Chapter 116: Only Speed
In general, among cultivators of the same realm, the difference in Divine-Sense should not be so vast that one side cannot even lock onto the other.
But Mo Hua, strictly speaking, wasn't exactly an ordinary cultivator, at least not in terms of Divine-Sense.
If his Divine-Sense kept growing at this rate, whether anyone could still lock onto him in the future... that was hard to say.
Old Kui's expression remained calm, but faint ripples stirred in his heart.
Mo Hua suddenly thought of another question and asked:
"Grandpa Kui, does every cultivator know how to use Divine-Sense Locking?"
"No."
Old Kui returned to himself and replied indifferently,
"Of all the cultivators I've seen, seven out of ten can't. Two out of ten can, but not proficiently. Fewer than one in ten truly master it."
Mo Hua frowned in confusion.
"That's strange. It doesn't seem difficult, why would so many not know it?"
At least to him, it hadn't felt difficult at all.
Old Kui gave him a silent glance, suddenly finding the boy a bit like Mister Zhuang.
Not every cultivator had such a strong Divine-Sense, nor did all know how to wield it so naturally.
Truly... like teacher, like student.
This child was already showing signs of being "corrupted" by his master's eccentric brilliance.
Old Kui sighed inwardly and continued:
"Seven out of ten don't use Divine-Sense Locking, half because no one taught them the method, and half because even if taught, they can't grasp it."
"Divine-Sense is intangible, like a hornless antelope hanging in the void, leaving no trace. Hard to teach, hard to learn. Words alone can't convey the essence."
"Oh." Mo Hua nodded, pretending to understand.
"But…" Mo Hua hesitated, "even if a spell hits, the Fireball Technique's power isn't that great. It doesn't seem very threatening."
Old Kui didn't answer directly. Instead, he asked:
"How much spiritual power does it take to kill a cultivator?"
Mo Hua's heart trembled. He shook his head.
How would he know? He'd never killed anyone.
Old Kui said:
"Some cultivators can kill with ten cycles of spiritual power. Others, even with a hundred, cannot."
When spiritual power completes one full circuit through the Twelve Principal Meridians, it's called one Zhoutian (cycle). Regardless of age or build, the energy difference between cycles is minimal, thus cultivators use Zhoutian count to measure their power.
The more cycles one can sustain, the stronger the spell's force.
"So… is it because cultivators have vital points?"
Old Kui nodded.
"The Baihui, Shenting, heart meridian, and dantian are key points. If struck by a spell unguarded, one suffers severe injury, or death."
Mo Hua said,
"So, if you hit a vital point, even a weaker spell can cause great damage. But if you strike only nonlethal areas, even a powerful spell might not kill."
"Exactly."
Mo Hua pondered, then his eyes lit up.
"So Divine-Sense Locking is crucial. The stronger and more precise the lock, the easier it is to target vital points, is that right, Grandpa Kui?"
Old Kui nodded.
Mo Hua grew excited. That meant even if his spiritual power was weak, his attacks could still be deadly.
But Old Kui promptly poured cold water on him:
"That's true in theory. Not in battle."
"Eh?" Mo Hua blinked.
"Unless your opponent is a fool, he'll protect his vital points. Aim there, and even if you don't strike armor or robes, he'll block with his arms or hands."
Mo Hua looked puzzled. "Then what should I do?"
"Know where the vital points are, but don't rely on them in direct combat."
"As a spell cultivator, the key isn't in knowing spells," Old Kui said, "but in using them well."
"How do I do that?"
Old Kui nodded. "Every spell takes time to cast."
Mo Hua was still lost.
Old Kui explained:
"To cast a spell, one must circulate spiritual power. The time varies, from one breath to ten."
"The higher the spell's grade, the more spiritual power it draws and the greater its might, but the longer it takes to cast. Some immensely powerful spells take hours."
"Conversely, the lower the grade, the less power required, the weaker the spell, but also the faster it casts."
Old Kui looked at Mo Hua steadily as he spoke.
Mo Hua's eyes began to shine.
"So when a spell cultivator fights, he must either anticipate the enemy's move and pre-cast a powerful spell for a killing blow… or—"
Old Kui's gaze sharpened.
"Strike first. Use swift and fierce low-level spells to suppress the opponent, give him no chance to breathe."
Mo Hua suddenly saw the light.
Since his spiritual root was weak and his power low, he couldn't learn those grand, power-hungry spells.
Then the only path left was to master the quick, spells like the Fireball Technique. Modest in strength, but fast enough to seize initiative.
Still… there was one issue.
"Can a weak spell really suppress an opponent?" Mo Hua asked.
"Body cultivators disrupt techniques. Spell cultivators disrupt spells. If your opponent can't strike back, he's suppressed," Old Kui said calmly.
"Even a body cultivator feels pain when struck. Unless their will is steel, their assault will falter."
"And if you meet one who trades blow for blow, life for life, aim for their joints or vital points. Make them hesitate. Once they hesitate, they lose the will to risk it all."
…
Mo Hua had never imagined there was so much strategy behind spellcraft. He felt as if his mind had been struck by divine enlightenment. His gaze toward Old Kui was pure admiration.
Old Kui remained expressionless, but under that intense gaze, even his tranquil heart rippled slightly.
Mister Zhuang was right, teaching a disciple could be… a pleasant pastime.
"Do you understand now?"
Mo Hua nodded vigorously.
Old Kui continued:
"There are countless spells in this world, but their principles are largely the same. Every spell has its flaws, and every spell, its strength. A cultivator must play to his strengths and avoid his weaknesses."
"In turn, every spell has strengths, but also weaknesses. Your task is to perceive them, find the flaw, and shatter the technique through it."
"Ten thousand Daoist arts, each has its strengths and shortcomings. Their true mastery lies in one's heart."
…
Normally so taciturn, Old Kui now spoke fluently, every word sharp and illuminating.
"These truths may not serve you yet," he said, "but the path of cultivation is long. Someday, they might."
Mo Hua listened earnestly, memorizing every word. Then he bowed deeply.
"Thank you for your guidance, Grandpa Kui. I'll remember it all!"
Old Kui nodded.
Mo Hua recalled his teachings carefully, then came to a rather practical realization.
He only knew one spell. Fireball Technique.
All that "seizing initiative," "spell suppression," "exploiting weaknesses," that was all a bit far off.
After all, he only knew one Fireball.
"So what should I do now?" Mo Hua scratched his head.
"Practice Fireball."
A plain, unadorned answer.
"Until when?"
"Keep practicing. The more accurate, the better. The faster, the better."
Old Kui looked at him, his gaze profound.
"Remember this..."
"Of all the spells under heaven, only speed is unbreakable."
(End of Chapter)