The Book of Incantations

Prompt message:

Your reputation with the Liu Bei's Army has been activated; current reputation level: Revered.

Upon hearing the word "reward," Bai Xiaowen's eyes lit up. He tentatively asked, "My sworn sister and I greatly admire Generals Zhao Er under Liu Bei. Would you be so kind as to offer us some martial arts guidance?"

Liu Bei frowned slightly and looked at Guan Yu first.

Guan Yu, still squinting, didn't bother to look closely at Bai Xiaowen "siblings," and said indifferently, "You can't learn my martial arts style, so don't waste your energy."

"Damn, that's so disrespectful," Bai Xiaowen thought to herself. "I'm from your hometown, can't you be a little more hospitable?"

When Guan Yu refused, Zhao Yun simply smiled and shook his head.

Liu Bei smoothed things over, saying, "Yun Chang and Zilong's martial arts skills are the result of years of honing, not something achieved overnight. You two should serve in my army for now, gain more experience on the battlefield, and then you can seek further instruction after you have a solid foundation... Let's find another way to reward you."

Bai Xiaowen secretly scoffed, "Who says it's not too late? The mission deadline is only 10 days!" However, with the second test increasing the difficulty by 50%, Bai Xiaowen's involvement doubling the difficulty again, it was indeed unlikely that he could complete the A+ level Class Change mission by trickery. Bai Xiaowen was somewhat prepared for this.

"I wonder if Liu Bei has any experts in Daoist Spell Talisman and talismans?" Bai Xiaowen took out the Scribbled Notes. "My sworn sister and I once killed a Yellow Turbans Talisman Beastmaster and obtained this notebook from him. Unfortunately, we don't understand incantations Spell Talisman, so we can't decipher it."

Bai Xiaowen cleverly put on a show, both stating his demands and subtly indicating that he had killed more than just Zhang Yin, the leader of the Yellow Turban Army sorcery. As for how many, I leave that to your imagination.

The slightly overweight scholar who had just recognized "Zhang Yin's Head" grinned and said, "What's so difficult about that? Let me see it!"

Bai Xiaowen was slightly taken aback. He had assumed that Liu Bei didn't have any decent scholars or strategists under his command, so they probably wouldn't be able to decipher this notebook. He had even planned to use it as an opportunity to make some other requests. He hadn't expected this fat man in front of him to be so confident.

As Bai Xiaowen handed over the notes, she dropped a Insight.

[Jian Yong (Boss Tier) / Challenge Level 7]

[Race: Human Species / Human Race]

[Occupation: Level 3 Yin-Yang Diviner]

[Attributes: Strength 9, Agility 11, Constitution 24, Spirit 30]

[Skills: Mist Concealment, Divination,???,???]

"So it's Jian Yong! In this world, Jian Yong followed Liu Bei so early? I really didn't expect that." Bai Xiaowen breathed a sigh of relief.

Jian Yong is recorded in the history of the Three Kingdoms as "quite knowledgeable about Yin and Yang" and skilled in divination.

After quickly flipping through the Scribbled Notes, Jian Yong smiled and said, "This notebook records some Taiping Church sorcery using Spell Talisman. To learn it, you need to infuse it with the demonic power of the Taiping Demon Sect for the Spell Talisman to manifest. How much you can learn depends on your natural talent in Daoist arts."

Prompt message:

"Side quest step 1, deciphering the notes complete. You have obtained an A-Tier item, the Talisman Scripture."

Bai Xiaowen took the notebook; by this time, the name and nature of this special item had Transformation.

[Talisman Scripture: A book that records the Talisman Arts. There is a certain chance to learn Talisman Arts skills. Currently, it has 1 use left and is 0% charged.]

Upon seeing the instructions for the prop, Bai Xiaowen was overjoyed and immediately asked, "How do I infuse it with demonic power?"

Jian Yong said, "The simplest way, of course, is to find a sorcerer from the Yellow Turbans rebel army to help you inject... Hehe, don't look at me like that, I know that method is obviously unlikely, so there is an alternative."

After whetting their appetites, Jian Yong finally said, "When the Daoist priests of the Yellow Turbans rebels died, their demonic power hadn't completely dissipated. Placing this notebook within three feet of their corpses will absorb that demonic power. However, the efficiency is rather low, because most of the demonic power will dissipate upon death."

Prompt message:

"Side Quest Step 2: Infusion Activation. Quest Objective: Kill the Yellow Turban Army Spellcaster and infuse the Talisman Scripture with demonic power."

After thanking Jian Yong, Bai Xiaowen and Li Shuyi left the tent. They had just joined Liu Bei's Army and were not yet qualified to discuss matters in Liu Bei's main tent—besides, Bai Xiaowen also wanted to organize his thoughts.

In the woods beside the camp, Rageclaw lay sprawled on the fallen leaves, its body, as large as a water buffalo, resembling a fur sofa. Bai Xiaowen and Li Shuyi rested against Rageclaw's warm body, whispering amongst themselves.

Bai Xiaowen took out some jerky, tore it into strips, and fed it to Rageclaw.

"What's going on?" Li Shuyi sighed. "Logically speaking, we've killed a Yellow Turban Army leader, which is quite a feat. Our reputation in the Liu Bei's Army should have soared to the level of respect. Why did Guan Yu and Zhao Yun both refuse?"

Bai Xiaowen suddenly asked, "Have you received any notifications regarding your Affection Level? Has your Affection Level level with Zhao Yun been unlocked?"

Li Shuyi shook her head blankly.

"That's the problem. I haven't received any notification about Guan Yu's Affection Level level," Bai Xiaowen said slowly. "In the Three Kingdoms Plane World, passing on skills is a very important matter, a private affair, and not really related to factions. I estimate that even if we raise Liu Bei's Army's reputation to Revered, it will be difficult to get guidance from Guan Yu and Zhao Yun."

Li Shuyi suddenly realized, "That's right, we need to Affection Level with either Guan Yu or Zhao Yun. Which one should we choose? I think we should choose Zhao Yun; he seems easier to approach. Guan Yu... he's a bit too arrogant."

Bai Xiaowen said, "That's not necessarily true. Zhao Yun seems easygoing but is very principled. From his smile, I can only sense two words—distance! A character like Zhao Yun, who is almost perfect in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms and has virtually no flaws, is very difficult to cultivate a relationship with in ten days. As for Guan Yu... Pride isn't necessarily a bad thing; at least it means there's an opportunity to take advantage of him."

Bai Xiaowen stroked the smooth fur of the Rageclaw, pondered for a moment, and said, "Here's the plan: I'll handle Guan Yu, and you'll contact Zhao Yun. Liu Bei's Army doesn't have any decent strategists; Zhuge Liang hasn't appeared yet, and Jian Yong is only good at divination and persuasion, which gives us room to maneuver. Based on this, my plan should be feasible. However, you'd better play the role I've designed for you well."

"What role?" Li Shuyi asked eagerly.

"A female strategist," Bai Xiaowen smiled, then whispered her plan to Li Shuyi.

"This..." Li Shuyi looked troubled, "I'm afraid my acting skills aren't up to par."

"This is the approach to maximize benefits. If you want Guan Yu or Zhao Yun to give you their full guidance, I alone can't do it, after all, you're the one who's Class Change! If you don't get their attention, even if you manage to get guidance in the end, it will probably be perfunctory, which will definitely affect your Class Change quest completion evaluation!"

Bai Xiaowen took a deep breath and stood up. "Let's go! We'll go to the main camp now. Don't worry, I'm the one who's putting on the show; you basically don't need to say a word."