Repulsion Field

"Old Master, did you want to see me for something?"

As soon as Chen Yulou stepped into the room, he saw Old Master Chen lying on a rocking chair, holding a smoking pipe with a grim expression on his face.

"Luo Laowai wants you to go to Old Bear Ridge. What do you think about it?"

Old Master Chen glanced at his spendthrift son, took a deep drag from his pipe, and asked.

"I haven't decided yet."

Chen Yulou had come specifically to ask for the Old Master's opinion, so he didn't hide anything and spoke directly.

"Hmm, it seems the events of a year ago truly helped you grow."

Old Master Chen nodded, his tone softening slightly.

"Over these past few years, you've nearly squandered the family fortune, but I haven't said a word, as it was ultimately for a good cause."

"But if you put yourself in mortal danger for the sake of irrelevant people, that is nothing but stupidity."

"However—"

At this point, Old Master Chen sat up, stared into Chen Yulou's eyes, and said in a deep voice:

"The family granary is nearly empty, and I fear that in your heart, you still want to go."

"I..."

Chen Yulou's face showed hesitation; he wanted to speak but stopped himself.

"Say no more. I have already handed this family over to you; do whatever you wish with it."

"But there is one thing."

"You must return alive. I do not want the Chen family line to end with you."

Old Master Chen cut Chen Yulou off and continued.

"Do you remember Daoist Simu, who saved your life a year ago?"

"Of course I remember. You told me about him, but aren't those in the Daoist sects supposed to look down on us tomb raiders?"

Chen Yulou nodded, feeling a bit puzzled.

"At the time, you were afflicted with a strange corpse poison and were unconscious. Ordinary sticky rice and snake medicine were useless, so I had no choice but to insist that Daoist Simu come, and only then were you saved."

"Later, as an apology, I gave Daoist Simu a chest of gold bars. He accepted it, and the matter was considered settled."

Chen Yulou listened intently; he had been unconscious back then and knew nothing of these events.

"Over this past year, I have helped him with many things, both openly and covertly."

"If you go to him and ask for his help, he will certainly refuse. But if you ask for something to save your life, he will give it to you."

"Do you understand?"

Old Master Chen narrowed his eyes, watching Chen Yulou.

"I understand. I will set off this afternoon."

Chen Yulou nodded in agreement, feeling a sense of awe at how much sharper the older generation was.

"Take Hua Maguai with you; he knows the address of Daoist Simu. Go."

Having said this, Old Master Chen seemed tired and waved his hand.

Meanwhile, at Daoist Simu's residence, Simu was catching up on sleep in his room after traveling for most of the night.

Lu Yan was in his own room, contemplating how to proceed if he were to modify his plans.

Seeing that no one was around, Jiale simply ran off to spend time with Qingqing, heading up the mountain to gather herbs with Master Yixiu.

In the blink of an eye, it was evening. The clouds on the horizon were tinged with an alluring golden hue when Lu Yan finally stepped out of his room.

"Brother Lu, you're awake!"

"It's just in time for dinner; I was about to go call you."

Jiale had already prepared the meal and was setting out the bowls and chopsticks.

"Hmm, go call your master."

Lu Yan nodded. Although he hadn't actually slept, he couldn't be bothered to explain.

After thinking for the entire day, Lu Yan had figured out what he needed to do. The Chinese people had never lacked patriots willing to fight, but the disparity in strength had been too great in the beginning. What Lu Yan needed to do was bridge that gap and then guide the situation accordingly.

As for the specific methods, he still lacked a few key people, but there was no need to rush.

"Ah!"

At that moment, Daoist Simu walked out, yawning, and greeted Lu Yan: "Fellow Daoist Lu, good morning!"

"Daoist Simu, it's almost nightfall."

Lu Yan shook his head speechlessly and replied.

"Haha, after sleeping in the open for so many days, I'm a bit muddled, just muddled!"

Simu shook his head with a smile and strode out of the living room, preparing to wash up first.

By the time Lu Yan and Simu finished their meal, the sky had already darkened.

At this moment, Simu and Lu Yan were sitting at the table, sipping tea and chatting.

"Daoist Simu, the effects of the Godly Travel Talisman and Vajra Talisman you mentioned last time were truly powerful. I wonder what the underlying principle is?"

Lu Yan picked up the teacup on the table, took a light sip, and asked with a feigned sense of curiosity.

"Haha, there are countless types of primordial energy between heaven and earth, which can be roughly divided into the five elements. The Godly Travel Talisman borrows wind-attribute energy, while the Vajra Talisman borrows metal-attribute energy. The key lies in the runes."

Daoist Simu laughed heartily, introducing them with a proud expression.

In this day and age, primordial energy is thin. Simu has decent talent and has practiced diligently, yet he is only at the seventh level of Qi Refining. His senior brother, Lin Jiu, has even better aptitude but is only at the ninth level of Qi Refining, having yet to reach Foundation Establishment.

This young lad Lu, despite his youth, has already reached the realm of some "official mage," and the aura he radiates is even stronger than the Foundation Establishment elders Simu has encountered. How could Simu not feel a bit conflicted?

Now, seeing Lu Yan asking him for advice on talismans, he felt a sense of self-satisfaction; this was, after all, the specialty of their Maoshan Sect.

"Where do these runes come from?"

Seeing Simu's expression, Lu Yan knew his childlike temperament and didn't mind, continuing to ask.

Simu pondered for a moment and explained, "In ancient times, there were many demonic beasts, many of which possessed innate abilities to control fire, water, lightning, and wind. The earliest runes were derived from the natural Dao-script found on their bodies. Later, many great human predecessors who gained insights into the Great Dao improved upon them generation after generation, resulting in what we have today."

"So that's how it is."

Lu Yan nodded in realization. It was much as he had guessed; the array patterns in the Wizard World were essentially derived in the same way.

"Daoist, I have the Earth Rock Technique, which can condense a layer of rock armor on the body, making one impervious to blades and spears; I also have the Lightness Technique, which can borrow the power of the wind to reduce one's own weight, allowing one to move like the wind."

"Why don't we trade?"

Lu Yan watched Daoist Simu's expression and probed.

"No, yours aren't as good as mine. You brat are trying to take advantage of me."

Simu thought for a moment and shook his head.

These two talismans were not unique to Maoshan; most orthodox Daoist practitioners knew how to draw them, so passing them on wouldn't be a big deal. However, what this brat Lu Yan offered was clearly not as valuable as his own.

Beyond making the user impervious to weapons and granting the aid of the wind, the Godly Travel Talisman and Vajra Talisman also granted the user immense strength and greatly increased reflexes. They were true life-saving items. If they weren't so difficult to draw, the Daoist sects wouldn't be in such decline today.

"Alright, then I will add another spell called the Repulsion Field. It forms a force field outside the body. Weak attacks entering the field are directly deflected, while stronger ones are diverted."

"What does the Daoist think?"

Lu Yan's expression remained unchanged, as if he weren't the one who had just made the offer, and he continued speaking.

"What determines the power of this field?"

Simu's eyes lit up when he heard this, and he asked urgently.

"It is determined by the strength of your magic power. The stronger the magic, the stronger the field. With your magic power, Daoist Simu, it would be enough to use the field to deflect bullets from foreign rifles. Moreover, this spell can be inscribed onto magical artifacts and activated when needed."

Lu Yan thought to himself that the fish had taken the bait, chuckling inwardly while keeping a straight face.

"Is that really so?"

Simu stood up excitedly, leaning forward and staring at Lu Yan.

"Of course, but maintaining the Repulsion Field requires a continuous consumption of magic power. The stronger the attack, the faster the magic is consumed."

Lu Yan nodded decisively.

"Will you trade, Daoist?"

Lu Yan wore a faint smile as he looked at Simu, thinking to himself that once this door was opened, he had plenty of good things to trade with. He would make sure to hollow out the Maoshan Sect.