Reborn as Xu Xuan, Plundering Perks & Flooding the Mountain Ling - Chapter 27

Chapter 27: Judging by Appearance! Can This Guy Make It?

“What is that?”

Xu Xuan followed the glow with his eyes, and his gaze immediately brightened. It was a four-foot-long metal short staff, about the thickness of an egg. One end of the staff had an armour-piercing spike nearly a foot long, while the other end was jagged and uneven as if a long weapon had been forcefully severed in half.

But this alone wasn’t enough to shock Xu Xuan. What truly stunned him was—this short staff had an inscription! This was the first time Xu Xuan had ever seen an inscribed weapon. Even the Treasure-tier three-bladed spear of Xuan Yang Zhenren had never displayed any attributes.

[Shattered Spear]

[Level: ???]

[Inscriptions: ???, ???, Weak Spellbreaker (Green)]

[The weapon is broken. Do you want to extract its inscription?]

He couldn’t even see what rank the original spear had been, and Weak Spellbreaker was merely a white-tier inscription. From what Xu Xuan knew, its effect should be extremely limited. However, the implications of this discovery were anything but ordinary. While extracting the inscription, Xu Xuan chatted idly with Xuan Yan to pass the time.

“Master Xuan Yan, what’s the story behind this staff?”

Master Xuan Yan paused for a moment, looking puzzled.

“It’s just a broken spear shaft—what story could it have? You might as well take a look at this armour-piercing hammer in my hand. Don’t be fooled by its small size, it weighs 800kg. If you suddenly swing it out from your sleeve, doesn’t matter if it’s a man or a monster, they’ll all be screaming…”

Ding!

A crisp system notification rang out—the inscription had been successfully extracted. Just as Xu Xuan had expected, the storage room’s contents had been thoroughly scavenged already. Other than being tough and fire-resistant, the broken spear was nothing special. Its awkward size made it unsuitable as a spear or a sword. If it hadn’t carried an inscription, Xu Xuan wouldn’t have even glanced at it. Now that the extraction was complete, it was completely worthless. He set the spear shaft aside and took the armour-piercing hammer from Master Xuan Yan.

To his surprise, this really was a rare treasure amid the junk heap. It wasn’t suitable as a main weapon, but it would make an excellent concealed weapon. Armed with both a sword and a hammer, Xu Xuan returned to his room and eagerly opened the system panel.

[Weak Spellbreaker (Green): Grants a minor ability to break spells.]

[This is a general-use inscription. Please select an equipment target.]

A general-use inscription? I can choose where to equip it?

With Xu Xuan’s extensive experience from his past life, he instantly grasped the meaning.

This means I can use this inscription not just on myself, but also on objects? So if I apply this to a table, does that mean… the table will gain spellbreaking properties? If I put it on…

His thoughts wandered, and he glanced downward at his little brother. Shaking his head vigorously, he quickly banished the absurd notion.

I cultivate the Woodborn Azure Dragon Qi, and the Celestial Emperor’s Tiger Subduing Sutra already has spellbreaking effects. This inscription’s greatest value is in enhancing a weapon.

Without hesitation, Xu Xuan assigned the inscription to the Po Yue Sword, his primary weapon. The stronger, the better. With his weapon prepared, he went to the Talisman Sect to purchase some charms. As for pills… As the chief disciple of the Alchemy Sect, how could he possibly lack such things? At dawn, Xu Xuan shouldered his bag and arrived at the Shangqing Palace early. The other three disciples assigned to the exorcism mission were already waiting.

“Xu Xuan greets Uncle Xuan Zhen, and greets my two fellow disciples.”

Before him stood an elder and two disciples, all from the Combat Sect. Each one was broad-shouldered, thick-armed, and bulging with muscle. Their blue and black Daoist robes stretched tight over their bodies, looking as if they could tear apart at any moment.

“Let’s go! We’ll talk on the way.”

Master Xuan Zhen was an impatient type. With a wave of his wide sleeve, he set off immediately. The four of them soared through the air, descending at the mountain gate where a carriage was already waiting. However, for just four people, there were two carriages, quite an extravagant arrangement.

But, Xu Xuan soon realized that even two might not be enough. Master Xuan Zhen placed his Coiling Dragon Staff onto a carriage, and the entire vehicle visibly sank under its weight. Following suit, Jing Xu, Jing Xuan, and Xu Xuan also loaded their baggage and weapons. Upon seeing Xu Xuan’s enormous sword case, Jing Xuan couldn’t help but tease:

“Junior Brother Xu, as an Alchemy Sect disciple, shouldn’t you be bringing more medicinal ingredients? Why are you carrying so many weapons? Are you afraid we can’t protect you?”

Xu Xuan merely smiled and didn’t respond.

Having spent considerable time with Master Xuan Yuan and sparred with many Combat Sect disciples, he knew their temperament well. They were naturally competitive, a good beating solved everything. The group travelled without breaks, and by nightfall, they had arrived at Ganzhou. At the city gate, a group of officials was already waiting anxiously.

“Honored Daoists, we have been eagerly awaiting your arrival! This… um…”

Xuan Zhen’s face darkened in irritation.

“If you have something to say, speak properly. Must we keep guessing?”

Xu Xuan chuckled, stepping in to ease the tension.

“My lord, just take me to Lord Wang. As for my uncle and fellow disciples, please arrange for their rest and a meal.”

The official cast Xu Xuan a grateful look, bowing deeply. Lord Wang was on the verge of death, and he naturally wanted the Daoists to see him immediately. But after such a long journey, it would have been rude to deny them even a sip of water. Xu Xuan’s intervention resolved the dilemma. Even though he had spoken out of turn, Xuan Zhen didn’t mind. As a battle fanatic, Xuan Zhen only cared about finding and fighting the demon. He had no patience for formalities and diplomacy.

“This is my junior nephew, Xu Xuan, chief of the Alchemy Sect. If it’s about treating an illness, just ask him.”

The official bowed repeatedly and led Xuan Zhen and the others away to rest.

“Master Xu, this way, please!”

Xu Xuan followed the official through several corridors, soon arriving at Lord Wang’s residence. By this time, Lord Wang’s family had been waiting anxiously at the entrance. However, upon seeing Xu Xuan’s youthful face, their expressions twisted with doubt.

“Wenbo, are you sure you found the right person? This man looks so young…”

The speaker was Madam Li, Lord Wang’s wife—and also the official Li Wenbo’s cousin. Hearing this, Li Wenbo quickly stepped forward.

“Cousin, do not be disrespectful. I just heard from the elder himself that Master Xu is the chief of the Alchemy Sect of Mount Longhu.”

Lowering his voice, he added, “…Besides, Lord Wang is at death’s door. This might be his only chance.”

Madam Li, flustered, nodded hastily and forced a smile.

“Yes, yes, that was my mistake! Master Xu, please, come inside!”

Xu Xuan shook his head with a quiet chuckle. No matter the era, judging by appearances was unavoidable. Did a physician have to have a long beard to be trustworthy?

What he didn’t know was, he wasn’t just being judged by Lord Wang’s wife. In the darkness, a strange black shadow also observed him coldly.

“So, Mount Longhu looks down on people, huh? They send a mere greenhorn to undo the poison I’ve been refining for three hundred years? What a joke—an absolute fool’s dream!”