Free Web NovelChapter 2: Chapter 2: Essence
This! This is!
When Yu Changsheng saw the words materializing in his field of vision, he was stunned, then immediately ecstatic.
As an avid reader of countless web novels, this was a familiar sight.
’Isn’t this a Golden Finger, the protagonist’s cheat system!’
And as a thought flashed through his mind, a data panel materialized before him.
[Name: Yu Changsheng]
[Realm: Qi Refining Second Heaven]
[Physique: Spirit Beast Affinity]
[Cultivation Technique: Chang Chun Skill Introduction (890/1000)]
[Magic: Fireball Skill Mastery (55/1000), Wind Walking Skill Mastery (168/1000), Wood Shield Skill Introduction (5/100), Rainwalking Skill Introduction (10/100)]
[Skills: Tier One Spirit Plant (5/1000)]
[Spirit Pet: None]
[Remaining Essence: 0]
The panel resembled a game’s character sheet and had five additional functions.
[System Backpack] [Demon Refining Extraction] [Spirit Beast Transformation] [Devouring Bloodline] [Fusion Ancestral Return]
As Yu Changsheng focused his attention on them, he understood what each function did.
The first function was a storage space, like a Hundred Treasures Pouch. It contained one hundred small slots, and each slot could hold an unlimited quantity of a single type of item.
The second, Demon Refining Extraction, used the corpses of Demon Beasts as material to be refined into essence. This essence could then be freely allocated to upgrade Cultivation Techniques, Magic, Skills, and even Spirit Pets.
The Realm category, however, didn’t display any numbers. This probably meant he couldn’t use essence to upgrade it and would have to advance through his own Cultivation.
The last three were clearly functions for cultivating Spirit Pets, but they consumed different kinds of essence.
’This cheat system... doesn’t seem as overpowered as I thought it would be, huh?’
’And what the hell is this "Spirit Beast Affinity" Physique? Where’s my Ancient Sacred Body!’
Yu Changsheng grumbled internally.
Suddenly, Huang Li kicked him in the rear and snarled, "What are you spacing out for? Get in there and feed the chickens! Or do you need us to hold your hand?"
Yu Changsheng cried out in pain, nearly stumbling into the chicken coop.
The other servants roared with laughter. They had clearly done this sort of thing many times before and were well accustomed to bullying others.
As he entered the coop, the Spirit Chickens’ heads all snapped toward him. Some even raised their wings, sizing him up with fierce arrogance.
No matter how weak they were, Spirit Chickens were still Spirit Beasts!
Yu Changsheng felt the pressure and swallowed nervously, praying that his Spirit Beast Affinity Physique would actually do something.
He crouched down slightly, holding the small basin filled with Spirit Rice, and forced a smile.
"Brother chickens, care for some rice?"
The moment he spoke, Huang Li and the others watching from behind burst into laughter.
"Look at this guy! He’s actually talking to the Spirit Chickens. That’s hilarious!"
"How many do you think he’ll feed before one sends him flying? I bet he can’t even handle the first one! HAHAHA!"
"It’d be even better if the Spirit Chickens scratched up his face. I can’t stand the sight of him. How dare he be so much more handsome than me!"
"The Spirit Chickens are closing in! Now we’ve got a show!"
"Get in there, you wuss! You’re supposed to be feeding them, not dancing around them!"
Amidst the jeers, Yu Changsheng was backed into a corner by the flock of Spirit Chickens, a nervous cold sweat breaking out on his back.
He might not have backed away from one or two chickens, but a whole flock... The pressure was immense!
With nowhere left to retreat, Yu Changsheng could only stretch his arm out as far as it would go, holding out the small basin and hoping the Spirit Chickens would be careful not to touch him.
The fierce Spirit Chicken at the front flapped its wings. Just as Huang Li and the others thought it was about to strike Yu Changsheng, it suddenly lowered its proud head and quickly pecked at the Spirit Rice.
[You have successfully fed one Spirit Chicken. 20 Spirit Rice consumed. Reward: 1 Essence.]
Just as the Spirit Chicken finished eating, its "Hungry" status disappeared, and it turned to wander off.
Meanwhile, Yu Changsheng received his reward from the system: 1 Essence!
’What! I can get Essence from feeding Spirit Chickens?’
Yu Changsheng was stunned for a moment, his heart pounding with excitement.
’It’s the Spirit Beasts! As long as I feed any Spirit Beast, I get a reward!’
’This is a blessing in disguise!’
’I thought I could only get Essence through Demon Refining Extraction. I never expected I could get it just by feeding them. This is way too convenient!’
One Spirit Chicken ate its fill, and another immediately took its place.
The chickens jostled against each other, making it very crowded.
But strangely, none of the notoriously ill-tempered Spirit Chickens threw a fit. It was as if they were afraid of leaving a bad impression on Yu Changsheng. They just squeezed forward in silence, each trying to get closest to him.
This bizarre scene made Huang Li and the others’ jaws drop. They couldn’t understand what had gotten into this flock of Spirit Chickens.
Yu Changsheng’s racing heart finally calmed down. He crouched, stroked one of the Spirit Chicken’s heads, and called out to the others.
"One at a time! Form a line."
Hearing this, Huang Li and his cronies nearly burst out laughing again.
Spirit Chickens were indeed Spirit Beasts, but they didn’t possess the Spiritual Wisdom of other Spirit Beasts, nor could they understand human speech. They were just food to be sold to other Cultivators!
’Telling food to form a line... How ridiculous... ridiculous...’
Huang Li and the others stared wide-eyed, then rubbed their eyes hard.
"Are they actually lining up? Am I under an Illusion Technique?"
If, just a few hours ago, someone had told him that Spirit Chickens would obediently line up to be fed, he would have slapped them across the face! freёwebnovel.com
But now, this incredible scene was happening right before his very eyes!
"This guy’s degree of Spirit Beast Affinity..." freёwebnovel.com
A sharp glint flashed in Huang Li’s eyes, and his expression soured.
’He’s just a new servant disciple. I’m overthinking things.’
’Being relegated to a servant means his Spirit Root talent is poor. So what if his affinity is high? The most he can ever become in the sect is a Breeder!’
Yu Changsheng, of course, had no idea what Huang Li and the others were thinking.
He was far too busy, and besides, he was inwardly blooming with joy!
A steady stream of rewards flooded the system, and his Essence quickly climbed from 1 to 10, then 20...
And after eating exactly twenty grains of Spirit Rice, each Spirit Chicken’s mood would inexplicably improve, and they wouldn’t eat a single grain more.
It was the first time the chicken coop had ever been so harmonious. Every chicken ate the same amount, and not a single one caused a fuss.
An hour later, the feeding was finished. Yu Changsheng had harvested a total of 135 Essence.
He held the small basin, a broad smile on his face. But before he could enjoy the moment for long, another servant disciple pulled him out of the coop.
"Hmph. You did well," Huang Li said. "Here’s your reward. Come back and feed the chickens again tomorrow."
Although Huang Li had found a useful tool, he wasn’t particularly happy about it. In fact, he was disappointed that he hadn’t been able to make things difficult for the new guy.
But since Yu Changsheng fed them so quickly, it meant Huang Li now had more free time for his own Cultivation. His mood was complicated, so he just gruffly tossed a Spirit Coin at him.
"Now get lost."
Yu Changsheng caught the Spirit Coin and sneered inwardly.
’One Lower Grade Spirit Stone is worth one hundred Spirit Coins. The pay for feeding chickens is high—ten Spirit Coins a day. According to Zhuang Yan, Huang Li used to give at least three coins to anyone he got to help him.’
’And now it’s my turn, and he gives me one? Who does he think he’s looking down on!’
However, now was not the time to turn hostile. He didn’t have the power to back it up, so he could only put away the Spirit Coin and leave, swearing a vicious oath to himself.
’Just wait until I’ve allocated these points. I’ll make you pay me back with interest!’
Yu Changsheng glanced at the sky. It was already noon, and he still hadn’t tended to his Spirit Field. He couldn’t help but quicken his pace.
If he didn’t do his servant work properly, not only would he be punished by the Servant Steward, but his Sect Contribution points would also be deducted. If his contribution fell too low, he would be expelled from the sect!
He had no desire to be kicked out of the Wanxiang Sect so soon after joining.
It was already seven or eight in the evening by the time Yu Changsheng finished tending to the Spirit Field. He dragged his exhausted body back to the courtyard. After using the Rainwalking Skill to speed up his journey, his Magical Power was completely drained!
The other servants were curious to see him return unscathed, but none of them approached him.
Everyone knew he was now on Huang Li’s bad side. His days ahead were probably not going to be easy.
