Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Wang Zheng and Jiang Feng’s exchange still gave Wang Zheng many insights. Amongst them, he and Mars had probably clashed with the most Earth-rank warriors. But through the exchange with Jiang Feng, Wang Zheng had still experienced something different.
The Earth-rank fighters he had faced in the past were renegades. The difference between proper and renegade fighters lay in their beliefs and habits. Although they were very strong, they inevitably had their vices. In terms of fighting style, they were unconventional, and often developed bad habits. But Jiang Feng was different. He was one of those fighters who saved and accumulated power. Although his exterior appeared warm and friendly, that was the real tough nut to crack.
Jiang Feng had helped to reduce Wang Zheng’s friction between his physical techniques and Ability X.
This was a mentoring fight. Clearly, Jiang Feng’s Ability X and physical techniques eclipsed Wang Zheng’s. In their exchange, Wang Zheng was elated at this. Each time they clashed, the opponent gave off a manner of proficiency, which let Wang Zheng feel at ease to fight with impunity. He worked the Primordial Regression Technique through each cycle smoothly. Such a way of fighting was easy to order.
Throughout the entire process, Jiang Feng was basically in a defensive stance, triggering Wang Zheng’s sense of battle. At the beginning, Jiang Feng was indeed taking it easy. But towards the end, mentor Jiang Feng was hard pressed to hold out. This youngster was really a monster.
After the exchange, Wang Zheng had indeed thought of many new things. “Mentor, what else do you think I’m lacking in or need improvement?”
Jiang Feng did not know whether to laugh or cry. This youngster really was wringing him out. “No real flaws – your fighting approach is balanced, and your technique is also holistic with no obvious weaknesses. Your battle experience isn’t shabby either. If you’re looking for perfection, then you had best specialize in an ability. That way, you can react better in tricky situations.”
Jiang Feng looked over at Wang Zheng, who was thinking it over. “Put simply, given your talent and ability, if you focus on one type of ability, your proficiency will rise. Now, you’ve mastered Ice, Fire, and Wood. Your range is very broad, and you will definitely lose concentration. Specializing is something that we all must face as we grow. I have a few friends who are in the same situation as you, but in the end they all found one type of ability to master, and used the others as supports. But the way I see you going, you’re trying to improve everything equally.”
Wang Zheng knew that he could not hide such things from an expert like Jiang Feng. It was easy to become caught up in the thirst for power, especially for different abilities. And having one’s concentration waver was inevitable. If he focused on one ability, perhaps he would develop it to a new level.
A simple matter – a jack of all trades, or a master of one?
In this world, perhaps all successful people chose the latter. Specialization gave rise to hope. The potential and ability of humans were limited, and in the end they could not break past this frontier.
Wang Zheng brooded over it for a while. “Actually, I’ve been considering this problem for a while now. It’s hard to give up on. The Ice ability was the first I encountered, Fire the second, and Wood the third. By my own feel, Wood affinity attracts me the most. This ability’s nature is complex and deep. Mentor, have I become too obsessed with gathering abilities?”
“Your talent is among the best I’ve ever seen, only now they have all chosen to specialize, because it’s the only way to go further. But given your situation, I do see something different. Your ability to combine abilities surpasses the imagination. Others choose to specialize on the sole basis that they cannot combine their abilities. 10 Earth-rank abilities pale in comparison to one Heaven-rank ability, but two or three Earth-rank abilities, sublimely combined, can produce Heaven-tier power. You understand your own power best.”
Jiang Feng smiled. He was also a genius, and this was a suggestion that others could not make. He clapped Wang Zheng on the shoulder. “Come find me if you have any doubts.”
“Thank you, Mentor.”
“Oh, right, Teacher Butcher is looking for you. Go over in a while, and also ask Olivios to come in on your way out.” Jiang Feng smiled.
Wang Zheng was secretly admiring him. He had exerted himself considerably against Wang Zheng, and immediately sought Olivios. More, their exchange had not been in mecha, but with naked flesh. The exertion was tremendous.
Olivios greeted him, and Wang Zheng headed for Butcher’s lab. He decided to walk and give himself time to think.
“He’s wrong.” Charcoal’s voice came from beside Wang Zheng.
Wang Zheng was stunned. This guy loved to appear at the strangest times without thinking about his feelings, but he was pretty used to the scares now.
“I think Mentor Jiang Feng didn’t say anything wrong.”
“His words are for normal people. You’re not a normal person. I think you know for yourself the strengths of hybrid powers,” Charcoal said.
Wang Zheng smiled. “This is an issue about the Primordial Regression Technique?”
“That’s true. The Five Elements are supreme when balanced. Perhaps it is difficult to see in the short-term, but if one wishes to attain ultimate enlightenment, one cannot lack even a single element. And that’s just the foundation,” Charcoal said primly.
Out of the Five Elements, he had already mastered three. All that remained were Earth and Metal. Wang Zheng had no feel for these two abilities. Awakening knowledge of such things required some destiny. He approved of one thing that Jiang Feng had said – to walk his own path. He would follow his instinct, and learn more about different powers. Learning broadly was helpful to improving himself as well.
If Wang Zheng focused on one ability to the exception of the rest, he would be curtailing his own way of thinking, and it would be counterproductive.
At Butcher’s nest, Butcher seemed to be in exceptionally high spirits. He aggressively slapped Wang Zheng on the back. “A youngster like you is such a dependable source of strength. Your performance this time was excellent. These two sonofa bitches have it coming now.”
“Old Butch, have you found it yet?”
“It must be gone. Sold. Otherwise, how could they live so luxuriously? But catching them is already very good. We can get clues to continue the chase.” Old Butch smiled. The important thing about this was revenge. After they had vented, the rest could slowly be recovered.”
“That’s good, then.”
“You’re about to go to battle again. A few of us old ones favor you. When you reach Aslan, it’ll be like entering the other nest of our Genesis Coffee Club. Rest easy. With us older ones around, you won’t go wanting,” Butcher said.
Wang Zheng shook his head. “I’m just a small fry, no one will come and mess with me.”
Butcher guffawed. “Youngster, you’re no small fry anymore. The transport route from Maklou to Tita has opened. If you’re small fry, then there ain’t many left in this world who can be considered big fish.”
“Any problems with the route?”
“Not really a problem. Some profit squabbles, which will never cease. I think it’s fine. The entire operation is pretty smooth. Just that you overlooked something,” Butcher said.
Wang Zheng had also heard from Yan Xiaosu that things were going well. It had cleared the Alliance, and both planets were cooperating. What was the problem?
