to make money?
How could you still find the time to achieve such a result?
Is this what a Grade A talent is…
But does Dynamic Vision boost the body so much?
Yi Wei felt a bit lost in his thoughts for a moment.
He could understand Quick Mastery of Dynamic Vision, being able to directly watch and mimic movements.
But it should require more Yuan Force to train, right…?
"I got lucky, did a favor for a big shot."
Some things didn't need to be concealed, and spreading the word could even solve many problems, so Tao Yu casually mentioned it.
"That really is good luck... A small leak from the big shots in the Inner City would be enough for us to struggle for a long time," Yi Wei said, envy apparent on his face.
New Development Zones are just full of opportunities.
It's a shame, though; he had already awakened and settled in the old Development Zone, without a choice...
...
Continue exploring at m|vl-em,py-r
"Smith Senior."
After entering the training ground, Tao Yu saw Smith training the newcomers on the coal cinder playground.
From the look of the small group, they were likely another bunch looking for freebies.
"Tao Yu Junior? Haha, perfect timing. Come on, show them what you've got."
Smith greeted Tao Yu with a smile and then turned to address a group of people about Tao Yu's age,
"This is the Tao Yu Junior I told you about, the most talented student among your several batches. He has not only mastered Stance Skill but has also entered the realm of the Five Gate Boxing Techniques, and even his Crane form has reached lv3."
Smith's words made many of the trainees look at Tao Yu with curiosity.
Tao Yu had learned skills here and, whether or not Smith was looking after him because of his talent, he had been very good to him. So, naturally, Tao Yu was willing to lend a hand.
"Most of you must be from the New Development Zone. The skills from the Wanliu Dojo are all quite outstanding. If you can achieve Five Forms as One and even hold your Qi-Blood, these are the most helpful skills available to the Outer City. Don't waste this opportunity," Tao Yu said as he casually demonstrated the Crane form.
However, he didn't show off purposely; he just performed a set using the Acceleration effect of his practice method.
Even though Tao Yu didn't activate any Fist Intention and performed standard movements, his performance still surprised Smith, who watched with amazement.
"Tao Junior, is this… lv4?"
Smith's strongest form was the Crane, at a level of lv4, which allowed him to exhibit a distinct charm.
Thus, he had the ability to appreciate such skill, and although Tao Yu's Crane form was only lv3, the charm that came with Deification was indeed present.
"Yes, I was lucky, helped a big shot, and made a good sum. I really need to digest it all well this time."
Tao Yu was eventually going to learn the Breathing Technique, and Five Forms as One would undoubtedly become known, so mentioning it now was also a bit of a pre-emptive measure.
At the same time, Tao Yu's words earned him the envy of everyone present.
"Smith Senior is busy, so I'm off to practice."
"Go for it, good luck."
Smith's face was full of smiles. Tao Yu was naturally talented and had now also struck it lucky with a big win, indicating that his strength could still improve. Such a relationship had to be well maintained.
Jealousy?
Of course, there was some. Everyone's thoughts and notions are very complex, but Smith's rationality allowed him to easily suppress such feelings of envy.
Tao Yu went to the familiar cafeteria next door where he was well-acquainted with the chefs, who were already used to his increased appetite from using Acceleration. Tao Yu practiced with abandon.
The benefits of Qi-tonic Soup were much better than gnawing on canned food; although it cost some Yuan Force, it was completely worth it.
Practicing full-time was always better than having to juggle other tasks!
Especially now, with an abundance of Yuan Force, he used Acceleration without any second thoughts…
...
Tao Yu practiced straight until the evening.
The sweat from his body had all but turned to sweat, and the liquid from the Qi-tonic Soup had evaporated.
The training efficiency indeed surpassed what he was able to manage while multitasking in the Abyss.
Every moment, he could feel a tingling sensation over his body, experiencing the improvements in his lungs and innards from the second-level Deification of the Basic Breathing Method.
That sensation, as if every pore of his entire body was breathing with each movement, immersed Tao Yu so deeply that he lost all sense of time.
"Five Forms as One..., truly remarkable."
A sigh of admiration came from the side, and Tao Yu slowly completed his final stance, exhaling. He then saw the middle-aged man beside him with a complicated expression on his face.
It was the head of Wanliu Dojo, Liu Yi!
"Head Liu, hello."
"I originally saw Smith, and he said you had reached level 4 of the Crane Form, but who would have thought you've already mastered the Five Forms as One. Impressive, truly impressive."
Liu Yi looked at Tao Yu, his face showing a thoughtful expression, and after a moment, he said to Tao Yu,
"Young brother Tao, I came to find you, and you probably have some idea why."
Tao Yu, upon hearing this, was genuinely perplexed.
What idea? Is it that Sun Shiqing just got back? And greeted you? Or did he send a message back to greet you?
Or could it be the person I beat up in the mission hall earlier? Has their 'patron' showed up?
"Cough cough, I'd ask that you please speak plainly, Head Liu."
"You, you're still a bit too impulsive, but for us young martial artists with vigorous Qi-Blood, it's normal to vent that breath of emotion in our hearts. It's just that you've stirred up quite the trouble this time, and they've already come to me."
Liu Yi shook his head with resignation, and his words made Tao Yu understand what 'having an idea' meant.
He nodded and said,
"Before I took action, I did ask the guard, and he admitted it on the spot, so there shouldn't be any problem."
The rules in the outer city aren't very detailed, they're flexible, and Tao Yu's actions, though severe, were in fact within the boundaries of the law.
"If it were just him, or even just the Wild Wolf Gang, it wouldn't be a big deal. You have connections in the security team, too. That deputy head of the Southern District even came to see me personally, asking me to look after you."
Liu Yi's words surprised Tao Yu, who hadn't expected Uncle Hu to have specifically come over.
He hadn't seen him since returning, and as the acting deputy head of the security team, Uncle Hu's main job now should be in the present world, just the opposite of his parents'.
"Hmm, Uncle Hu is a good person. What exactly is the situation this time?"
Tao Yu asked, as if seeking advice.
"A Pioneer from a new district in the Inner City and actually, someone from your own period. Although gravely injured, with their future achievements limited, they are still from the Inner City, and their network of relationships remains."
Liu Yi pondered for a moment before saying to Tao Yu in a serious tone,
"However, I really admire your talent and if you are willing to join our Wanliu Dojo, I can work together with Uncle Hu to resolve this matter. You might even have the chance to learn the secret techniques of my dojo!"
Liu Yi's eyes seemed to shine with a light, full of godliness, similar to when Tao Yu first made progress with the "Meditation Technique" and couldn't control it.
Tao Yu could indeed sense both Liu Yi's dilemmas and his good intentions.
He must have felt the situation was tricky, but upon seeing the Five Forms as One when he came to find Tao Yu, he probably thought Tao Yu's talent was very suitable for this style and that his potential was worth investing in.
In normal circumstances, this would be a tremendous opportunity!
After all, the income from working in a dojo isn't considered low. Colleagues like Smith and Yi Wei provided services for the dojo.
But now, Tao Yu had already laid his roots in the Development Zone, where both the opportunities and income were clearly beyond comparison with what the dojo could offer.
For Tao Yu, who had a great demand for Yuan Force, it wasn't possible to confine himself here.
Looking at Liu Yi's gaze, Tao Yu sighed. He knew when to be grateful, even if the other party's kindness stemmed from his talent, it was still well-intentioned. After weighing his words for a moment, he said,
"I'm very thankful for the Head's generous offer. The dojo has been a significant help to me, and I do like the environment there, but in the new Development Zone, I need to assist two important figures from the Floating City..."
Previously, when dealing with Yi Wei and Smith, Tao Yu had not been explicit, but with Head Liu showing such goodwill, Tao Yu spoke more straightforwardly.
This statement caused Liu Yi's pupils to constrict slightly, and for a moment, his face betrayed his composure. After a moment, he regained his poise.
"Two figures from the Floating City? Then I must concede my temple is too small to accommodate them, congratulations, congratulations."
Liu Yi didn't seem to take Tao Yu's refusal to heart; instead, he showed a joyful and congratulatory expression.
"No wonder you've mastered it so quickly. If it's those two, then it all makes sense."
"When I come back, I do enjoy practicing at the dojo, so if there are any honorary positions available, I certainly wouldn't mind," Tao Yu explained, offering something in return, as he would definitely need to learn the Breathing Technique later on. Having the identity of a direct disciple from the dojo would also allow Head Liu to maintain his dignity.
Liu Yi gave Tao Yu a meaningful look and then laughed,
"Of course, it's no problem at all, and I still think you should be considered a True Disciple. When the opportunity arises, I might teach you the Myriad Streams Breathing Technique."
This response made Tao Yu smile awkwardly.
It seems... he was seen through...
To stand tall in the outer city and be one of the most outstanding dojos, dominating the realm of the hunting hounds, the Head had been through storms and waves. It was more than normal for him to guess what was going on.
The Myriad Streams Breathing Technique is a deeply guarded secret in the outer city and not something you'd find on every street corner in the Inner City.
But for those two figures from the Floating City, it was indeed a simple matter!
And the Head himself did not give a firm no; he just said 'when the opportunity arises,' which indeed shows he's shrewd...
As for the 'trouble' he mentioned before?
What 'trouble'?
As Tao Yu said, the trouble is actually on the other side!
"Head, do you have any knowledge about that 'patron' from the Inner City? After all, young master Sun might not come back to get his terminal for a couple of days, and I don't want to bother him with these matters."
Tao Yu casually inquired further, as he already had some guesses in his mind. Meanwhile, Head Liu waved his hand nonchalantly and said,
"No need to bother him with everything. It's not really a big deal, just a Spine-breaking Dog trying to save itself out of desperation..."