"Close your eyes, I am going to perform a spell."
Zhou Ye held a talisman in his hand, preparing to cast the spell with hand gestures.
Gao Xian looked at Zhou Ye's serious demeanor and was extremely curious.
Zhou Ye must be a cultivator in the later stage of Qi cultivation, proficient in talismans, and yet, why was he making such a fuss while using them?
Unable to contain his curiosity, he asked, "Mr. Zhou, is this the Lesser Yang Symbol?"
"You wish! Do you think you can use the Lesser Yang Symbol with just ten pieces of low-grade spirit stones?" Zhou Ye sneered. "One Yang, Three Yang, Six Yang, Nine Yang, Nine Yang transforms into Lesser Yang. This is the Three Yang Symbol. If you want to use the Lesser Yang Symbol, you need at least ten pieces of medium-grade spirit stones."
"What?" Gao Xian was surprised. "The Three Yang Symbol is this expensive?"
"If you want to buy the Three Yang Symbol, it will cost you five pieces of low-grade spirit stones. If I personally cast the spell, that's the price," Zhou Ye replied impatiently. "Activating the Three Yang Symbol also requires the stimulation of Yang energy, which is extremely draining mentally. If it weren't for Xu Mingyuan's face, you wouldn't even dream of me helping you with just ten pieces of low-grade spirit stones."
Gao Xian was speechless.
The old man was making money off him, but he dared not say anything as he pointed at the old man to do the work.
"Close your eyes."
Zhou Ye wiped Gao Xian's face with his thin, withered palm.
While Gao Xian had his eyes closed, Zhou Ye placed the Three Yang Symbol on his forehead.
The Three Yang Symbol instantly turned into a flame, illuminating the room.
Even with his eyes closed, Gao Xian could clearly feel the light.
Then, he felt a warmth on his forehead.
It felt like a hot branding iron searing into his skin, the burning sensation piercing deep into his forehead.
The sudden intense pain made Gao Xian cry out.
Fortunately, the intense pain quickly subsided.
When Gao Xian opened his eyes, he saw the Three Yang Symbol turning into ashes and scattering around.
Gao Xian hurriedly touched his forehead, feeling smooth and relieved that he didn't sense anything unusual.
"Look at you, so timid. I have sixty years of experience in talismans, I won't make mistakes," Zhou Ye said confidently, sitting on the chair with an air of a senior expert.
Gao Xian could only smile awkwardly. "Thank you, Mr. Zhou."
He then asked with some concern, "Mr. Zhou, is the evil energy completely removed?"
"Almost. Although the Three Yang Symbol is effective, there will always be some residual evil energy. Just be cautious," Zhou Ye waved his hand. "I'm tired now, you can leave. I won't see you off."
"Thank you for your hard work," Gao Xian replied.
However, Gao Xian was reluctant to leave.
He was worried that the evil energy was not completely removed.
He sat down next to Zhou Ye and asked, "Mr. Zhou, how can the evil energy be completely removed?"
"Evil energy comes from the outside and connects with your essence. Talismans cannot penetrate the soul. You should practice pure Yang spells. When your Yang energy is sufficient, it will naturally dissolve the remaining evil energy," Zhou Ye explained with a hint of impatience.
Although Zhou Ye had a big temper, seeing Gao Xian's respectful attitude, he still gave some advice.
"Can't we use the Three Yang Symbol again?" Gao Xian inquired.
"Talisman's power is fierce. Using it too often will harm you," Zhou Ye dismissed. "You are in your twenties, with strong Yang energy. A little residual evil energy is nothing to worry about. Others wander around Tengshe Mountain all year round without fear of evil spirits, why are you afraid?"
Zhou Ye spoke lightly, but Gao Xian didn't dare to underestimate it.
Having been cautious all his life, Gao Xian understood that he couldn't be careless.
"Mr. Zhou, I... I'm afraid," Gao Xian admitted his fear, believing it to be more sincere. "I just want to remove the evil energy. Please don't misunderstand."
He emphasized, "I can pay the tuition fee."
Initially, Zhou Ye wanted to refuse outright, considering how much effort it took for Gao Xian to produce ten spirit stones.
But then he thought, Gao Xian was an alchemist and could earn a lot of money.
This was a golden opportunity that he couldn't miss.
After some contemplation, Zhou Ye said, "The Lesser Yang Symbol is extremely complex. It will take at least ten to twenty years to master. Since you only want to remove the evil energy, there's no need to learn the Lesser Yang Symbol. I have a quick method of True Yang cultivation. As long as you practice diligently, it will be enough to dissolve all evil energy."
"That's great, please teach me, sir," Gao Xian stood up respectfully, showing a sincere attitude of seeking guidance.
Zhou Ye smiled, "You don't have to be so polite, just pay the fee."
"Oh, how many spirit stones do I need?" Gao Xian sighed inwardly, realizing that every cultivator was greedy for money, and personal relationships were of no use.
"Fifty pieces of low-grade spirit stones," Zhou Ye stated.
"What?" Gao Xian's heart sank at the price.
He thought the old man was even more cunning than Boss Zhu.
He tentatively asked, "Senior, can you lower the price a bit? I don't have that many spirit stones."
"No discounts," Zhou Ye replied sternly. "My unique technique only costs fifty pieces of low-grade spirit stones. Is that expensive?"
"I charge fifty spirit stones for making a Six Yang Symbol!" Zhou Ye continued, "If it weren't for your teacher's face, why would I teach you my secret technique?"
Feeling that the old man was exaggerating, Gao Xian couldn't expose him.
Having been beaten down by society for years, Gao Xian understood that if you couldn't convince others, even if you temporarily gained an advantage, it would only escalate conflicts without solving any problems.
Seeing Gao Xian's troubled expression, Zhou Ye kindly said, "For the sake of your teacher, I can allow you to pay in installments. Pay ten spirit stones first, then five each month. You'll pay off in a year."
Gao Xian wanted to laugh.
Everyone was so skilled in charging interest, truly remarkable!
Boss Zhu was already in debt, and now Old Zhou was adding more.
Gao Xian felt that he was being deliberately scared by Old Zhou, creating a demand out of thin air.
But he didn't dare to take the risk, as it involved his life.
Observing Old Zhou, Gao Xian noticed the fatigue in his eyes, resembling Old Wang.
An idea formed in his mind.
"Senior, it seems like your Yang energy is a bit weak," Gao Xian remarked.
Annoyed, Zhou Ye replied, "Of course, I use Yang energy and blood to make talismans. It's normal for my Yang energy to be deficient."
"Don't be angry, Senior. I have a medicine that can strengthen your spirit and vitality. It works wonders. Would you like to try it?" Gao Xian took out a small box of Deer Antler Powder from his backpack and respectfully handed it to Zhou Ye.
Opening the medicine box, Zhou Ye picked up a blue pill and sniffed it.
His face darkened as he said, "Just because it's blue, you think I can't recognize it? This is Deer Antler Powder?"
"Senior, I would never deceive you. Please try it, and you'll see," Gao Xian said sincerely, confident in his master-level Deer Antler Powder.
Despite Zhou Ye being in the later stage of Qi cultivation, his appearance of kidney deficiency and Qi weakness made Gao Xian believe that the Deer Antler Powder would work wonders.
Seeing Gao Xian's confidence, Zhou Ye became curious.
Normally, he wouldn't dare to consume an elixir given by a stranger.
However, having met Gao Xian several times through Xu Mingyuan, he felt he knew Gao Xian well enough.
Even so, Zhou Ye decided to use his appraisal technique.
With a flash of insight in his eyes, Zhou Ye used his appraisal technique to analyze the Deer Antler Powder.
He could see through the outer layer of the pill, discerning its ingredients, and even smell the subtle medicinal fragrance inside.
Based on these characteristics, he could confirm that the blue pill was indeed Deer Antler Powder and was not harmful.
The appraisal technique enhanced his senses, allowing for a deep analysis of items like elixirs and artifacts.
The results of the analysis depended on the user's abilities.
Confident in his skills, Zhou Ye was sure that Gao Xian, a junior cultivator, wouldn't be able to deceive him with the appraisal technique.
He took a Deer Antler Powder pill and felt a surge of heat spreading from within his body.
His kidneys warmed up first, followed by his whole body.
The warmth was Yang but not dry, like soaking all his organs in a warm spring.
He felt a surge of energy and vitality, a feeling he hadn't experienced in a long time.
Realizing the uniqueness of the Deer Antler Powder, Zhou Ye was astonished. "Is this your creation?"
Pleased with the effect, Gao Xian maintained a humble and respectful demeanor. "My skills are limited. Please guide me, Senior."
(End of Chapter)