"Here! This is the prototype of the third secret technique… So that's it, understanding Yi Yun's thought process when he created the technique immediately gave me new insights!"
"This is the fourth… the fifth…"
Qing Yu read faster and faster. These seemingly chaotic etchings, after he had completely comprehended the first level of Myriad Tribulations, seemed to be imbued with a brand new meaning!
They were no longer random scratches, but the most primitive sparks of thought that the creator of the technique, Yi Yun, had casually recorded when inspiration struck, when his thoughts were blocked, or when he repeatedly deduced! They were the "drafts" from the birth process of Myriad Tribulations!
"Where are the etchings for the second level?"
Qing Yu's mental energy was highly concentrated, like an experienced hunter, quickly searching, identifying, and piecing together clues from the messy marks.
"Found it!" Qing Yu whispered in his heart, suppressing his excitement.
In an inconspicuous corner at the edge of the rooftop, he locked onto his target!
The lines were twisted and coiled, interspersed with some pitted marks that seemed to have been repeatedly impacted by great force, exuding a chaotic and powerful aura overall. The etched patterns were also more abstract and profound.
"The first secret technique of the second level!" Qing Yu's breathing quickened slightly. He sat down cross-legged without hesitation, immersing his entire mind into these etchings.
The law information contained in these etchings themselves was far less clear and systematic than that of the chaos tablet.
But what he sought was not ready-made answers to laws, but the fleeting inspiration and trajectory of thought Yi Yun had when creating the second level of Myriad Tribulations, especially when facing the final hurdle!
"This deep and straight long mark…" Qing Yu's gaze focused on the conspicuous straight line etched on the stone slab, his finger unconsciously simulating its trajectory on his knee.
This immediately reminded him of the fierce and unparalleled opening move of the 15th secret technique of the second level of Myriad Tribulations.
"…Is it an extension of extreme power? But it seems to pursue rigidity too much?"
His gaze shifted to several shallower, shorter, and distinctly curved lines nearby. These arcs intersected, and there were even multiple overlapping and smudged marks, appearing hesitant.
"The thought process for the latter eighteen secret techniques!" Qing Yu's spirit was invigorated.
He used his finger as a spear, and his arm began to trace in the air, attempting to outline the combination of those arcs.
Initially, his movements were slightly stiff, but as he repeatedly pondered the starting points, turning angles, and depth of force of the etchings, the trajectory of his finger gradually became coherent, drawing an arc that contained the meaning of rotation and deflection.
"So that's it!" As his comprehension deepened, Qing Yu's mind suddenly cleared, feeling that his previous understanding of the latter 18 secret techniques was too one-sided and crude.
"The essence of the latter 18 secret techniques… lies in 'guidance' and 'transformation'!"
Qing Yu's arm movements began to strictly follow the trajectory of those key etchings on the stone slab.
His arm thrust forward fiercely, but at the end of the thrust, his wrist suddenly twisted, as if the spear tip, upon touching the target, did not clash head-on, but cleverly pulled and shifted the force.
Immediately after, his arm drew a smooth and fluid "S" shaped trajectory, like a long spear sticking, driving, guiding, and resolving.
Finally, his arm suddenly accelerated, unleashing a thunderous finishing blow at an extremely tricky angle!
This set of practice, using his hand as a spear, from slow to fast, from unfamiliar to skilled, became more and more fluid and integrated!
Qing Yu's eyes also grew brighter. The difficult point that had troubled him for a long time, on how to perfectly integrate the three spear intents of "burst," "guidance," and "finish" contained in the second level of Myriad Tribulations, burst open with the enlightenment from touching the original thought process of the technique's creator!
"I understand! My previous direction was wrong! I was blindly pursuing the ultimate lethality of 'finish,' but ignored that 'guidance' is the key bridge to merge 'burst' and 'finish'! The three must blend like water; I am in you, and you are in me!"
"Give me… break!" Qing Yu whispered in his heart!
His arm movements suddenly froze in a perfect power-exerting posture, as if holding an invisible peerless divine spear, its tip condensing destructive power and exquisite control, poised to strike!
"Buzz—!"
It was as if an invisible layer of solid ice shattered with a roar!
The stubborn bottleneck that had been stuck on the last secret technique of the second level of Myriad Tribulations was instantly overcome under the impact of this inspiration from the origin of the technique's creation!
Countless previously obscure spear stance changes were now crystal clear and understood! The original thought process left by Yi Yun and his own twenty-plus years of diligent spear art foundation merged perfectly at this moment!
The second level of Myriad Tribulations, the last secret technique—achieved!
Not only that, but when this last and most crucial puzzle piece fell into place, Qing Yu's understanding of the entire second level of Myriad Tribulations suddenly sublimated!
The connections between the fifty-four secret spear moves became incredibly tight and natural, their transitions and linkages smooth and unhindered, all governed by a single spear intent! His mastery of the entire spear technique reached an unprecedented realm of "perfection"!
True, complete mastery!
Qing Yu slowly lowered his arm and let out a long, turbid breath, his breathing deep and condensed.
The bottleneck was broken!
Qing Yu's eyes shone brightly. He sat down cross-legged again, his consciousness, following the resonance of the "world heart" at the core of his sea of consciousness, sinking into that vast source of the universe!
This time, his comprehension was far more efficient than ever before! Guided by the mastery of the second level of Myriad Tribulations, his understanding of the laws of space and time progressed by leaps and bounds.
He had originally estimated that it would take a year to fully comprehend the mysteries of the second "ripple diagram," but in just ten months, his comprehension of the laws was completely solidified, perfectly matching his secret technique realm!
"That's enough!" Qing Yu knew in his heart.
However, he did not withdraw immediately. Every time he entered the source of the universe, his spirit would bear heavy pressure, so to avoid wasting time, Qing Yu would always persist until his limit before withdrawing.
"I can use this time to deduce the framework of the third level of Myriad Tribulations in advance…" Qing Yu devoted the remaining time to deeper contemplation.
"198 secret techniques! Let's take it slow!"
Three years expired!
That familiar, heavy sense of exhaustion, as if his consciousness was about to be crushed, arrived as expected.
Qing Yu decisively withdrew his consciousness, returning to his body. Although his face was still pale from excessive mental exertion, his eyes were as sharp as rising stars, full of confidence!
"It's time to challenge the Tongtian Bridge!"
Although he was still far from comprehending the first 66 secret techniques of the third level of Myriad Tribulations, Qing Yu was confident he could pass the seventh level of the Tongtian Bridge!
Tongtian Bridge plane.
The familiar island was shrouded in mist, and the Warden, Ba Fen, stood silently, his figure unchanging through the ages.
When he saw a familiar figure condense on the island, a clear trace of surprise flashed in Ba Fen's placid eyes.
"Warden," Qing Yu greeted calmly, his voice steady.
"Qing Yu! It's you. Twenty-three years have passed since your last visit." Ba Fen's gaze lingered on Qing Yu for a moment.
"Regarding your news, other geniuses have speculated a lot, all thinking you were stuck at a bottleneck."
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