MMLZ CH6
“Impossible!! Who could draw talismans all day long? Wouldn’t they be exhausted?”
Qiu Sheng was instantly shocked.
Wen Cai looked at him with disdain.
“Junior brother went out with master last night and only came back at dawn. He slept till the afternoon and started after waking up.”
As he spoke, Wen Cai motioned Qiu Sheng to come closer. Curious, Qiu Sheng leaned in.
Wen Cai recounted everything that had happened that morning. Qiu Sheng exclaimed in surprise, “Could it be that junior brother is truly gifted?”
“Who knows. Did Master teach you the Lightning Thunder Fist?”
“No.”
Qiu Sheng shook his head like a rattle-drum. Wen Cai smirked, “There you have it. Go ahead and ask him to teach you, if you dare.”
“Fine, I will!!”
Qiu Sheng wasn’t someone who would admit defeat easily. He believed himself to be exceptionally smart—why should Xu Yan be able to learn something he couldn’t? He made up his mind to ask during dinner.
Damn it, finally succeeded!!
After hours of exhausting work and wasting a ton of materials, Xu Yan finally produced a Corpse Suppressing Talisman. He was thrilled. But then a problem arose—he had no subject to test it on.
He checked the system. The Corpse Suppressing Talisman had upgraded from Not Learned to Level 1 Entry. Just barely.
“What? You succeeded?”
The four of them sat down to dinner. When Xu Yan took out the talisman for Uncle Jiu to inspect, the latter was stunned. He couldn’t believe Xu Yan had learned to make the talisman in just a few hours.
He picked it up and tested it, his expression turning complicated. “It’s genuine. No mistake.”
He started recalling how many days it had taken him to learn it back in the day.
Wen Cai kept his head down, shoveling rice into his mouth, afraid of being used as the negative comparison. Qiu Sheng had already forgotten about asking for the Lightning Thunder Fist. His ego was crushed.
He had considered himself a genius, yet it took him four whole days to draw his first successful talisman!
Xu Yan? Just a few hours. The saying was true: Comparisons kill. Without comparison, there’s no harm. With it—ouch.
“Ahem! Not bad. Keep up the good work, you have talent.”
Uncle Jiu coughed lightly, pretending it was no big deal, and carried on eating.
Starting tomorrow: morning sessions for Thunde rArt and Lightning Thunder Fist, afternoons and evenings for talisman practice.
Xu Yan misunderstood his master’s calm reaction as a sign that he was still too slow. He thought he needed to work harder—early birds catch worms, diligent fools fly first, right?
A month flew by.
Xu Yan’s days were packed. The only thing he wasn’t satisfied with was the zero merit point income during the entire month!
His Lightning Thunder Fist progressed from unlearned to Level 1. He could now summon a faint arc of lightning in his palm. It didn’t look like much, but it packed a decent punch and his speed was average.
His talisman skills, though, were impressive. He could draw a wide variety of common talismans quickly—except the Purple Thunder Talisman. Most of his talismans had reached level 2.
Uncle Jiu was delighted but also helpless. Delighted at Xu Yan’s talent, but helpless because his other two disciples were now embarrassed to even show their faces.
“Qiu Sheng, Xu Yan—come with me. Wen Cai, watch the place.”
Something urgent?
Xu Yan and Qiu Sheng exchanged glances, rushed back to grab their gear, and followed Uncle Jiu, leaving Wen Cai alone and confused to guard the mortuary.
Ever since Xu Yan became an official disciple, Wen Cai’s only tasks were cleaning and guarding the place.
“Did you bring your gear?”
Far from the mortuary, Uncle Jiu asked.
Seriously?!
Xu Yan nearly tripped. Master, how do you leave the house without your tools? How were they supposed to know what to bring?
“I only brought standard talismans, a bronze sword, and a peachwood sword.”
Luckily, Xu Yan was always prepared. Otherwise, they’d have to run back and get everything again.
No doubt, he’s the real deal! Uncle Jiu shot Qiu Sheng a look that said: You’re my disciple and you didn’t even bring tools? What are you doing—rebelling?!
“That’s enough.”
With that, Uncle Jiu took the lead. The two followed, still clueless about what they were up against.
“Master, what’s going on? Why are we rushing like this?”
During a break, Qiu Sheng finally asked. The trio had been running nonstop, thankfully they were fit or they’d have collapsed by now.
Uncle Jiu glanced at the setting sun, took the water flask Xu Yan handed over, drank a bit, and said, “Your Uncle Qianhe sent me a message—zombies have appeared near a small mountain town to the west. Some people are dead. Your uncle is tied up and asked me to deal with it.”
Finally! A real mission. Xu Yan’s eyes practically lit up green. He had been waiting for merit points for a month. What level was the zombie? Would it be tough?
Daoist Qianhe—wasn’t that the guy from the “Mr. Vampire” movie? He had a tragic end, bitten by an evolved zombie.
Though lightning could destroy evil spirits, under certain rare conditions, it could also make them stronger—though that was rarer than winning the lottery.
It seemed every Maoshan disciple had their own territory. They didn’t interfere unless asked, so reunions were rare.
“Zombies?!”
Qiu Sheng freaked out. “Master, isn’t Uncle basically setting us up? Zombies aren’t that easy to handle. He probably couldn’t handle it himself and pushed it on you.”
“Nonsense!!”
Uncle Jiu was furious, slapping Qiu Sheng on the head. Qiu Sheng rubbed the back of his head and hid behind Xu Yan.
Serves you right!
Xu Yan rolled his eyes at Qiu Sheng. Seriously? Qianhe is a capable Taoist and close with our master—why are you talking nonsense?
“Why don’t you focus on learning from your junior brother instead of saying stupid things? If your uncle didn’t notify us, would you just let the zombies roam free?”
Uncle Jiu lectured him hard while Xu Yan chuckled.
“That’s different—junior brother studied abroad! He’s an intellectual!!”
Qiu Sheng tried to defend himself pitifully.
Uncle Jiu’s nose nearly twisted in rage. What kind of logic is that?!
“Master, don’t be too hard on senior brother. Can you tell us more about the zombie so we can be prepared?”
Xu Yan stepped in to mediate.
“Hmph!”
Uncle Jiu let Qiu Sheng off the hook and explained, “I’m not entirely sure. Transmission talismans don’t carry much detail. We’ll have to assess the situation ourselves. Let’s hope it’s not too bad.”
Let’s hope… Qiu Sheng muttered, making Xu Yan want to laugh. This guy needs a good beating or he’ll start climbing the roof again.