Chapter 639: Section 426: Air Bomb
Flower Skirt Island.
The underground square of the Shuang Tu Medical Hall.
Lan Zao was in cultivation.
Every Fighting Energy Secret had its method of cultivation; the Seaweed Fighting Energy Secret was practiced through arm swinging, while the Air Pressure Fighting Energy Secret involved patting.
Lan Zao’s body was wrapped in layers of bandages, constantly patting various parts of his body with his palms.
After every pat, strands of fresh Fighting Energy would emerge from the patted area.
With continuous pats, little by little, the newborn Fighting Energy gathered into streams, flowing through Lan Zao’s body.
What Ba Qi had infused into him was also Air Pressure Fighting Energy, but it had been generated within Ba Qi’s body. Although it was the same kind of Fighting Energy and Lan Zao could barely use it, it wasn’t his own after all; essentially, it was foreign Fighting Energy.
Only the Fighting Energy generated by his own body through exercise could be fully utilized by Lan Zao.
Before long, the white bandages on Lan Zao’s body were stained with clumps of red blood.
His injuries had not healed because the forceful infusion by Ba Qi had caused particularly severe internal damage.
In fact, every time he patted his body, it triggered an intense pain without exception.
But Lan Zao’s expression was resolute, his gaze unwaveringly determined, showing not the slightest fear or compromise.
He was genuinely stimulated.
Before, he had been cultivating peacefully, only to be caught by Ba Qi and subjected to a bout of Fighting Energy output, and by a stroke of luck, he had come back alive. When he woke up, he was in the medical hall, witnessing a confrontation between two Golden Level figures, Ba Qi, and Cai Jing.
Although he was far away in a sickroom of the medical hall and could not see the details of the two figures’ exchange, the massive momentum of Golden Level combat was enough to put enormous psychological pressure on him.
“Although my Bloodline has awakened and my Level has risen, I’m only at the Black Iron Level.”
“Compared to the Golden Level, I’m completely at the mercy of others!”
“According to Shuang Tu’s diagnosis, I should definitely be able to reach Silver Level. Once I’m at Silver Level, even if I can’t beat Ba Qi, I might be able to run away—able to seize some initiative in front of such beings.”
The previous Lan Zao didn’t possess such determination. The Bloodline Awakening had brought him not only a raised ceiling but also a strong mental encouragement!
“You can take a break now.” Shuang Tu had been observing all along, monitoring Lan Zao’s physical condition in real-time through Alchemy Components.
Lan Zao had a certain degree of trust in Shuang Tu and immediately stopped cultivating upon receiving Shuang Tu’s reminder.
Shuang Tu then proceeded to remove his bandages.
After the bandages were removed, Lan Zao’s body was a bloody mess, a sight that was unsettling to behold.
Shuang Tu took him into the Magic Array, activated the Array, and shone the healing light on him.
Lan Zao’s injuries, both internal and external, were healed to some extent, but not completely.
Shuang Tu explained to him: “Today is a critical period for you to switch Fighting Energies. If you’re fully healed before you’ve completely transitioned your Fighting Energy, your new body won’t fully match the new Fighting Energy.”
“So, being injured is actually beneficial for you.”
“The Air Pressure Fighting Energy left by Ba Qi will greatly repress your body’s instincts, inhibiting the production of Seaweed Fighting Energy. This will greatly assist you in converting to Air Pressure Fighting Energy.”
“Next, you just have to repeat the previous process. After about five times, you should be able to complete the transformation.”
Lan Zao nodded; he took Shuang Tu’s words to heart and followed the guidance.
After five times, the Fighting Energy inside Lan Zao had completely changed. Not only was it all Air Pressure Fighting Energy, but it was also all produced by his own body. The foreign Fighting Energy previously infused by Ba Qi was either used up or guided out.
“You’ve succeeded, but this is just the beginning. Here.” Shuang Tu handed Lan Zao a Crystal Ball.
“What is this?” Lan Zao asked as he took it.
“This contains information about the Air Pressure Fighting Energy Secret,” Shuang Tu said.
Lan Zao interrupted him: “Have you forgotten? I can’t read. Let alone the language of the Snow Elves.”
“I know,” Shuang Tu nodded. “That’s why the Crystal Ball has a Magic Image inside. When the Magic Image plays, there will also be sounds emitted. You have to keep infusing Fighting Energy into it to activate it. Once you stop infusing Fighting Energy, the Crystal Ball will also stop working.”
“Although this alchemy tool is low-level, the content inside is carefully selected by me for you and will be very beneficial.”
“Your training plan from now on will be based on this content; you must take a good look. Especially the last part; there’s a surprise waiting for you.”
“Train well.”
Shuang Tu patted Lan Zao on the shoulder and left him alone.
He wasn’t worried about Lan Zao’s training condition at all.
Lan Zao stayed alone in the underground square, starting to examine the Magic Image in the Crystal Ball.
The Magic Image revealed a member of the Human Race, discussing and demonstrating the cultivation method of the Air Pressure Fighting Energy Secret, as well as its basic applications.
Compared to other Fighting Energy Secrets, Air Pressure Fighting Energy had one distinct advantage: it was very adept at compressing air.
At this point, Lan Zao had a flash of insight and thought of the Fish Bladder organ in his body.
The Magic Image continued to play, and another Human Race figure appeared.
The characteristics of this individual were very similar to Lan Zao’s current appearance—it was indeed a fighter with a Fish Bladder Bloodline, just like him.
The Human Race fighter carefully imparted how the Air Pressure Fighting Energy could ingeniously work together with his body’s structure.
Among the techniques, one that Lan Zao had a sudden inspiration for was air compression within the fish bladder.
This approach had many benefits.
The first benefit was that while the maximum volume of the fish bladder remained unchanged, the amount of stored air would increase several-fold. In an environment devoid of air, this would tremendously extend the lifespan of a living being.
The second benefit was an increased upper and lower limit of buoyancy control for the fighter.
The third benefit was the potential for deeper integration with other related combat skills.
Human Race fighters plainly stated, “The Pressure Fighting Energy Technique has a very high compatibility with the Fish Bladder Bloodline, and can almost be considered the best match.”
Upon viewing the last segment of the Magic Image, Lan Zao discovered the “surprise” Shuang Tu had mentioned.
Combat Skill—Air Bomb.
This was a combat skill that was extremely practical for those with the Fish Bladder Bloodline. More precisely, after combining the Fish Bladder Bloodline with the Pressure Fighting Energy Technique, the Air Bomb combat skill was a must-have! The recommended index was the highest at 100.
To employ the Air Bomb combat skill, most fighters had to curl up their hands, bringing the palms together, and continuously compress air in the spherical space between the palms.
Once compression was complete, they would wrap it in fighting energy to form the Air Bomb and launch it to strike the enemy.
For a fighter, only those of the Golden Level could condense fighting energy into a shape out of thin air. Thus, the minimum Level for this Air Bomb combat skill was Golden Level.
However, it was different for Lan Zao.
Lan Zao could continuously compress air within his own fish bladder, which was far more convenient than using palms externally and also much stealthier, with the great advantage of pre-stored air.
The key point was that after the compressed air within the fish bladder had been stored for a long time, it became a part of Lan Zao’s body.
When Lan Zao launched these compressed airs, it was akin to throwing his hair or arms—this aspect was extremely crucial!
It meant that Lan Zao could use fighting energy to fill the compressed air and launch it even at the Bronze Level.
The long-range fighting energy attack capability that fighters possess at the Golden Level, Lan Zao could have at the Bronze Level.
In the Magic Image, the Human Race fighter clearly explained how to practice the Air Bomb, the specific tricks, and the matters that needed attention.
What shocked Lan Zao further was that the fighter also demonstrated various Bullet Cores.
These were a type of alchemy weapons.
Bullet Cores were much smaller than typical bullets, with many types available. When paired with an Air Bomb, they could produce various attack effects.
For example, a Signal Bullet Core combined with an Air Bomb could create a signal flare.
Another example, if Lan Zao used a Guidance Bullet Core with an Air Bomb, he could create a guided air missile capable of turning corners, adjusting its direction mid-flight, and tracking targets.
At the very end, the Human Race fighter went into detail about how to use these Bullet Cores and how to practice to achieve the best effects. He even proactively showed some real-life applications of the Bullet Cores.
After watching once, Lan Zao fell silent.
Regarding the Pressure Fighting Energy Technique, he felt he could master it through access to the War Merchant’s information storage; it was not rare.
The same was mostly true for the Air Bomb combat skill.
But what Shuang Tu provided went far beyond just these.
He also provided Lan Zao with copious detailed foundational knowledge, the most effective training methods, comprehensive precautions, and the experiences of predecessors.
He even showcased the Bullet Cores. Without a doubt, these alchemy tools could greatly enrich and enhance Lan Zao’s arsenal.
These were all things that the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps could not provide.
“The intelligence organization of the Snowbird Port City Lord is so strong!”
“They actually found the most suitable cultivation materials for me in such a short period of time.”
“And it is Human Race fighters who have demonstrated them to me.”
“The displayed Bullet Cores, they’ll probably provide them to me too. Otherwise, there was no need for them to show them.”
“Perhaps this organization was not built by the Snowbird Port City Lord alone; there must be other nobles and powerful figures from the Ice Sculpture Kingdom behind it.”
Lan Zao was not a talent for plotting, but even then, from this Crystal Ball, he felt the might of Shuang Tu’s underground organization.
“Our cooperation with the Snowbird Port City Lord is indeed very wise. At least on me, the help received has been tremendous.”
“Once my cultivation is successful, I’ll surely be able to bring more assistance to the squad leader.”
With renewed expectations, Lan Zao collected his emotions and began new training following the demonstrations in the Crystal Ball.
This scene, through an alchemy device, fell into Shuang Tu’s view.
“It seems he may have noticed something unusual,” Shuang Tu smiled.
This was intentional.
Through the Crystal Ball, he “inadvertently” showed Lan Zao the strength of the organization.
People naturally gravitate toward strength.
In the future, as Lan Zao uses Bullet Cores frequently, he will also materially and organizationally bind more closely with Shuang Tu’s organization, increasing his dependence.
If things continue in this trend, Shuang Tu was confident that he could turn Lan Zao into one of his own and then place him inside the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps for espionage and other hidden missions.
Shuang Tu was unaware of the true relationship of the survivor; in his view, Lan Zao was just a lower-level member of the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps, one who was recruited on Snake Rat Island, and Lan Zao’s loyalty to the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps was fairly weak, totally capable of being swayed.