Mind-Body Techniques, Hiring People to Explore New Lands

Chapter 40 Mind-Body Techniques, Hiring People to Explore New Lands

Cultivation is the improvement of mental and physical skills; combat is a contest of mental and physical skills.

The heart is will, determination, and the reason that drives a warrior to fight. This is the most difficult thing to measure; the will to fight for one person is not necessarily weaker than the will to fight for the world. In a life-or-death battle, the final contest is about whose will is stronger and more resolute.

Physical attributes refer to fundamental qualities. Strength, speed, physical strength, soul power quality, mental power... these all fall under the category of "physical attributes." This is the foundation of combat, and also the foundation of extraordinary abilities.

Skill, technique, or art, is the way to exert power and a manifestation of wisdom. Soul rings, soul skills, self-created soul skills, weapon techniques... are all types of skills.

"The academy can only train our physique and skills; the fighting spirit must be found by ourselves," Chi Ping said eloquently.

Under the moonlight, by the bluestone, eight trainees lit a bonfire.

As the heat of July faded and the weather turned cooler, everyone sat together chatting about everything under the sun.

Cultivation is not just about relentless hard work; it also requires a balance of tension and relaxation. Shrek Academy gives its students two days off each month to rest and unwind.

"Brother Ping, does it count if I fight for food?" Ma Hongjun asked.

Chi Ping nodded, "Of course it counts. The heart is just a reason, it's something absolutely personal. As long as you feel it's right, why care what others think?"

"What if I'm doing this for the sake of cultivation?" Ma Hongjun's eyes darted around.

Chi Ping understood immediately and chuckled, "That counts too."

After holding back for several years, Hongjun's lust has finally been ignited!

Dai Mubai and Oscar knew about Ma Hongjun's situation; Ma Hongjun absolutely could not lose his virginity before his martial soul evolution was complete.

The two couldn't help but chuckle at the thought that Ma Hongjun's intense sexual desires stemmed from his evil fire, yet he couldn't engage in any such activity before his martial soul had fully evolved.

Xiao Wu asked curiously, "What did Fatty say? Why are you two laughing like that?"

"Did we laugh?" Oscar asked seriously.

"No," Dai Mubai said seriously. "Xiao Wu, don't talk nonsense."

Ma Hongjun was clearly not going to be fooled so easily. Ever since Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong enrolled, he had been mocked by the two of them countless times. He lit a ball of purple flame in his hand, glancing at the lower bodies of the two as if he wanted to burn something away.

Dai Mubai and Oscar were both startled.

Ma Hongjun snorted coldly and threw the fire in his hand into the campfire.

Zhu Zhuqing said, "What's the point of this division? I feel like it's not very useful for cultivation. You can cultivate whether you know it or not."

"I know that!" Dai Mubai said confidently. "Pingzi told us before that cultivation isn't just about blindly working hard; you need a clear mind. It's important to figure out what you're lacking. There's a saying...

Oscar said, "The weakest link effect."

"Yes! That's it!"

Zhu Zhuqing looked puzzled. "What do you mean?"

Dai Mubai explained, "It means that weaknesses can determine strengths, and it's not advisable to specialize in one subject. Just like how much water a wooden bucket can hold depends on its shortest stave."

None of those present were fools; after a moment's thought, they understood what Dai Mubai meant.

Chi Ping said, "Cultivation is not just about hard work; wisdom is also an essential part of cultivation. In any case, it's always good to think more."

The next day, Ikehira stayed at the academy, while the other seven went to Soto City.

Some people plan to go shopping to mend damaged relationships, some plan to flirt with girls, some plan to have a big meal to soothe their wounded hearts, and some plan to place an order at the blacksmith shop.

The village that Shrek Academy rented was called Shanzhang Village. It had 142 households and made a living by growing grain. The village chief's surname was Zhang, and he was a short, white-bearded old man.

Chi Ping visited the village chief's house during lunchtime.

In the Douluo Continent, the awakening of martial souls by all citizens is, in a sense, a process of universal transcendence. Martial souls are diverse and can be used in many ways. Although the system is outdated, the productivity level of the Douluo Continent is actually quite high; even ordinary people can afford three meals a day.

"Is Village Chief Zhang home?"

"It's Lord Soul Master! What brings you here?"

Village Chief Zhang knew Chi Ping, since the village was right next to Shrek Academy. His attitude towards Chi Ping was somewhat 'respectful,' unlike the normal attitude of an elder towards a young man.

Although Chi Ping didn't understand, he wouldn't refuse. This was a world of extraordinary beings. Chi Ping was a Soul Master, while Village Chief Zhang wasn't even a Soul Master. The absolute difference in strength led to their different statuses, something Chi Ping couldn't change.

"Village chief, do you know that barren mountain area to the north of the village? I want to buy that land and cultivate a medicinal herb field there. Also, I want to hire some people from the village to help me cultivate the wasteland. As the village chief, you know the village best, so I would like to ask for your guidance?"

Village Chief Zhang's eyes lit up.

He knew the place Chi Ping was talking about; it was indeed a barren wasteland where no one cultivated it. Moreover, the barren mountain was included in the village's jurisdiction according to the kingdom's plan. If it could be sold, it would be another source of income.

"Could you take me to see the land you're selling?" Village Chief Zhang asked.

Ikehira nodded. "Do you want anyone else to come along?"

Village Chief Zhang: "I'll go."

So Chi Ping led Village Chief Zhang to the foot of that barren mountain.

"The land I want to buy is from the foot of the mountain to the middle of the mountain, and it should be about twenty acres in total," Chi Ping said, gesturing the specific area to the village chief.

"This land belongs to Shanzhang Village, and it's true that no one is cultivating it. I can make the decision to sell this land to you." The village chief nodded, then hesitated and asked, "Could you tell me what medicinal herbs you plan to plant and how you intend to improve this land?"

The village chief was somewhat worried that Chi Ping's transformation of this wasteland would affect the village's soil and water.

Chi Ping noticed the village chief's concerns and said, "It mainly involves medicinal herbs such as ginseng, coptis, pinellia, and licorice. If you are worried that my modifications will affect the village, I will visit you later with the scholars I have invited. I can guarantee that it will not affect the village. This clause can be written into the contract."

The village chief nodded. "You are very fair."

Chi Ping continued, "I hope to complete the land transformation this year and start planting tomorrow spring. How many able-bodied men do you think the village has? If not enough, I can hire a team from Soto City."

Village chief, when will the scholars you invited arrive?

"I will bring him over within half a month after the land contract is signed."

"You can rest assured to entrust the task to me; I guarantee I will complete it on time."

"Then I'll leave it to the village chief. When would you like to measure the land?"

"Is there anyone in the village who can do this? Can it be done tomorrow?"

"Shall I come to your house at 9 a.m. tomorrow?"

"It's settled then."

"Okay. I'll take you back."

(End of this chapter)