[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-book-of-strange-tales":3,"chapter-the-book-of-strange-tales-the-book-of-strange-tales-chapter-108":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Book of Strange Tales",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2317388,4532,"Chapter 108: Striving to Improve (Requesting Monthly Votes)","the-book-of-strange-tales-chapter-108",108,"\u003Cp>“Ssshh… ssshh… ssshh…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Fuxiu Temple, a young Daoist priest was carving a soldier statue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he had already carved and consecrated one Bean Soldier before, that one was made from ordinary spirit wood from the mountains—material even Third Brother rarely used, meant mostly for practice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that he had the aid of three righteous heroes, and happened to have three pieces of Dan Guo wood branches, he decided to carve with the Dan Guo wood. Only by using the best materials at hand could he honor these heroes properly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dan Guo wood was light to hold, yet extremely hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It even felt three times harder than steel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, the spell “Carve Beans into Soldiers” already contained carving techniques—each cut required magical energy, no matter how soft the wood. Thus, it wasn’t overly taxing or hard on the tools.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Be careful. Be patient. Never rush or lose focus. You only have these three pieces of Dan Guo wood—if you carve poorly, you won’t be able to make it right.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Third Brother sipped wine beside him, offering advice, while a plate of snacks sat nearby—crispy salted fish bones Lin Jue had fried from the leftovers after preparing fish slices, delicious to eat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Since the Bean Soldier takes human form, carve it according to human proportions—adjustments are allowed, but don’t change it arbitrarily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The most important thing is reasonableness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We are human ourselves and understand the human body best; thus, we can make adjustments. But that’s up to you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Once you’ve found the residual soul, you have two choices: one is to carve according to the soul’s original form—this allows the soul to integrate most naturally, making the soldier most agile and responsive; if you’re confident, you can adjust its form slightly, since any ordinary mortal, bound by flesh, has some physical flaws—who among them has a body perfectly suited for combat?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Only the Bean Soldier—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But then, the residual soul must adapt to its new form, and since its consciousness is incomplete, its adaptability is limited. You must strike the right balance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As for weapons, also consider the residual soul.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue listened carefully while focusing on carving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he heard something requiring deep thought or a question, he paused, clarified it fully, then resumed carving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From morning till night, he carved three wooden blanks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They still needed finer carving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Little Sister had just returned from repairing the mountain path and, seeing her brother at work, walked over and said, “Brother, are you making your own Bean Soldier too?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Soon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then have you started learning the Stone Transformation Spell?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll practice it tonight. What about you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve been repairing the mountain path every day these past few days. When I’m tired or low on magical energy, I rest and meditate on the mountain’s spiritual essence, practicing the Stone Transformation Spell.” Little Sister said seriously, “I feel I’ll master it soon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So while repairing the path, you break rocks, then hold them to sense their spiritual essence, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Little Sister had no reply, so she stared at him sternly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You learn first. Your talent lies in the Five Elements—you’ll master this far faster than I will.” Lin Jue said, “I’ll finish my Bean Soldier first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The grand ritual down the mountain had broadened their horizons, but also made them realize the world was far from peaceful—and they would inevitably descend one day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master and the other uncles might not find enough temples or monasteries for this generation of disciples to settle in. Some older brothers had never liked the mortal world or wandering. While at the temple, they always yielded to him in everything—teaching him everything without reservation, providing materials willingly. Could he really let them give up even this last thing?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could that be allowed?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, Lin Jue himself sought the Immortal Dao of eternal life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And just days ago, he had witnessed the presence of the Yishan Mountain God—such a deity still had to tread carefully amid the chaos of the world. How much more should he prepare himself?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, both trained their spells diligently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Little Sister began with the Stone Transformation Spell first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue prepared to make his Bean Soldier first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One reason was that the three heroes had already decided to follow him—they were truly righteous men. Though only residual souls remained, lacking full consciousness, Lin Jue didn’t want them lingering in the bottle any longer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two, the Bean Soldier was genuinely useful—a fine protective technique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And he still had Dan Guo wood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The best materials I’ve ever seen for Bean Soldiers are Dan Guo wood and the mountain’s Long Sheng wood. Compared to each other, Dan Guo wood is hard and unbreakable; Long Sheng wood isn’t quite as hard, but if damaged—so long as no limbs are missing—it can heal itself through spiritual energy.” Third Brother continued, “Other spiritual qualities are roughly equal. Perhaps after descending the mountain, you’ll find even better spirit wood elsewhere.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Long Sheng wood…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s something you can only stumble upon by chance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue nodded, stood up, and went to cook.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once carving was done, consecration followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the Bean Soldier wouldn’t consume all his time. Lin Jue also needed to learn how to attach metal armor and weapons, and learning required time to digest, reflect, and rest. In spare moments, or after cultivation, he would meditate on the Stone Transformation Spell in the mountains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or he’d ask Fourth Brother about “Summoning Beasts and Birds”—rotating between several spells, allowing time to rest and clear his mind, rather than obsessing over one thing constantly—this improved efficiency.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ancient texts held great masters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Little Sister practiced swordplay daily according to the manual, intensely focused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue joined her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she had begun sword dancing half a year earlier than him, so her foundation was stronger, and she devoted more heart and time to it. Thus, so far, the only thing Lin Jue surpassed her in was strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before they knew it, another winter arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yishan’s winter was beautiful, but bitterly cold, with poor weather—frequent fog and snow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, the past few days had been clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taking advantage of the sunshine, Lin Jue hung persimmons from the trees to dry into dried persimmons, stringing them up in long rows like flattened lanterns, glowing red.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today they were nearly done.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue gently pinched one, then broke it open to taste.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The outer layer was a deep red, dusted with sugar frost; once split, the inside flowed like molten lava.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fuyao still followed him closely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fox had grown a bit larger; its fur had turned completely white—not snow-white, not dazzling, but more natural. Yet its tail tip was red, giving it a peculiar appearance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, footsteps came from behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Light, delicate steps—he didn’t need to listen to know who it was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sure enough, a voice followed:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother, look!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Based on recent conversations, Lin Jue didn’t need to turn—he knew she had fully mastered the Stone Transformation Spell and had come to show off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue turned slowly, still holding the persimmon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Exactly as expected—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind him stood a stone statue clad in Daoist robes, from head to hands, neck to hair, entirely stone—except for a long sword in its hand, standing motionless two steps behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>▲￠o\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could faintly make out a girl’s form.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fox had already fixed its gaze on her, and at her feet sat a colorful raccoon dog, unfazed, calmly licking its paw.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue was puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He walked over and tapped the forehead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thud!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound was dull—undoubtedly stone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The statue didn’t move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wasn’t it said that when you first learn this spell, you can only turn part of your body to stone, and only later learn to turn your whole body?” Lin Jue asked her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The stone statue stood motionless in the courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue sighed, turned away, and continued checking the persimmons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother, look!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voice came again from behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Lin Jue turned, it was still the same stone statue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just moved to a different spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue ignored her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother, look!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother, hit it again!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother, look!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Lin Jue wouldn’t respond, Little Sister reverted to her normal form, walked over, stood beside him, and gazed at the hanging persimmons, a smile always on her face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother, what did you ask? My brain turned to stone—it’s buzzing!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I asked you—wasn’t it said that when you first learn this spell, you can only turn part of your body to stone, and only later learn to turn your whole body?” Lin Jue bit into the persimmon and asked again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh! Because I’m incredibly talented!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That talented?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“… ” Little Sister burst into laughter, revealing the truth, scratching her head, “I’m kidding! I can only turn part of my body—because it’s winter and I’m wearing thick clothes, I only turned my hands and head, but standing perfectly still, it creates the illusion that my whole body is stone!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not a blush, not a flutter of the heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if he boasted of his ingenuity, it was as if he truly believed himself to be ingenious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So that’s how it is.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother, have you finished your Bean Soldiers?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Almost.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Completely finished?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just need weapons and armor now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The junior sister nodded, exhaling in relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She thought to herself: Bean Soldiers were naturally harder to master than the Stone-to-Flesh Art, and more powerful too—but Brother had already begun learning the Bean Soldier technique before the Great Ritual. By the time he completed them, she’d barely entered the first stage of Stone-to-Flesh Art. In that sense, they were about even.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mmm…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The junior sister nodded repeatedly, reassured, reassured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She turned back to the persimmon cakes, her eyes gleaming, then deliberately asked: “Brother, what are you eating?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>TTKдNco\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Persimmon cakes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Have you finished making your persimmon cakes?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Finished.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just eat them raw?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stared at him, eyes wide with anticipation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Take one yourself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did the junior sister pick one up, glancing at the one in his hand. She didn’t bite immediately, but imitated him: she lifted a piece, examined the molten center closely, then placed it in her mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mmm!?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes instantly narrowed!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A different taste from fresh persimmons—more fragrant, sweeter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is it good?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s delicious!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The junior sister answered without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then she saw Brother turn, pick up another persimmon cake, and bend down to ask the fox at his feet: “Can foxes eat persimmon cakes?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The junior sister froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For no clear reason, she instinctively grew wary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“By the way, Brother,” the junior sister asked casually, “have you learned the Beast Summoning and Bird Calling Art from Fourth Brother?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just now mastered it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The junior sister, persimmon cake in hand, stared blankly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s wrong?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“N-nothing…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why that expression?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fu… Fu Yao… what did Fu Yao say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I can only vaguely sense its thoughts,” Lin Jue said, frowning. “It seems to think it’s a cat?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I see…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She hadn’t expected Brother to have mastered two techniques.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The junior sister walked over dazedly, helping him gather the persimmon cakes, carrying the basket into the house, her mind swirling with thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She’d thought her recent efforts were enough—but clearly, they were far from it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She must work even harder!\u003C\u002Fp>",1870,"2026-06-20T14:45:35.226Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","1757bc0b6697f4df1f3b7c9aa29985d14203e47427021388038d44ffdb30d7d4","the-book-of-strange-tales-chapter-109","the-book-of-strange-tales-chapter-107",608,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-book-of-strange-tales-cover.jpg"]