Chapter 189: Chapter 74: The Pentagram and the Constitution Test

GULP GULP GULP!

In that instant, Su Zhou felt as though he had swallowed a thunderbolt.

After entering his body, the scorching Jade Liquid transformed into a cyan torrent—a mixture of deep and shallow hues, of thunderbolts and life force. It didn’t travel down his esophagus into his digestive system. Instead, it split into countless branches of pure, unique Spiritual Power that connected directly to Su Zhou’s Soul.

The fresh scent of vegetation, the searing pain of the thunderbolt, the ecstasy of regeneration, the sensation of paralysis... and, a mind growing ever clearer!

The thunderbolt destroyed; the Divine Wood healed. In this cycle of destruction and regeneration, the very essence of his Soul was being reforged, growing ever stronger!

Su Zhou’s Soul was already quite resilient, but there were still areas his natural Talent could not reach. This, however, was the perfect opportunity to eliminate all weaknesses and strengthen his Soul!

’Five Extremes Divine Thunder True Technique!’

Enduring the agony of his Soul—his very second mind—being shattered and reforged, Su Zhou used the powerful will he had honed in battle to circulate his Spiritual Power. He began to synchronize with the inheritance of his Cultivation Technique and initiate the strengthening process!

—The four seasons and Yin and Yang are the foundation of all things.

Jia Wood is Yang. Thunder is the very breath of Yang Qi. Therefore, take the Divine Wood Qi to condense the Innate Form of Thunder. Use Yang to nurture Thunder, and Thunder to nurture the spirit, thereby attaining the Yang God. One can then cross the sea of suffering, master the Five Extremes, command the six qi of heaven and earth, and grasp the principles of transformation for all things and the impetus behind the movements of men and gods.

BOOM! Thunder cracked within his Soul Space. The once-rampant Thunder Power began to subside,

but this wasn’t because it was being suppressed. Instead, the very nature of the Soul it touched was beginning to change. Now, upon contact, his Soul was not so easily shattered; it could even absorb a portion of the Thunder Power to strengthen itself!

The crux of the National Preceptor’s inheritance lay within that single phrase: ’take the Divine Wood Qi to condense the Innate Form of Thunder, use Yang to nurture Thunder, and Thunder to nurture the spirit, thereby attaining the Yang God.’ But Su Zhou didn’t need to follow this inheritance to the letter.

"Yara, it’s time!" Enduring the sensory chaos caused by the sudden strengthening of his Soul, Su Zhou stated his intention clearly, his voice tinged with a synthetic, electric tone.

"I was waiting for you to say that," Yara replied with a light laugh, then suddenly vanished.

An instant later, it reappeared, dangling a sheet of papyrus from its mouth. Its edges burned with flames of five colors, and gilded golden words swirled upon its surface.

Sacred Geometry: Second Stage

Pentagram

From the ancient lands of Central Asia to Europe and the deserts of Aii Country in Afriga, from the far-eastern Fusang Island Country to the vast East Asian Plain, the mysterious Pentagram rune has always existed.

It is a symbol of the Netherworld and of birth, a sigil representing the Netherworld and the Earth Goddess. It symbolizes ’Spirit and the Four Great Elements’ and also represents ’the Five Elements of heaven and earth.’

The history of the Pentagram emerged alongside the history of civilization. It is a ’sacred geometric form’ with connotations of life, health, happiness, protection, and eternity, and is one of the symbols of mystery and the Extraordinary.

In Yara’s inheritance, however, the Pentagram represents an even more fundamental foundation.

—True Spirit, Soul, Spiritual Energy, Spiritual Power, and Spiritual Qi—

These five great foundations of the Extraordinary are its five points.

Using the ’Holy Triangle’—the perfection of ’Mind, Spirit, and Body’—as a foundation, one forges the sharpest, most prominent Pentagram to enhance a Cultivator’s control over all Spiritual Qi.

This was the second stage of the Supreme Cultivation Method, Sacred Geometry: the Pentagram, which enhances all aspects related to ’Spirit’!

’The orthodox method for the Pentagram requires five different Perfect Gemstones, which vary from person to person, combined with two distinct emotional states—’calm’ and ’agitation’—to condense the True Pentagram and the Inverted Pentagram, respectively.’

’The first corresponds to Soul Calming, restoration, Rebirth, harmony with heaven and earth, and finally, the Unity of Heaven and Man. A Soul strengthened this way becomes somewhat like a plant, able to grow quietly and steadily until it merges with the world, controlling the Spiritual Qi in nature as easily as moving one’s own limbs.’

’The second corresponds to Disrupting Soul, destruction, Destruction of Spirit, soul-plundering, and finally, Spiritual Qi Domination. Progress requires combat and turbulent emotions. Though it has conditions for growth, the leaps in progress after experiencing different intense emotions are enormous. Ultimately, one can even use their own extreme mental state to influence the Spiritual Qi of the surrounding world.’

Gazing at the papyrus, Su Zhou now understood the essence of the Pentagram stage.

’No wonder the Thunder Spirit Technique can substitute for certain Secret Ceremonies,’ he thought. ’They are both inheritances that strengthen the Soul and enhance Spiritual Energy!’

The Divine Wood Origin was a material far more precious than any Gemstone. Paired with the Thunder-Attribute Perfect Jade and Jade Powder collected by Shao Qiming, it was more than enough for him to advance—in fact, it was overkill.

’But the path I’ve chosen is neither the traditional True Pentagram nor the Inverted Pentagram. Thanks to the Divine Wood, its nature is more akin to the True Pentagram, possessing the three abilities of Soul Calming, restoration, and Rebirth. However, it lacks the final ’harmony with heaven and earth’ and ’Unity of Heaven and Man.’ In their place are Soul Enhancement and accelerated thought!’

The moment he understood this, Su Zhou could perceive that his Soul’s enhancement was complete! Just as the unique characteristic of his Spiritual Power was Enhancement, the Soul ability he gained was also Enhancement!

By enhancing his own Soul, he could use it to supplement his brain, even surpassing the limits of his reaction speed. It was like thunder—no, swifter than thunder. In the instant before his neural microcurrents even began to flow, his enhanced Soul could already clearly comprehend events and command his body to react!

In layman’s terms, it was ’Bullet Time’!

This was the difference between Su Zhou’s version of the Pentagram and the original True and Inverted Pentagrams. The orthodox Sacred Geometry might allow someone at the Extraordinary Tier to manipulate weather patterns and control the surrounding Spiritual Qi for attacks. Su Zhou’s version, however, granted him a Soul and reaction speed far superior to others of the same tier.

Faintly, Su Zhou could see a phantom shape materializing above the foundational Holy Triangle and his own Pentagram—a geometric figure shrouded in mist.

It was a ’cube,’ its shape indistinct, as if it were constantly shifting and changing.

"Congratulations, Su Zhou."

Yara’s voice echoed in his Soul Space, its tone filled with gentle encouragement and a hint of joy. "Although this is just the first step, merely the simplest ’splicing’ and ’borrowing,’ you have truly begun to integrate different Extraordinary Inheritances and forge your own path."

"Don’t be worried or anxious. It’s like how people learn to write. You have to copy the words again and again to become familiar with them, but what different stories you ultimately write with those same words is up to you. The road is long, and we can walk it together."

After a moment of silence, Su Zhou’s voice, filled with sincere laughter, echoed in the Soul Space. "Thank you, Yara."

「In the real world.」

CRACKLE—CRACK—

Su Zhou opened his eyes. The power overflowing from his body instantly found an outlet as two bolts of electricity shot from his eyes, shattering a teacup in the room.

As the fragments scattered, Su Zhou’s aura soared. A tangible Spiritual Pressure began to ripple through the atmosphere, causing the air to issue a low, thunderous roar!

But he quickly suppressed this feeling of imminent advancement, and the vibrating Spiritual Qi around him calmed.

Now was not the time to advance. Doing so would only attract the attention of official Transcendents. While his family background might prevent him from being seen as a destabilizing element, it would certainly lead to endless questioning and waste his time.

’The constitution test is in a few days.’

’Only by revealing my extraordinary power during the physical assessment—a ’legitimate and public’ process for displaying one’s Talent—can I gain the greatest benefits with the least negative impact.’

’To draw an analogy, if you break out into song on the street, you might earn praise for your beautiful voice, but you could also be hauled away by security or the Patrol for disturbing public order.’

’But if you sing your heart out in an opera house, you not only receive praise but also get paid. You might even get official media coverage later. The fame you’d gain would be worlds apart from a street performance.’

’Things might not turn out that badly, but if I’m going to display my power, why not do it on the proper stage?’

’I have no intention of hiding my power, tiptoeing around to avoid the public eye, or shirking my responsibilities.’

’What I want is to step onto the grand stage called ’the World’ and use my power to steer it in a better direction. And this is the first step.’

Lifting his hand, Su Zhou gazed at the purple-cyan glow of Spiritual Power burning in his palm. It flickered like a flame, wreathed in electric arcs, and he couldn’t help but smile.

Advancement.

’Only then will be the most opportune time.’

「December 28, 2014. Winter Solstice.」

Several heavily modified buses were parked at the gates of Hongcheng First High School. Layers of army-green armor plating were mounted on their frames, which were considerably larger than those of ordinary public buses, giving them an indestructible look.

More than twenty soldiers—two full squads—stood guard on either side of the buses. They had set up a security cordon, warning the gathering crowd of onlookers not to get any closer. Three armored vehicles were parked nearby, maintaining a state of high alert.

A similar scene was playing out at all forty-two public high schools and academy-affiliated high schools across the city—and indeed, at every qualifying high school throughout the nation.

During the final days of 2014, a cold wind swept through the streets, but the hearts of all the students who had qualified for the physical assessment were ablaze with excitement.

Because from this day forward, Zhengguo had a new important date on its calendar, second only to the Holy Ascension Selection Test. The "Spiritual Gas Constitution Test," scheduled to be held at the end of every year before New Year’s Day, was about to become a hot new topic for every student and parent!

The Constitution Test was about to begin!