MTLNOVEL Chapter 81: A Bit of Innovation
After the Minor Cloud-Rain Technique was simplified, its entry requirement became:
[Take 100 deep breaths and wholeheartedly embrace the beauty of nature.]
So, while still on her way, Yun Jin casually mastered it.
Now, she could use it to harvest some emotional value from her senior brother—like the 200 points that just rolled in!
"Senior Brother, what were you saying earlier? Something about swordsmen usually being…?" Yun Jin asked innocently.
Yue Zhao gritted his teeth. "Oh, I meant that swordsmen are perfect for dual-cultivating as planters. The synergy is unmatched."
"I agree!" Yun Jin beamed. "Senior Brother, I've discovered that my Minor Cloud-Rain Technique pairs amazingly with sword arts!"
Yue Zhao had sworn an oath:
Never again would he let Yun Jin show off in front of him!
And yet—
His mouth betrayed him. "But… the Minor Cloud-Rain Technique is for nourishing plants. How does it complement swordplay?"
"Think about it, Senior Brother!" Yun Jin explained eagerly. "At its core, the technique is just a water-based sword art! And the best part? Water generates lightning—this technique even carries a trace of thunder energy. That yang-force pairs perfectly with swordplay! If you're using a water-attributed sword art, the Minor Cloud-Rain Technique doubles its power. It's brilliant!"
Yue Zhao listened, dumbfounded.
"That… shouldn't be possible," he argued weakly. "The technique only works on plants. What you're describing has never been done."
But Yun Jin knew it could work.
Because this time, the system had offered three simplification paths for the Minor Cloud-Rain Technique:
Original Path: A basic planting skill, purely for nurturing spirit herbs.
Modified Path: Transforms the technique into a water-based domain, enhancing all water-attribute techniques—including sword arts—within its range.
Insane Path: Lets the user harvest lightning from the clouds, condensing it into a devastating Azure Thunderstrike.
A planting technique that could summon thunder?!
Yun Jin had invested simplification points into all three paths, merging them into what she now called:
"New Minor Cloud-Rain Technique."
To level it up, the condition was:
"Chat with water-attributed plants to receive their blessing and accelerate cultivation."
…Talk to plants?
That was way too embarrassing.
Luckily, she had a solution:
Let Gu Jinghong do it in someone else's herb garden.
As long as she wasn't the one humiliating herself, it was fine!
"Senior Brother, Second Senior Sister's Lotus Bloom Sword Art is water-based, right? Watch this!" Yun Jin grinned and stepped beneath her rain cloud.
Yue Zhao wrestled with his curiosity.
If she succeeds, she'll show off again…
But if she succeeds and I miss it…
"Go ahead," he finally relented.
Yun Jin raised her sword, and the moment she entered the rain's range—
Yue Zhao's eyes widened.
Her water-attribute aura had intensified.
An amplification effect?!
Range-boosting techniques like this were at least Earth-grade, if not higher!
And she'd derived it from… a low-tier planting skill?!
This defied all logic!
Under the cloud, Yun Jin began the Lotus Bloom Sword Art.
Lotus petals materialized, swirling with sword energy—each strike sharper, each bloom more lethal under the rain's influence.
Yue Zhao could see the difference.
His lips trembled.
"Minor Cloud-Rain Technique…"
You call this *a* Minor Cloud-Rain Technique?!
This was a foundational skill for planters—something every water-attributed herbalist learned.
If Yun Jin showed this to any of them, they'd bash their heads against a wall in despair.
Just when Yue Zhao thought it couldn't get crazier—
Yun Jin suddenly raised her hand and shouted:
"Nine Heavens' Azure Thunder, heed my call—GATHER!"
BOOM.
Lightning crackled within the tiny black cloud.
Sword raised, Yun Jin channeled the bolt into her blade and slashed forward.
CRACK!
A distant boulder shattered—then disintegrated into dust.
Yue Zhao's jaw hit the floor.
Water generating lightning?
Sure, theoretically possible.
But turning a watering skill into a thunder spell?!
"So, Senior Brother, how's my Minor Cloud-Rain Technique?" Yun Jin asked cheerfully.
Yue Zhao stared. "You're sure this is the same technique?"
"Of course not!" Yun Jin said matter-of-factly.
Oh, thank heavens—
Yue Zhao almost sighed in relief.
Until she added:
"I renamed it New Minor Cloud-Rain Technique! See? Totally different!"
"NEW" MY FOOT—IT'S STILL THE SAME DAMN SKILL!
Was the universe punishing him for transmigrating too peacefully? Was this his karma?!
"Senior Brother, I've got two more techniques to learn—Earth Control and Insect-Slaying Finger. Give me a moment!"
Yue Zhao watched as she grabbed a hoe and started digging. Then she dug up a few insects and had a staring contest with them.
All of it took less than the time it took to drink a cup of tea.
She came back and told him—
She had mastered them both.
Yue Zhao forced a smile. "With your talent, that's… expected."
Expected his ass.
"Senior Brother, I've innovated these too. Wanna see?"
"…Sure."
What followed:
Earth Control → The ground surged in tidal waves, sprouting spikes that could impale a man.
Insect-Slaying Finger → Her fingers shot golden beams like some divine sword energy.
This wasn't pest control—this was extermination!
"So? How's my improv?" Yun Jin blinked hopefully.