"Come, demonstrate the True Yang Spear for me..."
Receiving a hundred pieces of Deer Antler Powder from Gao Xian, Zhou Ye was in a good mood and took the initiative to guide Gao Xian in cultivation.
"The basics start with hand seals. The five hand seals must be performed in order and accurately. Don't be too hasty," Zhou Ye observed Gao Xian quickly forming the seals, completing the five hand seals in the blink of an eye.
He blinked, unable to hide his surprise on his old face.
How could Gao Xian form the seals so quickly, with movements so precise?
Upon closer inspection, Gao Xian had long and flat palms, moderate thickness, long and clearly defined finger joints, exuding an elegant and dexterous charm with his hands.
Zhou Ye sighed inwardly, not only did this kid have a handsome face, but his hands were also so good-looking!
Feeling a bit embarrassed, he cleared his throat, "Forming seals quickly is not enough, you also need to chant the incantation."
"Ji!"
Gao Xian chanted a complex seventeen-syllable incantation, condensing into a single word.
Zhou Ye's expression changed again, he didn't expect Gao Xian to chant the incantation so quickly.
With a slightly displeased expression, he said, "Chanting the incantation too quickly with inaccurate pronunciation can easily lead to failure in casting the spell!"
"Uncle Zhou, I can feel the resonance between the incantation and the seal," Gao Xian humbly asked for advice, "Is this not right?"
"Erm..."
Zhou Ye was somewhat speechless.
If both the incantation and the seal were resonating, what could be wrong?
He patiently explained, "Forming seals, chanting incantations quickly is one thing, but you also need to visualize the scripture in your sea of consciousness. Only when the three are combined can you cast the spell.
"Visualizing the scripture is the most difficult part.
You must carefully comprehend and grasp the masculine and domineering aura of the golden spear..."
After patiently waiting for the old man to finish, Gao Xian cautiously said, "Uncle Zhou, I think I can already visualize the scripture."
"What did you say, you learned it in a day, heh...
Although the True Yang Spear is a minor technique, it took me several years to truly master it."
Zhou Ye was starting to get angry. What kind of joke was this? This kid was trying to please him, how could such a thing happen!
Gao Xian was not the type to show off, but Zhou Ye's stern reprimand made him a bit uncomfortable.
Talent needed to be displayed for others to see.
Gao Xian didn't argue, just showed a sincere and honest smile, which only made Zhou Ye more annoyed. "Use the True Yang Spear on me, let me see how much you've mastered!"
"Ah, Uncle Zhou, this isn't good," Gao Xian looked hesitant, "What if I accidentally hurt you?"
Zhou Ye sneered, "I'm a cultivator at the Ninth Level of Qi Refinement, what can you do to harm me!"
He waved at Gao Xian, "Hurry up, stop dawdling."
After hesitating for a moment, Gao Xian, seeing Zhou Ye's firm attitude, could only form the seals and chant the incantation.
A symbol quickly formed at the center of his brow, rapidly condensing into a scripture in his sea of consciousness, where his intent, mana, and yang energy converged into a golden spear.
As he focused his thoughts, the solidified golden spear suddenly thrust seven feet away.
To prevent accidents, Gao Xian only used thirty percent of his mana.
Initially disdainful, Zhou Ye found the True Yang Spear's yang energy to be effective against evil spirits, posing little threat to cultivators. Moreover, with his decades of honed spiritual awareness far surpassing Gao Xian's, he wasn't concerned about such minor spell attacks.
Seeing a glint of gold in Gao Xian's eyes, Zhou Ye was truly surprised. It meant that Gao Xian had successfully condensed the True Yang Spear.
Then, Zhou Ye felt a sudden burning pain in his brow, as if a red-hot iron needle had pierced his flesh.
Unprepared, Zhou Ye almost cried out in surprise, but he managed to suppress it. It would be too embarrassing to cry out in front of Gao Xian.
Enduring the pain, Zhou Ye's old face twisted in agony.
Gao Xian, feeling uneasy, asked, "Uncle Zhou, are you okay?"
Forcing a calm expression and waving his hand, Zhou Ye said, "What could possibly be wrong with me!"
"Uncle Zhou, do you see any flaws in how I wield the True Yang Spear?" Gao Xian humbly sought advice.
"Not bad, you've grasped the basics in a day, showing some talent."
The burning sensation caused by the True Yang Spear was intense but fleeting. Zhou Ye caught his breath, his expression relaxing a bit, though his mood was still not great.
"You just need to continue practicing diligently.
You don't need to ask me again."
Without waiting for Gao Xian to respond, Zhou Ye added, "I need to make some talismans, you can leave."
Seeing Zhou Ye's displeasure, Gao Xian was a bit puzzled. Was the old man jealous of his rapid progress in cultivation?
Not daring to say more, he obediently bid farewell.
Returning to his room in the east wing, Gao Xian felt quite content. Zhou Ye had confirmed that his practice was correct, proving that the Fengyue Treasure was indeed effective.
Unfortunately, his spiritual insight was lacking. Otherwise, he wouldn't have to fear evil spirits with the True Yang Spear raised by two realms!
In the following days, Zhou Ye was always in a bad mood around Gao Xian.
Feeling a bit wronged, Gao Xian thought it was Zhou Ye who had asked him to use the True Yang Spear, and now he was getting impatient. This was quite uncouth.
Fortunately, Zhou Yuling would come over every morning to be affectionate with him. Her warm, lively, and beautiful presence helped heal the spiritual trauma caused by Zhou Ye.
Gao Xian was quite satisfied with this kind of life. No need to refine pills, three meals prepared daily, plenty of free time after completing daily cultivation tasks, and the company of a beautiful woman.
But this good life quickly came to an end.
On the fifth day, Zhu, the shopkeeper, informed Gao Xian that his house was repaired, the medicinal ingredients were restocked, and he was to return immediately to refine pills.
Knowing that Gao Xian was leaving, Zhou Yuling gave him a stack of talismans, consisting of One Yang Talismans and Three Yang Talismans.
Zhou Yuling explained that she made these talismans during her practice sessions, their quality wasn't high, but there were many of them. They could be used to paste around the room for protection against evil spirits.
Gao Xian was deeply moved and almost offered himself to her on the spot, but Zhou Yuling firmly stopped him.
That day, Gao Xian bid a reluctant farewell to the Zhou family and returned to his humble abode.
After staying in the brick house for a few days, the thatched roof of his own house looked increasingly shabby, almost like a pigsty!
The roof had been burned through, with a thick layer of fresh thatch laid over it. The windows were new, but the exterior walls still bore the sooty black marks, giving it a dilapidated appearance.
Led by Zhu into the room, Gao Xian was shown the newly rebuilt medicine room. "All kinds of medicinal ingredients are ready for you.
You must refine at least two thousand pills every month...
"And, the cost of rebuilding the house is ten spirit stones, which you must pay."
Gao Xian looked at the rebuilt house, which seemed quite rough.
Was this worth ten spirit stones?
He wanted to reason with Zhu but noticed the unfriendly look in the short and stout man's eyes.
Pointing to a simple warehouse on the west side, Zhu said, "Charcoal, wood, everything is ready for you, and it's free?"
Realizing that they were relatives and that he had started the fire himself, Gao Xian decided to consider it as paying for the previous owner.
Gritting his teeth, he forced a smile, "Yes, yes, I'll take care of these expenses. I'll pay it all back later."
Satisfied, Zhu nodded approvingly.
This kid knew his place.
After giving some instructions, he left.
Gao Xian looked around the room, finding the rice gone, and upon checking the cellar, he discovered that the demon beast meat was also missing.
These losses were nothing compared to not finding the little black cat, leaving Gao Xian feeling a bit sad, wondering where the little guy had gone.
With five spirit stones left, Gao Xian went to the shop to buy twenty catties of green corn, a piece of demon beast meat, as well as necessities like oil, salt, tea, bedding, and so on.
Back home, Gao Xian arranged everything and sat on the bed, feeling that the room was too cold and lacked vitality.
Thinking of the little black cat's gluttony, he hurriedly lit a fire to cook.
After preparing a meal of hand-grabbed rice mixed with the rich aroma of demon beast meat, the room was filled with a fragrant smell.
In no time, Gao Xian heard the little black cat scratching at the door from outside, meowing incessantly.
Gao Xian chuckled, knowing the little rascal was hungry!
Opening the door, Gao Xian warmly greeted the little black cat, but it cautiously eyed him, deliberately avoiding him and jumping onto the dining table to enjoy its meal.
As the cat ate, it kept a careful eye on Gao Xian.
Feeling a bit annoyed at being scrutinized while eating, Gao Xian thought, "You're acting like you want to start a fight after eating my food!"
Feeling a bit heavy-hearted, he wondered if the evil energy had not completely dissipated, causing the little black cat to be so wary of him.
(End of Chapter)