Stage 1—Greater Mastery!

With the Green Dragon Staff in hand, Wang Shuo slowly approached the sandy land.

Within the sand, there were four rows of soldiers standing motionlessly, each clad in yellow sand armor and helmets and armed with sand halberds. If not for their slightly heaving chests, it would be hard to tell them apart from a group of sand statues.

"Eight in a row, four rows for a total of thirty-two, plus the boss…"

The more he observed, the more shocked he became.

At this moment, he was sure that this was definitely an army. And from its appearance, it was evident that this was no ordinary army.

Critically, as these sand soldiers stood on the seemingly soft sand, their feet seemed to be weightless. And the apparently thick and heavy army boots only left a shallow mark on the sand.

The sand general in front was even more terrifying.

Towering at a massive 2.2 meters, the general was clad in a set of formidable, clear fish scale armor and dragged a menacing two-meter-long blade behind him. He looked like a gigantic river god from myths and legends. Just looking at him was spine-chilling.

The most terrifying thing was the seeming weightlessness of the sand general's massive body. He was almost levitating above the sand as if the soles of his feet were strangely suspended in midair.

"Report your name, young man." From under the sand general's helmet, a low and hoarse voice sounded.

Wang Shuo suppressed his astonishment and narrowed his eyes. "Shouldn't you introduce yourself first before asking for someone's name?"

The general was silent for a moment before slowly saying, "I am Sha Yi."

Wang Shuo was stunned. He didn't expect the general to follow his request.

After some thought, he decided to speak with the other party. "I am Wang Shuo. What does General Sha wish to talk to me about?"

Sha Yi seemed to be organizing his words as he slowly said, "Tell me your decision."

"What decision?"

"Join me or die."

"You want me to transform into your race too?"

"Yes."

Wang Shuo laughed. "Tell me, why are all of you insisting on me joining your race?"

"On orders."

"Whose orders? The Temple's?"

"That's not something you should know. Tell me your decision."

Wang Shuo was disappointed and rolled his eyes. "If I agree to the transformation, what benefits can you give me?"

Sha Yi didn't conceal anything in his reply. "If you join my sand race, you can inherit our race's secret techniques. I will also send you straight to the third trial."

Wang Shuo's eyes lit up. "You're the final boss of the second trial?"

"Yes."

Seeing this big guy being so honest, Wang Shuo coughed dryly and said, "I have a presumptuous request. Would General Sha be willing to spar with me alone?

"I would like to test my skills against yours."

That's right. Wang Shuo planned to use the same trick again. He had to see if he could solve this sand general first.

As the saying went, an army without a leader was like a snake without a head. If he could get rid of this big guy, it would be much easier to deal with the remaining sand soldiers.

Unexpectedly, the straightforward General Sha refused without hesitation. "No."

"Why? Are you afraid of losing?"

"No, I am afraid you will die," Sha Yi said calmly. "Anyone who fights with me will be viewed as an enemy by my sand soldiers, so they will fight you to their death."

Wang Shuo's mouth twitched as he squeezed out a smile. "I wonder if General can give me a few days to consider?"

Sha Yi slowly nodded. "The second trial lasts for seven days. You survived until the third day with your own strength. Fine, you are qualified to negotiate with me.

"I can promise you that I won't attack you until the last day. "

"Thank you, General. I will definitely give you an answer before then."

Wang Shuo was overjoyed. According to the second trial's camp expansion rules, this entire independent space would enter the aggro range of the sand army by tomorrow at the latest.

After witnessing the peculiar strength of the sand army, he was slightly at a loss.

Initially, he was only testing his luck to see if he could buy some time to raise his cultivation. But unexpectedly, the other party actually agreed.

However, it was clear from the general's words that the reason he granted his request was most likely that he had shown strength and potential.

'Your own strength' obviously referred to 'race transformation'.

As he celebrated, Wang Shuo also felt somewhat vexed.

If he had known that the second trial would last for seven days, he would have let those cat demons live for a few more days. Then, he wouldn't have to be so worried.

After the feigned polite discussion, Wang Shuo left the sandy land and returned to the cat demon forest. When he completely disappeared from Sha Yi's sight, he began to cultivate the Primordial Chaos Skill.

…

Wang Shuo thought that he would need 2,500 light spots to reach greater mastery. But when he absorbed about 800 light spots, the familiar burning sensation came from his chest again.

Based on his previous experience, every time this feeling appeared, it was when he was about to break through.

He was pleasantly surprised. This speed was nearly twice as fast as he had expected.

Most importantly, there were still three days until the agreed time. If he worked harder, he might be able to make another breakthrough!

To be honest, even if he managed to achieve greater mastery in the first stage of the Primordial Chaos Skill, he was still not confident that he could defeat Sha Yi and his army.

But if he could make another breakthrough…

At this thought, the gloominess in Wang Shuo's heart dissipated considerably.

When the moon rose again, another wave of heat flooded out from Wang Shuo's chest.

The force swept through his entire body.

At this moment, his bones, bone marrows, blood, tendons, muscles, skin… Almost every cell in his body was rapidly evolving.

After more than ten minutes, everything returned to silence.

Wang Shuo's eyes shone brightly, even somewhat dazzlingly.

This breakthrough brought bigger changes than he had imagined.

With this, he was sure that he could easily beat three of his pre-breakthrough self.

He opened his Attributes Window:

ID: K2648263

Name: Wang Shuo

Physique: 4

Cultivation Technique: Primordial Chaos Skill (Lower Mystic Tier)

Skills: Common Basic Staff Technique (Perfection), Common Basic Movement Technique (Perfection)

Equipment: Green Dragon Staff (Lower Mystic Tier)

Items: Five Grains Pill x684, Water Droplets x11

The increase in his Physique to 4 points was expected.

But he was more curious about the changes of the Primordial Chaos Skill.

[Primordial Chaos Skill]

Stage 1: Foundation Establishment (Greater Mastery)

Description: Nourish the five viscera to establish a firm foundation and cultivate the soul.

Breakthrough Requirements: 1. Physique 3-4, Breakthrough Pill (Yellow Tier) x1; 2. Physique 5-6

System Prompt: You have reached the standard for the cultivation technique to advance. You can complete the advancement by consuming a Breakthrough Pill.

"I've completed the first stage?"

Wang Shuo frowned. Something was amiss.

If the first stage stopped here, then how could he reach the second condition for advancement?

There was only one possibility. Greater mastery was not the end!

"Cultivation techniques and skills should both have the perfection realm. Greater mastery is probably just the minimum requirement to break through to the second stage."

With this thought, Wang Shuo calmed himself down.