Dark Moon Era

A gene tester must be used when cultivating the Thousand Satin Skill for the first time and it could only be cultivated at night.

It was just a way to go about the cultivation method because 90% of the people failed to meet the spiritual requirement during their first cultivation.

Therefore, the gene tester was brought in to usher one into visualization and receive the energy from that inception to jumpstart the cultivation of the Thousand Satin Skill.

“Using the gene tester for the first cultivation will be free of charge. In the future, if you still cannot enter the visualization state and feel the energy, you will need to pay 100 Hope credits each time you use the gene tester.” Yang Kong brought the Fierce Dragon Squad to the top of Glory Hall in Safety Sector No. 17. He also explained everything clearly to the group to avoid confusion.

“Then, before we start the cultivation, does anyone else have a problem?” Yang Kong asked as he looked at everyone in the Fierce Dragon Squad.

“Instructor, you mentioned that the Thousand Satin Skill wasn’t valid in the old civilization because they didn’t have or were unable to provide the required energy for cultivating, so how do we make it possible now? And is it really only at night?” Vian asked.

“In the early stages, all of you can only cultivate at night because the energy at night is a lot richer. Of course, if you guys are able to reach a higher stage and can build more than 10 Thousand Satin Vortexes in your body, you’ll be able to cultivate in the day.” Yang Kong spilled everything he knew about the cultivation and would answer whenever there was a question.

“Instructor, you mentioned that we must use the gene tester during the first cultivation, so is there a standard to measure that? I mean, can we not use the gene tester the next time?” Amir was the one who asked a question this time, sounding confident.

After he understood the theory behind the cultivation, his confidence was at an all-time high as if his humility and cowardice in the past had disappeared because he knew how great his potential was.

His question was what concerned everyone too.

“A standard? It’s hard to set up a standard measurement unit since it varies according to people’s spirit, but if you insist, there is a way. Although achieving this particular measurement standard is difficult, at least, there are only two out of that many genius New Moon Warriors in the First Reserved Camp over the years who have achieved the standard. Both of them managed to build a Thousand Satin Vortex in their bodies during their first cultivation.” Yang Kong’s answer was depressing as he made the standard sound impossible to achieve.

The Thousand Satin Skill was cultivated by using one’s spirit to feel the energy particles floating in the air.

After feeling the presence of the energy, one would have to use his spirit to gather the energy. Then, via a special breathing technique, one would shut his body down to contain the energy. However, of course, whenever a New Moon Warrior started his cultivation, he would never be able to completely shut the body down before reaching a certain state of mind.

Next, the energy contained in the body would refresh the body over and over again. In this particular process, the manual described it as the blast of a waterfall of energy. Whenever it flowed to every corner of the body, one must do his best to keep the energy from leaking out. When the energy accumulated to a certain level, one could form an energy vortex, also known as the Thousand Satin Vortex, at any specified acupuncture point.

The energy vortices would cleanse the body parts around the acupuncture point at all times, tempering the cells in that area.

The first three phases of the Thousand Satin Skill involved 18 acupuncture points and 36 meridian passages that directed the energy to the respective acupuncture points.

This cultivation method might sound ridiculous. How could the human spirit resonate with energy in the air? Using something like the meridian system and acupuncture points were something that the science of anatomy could not explain.

“I cannot explain how the spirit resonates with the mysterious energy, but with the knowledge that I have, I formed a theory.

“If the human spirit were a formless wave, the energy would be a tangible material. The wave is certainly going to affect the tangible material. The simplest example would be the microwave oven from the old civilization and how it heated tangible food up. What do you guys think? Science is boundless anyway, and the exploration is endless. The biggest ignorance would be assuming that you know everything and shackle yourself in your fixed thoughts.

“Anatomy cannot prove the existence of acupuncture points and the meridian system, such as if I dissect Orston now...”

“What? Why are you dissecting me?!” Orston grumbled.

“You are the biggest, so it’s easier to dissect you.” Yang Kong looked asquint at Orston before he continued, “But the usage of acupuncture points and the meridian system cannot be denied in terms of medical science. All I can say is because the Thousand Satin Skill has to work together with the spiritual visualization, the acupuncture points, and the meridian system, it will be a lot clearer and this might very well be the blind spot of science.

“Why do I say so? It’s because the visualization process is built upon strong faith. If you strongly believe that you’ll enter a certain state, you’ll be able to feel something. It might sound a little idealistic, but it’s a fact of the Thousand Satin Skill. If you don’t believe it, you won’t feel anything. I personally think that faith or belief will empower one’s spirit. It will make energy and other kinds of existences a lot clearer and sensible.”

One had to admit that Yang Kong was a responsible instructor. He did everything that he could for the Fierce Dragon Squad for their first-time cultivation.

He sounded serious and humble. His voice contained no mentor arrogance which would force acceptance among the New Moon Warriors.

Therefore, when he first mentioned the cultivation standard, everyone felt somewhat defeated because it sounded impossible to achieve.

They thought that they had earned a decent sum of Hope credits from the garage mission, but the facts proved that they were far from filling that endless pit of required Hope credits. No one knew how many times they had to borrow the gene tester to form the first Thousand Satin Vortex in their bodies.

Regardless, being able to start cultivating was an exciting matter. Everyone surrounded the gene tester in an exceptionally high mood and got into a heated discussion. What kind of effect would occur after cultivating? Even if they could not form the energy vortex for the first time, what kind of power-up would they get then?

All were discussing it except for Tang Ling who lazily leaned against the gene tester as if he was dozing off. Yang Kong glanced over at him a few times, intending to say something, but he did not in the end.

Maybe I shouldn’t disturb him at such a delicate timing since it might only harm his pride.

Everyone else shared the same thought. Intentional avoidance would probably protect him the best. However, Tang Ling did not feel sad or dispirited like everyone thought because he had the Perfect Genetic Chain which he was proud of although he had to keep a secret.

His lazy expression was a cover to conceal his true thoughts and emotions from showing on his face.

He did not carefully read through the addendum that he got from the Mysterious Store. He had only quickly flipped through it in that place, then he skimmed through it again when he tidied his spoils that night when he came back.

He did not really study the contents, but with his memory, he was able to perfectly memorize the contents of the first two pages.

Actually, he was making a comparison between the contents that he read from the addendum and the cultivation methods that Yang Kong explained. He was trying to find out what was the difference between the two. The addendum was just an extra manual that further explained the difficulties and provided some extra information about the cultivation method.

After some quick comparison, Tang Ling realized that most of the contents were the same except for the first cultivation and its method which was drastically different.

Tang Ling had to make a choice. Which method should he cultivate with? He did not doubt the Mysterious Store, but did the safety sector not produce many Purple Moon Warriors with their version of the Thousand Satin Skill?

Judging from how proud Yang Kong was of the manual, their Thousand Satin Skill manual had also achieved a certain level of success.

Besides that, if he were to cultivate in the way of the addendum, he would consume even more resources than he already was at the moment, and it would be much harsher from thereon.

Damn it! Where do I find that many Hope credits to buy food? Kun is really a scoundrel! He gave me a good wood core, but I can’t directly eat it.

Tang Ling was musing about all those messy thoughts.

At that point, Amir volunteered to be the first to start cultivating the Thousand Satin Skill.

“Hmm. The first cultivation takes up a lot of time but varies according to people. Some might take 7 to 8 hours, and some 2 to 3 hours. There are seven of you, so I wouldn’t suggest that all of you wait here. What about this? You can go for a walk around the sector when it’s not your turn or you can go home. Just remember your sequence number and carry your communication device at all times.” Yang Kong started to adjust the gene tester and prepared the machine for Amir to start his cultivation. He also provided the rest with something extra.

Everyone could not hold back their joy. It was indeed a happy day.

Tang Ling also cheered. He had to look for Su Yao immediately, but before that, he had to con Orston and Yu.

******

“Lalalala...lalalala...”

At the peak of the Sky Castle in the Floating Domain, a pair of fair, jade-like legs were swinging on the edge while an out-of-tune voice sang in the air.

It was 1,500 meters above ground, and even on such a clear night, the wind was very strong at that altitude. The chilly wind carried the brutality of the era, making the strange-looking star flag on the top of the Sky Castle flutter vigorously.

The owner of the pair of feet was sitting under the flag. Coupled with her perfect legs, her body was slender yet sensuous.

She was obviously a girl although she was as matured as a woman and as tempting as a fox. However, the raw sense of youth she exuded was one that other mature women could never obtain again.

The chilly wind did not seem to affect her. With her mysterious long back hair streaming in the air as smooth as silk, thousands of stars were reflected off it.

Her face was veiled by her hair, but at times when she looked up, the contours of her eyes were exposed. Her eyelashes were long and her eyes seemed lively and shiny.

She seemed to be in a jovial mood as she hummed a tuneless lullaby again and again. She even chuckled and laughed to entertain herself. When she laughed, the large city under the Floating Domain sparkled brightly together with her laughter as if it shared her joy.

The brightness summoned the stars in the sky, setting her laughter into a sweet tune.

Dak, dak, dak.

Heavy footsteps echoed in the room of Sky Castle. It must be a person with high self-discipline because every step sounded like it carried a strong sense of spruceness. The footsteps stopped in front of the window which was then opened. A figure leaped out of it, reaching the peak of the Sky Castle.

“Go away.” The girl was carefree and the smile still lingered on her lips. Her voice was neither domineering nor arrogant, but the chill in her voice would deter anyone from getting close.

The owner of the footsteps hesitated. The moonlight revealed him to be a very handsome man. Even in the middle of the night, his deep blue uniform was neat and clean. It screamed of ancient Huaxia fashion and his special buckles were neatly interlocked together, forming the inconspicuous shape of a dragon, hence emphasizing his handsome looks.

He regretted not possessing the pure Dongsheng Continent bloodline. Otherwise, with a head of dark hair and eyes, it would make him look even better in his uniform.

The uniform was designed based on the specialty of the people in the Dongsheng Continent after all. They could not help the influence because their great young master was indeed from the Dongsheng Continent.

“My queen, I don’t mean to interrupt, but Young Master Long asked me to send you something to wear. The night is cold.” The man’s voice was respectful and he even addressed the youthful and naive-looking girl as his queen.

The unfriendliness of the young girl seemed to decrease a little when the name Young Master Long was mentioned. Nonetheless, she did not look back as she said, “Put it there. You can leave now.”

The man gulped nervously as if he was unhappy about her cold shoulder, but he did not dare to do anything extra, let alone take a step forward. He timidly put the clothes on the floor.

A windy breeze blew the clothes off the floor and spread them apart in the air so that they floated towards the girl’s shoulders.

“Mm-hmm.” The girl shrunk her neck slightly to get a closer whiff of the clothes. The aroma seemed to make her happy as she squinted her eyes like a contented cat and the smile on her face got even brighter.

The man’s heart was moved by the beautifully innocent reaction from the girl. He could not hold back his emotions. He could not help it either. How many men in this world could resist the queen? Her unintentional actions, her smile, her laughter, and everything about her was intoxicating.

Unfortunately, the only man that could probably get close to her would be Young Master Long. The queen had once said that she liked Young Master Long’s smell.

Smell? Is there any special smell on Young Master Long? The man shook his head and was confused. If he could understand what kind of smell it was, he would give his best to fill himself with the said smell.

“Why are you still here?” The girl suddenly looked back. Her annoyance between the lines was sharp like an ice dagger that would stab hearts.

Even so, under the moon and stars, her looks were astonishingly beautiful, and no one would be able to hate such a face. Her skin was fair while the contours on her face were perfectly proportioned and she had a very unique sense of tenderness. Under her long eyelashes, her crystal clear eyes emanated a chill that would deter one from getting nearer.

Her delicate nose and her succulent but petite lips that looked rather pale would arouse an urge in men to provide her with warmth, yet one would slump to the ground with the stern arch that her lips curled into.

Her long black hair carried a mysterious temperament unique to the girls of the Dongsheng Continent. Even if she was a lethal but beautiful flower, people would treat her like the love of their lives, sinking themselves into her roots and providing her with the best nutrients.

However, the man dared not show a bit of admiration or intoxication, let alone praise. He said sternly and respectfully, “There’s something else that Young Master Long wanted me to tell you.”

“Oh?” The name Young Master Long seemed to be the antidote for all. The coldness in her disappeared, replaced by calm laziness.

“He will be back to your side in 15 days. On top of that, he thinks it’s time for some preparation because 25 days later, he will bring you to the True Safety Capital.”

“Is that so?” The smile on the girl’s face curved higher as anticipation shone in her eyes.

How hurtful! If that anticipation wasn’t for Young Master Long...It’s too bad I can never express my thoughts. What am I in her eyes?

“Yes, the annual celebration of the True Safety Capital is just around the corner. Master looks highly upon this year’s celebration and it is confirmed that Young Master Long will bring you there. Both Master and Young Master Long believe that you will outshine the others.”

The girl seemed a little interested when the man mentioned that. She turned around and continued gazing at the night sky.

Her eyes looked like they were in deep thought but still seemed alluring. She appeared to have endless thoughts in her head, but none of them managed to find a landing point like how a legless bird had to keep flying forever.

Having no reason to stay, he left decisively. He walked down from the peak of Sky Castle. His heart was pondering upon a sour question.

Who will she end up with? In the distant future, if there’s a chance, who will this girl named Higan, the most respectful queen, end up with? Will it be Young Master Long?

******

“Lend me some money. Do you feel happy when you lend me money?” Tang Ling curled his arm around Orston’s shoulder.

How tall is this big fella? Did he grow taller this month?

After going through a few days of nutrition and sufficient food, Tang Ling had grown and was no longer short. However, when he curled up around Orston, he looked like a monkey on a man’s chest.

Tang Ling did not really want to be this clingy, but he had to get himself some credits.

Orston was really upset. How could he get rid of this clingy person? He did not want another man clinging to his neck and act all shameless in front of him.

Unfortunately, he could not beat Tang Ling in a fight physically, let alone verbally since Tang Ling was known for being a rascal.

“Why would I feel happy if I lent you money?” Orston looked at Tang Ling as he questioned loudly. His spittle sprayed all over Tang Ling like a sprinkler.

Tang Ling frowned and wiped the saliva off his face and smeared it back on Orston’s shirt as he said, “Think about it. I’m just asking you for credits, not Hope credits. Wouldn’t you be happy enough?”

“Don’t you have credits? You need to slam a big pile of credits in my face to show off your prestigious position as the young master of the Gordin family!”

“I’m not the biggest in my family. I’m only the 11th.” Orston was practically rendered speechless.

What the f*ck? 11th? Was his mother that good at giving birth? Tang Ling kept his thoughts to himself and said, “11th? But you really look like the young master of the family.”

“Really?” Orston widened his grin.

“Why would I lie to you? Come on. Lend me some credits. No matter what, I’ll become a Purple Moon Warrior with a bright future. I won’t hold a tab against the young Gordin master,” Tang Ling urged Orston.

“Fine.” A quick thought later, Orston lent Tang Ling his pocket money which was a total of 50,000 credits. Anyway, credits had limited usage in the Hope Barrier.

“This little?” When Tang Ling received the credits from Orston via the exchange of their badges, he pouted.

“You little prick, give it back! If I’m not the young master, how could I lend you 50,000 at once?” Orston was upset.

“Fine, fine, I get it, Eleven. 50,000 is somewhat useful.”

Truth be told, 50,000 credits were not much. The training center that Su Yao once brought him to cost 1,000 credits per room. One would easily understand how much more valuable Hope credits were compared to normal credits.

Orston managed to calm down, but on second thought, he felt like something was not right. Why did Tang Ling call him Eleven after he lent him the money?

‘You piece of shit!’ Orston cursed as he clenched his fists, but he discarded the thought because he could not defeat Tang Ling, at least, not now. ‘When I achieve something in my cultivation in the future, the first thing I’ll do is beat Tang Ling up.’ He laughed in a ridiculous way as if he had already won.

Tang Ling and Yu shuddered when they saw Orston’s silly laughter, and then Tang Ling looked at Yu with a passionate gaze.

“Don’t come near me.” Yu hopped away.

“Then, lend me money or I will hug you as you walk across the streets and alleys in the sector. Believe me. Based on our relationship, it isn’t that hard to believe what I’ll do to you,” Tang Ling enunciated word by word.

Yu held back his nervousness and said, “How much?”

“The more the better.” Tang Ling was as shameless as ever.

“I really don’t know what you...” Yu wanted to ask Tang Ling what the credits were for. Did he not earn a lot the last time? He even got 2.5kgs of Level 2 vicious beast meat from Yu.

However, Yu could not reveal Tang Ling’s secret. On second thought, given Tang Ling’s character, he would really hug Yu across the streets and alleys. Therefore, Yu quickly gave Tang Ling his pocket money as well.

“Only 70,000? That’s little, but you’re better than Eleven here.” Tang Ling was not satisfied with the numbers after he checked his badge.

Yu had the exact same thought as Orston. He vowed to beat Tang Ling up when he achieved something in his cultivation.

Unfortunately, Tang Ling did not know what they were thinking. If he did, he would have taught them a lesson of despair.

After he received the money, Tang Ling did not want to spend another second with these two. He pinned his badge on his uniform and sprinted towards the outer city.

Although Orston and Yu were poor, Su Yao, on the other hand, might be richer.

Resources! Resources! I am in dire need of resources...Can’t the seed eat a little less? It’s almost time for the cultivation to start.

Tang Ling seemed to have forgotten that even if he did not have the seed in his heart, he was still a gluttonous eater.

As though the seed sensed the nonsense Tang Ling spewed, it rumbled around in its body. The pain made Tang Ling twitch, and he hammered himself with his fist like a madman and almost beat yesterday’s dinner out of his stomach.

Then, without being concerned about the attention, he sprinted towards the outer city again.