บท 4: Pulling A Miracle
บรรณาธิการ: Dragon Boat Translation
Hastily returning to his room, Fang Zhou quickly locked the door behind him. He drank pot after pot of tea, trying to suppress the overwhelming desires that threatened to overtake him.
The woman was truly formidable. He was thankful for his constant vigilance, which prevented him from succumbing to her wiles.
However, the encounter wasn't without its rewards. A grin spread across Fang Zhou's face as he read the message before him:
[Successfully resisted the temptations of the lustful woman]
[Reward: Masculinity x2, White Card x1]
A pure white card slowly rotated in Fang Zhou's mind.
White Card: Upon use, one will receive a random item or skill of Normal quality. There's a slim possibility of drawing a higher quality item or skill.
"Is this some kind of card game?" he mused.
Unable to contain his excitement, Fang Zhou rubbed his hands in anticipation.
Clasping them together, he fervently prayed, "May the Jade Emperor, the Ancient One, Guanyin Bodhisattva, Buddha, God, Jesus, and Mary bless this draw and bestow upon me a miracle!"
A feeling of immense luck seemed to envelop him, as though the universe's very essence was siding with him.
He concentrated on the card and chose to use it.
The card began to whirl rapidly before bursting into a radiant light, disintegrating into countless particles. These particles then reconvened, forming the image of an eye.
[Illusion Technique: Entraps a single target within an illusion. The illusion's duration is shortened based on the target's mental resistance]
He had actually drawn a skill card! His heart swelled with pride and elation. "I truly am blessed with luck," he thought.
Filled with newfound excitement, Fang Zhou eagerly accessed his system interface.
Name: Fang Zhou
Realms of cultivators : None
Cultivation Technique: None
Skill: Illusion
Strength: 1+
Speed: 1+
Stamina: 1+
Spirit: 1+
Masculinity: 2
After being awarded two points of Masculinity, a plus sign appeared behind each attribute. He could use Masculinity to increase his attributes.
Fang Zhou thought for a while and added Masculinity to his Strength and Spirit attributes. Strength would help him resist Li Ruyu's temptations and improve his current weak physique.
Name: Fang Zhou
Realms of cultivators : None
Cultivation Technique: None
Skill: Illusion
Strength: 2
Speed: 1
Stamina: 1
Spirit: 2
Masculinity: 0
After increasing his Strength and Spirit attributes, Fang Zhou immediately felt a noticeable change.
A surge of boundless energy coursed through him, amplifying his power. The change in his Spirit was especially prominent. The fog and inertia from Li Ruyu's earlier seduction vanished, replaced with renewed vigor and clarity.
"Young Master, are you there?"
At that moment, Fang Zhou's male attendance knocked on the door.
Granting him access, Fang Zhou swiftly subjected him to an illusion spell.
The male attendance plunged into a trance. Tracking the duration, Fang Zhou waved his hand in front of him, "Can you hear me?"
Unresponsive, the male attendance remained static for a few moments before gyrating eerily like a marionette.
What on earth was he seeing?
Although unsure about the hallucinations induced by the spell, it was evident the male attendance was envisioning something inappropriate for young eyes.
Moments later, the male attendance exhaled deeply, assuming a sage-like demeanor as if he had unraveled life's mysteries.
Fang Zhou, looking as if he had seen a ghost, quickly kicked him out of the room.
He quickly realized this male attendance was unreliable. He needed to find someone else to test on.
Exiting his room, he discreetly cast the illusion on a few isolated servants, quickly understanding its effects and limitations.
Ordinary individuals remained ensnared in the illusion for roughly a minute. Simple sounds and touches couldn't snap them out of it; only a more intense stimulus would work.
Those experienced in cultivation would have a shorter illusion duration and could be awakened by a less intense stimulus.
Casting three illusion skills left Fang Zhou mentally drained. Casting five pushed him to the brink of exhaustion, making his body feel almost hollow. This was even after he had strengthened his Spirit. Without that boost, he might have managed only two or three illusions.
Although the skill wasn't particularly powerful, it gave Fang Zhou some means to defend himself. He was no longer entirely helpless.
..
Li Ruyu and her group had stayed at the Fang Mansion for ten days. During that time, Li Ruyu persistently sought Fang Zhou's company, using various excuses to make contact with him.
Engaging in a mental and emotional duel with this lustful woman, attempting to extract more information about the cultivation world from her. He even persuaded her to demonstrate a cultivator's prowess.
Witnessing Li Ruyu effortlessly split a massive rock in half with a sword, Fang Zhou came to a sobering realization – she could obliterate him with a mere flick.
This instilled a deep sense of urgency within him. While in the Fang Mansion, Li Ruyu had shown restraint. But who could predict her actions on their journey to the Xuan Ji Sect? He would be utterly defenseless and wholly at her mercy.
On one occasion, Fang Zhou cautiously inquired if she could teach him some foundational cultivation techniques from the Xuan Ji Sect.
Li Ruyu declined without hesitation, urging him to be patient. She promised they would discuss it once they reached the Xuan Ji Sect.
How could he not be anxious? This lustful women could kill him with just a flick.
The ten days passed swiftly. Fang Zhou had to bid his family goodbye and accompany Li Ruyu to the Xuan Ji Sect.
"Zhou Er, don't forget to visit your father!"
At the entrance of the Fang Mansion, Fang Zhou's father was crying so intensely that his face was smeared with tears and snot. He was held by his mother, with several of his uncles weeping beside him.
His mother had tears in her eyes, but as the family's matriarch, she displayed strength. She simply told Fang Zhou, "Go ahead and don't worry about things here."
Though clear-headed, Fang Zhou felt the need to adopt a sorrowful demeanor.
Having been in this world for only a few weeks, he didn't possess any emotional ties to the Fang family. However, being in their son's body, he deemed it appropriate to shed a few tears.
Li Ruyu, sitting atop her horse, smiled reassuringly. "Auntie Fang, please don't worry. I will ensure my junior brother's safe passage to the Xuan Ji Sect. After he meets our Master and studies at the Xuan Ji Sect for three years, he will be able to return for a visit."
All Fang Zhou's mother could muster was a wave of her hand, saying, "That's comforting to hear. Go on, don't delay your journey."
Li Ruyu nodded, turned her horse around, and began the journey, leading the carriage.
Fang Zhou's father stood on his tiptoes, energetically waving a handkerchief at the departing carriage, his eyes brimming with tears. "Zhou Er, always remember to come back."
Fang Zhou waved from the carriage window before drawing back inside.
..
Although the Xuan Ji Sect was located in Jingnan State, it was a lengthy journey by carriage, spanning over a month.
Had they ridden horses, the trip could have been notably shorter. However, Li Ruyu opted for a carriage, reasoning that Fang Zhou's lack of training made horseback travel risky. She was concerned the journey's fatigue might harm him.
Yet, Fang Zhou had suspicions. He believed Li Ruyu had other intentions and wished to prolong their time together.
After they left Wu City, Li Ruyu's gaze towards Fang Zhou became unmistakably predatory. She resembled a hungry tiger eyeing a helpless lamb, appearing as though she might drool at any moment.
Fang Zhou was certain this lustful woman would try something on him during the journey. So, he remained vigilant, hoping to avoid being compromised by her before they reached the Xuan Ji Sect.
However, as the saying goes, "birds of a feather flock together." If Li Ruyu, a representative of the Xuan Ji Sect, exhibited such brazen desires, how could the environment of the Xuan Ji Sect be as virtuous and spiritually charged as rumored?
Fang Zhou feared that upon his arrival at the Xuan Ji Sect, he'd become a captive, trapped and toyed with by a horde of lustful women.
Damn, just thinking about it was terrifying.
Predictably, as they traveled, Li Ruyu became bolder. Before, she'd find excuses to touch him; now, she didn't even bother.
Each time the caravan paused, Li Ruyu would sneak into Fang Zhou's carriage and try to touch him, her intentions clear.
Outwardly, Fang Zhou seemed to tolerate her actions but inwardly remained firm, ensuring she never gained an advantage.
Li Ruyu was patient, relishing in her teasing game with the young man.
Upon departing the city, the caravan steered south. After a few days, they crossed the Jingchu River, resting for two days in the famous Liuhe City. From there, they pushed south into the Yun Mountain region of Jingnan State.
The Yun Mountain region was an economically underdeveloped area in Jingnan State with limited transportation and a sparse population. Sects that focused on cultivation preferred these secluded areas due to the abundance of spiritual energy, which was beneficial for cultivation.
After entering Yun Mountain, the road became narrow and bumpy. Sitting in the carriage, Fang Zhou felt like his butt might shatter.
Pedestrians were few and far between, though occasionally they'd pass heavily-armed caravans with members wearing wary expressions.
Traveling carried a significant risk in this world. Besides bandits, there were many demons and monsters in the wilderness that would kidnap travelers. Only staying in villages or towns guarded by local deities or city gods was safe.
On this day, Fang Zhou sat inside the carriage, enjoying the breeze from the open window, gazing at the distant mountains that soared like gigantic, vertical bamboo shoots, their peaks piercing the clouds.
According to Li Ruyu, the Xuan Ji Sect was located among these lofty mountains, in a place as beautiful as a fairyland. Fang Zhou wondered if she was exaggerating.
During this period, Fang Zhou was constantly trying to trigger new missions, but unfortunately, he was unsuccessful.
Suddenly, a whistle sound broke Fang Zhou's contemplation.
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