Chapter 73

"Congratulations to the reincarnated Jiang Chen for completing the side mission: Learning Maoshan magic and reaching the beginner level before the main mission ends. You have received a doubled expansion of your wristwatch space. The process has now begun......"

"The wristwatch space has been successfully doubled in size: It is now eight cubic meters. You can adjust the length, width, and height according to your wishes. You can store objects without consciousness, as long as they do not exceed the space limit. You can expand the space by completing specific missions. You can take items from the space out of the reincarnation world......"

"Side mission two has been activated: Use the Daoist magic you have learned to subdue a ghost or monster on your own. Upon completion, you will receive a contract token, allowing you to contract any ghost or monster to become your assistant, accompanying you through various realms to complete reincarnation missions. If you fail, you will be mute for one thousand days, regardless of the reincarnation world."

As the starry sky in his mind formed, the information transmitted by the reincarnation wristwatch shook Jiang Chen's spirit, and he immediately woke up from his meditative state.

"Is this the spiritual root I have created? Why is it a starry sky?" Jiang Chen subconsciously chanted a Daoist spell and immediately felt the difference from before. Previously, although he had accumulated magical power in his body, he could not use it. But now, with a thought, the magical power stored in his mind could be mobilized at will, like true qi or gang force. However, compared to true qi and gang force, magical power was clearly more interesting to him.

Seeing that it was still some time before dawn, he eagerly took out the Maoshan Daoist magic that Uncle Nine had given him and began to study and practice. Since he now had magical power, it would be a waste not to learn a few powerful spells. Besides, he still had a side mission to complete.

Opening the Maoshan Daoist magic manual, he could clearly see various spells listed, mostly for exorcism, subduing monsters, and guiding the spirits of the dead. The power of the spells was closely related to the depth of the practitioner's cultivation: those with weak magical power could only use various tools to cast spells, and their power was limited. However, those with high cultivation could use various spells effortlessly, and their every move could have the power to move mountains and seas.

Well, Jiang Chen was only just a beginner, far from the level of moving mountains and seas. Even Uncle Nine, who had practiced for decades, had not yet reached the point where he could cast spells without external tools, let alone him. What he needed to do now was to select a few useful spells to practice for emergencies.

Heavenly Eye: This was the first spell he chose to practice, and it was a must. Before one's cultivation is complete, ordinary eyes cannot see through ghosts and monsters. Only by cultivating the Heavenly Eye can one see through the yin and yang and discern the true nature of ghosts and monsters.

Spirit Suppressing Spell: A spell that uses talismans to immobilize ghosts and monsters. Of course, if practiced to a high level, one can use it without talismans.

Fire Control Spell: A spell that can also be cast using talismans. The fire controlled is not ordinary fire but true fire ignited by the practitioner's magical power. At a high level, one can control earth fire, heaven fire, and even the three pure fires, which are extremely powerful.

Object Control Spell: A spell that allows one to control objects from a distance. It requires a relatively high level of magical power. At a high level, one can control objects from a distance and even control various flying swords and magical treasures.

Well, although the advanced levels of these spells are recorded in the manual, they are theoretical. For Jiang Chen, these levels are still far away. Fortunately, he was not one to aim too high, so he quietly began to study and practice.

Time passed silently. Early the next morning, Uncle Nine took Qiu Sheng and Wen Cai to Ren Fa's house to discuss finding a new grave for Old Master Ren. As for Jiang Chen, Uncle Nine, seeing that he had already condensed his spiritual root and was at a critical point in his cultivation, left him alone in the mortuary to practice diligently.

As Jiang Chen had anticipated, after condensing his spiritual root with 365 strands of magical power, his magical power was now abundant, surpassing Qiu Sheng and Wen Cai and approaching Uncle Nine, who had practiced for decades. With a solid foundation of magical power, he was able to practice Daoist magic relatively quickly.

As the saying goes, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Although he did not know when he would reach a high level, he had taken the first step.

"You two rascals! Did your master teach you magic to play tricks on people? Both of you, squat in a horse stance for two hours!"

While Jiang Chen was immersed in practicing Daoist magic, he suddenly heard Uncle Nine's angry voice. Although he was inside, he could clearly sense the anger in Uncle Nine's tone. His mind relaxed for a moment, and he immediately woke up from his meditation.

Although he was eager to practice Daoist magic, Jiang Chen knew that one should not go to extremes. He got up and opened the door, only to see Uncle Nine holding a bamboo stick, watching Qiu Sheng and Wen Cai squat in a horse stance in the courtyard. Any slight movement from them, and he would lash out with the stick.

Although he had a vague idea of what had happened, Jiang Chen still asked, "Brother, did Qiu Sheng and Wen Cai upset you again?"

"Indeed," Uncle Nine, seeing Jiang Chen, angrily recounted what the two had done. It turned out that not only were Qiu Sheng and Wen Cai interested in Ren Tingting, but her cousin Ah Wei also had his eye on her. Ah Wei was the captain of the town's police force, and Qiu Sheng and Wen Cai knew they couldn't match him physically, so they used magic to trick him.

Ah Wei ended up slapping himself and taking off his clothes, embarrassing himself in front of the Ren family. This made Uncle Nine very angry. After all, Maoshan magic was meant to subdue demons and ghosts, not to be used against ordinary people, which violated the rules of Maoshan.

Jiang Chen agreed with this. Although Qiu Sheng and Wen Cai's antics were funny in the story, their actions were actually a major taboo for practitioners.

However, while he thought this, he was relieved that they had not used their magic to do anything truly heinous. So, he pleaded for them, "Brother, although they were wrong, you have scolded and punished them. Why not forgive them?"

"No," Uncle Nine was particularly strict about this matter. He sternly said, "You two, stay here and squat until evening. Do not get up."

"Yes," Qiu Sheng and Wen Cai, sensing the unusual seriousness in Uncle Nine's tone, quickly responded.

Jiang Chen gave them a helpless look and then turned to Uncle Nine, "Brother, I have started to study and practice Maoshan magic and need to use the power of talismans. Please give me more guidance."

"Oh," Uncle Nine was surprised at first, then he reached out and touched Jiang Chen's forehead, saying with admiration, "I didn't expect that your foundation would be so solid. You are indeed a genius who condensed your spiritual root with 365 strands of magical power. Although you have practiced for a short time, your magical power is already comparable to mine."

After his praise, he smiled and said, "Magical power is the foundation of Daoist magic. Now that your magical power is complete, practicing Daoist magic will be smooth sailing. Very good, I will teach you how to draw talismans."

"Thank you, Brother." Jiang Chen quickly responded with a smile. After all, while a solid foundation could give an advantage in practicing Daoist magic, drawing talismans required a master's guidance to understand the key points. This was the difference between having a master and practicing on one's own.

"Let's go to the main hall." Uncle Nine immediately led Jiang Chen to the main hall, glancing back at Qiu Sheng and Wen Cai, who were making faces, and sternly said, "You two, take this seriously, or you won't have dinner."

Seeing their master's anger, Qiu Sheng and Wen Cai immediately wilted, and they could only squat in a horse stance, heads hanging low, waiting for night to fall......

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