Inside Qingping Palace.
When Zhang Yao finished eating and finished his work, and returned to the small courtyard of the dormitory, the night had deepened.
"Herb Mastery increased a bit? Not bad."
He looked at the attribute panel and found a pleasant surprise.
The Herb Mastery skill includes identification, picking, and processing, and is of great help to him.
"Whew..."
He spread his feet apart, adjusted his breathing, and began practicing the Taiyi Pile Skill again, taking advantage of the abundant Essence Qi within him.
If he actively pushes the Essence Qi Transformation talent, his digestion ability far exceeds that of ordinary people, leading to a substantial appetite. Fortunately, Qingping Palace does not lack grain, so he is not despised.
This practice lasted a full half-hour, and Zhang Yao only stopped to adjust his breathing after feeling his strength waning.
"Qingxu Junior Brother, you really are quite diligent."
An older Daoist Child emerged from the dormitory room and saw him practicing Pillar technique in the courtyard, then smiled and said:
"But this Taiyi Pile Skill, even when mastered, isn't of much use."
"It's just a pity that we aren't from Shangqing Pavilion and can't learn the secret martial arts of the palace."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Yao was unconcerned and replied:
"If I can't learn it, then so be it."
"If I practice this Taiyi Pile Skill well, it could at least lengthen my life by twenty years or so; it's worth it."
In Qingping Palace, there truly are secret Daoist Profound Skills, rumored to be incredibly powerful but requiring very high talent.
The batch of Daoist children were all brought to the mountain around the age of ten, mostly orphans with a clean background, and had already had their talents personally assessed by the Palace Master.
Among the dozen Daoist children, only one, a Little Daoist Child named "Qingzhuo," had outstanding talent and was taken to the foremost Shangqing Pavilion among the Three Pavilions and Four Halls and personally taught by the Palace Master.
Zhang Yao also once considered secretly learning, but unless a heavenly opportunity truly appeared, he would never act rashly and would rather slowly practice Taiyi Pile Skill.
"You're right, you're right."
The older Daoist Child chuckled without wanting to chat further, relieved himself in the outhouse, and then went back inside to sleep.
Zhang Yao also returned to the dormitory, found his bed in the corner of the shared sleeping quarters, quickly took off his clothes, crawled in, and soon fell into a deep sleep.
......
Three days passed swiftly.
On this night, Zhang Yao was still diligently practicing the Taiyi Pile Skill. After completing the practice, he noticed a peculiar feeling within his body.
"Could it be..."
A suspicion surged in his heart, and he quickly summoned the attribute panel.
Name: Zhang Yao
Talent: Primordial Energy Spring, Essence Qi Transformation
Skills: Herb Mastery (38%), Taiyi Pile Skill (30%)
Zhang Yao's heart overflowed with joy, thinking to himself:
"After practicing so hard for so long, this Taiyi Pile Skill has finally reached Small Success."
In this world, martial arts progress is quite rudimentary, divided only into three stages: Small Success, Great Success, and Perfection after entry.
According to Zhang Yao's comparison and speculation, the proficiency level corresponding to the Small Success stage should be around 30%. Now, with his body having a special feeling, it clearly confirmed his speculation.
"Small Success in Pillar technique is indeed a new step."
Zhang Yao's face showed an uncontrollable expression of joy.
According to his master Lord Guanlu's explanation, even if the Realm in Pillar technique breaks through, there will not be an immediate, drastic quality change.
But once the Realm is reached, the limbs, bones, tendons and muscles, blood and flesh will be subtly affected, and some change is bound to occur.
"Next, let's see what kind of marvels the martial arts of this world have."
Satisfied, Zhang Yao went back to sleep, finally feeling a bit of anticipation for the life ahead.
Soon, his curiosity had an answer:
In the span of half a month, he found that his body gradually underwent new, holistic changes.
First, his strength grew rapidly and soon became comparable to an adult's, with muscles and bones becoming more robust. Secondly, he saw that his senses sharpened, becoming keener, and even his memory seemed to improve somewhat.
"This Taiyi Pile Skill is truly marvelous."
"If practiced to Great Success, or even the Realm of Perfection, bodily capabilities and all senses should surpass the human limits."
At this point, Zhang Yao felt a bit regretful.
Even the Taiyi Pile Skill, primarily for health, has such effects, so what kind of power would the secret Daoist Profound Skills of Qingping Palace have?
But unfortunately, the talent of his current body is merely average, failing to catch the Palace Master's eye. In normal circumstances, it would be a lifetime without ever touching that Profound Skill.
"No need to rush, take your time, I've got plenty of it."
Zhang Yao's mood soon settled into calmness.
"Life now is already considered good; there's no need to let greed sprout, creating unnecessary troubles."
......
The peaceful life always goes by so quickly.
More than two months have passed, and Zhang Yao diligently plays his role as a Pill Furnace Boy, picking and preparing herbs every day. When he has the time, he practices the Taiyi Pile Skill, completely integrating into Qingping Palace.
I have to say:
Being able to directly visualize the progress of Taiyi Pile Skill as data itself serves as an invisible motivation.
The reason Zhang Yao's Taiyi Pile Skill has progressed so quickly is primarily due to his talent, and secondarily thanks to the attribute panel.
Name: Zhang Yao
Talent: Primordial Energy Spring, Essence Qi Transformation
Skills: Herb Mastery (41%), Taiyi Pile Skill (43%)
"Not bad."
In the mountain forest, Zhang Yao looks at the data on the panel and nods with satisfaction.
Most skills are easy to begin with but difficult to master. The deeper the progress of the Taiyi Pile Skill, the harder it is to advance further.
However, Zhang Yao discovered that as his pile skill practice deepened, the gradual strengthening of his sinews, bones, and physique seemed to also enhance his total essence qi, thereby strengthening his talent for Essence Qi Transformation.
This caused his cultivation progress to slow slightly but not noticeably.
"Time to go."
Zhang Yao slings the basket back on his shoulders and sets off down the mountain path back to Qingping Palace.
Compared to three months ago, his legs are noticeably more nimble and agile. Although he still lacks combat skills, at least he can escape much faster when faced with danger.
A little over half an hour later, Zhang Yao returns to the Pill Furnace Hall and is about to put down his basket to eat when Lord Guanlu suddenly speaks up:
"Qingxu, stay here for a moment."
"Yes, Master."
Zhang Yao is taken aback for a moment, quickly responds, and obediently stands in place waiting.
"Hmm..."
Lord Guanlu considers for a moment before speaking:
"Today, a junior brother from the Dharma Propagation Hall came to ask me for two Daoist children to accompany him down the mountain for a ritual."
"This is a rare good opportunity, and I have my eyes on you and Qingyu. Go to the Dharma Propagation Hall tomorrow to lend a hand."
"Ah?"
Zhang Yao is a bit surprised at this, instinctively responding:
"Is the Dharma Propagation Hall really short of people, running to our Pill Furnace Hall to ask?"
Among the four halls, the Dharma Propagation Hall is responsible for conducting blessing rituals for lay practitioners and benefactors outside the palace, as well as exorcism and ghost slaying. It is the most prestigious and well-treated among the four halls.
However, on normal days, opportunities to go down the mountain for rituals are few, and often have to be fought over within the Dharma Propagation Hall. How come they're short of people now?
"Yes, the Dharma Propagation Hall is short on manpower."
Lord Guanlu nods, offering a brief explanation:
"Recently, there have been ghost rumors in several villages and towns at the foot of the mountain, causing local villagers to be in a state of panic."
"This time, several prominent families nearby have banded together, pooling silver coins, and have sought us out to perform rituals, set up the grounds, pray for blessings and peace, and suppress evil ghosts."
"With so many rituals happening at once, the Dharma Propagation Hall ended up with no one left, hence they came to my Pill Furnace Hall to temporarily fill in."
Zhang Yao suddenly understands but feels a bit uneasy, couldn't help but say:
"Master… there aren't really ghosts in this world, are there?"
He originally didn't believe in ghosts and spirits, but having crossed into a new world, it's hard to say.
If there really are ghosts causing trouble at the foot of the mountain, he'd absolutely refuse to go down and take the risk, preferring to stay on the mountain until it calms down.
"..."
Lord Guanlu is rather speechless:
"I've always seen you as smart and clever, why are you acting foolish today?"
"If there truly were ghosts in the world, the people of the Dharma Propagation Hall would have long perished, for our Taiyi Pile Skill cannot contend with specters!"
"Forgive me, Master, it was foolish of me."
Zhang Yao gives a few sheepish chuckles, then curiously asks:
"Then why did Master choose me and Junior Brother Qingyu?"
Lord Guanlu looks at him and earnestly replies:
"Among all the Daoist children in the hall, in terms of appearance and demeanor, you are the best, with Qingyu following."
"Only the two of you going will prevent us from losing face for the Pill Furnace Hall and, when down the mountain, won't bring shame upon Qingping Palace."
"…I understand."
Zhang Yao nods, speaking with righteous resolve:
"Then I definitely have to help ease master's worries. I'll head to the Dharma Propagation Hall first thing tomorrow."