4: Master Fireball

"No, I still need to learn some self-defense methods."

"Preferably, a set of Sword Techniques."

Don't look at him carrying a Low Grade Magical Artifact longsword all day; in reality, he knew nothing about Sword Techniques.

He was just using it to bluff.

He couldn't afford Sword Techniques for Cultivators for now, but he could buy a Sword Technique for Mortals to Cultivate.

After tidying up the medicinal herbs, it was already noon.

He went to the kitchen, rinsed a bowl of white rice, washed a small piece of cured meat, lit the stove, sat in front of it, and opened his attribute panel.

[Name: Zhang Qingxiao]

[Identity: Chang Sheng Sect Utility Disciple]

[Aptitude: Mediocre]

[Lifespan: 32/75 years old]

[Realm: Qi Refining Third Layer, Progress: 18/100]

[Cultivation Technique: ChangSheng Skill for Qi Refining Stage, Proficiency: 203/400]

[Skills:

Alchemy: Pi Gu Pill, Beginner: 49/100

Spell: Fireball Technique, Proficiency: 320/400]

The proficiency in refining Pi Gu Pills had reached 49/100, with no unexpected surprises.

These past few days, besides refining Pi Gu Pills, he had been Cultivating his Cultivation Technique and recovering his spiritual power, which had increased the proficiency of the Longevity Skill.

However, his Realm hadn't changed at all for half a month, which made him sigh at how truly mediocre this body's talent was.

Since coming to this world, he would Cultivate whenever he had time.

Up until now, the Realm proficiency of Qi Refining Third Layer had only increased from fifteen to eighteen.

Roughly one month to increase one point of progress.

This meager progress was still due to the continuous growth in Longevity Skill proficiency, which boosted his Cultivation speed.

According to his initial Cultivation speed, it would take at least a month to increase one point of progress.

After the Longevity Skill reached proficiency, it could increase one point in just over twenty days.

It seemed that to further increase his Cultivation speed, the Longevity Skill's proficiency must reach the Great Master level.

At this rate, who knows when he would be able to Breakthrough to the Qi Refining Fourth Layer and become a Cultivator of the Qi Refining Middle Stage.

"Fireball Technique, I haven't practiced it in a while, I need to make time to practice it more."

"No matter what, this is a means of self-preservation."

After glancing at the Fireball Technique's proficiency again, Zhang Qingxiao's mind stirred, and his fingers quickly formed a hand seal. An egg-sized fireball floated in his palm out of thin air.

With a casual wave, the fireball exploded less than twenty centimeters from the ground, blasting a small, charred pit into the earth, and a scorching aura assaulted him.

Ever since the Fireball Technique's proficiency reached mastery, it gained this explosive ability.

He hadn't tested its power against other Cultivators or Yao Beasts, so he couldn't be sure.

He continuously released a dozen or so fireballs, leaving the ground pockmarked with craters, until his meal was cooked and most of his spiritual power was depleted, then he stopped.

The Fireball Technique's proficiency also increased from 320/400 to 338/400.

It was not far from advancing to the Great Master level.

"I'll practice a few more times these two days and see what changes occur after it advances to Great Master proficiency."

Closing the attribute panel, Zhang Qingxiao got up, brought out the rice, and ate it with a small piece of cured meat, savoring every bite.

In the afternoon, just as he had finished refining two batches of Pi Gu Pills, Manager Liu of the Utility Hall came early to collect rent.

Zhang Qingxiao handed over the ten Low-Grade Spirit Stones he had prepared to Manager Liu.

Just as he was about to return to his room, Zhou Quan from next door happened to come out to pour out the wastewater from making Talisman Skins. "Daoist Zhang, you're only paying rent today? I told you to learn how to make Talisman Skins with me."

"We're old neighbors, I wouldn't treat you unfairly, would I?"

"Look... you're only paying rent now. Next time, Manager Liu won't be so easy to talk to."

Zhou Quan, looking as if he was disappointed, rambled on.

"Zhang Qingxiao paid a year's rent."

"If you can pay a year's rent, you can also be a few days late."

Manager Liu, who hadn't gone far, heard Zhou Quan's words, turned around, and said irritably.

"Haha..."

"Manager Liu, you jest!"

"I don't have that many Spirit Stones."

Zhou Quan awkwardly chuckled and quickly complimented him.

"Hmph!"

Manager Liu didn't say anything more, snorted, and turned to leave.

"Daoist Zhang, did you really pay a year's rent?"

Seeing Zhang Qingxiao about to close his door, Zhou Quan quickly asked in a low voice.

"Mm!"

Zhang Qingxiao responded faintly and closed the courtyard gate.

Could it be that Daoist Zhang successfully refined Pi Gu Pills?

This... how is this possible...

Didn't they say that Alchemy without guidance is very difficult?

Zhou Quan stood at the doorway, lost in thought, looking at Zhang Qingxiao's closed courtyard gate.

He had once tried to make a living through Alchemy.

However, he lacked the talent, and after three years of intermittent learning, he hadn't refined a single Pi Gu Pill.

Instead, he had wasted a lot of money and ultimately ended in failure.

Without talent, one had to work hard. One still had to eat.

Helpless, he chose the time-consuming, laborious, dirty, and tiring work of making Talisman Skins.

"Daughter, go visit your Brother Zhang's house when you have time. As neighbors, it's good to interact more."

Back home, the more Zhou Quan thought about it, the more he felt something was off, so he immediately called his daughter, Zhou Yun, over.

"Dad, didn't you say that Brother Zhang was unlearned, idle, and lacked any special skill, and told me to have less contact with him?"

Zhou Yun looked at her garrulous father, her face full of confusion.

Before, she often went to Zhang Qingxiao's house to play with Zhang Qingxiao and had a good impression of him.

But her father often nagged her, and she also had to help her father make Talisman Skins, so she went less often.

"If I tell you to go, then go. Why so much nonsense?"

"Today, he paid a year's rent. He might have really learned to refine Pi Gu Pills."

"Go over there and find out the situation."

"No matter what, we are neighbors. As the old saying goes, distant relatives are not as good as close neighbors."

Zhou Quan looked at his daughter irritably, wondering if he should marry her off.

She was in her twenties; it wasn't good for her to keep making Talisman Skins with him.

If she could find a son-in-law who could refine Medicinal Pills, at least her food and drink would be guaranteed for the rest of her life, and he could also benefit a little.

Zhang Qingxiao was only eleven or twelve years older than his daughter and had never been married. If he could truly refine Pi Gu Pills, a slightly worse Cultivation Aptitude wouldn't matter.

They lived close by and knew each other well, so it was a very suitable choice.

"Let's talk about it in a few days."

Zhou Yun didn't know her father's thoughts and didn't pay much attention.

Back home, Zhang Qingxiao began refining Medicinal Pills, Cultivating Cultivation Techniques, and practicing the Fireball Technique again.

It took him three days to practice the Fireball Technique's proficiency to 399/400.

One more time, and the Fireball Technique's proficiency would reach the Great Master level.

At this point, he was very excited.

Sitting cross-legged, after recovering his spiritual power, Zhang Qingxiao silently recited a Spell, his right hand forming a hand seal, and a sudden enlightenment surged into his mind.

Then, a fireball, slightly smaller than an egg, appeared out of thin air and floated in his palm.

"The temperature has clearly increased."

"The inside of the fireball is also more condensed."

"Let's test its power."

Zhang Qingxiao came to the courtyard, and with a wave of his hand, the fireball immediately exploded thirty centimeters above the ground.

A crisp explosion sounded, blasting a basin-sized, ten-centimeter-deep pit into the ground, while an extremely scorching aura spread in all directions.

"This..."

"Its power has become so great."

Coming to the black pit, feeling the scorching temperature within it with his palm, Zhang Qingxiao's face was filled with pleasant surprise.

He finally had a means of self-preservation.

The power of the Fireball Technique exceeded his expectations.

It gave him some confidence.

The twenty portions of medicinal herbs he bought a few days ago were all used up, and he had refined twelve Pi Gu Pills in total.

After selling these Pi Gu Pills, he could visit the market, stock up on some supplies, and buy some self-defense items to prepare for the potential chaos ahead.

Seeing that it was still early, Zhang Qingxiao returned to his room, tidied up briefly, held his Low Grade Magical Artifact longsword, put on his basket, and strode out of his house.

"Daoist Zhang, are you going to the market?"

"Coincidentally, Zhou Yun and I are also going to the market to sell Talisman Skins. Shall we go together?"

Zhou Quan, also carrying a basket filled with prepared Talisman Skins, was about to take his daughter to the market and quickly greeted Zhang Qingxiao when he saw him.

...