Chapter 44: Don’t Celebrate Too Soon
Chapter 44: Don’t Celebrate Too Soon
The sharp blade of the dagger rested gently against the ring finger of Gao Jing’s left hand.
It was ready to cut at any moment.
Gao Jing’s hand holding the dagger trembled slightly!
He had worked so hard to gain the trust of the Giant, all for this single opportunity.
If the test result showed he had no talent…
Gao Jing knew he would be utterly, utterly disappointed.
This kind of disappointment couldn’t be fixed with money!
Taking a deep breath, Gao Jing suddenly smiled. “Shaman Chief, is one drop of my blood enough?”
One drop of blood from a Giant was very different from one drop of his own blood.
The Elder Shaman remained expressionless. “Perhaps it is enough.”
Perhaps…
Gritting his teeth, Gao Jing forcefully sliced the pad of his finger.
The gleaming, cold blade cut his skin, and bright red blood instantly welled up.
In a blink, it gathered into a drop and fell.
It landed perfectly in the very center of the Talisman Placard.
The wound on Gao Jing’s finger then closed shut, stopping the bleeding.
This wouldn’t happen with an ordinary person.
But Gao Jing was used to it; his focus was entirely on the Talisman Placard.
Nervous. Hopeful!
As the blood fell into the groove, the wooden Talisman Placard instantly absorbed it completely.
It left behind no trace at all.
Like a drop of water vanishing into the desert.
But the very next moment, a bright light suddenly shone from the surface of the wooden placard!
Each rune line shimmered.
A fiery crimson orb leapt out, hovering serenely above the Talisman Placard.
Immediately after, the Talisman Placard “spat” out another orb, milky white.
The two differently colored orbs, perfectly matching in size, drew together and spun rapidly around each other.
In an instant, they merged into one.
Forming a pattern strangely similar to the Tai Chi symbol!
Before Gao Jing could get a clear look, the newly merged orb dissolved into scattered starlight.
What did this mean?
Gao Jing couldn’t help but look towards the Elder Shaman.
The Elder Shaman was also staring intently at the Talisman Placard.
His expression was complicated.
There was shock, confusion, and also a flicker of realization!
“Your bloodline…”
The old Giant said solemnly, “Possesses the Source Essence of both ‘Fire’ and ‘Spirit’!”
Dual Source Essence!
For an instant, Gao Jing felt like he’d been struck by gold falling from the sky.
Massive joy surged through him.
His very soul trembled.
All the tension and expectation from moments before were completely transformed into happiness and excitement!
Too good!!!
If the Elder Shaman hadn’t been present, Gao Jing would have roared out loud to release the excitement boiling within him.
Tap! Tap!
The Elder Shaman tapped his pipe against the wooden table.
He poured cold water on Gao Jing’s dizzy excitement: “Don’t celebrate too soon. From what I know, even if you Abyssal Descendants possess the right talent, the chance of actually succeeding in Cultivation to become a Shaman is much lower.”
Gao Jing calmed down a little. “Whether I succeed or not, I am truly grateful for your help!”
Even if the chance was only 1%, he was willing to give it 100% effort!
He might fail. It might cost him dearly.
But Gao Jing had no regrets!
“This path is not easy to walk…”
The Elder Shaman hesitated, seeming to hold something back. “First, become a qualified Totem Warrior.”
Huh?
Gao Jing suddenly felt like he’d won the grand prize, only to discover he’d gotten the smallest possible reward.
He was a man who wanted to become a Totem Witch!
What sort of nonsense was a “qualified Totem Warrior”?
He wanted to be a Spell Master!!
“Although you possess the ‘Spirit’ Source Essence…”
The Elder Shaman easily saw through Gao Jing’s thoughts.
He explained seriously: “But Cultivating as a Shaman consumes life-force as payment. Without a strong body, your lifespan would be greatly shortened.”
According to the Elder Shaman, most Shamans among the Great Wilderness Humans progressed along the path: Ordinary Warrior to Totem Warrior, and then finally to Shaman.
Even if you only possessed the ‘Spirit’ Source Essence, you still needed to forge a powerful physique first.
Otherwise, an early death was certain!
Shan Yan, before he became a Shaman, had been an Upper-Rank Totem Warrior.
Otherwise, he simply wouldn’t have lived this long.
Gao Jing’s difficulty was that most Shamans were tested for Source Essence as children and then began corresponding Cultivation exercises.
He had missed the best time period for Cultivation as a Warrior.
He was practically old dried meat already.
“But among our Great Wilderness Humans, many become Totem Warriors only after reaching adulthood.”
The Elder Shaman offered comfort. “So you still have hope.”
Gao Jing nodded firmly, his determination solid.
This small setback wasn’t enough to shake his confidence or resolve!
“Wait here.”
The Elder Shaman left the wooden house.
The old Giant returned very soon.
He brought Gao Jing a new book – the Great Wilderness Combat Manual!
This leather-bound tome was considerably thicker than “Chronicles of the Great Wilderness”. The four large characters on its cover looked wild, sharp, and aggressive.
They immediately reignited Gao Jing’s spirit, which had been briefly dimmed.
Look on the bright side.
Even if he ultimately couldn’t advance to become a Totem Witch, becoming a Totem Warrior would be more than worth the price.
A Totem Warrior was also someone extraordinary!
Unable to resist, Gao Jing reached out and pressed a hand against the cover of the “Great Wilderness Combat Manual”, a strong impulse rising within him.
His fingers felt the rough, unique texture of the leather. The book seemed full of importance, almost legendary.
Like the sacred martial arts texts of myth: “Nine-Yang Divine Power”, “Buddha’s Palm”, “Cosmic Displacement”, “Six-Pulse Divine Sword”, “The Player’s Handbook”…
“I gift this Martial Manual to you.”
The Elder Shaman smiled kindly. “I bought five copies back then in the City of Ten Thousand Kings, costing only fifteen Shell Coins in total.”
Gao Jing: “…”
So it was bought wholesale!
Gao Jing remembered the Elder Shaman once told him how he’d been tricked when first traveling to the City of Ten Thousand Kings, spending thirty Shell Coins for a copy of the “Chronicles of the Great Wilderness” worth only two coins.
He probably learned a lesson from that, buying the “Great Wilderness Combat Manual” at wholesale price as a good bargain.
No wonder he was smiling so happily now!
Gao Jing silently grumbled to himself, but bowed deeply in gratitude. “Thank you for your generosity.”
He might grumble, but his gratitude to the Elder Shaman was sincere.
He definitely owed him a huge favor.
“It’s nothing.”
The Elder Shaman waved dismissively. “But practicing the Great Wilderness Combat Manual is best done with guidance.”
“I am too old now, not suitable to be your tutor. So, starting tomorrow…”
“Shan Guoer will be your teacher.”
Huh?
Gao Jing’s jaw nearly dropped, his eyes wide in disbelief. “Seriously?”
A tutor meant a teacher or mentor who imparted knowledge and skills.
Gao Jing thought if the Elder Shaman couldn’t teach him, then someone like Shan Tai, a tribe warrior, would take on the task.
Never, ever did he expect it would be Shan Guoer!
Was this a joke?!
The Elder Shaman smiled. “Within our tribe, there isn’t anyone younger than Shan Guoer who has practiced the Great Wilderness Combat Manual.”
Gao Jing had nothing to say.
He could only express his thanks again.
Just imagining the scene of the little girl teaching him martial arts made him feel a little dizzy.