Start By Parsing The Sun

Chapter 159 [158] Soul Refining Symbol, Human Brush

Ever since joining the Black Armor Army, Cheng Han learned that the Xuan Pavilion had bestowed upon the Black Mountain Camp a path to becoming Xuan Masters - the eight Soul Refining Symbols.

Each Soul Refining Symbol had incredible effects.

For example, the first symbol - the Eagle Eye Symbol.

This was the easiest symbol to cultivate, and its effect was to greatly enhance dynamic vision and significantly improve the accuracy of short spear throws.

The Black Armor Army soldiers' accurate attacks with the "Surprising Rainbow Spear" relied on the assistance of this symbol.

There was an unwritten rule in the Black Mountain Camp that successfully comprehending the Eagle Eye Symbol would allow one to advance to the rank of a second-level soldier two or three years ahead of schedule.

Furthermore.

To encourage talent development, the Black Armor Army also stipulated that for every soldier who comprehended the Eagle Eye Symbol, their combat group would receive an additional fifty points of combat merit.

And Cheng Han, who aspired to become a "human brush" that rapidly accumulated points, how could he miss out on such a good opportunity?

On the third day.

He had become familiar with the environment and officially began the process of accumulating points.

Early in the morning.

A certain brush quickly finished breakfast and headed towards a place called "Qingfu Tower".

According to the rules, anyone practicing the Soul Refining Symbols had to register here.

Cheng Han entered the building and went straight to the attendant, introducing himself, "I am..."

Before he could finish speaking.

The attendant's face was filled with a smile as he said, "Soldier Cheng, your name is known throughout the entire Black Mountain Camp."

This guy's face was filled with admiration as he continued, "A few days ago, when you performed 'Flying Spear Crossing', I happened to be at the Black Fortress. It was truly amazing!"

Cheng Han's mouth twitched.

He had heard the phrase "Flying Spear Crossing" so many times recently that his ears were almost calloused.

The attendant observed his expression and cleverly changed the topic, "Soldier Cheng, do you plan to cultivate the Eagle Eye Symbol?"

Cheng Han nodded, "Please register me."

The attendant was a bit surprised, "You're too polite. Serving the soldiers is our duty."

This guy took out a file, quickly registered Cheng Han's information, and then handed him a bronze plaque, saying, "This is your pass to enter the 'Eagle Eye Stele Valley'."

Cheng Han took the plaque and immediately sensed a trace of extraordinary power contained within it. He muttered softly, "Breaking illusions?"

From this small detail, it could be seen that the "Stele Valley" mentioned by the other party must have been constructed with the participation of Xuan Masters.

The attendant nodded repeatedly, "You truly have a discerning eye."

This guy pointed towards the back hall, "The Eagle Eye Stele Valley is right behind. There are guide steles set up along the way."

Cheng Han nodded in acknowledgment and quickly walked through the hall.

Behind him.

The attendant watched his figure disappear around the corner and muttered softly, "Most new soldiers in the Black Mountain Camp don't come to practice the Soul Refining Symbols until at least half a month later."

"This famous young genius actually came after only three days of rest. He is so diligent that it's no wonder he became a soldier so quickly."

This guy's tone was full of emotion, "Working in the Black Mountain Camp may seem glamorous on the surface, but in reality, we often suffer."

"Many soldiers don't have much skill, and their eyes are only on their heads."

"On the other hand, this young genius, I thought his temperament would be very arrogant, but I didn't expect him to be so friendly."

The attendant stopped his rambling and shook his head, "The difference between people is too great."

*

Back hall.

Snowy path.

"Creak!"

Cheng Han walked along the snow, making rhythmic sounds.

After walking for dozens of meters, he suddenly stopped and a smile appeared on his face, "I unexpectedly gained something unexpected by coming to practice the symbols today."

The smile on his face grew even stronger, "It seems that there are more good things in the Black Mountain Camp than I expected."

Cheng Han held the plaque and stared ahead, quietly sensing the aura of the mysterious power.

The Xuan Masters had set up an illusion array in the Stele Valley. Compared to the illusions he had deciphered from "Infant Qiang", the aura of the former was more profound and obviously of a higher level.

After a long time.

Cheng Han smiled, "I've learned something new again!"

He had just gone through an analysis, and his Secret Chamber residual imprint had improved slightly, making his illusion abilities stronger.

Previously, he could only create a few illusions to assist the female squad leader Qu Xiaoying.

Now, he could create large-scale illusions, such as a virtual blizzard or knives falling from the sky.

In addition.

His mental value limit increased by 0.6 points, reaching a new high of 95 points.

It was a small gain.

Based on his understanding, the mental power of a beginner Xuan Master usually wouldn't exceed 70 points, and even the highest level of an intermediate Xuan Master was only 100 points.

With 95 points of mental power, Cheng Han had firmly reached the level of an intermediate Xuan Master.

Cheng Han continued forward, following the guide steles, and arrived at a stone wall.

He held up the plaque and aimed it at the stone wall, using his mental power to activate the source energy.

Just a moment.

A strange fluctuation flashed by.

The stone wall suddenly rippled and turned into an illusion, then disappeared.

The illusion was dispelled.

A snow-covered path appeared in place, with a line of footprints on it.

Cheng Han blinked his eyes: "There's someone inside, who came so early?"

He put away the bronze plaque and walked into the passage.

Behind him.

After a few seconds.

Large ripples appeared in mid-air.

The stone wall reappeared.

After walking for dozens of meters.

Cheng Han entered a small valley and saw a stone stele about two meters high, carved with a strange pattern on its surface.

At first glance, it looked like a sloppy stone carving.

But if you looked closely for a while, you would see the lines of the stone carving slowly moving.

Undoubtedly.

This stone wall contained profound power.

There were more warriors left in the valley than expected.

There were actually three people.

Among them, one of them was a familiar face.

To be precise, they had met before.

That is, Chen Xue'an, the first-level warrior who was forced to move a few days ago.

At this moment.

These three people stood in the snow, staring blankly at the stone wall.

Their shoulders and hair were covered in a layer of snow, making them look like snowmen.

Cheng Han didn't disturb them with words, he found a suitable position for himself and began to observe the stone wall.

He keenly noticed that Chen Xue'an's head moved slightly, and his breathing became slightly heavier.

In comparison, the other two seemed to have turned into stone sculptures, without any movement.

Cheng Han instantly understood: "This guy probably reached a bottleneck, feeling restless and unable to continue contemplating."

He didn't bother with Chen Xue'an, he instantly abandoned all distractions and quickly entered a state of contemplation.

Such speed, it was unimaginable.

By the way.

Because the stone stele still retained a trace of spiritual imprint, it naturally caused interference to the observer. Only by suppressing the interference first could one enter the state of contemplation.

But the problem was, this was something made by a profound master, how could the interference be so easily suppressed?

Usually, most first-level warriors needed at least three seconds or more to enter the state of contemplation.

But Cheng Han only took an instant!

Less than 0.1 seconds.

Chen Xue'an beside him quickly turned his head and glanced at Cheng Han, his face showing surprise.

Soon.

Cheng Han was surprised to discover something.

"The automatic lock function of the 'God Dimming Spirit Spear' is actually a set of extremely complex symbols, forming an incomplete profound seal.

"Why do I feel like the Eagle Eye symbol seems to be a super simplified version of this profound seal... Well, it's probably equivalent to three thousandths of the latter."

This was truly a disappointing fact.

He thought he could learn something, but now it seemed that he couldn't learn anything at all.

Cheng Han had a strange feeling: "It seems that I can master the Eagle Eye symbol and get fifty battle merit points in just a few minutes.

"But if I do that, even if I'm a genius, it would be too exaggerated. I heard that the fastest record in the past took nearly two days."

"Never mind, I'll still work hard for a few more days."

Being slightly ahead could be explained as being a genius. Among them...

But being far ahead beyond imagination, even a fool would know that something was wrong.

Cheng Han was dazed for a while and felt that doing this was too boring.

After thinking for a moment, he decided to change his method of working hard, turned around and left the stone stele valley.

Chen Xue'an turned his head and looked at his back, with a somewhat disdainful expression: "Is this what a genius is like?"

Half an hour later.

Cheng Han returned.

In his right hand, he was holding two big fish.

These were the big fish brought from the kitchen by the steward of this place.

According to the rules of the Qingfu Tower, you can do anything while contemplating, as long as you don't defecate or urinate everywhere, and don't make too much noise.

This is mainly because everyone's contemplation habits are different.

Some people are used to repeatedly copying and contemplating the images, looking for a glimpse of opportunity in the vastness.

Some people prefer to have sudden enlightenment, and their contemplation process is more casual.

And the spirit of the warrior is stronger. As long as they enter a state of meditation, they are less likely to be disturbed by the outside world, hence the above regulations.

Cheng Han broke a few branches and found a spot on the path. With the characteristics of fire-based arcane arts, he lit a bonfire.

Then.

He happily roasted fish!

This is the method of procrastination.

In the valley.

Chen Xue'an smelled the aroma of roasted fish drifting in the wind, and felt even more restless.

He cursed inwardly, "Instead of observing properly, he's playing with roasted fish. What kind of genius is this?!"

But Chen Xue'an could only curse in his heart.

Last time, he was forced to change dormitories, which made him realize clearly that the difference between people is too great.

There are some people he really can't afford to provoke.

And beside him.

The other two warriors remained like statues, completely unaffected.

*

Another quarter of an hour passed.

Cheng Han leisurely finished eating the roasted fish and stood in front of the stone tablet for five minutes.

Then.

He couldn't stay still anymore.

Cheng Han went out and brought back two lamb legs and a bamboo skewer, and started roasting lamb skewers.

In the valley.

Chen Xue'an smelled the aroma of roasted lamb and felt as if a hundred thousand strange things were whistling past in his heart.

Who the hell is this?

This is an important place for practicing Soul Refining talismans, not a place for barbecues and picnics!

But he could only hold it in, and his emotions became more and more irritable.

The rest of the day.

Cheng Han played with "tricks" all day, roasting everything that flew in the sky, ran on the ground, and swam in the water.

He also got acquainted with the staff and chefs of Qingfu Tower, and treated them to a meal of roasted meat, receiving waves of praise in return.

Not only his skills.

But also his character.

Chen Xue'an persisted until the afternoon, smelling all kinds of meat aromas, and couldn't stand it anymore, so he left with a dissatisfied heart.

*

That night.

In the dormitory area.

Mu Qiushan, the captain of the Second Battalion, personally delivered two secret medicines for this quarter, a third-grade secret medicine and a fourth-grade secret medicine.

The burly man asked tentatively, "Cheng Han, I heard you played barbecue at the talisman stone tablet?"

Cheng Han blinked and denied decisively, "What do you mean by playing barbecue?! I was searching for an opportunity for enlightenment!"

He cursed in his heart: A captain like him, is he really that idle? He even went to inquire about such gossip.

Mu Qiushan believed him on the surface, "Alright, your way of enlightenment is really special."

If it were someone else, the captain would definitely reprimand them, but for Cheng Han, he was surprisingly tolerant.

After all, geniuses are unique and it's not abnormal, right?

Cheng Han remembered a question, "By the way, if the time for enlightenment breaks the fastest record, will there be additional battle merit rewards?"

Mu Qiushan was taken aback for a moment and answered, "There is no explicit rule, but you can apply to the military lord. I think there should be additional rewards."

Cheng Han continued to ask, "How much is the reward?"

Mu Qiushan thought for a moment and replied, "The fastest record for the Eagle Eye talisman seems to be forty-four hours. If you break that, you will be rewarded with at least one hundred battle merit points."

Cheng Han continued to inquire, "If the record is significantly improved, will the reward be greater?"

Mu Qiushan nodded, "Of course!"

Cheng Han pondered for a moment, "I understand."

Breaking a record and gaining enlightenment that surpasses several times that of other battalions, he thought it was worth a try for the sake of strengthening the secret medicine.

Mu Qiushan couldn't help but ask, "Can you break the record?"

Cheng Han answered evasively, "I seem to have grasped a hint. Maybe I'll have results tomorrow."

Mu Qiushan was a little surprised, a little expectant, and a little doubtful, "Really?"

Cheng Han replied, "We'll know tomorrow."

The time to break the record, he can decide freely, isn't that a small matter?

*

The next day.

Cheng Han arrived at Qingfu Tower early, carrying a bunch of belongings, and entered the Stone Tablet Valley.

They included:

A table;

A chair;

A teapot;

That's right!

Cheng Han drank tea in front of the stone tablet.

No way.

Standing and daydreaming is simply not something a person should do, there must be some form of entertainment.

Not long after.

Chen Xuean also arrived.

This guy stood for ten minutes, smelling the strong aroma of tea and listening to the occasional sound of drinking tea, and decisively left.

Damn it!

Out of sight, out of mind!

Noon.

Mu Qiushan sent a food box over.

Cheng Han's expression was a bit subtle.

Why does everyone like to feed me?

The delivery guy even added, "Sergeant Cheng, this is a meal cooked by the Colonel's wife herself."

Cheng Han replied, "Please thank the Colonel's wife on my behalf."

He didn't quite understand in his heart, emphasizing the Colonel's wife, what exactly does it mean?

But speaking of which.

The taste of the food was very good, not inferior to Mrs. Qian's cooking skills.

Afternoon.

The snow fell even heavier.

Cheng Han held an umbrella and moved the chair in front of the stone tablet, sitting quietly and motionless.

Half an hour later.

A dark wave suddenly surged within him.

The stone tablet lightly trembled.

Two warriors who had turned into snowmen suddenly moved, turning their heads to look over, all showing a surprised expression.

Cheng Han decisively got up and left.

Leaving behind an umbrella and a chair.

After he left.

The two warriors started talking to each other for the first time.

"That young genius comprehended the Hawk Eye symbol?"

"Seems like it."

"Amazing!"

"Yeah!"

The two exchanged glances, their gaze sweeping over the chair and umbrella, silently reaching an agreement.

One person picked up the umbrella.

The other person sat on the chair.

These were the items used when comprehending the symbol of genius. By getting closer to them, perhaps they could find an opportunity?

*

Inside the Qingfu Tower.

Under the witness of a group of stewards.

Cheng Han extended a finger and lightly tapped on a mural.

"Buzz!"

The mural trembled.

"Whoosh!"

A hawk's cry sounded.

Light and shadow emerged from it, condensing into a pair of hawk eyes, disappearing after a few seconds.

The group of stewards were momentarily stunned, and congratulated in unison, "Sergeant Cheng, congratulations on comprehending the Hawk Eye symbol."

Ten minutes later.

Mu Qiushan learned some news.

Or rather, good news.

Cheng Han from the Second Battalion, only took thirty-nine hours to successfully comprehend the Hawk Eye symbol.

The Colonel couldn't help but sigh, "Truly a talented young man."

This news quickly spread.

Chen Xuean naturally heard about it too, and he sat silently in his own living room for a long time.

Another day passed.

The Military Affairs Pavilion approved a document - the Second Battalion's talent cultivation was meritorious, rewarding them with three hundred battle merit points.

Including the fifty points for comprehending the symbol, in just two days, the Second Battalion gained three hundred and fifty battle merit points.

Cheng Han learned about the news and smiled satisfactorily, "This is just the beginning, I have to work even harder to earn more points."

(End of this chapter)