"Bang bang bang!"
With renewed health, Wan Mingchuan energetically chopped trees, and momentarily, a large tree with the thickness of a person's waist fell heavily on the grass, startling the birds into flight.
He joyfully looked at the plain-looking axe in his hand and exclaimed, "The axe used by Master is truly extraordinary. This immense tree was felled so easily. If it were the best axe forged by the village blacksmith, even the strongest man would take an hour of chopping and resting to bring it down."
Jiang Yuan was momentarily stunned, realizing that the "broken" axe given by the system was so powerful.
His gaze then fell on the whole tree lying in the grass. After contemplating for a moment, he realized that for NPCs in the wilderness game, this was their real world, where they needed wood to build houses and make tools, so they would surely keep the trees in their natural state.
Thus, he stepped forward and touched the tree, which instantly disintegrated into green light spots and was automatically picked up into his Storage Bag, becoming dataized wood +15.
Having experienced multiple surprises in a short time, Wan Mingchuan was no longer shocked or surprised, but his admiration and fondness for his Master soared. For a cultivator capable of capturing wilderness creatures, making a large tree disappear into thin air was evidently a piece of cake. Indeed, the Master was amazing!
After arduously toiling for a while and felling two trees, Jiang Yuan saw his Physical Strength had decreased to only 5 points left. He stepped forward, took the axe, and handed the "Heaven-Burning Scripture" to him, saying, "Rest if you're tired, don't overdo it. Study the book well and strive to introduce energy into your body to officially start cultivation sooner."
Short of over a hundred wood from the 2000 required for the task, and now it was already 5:07 PM. He had to hurry to chop enough trees before the wilderness arrived, and bring his apprentice back as well.
Desiring to help his Master as much as possible, Wan Mingchuan tried his best to appear unfazed despite being utterly exhausted. He believed he hadn't exposed his fatigue, since he often deceived his sharp old hunter of a grandfather by persevering in the past, thinking his acting skills were excellent. How could his Master have detected it?
He even couldn't see with his eyes!
Surprisingly, his fondness increased by +1 +1 +1... Busy, he returned the secret technique manual to his Master with both hands, sitting by the roadside and opened the first page with anticipation and slightly trembling hands.
Like scribbled lines, the red line previously seen emerged again. He could feel the red line gently rippling with each breath, and within his body, there was a "line" corresponding to it, with warm airflow slowly wandering around.
So involuntarily, he sat cross-legged in the posture described in the book, slightly closed his eyes, and entered into cultivation state formally.
"Finally enough!" Jiang Yuan chopped a few more trees just in case, seeing the time was almost six o'clock, turned to call his apprentice to go home together.
At night, he just needed to go to the mine or other stony places to "get some goods," and he could collect 2000 stones to construct the Floating Market along with Moon in the Water and Moonlight Pearl!
Initially, his cautious nature didn't want Wan Mingchuan to move into his courtyard. What if he discovered the Divine Mountain Statue and stole it? One should not have a heart to harm others, but one must be vigilant against others.
However, seeing the wilderness approaching, Jiang Yuan couldn't bear to leave him in the wild.
With Life Energy and Attack Power both so weak, even encountering a single Moon Pearl Bird could peck him to death. He pondered to first bring him back to drink some water and rest a bit. If it's really impossible, let Wan Mingchuan follow him to act together.
When tired and sleepy, let him find a place to rest. Anyway, he could log out of the game to rest at any time, and could be on watch in the game 24 hours a day.
Unexpectedly, turning his head, Jiang Yuan was stunned. He saw Wan Mingchuan sitting cross-legged, his whole body enveloped in a faint orange glow, shimmering gently with his breath.
"So this is the correct way to practice the 'Heaven-Burning Scripture,'" he curiously envied a bit. Reading a strip directly granted him skills, the experience surely is not as immersive as his apprentice's immersion in cultivation.
Opening his apprentice's personal page, he found that with meditative cultivation, his Physical Strength had recovered two-thirds. This could significantly increase efficiency if they could alternate chopping trees and mining together!
Originally wanting to wait for his full recovery before calling him, but as the wilderness approached, the sky seemed to darken, Jiang Yuan worried that if it started raining, it might be bad for his wounds if wet. Therefore, he interrupted the cultivation to ask his apprentice to return home with him.
"Master, after practicing, I feel the 'line' in my body corresponding to it is warm and comfortable!" Coming out of cultivation, Wan Mingchuan first returned the manuscript with both hands, joyfully asking, "Does this mean I've introduced energy into my body?"
Jiang Yuan was confused, thinking, I don't know either; the system didn't give me a chance to experience!
The player and NPC even have different effects when chopping trees, much less the cultivation method, which differs greatly. I am still in the exploratory stage; how can I answer your question?
"I suppose so. Our situations are different; comprehending cultivation technique relies on your own understanding," casually putting away the axe and book, Jiang Yuan took out a jujube wood stick to tap the ground, "Let's go, the wilderness is about to arrive."
Wan Mingchuan hurriedly went to support his Master. Although it seemed not to affect his vision much, being blind and a Master, he, as an apprentice, had to take care well.
Jiang Yuan didn't want to immediately expose his fake blindness act, feeling it might damage his image, but didn't expect this honest kid really came up to support him, making him feel like an old man in his seventies or eighties.
Always serving as a workhorse himself, never enjoyed being taken care of, he felt a bit embarrassed and motioned, "No need, no need, I can walk by myself. How old are you this year?"
"When my grandfather picked me up, I looked about a little over a year old, so he counted me as one, taking the day I was found as my birthday. So, in three days, I'll be eighteen years old."
Oh? An orphan found? The legendary orphan?!
Jiang Yuan became more convinced that he had taken in a "chosen one" as an apprentice, with such a background of a mountain village boy rising for revenge, ultimately overcoming all obstacles to dominate the world.
As for his master's identity, if he's the honest protagonist, he doesn't need to worry. Perhaps he might benefit in the future. But if he's Tang San...
Human nature is fickle; currently, he is loyal to me because he needs me. But what about the future? With a wrong thought, wouldn't a gift of rice turn into a feud over a sack of rice?
A chill ran down his spine as he quietly glanced at Wan Mingchuan, having a tiny bit of concern.
To know a person superficially but not see their true heart, wasn't Tang San the one who rampaged, plundering without being suspected of having wild ambitions, with no one prepared?
Always cautious in action, Jiang Yuan slightly worried, pondering that once Wan Mingchuan learned the Heaven-Burning Flame and avenged his grudge, he should let him leave. Meanwhile, he could work hard to improve his home's level and skills for self-protection.
Staying in the game planting fields, chopping wood, and picking mushrooms during the day, killing small monsters and mining spirit stone mines at night—how delightful this is! Better not involve in any more hodgepodge!
"Master, is this... your home?" Two minutes before the wilderness arrived, the two finally crossed the tall wild grass to reach the old wooden bridge. Looking at the neat and tidy yard, Wan Mingchuan felt very thrilled.
With a house, fields, and a well, he truly didn't expect to find such a peaceful and harmonious place hidden in the dreaded Shuiyun Lake area, evoking a warm sense of home.