Chapter 14: Chapter 14: The Three Techniques of the Farmer
-----------
This high quality machine translation is powered by: https:// geriatrictranslations.com/
Special Permission was given to upload the novel on WebNovel.
Geriatric Translations can be supported on patreon (https://www. patreon.com/geriatricvibes) where additional chapters can be enjoyed.
You can also join the Geriatric Translations Community on Discord to connect with other readers: https:// discord.gg/NSWvfN7vua
-----------
Year 2597 of the Douluo Calendar, Summer.
At the southeastern corner of Mountain Sea Village, a pond of lotus flowers swayed gently in the breeze, emitting a subtle fragrance.
On the shore, Ling Yi lay on a large bluestone, his eyes half-closed, seemingly asleep but not quite.
About ten feet away, Zhang Lei held a Soul Tool: Hoe, his feet spread slightly wider than his shoulders. His toes, visible in his straw sandals, clenched tightly as he raised the Soul Tool: Hoe high above his head.
At that moment, Zhang Lei's waist, steps, hands, and eyes were highly coordinated. A surge of strength rose from his feet, moving through his calves and thighs, and then to his waist. With a smooth twist, his waist transferred the power to his arms, which formed a circle, and his body became a half-circle.
"Swish—!"
The hoe blade cut deeply into the soil. Using the rebound force from the ground, Zhang Lei lifted the hoe handle, flipping the entire clump of soil. Then, with a quick turn of his feet, he reversed the hoe blade and struck the clump, shattering it.
Ling Yi, who had opened his eyes at some point, watched the scene quietly, a thoughtful expression on his face.
'After two and a half years, from the five people of the Ling and Zhang families, to over twenty people in Mountain Sea Village, and then to more than three hundred people in the surrounding villages, observing their movements while working in the fields…'
'Breathing, stance, waist twisting, arm swinging, muscle exertion…'
'Finally, I have integrated the Hoe Swinging Technique of the Three Techniques of the Farmer.'
'The Sickle Swinging Technique for harvesting wheat and the Axe Swinging Technique for chopping wood are still a bit lacking—'
"I can only wait a bit longer~" Ling Yi murmured softly. "After my Soul Power Awakening Ceremony, I'll try to find a way to cultivate soul power and continue my research."
For Ling Yi, the most important thing right now was the upcoming Soul Power Awakening Ceremony in two days.
More than two months ago, Ling Yi had already turned six years old, and the Soul Power Awakening Ceremony for the surrounding areas would begin in two days.
"Phew—"
Zhang Lei leaned on his Soul Tool: Hoe, taking a deep breath. His face was slightly flushed, and sweat glistened on his forehead as he panted lightly.
"Ah Yi~"
With a faint gray light in his right palm, Zhang Lei retracted his soul power and walked to the large bluestone, sitting down with a relieved sigh. His eyes sparkled as he said softly, "I feel that my soul power has increased again~"
Ling Yi's gaze shifted from the newly cultivated half-acre of land to Zhang Lei, examining him from head to toe.
Since his soul power awakening in the winter of 2594, Zhang Lei, who was almost nine years old, had grown much stronger. His height was on par with the average twelve- or thirteen-year-old in the village. The muscles in his arms and chest, visible through his short-sleeved shirt, made him look like a young leopard.
Years of working in the fields with the adults, fishing in the pond with Ling Yi during his free time, and hunting birds and rabbits in the Old Forest to the north, combined with ample sunlight, had given him a healthy, wheat-colored complexion.
In contrast, Ling Yi, who spent as much time outdoors, still had a fair and smooth complexion.
Hearing Zhang Lei's low voice about the increase in his soul power, Ling Yi did not show any surprise.
While this news would likely shock the other villagers, it was different for Zhang Lei. Three years ago, during his Soul Power Awakening Ceremony, he was clearly tested to have no innate soul power and no potential to become a soul master.
But now, Zhang Lei was saying that his soul power had increased again!
"Brother Lei~" Ling Yi placed his hand on Zhang Lei's wrist, sensing with his mental energy as he spoke. "I've said many times that our bodies are the foundation of our existence in this world."
"The stronger our bodies, the more solid the foundation, and the more nutrients we can absorb from the outside world."
"Although we don't know the soul master's meditation techniques, with proper physical training and a nutritious diet, your soul power will naturally grow stronger step by step."
"Brother Lei~"
Ling Yi withdrew his hand and looked into Zhang Lei's eyes. "After all, by your innate potential, your soul power is only 0.1 or even 0.01. Even if you followed the same training as the Junior Soul Master Academy students, your progress would likely be unsatisfactory—"
"I understand~" Zhang Lei sat back, supported by his hands on the bluestone, his side profile looking at Ling Yi with a smile. "Last year, when we went to Beikouhe Town with Father, that Junior Soul Master Academy student was only a Level 7 Soul Scholar, and he wasn't even as strong as me. He had trouble carrying two buckets of wheat beer…"
"Don't compare yourself to others~" Ling Yi shook his head, his expression serious. "Remember, we are just farmers living in the countryside with a bit of brute strength. Don't have the heart to compete with others!"
"Besides, I've heard from Uncle that the guy is the young master of the Esen Family in town. His innate soul power is Level 1, and his soul power is the 'Emerald Feather Bird.' Although it's a beast soul power, it doesn't offer any significant advantage in physical strength."
"And you~" Ling Yi's voice was calm. "Not only are you a year older, but over the past two years, you've been working in the fields with Grandpa and Uncle, and the Hoe Swinging Technique has helped you build your strength and physique. It's nothing to be proud of that you're stronger than him."
"Remember, don't compare yourself to others. You need to win against yourself." Ling Yi repeated.
"Oh, I understand~" Zhang Lei responded somewhat reluctantly.
Seeing Zhang Lei's expression, Ling Yi didn't want to dampen his spirits. He changed the subject, saying, "It's the farming off-season, and there's nothing to do in the afternoon. Why don't you come with me to the Old Forest for a walk—"
Zhang Lei's head shot up, his face lighting up with joy. "Really?!"
"Recently, I've noticed that with the increase in my soul power, my eyes, ears, and nose seem to have been enhanced. Combined with my current strength, I can fully draw the slingshot made from the branches of the Iron Birch Tree. Whether it's a wild chicken or a wild rabbit, one shot and it's down!"
"Even if I encounter a wild wolf, I might be able to hunt one!"
As he spoke, Zhang Lei's face was full of anticipation.
"You—"
Ling Yi shook his head helplessly. "If you really encounter a wild wolf, safety first. Those creatures usually travel in packs. The two of us with just two slingshots can't handle them…"
"But there's Ah Huang and Miaomiao, right~" Zhang Lei said nonchalantly.
Hearing this, Ling Yi raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything more.
Now five years old, Ah Huang and Miaomiao were not as weak as human children of the same age. With the rapid growth rate of dogs and cats, they had long since matured and were at their peak in the magical world of Douluo Continent.
Furthermore, Ling Yi had influenced their intelligence with his mental energy from a young age. With ample food, strong digestive capabilities, and the natural physical enhancements of animals, Ah Huang could now compete for the position of alpha in a small wolf pack, and while Miaomiao might not be as strong as a tiger, she was certainly no weaker than a cheetah!
These two little guys were now the two major guardian beasts of Mountain Sea Village. Any wild boars, leopards, or venomous snakes that occasionally wandered out of the Old Forest were easily taken down by them.
As the two little guys grew to this level, the two families who had sold them as river fish years ago became even more treasured of their remaining pets, hoping that one of them could grow to the level of Ah Huang and Miaomiao.
(End of Chapter)