Starting with the titmouse, seventy-two transformations

Chapter 14 Questioning the Heart
It's dark.

Liu Sheng carried a bushel of fine rice and returned home under the cover of night.

They avoided being noticed all the way.

He planned to develop his skills quietly before the Tong family found out, and he didn't want to attract too much attention.

Now that there are two more people in the family, this shi of rice (about 150 jin) will probably last for about a month.

In addition, the basket also contained seasonings such as soy sauce, vinegar, salt, and chili peppers, costing less than one and a half taels of silver in total.

Compared to buying a mythical beast, the price of the black satin robe is... incredibly cheap.

This trip to the county town yielded two successful goals and was very rewarding.

In particular, the newly acquired "Iron Scale Serpent" incarnation has significantly enhanced his strength.

Not only are the two talents that enhance the original body extremely useful, but after the transformation, it becomes ridiculously strong. It can fight, withstand attacks, and release poison. As long as it is not specifically targeted by certain snake medicines, it is almost invincible among its peers.

In addition, he also successfully entered some shops that he couldn't get into last time, such as pawnshops, jewelry stores, and gold and silver shops, and reaped a wave of spiritual points.

Name: Liu Sheng
[Dao Fruit]: Seventy-two Transformations
[Talent]: Bird's Eyes, Natural Swordsman, Serpent Form, Iron Scales

[Cultivation Level]: Qi and Blood Realm (Sensing Qi)

[Avatar]: Blade-tailed Azure Bird (can be incorporated into spiritual essence deduction), Iron-scaled Serpent (can be incorporated into spiritual essence deduction)
[Spiritual Essence]: 162
"Manager Xu from the pawnshop said that they usually send the good items they receive in the outer city to the inner city..."

Liu Sheng glanced at the panel, recalling the situation at the time, a strange light flashing in his eyes.

He visited three shops today, but the amount of spirit points he gained was actually less than he had expected.

Based on what this person said, it can be roughly inferred that the truly valuable ancient artifacts in Shanyang County are probably all concentrated in the inner city.

Unfortunately, ordinary people need a pass to enter and exit the inner city, so he can't go in for the time being.

However, with these 162 points of spiritual energy, it should be enough to evolve an avatar into a spirit or monster... right?

Recalling the terrifying experience of the last simulation, Liu Sheng felt a headache coming on.

But he also knew that this process, which was almost like the evolution of life, was going against the will of heaven, and failure was a very high probability event.

Only through repeated trial and error, and failure, can we grasp that tiny glimmer of hope.

Therefore, we must collect spiritual points in large quantities and take it slowly; there's no need to rush.

After dinner, the family chatted around the oil lamp. Liu Sheng took out the bamboo dragonfly he had bought in the West Market, which made Er Ya extremely happy.

The little girl's cheerful laughter drifted through the yard.

"Our family... hasn't been this happy in many years."

In the firelight, Granny Liu smiled, and the wrinkles on her face seemed to have faded considerably.

Speaking of her family's past, she sighed, her eyes filled with nostalgia.

Back then, the Liu family was a wealthy and extravagant household in the surrounding villages, owning more than ten acres of land and building this single-entrance courtyard house.

But later, a series of misfortunes befell them, and their family fortunes declined...

First, the son and daughter-in-law encountered a mountain spirit on their way to visit their relatives and both disappeared.

Then, Grandpa Liu suddenly fell seriously ill and was bedridden for many years, leaving all the burdens of the family on his shoulders as a woman.

Faced with ruthless and cunning local gentry and officials, and the various exorbitant taxes levied by the imperial court, she was all alone and helpless, and could only keep selling off her property...

Over the course of more than a decade, I endured countless grievances, cold shoulders, and difficulties, but I persevered through sheer grit and determination.

Looking at her grandson's handsome face and upright figure, she couldn't help but shed tears as she spoke.

Seeing this, Liu Sheng held her hand, comforted her repeatedly, and assured her that life at home would get better and better.

"I'm an old woman, so it doesn't matter whether life is good or bad."

Granny Liu grasped Liu Sheng's hand in return, her gaze shifting between him and Liu Yu, and said softly:

"My only wish now is that the Liu family will have descendants and that the family line will continue..." Upon hearing this, Liu Sheng was both amused and exasperated.

As expected of a wise and experienced old lady, you've even come up with a clever way to induce childbirth!

He mentally cursed, then instinctively glanced at Liu Yu, only to meet her alluring gaze...

With rosy cheeks and a spring-like look in her eyes, is this woman also thinking the same thing?
Wait a minute, so you two... planned this all along while I was in the county town, right?
With things having come to this point, what else can Liu Sheng do?
The only thing I can do is... teach you everything I know!
This ordeal lasted all night.

The young wife was determined to produce an heir for the Liu family, and despite repeated setbacks, she persevered until nearly dawn before finally falling into a deep sleep.

"Strange, how did I become so much stronger?"

Liu Sheng looked down, completely baffled.

Could it be... because it refined the incarnation of the "Iron Scale Serpent"?

After all, snakes are inherently lustful.

He glanced at the sky outside the window; there wasn't enough time to deduce the situation. He could only get up, dress, pick up his long sword, and head straight for the back of the village…
-
Forest glade.

When Wu Song saw his disciple rushing over, his face lit up with joy at first, but then, as if he had caught a whiff of something, he sniffed and his expression immediately turned cold.

"Master."

Liu Sheng, oblivious to everything, stopped and bowed. After waiting for a while without receiving a response, he glanced at her out of the corner of his eye…

They caught a glimpse of Wu Song's scarred face, a half-smile playing on his lips.

"Women are fun, aren't they? Much more enjoyable than martial arts training..."

Uh…

Liu Sheng was speechless, unsure how to answer, when suddenly a harsh scolding voice rang in his ears:

"Lustful blades and swords, intent on slaying ordinary men, secretly wither and destroy their flesh and bones!"

"You are so young, at the prime of your life. If you become obsessed with beauty, even with your exceptional talent, your achievements will be limited."

"That woman dares to ruin my disciple's future! I'll go and kill her right now!"

Liu Sheng was shocked. Good heavens, are you all this violent?
He's always threatening to kill people...

That's how the old lady is, and that's how you are too, Master...

Can't we just talk things out?

Seeing Wu Song raise his dagger and turn to kill Liu Yu, Liu Sheng was startled and quickly grabbed his leg:
"Master, please let me explain, Yu Niang is also..."

"It was your grandmother's wish! To continue the family line and have descendants is human nature, and there's nothing wrong with that..."

Wu Song stamped his foot, glanced at Liu Sheng, and a smirk appeared on his lips:
"However, now that you have successfully sensed Qi and embarked on the path of martial arts, you should have greater ambitions and must not become obsessed with women."

Moreover, you are exceptionally gifted, a one-in-a-million natural swordsman, and should ride across the land, roaming the world.

"Whether you choose to stay in the countryside, tending a few acres of land and dying there, or brave the rapids and make a name for yourself... you must think it through carefully!"

These words struck Liu Sheng like a thunderclap, leaving him dazed and cold sweat pouring down his back.

After realizing that he had awakened his cheat ability, he had been doing very well, especially after refining the "Iron Scale Serpent" yesterday, which made him a little complacent.

You have to understand that Tong Bapi's threat has always been there. How could he not investigate after his trusted steward died?
Once he finds even the slightest clue, a furious and relentless revenge will follow!

Can I manage to support my entire family on my own?
And the tiger threat in the mountains is escalating, and we don't know when it might invade the village...

Just as the master asked, is it better to grow old and die in obscurity in the countryside, or to brave the rapids and make a name for oneself?

You must think this through carefully!
Liu Sheng took a deep breath, stepped back two paces, and bowed deeply to Wu Song:
"Thank you for your teachings, Master. I know I was wrong. I will work hard from now on and never slack off."

"If you know your mistakes and can correct them, there is no greater good."

Wu Song nodded, glanced at the sky, and his expression turned serious:
"Today, you will practice for an extra hour."

(End of this chapter)