Castle of Black Iron
— — Length: 1 Krosa
— — Width: 1 Krosa
— — Aura Value: 0.7
— — Merit Value: 35
— — Basic Energy Storage: 0.2
— — Special Output: None
Zhang Tie was not startled by the increase in Aura Value. Those sprouted potatoes would grow a bit more each day, so of course they could provide more Aura Value. It had already been half a day since the morning, so it would be strange if the Aura Value didn't increase. Only when all the other plants sprouted would the Aura Value increase reach its peak. Now it was just the beginning. The other attributes didn't change much, but the increase in merit value startled Zhang Tie. He remembered that it was only 3 when he checked it in the morning. After that, he invested two merit value points into the mutation and evolution of a potato, leaving only 1 merit value point. How could it increase so much in only half a day? Zhang Tie then opened the log of merit value points and checked today's situation.
— — On the afternoon of February 14th, 889th year of the Black Iron Calendar, the Handsome and Magnificent Castle Lord helped mom make rice brew at home, relieving mom of her hard work. Merit Value increased by 1.
— — On the evening of February 14th, 889th year of the Black Iron Calendar, the Handsome and Magnificent Castle Lord sent rice soup to the orphanage and donated 10 copper coins. His good deeds benefited many people. Merit Value increased by 32.
— — On the evening of February 14th, 889th year of the Black Iron Calendar, the Handsome and Magnificent Castle Lord returned home. After having dinner, he cleaned the house and washed the dishes and swept the floor. Keeping the house clean would make his family members happy. Merit Value increased by 1.
Seeing the sudden increase in Merit Value, Zhang Tie became pensive. He then shifted his gaze back to the most practical Merit Value. At the beginning, it was very interesting; however, after a while, he felt bored. Now, he could only wait for his spiritual energy to recover a bit before going out. This place was good for running; however, he was too tired today and couldn't run anymore. He didn't know whether his parents had returned or not. Today was Saturday, and his dad was off tomorrow. If they returned as usual, they would come back a bit later.
What should he do in the remaining time? Sit there in a daze and wait for his spiritual energy to recover naturally? Or perhaps … meditation! Zhang Tie was amused by his own thoughts. Ha … don't joke around. Meditation is such an advanced skill and cultivation method, how could it be learned in a common school in Blackhot City? Although there might be cultivation methods that could increase one's spiritual energy in Blackhot City, such knowledge was monopolized by very few people. Commoners would never have the chance to see them. Even Captain Kerlin had said that those who could increase one's spiritual energy through meditation were extremely few in the army of Blackhot City with various backgrounds. Even that terrifying one-eyed man, who had become a captain, didn't know how to do it, not to mention others.
Without spiritual energy, it was impossible for him to cultivate the Shrine burning point. After being in a daze for a while, Zhang Tie suddenly patted his head. How could he forget about this? Didn't he get the book 'Mental Arithmetic by Punishment'? No matter what, he had plenty of time now. He might as well familiarize himself with it in case he sat there like an idiot.
Thinking of this, Zhang Tie quickly recalled the contents of 'Mental Arithmetic by Punishment' which he had read more than ten times in the past two days. He had completely understood and could almost recite the contents of 'Mental Arithmetic by Punishment'. Sitting cross-legged, Zhang Tie put his hands on his thighs and slightly closed his eyes. After a while, he recovered his composure. He didn't know why, but this time, he entered the state of meditation much faster than usual.
The moment he entered the state of meditation, Zhang Tie started to visualize an abacus in his mind according to the method and formula taught in 'Mental Arithmetic by Punishment'. This was the most important step of 'Mental Arithmetic by Punishment'. The entire mental arithmetic foundation of 'Mental Arithmetic by Punishment' was based on the abacus that he had visualized. When a person could visualize an abacus in his mind, he would be able to perform rapid mental arithmetic. If he had to explain the principle of 'Mental Arithmetic by Punishment' in one's mind with one's consciousness instead of one's hands, he would be able to make mental arithmetic in his mind. It was that simple.
The only thing that Zhang Tie didn't understand was that the book required him to visualize an abacus in his mind to be golden and brilliant. The book didn't explain why this was required, and Zhang Tie didn't understand it either. He didn't want to get to the bottom of it either. He just felt that this was probably the case.
According to the requirements of 'Mental Arithmetic by Punishment', Zhang Tie first visualized a rectangular abacus frame in his mind, followed by a beam and three vertical bars. Three vertical bars meant that he could perform addition, subtraction, multiplication and division within three digits. This was the minimum requirement of 'Mental Arithmetic by Punishment'. When the three vertical bars were visualized and the image became stable, Zhang Tie started to visualize the upper bead in the first vertical bar, then the four lower beads, then the upper bead and the lower bead in the second vertical bar, the upper bead and the lower bead in the third vertical bar, and so on …
For the first time, the moment Zhang Tie visualized the upper bead in the first vertical bar, the image in his mind collapsed …
For the second time, it was the same …
For the third time, he visualized the first lower bead in the first vertical bar …
For the fourth time, he visualized the second lower bead in the first vertical bar …
… …
Even Zhang Tie didn't know how many times he had failed. After four more times, the poor abacus with only three vertical bars was finally visualized and stabilized in his mind. "What's 125 plus 579?" Zhang Tie's mind raced as he typed several addition formulas into the abacus in his mind. The bead on the abacus with only three vertical bars slowly moved as if someone was moving it. Finally, it turned into a readable number — 704.
What about 18 by 39? Another few chants … 702!
What about 987 minus 789? Another few incantations … 198!
Zhang Tie burst out into laughter. He didn't feel bored and continued to try several more times. After doing addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of three digits, the bead on the abacus moved a bit faster. After several more attempts — 56 by 29? After typing several more formulas, the golden abacus in his mind quivered for a while before finally breaking into pieces and disappearing in Zhang Tie's mind.
Zhang Tie opened his eyes. The result of this mental calculation had already exceeded the calculation range of the three vertical bars of the abacus, just like the explosion of a steam boiler due to excessive pressure.
Zhang Tie confirmed that the four silver coins were really worth it. He had not imagined that he had really picked up such a valuable treasure.
"Alas, it's not good. What time is it now? Dad and mom will be so worried when they see me not at home in the evening!" Suddenly remembering something important, Zhang Tie hurriedly stood up. Without making any preparation, he even forgot to confirm whether his spiritual energy had recovered or not. The moment he closed his eyes, he locked the door between his eyebrows with his consciousness — go out …
In the next second, Zhang Tie appeared in the washroom of the courtyard. With the help of the waterproof oil lamp, he saw that the door of the washroom was still locked from inside. Zhang Tie then let out a sigh. If his parents found that he was not there and the door of the washroom was locked, they would have long kicked the door open from outside. Opening the door of the washroom, Zhang Tie sneaked out and took a look. After that, he became reassured. It was just a bit past 11 pm, and the door of the house was still locked. His parents were really not back yet. What a close shave!
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