Chapter 72 Discovered?

Additionally, it's worth mentioning that during this round of cultivation, my experience with the standing stake technique has increased considerably. Previously, I was at proficiency (53/200), and now I've advanced directly to proficiency (88/200). In other words, after ten sessions of practice, my stake technique experience has increased by 35 points—a qualitative leap compared to before. If I can maintain this progress, perhaps in two or three more days, I will be able to reach the minor achievement stage of the Medicine King Stake.

Chen Yushu's face was filled with anticipation.

Minor achievement in the stake technique.

That changes everything.

Not only would I be able to practice external strengthening methods directly, such as Medicine King Force Lock, beginning to temper my skin, muscles, and bones, but I could also start learning martial arts.

Martial arts truly capable of self-defense, facing enemies, and even killing.

Chen Yushu allowed his imagination to roam as he rested briefly. Afterward, he fetched water to wash and returned once more to his study.

He had no idea how many talismans Shi Hao managed to sell today, but talismans, for someone who frequently deals with spirits and monsters, are always welcome in abundance.

So, he began his routine talisman drawing.

House Protection Talismans, Evil Warding Talismans, and Fortune Borrowing Talismans.

Three types: twenty House Protection Talismans, five Evil Warding Talismans (since he still had some reserves), and only three Fortune Borrowing Talismans.

The rest of his time, Chen Yushu devoted to researching a new talisman.

The Calm Spirit Talisman!

The function of the Calm Spirit Talisman should be similar to the calming incense within ritual fragrances—able to still the mind, soothe the spirit, and likewise accelerate a cultivator’s entry into meditation and improve efficiency.

Chen Yushu was quite curious and expectant about this auxiliary talisman for cultivation.

He practiced continuously for an hour, and seeing that it was almost midnight, he finally stopped.

Naturally, he hadn’t succeeded yet.

The difficulty of drawing the Calm Spirit Talisman far exceeded that of the Fortune Borrowing Talisman. Not only had the number of runes increased by two, but the size of the talisman paper remained constant, meaning the more runes required, the smaller each rune needed to be.

As the saying goes, it's easy to make something large, but hard to make it small.

It demanded a very refined degree of mental strength and control.

Thus, he worked slowly.

Not to mention, the process required overlapping runes—combining two runes so they do not interfere with each other—which demanded even greater mental power.

He had only mastered seven out of thirteen runes.

But he wasn’t anxious.

As long as there was progress, he had motivation.

Moreover, he could clearly feel himself improving with every moment spent drawing talismans, which kept him in good spirits.

He wasn’t afraid of slow progress, only of fruitless effort.

Afterward, he entered the study once more, beginning to use the Soul Pearl to enhance his spiritual cultivation.

Just as he was about to practice, his gaze suddenly sharpened.

He noticed that the talisman he had previously affixed to the beam was much dimmer now—still functioning, but with little power left within.

“Something approached?”

Chen Yushu’s expression changed.

Just like Shi Hao, when a House Protection Talisman is used, any filth approaching triggers it to react, quickly consuming the talisman’s power.

Chen Yushu’s talisman functioned the same way.

The only difference was that this talisman hadn’t been completely depleted, meaning whatever filth tried to enter, failed.

Normally, a House Protection Talisman affixed within the house to neutralize and dispel evil can last over a month.

Such rapid consumption could only mean filth tried to intrude.

“I wonder when it approached?

But I am usually home at night; if anything approaches, I can sense it immediately.

If it happened during the day...”

Chen Yushu frowned slightly.

Was it a person?

Or some great evil spirit?

Either way, it made him extremely wary.

Thinking it over, Chen Yushu didn’t dare be negligent—he affixed another House Protection Talisman, then took out the Soul Pearl and began to absorb and cultivate.

Spiritual cultivation +2

After an hour.

Chen Yushu slowly opened his eyes, a look of satisfaction on his face.

Compared to his previous daily meditation, this speed was truly rapid.

Early the next morning.

Shi Hao arrived as scheduled, leaving behind a hundred taels of silver and taking the remaining nineteen House Protection Talismans and five Evil Warding Talismans.

The Evil Warding Talismans were more effective than the House Protection Talismans, and served as an experiment for Chen Yushu.

This time, Chen Yushu also sensed a strange, elusive aura from Shi Hao—a faint musk.

Chen Yushu knew Shi Hao had finally chosen to walk the Ma Road and offer sacrifices to the immortals.

Stepping outside, Chen Yushu was about to head to the pharmacy when a neighboring household opened their door—a father and son carrying many tools, heading out.

“Good morning, Brother Chen.”

The neighbor greeted him first.

“Big Brother Qin, where are you off to?”

After some time living there, he had gotten to know the neighbors: the Qin family next door, who traveled with opera troupes; Qin Chuan and his son Qin Fen. Another household dealt in silks, with a shop on East Street. Further away were families selling grain, wine, and working riverboats.

Only the most distant household was said to have a solitary resident, rarely seen—the neighbors didn’t know his origins.

Chen Yushu had lived here nearly ten days and had never seen him.

“Today’s the market day—the troupe leader rented a venue on East Street, so I’m fetching some gear for the performance.”

Qin Chuan smiled and invited him to drop by if he had time.

Chen Yushu nodded and closed his door.

On the way, he glanced again at the "Zuo Family Mansion." Because of his location, he passed by the haunted house every day, and every so often, he sensed that the gloom within seemed to be thinning.

As if something inside was diminishing?

A figure flashed through Chen Yushu’s mind, but the Zuo Family Mansion was a genuine danger zone—even more perilous than the Five Ghosts that ravaged the pharmacy—so he had no desire to approach or investigate further.

Upon entering the pharmacy, Chen Yushu waited until no one was looking, then flicked his fingers and affixed a Fortune Borrowing Talisman onto Wang Kui.

Quickly, the talisman flashed and turned to ashes, its traces disappearing with the wind.

He planned to keep doing this whenever he had a chance.

Some things couldn’t be handled directly, but Wang Kui’s kick was intended to end his life, so Chen Yushu would repay him, morning to night.

“Chen Yushu!”

Just then, a voice called.

Chen Yushu saw Shopkeeper Su’s eagle-like eyes fixed on him, sharp and intense.

He shuddered.

“Has he found out?”

...

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