MMLZ CH10
The zombie hadn’t gone after the two of them—instead, it had targeted Uncle Jiu.
As he scattered glutinous rice, Uncle Jiu pulled out two zombie-suppressing talismans and tried to stick them to the zombie’s forehead.
But the zombie’s clawed hands swept in, knocking the talismans away before lunging at him.
“Get lost!!”
Xu Yan rushed forward, jumping up to kick the zombie away. But a powerful rebound force shot out from the zombie’s body, sending Xu Yan flying backward. He staggered several steps before regaining his balance.
“This zombie is strong!!”
“No kidding. This is a jumping zombie—it’s far stronger than those walking corpses we dealt with earlier. Sword!!”
Uncle Jiu scolded, snatching the money sword Xu Yan threw to him and lunging forward.
Earlier, the black-haired zombies Xu Yan and Qiu Sheng killed outside the town were just basic walking corpses. They hadn’t grown fangs, couldn’t jump, and didn’t possess much physical strength. Such zombies needed to absorb yin energy and human blood to evolve into jumping zombies.
Jumping zombies had immense strength and were almost impervious to blades. This one had consumed quite a lot of human blood, making it even more savage.
“You wicked creature! How dare you rampage!”
Uncle Jiu held the money sword tightly, trying several times to pierce the zombie’s heart—but each time he was blocked and pushed back by the zombie.
Even with the strength of a master, Uncle Jiu didn’t feel great after being hit. It was like being struck by a boulder—his bones felt like they were about to shatter.
“Raaaargh!!”
The jumping zombie knocked Uncle Jiu away and lunged at Xu Yan.
Xu Yan quickly retreated, flinging glutinous rice while pulling out his ink string. That’s when he noticed Qiu Sheng was still standing off to the side, watching like it was a show.
“What are you doing?! Get over here!!”
“Oh! Oh!”
Snapping out of it, Qiu Sheng grabbed the ink string and ran toward the zombie.
Bang!!
The ink string snapped against the zombie, sending sparks flying. The mixture of black dog’s blood and rooster blood inflicted heavy damage, making the zombie shriek in pain.
“Freeze!!”
Xu Yan took advantage of the moment and dashed forward, slapping a zombie-suppressing talisman onto the creature’s forehead.
The shrieking, thrashing zombie suddenly froze.
“Move aside!!”
“This zombie has absorbed too much human blood—the suppressing talisman won’t hold it long!!”
Uncle Jiu shouted, rushing in while the zombie was still paralyzed and driving the money sword straight into its chest.
“Arrrgh!!!”
The zombie had just begun to break free from the talisman when it was too late—the sword pierced its heart. Flames erupted, along with foul-smelling black smoke and the stench of rotting flesh.
Uncle Jiu, using every ounce of strength he had left, kicked the zombie away.
It tumbled to the side like a wounded beast in its death throes. Coughing violently, Uncle Jiu struggled to remain standing—the earlier hits had clearly done a number on him. If it had been anyone else, their bones would’ve snapped from those blows.
Badly wounded, the jumping zombie clawed and bit at a pile of broken crates in the alley one last time before finally collapsing, motionless.
“Retrieve the sword. Burn the body on the spot—if someone touches it, it could bring disaster.”
Just because the zombie was dead didn’t mean it was safe. If someone spilled fresh blood on it, it could revive. Burning the body was the only way to be sure.
Xu Yan helped Uncle Jiu up and glanced at Qiu Sheng.
Qiu Sheng looked miserable. His magical ability was too weak—he could use a fire charm to burn paper, but it wasn’t strong enough for a zombie. With no other option, Xu Yan stepped in to retrieve the sword and used the fire charm himself to burn the corpse.
“Ding! Killed a zombie. Gained 300 merit points.”
To Xu Yan’s surprise, killing a jumping zombie awarded 300 merit points—more than the total from several walking corpses combined. On this trip alone, Xu Yan had earned 550 merit points.
“If there are no new zombie attacks within the next two days, this matter will be considered resolved. You both should get some rest.”
Back at the inn, Uncle Jiu gave the two disciples some instructions and returned to his room.
Using the excuse that Qiu Sheng talked in his sleep, Xu Yan booked his own room. Once inside, he immediately summoned the system.
Xu Yan
Gender: Male
Maoshan Sect – 20th Generation Successor
(Exorcist) (Lightning Spirit Body)
Techniques:
- Lightning Technique: Level 1 – Beginner
Body Training:
- Thunderburst Fist: Level 1 – Beginner
Talismans:
- Soul Suppressing Talisman: Level 1 – Beginner
- Zombie Suppressing Talisman: Level 1 – Beginner
- Protection Talisman: Level 1 – Beginner
- Evil-Repelling Talisman: Level 1 – Beginner
- Purple Thunder Talisman: Not yet learned
Remaining Merit Points: 550
Aside from the extra merit points, not much had changed in his base stats. But he now saw an upgrade icon next to each technique and talisman, showing they could be upgraded using merit.
Xu Yan had booked the room alone specifically so he could safely and quietly upgrade his strength. Money wasn’t a problem—he’d sold a cheap ballpoint pen he brought from his world for hundreds of silver dollars.
If you didn’t count land deeds and such, even Uncle Jiu wasn’t as rich as he was.
“The Lightning Technique and Thunderburst Fist are foundational. I must upgrade them!!”
He didn’t have many merit points, so he had to be strategic.
He decided to upgrade the Lightning Technique first. One tap—200 points gone—and the skill advanced to Level 2, losing the “Beginner” tag.
“Damn, here we go again.”
A wave of numbness surged through his body. Every muscle felt sore and weak, making him highly uncomfortable.
Now at Level 2, his internal spiritual energy had increased several times over. Before, one use of Thunderburst Fist would drain him. Now, he could maintain it for the duration of a whole incense stick.
“Ugh, that smell!!”
Black sludge oozed out from his skin. Xu Yan bolted outside, headed straight for the courtyard, and started drawing water from the well to wash off—leaving the inn servant stunned.
“Send two sets of fine clothes to my room in the morning. Keep the change.”
He tossed a silver dollar at the servant and headed back in, wearing only his underwear.
“Of course, sir! I’ll have it delivered first thing at dawn!”
One moment the innkeeper had been confused, the next he was beaming with joy.
Thankfully, it was late and no one else was around—otherwise, it would’ve been embarrassing.
Now at Level 2, the Lightning Technique made Xu Yan feel lighter, stronger, and more energetic.
Next, he upgraded Thunderburst Fist, which also cost 200 merit points.
The upgrade icons vanished from both skills—he no longer had enough merit points for another upgrade.
Thunderburst Fist at Level 2 felt different—his technique had become smoother and more powerful, and his muscle control had improved significantly. His physique had even started to bulk up.
Compared to the Lightning Technique, Thunderburst Fist had a greater physical enhancement effect, since it was a fusion of combat and body refinement.
He’d spent 400 points, but gained a massive power boost. Xu Yan felt that, if he was a third-rate exorcist before, now he could definitely be considered first-rate!