Chapter 559: Employment
Chapter 559: Employment
"Yes!"
Fang Xing's thoughts moved, and his attribute panel suddenly changed:
【Current Occupation: 'Druid', Occupation Level: 1!】
【You have obtained the talent - Natural Affinity!】
A thunderous rumble filled the air.
In Fang Xing's eyes, a flash of emerald green appeared.
Suddenly, he felt the night was serene, and the grass by the river, as well as the bushes in the distance, all seemed to emanate a sense of familiarity.
Even behind him, there was a tingling sensation, as if his injuries had healed significantly in an instant.
Moreover, he seemed to instinctively understand a lot about Druids, as if the knowledge was imparted to him by nature itself.
"The Druid is a profession that is close to nature, possessing the domains of plants and animals. They are innate spellcasters and also have a certain degree of melee combat ability..."
"This is obviously different from the Druids I remember from those games. It seems to be a modified version, or perhaps... it's the version of that Transcender, Jin."
"Hmm, I seem to have also learned a lot about the advancement and rituals of Druids... Is this because my body has digested that part of the inherited knowledge?"
Fang Xing's expression was filled with excitement: "As expected of the Transcender's inheritance, in this world where rules are not apparent, the power of the Druid is unaffected... It seems that no matter which world it is, it should be the same."
He glanced at his attribute panel and noticed numerous changes:
【Name: Fang Xing】
【Age: 16/27】
【Occupation: Druid Level 1】
【Talent: Natural Affinity】
...
"The upper limit of lifespan has increased by two years... This should be the change brought about by becoming a Druid!"
The upper limit of human lifespan was never constant; one could shorten their life, and naturally, they could also extend it!
"Natural Affinity, this talent allows me to be closer to nature... especially in the domains of plants and animals."
"This is the early stage of a Druid. In the later stages, the domains of agriculture, civilization, and even the universe can be encompassed by the way of nature!"
As Fang Xing experienced the benefits of Natural Affinity, he first noticed that under the cover of night, his figure became more concealed, allowing him to detect distant prying eyes and hidden sentries more easily.
"Furthermore... my talent has increased, which means I should be able to sense the so-called 'Qi' of this world."
"However, the eighteen types of Qi, including 'Filthy Blood Qi' from the Blood Shadow Sect's entry-level cultivation technique, seem to be problematic... My Natural Affinity talent should increase my understanding of Wood and Water attribute Qi..."
According to the cultivation technique, there were 129,600 types of Qi in the world, each unique!
"In other words, as long as I find a suitable Wood and Water attribute cultivation technique, I should also be able to become a cultivator in this world, providing an additional layer of disguise..."
As Fang Xing pondered, the perception brought about by Natural Affinity had already allowed him to sense distant footsteps.
"If I'm discovered, no matter who it is, it will be a hassle..."
After some thought, he immediately left with the carp, taking advantage of the night's cover.
The Druid's Natural Affinity allowed him to easily hide his figure using the shadows of nature.
After a while, another paper slave, similar to him, approached, muttering: "Who? Who's there? I clearly heard a sound..."
Although they were both paper slaves, if this paper slave saw the food in Fang Xing's hands, they would definitely try to snatch it and cause trouble...
Because Fang Xing was the weakest, at the bottom of the contempt chain.
Such is human nature!
...
The next day.
Several weak-looking young men and women, holding square-shaped papermaking nets, lined up in front of the 'Paper Pulp Pool' at the papermaking workshop.
They generally looked listless, some with eye bags and deep dark circles.
'Is this the result of indulging in pleasure to the extreme as death approaches, or is it the instinct of life to leave offspring before death?'
Fang Xing stood in line with his own papermaking net, thinking idly.
With the grilled fish from last night and a bowl of porridge this morning, he felt that his body had recovered significantly.
At the very least, the pain no longer hindered his movements.
Of course, this was more likely due to the Druid's advancement and the medicinal effects of the gold sore medicine...
"Hey, Young Master Fang is out?"
Taohong, standing nearby, greeted Fang Xing playfully.
"Yeah, I need to start making paper soon to repay your kindness..."
Fang Xing forced a smile.
Even if he decided to escape or do something else, he had to act as if nothing was wrong until the last moment, then strike when others least expected it.
Therefore, he decided to continue his disguise for a while longer.
He naturally needed to make a few 'Blood Paper' sheets, not only to repay the favor but also because it was the 'currency' in the Paper Valley.
The Blood Shadow Sect required their paper slaves to submit ten sheets every month, but the rest of the time, they were left to their own devices.
Every seven days, a merchant team would even come to trade goods, forming a small market.
The paper slaves' greatest wealth was, of course, the 'Blood Paper.'
Fang Xing looked at the papermaking net in his hands; it was square-shaped, like a tofu frame, but its edges were incredibly sharp, adorned with numerous small spikes.
This was a necessary tool for a paper slave.
When it was his turn, Fang Xing approached the paper pulp pool, holding the papermaking net with both hands, and immersed himself in the pool.
"Sizzle..."
As soon as his hands touched the paper pulp, a stinging sensation arose, indicating the corrosive nature of the pulp.
Fang Xing's expression remained unchanged, and his hands were as steady as Mount Tai, allowing the paper pulp to settle evenly on the grid.
This step was also crucial, as uneven thickness would undoubtedly affect the final product's quality.
As he moved his fingers, he even felt as if he had been stung by a bee.
These were the barbs on the paper-making net, absorbing his blood.
'Although I replenished two years of lifespan... I feel like I can only make do for another month. Within a month, I must find a way to escape or advance... otherwise, I'm doomed.'
After a moment, Fang Xing picked up the paper-making net with a uniform layer of pulp and found a sunny spot to begin the subsequent steps of drying and pressing the paper...
Between each step, the paper slave had to actively prick his fingers to provide blood.
The midday meal was slightly better, with a few steamed buns and pickled vegetables.
He worked until dusk, and only then did Fang Xing have a new, pristine sheet of paper in his hands.
Not a single error, not a single mistake, not a single flaw.
The paper was thick and sturdy, with a unique texture when touched, and its surface had a faint reddish hue.
This was a finished 'Blood Paper', an essential item for Blood Shadow Sect disciples practicing the 'Paper Folding Technique'.
Although ordinary paper could also be used to cast the 'Paper Folding Technique', it was more susceptible to various impurities and could be broken by the Red Dragon.
However, this 'Blood Paper' was immune to all evil influences, and the paper figures and soldiers made from it did not have this drawback.
The evening meal was a slightly thicker vegetable porridge with a few coarse grain buns.
Fang Xing quickly finished his meal and returned to his own shack, gazing at his dry, cracked, and rough hands. He fell silent:
"Working normally for a day... I've more or less figured it out."
"The paper slave can move freely within the valley, but there seems to be paper figures patrolling the valley entrance..."
"Not only that, but there are also occasional paper birds flying overhead for surveillance..."
"For these mortals, escaping is indeed as difficult as ascending to the heavens..."
Just as he was deep in thought, several sparrows flew in, chirping noisily.
"Cute little guys, eat up."
Fang Xing smiled and took out some crumbs from his sleeves to feed the sparrows.
The Druid's natural affinity included plant affinity and animal affinity.
If he hadn't been assigned as a paper slave but instead sent to a medicinal garden or similar place, he might have had a chance to make something of himself.
After all, the Druid and the Spirit Husbandry profession were quite compatible.
Unfortunately, at this moment, he could only utilize animal affinity to recruit a few small animals to patrol and explore for him...
Although the intelligence of small animals like sparrows and mice was not high, they could still manage some simple communication.
For example, the sparrows had seen paper-made creatures of their kind in the sky...
"Tonight, I'll trouble you to stand guard for me..."
After stroking the sparrows' little heads, Fang Xing lay down on the bed, his mind focusing on the attribute panel:
【Age: 16/26】
...
"My lifespan limit has decreased by one year for each Blood Paper, almost a year's lifespan... Too much of a loss."
"With this lifespan, even if I escape, I'm afraid I won't live for long. This won't do!"
"Although I can't sense the location of my main body, my existence is its 'anchor'. Even if I have to die, I must hold on until my main body wakes up..."
Unfortunately, his main body might sleep for decades or even centuries!
This lifespan was simply not enough!
Fang Xing sighed silently, "As expected, I still have to rely on the Druid's talent..."
After gaining much knowledge, he had learned that at level 5, Druids could acquire a talent called 【Eternal Youth】!
At this stage, not only would Druids retain their youthful appearance forever, but their lifespan would also decrease at a slower rate, becoming about half of what it was before.
This meant that the remaining lifespan could be doubled!
"In this world, Qi-sensing cultivators have a lifespan similar to ordinary people, or even shorter... But at the Dao Foundation realm, even a lower-level Dao Foundation cultivator can easily live past two hundred years... If they also have the 5th-level Druid profession, they can live for four hundred years!"
Fang Xing's eyes lit up, "Furthermore, the 【Eternal Youth】 talent can be upgraded. At level 15, it will evolve into 【Ageless Body】, reducing the rate of lifespan loss to one-fifth!"
"At level 20, it will become the 【Immortal Body】 talent! Lifespan loss will be reduced to one-tenth!"
"In other words, even with an ordinary person's lifespan, one can live for a thousand years!"
"If it's the Dao Foundation realm, then one can live for two thousand years..."
"With this, at least in terms of lifespan, there's not much to worry about. Even if I lose a few years now, advancing in the Druid profession and breaking through in this world's cultivation realm will also increase my lifespan..."
"The next thing to consider is how to escape the current predicament."
The first thing Fang Xing thought of was not to reveal his talent but to escape!
After all, the Blood Shadow Sect was an evil cult, not a place suitable for living or staying long-term.
Moreover, the Druid's advancement required closeness to nature, not the cultivation of evil arts or fighting.
"With the level of defense in this valley, ordinary people can't escape, but if I advance by one level, the problem won't be too big..."
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
