I wondered what the basic requirements were for reaching the realm of a Earth Master. I should find an opportunity to ask master. How should I use the remaining virtue points?
With one hundred and fifty virtue points left, I couldn't upgrade my martial arts or body refinement techniques. I could only focus on improving my talismans. But Xu Yan felt that using virtue points to upgrade talismans was too extravagant, especially for ordinary ones—it seemed like a waste.
After some thought, Xu Yan tapped on the Purple Lightning Talisman. The beginner-level talisman instantly became proficient, and fifty virtue points vanished.
"So that's it. No wonder I couldn't draw the Purple Lightning Talisman; my skills were lacking. So..."
Xu Yan tapped again, and the remaining one hundred virtue points disappeared, making him broke once again. Fortunately, his research and creation of the Purple Lightning Talisman had advanced to the next level. With materials, he was confident he could craft one!
The virtue points consumed had doubled. Would the cost for upgrading martial arts and body refinement techniques also double?
The thought of doubling the virtue points for each level-up made Xu Yan feel uneasy. It might be manageable in the early stages, but once he reached the mid to late stages, leveling up would be incredibly difficult.
"Forget it, I'll sleep on it. I'll worry about the future later."
Shaking his head, Xu Yan didn't want to think too much and fell asleep. He was exhausted and needed rest.
For the next two days, Uncle Ninth was recovering from his injuries sustained from being bumped by a hopping zombie. He needed a few days to recuperate, while Xu Yan and Qiusheng were responsible for gathering information.
After two days, there was no news of zombies harming anyone in the town. The trio then left for Renjia Town.
"Master, can I get some materials for the Purple Lightning Talisman?"
Back at the Yizhuang, Qiusheng continued guarding auntie's shop, while Wen Cai resumed his chores. Xu Yan planned to try crafting a Purple Lightning Talisman to see if he could succeed.
Uncle Ninth was surprised. It hadn't been long since Xu Yan had shown interest in creating such a talisman. But considering Xu Yan's talent with talismans, Uncle Ninth nodded in agreement.
"I'll ask Wen Cai to bring them to you later. I have something to do in the town."
With the materials in hand, Xu Yan sent the curious Wen Cai out and started crafting the Purple Lightning Talisman alone in his room. It wasn't that he feared Wen Cai stealing his techniques; he just didn't want to be disturbed.
Wen Cai and Qiusheng were somewhat unreliable. The more you feared something, the more they would defy you. It was better to send them away for peace of mind.
Xu Yan first tried with ordinary paper. When he felt he was in good condition, he began crafting the talisman. The paper and materials for the Purple Lightning Talisman were expensive. One slip could result in a significant financial loss. Uncle Ninth still allowed Xu Yan to try, which moved him deeply.
"Sizzle."
"I didn't control the force well."
The talisman burst into flames without any chance of salvage. Xu Yan patted his forehead, rested for two minutes, and continued.
Failure!
Another failure!
The success rate was extremely low. Even with second-levelcrafting ability, Xu Yan failed several times consecutively. Looking at the wasted materials, Xu Yan felt distressed.
The remaining materials were only enough for two more attempts. Xu Yan gritted his teeth and continued.
"Hahahaha... Fortune favors the persistent. I finally succeeded!"
After three consecutive failures, the last two attempts were successful!!
Looking at the two Purple Lightning Talismans he crafted, Xu Yan couldn't help but laugh. Although he wasted several sets of materials, having two talismans wasn't a loss; it was even a gain.
Is master back?
Hearing Uncle Ninth's voice in the courtyard, Xu Yan hid the talismans, intending to keep one and give one to Uncle Ninth.
"Hop! Hop!!"
As it was getting dark, Xu Yan had spent the entire afternoon in his room. In the courtyard, Uncle Ninth ordered Wen Cai to prepare more food while a Taoist priest in a robe and glasses rang a soul-capturing bell, bringing in a dozen zombies from outside.
Was this Uncle Four Eyes?
Among Uncle Ninth's siblings, he was closest to Uncle Four Eyes.
"Younger brother, this is my newly recruited disciple, Xu Yan. He's talented and will soon become a Earth Master."
Lin Zhengying (Uncle Ninth's name) asked Uncle Four Eyes to give the goods to Wen Cai and introduced Xu Yan to him.
However, to Xu Yan, the introduction seemed more like a show-off...
"Earth Master?!"
Upon hearing this, Uncle Four Eyes' eyes lit up. He walked forward and reached out to pinch Xu Yan's cheek. Xu Yan instinctively stepped back a few steps. He knew that Uncle Four Eyes had an eccentric habit of pinching others' cheeks, especially those of his juniors.
While pinching, he would smile and say, "I love you so much!"
As Uncle Four Eyes approached, Xu Yan retreated, greeting him while backing away, "Nephew greets Uncle."
To everyone's surprise, Uncle Four Eyes shouted angrily, "It must be Qiusheng and Wen Cai, those little bastards who tattled! What a pity, what a pity!!"
As if not pinching Xu Yan's cheek was a great loss, Xu Yan's mouth twitched, and he instinctively retreated another two steps. Being pinched by a man? It was oddly uncomfortable.
Uncle Ninth chuckled and raised an eyebrow, "Younger brother, Xu Yan is an intellectual who returned from abroad. He doesn't like your ways. Come in and rest."
"......"
Upon hearing this, Uncle Four Eyes was speechless.
Talented and an intellectual? Why must life be so unfair? Why couldn't Uncle Four Eyes find a disciple like this?
Xu Yan was absolutely sure that his master was showing off!
And sure enough, he warmly spoke to Uncle Four Eyes about Xu Yan's natural affinity for thunder, his practice of Thunder Mantras, and his Lightning Thunder Fist, making Uncle Four Eyes' eyelids flutter.
Xu Yan was both amused and frustrated by this and left to help Wen Cai cook.
"Younger brother, you're so clever. You escaped Uncle's clutches!"
Entering the kitchen, Wen Cai gave Xu Yan a thumbs-up. He and Qiusheng had suffered many times and dared not dodge, always ending up with sore cheeks.
Xu Yan shook his head with a smile and said, "Uncle has a unique way of expressing himself. But does Uncle Four Eyes often come to the Yizhuang?"
Wen Cai thought for a moment and replied, "Almost every few months. Uncle delivers goods and passes through here to rest for a while."
"Here, nephew, this is Uncle's gift. Eat up."
"Eat more of this too. You're growing and need the nourishment."
While others might find their son-in-law more and more pleasing to the eye, Uncle Four Eyes, for some reason, kept heaping food onto Xu Yan's plate, making Xu Yan feel uneasy. What was Uncle Four Eyes up to?
Wen Cai and Qiusheng exchanged glances, feeling like they were the adopted ones. As disciples under the same master, why was there such a big difference in treatment?
"Alright, younger brother, don't scare him," Uncle Ninth said, stopping Uncle Four Eyes and explaining to Xu Yan, "Your uncle plans to return soon and wants you to stay with him for a while to communicate with your senior brother Jiale."
This book is provided by FunNovel Novel Book | Fan Fiction Novel [Beautiful Free Novel Book]