The rank of the art, as well as a few other factors, affects how much xp your cultivation base gets. Higher rank/difficulty = more xp.
There's also the effects of the cultivation art to consider too. Even if it doesnt give the MC any xp, the art can still be useful for training up an elemental affinity, or improving the physical and Qi stats. A good foundation is worth as much as a high cultivation base.
Have not mentioned yet, but can I say how much I liked the plot that we have to get our Elder brother to be clan head? It's unconventional and adds much needed direction and tension, while still giving us many avenues of approach.
The whole clan setting in general is a breath of fresh air, it feels like a real organization, one where cooperation and competition are mixed making for an uneasy balance.
This is true and this is how I would do it if this was a story. As a quest, however, I have to impose hard caps so you can actually master your arts and move on to a new one. If I dont, what would be the point of the dozens of manuals you guys have placed in the store? It wouldn't make sense to pick up a new one if you can still focus on the one you got at the start of the quest.
Even your techniques shouldn't have a mastery level since it's always possible to improve them in some way. The hard caps aren't a workable limit in a story but they're required for a quest.
You could have it such that the limit isn't actually the true hard limit, but rather it's the limit of how far you can push it using the knowledge that the manual gives you combined with your own insights. This is why coming up with a new big insight increases it, because it's not 'unlocking a new art' or whatever, but causing you to understand how to gain more benefit from the existing art.
As for the more advanced versions of an Cultivation Art or such, they're not necessarily new arts, but rather a lower-rank art that has a bunch more insights in it, greatly advancing it. Sometimes advancing it so much that you need to go back to the basics of how you were using the art before and rethink and redo everything in order to gain the benefit of the better version.
Or to put it another way: Many times, a higher rank version of a cultivation art isn't something new, but a more refined, complete and perfected version of a lower rank art you may already have. It's just occasionally (read: a lot of the time) the better version requires you to go back to basics and rebuild everything from the very beginning, because the breakthrough was discovering an integral part of what you were previously doing was negatively impacting everything and holding back your advancement. So if you want to advance, you need to go back, remove that part and replace it with something that serves the same roll, without having that negative effect.
Or rather as is the case shown by the even more advanced version fairly often, without having as strong a negative effect, so you now need to go back and replace the replacement... hopefully this time damnit with something that is perfect and won't need to be replaced again. On the other hand, if it is perfect that just means there's probably a bunch of other things that need to be replaced!
Hell, this could be how 'forgotten arts' or 'cultivation arts from the other side of the world' can be so helpful in giving you a more advanced art to use. Because you look at it, compare it to an art you already have, notice that they're improved versions of the same base art. It's just that they've both discovered a bunch of refinements that the other art is missing, but nothing stops you from using both. So you put it all together and get something greater than the sum of the individual parts.
Sorry for the double-post, but @Kolarthecool 's already rated my previous post by the time I started writing this, and it's something I don't want them missing.
There's actually something interesting caused by using the interpretation of things I wrote up above.
And that's in it generates two different types of 'Masters'.
First off, you have the classic Master. Someone who dedicates themselves to only a handful of Cultivation Arts and completely masters them all. They also dedicate their 'free time' towards acquiring improved versions of the arts they already have, as well as seeing if they can have an insight or breakthrough themselves.
Then you have the second type of Master. This one actually very rarely completely masters any single Cultivation Art, or at least, if they do it's not one 'of their level'. Instead they dedicate themselves towards becoming competent in many different Cultivation Arts. And their 'free time' is spent comparing the understanding of the many arts they have acquired to see if any part of the arts can be used to improve any of the other arts.
Or to put things simply, there is a range of Masters, with the two extremes being the Hermit on top of the mountain who is the uncontested master on a few Cultivation Arts and spends their time in meditation attempting to improve the arts they already have. And on the other end of the range, you have the Wandering Ancient, who may never be as strong in any one art as the Hermit, but is more likely to have a cultivation art for any occasion, and thus lacks any weakness, and also any real strengths, who spends his time travelling to new locations, diving into unexplored wildernesses and buried tombs, in the hopes of finding something that can be combined with something he already has to create a more perfected art.
Question: If we were to look into a Profession and created an item 10 times more valuable than the sum of its' ingredients, could we sell that back to the Store and create an infinite loop?
Or at least, could we do that once, and then have it patched out of the System? It would obviously break the game if we could repeat it ad nauseum, but getting bonus Points for successfully gaming the System or something would be pretty cool.
Question: If we were to look into a Profession and created an item 10 times more valuable than the sum of its' ingredients, could we sell that back to the Store and create an infinite loop?
Or at least, could we do that once, and then have it patched out of the System? It would obviously break the game if we could repeat it ad nauseum, but getting bonus Points for successfully gaming the System or something would be pretty cool.
You certainly can, yes. That is, if you use real world items to craft something of a greater value.
The system wouldn't fall for a trick like that lol. At best, it would just give back the points you spent on the crafting materials. Less if some is lost during the crafting process.
I'm inclined to shoot for Shadow Clones as the next big point expenditure. Being fragile, probably not that useful for direct combat, but there are endless other uses.
Training, intelligence gathering, reading lots of books, searching through old archives for clues to treasure, going through administrative work faster, mail service (put a clone in two cities, buy ink and paper from the system, then deposit letters in one City and withdraw them in the other), socialising, decoys (and alibis), trading, checking out things that would normally be suicidal, crafting, support formations, sneaking into places and then disappearing if it looks like we will be caught, clones staying up for days with no physical side effects when dispelled, our main body possibly reducing the mental effects of sleep deprivation by letting our clones sleep for us, safe use of suicide techniques by clones, the list goes on.
I imagine many of these won't be viable, especially at the start, but think of the potential
I'm inclined to shoot for Shadow Clones as the next big point expenditure. Being fragile, probably not that useful for direct combat, but there are endless other uses.
Training, intelligence gathering, reading lots of books, searching through old archives for clues to treasure, going through administrative work faster, mail service (put a clone in two cities, buy ink and paper from the system, then deposit letters in one City and withdraw them in the other), socialising, decoys (and alibis), trading, checking out things that would normally be suicidal, crafting, support formations, sneaking into places and then disappearing if it looks like we will be caught, clones staying up for days with no physical side effects when dispelled, our main body possibly reducing the mental effects of sleep deprivation by letting our clones sleep for us, safe use of suicide techniques by clones, the list goes on.
I imagine many of these won't be viable, especially at the start, but think of the potential
Not even including the mass amount of experimentation with our cultivation base that Shadow Clones would allow as we would no longer have to worry about wrecking our cultivation base.
Adhoc vote count started by Sir LagsAlot on Apr 6, 2018 at 3:08 PM, finished with 110 posts and 26 votes.
[X] Plan Full-Metal
-[X][supply] Prayer Beads
-[X][supply] Medical Supplies
-[X][supply] Light Armour
-[X][supply] An item that enhances our punching power
-[X][supply] Beast Cores (immediately sell for points)
-[X][shop] Find a suitable meteoric Ore worth all as many of our points as possible (Maybe the shop has high-grade meteoric copper?)
[X] Plan Your Frog Soup Wisely
-[X][shop] 1 Formation Plate(s).
-[X][shop] 2 Primordial Qi Crystal(s).
-[X][shop] The best material suitable for cultivation that we can afford after spending 140 points on the above and selling the beast cores for more.
-[X][supply] Armor
-[X][supply] Prayer Beads
-[X][supply] Knuckle Dusters
-[X][supply] Medical Supplies
-[X][supply] Beast Cores
-[X][supply] Ask that the clan send out disciples to acquire even more Beast Cores, indicating that they are extremely helpful for our progression.
[X] Plan Ominous Chanting
-[X][shop] 7 Primordial Qi Crystal(s).
-[X][shop] Nugget of Metioric Copper.
-[X][supply] A set of prayer beads that offers some protection against status debuffs and/or evil spirits
Clones are kind of a late-stage, long-term investment in xianxia. But I guess temporarily self-sustaining pseudo-sentient qi waveforms aren't horrifically impossible.
Clones are kind of a late-stage, long-term investment in xianxia. But I guess temporarily self-sustaining pseudo-sentient qi waveforms aren't horrifically impossible.
In a Cultivation World with a Cheat System.
Arc One: The Clan Zhang.
Chapter Seven: Stocking Up (1).
XxxOxxX
[O] Plan 'Plan Your Frog Soup Wisely'.
Shop: Items Acquired!
-140 SP (60 remaining)
1x Formation Plate: Elemental Dispursing Trap (High Mortal). Creates a formation space that repels Elemental Qi. Qi density will decrease in the area as a side-effect. Single-use item.
Effect 1: Reduces the density of Qi in the affected area. Effect 2: Disrupts the structure of element techniques. Effect (hidden): +5% total XP bonus to the LUB. Strength: Weak. Duration: 1 Month. Cost: 100 SP. Sell: 10 SP.
2x Primordial Qi Crystal (Low Mortal). The Qi within this crystal has undergone a refinement process. Though there is less energy stored inside it than that within regular spirit crystal of the same size, the purity of the energy within is incomparable. Can be used to craft certain items, pills, or formation plates. Single-use item.
Effect (hidden): +1d20 XP per crystal for the LUB.
Capacity: Low. Cost: 20 SP.
Sell: 2 SP.
[O] The best material suitable material after selling beast cores for more points.
[O] Armor.
[O] Prayer Beads.
[O] Knuckle Dusters.
[O] Medical Supplies
[O] Beast Cores
[O] Ask that the clan send out disciples to acquire even more Beast Cores.
The next morning, when Zhang Tian exits his room, it is to the sight of a grunting Cho Mang entering through the front door. The older man is carrying a large number of items in his arms, each one so precariously balanced that it is a wonder the whole heap has yet to fall. Guo Yue enters close behind him with a smaller, tidier stack of items held in her own arms.
Upon catching sight of the curious looking Zhang Tian, a wide smile appears on the face of both servants.
"Young Master!" They both greet, bowing as much as they can with their full hands. The items in Cho Mang's arms shift and wobble, yet nothing falls. It is quite the impressive sight.
"Good morning to you both." Zhang Tian replies with a nod.
The two fully enter the house and lay the assorted items out on the table. At a casual glance, all Zhang Tian can tell is that the pile consists of random boxes and oddly shaped packages wrapped in silk. The young teen quirks a brow but before he can ask anything, both servants appear before him in a low bow with their hands clasped in front of their chest.
"Congratulations on your good fortune, Young Master." Cho Mang speaks, flashes of pride and joy dancing in his eyes as he looks up at Zhang Tian.
"Congratulations, Young Master." Guo Yue adds, with a pleased smile of her own.
Laughing, Zhang Tian waves his hand for them to stand. As for what they speak of, it can only be one matter.
"Thank you both." The teen replies before fixing them both with a serious look. "I offer my apologies that I didn't tell you myself. I felt it was best to speak with Father and Mother first before sharing the news. If the situation was any less serious, I would have shared the news with you immediately."
Upon seeing them so happy for his good fortune, Zhang Tian feels the need to say these words. Despite speaking with them much in the two days since his 'encounter', he shared none of the news with them. In fact, in his rush to return yesterday, he left them to receive the news secondhand like the rest of the clan. As his closest companions, Zhang Tian doesn't want Guo Yue and Cho Mang to feel like he doesn't trust them.
Hearing his words, Guo Yue nods in acceptance with a small smile. Cho Mang, on the other hand, frowns. Stepping forward, there is a look of deep shame on the older man's face. When he speaks, his voice is strained and the hands at his sides are clasped tightly.
"Young Master, please. All of this was from my failure, I should be the one apologizing. That old man… your situation…" He trails off with a grimace, but Zhang Tian can understand what he means.
As a bodyguard, to be sleeping when his young master met with what could have been a dangerous situation. It is inexcusable. In fact, his close relationship with Zhang Tian, and the fact that nothing bad actually happened might very well be the only reason Zhang Hai hasn't relieved him of his head...
Thinking up to here, Zhang Tian can't help but feel a pang of regret. First his parents, and now his friend. It may be necessary to hide the full truth, but this lie of his has caused them so much pain and worry.
"Ah… Cho Mang, I don't understand why you would say this. That person was a powerful Senior. I don't blame you for not being able to do anything." Zhang Tian says, pinning Cho Mang with a stern glare "The fault is not your own. Even Father agrees. If he, or one of the Elders, had been there, they wouldn't have been able to do anything either. Do not blame yourself for matters outside of your control. Just get stronger so that it can not happen again."
The tone Zhang Tian speaks in is one of firm resolution. Hearing it, and meeting that piercing gaze, Cho Mang feels an invisible pressure washing over him. In that instant, he understands that Zhang Tian means what he says. Nothing Cho Mang can say or do will change his mind. He will accept no argument. Whatever Cho Mang feels about this matter, it is wrong.
Sensing this unshakeable conviction, there is really only one reply that Cho Mang can give. Only one reply that he can even think to give.
"...Yes, Young Master."
"Good." Zhang Tian smiles, nodding in acceptance. His gaze slips away and Cho Mang feels that unknown pressure vanish with it.
Noticing that Guo Yue has been organizing the pile on his table while the two of them were talking, Zhang Tian makes his way over in curiosity. Staring at the teens back as he walks away, Cho Mang can't help the look of wonder that appears on his face. A shudder, equal parts awe and trepidation, runs through his body.
'Young Master… you are still this young but already there is this much pressure… as if I'm standing before the Ancestor. Such a strong presence... how powerful will you become once you start to cultivate?'
The thought runs through his mind and a grin slowly stretches across Cho Mang's face.
'In the future… the Zhang clan… we will get to see something truly amazing.'
XxxOxxX
Unknowing of his guard's thoughts, Zhang Tian approaches the table with a curious look on his face.
"So, what is all of this?"
Finishing up with deft movements, Guo Yue looks up with a calm demeanor
"Gifts for you, Young Master. They were delivered this morning, with letters of congratulations from the noble families, merchant houses and the City Lord's manor." The maid replies, looking down at the treasures laid out before her. Though the accumulated cost would mean nothing to someone of Zhang Tian's standing, these few gifts are worth a literal mountain of gold. "The gifts have all been checked for foul play and your Lord Father has already sent the appropriate replies back. These are yours to do with as you please, Young Master."
Nodding in understanding, Zhang Tian looks the items over again. Tidied up and organized as they are, he can better see the different items that have been laid out on his table. Essentially, these are bribes. Bribes for his favor and that of his clan. Oh, they can be said to be congratulation presents sure, but Zhang Tian is wise enough to know the underlying reason behind these gifts. By sending these gifts, the senders are subtly attempting to ensure that the Zhang clan views them favorably in the future. This is not the first time it has happened, and it won't be the last either.
Of course, it's not like they had much choice in the matter. Not sending a gift would have been the same as spitting in the face of the Zhang clan. Sending a gift and letter of congratulation, no matter how insincere, was the best option.
Regardless, Zhang Tian isn't one to turn away free presents so he'll accept these presents with open hands. As someone of high standing, he is used to receiving such gifts during special occasions. This is just a different occasion from the usual yearly events. Furthermore, Zhang Hai has already sent the appropriate replies as required, so there's no need for him to fret.
"Well then, let's see what all I've recieved this time." Kneeling at the table while Guo Yue and Cho Mang stand off to the side, Zhang Tian begins to look through the various items. However, aside for a few special gems, it really is just another load of junk.
As someone from the main branch of a great clan, there is very little Zhang Tian can't posses if he wishes to. Because of this, the gifts he receives, while expensive, are generally useless. Most are given only so that the gift-giver can say that they have shown the Zhang clan some face. A true case of 'It's the thought that counts'.
The majority of the items on Zhang Tian's table this time fall under this category. Calligraphy scrolls of profound poetry and masterful skill; paintings of picturesque landscapes, fearsome beasts, and beautiful women; articles of jewelry crafted from a wide variety of metals and gemstones. The items Zhang Tian classifies as 'junk' would be treasures in the hands of others. In his eyes, they are only useless articles to be re-gifted or sold off in the future. Aside from those...
"Hmph. For once, some of these people actually bothered to do some research before sending me a gift." Zhang Tian grumbles, eyes skimming over a few rare books among the pile. "Too bad I already bought most of these years ago. Well, there's no problem having a spare copy I suppose."
Pushing the 'junk' to the side, Zhang Tian reaches for the few items he has set aside as actually useful. Understanding the meaning of his fortuitous encounter, some well-wishers have actually gifted him with items useful for a cultivator. Weapons, pills, and such make up this remaining pile, items that Zhang Tian can get some practical use out of.
The first item Zhang Tian pulls over, is a long wooden box. Opening it, he finds an assortment of weapons; sheathed swords, a number of differently sized polearms, and various knives fill the box.
"Huh, not bad. Who sent all of these?" Zhang Tian asks, drawing one of the swords from its sheath. Seeing the pitch black color of the blade and the marks etched into it, the teen can't help but whistle in appreciation. "Black Iron weapons with inscriptions. This is a generous gift."
In Grand Ye, black iron is a medium-grade forging material commonly used in the crafting of weapons and armor. Though it loses out completely to the Qi infused metals used by Spirit Forgers, black iron is strong enough that very few mundane metals can match it. The difficulty in working the metal, and the overall strength of the resulting weapon, make it the limit in what can be forged by mortal blacksmiths. Being able to work with black iron is a requirement for one to become a master blacksmith. That said, the metal exists in such abundance around the country that equipment forged with it is quite common.
The addition of inscriptions to these weapons is a surprise, however. Given how low-tier the crafting material is, most cultivators will choose to swap to something stronger once they are able. After all, even inscribed, a piece of black iron equipment can't hope to stand against even the lowest tier of Qi infused equipment. Inscribing something that will be thrown away eventually is quite frivolous, something that only those with the money to waste would bother doing. Still, depending on the inscriptions, these mundane weapons could easily jump up in rank.
"They are from Manager Su." Cho Mang answers. "Each is inscribed for lightness, durability, and sharpness in the case of the blades."
Zhang Tian nods, setting the weapon down. The swords are well balanced and far lighter than they should be. With those types of inscriptions on them, they can be considered close to Low-Mortal in rank. Almost on par with a weapon forged from a low-grade Qi infused material. Useless for a more experienced cultivator, but good enough for one that is just beginning.
"I'll have to send my personal thanks to Manager Su." Zhang Tian comments, looking through the rest of the weapons. Like the sword, they are masterfully forged from black iron and inscribed with a multitude of runes. "Definitely. These weapons might be far from the best in his stock, but they are excellent placeholders for me to practice with until I feel ready for something greater. A thoughtful gift."
The Manager Su he speaks of, is the Zhang clan's business manager in Crimsonwood City. While the seventh elder manages all of the clan's businesses in the country, it is Manager Su that personally manages those businesses that are in Crimsonwood City and reports to the seventh elder. Zhang Tian has even met with him a few times, back when he was still studying finance and business management.
"A pity that I don't have much talent for these." Zhang Tian sighs. While he has some basic level training in all weapon types, there is none that Zhang Tian can be said to excel in.
Having never expected to be able to cultivate, or face much danger, most of Zhang Tian's training to date is only in the Zhang Family martial arts. Even then, he is only skilled enough that he can defend himself for long enough to be saved by his guards. Unless the enemy is a cultivator that is, at which point he would stand no chance.
"What of those dusters, Young Master?" Cho Mang asks, looking the weapons over with an expert eye and spotting something at the bottom.
"Hm?"
Shifting the contents of the box around, Zhang Tian manages to spot the items in question. Lifting them from the box, Zhang Tian holds the two up for a closer inspection. The two items he holds are a matched pair of knuckle dusters. Black in color with a thin, almost invisible, tracing of inscriptions on the knuckle portions, the weapons are quite simple looking in appearance. Slipping one onto his hand, Zhang Tian forms a fist and throws a mock punch.
"Hmm... it's a good fit at least. I can feel the effect from the inscriptions too. These are light as air yet the grip remains sturdy no matter how hard I squeeze." Zhang Tian comments, nodding in appreciation.
The weapon is really a good fit, holding his fingers snugly without slipping loose or squeezing them. The inscriptions are a good addition too. The extra durability means his striking power will increase by several notches, while the lightened weight means his stance wont be affected at all. Zhang Tian is confident that with a few practice sessions to get used to them, he'll be able to easily integrate the weapons into his style.
"Yes, these are actually very good. I think I'll keep these, the rest can be stored away until I have some use for them."
That use likely being to sell them to the system. Low tier as they are, those inscriptions should make them worth at least a few points.
Equipment Acquired! Unnamed Knuckle Dusters (Unranked). Simple knuckle dusters forged of black iron and inscribed with basic runes for durability and lightness.
Increased striking power with fists.
Reduced rebound from techniques using the fist.
Sell: 10 SP.
Setting the rest of the weapons aside, Zhang Tian pulls over a small pile of assorted jars and bottles. Some are glass, while others seem to be made of clay, wood or metal. Each is sealed with a differently colored paper seal with a smattering of words written on it. Holding a few up, Zhang Tian shakes them to the sound of sloshing liquid or rattling objects.
"The red ones are from the Seventh Elder, Young Master. The green ones are from the Third Elder, while the rest are from various merchants and nobles. They have all been checked and verified." Guo Yue speaks up, almost exasperated at the sight of her young master treating such valuable items in such a negligent manner.
Used to seeing such behavior from his master over that last few days, Cho Mang simply smiles.
"Un." Zhang Tian nods, setting the last of the containers down and turning his eye to the labels. Over half are from the two elders and their apprentices, the few remaining belonging to a few notable merchants and nobles.
Qi Surging Pill.
Iron Skin Solution.
Blood Clotting Mixture.
Dragon Forged Root Pill.
….
Zhang Tian almost feels like whistling in appreciation at the sheer wealth before him. Pills, elixirs and medicinal fluids. The items laid out before him are all of a high grade, and valuable beyond belief. All of those 'junk' items that he set aside earlier couldn't be used to buy even half of these items. Numbering twelve separate containers in total, Zhang Tian has been gifted a wealth of cultivation resources. Enough to see even the most talentless cultivator stepping through the first realm in no time at all.
Compared to the other Mortal-rank items within the system shop, these here are all trash but Zhang Tian can't help but nod in appreciation. His points are low at the moment so, trash or not, these items can be of some value. Examining the labels once more, Zhang Tian separates them into three categories; cultivation pills, cultivation fluids, and medicinal.
Numbering three jars in all, the cultivation pills are those items that can be consumed to speed his cultivation along; either by infusing energy into his system for him to absorb, or by affecting his body in a certain way. Each jar contains a single batch of ten pills, with each pill having a digestion period of roughly a full day. A whole month's worth of free cultivation pills
Item Acquired! Cultivation Pills (High-Grade, Low-Mortal rank). Assorted pills that strengthen the body and improve Qi flow. Only useful in the Body Refinement realm.
Effect 1: +1d20 XP to all training per pill. Effect 2: +0.35% Qi impurity per pill. Duration: 30 uses remaining (24 hour cooldown). Sell: 0 SP ea.
Six of the bottles, on the other hand, contain cultivation fluids. Similar to cultivation pills, these fluids aid cultivation by either strengthening the body or assisting Qi flow when used. The difference, is that rather than ingesting them, cultivation fluids need to be either spread over the body, or mixed in a bath and soaked in. Cultivating while covered in these fluids can lead to a massive increase in cultivation speed. As a bonus, cultivation fluids don't interfere with the effects of cultivation pills. So while only one fluid can be used at a time, they can still be used together with a cultivation pill.
Zhang Tian has been gifted six full jars of such fluids. Though each can only be used once, the effects are powerful enough to be worth it.
Item acquired! Cultivation Liquids (High-Grade, Low-Mortal rank). Various liquids that assist cultivation when applied to the skin. Only useful in the Body Refinement realm. Single-use item.
Effect 1: +1d100 XP to all cultivation arts per use. Effect 2: +0.25% Qi impurity per use. Duration: 6 uses remaining (24 hour cooldown). Sell: 0 SP ea.
Lastly, are the three jars of medicinal items. One jar of paste and two jars of pills. Medicinal liquids and pills are those items that heal the body rather than just assist with cultivation. Be it sealing wounds, recovering stamina, or curing illness, medicinal items can have a wide variety of effects and uses. The fish shaped fruit Zhang Tian fabricated would be an example of one such item, managing to cure him of a birth defect through mystical means.
The medical supplies Zhang Tian has be gifted are of the lower tier, only able to deal with small cuts, bruises and minor fractures. They shouldn't be underestimated, however, as a single medicine could be the difference between mere hours of recovery or whole months of recovery.
Items acquired! Medicinal Paste (Low-Mortal). A paste that assists in healing, apply lightly to any bruises or cuts.
Effect: reduces healing time and debuff from wounded state by a minor amount. Duration: 15 uses remaining. Sell: 0 SP.
Medicinal Pills (High-Grade, Low-Mortal rank). Pills that assist in healing when consumed. Consume to heal bruises, cuts and minor fractures. Can be taken with cultivation pills.
Effect: reduces healing time and debuff from wounded state by a minor amount. Duration: 10 uses remaining. Sell: 0 SP.
With these cultivation materials in hand, Zhang Tian can expect a speedy rise in his training. As for the medicinal materials, they might not have much use in training but they can allow for a quick recovery when needed. Setting these valuable resources to the side, Zhang Tian turns his attention to the last of his gifts. A small bulging sack wrapped up in what looks to be… prayer beads?
Seeing the confused look on Zhang Tian's face as he holds up the bead-wrapped sack, Cho Mang chuckles.
"A gift from the monastery, Young Master. The beads have special inscriptions, and secret techniques have been performed on them. The monk that delivered them said they can be used to ward off evil and vengeful spirits." Cho Mang explains.
Zhang Tian nods with a sigh. That is another thing his Earthling half had some trouble accepting; the existence of souls, an afterlife, and spirits. Formed from the lingering scraps of restless souls infused with Qi, these spirits are highly violent and deadly. Luckily, the low density of Qi in South Ye makes them rare entities, and the lack of a physical form means that those that do form are easy to deal with for a trained cultivator.
"The bag contains a few Beast Cores from various sources." Cho Mang continues, his position behind Zhang Tian causing him to miss the flash of light that appears in the teen's eyes at that piece of knowledge. "The beads seem to be able to suppress the Qi within the cores, a good way to keep the energy contained."
A good choice by whoever wrapped up the bag.
Spirit Beast cores contain a large portion of the Qi within the slain beast. While this Qi can be filtered for use in cultivation, until this happens, there will remain lingering traces of the beast's psyche within the Qi. This manifests as a sense of spiritual pressure surrounding the core, and some lingering killing intent from the slain beast. A bag of such cores, presented to someone with no cultivation like Zhang Tian, can be dangerous. The suppression from the lingering intent could cause him to freeze up in terror, or even suffer an adverse reaction.
Of course, this all happened before Cho Mang was subjected to the pressure of Zhang Tian's resolute soul. Having felt that pressure, Cho Mang doesn't even react as Zhang Tian unwraps the beads and empties the bag onto the table. Guo Yue is startled at seeing this action, of course, but a motion from Cho Mang keeps her from reacting. This does not stop her heart from trembling in shock when Zhang Tian seems to not even notice the concentrated pressure of those various cores as he holds one up for examination.
The two guards share a look, one exuding uncomprehending astonishment-
'How is that possible!?'
-the other meeting it with prideful smugness.
'This is our Young Master. Something like this is no big deal.'
Ignorant of the silent communication passing between his two guards, Zhang Tian grins down at the small items laid out before him. Roughly the size of a pebble, the beast cores are small balls that are uneven in shape and blood red in color. Holding one in his hand, Zhang Tian can sense the energy concentrated within. Energy waiting to be drawn out and used.
Of course, Zhang Tian cares very little for this. His cultivation method has no need for such an item. Rather, the teen is giddy over a different prospect. Right here, in his hands, is an item that is inexplicably valuable to the System store. From his prior check, Zhang Tian knows that beast cores cannot be bought from the store. Instead, Zhang Tian can exchange them as currency to gain more system points. Though he has only been gifted ten Class-1 beast cores, a fortune of resources for any low rank cultivator, Zhang Tian can trade each one in for a whopping fifty points. That's more than double what he started the morning with right there.
Item acquired! 10x Class-1 Beast Core. An item containing close to eighty percent of the Qi from a slain Spirit Beast. Can be used as a cultivation material for certain arts or techniques. Only useful for Mortal rank arts and techniques.
Effect: doubles XP to cultivation arts or techniques that require a beast core. Sell: 50 SP ea.
Filled with joy at this marvelous haul, Zhang Tian returns the cores into the sack and sets it aside for later use. A moment of consideration, and the teen wraps the prayer beads around his wrist. There's little reason to tie the bag up again, and the effects of these simple looking beads are too good to pass up. Warding off evil, vengeful spirits, and suppressing the Qi from spirit beasts, having something like this on hand could prove to be important.
Equipment acquired! Inscribed Prayer Beads (Mid-Mortal). Inscribed with various runes and blessed by the heavens, these simple-looking prayer beads are capable of warding off evil and vengeful spirits. When fully tied around a class-1 spirit beast, the beads will suppress it's powers by one rank.
Effect 1: Wards off evil and the restless undead. Effect 2: When tied around a class-1 Spirit Beast, reduces all of the target's attributes by one rank. Durability: Average. Cost: 150 SP. Sell: 5 SP.
Finished with his gifts, Zhang Tian stands from the table. The knuckle dusters find their way into his pockets, while the cultivation resources, medicinal supplies and beast cores are all placed into a sturdy box. Holding the box up, Zhang Tian turns to his guards.
"Cho Mang, take these to father for me please. Tell him I will need them for my training." Zhang Tian says, handing the box off. "I will be entering closed door cultivation today. After you have delivered the box, there is no need to return. The mission yesterday should have gotten you those pills you were aiming for, so use the next few months to train on your own."
"Yes, Young Master. Good luck to you." Cho Mang replies, taking the box and setting off with a bow.
Nodding, Zhang Tian turns to Guo Yue.
"Yue-Dajie, I'll have to leave the rest up to you. Put the weapons in my room and deal with the rest in the usual way." Zhang Tian continues, smiling. "It seems you'll have lots of free time in the coming days."
Guo Yue snorts and smiles back.
"I suppose I'll be busy training as well, Young Master. Cho Mang is already so far ahead and now, Young Master will be catching up on no time. I'll have to train hard to stay in front."
Snorting at the thought, Zhang Tian turns towards the door and sets off with a wave goodbye.
The weapons will be placed in his room until he can find time to practice with them, or offer them up to the store. As for 'the usual way', that's mainly code for Guo Yue to sell the items off. Discreetly, of course. To avoid any embarrassment or insult, the items will be handed off to the seventh elder and then sent to one of the Zhang clan's branches in another region to be auctioned off. The sorts of people in this area that could afford these item, are those that would have gifted them to him in the first place. Auctioning them off anywhere near Crimsonwood City is just asking for trouble.
Leaving Guo Yue to deal with everything, Zhang Tian sets off to visit the sixth and eighth elders.
Bad things. Don't take medication in ways other then the intended, especially when it's infused with Qi energy. It's liable to set our digestive system on fire or something.
Bad things. Don't take medication in ways other then the intended, especially when it's infused with Qi energy. It's liable to set our digestive system on fire or something.
