“The second technique: the Shadow-Gliding Talisman Art.”
Having finally sat through that bizarre demonstration of the Trackless Art, Yue Wen let out a small breath of relief.
The voiceover resonated once more. “This is an escape art combined with talisman cultivation. You can refine an offensive shadow talisman, allowing you to traverse to its location at any time within a certain range…”
A human silhouette finally appeared in the projection this time, though it was completely covered from head to toe in black dragon scales, face included. Only the eyes and teeth showed any other color, making him look just like an unrevealed culprit from a detective manga.
The little black figure turned his hand over to produce a palm-sized crescent blade etched with intricate runes. Its edges were razor-sharp, gleaming with a chilling, dark-purple glint.
This was presumably the aforementioned shadow talisman.
Immediately after, he hurled it forward. With a sharp whoosh, the shadow talisman pinned itself to a tree ahead, appearing exceptionally sharp indeed.
With another flick of his hand, the little black figure pinched an incantation gesture. His body dissolved into a black blur with a whoosh and flitted over to the tree, practically teleporting.
“This one looks pretty strong.” A gleam shone in Yue Wen’s eyes.
Compared to the purely stealth-oriented Trackless Art from before, an escape art that carried some offensive power was far closer to what he truly wanted.
The voiceover spoke again. “The practitioner can refine multiple shadow talismans at once, depending on their cultivation realm. Deploying several shadow talismans simultaneously allows for unpredictable maneuvers, leaving no opening for the enemy.”
No sooner had the words fallen than the little black figure produced five shadow talismans, shooting them off in several directions with a series of whooshes.
Then, channeling the supernatural power, his figure began darting back and forth, flitting north, south, east, and west in an instant. His afterimages practically traced out a five-pointed star.
Just as Yue Wen was nodding in satisfaction, a sudden bang erupted!
A cloud of blood burst midair, followed by the little black figure’s limbs tumbling down in severed pieces.
“Remember: you must never activate several shadow talismans at the same time. If your body cannot tell where you wish to go, it is likely to choose to split forces and move in all directions at once,” the voiceover offered with a warm reminder.
Yue Wen stared dumbfounded at the scene, utterly shocked.
Good grief.
One slip-up and you get torn to pieces like Shang Yang?
“For such a powerful escape technique, charging you a mere seventy evil-suppressing coins isn't expensive, is it?” The voiceover quoted a price again. “By the way, each shadow talisman carries an extra charge. One shadow talisman costs ten evil-suppressing coins.”
“Huh?” Yue Wen frowned. “Charging for the supernatural power is one thing, but charging extra for the accompanying talismans too? That’s highway robbery!”
The voiceover did not bother debating with him and swiftly began demonstrating the third supernatural power.
“The third technique: the Lightning-Flash Escape.”
“This is an extremely potent offensive escape art. You transform your body into lightning, striking with fierce lethality. While hitting the enemy, it not only inflicts massive damage but also paralyzes the opponent,” the voiceover introduced.
Two little black figures appeared within the light and shadow this time.
One rubbed his right hand, punched forward, and abruptly transformed into a dazzling streak of lightning shooting ahead.
Bang!
The lightning struck the other figure in an instant. The caster materialized, propping his hands on his hips as he let out a smug chuckle.
Battered and heavily injured, the struck figure collapsed dizzily to the ground, groaning in agony. “Why does it hurt so much? Why can’t I see straight? Who paralyzed me? Oh! Turns out it was your fucking paralysis!”
“Hey?” Yue Wen pointed at the projection. “Never mind that he can talk, how come he can swear too?”
Ignoring him, the voiceover continued, “The only flaw is that while the Lightning-Flash Escape is swift and deals high damage, its consumption of true essence is immense. A cultivator in the lower three realms might only have enough to cast it once or twice in a short span.”
The caster darted back with another flash of lightning, then rested both hands on his knees, panting heavily.
“He’s tired already?” Yue Wen remarked again. “Isn’t that way too flimsy to rely on?”
This Lightning-Flash Escape was not a long-distance escape art; a single dash covered ten meters at most. Although its lethality was formidable and could be used to attack foes, if it had to be used for dodging or fleeing, it fell somewhat short.
“For such an escape art, charging you a mere eighty evil-suppressing coins, isn’t it incredible value for money?” the voiceover chimed in again.
“It’s no value at all,” Yue Wen said, shaking his head. “If I were already in the middle three realms and could use it a few more times, maybe it’d be fine. But only once or twice in the lower three realms? Where’s the value in that?”
The voiceover said, “Neither poverty nor weakness is its fault…”
“Hey, what do you mean by that?” Yue Wen glared up into the air. “I’ve put up with you for a long time now. You’re not a pre-recorded explanation at all, are you? You’re clearly insulting me on purpose!”
“Thank you for watching. Goodbye.” With that, the voiceover cut off abruptly.
The glowing projection in Yue Wen’s mind came to an end.
He opened his eyes to see the majestic, solemn Da Long before him.
“Well?” Da Long asked. “Everything you can cultivate at your current realm, matching your requirements, and within your budget is right here. Now that you’ve seen them, which one do you want to choose?”
Yue Wen furrowed his brows. “The Trackless Art only offers stealth without offense. The Lightning-Flash Escape only offers offense and isn't fit for regular use. In comparison, that Shadow-Gliding Talisman Art is a bit better. But if the talismans cost extra too—seventy coins plus the three talismans I can currently use—that’s a whole hundred evil-suppressing coins! Isn't that way too expensive?”
Da Long replied, “Being expensive is not its fault.”
“That voiceover just now was just you speaking through a voice changer, wasn’t it?” Yue Wen’s brows twitched. “I knew that sharp-tongued attitude sounded just like you, boy!”
“Hmph.” Da Long snorted coldly, sounding impatient. “Are you buying or not? If not, I’m leaving.”
“I’m buying!”
Yue Wen produced a thick stack of evil-suppressing coins, feeling a slight pang of heartache. He had barely scraped together some savings, and now he was down to spare change again.
“The Shadow-Gliding Talisman Art plus three shadow talismans—here!” He tossed out a hundred evil-suppressing coins.
Da Long inhaled them like a whirlwind, a satisfied look showing in his eyes. Then he opened his maw and breathed out a dragon word: “Hai—”
The visualization diagram of the Shadow-Gliding Talisman Art imprinted itself into Yue Wen’s mind, and he detached from the black-and-gold palace, returning to his small bedroom on the second floor.
“Sigh, money really slips right through your fingers.” He shook his head, just about to begin contemplating the talisman art.
Suddenly, knocking sounded on the door.
Thump, thump, thump.
***
“Bestie, what should I do? I went to try out for that livestream project, and I actually got picked!”
Back at the agency, seeing Yue Wen head upstairs to busy himself with his own affairs, Zhao Xing'er immediately pulled out her phone and typed rapidly.
Two minutes later, a reply arrived. “The thing you went to do with your boss? Didn’t you say you were just going along to watch and didn't want to participate?”
“I was just curious and tagged along to see. Who knew it actually required a selection trial, and the trial was a sparring match? Bestie, you know me—how could I possibly lose a fight?” Zhao Xing'er puffed her cheeks, thoroughly vexed.
“A woman who refuses to lose at anything, haha.” The other party sent a playful sticker.
“Ugh, don't tease me.” Zhao Xing'er typed glumly. “Now they want us to sign contracts. Actually, I kind of want to go. That wasteland zone exploration project sounds pretty exciting and fun, plus it pays a lot of money. My boss seems really short on cash lately—he was even thinking of doing suggestive dance streams. I figured helping him out would be nice. After all, he still kept me around after I injured him last time. I have to be loyal and show some solidarity.”
“Then just go,” the other person replied. “Though I’d love to see your handsome boss do suggestive dances, hehe. But if it’s fun and makes good money, why not go?”
“As if you don't know my situation!” Zhao Xing'er replied immediately. “What if my family sees the livestream? How could I quietly study and work in Jiangcheng City then?”
“Oh right, that is a problem.” The other person sent a line, followed immediately by another: “Bestie, I have a plan!”
“What plan?” Zhao Xing'er’s eyes lit up.
“In movies I watched before, some actresses covered their faces, which actually made them even more alluring and wildly popular,” the other person said. “Why don’t you cover your face for the livestream? Maybe it’ll give viewers more room for imagination, and they’ll be even more curious. If you change your name and hide your face, no one will notice you, right? People from your family probably wouldn’t watch that kind of livestream anyway.”
“Eh?” Zhao Xing'er smiled brightly. “That actually sounds doable.”
She put down her phone, walked upstairs, and knocked on Yue Wen’s second-floor bedroom door. “Boss!”
“Yeah?” Yue Wen opened the door and stepped out. “What is it?”
“Boss.” A look of slight apology showed on her face. “There’s something I need to confess to you.”
“What is it?” Seeing her serious expression, Yue Wen listened attentively.
“Actually…” Zhao Xing'er’s eyes flickered, hesitating before she said, “I have parents.”
“Huh?” Yue Wen stared blankly. “Is that a secret? Who doesn’t have parents?”
Zhao Xing'er tilted her head. “Don’t you not have any?”
Yue Wen: “?”
So you came all the way up here just so you could insult me?
“Never mind what I do or don't have, right now I have half a mind to dock your pay,” he said.
“Wait, I haven't even received a paycheck yet!” Realizing she had misspoken, Zhao Xing'er hastily defended herself. “What I meant is that I never mentioned it before, but my parents and family don't actually know I'm here. I ran away from home.”
“Ran away from home?” Yue Wen’s brow furrowed slightly. “Keeping you here working won't get me into any legal trouble, will it?”
“Of course not,” Zhao Xing'er giggled. “I’m an adult, not some incompetent fool.”
“Really?” Yue Wen sized her up, looking thoroughly unconvinced.
“What are you doubting?” Zhao Xing'er glared at him.
Yue Wen quickly waved his hand, afraid of upsetting her. “Just kidding. So why are you telling me this? Are you afraid to do the livestream?”
Zhao Xing'er beamed. “I have an idea…”
Chapter 34