Chapter 217: Secluded Life

After eating and drinking his fill, combined with fatigue, he wanted to sleep.

Lin Jue also lay on the bed.

Before sleeping, with a thought, he took the ancient book.

The ancient book had two new pages.

"Swish..."

Returning Wind Technique, also known as Person-Rolling Wind, Ram-Horn Wind, or Dragon Whirlwind.

A technique for controlling wind.

The ancient book says: "Fuyao is called a whirlwind; wind and fire are a furnace; returning wind is drifting." It also says: "Drifting is returning wind, a wind that spirals upward, shaped like a ram's horn, capable of rolling people and water."

Beginners use incantations to control the wind, and the wind returns and drifts, which can make a person's posture unstable; learning to a high level can roll people up to the blue sky, and can also help oneself ascend to the blue clouds; those who reach completion use thoughts to control the wind, and the returning wind turns into a ram-horn tornado, destroying houses and lifting tiles when passing through villages, sucking water into the sky when passing through rivers, and uprooting trees when passing through forests—this is a natural disaster.

Mortals seeing it think a dragon is passing by.

Learners must first learn to call the wind and have a sense of the wind.

"Fuyao is called a whirlwind..."

Lin Jue subconsciously murmured.

The small white blanket on the floor in front turned its head, staring at him with lively eyes, but did not want to move.

"Returning Wind Technique...

"Person-Rolling Wind, Ram-Horn Wind..."

A tornado is narrow at the bottom and wide at the top, indeed looking like an inverted ram's horn. In this day and age, some people call it Ram-Horn Wind. Because it looks like a dragon rolling, and its power is great when it passes, some people treat it as a true dragon passing by, and the disaster formed is called a dragon disaster, which is actually a natural phenomenon.

This magic technique seems to be a higher-level magic technique derived from calling the wind, for controlling the wind. Perhaps it requires more tricks. Cultivating to completion means creating man-made natural disasters.

Lin Jue felt that he had quite a bit of insight into the way of wind.

"Swish..."

Wall-Separation Technique, a method of obstruction.

The cast wall is invisible to the naked eye.

Those with low cultivation have narrow, low, thin, and fragile walls; those with high cultivation have hard, indestructible, wide, and tall walls.

Those with shallow attainments in casting a wall with a spell find it rigid and stiff; those with deep attainments can wave their sleeves to form a wall, making the barrier mysterious and nimble.

Learning to a high level, a wall can be passed by one person but not another; one can pass holding an object but not another; one can pass with a pure heart but not with evil thoughts; one can pass by chanting an incantation but not without; even immortals and True Men cannot shatter it with brute force.

"This magic technique..."

Lin Jue saw this page's introduction, and the first thought that rose in his heart was: this page and the previous page were definitely not written by the same person.

Only then did he read and ponder more carefully.

Still murmuring to himself:

"It seems that the turtle-demon sorcerer's attainments in this magic technique are not deep."

Fuyao was already used to this, just watching him silently, without any reaction.

Cultivating this magic technique to a high level truly has a bit of the flavor of an immortal's ability—waving a hand to form a wall, where one person can pass through smoothly while another is blocked outside just because their heart's intent is wrong.

It is a pity that the Barrier-Cloth Method was still not obtained.

However, obtaining it now would not matter. Including these two magic techniques, Lin Jue did not intend to learn them for the time being.

The most urgent matter at hand is to improve his fighting ability, so that he can defeat that Long Wang next spring, both to eliminate harm for the people and to find golden essence.

Although these two magic techniques each have their wonders, they are not born specifically for fighting. Especially for beginners, it is difficult to be of much help in fighting when attainments are not deep.

And to be good at fighting, one must specialize.

The top priority is still carving and refining bean soldiers, comprehending and practicing previous magic techniques, and then finding time to prepare medicinal pills.

Lin Jue intended to stay in Runze County.

Because he currently does not know where that Long Wang's cave dwelling is, nor does he know when his birthday is. To be safe, he needs more detailed information.

In fighting, information is extremely important.

I imagine it won't be far from the Long Wang's cave dwelling. I heard from that thousand-year-old ghost on the road that during the Long Wang's birthday banquet, many yaoguai and ghosts seem to rush over from afar. Spirits like the "Green Seedling God" should all come to attend the banquet and pay their respects, so perhaps many spirits will be passing through here then.

At the very least, he must be here at that time.

"..."

Lin Jue closed the ancient book and lay on the bed pondering.

The magic techniques collected so far are enough, and he has found magic techniques suitable for himself.

Among the magic techniques he has now, the most powerful in fighting, and also his favorite, is undoubtedly that "Flowers Blooming in an Instant."

This magic technique seems dreamy and beautiful, but in reality, it is quite powerful beneath that dreaminess and beauty, and its power is almost equivalent to its learning difficulty.

Perhaps even the original versions of Scattering Beans to Form Soldiers and Object-Controlling Technique are difficult to compare with it.

Lin Jue needs to put more energy into this.

Secondly, practice incantation-control for a period of time. Currently, controlling two to four flying swords at once is still too few, and there is considerable room for improvement in force and control.

Plus Carving Beans to Form Soldiers and Pointing Stone to Form Generals.

"Mainly cultivate these four.

"In addition, Object-Taking from Afar and Immobilization Technique also have unexpected auxiliary effects in fighting. Object-Taking from Afar used together with Dragon-Transforming Play might have miraculous effects.

"It would be even better if I could obtain the original versions of Object-Controlling Technique and Scattering Beans to Form Soldiers."

Lin Jue thought so and slowly fell asleep.

The next morning, downstairs in the inn.

In the pavilion by the river, transparent on two sides, Lin Jue sat by the window. Below was a jade-green belt of water. Although he could not hear the sound of water, he could feel the cool water vapor.

A fight had ended, and he had slept well. Sitting here, there was an inexplicable sense of stability and comfort in his heart.

Luo Seng also walked down from upstairs and sat beside them:

"Does the Daoist intend to live in the city?"

"I have no such intention."

"Oh?"

"Living in the city is not conducive to inquiring about the Long Wang's news, nor is it conducive to our cultivation and practice of magic techniques." Lin Jue said, "Therefore, I must find a place to live outside the city."

"That is just right! There are many inns and lodges outside the city, and there must be some courtyards and private houses for rent, or we could just live in the inn we stayed in a few days ago."

Luo Seng paused as he spoke, his peripheral vision sweeping around: "After I slaughter that county official, temple keeper, and that filial son, I certainly won't be able to enter the city. By then, if there is no other place to go, I will come to seek refuge with the Daoist."

"That is fine."

Lin Jue nodded.

Inns in this day and age mostly do monthly rental business. If staying for only a day or two, most would choose other forms of lodging. For example, traveling merchants would stay in lodges, the wealthy would stay in restaurants, and the poor would stay in thatched inns. Inns inside the city mostly house students taking exams, scholars traveling for business, and officials on public duty.

If staying for a longer time, renting a house is a better choice.

"Originally, I was more skilled at this, but this time I have some inconveniences, so the Daoist will have to find it himself."

"We will just leave an extra room for Lord Luo."

"That is very good." Luo Seng nodded, then exhorted, "Remember not to leave my real name."

"Naturally, naturally." Lin Jue thought for a moment and said, "If we find a residence outside the city, we will inform the waiter of the inn where we stayed a few days ago. Lord Luo can just ask him."

"That is fine."

When the three decided, breakfast was also served.

In the inn, a few tables of other people gradually sat down. When waiting for meals, most mouths did not stop, but excitedly and surprisingly recounted the strange events that happened outside the city yesterday, discussing endlessly.

People on the street outside also seemed to be discussing this matter.

The three had no expression.

After eating, they separated.

Luo Seng stayed in the city, while the senior brother and junior sister went out of the city.

Outside the city inn, the waiter was in a trance.

Yesterday's events had spread throughout Runze in a single day. Not only in the city, but wherever there were places that originally worshipped the Green Water Immortal, people carried the news everywhere to recount it.

No way, this matter was truly too shocking and stunning.

This kind of immortal, demon, and ghost matter, one heard a lot of it since childhood, and read a lot in books, but how much of it truly happened by one's side?

Even at this moment, several guests in the inn, clearly not having gone to the Ascension Platform yesterday, were still discussing it.

"Green Water Immortal..."

"Fighting..."

"Firelight..."

"Shrimp, crab, fish..."

"Demons..."

Sounds kept drifting into his ears.

Looking at the expressions and wording of these guests, it was as if they had gone to the scene to see it with their own eyes yesterday.

But he was the one who was at the scene.

Not only that...

He also knew a bit more than ordinary people.

As a result, the waiter inevitably had a feeling that he was closer to the truth, that the world did not know, and only he was clear-headed. He also had a feeling that he was closer to the immortals, as if he had been stained with a bit of immortal energy.

That kind of novel and ethereal feeling in his heart was truly mysterious and hard to describe.

Unfortunately, it could not be told to others.

This kind of secret was truly uncomfortable to hold in.

"Waiter, add a pot of tea."

A voice suddenly came from inside, pulling him back from the immortal energy and trance to the mortal world.

"Coming!"

The waiter responded, immediately getting up, preparing to add tea for them, but glancing with his peripheral vision, he suddenly froze.

Who knew when, two Daoists leading gray donkeys were slowly walking from the morning mist in the distance.

"This..."

In a flash, two immortals were before him.

"Immortal..."

The waiter's expression was dull, and before he could speak, he saw the Daoist in front smiling and telling him:

"We intend to live outside Runze City for a while, probably until next spring. We don't know anyone else here, so we would like to ask you if you know where there are some quieter houses for rent?"

"That would require finding a house agent..."

The waiter just wanted to tell him to find a house agent, but shuddered and hurriedly changed his words:

"Just right, this small one built a few new houses this year, originally prepared for my marriage. Usually, I live in the inn more, and when I go home, I go to my eldest brother's house, living with my parents, rarely living there. If the two immortals don't mind the simplicity, you can live in my few thatched huts."

"Is it convenient?"

"Convenient! Very convenient!"

"Is it far from here?"

"One li, right by the side of the road."

"..."

Lin Jue and the Xiao Xiao Shimei exchanged a glance, feeling it was very suitable, and asked again: "How much is the rent?"

"Immortals besides..." The waiter paused and hurriedly changed his words, "Being able to let immortals live there is this small one's blessing, how could I dare to collect money?"

"Must collect."

"Then the immortals can just pay the price of renting a house outside the city, just give a little."

"Then many thanks."

Lin Jue smiled and agreed.

"Waiter!" A shout came from behind, somewhat impatient, "Only caring about greeting new guests, ignoring old guests, right?"

"Coming! Coming!"

Although the waiter said so, his feet seemed to have taken root. Standing in place, he said to Lin Jue unhurriedly: "I will go add tea for them first, then I will take the two immortals to see it."

"Sorry for the trouble."

The waiter then walked over.

After pouring a pot of tea and telling the shopkeeper, he took Lin Jue to his house.

Sure enough, it was a few newly built thatched huts.

Although the walls were mud and the roof was thatch, seemingly simple, they were built with great care.

The sparrow may be small, but it has all the internal organs.

Directly opposite was a main hall, with a bedroom on each side. Behind the main hall was the kitchen. On the left was another thatched hut that could be used to host guests, and on the right were the woodshed and pigsty. Outside was a firewood gate. It only lacked a circle of bamboo-woven fences to enclose the rooms, and it would have a small farmhouse courtyard.

And it was neither far nor near from the official road, with only a small path of about a hundred steps. Walking a few dozen more steps on the official road, it was this quite prosperous gathering place of village houses and shops outside Runze City.

It had both the quietness outside the city and the prosperity inside the city.

"This is it, a bit simple."

The waiter quietly looked at them, his attitude much better than a few days ago.

"You built your new house with great care." Lin Jue took a fancy to it at a glance, looked at the Xiao Xiao Shimei, and even the fox and colorful fox at his feet, before saying, "We have decided, we will live here."

"As long as the immortals like it!"

"Just call me Daoist." Lin Jue said, his gaze sweeping forward, "Rest assured, we will cherish your new house, and by the way, we will fix the fence for you. If you are willing, we can add a bamboo forest behind the house for you and plant a fruit tree in the courtyard."

"Immortals can do as you please. If you lack anything, just tell this small one." The waiter reached into his clothes, "This is the key to the house."

"Good."

There was no one else in the inn, and the waiter's uncle was urging him, so he could not stay long. Not long after, he returned to the inn.

Leaving the two to stroll in the thatched hut.

Lin Jue liked it more the more he looked.

In this quiet place, without heavy taxes, looking at these few simple thatched huts, he actually faintly experienced the feeling of ancient people living in seclusion.

The fox and the colorful fox were already chasing and playing in the courtyard. ===== CHAPTER 218 =====