Courtyard House: My Long and Hard Body Makes Me Play with All the Women in the Courtyard

Su Ting followed him inside and found a row of small glass bottles on the table, filled with liquids of various colors.

"Before I teach you magic, let's learn some basics first." Old Xiao pointed to the bottles. "These are potions I prepared last night to help you better perceive the flow of energy within your body. Choose one and drink it."

Su Ting looked hesitantly at the various colored liquids. "What's the difference between them?"

"There's no difference, just different colors." Old Xiao shrugged. "People always like the feeling of having a choice."

Su Ting chuckled, picked up a bottle of blue liquid, and drank it down. The liquid tasted strange, both bitter and spicy, but he forced himself to swallow it.

"How does it feel?"

"Aside from being disgusting, there's nothing special about it," Su Ting answered honestly.

"Let's wait and see." Old Xiao sat down and began flipping through a worn notebook. "The effects of the medicine usually take a few minutes to appear."

Sure enough, soon after, Su Ting began to feel a strange warmth spreading from his stomach throughout his body. His senses became unusually sharp, and he could clearly feel the movement of air and even hear the rustling of leaves in the distance.

“It’s much better now,” Su Ting said in surprise. “I feel… a little different.”

"That's because the potion enhances your ability to perceive the energy around you," Old Xiao explained. "The essence of magic is to control and guide this energy."

For the rest of the day, Professor Xiao taught Su Ting the basics of elemental energy. He explained how the four basic elements—fire, water, wind, and earth—constitute the world, and how to perceive their existence through meditation.

"Today, let's practice sensing the fire element." Old Xiao lit a candle and placed it in front of Su Ting. "Stare at the flame, feel its heat, and imagine it resonating with the energy within your body."

Su Ting did as instructed. At first, he only felt his eyes were dry, but as time went on, he seemed to be able to feel a subtle connection between the energy contained in the flames and himself.

“Very good.” Old Xiao nodded. “Now, try to control the flame with your will. Imagine it growing bigger, and then shrinking.”

Su Ting concentrated, trying to control the flame, but the candle simply burned quietly without any change. He tried many times, but all attempts ended in failure.

Chapter 834 Swift Steps

Chapter 834 Swift Steps

"Don't be discouraged, it takes time," Old Xiao comforted him. "You've already established a connection with the fire element; that's the first step. Keep practicing, and one day you'll succeed."

After training, Lao Xiao took Su Ting to the village blacksmith shop. The blacksmith, Lao Zhang, was a burly middle-aged man who seemed somewhat surprised when he saw Lao Xiao.

"Hello, Master Xiao." Old Zhang put down his hammer. "What brings you here?"

“This young man needs a weapon,” Old Xiao said briefly.

Old Zhang looked Su Ting up and down. "He seems suited to swords. I have a few here, would you like to take a look?"

Old Zhang took out several swords, but Old Xiao shook his head and rejected them all. Finally, Old Zhang seemed to remember something and brought out a long, rectangular wooden box from the back room.

"This sword was left behind by a traveler ten years ago, who said it was waiting for a specific person to come and retrieve it. Perhaps... it is the one you are looking for."

He opened the box, inside which was a longsword with an ancient design. The blade was dark red, and flame patterns were engraved on the hilt. The whole sword exuded an ancient and mysterious aura.

Old Xiao picked up the sword, examined it closely, and then handed it to Su Ting. As Su Ting grasped the hilt, a strange feeling welled up inside him, as if the sword had been tailor-made for him.

"We'll take this one," Old Xiao decided. "How much?"

"That traveler said that the right person doesn't need to pay," Old Zhang said with a smile. "Looks like you've come to the right place."

On the way back, Su Ting asked curiously, "Is there anything special about this sword?"

“It’s a fine sword, made of a special material that’s perfect for channeling fire elemental energy,” Old Xiao explained. “It’s just right for you. However, how effective it is depends on the user’s skill.”

The second day of training was even more arduous. Old Xiao not only required Su Ting to continue practicing controlling the flames, but also taught him how to use the newly acquired longsword.

“Spells are important, but until you fully master them, swordsmanship will be your primary means of self-defense.” Old Xiao said, taking out one of his swords. “Come on, let me see your basic skills.”

Although Su Ting had never formally studied swordsmanship, he had practiced some basic movements with the guards in the city. He assumed a stance and began sparring with Old Xiao.

Old Xiao's movements seemed slow, but every move was incredibly precise. After a few rounds, Su Ting's sword was knocked to the ground.

"Your foundation is good, but you rely too much on strength and are not flexible enough," Old Xiao commented. "Remember, the sword is an extension of your body, not just a weapon."

And so, under Lao Xiao's guidance, Su Ting spent three fulfilling and intense days. Although his progress was limited, he was already able to sense the fire element energy within his body, and could even make the candle flame flicker slightly.

The night before his departure, Lao Xiao gave Su Ting a small cloth bag.

"Here are some herbs and talismans that can be used in emergencies. Remember, magic is just a tool; what truly matters is the user's mindset and judgment."

“I understand.” Su Ting solemnly accepted the cloth bag.

"Also," Old Xiao hesitated for a moment, "if you meet a man named Lin Qing on your journey, tell him that Old Xiao said the stars still shine, and he will help you."

Who is Lin Qing?

“An old friend.” Old Xiao’s gaze drifted into the distance. “If you’re lucky, you might run into him in Wangyue Town at the foot of the mountain.”

On the morning of the third day, Su Ting, carrying a simple bag, set off with Lao Xiao on their journey to the Black Stone Mountains. Although Lao Xiao was advanced in years, he walked briskly and showed no signs of fatigue.

Chapter 835 The seal happened five hundred years ago.

Chapter 835 The seal happened five hundred years ago.

Not long after leaving the village, Su Ting suddenly felt uneasy. Looking back, he saw a cloud of black mist slowly moving in the direction of the forest.

"Old Xiao, what's that?"

Old Xiao looked in the direction he was pointing, his expression changing drastically. "Oh no, it's an infected biome. The Shadow Seed's influence is spreading faster than I thought. We need to speed things up."

The two quickened their pace, heading towards the distant mountains. However, the black mist seemed to have spotted them, changed direction, and slowly but steadily approached them.

The black mist slowly approached, and Su Ting gripped the longsword at his waist, his heart pounding. Old Xiao's expression was grave, a hint of worry flashing in his eyes.

“They sensed us,” Old Xiao said in a low voice, “especially you, because you’ve been in contact with infected creatures.”

"What should we do?" Su Ting asked, his gaze never leaving the approaching mass of black mist.

After a moment's thought, Lao Xiao took out a small bottle from his pocket, containing a liquid that shimmered with silver light. "This is my last Moon Dew, which can temporarily dispel shadow energy."

He handed the bottle to Su Ting, "Open the bottle when they get close, but don't waste it, the effect only lasts a few minutes. Once the black fog dissipates, we must escape immediately."

As the black mist drew closer, Su Ting could make out the vague figures within—twisted and deformed animals, some resembling wolves, others seemingly deer, all with unnatural limbs and whiskers, their eyes emitting an eerie purple light.

When the distance was reduced to about fifty meters, Lao Xiao whispered, "Now!"

Su Ting uncorked the bottle, and the silver liquid immediately transformed into a mist of light, spreading outwards. Upon contact with this light, the black mist hissed as if burned, quickly retreating. The infected creatures howled in pain and scattered in all directions.

"Let's go!" Old Xiao pulled Su Ting and ran towards the path ahead.

The two ran for about ten minutes until they were sure the creatures weren't chasing them, then they slowed down and rested, panting.

"Why are they so sensitive to moonshine?" Su Ting asked.

“The Seed of Shadows originates from darkness, and the energy contained in moonlight is its nemesis.” Old Xiao adjusted his breathing. “However, Moon Dew is extremely difficult to make. It requires collecting specific dew on a full moon night and then undergoing complex processing. This bottle of mine was made many years ago, and its potency has weakened.”

Continuing their journey, the two avoided the main roads and followed the trails. Old Xiao explained that the infected creatures mainly congregated in areas with frequent human activity, making the secluded paths safer.

As dusk fell, they set up camp in a small grove of trees. Old Xiao drew a circle around the camp with a twig, then sprinkled some powder on it and whispered a few incantations. The powder emitted a faint blue light, forming a protective circle.

"This can stop ordinary wild beasts and weak infected creatures, but it's not very effective against powerful enemies." After saying this, Old Xiao started a fire.

Su Ting gathered some firewood and watched as Old Xiao skillfully lit a campfire with a flint. In the firelight, the old man's face was etched with the marks of time, but his eyes remained sharp.

"Why did you help me?" Su Ting suddenly asked. "You could have stayed peacefully in the village."

Old Xiao was silent for a moment, then looked into the distance. "Because of responsibility. Fifty years ago, I was also one of the seven mages who sealed the Shadow Seed."

Su Ting looked at him in surprise, "You said the seal happened five hundred years ago."

Chapter 836 After finishing a simple lunch

Chapter 836 After finishing a simple lunch

“That was the first seal.” Old Xiao sighed. “The power of the Shadow Seed far exceeded our imagination. The first seal began to weaken after 450 years. At that time, seven mages reinforced the seal again, and I was one of them.”

"Then why is it broken again now?"

“Under normal circumstances, the reinforced seal should last for hundreds of years,” Old Xiao said in a low voice. “But if someone deliberately damages it, it’s a different story.”

The campfire crackled, illuminating the two men's pensive faces. Old Xiao continued, "Thirty years ago, one of our seven, a mage named Mo Yan, developed a strong interest in the Shadow Seed. He believed its power could be used to create a new system of magic. We vehemently opposed it, which ultimately led to a disagreement. Mo Yan left, and we haven't heard from him since."

"You believe he broke the seal?"

"I'm not sure. But if it really is him, the situation is far more complicated than it seems. Mo Yan is the most talented mage I've ever met, and his research into shadow energy is the most in-depth."

The conversation turned to practical matters, and Lao Xiao explained the route to the Black Rock Mountains to Su Ting in detail. They needed to first reach Wangyue Town, then head north through the secluded valley, and finally climb the Black Rock Mountains.

"The whole trip will take about a week, if all goes well," Lao Xiao said, "but considering the potential dangers, it could actually take longer."

Su Ting nodded, silently noting down this information.

It was late at night. Old Xiao was on his first shift, and Su Ting lay down to rest. He closed his eyes, but couldn't fall asleep. Just as he was about to drift off, that deep voice would appear again, calling his name.

The next morning, the two packed up their campsite and continued their journey. After two days of smooth travel, they finally saw the outline of Wangyue Town.

Wangyue Town is nestled in a small valley, surrounded by low hills. The town is small, but the buildings are neat and orderly, showing a certain prosperity.

Upon entering the town, Su Ting noticed that the streets were sparsely populated, and the pedestrians seemed to be in a hurry. Most of the shops had their doors and windows closed, with only a few barely open. An eerie silence enveloped the entire town.

“Something’s not right here,” Old Xiao said in a low voice. “Wangyue Town is usually very lively, especially at this time of year, when there should be many caravans passing through.”

They found a small pub that was still open and went inside. There were only a few customers inside, all sitting alone in a corner, drinking with their heads down, the atmosphere heavy and oppressive.

"What would you two like to drink?" the bartender asked, forcing a smile.