bookbashuk Chapter 67 Can't Afford It
Chapter 67 Can't Afford It
"Fellow Daoist, please follow me."
Seeing that Zhao Fan had a clear goal, the middle-aged cultivator stopped asking questions and led him deeper into the first level.
Passing through two rows of silent bookshelves, I came to a seemingly ordinary wall.
The cultivator took out a jade token similar to that of a gatekeeper and pressed it against a spot on the wall. A faint light flashed, and the wall silently slid open a gap just wide enough for one person to pass through, revealing a quiet stone chamber behind it, only about ten feet square, with intricate soundproofing and anti-peeping arrays engraved on its walls and floor.
"This is a preview room containing precious inheritances such as the image-recording stone and advanced cultivation techniques. According to the rules, guests can preview some of the contents here to make a decision. Please."
The middle-aged monk turned to the side to indicate.
Zhao Fan nodded and stepped inside.
In the center of the stone chamber was only a jade platform, on which was placed a light blue jade slip similar to the one in the middle-aged cultivator's hand, as well as a small array plate used to embed a recording stone and activate the image.
The door closed silently behind him, completely isolating him from outside noise.
He took a deep breath, picked up the jade slip with the introductory description, and slowly immersed his consciousness into it.
The first thing that comes into view is a peaceful yet dignified old man, sitting alone on a futon, his voice gentle yet reaching deep into the mind.
"The way of restriction begins with spirit patterns, is formed by structure, changes through combination, and ultimately ends with intention..."
As the explanation deepened, Zhao Fan saw spiritual patterns appear in the air, with different colors and shapes of spiritual patterns being clearly outlined, dissected, and their properties demonstrated.
The old man explained in a simple and easy-to-understand way how forbidden runes repel and protect, how running runes communicate and guide, and how connecting runes fit and activate. In just a few simple sentences, Zhao Fanyin gained some understanding.
Subsequently, several of the simplest first-order restriction structures were constructed, disassembled, and the solution was demonstrated on the spot. The process was clear and intuitive, far superior to the dry text and diagrams in books.
Soon, the images disappeared, and everything returned to calm.
Zhao Fan breathed a sigh of relief, his heart filled with immense joy.
It truly lives up to its reputation as a systematic explanation of restrictions, far surpassing the "Introduction to Restrictions" I read back then.
Many things that he had been confused about while figuring things out on his own suddenly became clear to him.
He seemed to see a clear path to gradually climb this peak.
Three hundred and sixty spirit stones were certainly expensive, but Zhao Fan hardly hesitated at all; this investment was worthwhile!
He withdrew his consciousness and pushed open the door to the meditation room.
Outside the door, a middle-aged monk stood quietly waiting.
"I'll take this set of photo stones."
Zhao Fan's tone was certain.
The middle-aged cultivator revealed a predictable smile.
"Fellow Daoist is wise. This set of lectures contains three recording stones, covering everything from basic to common first-order complex restrictions. It is enough for you to study for a long time, and it costs a total of 360 low-grade spirit stones."
He turned around and took out a beautifully carved jade box from a cabinet with a protective barrier, on which was affixed a spirit-sealing talisman.
Upon opening, three pale blue jade slips, similar in material to the preview jade slips but with a more subtle and warm radiance, lay quietly in the soft brocade.
After verifying that everything was correct, Zhao Fan reluctantly handed over 360 spirit stones to the middle-aged cultivator.
The transaction was completed, and he carefully put the jade box into his storage bag. At this moment, the number of spirit stones he had on him had been reduced to three hundred and sixty-six.
After putting away the recording stone, Zhao Fan did not leave immediately. Since he had the opportunity today, he could take a look at other things, such as the method of beast taming.
"Fellow Daoist."
Zhao Fan carefully considered his words before speaking.
"Does your esteemed establishment possess any texts or methods related to beast taming? I do not require profound knowledge; I only need basic methods for communicating with and nurturing spirit beasts, or even some general cultivation guidance."
Upon hearing this, the middle-aged cultivator glanced at Zhao Fan, a knowing glint in his eyes, as if he had seen many cultivators come seeking methods for cultivating spirit pets.
He hesitated for a moment before speaking.
"There are many schools of thought in the art of beast taming, and many secret practitioners. Complete methods that are publicly available are relatively rare. Our pavilion does have a few, but even the most basic one, 'Introduction to Spirit Communication and Beast Taming,' requires five hundred spirit stones."
Five hundred spirit stones! Zhao Fan's heart sank.
This price is even higher than that set of forbidden image-recording stones! He doesn't even have all his current wealth to cover it.
Seeing Zhao Fan's furrowed brows, the middle-aged cultivator added.
"The methods of beast taming, especially those involving the guidance of spirit beast cultivation, are quite valuable. This book, 'An Introduction to Spirit Beast Taming,' is the most affordable one in the pavilion."
"If it only requires basic contract signing and daily training knowledge, there are cheap ones available, costing tens or even hundreds of spirit stones, but they offer little benefit to the cultivation of spirit beasts."
Zhao Fan fell silent. What he needed was something that could help Xiao Er grow better; a rudimentary record of taming was of little use.
He doesn't have 500 spirit stones right now, unless he returns the recording stone.
After weighing his options for a moment, Zhao Fan sighed inwardly and cupped his hands in greeting to the middle-aged cultivator.
"Thank you for informing me, fellow Daoist. This method is very expensive; I will have to consider it further."
"It's alright, fellow Daoist, you can come anytime."
The middle-aged monk remained calm and did not show any disrespect to him because he did not buy anything.
As we left Langyu Book Pavilion, dusk was approaching.
Zhao Fan touched the protective image-recording stone in his pocket, feeling much more fulfilled.
Looking at the sky, I remembered that Su Ziyan said he had been at the Hundred Refinements Pavilion for the past few days. Today's goal has been achieved. Before leaving, I might as well go and visit this enthusiastic and talkative companion.
Following Su Ziyan's directions, Zhao Fan wandered through the streets and alleys for a while and soon found the Hundred Refinements Pavilion.
This is a dark, three-story pavilion with a rugged and heavy style. Faint clanging sounds of forging and a sweltering atmosphere emanate from inside the door, quite different from the surrounding shops.
As soon as Zhao Fan reached the door, he heard a suppressed, angry rebuke coming from inside, full of vigor.
"How foolish! How many times have I told you, during quenching, spiritual energy needs to permeate evenly, complementing the force of hammering, not just gushing spiritual energy in!"
"Look at the patterns on this floating silver! You've shattered 30% of it, greatly reducing its toughness. How can we use it now? This piece of sunken silver is worth twelve spirit stones, and you've just wasted it like this! Half of your allowance will be deducted this month!"
Zhao Fan paused slightly, listening to the angry shouts inside. After a moment's hesitation, he stepped inside.
The shop was quite spacious, with several furnaces of different sizes standing against the wall, and tool racks filled with various casting tools.
In the central open space, a burly old man with a full beard and ruddy complexion was pointing at several pieces of slightly dull silver metal on the ground and sternly reprimanding Su Ziyan, who was standing in front of him with his head down and hands at his sides.
Su Ziyan changed into a short outfit stained with cigarette ash. Her usual smile was gone, replaced by a flushed face and tightly pursed lips. Her fists were slightly clenched at her sides, but she kept her head down and remained silent.
"What are you looking at? You're not happy about it?"
The bearded old man's eyes widened.
"In the art of weapon forging, the slightest error can lead to disastrous consequences! Impatience and a desire for quick success will never lead to mastery! Go to the back and copy the 'Basic Principles of Spiritual Material Tempering' ten times!"
Su Ziyan's shoulders trembled slightly, clearly feeling extremely frustrated and angry, but ultimately dared not contradict him and responded in a low voice.
"Yes, Master."
After saying that, he turned around and headed towards the back room.