The Insight skill had a colossal impact on Shen Xingyan's comprehension. At first glance, it seemed like a simple addition: 1+1=2, but in reality, his understanding of martial techniques grew exponentially.
The previously incomprehensible Demon-Quelling Staff technique, after processing and practical application, triggered a feeling of sudden epiphany in Shen Xingyan:
"It turns out the difference between a genius and an ordinary person is so enormous! It's like an unbridgeable chasm! If I, an ordinary person, were to try mastering a martial technique without the Insight skill, it would be incredibly difficult! Practically impossible!"
Shen Xingyan could barely imagine the agony of spending years trying to master a martial technique and not even reaching the basic level. Such a test of patience could break a person with an unstable psyche. No wonder the school didn't recommend taking up martial techniques.
Reflecting on this, he continued the movements of the Demon-Quelling Staff, drawing ever closer to the model demonstrated by the transparent little man.
Forty minutes later, Shen Xingyan felt a sudden change in his strength and his command of the staff—a noticeable leap occurred. The sensation was similar to what he had experienced during the breakthrough in the Dragon and Elephant Fist technique.
He intuitively pulled up his Star Map and checked:
Demon-Quelling Staff (Basic Stage): When the technique is activated, it consumes an appropriate amount of Stamina, temporarily increases Strength +2, Defense +1. Current Progress: 1%
Seeing that the description of the newly mastered technique had indeed appeared below the Dragon and Elephant Fist technique, Shen Xingyan smiled with satisfaction and nodded.
The Demon-Quelling Staff was attack-oriented, so the +2 Strength bonus didn't surprise him. But the additional point of Defense was unexpected. After all, even the versatile Dragon and Elephant Fist only gained a Defense bonus upon reaching 50% progress, while the Demon-Quelling Staff granted this bonus immediately upon mastery. It seemed this technique, despite its emphasis on attack, also possessed good defensive properties, embodying the principle that "the best defense is a good offense."
After examining the attributes, Shen Xingyan didn't waste the precious duration of the Insight skill and continued his training.
Fifteen minutes later, when the skill's effect ended and he completed the final staff movement, Shen Xingyan saw that the technique's progress had reached 24%.
"Another martial technique in the arsenal! And the mastery is growing so quickly!" Shen Xingyan said with a slight smile, putting away the staff.
In the subsequent hours, he performed physical exercises as usual, and in the afternoon, he went to the training hall, following his customary, measured routine.
After the recent increase in Strength, Agility, and Physique, there were, as expected, no further changes in his attributes. Shen Xingyan was prepared for this and felt no disappointment.
Only after his training, when he met his sister from school and returned home, did his calmness begin to yield to excitement—in a few hours, his experimental wheat field was scheduled to yield its final results.
After dinner with his sister, Shen Xingyan immediately retreated to his room. Lying on his bed, he mentally connected to his Star Map and entered the Star Source world. After casting the spell, he summoned his sixteenth small skeleton, patted it on the skull in greeting, and handed it over to Wangcai. He then quickly headed to the central wheat plot.
Crouching down, he carefully weighed the ears of grain in his hand. Although they had grown slightly heavier over the day, the increase seemed to him insignificant.
"I'll have to wait a few more hours and apply the professional skill," Shen Xingyan thought, looking at the professional ability in his attribute panel, whose cooldown had already completed.
"Everything depends on you now," he muttered.
During the remaining time, Shen Xingyan did not return to the real world to train. Instead, he continued to work in the field alongside Wangcai and the other skeletons, paying special attention to the wheat plot. Although he knew these actions would have virtually no impact on the final harvest, he did it anyway—for peace of mind.
Shen Xingyan worked and waited for the moment of the wheat's maturation.
When a person anticipates a known event, time always drags excruciatingly slow. During those few hours, he felt as if years had passed. Normally, such a period during training would fly by unnoticed—one momentary lapse of concentration and several hours would have passed. But now, time seemed to be stretched several times over.
In this agonizing wait, the moment of the wheat's maturation finally arrived. Shen Xingyan, ready for it, precisely calculated the time and applied his professional skill.
[Detection: Professional skill application to crops close to maturation. This may lead to failure. Proceed?]
Just like last time, the Star Source warning appeared. Shen Xingyan, who had been expecting it, confirmed without hesitation: "Proceed."
As soon as his mental confirmation was received, the plants around him emitted a strange sound, which allowed him to predict what would happen next.
[Congratulations! You have successfully applied your professional skill. Farmer Profession EXP +1.]
As expected, the notification of the skill's successful application sounded, and Shen Xingyan's worry greatly diminished.
The Original Energy from his body instantly spread across all the fields via the Beginner's Staff. The potatoes, which were in the late stage of tuber formation, visibly changed—the 10% increase in progress yielded an impressive effect.
However, Shen Xingyan paid no attention to this, focusing exclusively on the wheat before him. Observing carefully, he noticed the same change as last time: the grains in the ears first expanded rapidly, then sharply contracted, creating the impression of failure.
But upon seeing this familiar phenomenon, Shen Xingyan was not only not disheartened but even rejoiced:
"That's the effect! Last time I thought it was a sign of failure, but after analyzing it, I realized it's a necessary process for increasing yield and quality!"
As Shen Xingyan was reflecting on this, an icon appeared above the wheat field, indicating that the wheat was ready for harvest!