The word "timing" is quite delicate, and it's difficult to translate accurately.

Take frying mulberry leaves as an example: the oil temperature shouldn't be too high, but it can't be too low either; the time shouldn't be too long, but it can't be too short; the coating needs to be thin, but it can't be non-existent...

Can a standardized process solve this?

For instance, maintaining a constant oil temperature and calculating an exact time... Doing so might ensure that most of the mulberry leaves turn out okay, but it's almost impossible to achieve the best taste.

Although all the mulberry leaves are palm-sized, the size, thickness, and tenderness still vary. Even the cooling speed after removal from the pot differs due to varying environmental temperatures.

Even if all these are the same, the thickness of the coating can't be entirely consistent.

Using the aforementioned method to produce industrial foods like chips, of course, there's no problem. It should be done that way to ensure the stability of quality and taste.

Using the same method for frying mulberry leaves may surpass the cooking skills of most people at home, yet it can never satisfy the taste of those two elders... meaning, it can't meet the requirement of "timing respect".

Li Xiuyuan just asked Jiang Daozhen about how He Kao's timing was? Obviously, it wasn't about cooking, but Tier Two cultivation.

Jiang Daozhen retorted: "This entire afternoon, do you estimate how many times he has used the Moth Invisibility Ability?"

Li Xiuyuan: "It's reached a hundred times, I guess."

Jiang Daozhen: "Was it intentional?"

Li Xiuyuan: "Gradually becoming unintentional."

Jiang Daozhen: "Was he disturbed?"

Li Xiuyuan: "Calm as usual."

Jiang Daozhen: "Then I reckon it's about right."

Li Xiuyuan: "Can this meal reveal results?"

Jiang Daozhen: "Who can say for sure! Let's hope so."

Li Xiuyuan sighed: "Breaking through the Second Realm is difficult due to timing. So many disciples can't cross this threshold, yet the master can't openly supervise, nor is it suitable to say much."

Jiang Daozhen: "That's why ceremonies are needed. These four dishes and one soup are also a promotion ritual, only his karma can tell... I must say, your choice of the white jade specialty is quite clever!"

Li Xiuyuan smiled: "I did put a lot of thought into it."

Jiang Daozhen: "I mean, you've even made me crave it!"

Li Xiuyuan: "Actually, I did crave a bit myself... From what you're saying, can't quite grasp the timing?"

Jiang Daozhen: "Nobody has cultivated the Moth Invisibility Ability for over a thousand years. The technique I possess is incomplete. After Tier Two, it's entirely up to him, presumably from the imprinted legacy he obtained from the Hidden Moth object."

Li Xiuyuan: "But you've already broken through to Tier Seven Grand Calculator, can't you calculate a bit?"

Jiang Daozhen: "In the past millennium, it's not like there haven't been other Tier Seven Grand Calculators, does that mean I am bound to excel?"

Li Xiuyuan: "Don't underestimate the present compared to the past. Those predecessors may not have your understanding of the Moth Invisibility Ability."

Jiang Daozhen: "I can only generally judge the cultivation characteristics of the Moth Invisibility Ability, as for grasping the timing, the principles are universal..."

What are the characteristics of the Moth Invisibility Ability? Firstly, Tier One cultivation requires rapid breakthrough. According to Jiang Daozhen's assessment, it's best to break through to Tier Two within a month.

However, such matters can't be rushed, hence a prerequisite is that the foundation establishment before entry must be particularly solid. He Kao undoubtedly meets the requirement, Old Man Jiang did not wait twenty-three years in vain,

He Kao, after becoming a Tier One Stalker, took about a week to break through and become a Tier Two Assassin.

All techniques at Tier Two require a step-by-step approach, or it will harm both form and spirit. The Tier Two cultivation of the Moth Invisibility Ability is exactly the opposite of Tier One, requiring a long-term accumulation process, neither rash nor lax.

Speaking is easy, but practice is really challenging.

The "behavior-mental" response model of a person dictates that long-term commitment to something must maintain at least a positive feedback mode, one must be able to receive encouragement and see hope.

Initially, it's fine, as one can feel progress after a period, even if it's just a little bit.

He Kao set a quantitative evaluation standard for himself, using nine consecutive instances of Moth Invisibility Ability as a step, splitting the Tier Two cultivation into nine levels.

One day, when he can continuously traverse space ninety-nine times, it represents Tier Two Level Nine Perfection... Just at that point, the true test begins.

Breaking through at the most appropriate time is also a kind of mastery of timing.

If he feels that there is no end to this matter, regardless of how much he continues to cultivate, he cannot see the scenery of a higher realm, will he become lax?

Corresponding to laxity, will he feel agitated? Or perhaps doubt his master, himself, or the technique, experiencing a shred of doubt and wavering?

When the mind is disturbed, the spirit wavers; if the spirit wavers, the soul is absent. Breaking through the Second Realm is actually about timing skill. Timing, also known as withdraw-add, should not be simply understood in cultivation as dynamic balance or proper timing, but has indescribable profundity.

There's a saying: "Withdraw-add skill, neither forget nor assist."

But neither forgetting nor preoccupying, maintaining a natural state where the spirit is not disturbed and the mind focused, is it that simple? Even if you go to the gym to lift weights every day, don't you deliberately look in the mirror to check your muscle mass?

Many Tier Two Sorcerers cannot break through to Tier Three, not because of insufficient effort, but due to that sliver of timing, an incorrect mindset that can't be solved by anyone, even if the master points it out, it may be counterproductive.

The conversation between the two Elders just now was quite interesting.

Has He Kao forgotten that he is the Hidden Moth? Of course not! But is he deliberately practicing the Invisibility Ability? Not really, he is just preparing this four dishes and one soup.

He didn't force himself to use the Invisibility Ability beyond his current capabilities, nor did he deliberately count how many consecutive times he had used the Invisibility Ability. He also didn't ponder why he hadn't broken through to advance yet.

Therefore, both Elders concluded that this kid's fire is about right.

Li Xiuyuan asked again, "According to your judgment, isn't cultivating to Tier Two of the Insect Concealment Skill quite laborious? This kid broke through to Tier Two just three months ago, right?"

Jiang Daozhen retorted, "There are plenty who can't break through to Tier Two even after thirty years; must he be compared with them?"

Over there, He Kao finally gathered all the materials, starting to process various ingredients, secretly thinking it's a pity no one could lend a hand, as today's occasion wasn't suitable for calling someone else.

Only in front of these two Elders could he comfortably use the Invisibility Ability without worrying about his identity being exposed. He certainly didn't realize this was the advancement ceremony the two Elders attempted to design for him.

Unlike any previous times, He Kao was using the Invisibility Ability in front of the two Elders, and his mindset was very subtle; he had never done this before.

The two Elders knew what he was doing, just sitting in the main room drinking tea, deliberately suppressing their perception.

For thousands of years, the advancement ceremonies designed and constantly improved by the major Magic Sects have always been consistent, such as doing something very specific when advancing from Tier Two to Tier Three.

This task not only tests if Tier Two cultivation is perfect but also allows for grasping that subtle and mysterious fire in the process of completion.

This four dishes and one soup also had specific requirements; the roe deer had to be stewed first, at least for two hours, with some ingredients added ten minutes before taking it off the heat and using the residual heat of the black clay pot to stew it for a while longer.

The knife fish would be steamed for ten minutes after opening the pot, timed perfectly to be ready with the roe deer. While steaming the knife fish, the mulberry leaves could be fried.

As for the bamboo shoots and soup, they could be done last, needing very little time.

Although He Kao seemed busy, he was in no way disordered. He turned off the heat and moved the black clay pot aside, then lit the fire to steam the fish while frying the mulberry leaves.

What is the most appropriate fire? It's all about feeling! He Kao indeed had a feeling; he seemed to perceive the perfect moment for color, aroma, and taste, lightly using the chopsticks to guide and slight oil to drain before placing the mulberry leaves on the plate.

His movements were natural, as if the mulberry leaves would listen to the chopsticks and automatically follow what he wanted to achieve, keeping himself in a very special state—

As if after this series of preparations, it was the state he was meant to enter.

When this plate of mulberry leaves was almost done, He Kao realized one thing: his cultivation had broken through the gate. He knew exactly how he broke through but couldn't describe it accurately.

Surprised? Yes, but it wasn't that overwhelming ecstasy he imagined; he maintained calmness amidst his newfound enlightenment.

He touched the last mulberry leaf in the oil pot with chopsticks, and the leaf followed the chopsticks and left the oil pot, shaking off some oil in the air. However, He Kao's motion wasn't picking with chopsticks; it seemed as though the tip of the chopsticks lifted the mulberry leaf.

Then this fried mulberry leaf flattened itself in the air, obediently following the chopsticks and placed onto the plate.

Many sorcerers, when using Spiritual Sense Manipulation, are accustomed to accompanying normal movements for accuracy and naturalness. He Kao didn't actually need to extend his chopsticks, but directing with them felt smoother.

What does breaking through to Tier Three feel like? Nearly all senses and the body reach a state of innate perfection, inadvertently realizing the senses can extend outward, not just sensing external objects but even controlling them.

Even though such control is weak, it's an extraordinary breakthrough, vastly different from ordinary people!

The black clay pot was hot, and when setting the table, He Kao used two rags to pad when carrying it. The fish plate was also hot, and hard to handle when removing it, but He Kao directly carried it with his hands.

Upon closer inspection, his hands didn't actually touch the edge of the plate, maintaining about a centimeter of air in between, merely making the motion of carrying it, and the plate hovered above the table as if carried by him.

He Kao didn't say anything else, just remarked when placing the plate on the table, "The fish is ready."

With the addition of the fried mulberry leaves, three dishes were already on the table, and He Kao returned to the kitchen to prepare the final two.

Li Xiuyuan laughed and sent Divine Thought to Jiang Daozhen: "This kid really knows how to play it cool, breaking through to Tier Three, yet saying nothing, just letting us watch as he brings the dishes."

Jiang Daozhen spoke directly, "If it were you, wouldn't you have caused some trouble?"

Li Xiuyuan: "You still remember that?"

Jiang Daozhen: "That commotion was huge, your master's antique shelf fell over, Master Cui chased you all over the mountain with a soaring vine... This kid is far steadier than you were back then!"

Li Xiuyuan: "This is his own home, even if the pot were smashed, it's his own pot."

Jiang Daozhen: "Didn't you notice? This pot of roe deer meat is heavy, and if mishandled, could even burn his feet, so he carried it with rags.

As for the fish plate, it seems he's got a bit of a grasp, using the Object Control Skill, but both his hands were underneath as a backup in case of any missteps."

Li Xiuyuan interrupted, "You really had it calculated today!"

Jiang Daozhen: "Aren't we here for that purpose? You surely came prepared?"

Li Xiuyuan: "Prepared for what?"

Jiang Daozhen tapped on the table, "A gift! The young man calls you Uncle Li and has prepared such a splendid table of dishes, coinciding with his cultivation breakthrough, such karma requires acknowledgment, doesn't it?"

Just then, He Kao entered holding that plate of bamboo shoots and remarked, "Uncle Li, no need to be formal, it's rare to have you as a guest, it's only right to treat you well... Try my cooking first, and if you're satisfied, we can discuss other things!"

**

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