Gathering Spirits

Zhou Er took the Spirit Stones and came to the Wutong District Market, wanting to see if he could buy some Spells and items with good Attribute effects.

Lin Shiyu was currently in Elder He Lin's alchemy room watching the alchemy furnace. Zhou Er could only browse by himself, but he was already familiar with these things and wasn't afraid of being alone. He walked and looked around.

He stopped in front of a stall selling Talismans.

[Fireball Talisman: Unleashes a Fireball of considerable power upon activation.]

[Equip to gain Attribute: Fire Attribute Amplification (White)]

[Fire Attribute Amplification (White): Fire Attribute Spell power increased by thirty percent.]

[Solidification Condition: Master Fireball Technique to Great Accomplishment.]

[Equip?]

Looking at the Attributes of this Fireball Talisman, Zhou Er fell into thought.

This was clearly a combat Attribute that could greatly enhance combat power. It was indeed a good Attribute.

Moreover, Lin Shiyu also knew the Fireball Technique Spell. If he bought this Talisman, he might have a chance to ask Lin Shiyu for guidance in the future and have her teach him Spells.

"Senior Brother! How many Spirit Stones for this Fireball Talisman?"

Zhou Er asked.

"These Talismans are three for one Spirit Stone. You can choose any three."

The stall owner said with a smile.

Zhou Er looked at the other Talismans.

[Godspeed Talisman: Increases walking speed upon activation, travel a thousand miles, arrive overnight.]

[Equip to gain Attribute: High-speed Reaction.]

[High-speed Reaction: Reaction speed increased by ten percent.]

[Solidification Condition: Travel ten thousand miles.]

[Equip?]

The Godspeed Talisman was a very common Talisman, often used by sect disciples to visit their families. Its value was much lower than combat Talismans. If it were priced the same as combat Talismans like the Fireball Talisman, it would seem like a bad deal.

However, the High-speed Reaction Attribute was quite good.

In combat, being one second faster meant seizing the initiative and could determine the outcome of a battle.

Therefore, this Talisman could also be chosen.

Next, Zhou Er looked at the last talisman.

[Water Healing Talisman: Casts Water Healing Technique upon activation, healing external injuries.]

[Equipping grants the attribute: Self-Healing (White)]

[Self-Healing (White): Self-healing, increasing self-healing speed by 30%.]

[Solidification Condition: Master two water-attribute spells.]

[Equip?]

This Water Healing Talisman was also good, it could speed up recovery from injuries. Zhou Er decided to take these three and paid the stall owner one Low-grade Spirit Stone.

Continuing on, Zhou Er saw another stall selling pills.

Just as Zhou Er was about to casually buy some Bigu Pills to replenish his reserves, he spotted a pill with a very good effect.

[Spirit Gathering Pill: Contains much spiritual energy, can aid cultivation upon consumption.]

[Equipping grants the attribute: Spirit Gathering (White)]

[Spirit Gathering (White): Automatically gathers spiritual energy, increasing cultivation speed by 20%.]

[Solidification Condition: Consume one hundred Fine-grade Spirit Gathering Pills.]

[Equip?]

"This junior disciple looks unfamiliar, are you newly initiated!"

Before Zhou Er could speak, the stall owner initiated the conversation.

"Senior brother, how much is one Spirit Gathering Pill?"

Zhou Er pointed at the gourd of Spirit Gathering Pills and asked the stall owner.

"These are Fine-grade Spirit Gathering Pills refined by our Wutong District's senior disciple, Qi Jiale. They are only one Low-grade Spirit Stone each."

The stall owner said with a smile. He was an Outer Sect disciple helping Qi Jiale set up the stall, a subordinate of Qi Jiale.

"Senior Brother Qi?"

Zhou Er seemed to have heard this name before. This person was at the eleventh level of Qi Refining, with profound cultivation, nearly at Foundation Establishment.

One Spirit Gathering Pill, which only took effect for two hours, sold for one Low-grade Spirit Stone. It was indeed a bit expensive. Although Zhou Er felt the pinch of his Spirit Stones, the effect of this attribute was truly good. Zhou Er could only sacrifice his wallet and buy one for now.

"Then I'll buy one first!"

Zhou Er said.

"Good! Junior Brother, I guarantee you'll come back for more after eating this! You definitely won't lose out. My name is Huang Longyan. I'm helping Senior Brother Qi set up his stall here. I set up every five days. Junior Brother, just look for me here next time."

The stall owner found a small gourd and put one inside for Zhou Er.

"Senior Brother Huang, I'll remember. I'll definitely come next time."

Zhou Er nodded.

After browsing for a while longer and not finding anything else he wanted to buy, Zhou Er returned to his courtyard.

Lin Shiyu returned from work, looking exhausted. Upon seeing Zhou Er, she forced a smile and said, "Senior Brother Zhou! Long time no see."

These past few days, they had both been busy with their own affairs and hadn't had time to bother each other.

"Junior Sister Lin, are you off work?"

Zhou Er asked casually.

"Yes! I'm so tired! But I can secretly practice the Fire Control Technique. Elder He even said I've made great progress."

Three months had passed. Lin Shiyu had been very diligent at work every day, observing the Earth Fire and learning to control it like Elder He. Her progress had been significant.

"That's great."

Zhou Er nodded.

"Right, Junior Sister Lin, do you know the Fireball Technique?"

Zhou Er asked.

"Yes! It's the basic skill for us cultivators with fire-attribute spiritual roots."

Lin Shiyu said.

"Then I wonder if Junior Sister Lin would be willing to teach me? I'm willing to pay Junior Sister Lin with Spirit Stones."

Zhou Er asked.

Learning the Fireball Technique was quite necessary, after all, Zhou Er would need to hunt tigers later and needed to master some offensive skills.

"Of course! But you'll have to wait until I have time off. Elder He only gives me one day off every ten days. My next day off is still five days away."

Lin Shiyu said.

They, the Fire Control Attendants, were just that miserable, with almost no time off.

"Okay! Then please teach me when you have time, Junior Sister Lin!"

Zhou Er nodded, five days wasn't a long time.

After a brief chat, Zhou Er and Lin Shiyu returned to their respective courtyards and closed their doors.

[Name: Zhou Er]

[Cultivation: Qi Refining Second Layer (3.27%)]

[Equipment Slot (3/3): Five Animals Health Technique, Spirit Gathering Pill, Bigu Pill.]

[Unsolidified Attributes: Spirit Gathering (White), Five Animals Health Technique (Perfection), Longevity, Taotie (White).]

[Solidified Attributes: Spirit Qi Purification (White), Qi Induction, Strength Increase (White).]

Zhou Er had already equipped the Spirit Gathering Pill. Its spirit gathering effect was quite good. Like the Taotie attribute, it could passively increase cultivation. Although the effect wasn't as good as the Taotie attribute, it was still decent.

Not only that, but the Spirit Gathering attribute also had an active effect: it could increase Zhou Er's cultivation speed by 20% when cultivating.

[Spirit Gathering (White): Automatically accumulates spirit qi, cultivation speed increased by 20%.]

[Solidification Condition: Consume one hundred Fine-grade Spirit Gathering Pills.]

However, these one hundred Fine-grade Spirit Gathering Pills were even harder to complete than the Taotie attribute.

Keep in mind that one Fine-grade Spirit Gathering Pill cost one Low-grade Spirit Stone.

Zhou Er's monthly stipend was only three Low-grade Spirit Stones. At this rate, it would take at least thirty-three months to fully solidify this attribute.

Nearly three years. Zhou Er naturally couldn't wait that long.

"I have to go to the Mission Hall and find something to do," Zhou Er thought.

This was also how the Xiayun Sect intentionally designed things. The stipend provided was just barely enough to live on. To cultivate and obtain Cultivation Resources, one had to earn them oneself.

The sect did not support idlers.

However, Zhou Er planned to learn the Fireball Technique first. Mastering one more skill would increase the possibility of receiving missions.

With that in mind, Zhou Er sat cross-legged on an ordinary futon and began cultivating the Qi Gathering Technique.

With the boost from the Spirit Gathering attribute, Zhou Er's cultivation became much smoother than before.

The difficulty of cultivation increased exponentially with each layer. But now, with the Spirit Gathering attribute, Zhou Er's cultivation speed had not slowed down much. It would only take less than three months for Zhou Er to break through again and reach the Qi Refining Third Layer.

Five days later, Lin Shiyu finished her break and brought Zhou Er to the dojo. Outer Sect disciples could freely come here to practice spells.

The facilities in the dojo were protected by formations, making it impossible for Qi Refining disciples to damage them.

Even if it's damaged, there will be dedicated personnel to repair it.

"Junior Sister Lin, according to the normal price, it costs one Spirit Stone for two hours of teaching spells. Should we calculate it at this price?"

Before teaching, Zhou Er had inquired about the price for teaching assistants and informed Lin Shiyu in advance.

"Senior Brother Zhou, we are good friends, why talk about Spirit Stones!"

Lin Shiyu declined.

"Junior Sister Lin, even close relatives settle accounts clearly. Moreover, I believe Junior Sister Lin's time is very precious, and I am willing to pay Spirit Stones for it. Besides, only by paying a price can I learn more diligently, right?"

Zhou Er said.

Hearing Zhou Er say this, Lin Shiyu thought about it and realized it made sense. She then smiled and said:

"Alright! Then Senior Brother Zhou must study hard, otherwise you'll lose a lot, a lot of Spirit Stones."

"That's natural."

Zhou Er smiled.

"To cast the Fireball Technique, you must mobilize fire-attribute mana. Senior Brother Zhou, you cultivate a non-attribute cultivation method, so you only need to extract the fire-attribute mana from your mana. If you cultivate other attribute cultivation methods, you must convert your mana into fire-attribute before casting, otherwise the spell will fail."

After a brief preparation, Lin Shiyu explained to Zhou Er.

Regarding this point, Zhou Er had heard an Elder who was proficient in the Five Elements spells explain it.

Generally, cultivators can only cast spells that match their own attributes.

However, a senior who was proficient in the Five Elements discovered that the Five Elements attributes could be mutually converted.

With the Five Elements Rotation Technique, cultivators with a single spiritual root attribute could also cast spells of other attributes.

Of course, the casting time would be several times longer than normal casting, as it required the conversion of Five Elements mana.

Zhou Er had learned this point long ago and nodded, saying:

"Junior Sister Lin, I have already converted some of my mana to fire-attribute."

In addition, Zhou Er had also learned about the specifics of the Fireball Technique.

"Good! Then I'll cast it once for Senior Brother to see."

After speaking, Lin Shiyu formed hand seals and gathered mana at her fingertips.

After more than ten breaths, a fist-sized fireball appeared at Lin Shiyu's fingertips and shot towards the target in front of her. It exploded upon hitting the target, like a small cannonball.

An ordinary person or a cultivator in the early Qi Refining stage would basically lose their combat ability if hit by this.

However, the casting time is too long, and it may not be effective in combat.

After all, actual combat is not target practice. Usually, before a spell is even constructed, the enemy has already attacked or dodged.

However, if someone could cooperate and protect him, the effect would be different.

Zhou Er was now diligently learning the spell, not thinking about whether it was useful for the time being, just learning it first.

Lin Shiyu was teaching someone for the first time. Although she lacked experience, she was very patient.

From morning to afternoon, Zhou Er's spiritual energy was depleted, and he had only managed to conjure a small flame in his hand.

[Fire Attribute Amplification (White): Fire attribute spell power increased by 30%.]

[Solidification Condition: Master Fireball Technique to Great Accomplishment. (Novice 34%)]

However, at least he had made a start. He just needed to practice slowly and increase his proficiency.

"Senior Brother Zhou can see a flame on the first day of practice, which is much better than when I started. As long as you can conjure a flame, you've almost mastered the Fireball Technique. Senior Brother Zhou, if you ponder it yourself when you go back, you might even master it without my teaching."

Lin Shiyu said.

"Really? Why do I feel like my talent is too dull?"

Zhou Er said self-deprecatingly. He had practiced for almost three hours to reach this level.

"No! Senior Brother Zhou's comprehension is very high. It took me three days to finally see a spark when I practiced the Fireball Technique. If Senior Brother Zhou is dull, then I'm just stupid?"

Lin Shiyu quickly shook her head and said with a smile.

"Junior Sister Lin, you don't need to comfort me."

Zhou Er didn't quite believe Lin Shiyu's words, thinking it was her way of comforting him.

"I'm not comforting you, it's true. Moreover, Senior Brother Zhou's mana is also rich. It's only depleted now. My mana is almost completely used up."

Lin Shiyu said.

Although Zhou Er hadn't successfully cast a spell, he hadn't consumed much mana.

However, from morning until now, they had practiced for at least three hours. Even if one failed casting didn't consume much, after so many attempts, the accumulated amount was not comparable to ordinary Qi Refining First or Second Layer cultivators.

"Perhaps it's because I've broken through to Qi Refining Second Layer."

Zhou Er said.

He actually knew the reason, which was due to his Spirit Gathering and Taotie attributes.

The Taotie attribute could convert food into nutrients and enhance himself.

The spirit gathering effect allowed Zhou Er's body to quietly accumulate spiritual energy from the surrounding air, which is why he could last so long.

Spiritual power and magic power are essentially the same thing.

Magic power is spiritual energy that has been converted by a cultivator, allowing them to freely summon and use their own spiritual power.

"Is that so?"

Lin Shiyu said, she felt it was because Zhou Er had good talent.

Everyone's talent is different; some people are born with wide meridians and a dantian that can hold more spiritual power.

"Junior Sister Lin is teaching me the Fireball Technique today. Here, this is your payment."

Zhou Er took out two Low-grade Spirit Stones. Although he felt a pang of heartache, he was willing to pay for knowledge.

"You don't need this much; one Low-grade Spirit Stone is enough. Besides, I had nothing to do today anyway. I'm happy enough to earn some Spirit Stones and come out with Senior Brother Zhou."

Lin Shiyu only took one, not accepting the other.

"We agreed on one Low-grade Spirit Stone for two hours, and it's definitely been more than two hours now."

Zhou Er explained.

"But it definitely hasn't been four hours yet!"

Lin Shiyu said with a smile.

Seeing Lin Shiyu insist, Zhou Er no longer pressed the issue and took back the extra Spirit Stone.

"Oh right, Senior Brother, you haven't eaten a Spirit Meal yet! Let's go! I'll treat you to a good meal today!"

Lin Shiyu had earned Spirit Stones but didn't plan to save them for herself. Instead, she wanted to spend them quickly.

Zhou Er initially wanted to refuse, but his Taotie Heart thought of Spirit Meals and became restless, so he agreed.