Free Web NovelChapter 61: Chapter 60: Entering the Mountains
At the crack of dawn, Li Yuan went over the bamboo slips detailing the Fire Arrow Skill one more time.
The Spell detailed on the slips was rather short—even shorter than the Fireball Technique—and the required flow of Spiritual Power was more direct.
It had fewer points for gathering power and more for focusing it. The emphasis wasn’t on exploding, but on the single moment of firing.
Li Yuan put away the bamboo slips, left his home, and headed straight for the Chaotic Stone Beach to the west. freёwebnoѵel.com
The morning mist hadn’t completely dissipated. The Chaotic Stone Beach was empty. The blackened pits blasted out by Fireballs a few days ago were still there, their cracked edges already filled with dust.
After taking his stance, he circulated his Spiritual Power along the route prescribed by the Spell.
First, his palm grew hot, then the energy seemed to collapse inward. The initially dispersed Fire Spiritual Power was forcefully compressed into a single beam, its color deeper and its edges narrower than a Fireball.
The first attempt failed.
He was only halfway through gathering the energy when the line of fire POPPED and dispersed, breaking apart into a few sparks just beyond his palm.
Li Yuan shook out his hand and tried a second time.
This time, he managed to form it, but its shape was still unstable.
The foot-long, crimson fire arrow had just left his hand when it suddenly veered off course, grazing a rock in front of him before flying away and searing a black scar onto a dirt slope behind it.
’Not a big problem.’
He had practiced the Fireball Technique for so long that he already had a feel for how to gather and release Fire Spiritual Power. The Fire Arrow Skill was merely a matter of changing something round into something long, and something that explodes into something that pierces.
His third attempt.
His Spiritual Power tightened, and his palm felt heavy. A slender fire arrow suddenly took shape, its tip sharp, its tail trailing a short, thin red line.
Li Yuan flicked his wrist.
HISS.
In a flash, the fire arrow struck the half-man-high rock. There was no thunderous explosion like a Fireball, only a dull thud. A thumb-sized black hole appeared on the rock’s surface, and a circle of debris fell away with a rustle.
Li Yuan walked over to take a look.
The hole wasn’t deep, but it was straight. The edges were burned brittle; a scrape of his fingernail sent a fine layer of ash falling.
The Fireball Technique excelled at blasting a wide area, while the Fire Arrow Skill was for drilling into a single point. In terms of raw power, a single shot couldn’t compare to a Fireball. But it was faster to cast.
He returned to his original spot and tried several more times in succession.
Fire arrows flew out one after another. At first, they still wavered slightly, but soon their trajectories stabilized. Within a range of several dozen yards, they flew in a nearly perfect, incredibly fast straight line. Several more small, scorched holes quickly appeared on the rock face.
For his last attempt, Li Yuan changed his target to a fist-sized rock farther away.
The line of fire cut through the air. Before one could even react, the rock was struck askew and sent tumbling far into the distance.
’This spell is really useful.’
Lingering heat remained in his palm, and the Spiritual Power in his Dantian had been depleted by a fair amount. However, the consumption was less than the Fireball Technique, so casting it repeatedly wasn’t too taxing.
Li Yuan stood in place and caught his breath.
[Magic: Fire Arrow Skill - Beginner (0/200)]
The panel flashed and disappeared.
The Fire Arrow Skill was much simpler than a Cultivation Technique to begin with, and he already had a foundation from his Fireball Technique practice. Reaching the beginner level so quickly was well within reason.
Having reached the beginner level, Li Yuan turned and headed for Wu’s Talisman Shop.
The marketplace was a bit livelier than the past two days, with many more Cultivators on the streets.
Several Loose Cultivators were sitting at a roadside tea stall, speaking in low voices as they drank their tea.
"Is it true?"
"It is. The news just reached the market last night. They say another Foundation Establishment Cultivator from the Primordial Yang Sect has broken through to the Golden Core realm."
"What incredible fortune."
"Luck? The Golden Core is a hurdle that has stumped countless people. How many Foundation Establishment Cultivators have gone into seclusion only for their ashes to have gone cold by the time anyone finds them? The Primordial Yang Sect hasn’t added many new Perfected Masters in years. This is a major event."
Li Yuan didn’t break his stride, merely taking in their words as he passed.
’The Golden Core realm is still a long way off for me. For now, it’s just some interesting gossip.’
When he arrived at Wu’s Talisman Shop, there were two more people inside than usual. One was picking out Spiritual Ink, and the other was asking about paper. The Shopkeeper behind the counter was so busy his forehead was glistening with sweat, but he still greeted Li Yuan as soon as he entered.
"Deputy Li, what can I get for you?"
"Tier One Low Grade talisman paper. Do you have any suitable for drawing Fire Talismans?"
The Shopkeeper took out a stack of light cyan talisman paper from under the counter and placed it on the countertop.
"Cyan Pattern Paper. Among plant-based talisman papers, it’s considered fire-resistant. A dozen sheets for two Spirit Stones."
’Talisman Master Lu’s manual had said that despite them being Fire Talismans, plant-based paper was more suitable than beast-hide paper. The success rate was higher, especially for novices, and the power was greater too.’
’The price wasn’t low.’ Li Yuan picked one up to examine it. The paper’s surface was much finer than ordinary yellow paper and felt tough and slightly cool to the touch. Faint patterns were pressed into the corners, and the Spiritual Qi it contained was much more stable than that of common talisman paper.
"I’ll take two dozen."
The Shopkeeper nodded and was about to wrap them up when the Loose Cultivator picking out Spiritual Ink interjected.
"Shopkeeper Wu, do you have any Qi Absorption Tea left? I heard the Wang family is buying up supplies. I’m afraid if I wait a couple more days, there won’t be any tea leaves left to be seen."
"Plenty," the Shopkeeper said without turning his head, busy wrapping the talisman paper. "And you don’t need to worry. The Wang family is preparing a congratulatory gift for the Primordial Yang Sect. Why would they be interested in tea of this grade? What they’re buying up has to be at least the level of Jade Spirit Tea."
The Loose Cultivator clicked his tongue.
"A single Golden Core cultivator really causes a different kind of stir. Gifting Spirit Tea by the hundreds of pounds... If only I could achieve that someday."
"Buy something from my shop, and I guarantee you’ll succeed," the Shopkeeper replied casually, then handed the wrapped talisman paper to Li Yuan.
"Deputy Li, if you need to buy anything else in the next two days, come early. The market has been busy lately."
Li Yuan took the talisman paper, paid four Spirit Stones, and casually tucked the packet of paper into his clothes.
His robes had been modified and were full of pockets of various sizes, making it convenient to carry things.
After leaving the shop, his sleeve pouch felt significantly lighter.
He hadn’t gone far when someone called out from behind him.
"Deputy Li."
Li Yuan turned to see Sun Liang hurrying to catch up.
"Captain Wang is looking for you. He wants you to return to the post."
"Now?"
"Now." Sun Liang nodded. "I just came from there. It’s a good thing I ran into you; saves me a trip to knock on your door."
Li Yuan didn’t ask any more questions. He just turned and headed toward the patrol team’s station.
When he entered, Wang De was sitting behind his desk, flipping through a booklet.
There was no one else in the room. The window was half-open, and a few maps were pinned down by the corner of the desk, with some newly added ink lines drawn on them.
Li Yuan walked to the desk and stopped.
"Captain."
Wang De glanced up at him and closed the booklet.
"Senior Zhou has rested enough. He’ll need to head into the mountains again."
Li Yuan didn’t interrupt, waiting for him to continue.
"We’re investigating Array nodes. This time, you won’t be just guiding. You’re being sent specifically to assist in finding new Array nodes. Array Master Zhou suspects the new nodes are located somewhere along the route you previously patrolled," Wang De said, tapping the map on the desk with his finger.
"When do we leave?"
"Tomorrow morning."
That was soon. Li Yuan nodded.
"Understood."
Wang De grunted in acknowledgment and looked back down at the booklet in his hands, clearly finished with the conversation.
Li Yuan turned and left.
Returning to his residence, Li Yuan sat down and began to cultivate.
’It’s probably impossible to learn how to make the Fireball Talisman in one night. I have to go into the mountains tomorrow, so I need to use this time to improve my Cultivation.’
Spiritual Power circulated rapidly within Li Yuan’s body. Every day, he could feel distinct progress.
