Chapter 2, Source Patterns

However, the eight meridians that have not manifested within his body for a long time have left him without even the strength to protect himself

Zhou Yuan nodded gently upon hearing this. In fact, he understood the deeper meaning behind Zhou Qing's words, which expressed concern that he might still not manifest the Eight Meridians by then, and in the event of being unable to become a Source Master, he would fall into despair and abandon his last path.

The Great Zhou Prefecture, Western Garden

"Does Father have a solution?" Upon hearing Zhou Qing's words, Zhou Yuan's eyes immediately brightened, and he exclaimed with delight

Moreover, what infuriated Zhou Yuan the most was that his mother was severely weakened as a result, with her lifespan reduced to less than ten years.

Today, the Great Zhou is still able to survive solely because of the ancestral oath established by King Wu in the past. It is conceivable that once the centennial day arrives, the Wu Dynasty will undoubtedly be the first to carry out a bloodbath against the Great Zhou to eliminate future threats

Zhou Qing fell silent for a moment and slowly said: "In this world, there are heavenly materials and earthly treasures that can supplement one's lifespan. If one could obtain them, it would indeed be possible to extend your mother's life, but..."

At this point, Zhou Qing said with a bitter smile: "Such rare treasures of heaven and earth are exceedingly precious. I have exhausted the efforts of many people in our Great Zhou to search for them, yet we still have not made any gains"

Over the years, the Great Zhou Prefecture has cultivated numerous talents for the Great Zhou, thus its status within the Great Zhou Dynasty has been increasingly elevated. Therefore, even His Highness Zhou Yuan is studying here.

Zhou Yuan clenched his palm tightly; at this moment, he finally understood the benefits of possessing power. If he could have power, even in the most dangerous of predicaments, he could explore and seek out the heavenly materials and earthly treasures that could extend his lifespan

Zhou Yuan took a deep breath, slowly suppressing the surging anger within him. He looked at Qin Yu, who had fallen into a deep sleep but whose face was pale, and his heart ached like a knife. He asked, "Father, what about Mother? Her lifespan..."

Zhou Qing felt a sense of comfort regarding Zhou Yuan's determination. After a brief silence, he heavily patted Zhou Yuan on the shoulder and said: "Good! Not willing to give up easily, you truly are my Zhou Qing's son! Since you have this desire, your father will naturally do his utmost to assist you!"

At the entrance of the Great Zhou Mansion, the defenses were stringent, with armored guards rigorously inspecting the identification badges of all entrants. However, this procedure was naturally waived for Zhou Yuan, as it was likely that no one within the Great Zhou City did not recognize this prince.

As the pen tip flowed, a few minutes later, accompanied by the gentle diagonal stroke of Zhou Yuan's slender palm, a flash of light suddenly blossomed on the jade tablet before him, revealing a complex and nuanced source pattern slowly taking shape.

Zhou Yuan held the red jade source-patterned brush in his hand, yet his gaze was directed towards the front, where a middle-aged man, serving as the lecturer, was calmly delivering his lecture.

Your Highness. Many students from the Great Zhou Academy were coming and going, all of whom were smiling at Zhou Yuan at this moment, their expressions reflecting a degree of respect.

All source patterns require the source pattern pen as a medium in order to depict the profound and intricate source patterns, thereby invoking the source energy between heaven and earth and unleashing immense power

As dawn approached, Zhou Yuan left the royal palace under the protection of a group of guards, heading directly towards the northwest district of the Great Zhou City, where the Great Zhou Mansion is located

During the time when the Eight Meridians had not yet manifested, Zhou Yuan, under the guidance of Zhou Qing, practiced the art of Source Patterns. After all, the saying goes that having many skills is never a burden; many Source Masters actually engage in a basic study of Source Patterns.

Therefore, the importance of the source pattern pen is self-evident. Without the source pattern pen, no matter how high your mastery of the source pattern is, the power of the engraved source pattern will likely be diminished.

During this year, due to the lack of manifestation of the eight meridians within him, he spent almost all his time studying the source patterns, which has resulted in a much deeper foundation in this area compared to other students

Upon hearing this, many young boys and girls smiled and shook their heads. It was evident that His Highness Zhou Yuan had a remarkable talent in this area; how could one expect everyone to possess such efficiency?

The following day

His mother, for his sake, has exhausted her vitality and shortened her own lifespan. As her son, how can he remain indifferent? Moreover, if the Wu family had been unaware of all that they have done to the Great Zhou and to him, it would be one thing, but now that they are aware, this debt cannot be so easily overlooked.

Zhou Yuan also smiled and returned the gesture with cupped fists. He understood that most of these students came from commoner backgrounds, and their respect for him was largely due to the fact that his father had established the Great Zhou Court, which provided them, as commoners, with opportunities to elevate their status and change their destinies

Zhou Yuan gently shook his head; the hardships he had endured over the years, while causing him great torment, had also endowed him with a maturity and resilience that surpassed his age

If one were to discuss what is most important in depicting the source pattern, everyone would say three words: source pattern brush

Zhou Qing nodded slightly, then let out a bitter smile and said: "You should not be too happy too soon, because even I cannot be certain whether this method will actually be effective."

Zhou Qing nodded slightly, and a hint of a satisfied smile appeared on his face

Hehe, the lecturer's words are misguided. Our primary focus is more on opening the meridians, and naturally, we cannot invest ourselves wholeheartedly in the study of source patterns like His Highness Zhou Yuan. Otherwise, would it not be putting the cart before the horse?

The so-called Great Zhou Mansion was personally ordered to be established by Zhou Qing a few years ago, and at the same time, experts from the military were mobilized as instructors. When the Great Zhou Mansion recruits students, it does not distinguish between high and low status; even commoners, as long as they possess talent, are still allowed to enter the Great Zhou Mansion for cultivation

Good! The voice of the youth is filled with deep anticipation

As soon as these words were spoken, a chorus of wails erupted in the library, and the faces of many young boys and girls turned bitter. This was because practicing the source pattern, though seemingly simple, would deplete one's spirit and leave a feeling of exhaustion after each session.

Our great dynasty, after all, is not as it was in the past; now we are confined to a corner, barely managing to protect ourselves.

The so-called source patterns, guided by the spirit and soul, converge at the tip of the pen, outlining the source traces. Each stroke must be made with the spirit and soul as ink; thus, the source patterns that are depicted can truly invoke the source energy of heaven and earth

What Zhou Yuan is currently depicting is one of the three source patterns, the Iron Skin Pattern. This is merely an entry-level source pattern, possessing over one hundred source traces. However, to perfectly render these complex traces, it is evident that a significant amount of practice is required

Zhou Yuan pressed his lips tightly together, and on his slightly delicate and youthful face, there was a hint of coldness.

... ...

Thus, when Zhou Yuan appeared at the entrance, all the guards bowed respectfully to him

You shall rest for one day; tomorrow you will still go to the Great Zhou Prefecture to continue your studies. Three days later, I will take you to the ancestral land

Of course, the most important point is that he is able to feel that his spirit should surpass that of ordinary people. It seems that although his fortune was taken away and the root of the Sacred Dragon was damaged, fortunately, it did not harm his spirit. It is likely that at that time he was too young, and his spirit had not yet fully manifested, thus allowing him to escape a calamity

"What conditions?" Zhou Yuanyi was taken aback and asked in confusion.

Zhou Yuan gazed at Zhou Qing's back, that usually imposing figure, which at this moment exuded a sense of heart-wrenching helplessness and weariness. He knew that his once ambitious father must have had grand aspirations, yet those were gradually worn away by the harsh realities of life.

The lecturer, feeling much better, sighed towards the numerous students: "If only you all could have such learning efficiency, how wonderful that would be"

Zhou Qing said solemnly: "Regardless of whether you can open your meridians at that time, you must not give up on the path of source patterns. You must understand that if your eight meridians remain closed, then cultivating source patterns will be your last resort. Moreover, if you reach a profound level in source pattern cultivation, it may not be impossible to suppress the resentment dragon poison within you"

Three days later, it will be the ancestral ceremony. This time, you will accompany me to the ancestral land.

Zhou Yuan looked up and saw that the lecturer had somehow stood beside him, gazing at the source patterns on his jade board with an appreciative smile.

"Good, not bad, the patterns are perfect, it is indeed a work of divine skill. This iron skin pattern can be considered a successful masterpiece." At the moment Zhou Yuan completed it, a voice of admiration and laughter also came from beside him

The other boys and girls in the church all looked up at Zhou Yuan, their eyes filled with a sense of wonder. Some of them had not even put pen to paper yet, while Zhou Yuan had already succeeded.

Hmph, what are you howling about? The three source patterns I taught you, the Barbarian Bull Pattern, the Light Body Pattern, and the Iron Skin Pattern, are merely introductory levels. Upon hearing these wails, the middle-aged instructor also scolded sternly, his voice filled with disappointment at the lack of progress.

Zhou Yuan gritted his teeth and said in a low voice: "Father, can I really not become a Source Master?"

Seeing the lecturer's anger, many young boys and girls shrank their necks and dared not speak. They then picked up their source pattern brushes and began to carve on the jade boards in front of them

To have one's own biological son robbed of his fortune and broken in spirit by an enemy right before one's eyes, while being powerless to intervene, is undoubtedly a humiliation that any father would find unbearable

However, all of this must be based on his possession of sufficient strength

Zhou Yuan also raised his eyebrows slightly and cast his gaze over, only to see not far away, a young man in brocade attire, looking at him with a smile that was neither fully a smile nor a frown, lazily twirling the source pattern pen in his hand

This laughter, somewhat harsh, instantly silenced the church, drawing many gazes in its direction

He knew that when the Wu family rebelled and seized his fortune, a state of irreconcilable enmity had already been established between the two parties

This King Wu has seized his fortune and destroyed his sacred dragon. The roots are not yet satisfied and clearly intend to eradicate him completely, forcing him to suffer the poison of this vengeful dragon, gradually driving him to a dead end

In front of a desk in the first row, Zhou Yuan was also kneeling calmly. On his desk, there was a smooth jade tablet, and on one side lay a long pen of a dark red color.

In this world, the group of people who wield the most powerful forces is naturally the Source Masters

Zhou Qing did not elaborate, he merely smiled, and then his voice paused before he continued: "However, I also have a condition."

Zhou Yuan also smiled faintly, holding the Source Pattern Brush in his hand. His mind became focused, and the surrounding noise was instantly silenced. His heart was as tranquil as a secluded pond. He gazed at the smooth jade tablet, and a faint light appeared between his brows. Immediately, a weak red glow began to flicker at the tip of the Source Pattern Brush.

And the instigator of all this is none other than King Wu

Zhou Yuan dipped his brush, the tip slowly gliding across the jade tablet, leaving behind intricate traces that resembled the horns of an antelope, exuding a certain charm. When these traces were perfectly combined, they seemed to possess a magical power.

"What method?" Zhou Yuan's eager appearance finally showed some youthful vitality

The smile at the corners of the mouth carries a hint of mockery

The military families, King Wu... these debts, we will settle them one by one later

Zhou Yuan bit his lip tightly, fully aware of Zhou Qing's character. He thought that if it were not for the sake of preserving the lives of over a hundred million subjects of the Great Zhou, Zhou Qing would likely have chosen to perish alongside King Wu.

Zhou Yuan looked at Zhou Qing sitting beside him. The latter's usually imposing face was now filled with helplessness and dejection. Clearly, this incident from years ago had also dealt a significant blow to him.

This pen is entirely crafted from red jade, and the nib is made from the softest fur found on the belly of a fire rat, shimmering with delicate glimmers, making it a true source pattern pen

Zhou Yuan's pen tip flows like water, quietly gliding without the slightest pause, embodying a beauty akin to the movement of clouds and flowing water

So this is the reason why my eight meridians have always remained hidden and difficult to cultivate. This Martial King truly employs ruthless means. Zhou Yuan gazed at the slowly writhing dark red mass in his palm, his eyes reflecting a hint of anger

Inside the inner hall, there was a profound silence, the atmosphere oppressive to the point of making it difficult to breathe

Therefore, in order to change this outcome, he must possess sufficient strength himself

Each source pattern is formed by a combination of various source traces. Generally speaking, the more source traces a source pattern possesses, the higher its grade and power.

Greetings, Your Highness

Upon hearing Zhou Yuan's words, Zhou Qing furrowed his brows tightly, as if pondering something. After a long while, he finally spoke softly, "Do you really not wish to give up?"

... ...

You must remember that when engraving the source pattern, your mind should be as calm as still water, without the slightest distraction. Transform the source pattern brush in your hand into a part of yourself, so that your spirit can gather at the tip of the brush, allowing the brush to move with your heart and achieve a seamless flow.

Next, we will continue to practice the three source patterns that I taught you a month ago. I hope that today someone will be able to successfully complete one of them, the instructor said after finishing the explanation

Zhou Qing smiled as he patted Zhou Yuan's head, then picked up the unconscious Qin Yu and, along with Qin Shi who was beside him, walked out of the inner hall

However, amidst the many sounds of laughter, a peculiar laugh suddenly rang out.

In a spacious and bright church, rows of desks are neatly arranged, in front of which many young boys and girls are kneeling or sitting, creating a quiet atmosphere

In this world, the Source Master is the mainstream, yet it is not the only path. Rather, it is a flourishing garden of diverse approaches, among which the so-called Source Pattern is the most profound and extensive