"How is your progress with the Language Jade?" the elder asked. It has been a week since he gave Chen Tu the treasure to study. Based on his understanding, Chen Tu should still be lingering around the part where he's learning about the meaning and writing of the words.
"This junior's understanding is very shallow. I have just started comprehending the [Word Intent] right now." Chen Tu replied. Perhaps even he realized that his learning speed is at a snail's pace.
"Word Intent. Not bad, not bad." the elder nodded. But his expression quickly changed a second later. "What did you say? Word Intent? Are you sure it's Word Intent and not Intermediate?" Elder Mang Shu asked.
He appeared to be slightly flustered and emotional.
"Yes, elder. Word Intent. They're quite hard to learn... Unlike the first three parts, where you can write them based on the number of strokes, the Word Intent disallows stopping in between..." Chen Tu continued. He doesn't seem to be lying because the difference is accurately said.
At the same time, it appeared that Chen Tu was still oblivious that he had finished learning all the basic, intermediate, and upper-level words. Unless some documents require a higher level of understanding, Chen Tu would no longer have difficulty reading them.
All he lacks right now is understanding and familiarity with the words. But matters like this could be improved by reading frequently. With time, Chen Tu could finish a book from start to end without a problem.
As for the [Word Intent] Chen Tu mentioned, they weren't a part of the written language but a fragmented part of Basics in Array and Formation. Since Chen Tu is still incapable of finishing the first word, he's likely still at the level of understanding the first Array character, known as the [Fang] Character.
The character of [Fang] was the first mark in Array and Formation Study and an important component in talisman-making. Mastering this mark would allow Chen Tu to create a single-use amulet for personal protection, known as Defense Array Talisman.
This Defense Array Talisman's defensive ability depends on the material used. But from estimation, blocking an attack of peak-level Body Tempering Cultivator is possible.
"What did you do recently? Did you use all your time in studying?" Elder Mang Shu asked. If Chen Tu's speed is considered snail's pace, then what is his?
The elder used at least an entire month to master this character. Before that, he spent nearly a year understanding the upper part of the Language Jade. And before him now stood a brat that reached that level in merely a week?
If Chen Tu is a snail, then what is he? What kind of talent is that? From an illiterate fool to someone starting to learn the [Fang] Character?
"Junior worked daily in the Spiritual Garden and read at night. I just came from the canteen after observing Elder Wei refine some Spirit Desertification Pill earlier." Chen Tu replied.
"Old Wei! It's that d*mn fellow again!" Elder Mang Shu cursed. But it was too late to regret it because he could sense the Alchemist Plaque inside Chen Tu's pocket.
(That old fellow must have realized something and put that plaque in this brat's hand to deter me from snatching this boy away!)
Elder Mang Shu had the urge to bite his fingernail. But obviously, he wouldn't lose his composure in front of a junior.
"Go and do your things. Come back here after you learn the first character." the elder calmly told Chen Tu to leave.
"In that case, this junior will leave." Chen Tu politely bowed to the elder and left with Qin Lei.
(Aih... I found nothing while searching, and it came to me when I stopped...)
"This must be my fate..." Elder Mang Shu lamented but didn't let it continue to bother him. Meanwhile, Chen Tu and Qin Lei arrived at the Worldly Treasures Pavilion. The two quickly paid the entrance fee of one Contribution Token and entered the building.
Obviously, Chen Tu enjoyed more of his visit this time. After all, he could already read the words. Of course, knowing how to read comes with both pros and cons. It was amazing to recognize the letters written on the tag, but it also comes with a wealth dilemma.
Eight Contribution Tokens for a Four-Star Spiritual Replenishing Pill. There's also a choice to exchange a durable Iron Sword for the outdoor expedition.
One hundred Contribution Tokens for a Lower-Level, Human-Grade Martial Art named Profound Eight Burst Fist.
Ten Contribution Tokens for a drop of Early-Stage Body Tempering's Pure Spiritual Beast Essence. The same number of tokens could also be exchanged for eleven sets of Spiritual Replenishing Pill's ingredients.
To make it worst, the Worldly Treasures Pavilion doesn't even have a single Spirit Desertification Pill for sale. It wasn't rare, but because the primary herb, Spiritual Disvolving Grass, is hard to come by.
The rest of the items were good things, but they were either not something Chen Tu needed or something that exceeded his buying budget. Although Chen Tu wasn't considered too poor, he was still far from spending recklessly.
Chen Tu could only give up on buying anything on the first floor. But that didn't demotivate him, as something was still available on the ground floor. The only difference here was the quality and reliability of the items.
As for Qin Lei, he went for the Pure Spiritual Beast Essence again and had the entrance fee of his refunded into the final total.
"Junior brother Chen, are you still going to check the merchandise on this floor?" Qin Lei asked. Although he wasn't in a rush to refine the Pure Spiritual Beast Essence, that doesn't mean he had nothing to do after this. One has to understand that a disciple's schedule here is quite packed, especially for someone like Qin Lei.
"Yes. Senior brother could leave first if you had something else to do. I'll be seeing you tomorrow morning." Chen Tu nodded.
"Alright then. I'll return to my room. We'll meet tomorrow at the canteen." Qin Lei patted Chen Tu's shoulder and left the pavilion.
(Alright... I wonder what kind of weird stuff they had to offer on this floor...)
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(What an amazing feeling... Could this be something only those in the fourth level would realize?) Chen Tu remained seated, but for every breath he took, the Spiritual Energy of his surroundings was attracted over. His body was like a leaf sponging up all the dew as it absorbed all these blimps of Spiritual Energy to nourish his flesh. This mist-like Spiritual Energy is incomparable to what a Spiritual Replenishing Pill offers. Still, it was something nobody would complain about. After all, no matter how diluted and faint this Spiritual Energy was, they're still the Spiritual Energy everyone pursued. Nobody would cover their water well when it rains because they're afraid it would be overfilled by the rainwater. Apparently, Chen Tu's guess was correct. A feat like this was indeed someone above the Flesh Tempering Stage could enjoy. And thanks to his fully-tempered flesh, Chen Tu is now more than capable of applicating Spiritual Energy to strengthen his physique. Although the diff
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"Disciple understands." Chen Tu cupped his fists together and replied. His response also helps confirm that he will be taking the assignment seriously. "Xiao Tu will start paying more attention to his pill refinement after returning and wouldn't disappoint the teacher's expectation," he added. After saying what he should, Chen Tu excused himself from the workshop by giving a reason he'll have to get back and prepare. And obviously, the eight Grain Pellets were left in the workshop without saying. That's a must in case the elder changes his mind later. And regardless of how he decides, Chen Tu still has to leave a sample for Elder Wei Xuan to check on them, correct? This means a copy of everything from the ingredient, steps, and final product was left for the elder's inspection. Chen Tu's activities consisted of eating, sleeping, cultivating, and refining pills for the following days. Thanks to all these tasks in his hand, he hardly reported to the Spiritual Garden to work or assis
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The question piqued the elder's interest after Xia Xuan-Xuan opened her mouth. Apparently, even the elder couldn't help but feel curious about Chen Tu's answer. But at the same time, he can't ask this question openly. After all, he was an elder. Someone who stood at least a few levels above them in alchemy and cultivation. Wouldn't it hurt his pride slightly to ask a junior about something he should know better? Luckily, there's a Xia Xuan-Xuan in the group. While her talent is neither good nor bad, she has this social commonsense that could make everything work. Hence, she was the elder's icebreaker, always the first to hear and know everything. Chen Tu didn't respond to Xia Xuan-Xuan's question instantly. Still, everyone here could see that Chen Tu's gaze was currently pointed at the pill mold. This reaction from Chen Tu can be partially translated to "look at the result yourself!" He stayed silent and observed the mold until it was completely cooled. Then, instead of inspecti