SEC 037 Leveling Up Trivial Matters
037 Leveling Up Trivial Matters
Zhang Guolao, in real history, was named Zhang Guo, and was given the title "Lao" (meaning "old") because of his advanced age. He was a Taoist priest from Liangdang, Gansu, who lived in seclusion in the Zhongtiao Mountains of Shanxi. He was once summoned to the capital by Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, where he performed various magical arts and was awarded the title of Silver Seal Grand Master and the honorary title of Master Tongxuan.
In mythology, Zhang Guolao is one of the "Eight Immortals," and his classic image is that of an old Taoist priest riding a donkey backwards.
"Lu Ban built the Zhaozhou Bridge, which was sturdy and ingenious, and its fame spread far and wide. Zhang Guolao rode a donkey and Chai Wang pushed a wheelbarrow, both of them came to the bridge to see if it was sturdy enough."
"Emperor Xuanzong of Tang was fond of Taoism and wanted to marry his sister to Zhang Guolao. Zhang Guolao firmly declined and sang, 'Marrying a princess brings you ten times the honor of becoming a duke. People think it's a cause for celebration, but I think it's a cause for fear.' After singing, he rode away backwards on a paper donkey."
These stories have been widely circulated.
As for why the [Bat Cave] is connected to Zhang Guolao?
This originates from a story in the book *Duyi Zhi*.
Emperor Xuanzong of Tang asked the sorcerer Ye Jingneng about the origins of Zhang Guolao. Ye Jingneng replied, "I dare not say, for I will die immediately if I do." He then said, "Zhang Guolao was a white bat spirit from the beginning of chaos." After saying this, he fell to the ground and died. Only after Emperor Xuanzong pleaded for him was Zhang Guolao able to revive him.
With this connection, killing the bat will drop the [Seven-Colored Donkey Paper].
[Red Donkey Paper] is the lowest priced type in the [Seven-Color Donkey Paper] series.
Every three [Red Donkey Paper] can be combined into one [Orange Donkey Paper]. Three [Orange Donkey Paper] can be combined into one [Yellow Donkey Paper]. Then three yellow can be combined into one green, three green into one cyan, three cyan into one blue, and three blue into one purple.
Finally, the three [purple donkey paper] are combined to form [white donkey paper].
According to this calculation, 2187 sheets of "Red Donkey Paper" are needed to synthesize the little white donkey that "Zhang Guolao" can travel ten thousand miles a day.
Such data could only be achieved by someone with an exceptionally strong work ethic.
Li Yu wasn't a hardcore gamer; he came here not for the donkey paper, but only for [martial arts] experience points.
Next, they continued fighting monsters. Li Yu no longer personally lured the monsters; instead, he chose to use the [Resurrection Manual].
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'Giant Axe Skeleton'
[Rank] Not Ranked
[Strength] 39
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A skeleton wielding a bone axe appeared at the entrance of the [Bat Cave]. Under Li Yu's command, it entered the cave and smashed the axe against a swarm of bats on the rock wall.
A loud "chirp chirp chirp" sound arose.
The [Great Axe Skeleton] turned to run, but it was too late. Hundreds of [Cave Bats] swarmed over it, knocking it to the ground. Claws and fangs rained down on it, and in a few breaths it was reduced to a pile of bone fragments.
Then, hundreds of cave bats flew out of the cave, while the rest hung back onto the rock wall.
Li Yu brandished his spear, slaying the bats at the cave entrance one by one.
"[System]: Congratulations to the player for killing the [Ten-Year-Old Green Bat]. You have gained 32 [Martial Arts] experience points."
"[System]: Congratulations to the player for killing the [Cave Bat]. You have gained 3 [Strength] experience points."
"..."
"[System]: Congratulations to the player for reaching level 39 in [Strength]."
"[System]: Congratulations to the player for killing [Twenty-Year-Old Green Bat], gaining 80 [Martial Arts] experience points."
After a fierce battle, Li Yu's [Martial Prowess] increased by one level, but he gained nothing else.
Nearly a hundred cave bats were killed, five ten-year-old blue bats were killed, and one twenty-year-old blue bat of level 59 was killed, but not a single piece of red paper was seen.
With such a low drop rate, even hardcore players like those with liver cirrhosis or hepatic encephalopathy would struggle to keep up.
Fortunately, Li Yu didn't care and continued to summon [skeletons] to lure and kill monsters.
"[System]: Congratulations to player [Spear Mastery] for increasing to (Proficiency 1/10000)."
"[System]: Congratulations to the player for defeating [30-year-old Green Bat], gaining 176 [Martial Arts] experience points."
"[System]: Congratulations, player..."
"[System]: Congratulations to the player for reaching level 42 in [Strength]."
It was past mid-Shenshi (3-5 PM), and dusk was approaching.
Inside the [Bat Cave], a swarm of bats stirred restlessly, and Li Yu retreated with his spear in hand.
In nearly five hours, Li Yu swung his spear two thousand times. Each time, he either killed or knocked down an enemy, achieving his goal.
During this time, when physical strength was insufficient, they would eat some wheat cakes; when energy was insufficient, they would sit down and rest.
They killed over a thousand cave bats, over a hundred ten-year-old blue bats, five twenty-year-old blue bats, and two thirty-year-old blue bats.
[Strength] increased from level 38 to level 42, [Spear Mastery] increased to (Proficiency 1125/10000).
In terms of experience and proficiency, it's satisfactory. However, the "drop rate" is really terrible.
All I have are 5 pieces of [Red Donkey Paper] and some [Night-Shining Sand].
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"Light Ming Sand"
[Rank] Yellow.
[Properties] Traditional Chinese medicine, it can relieve indigestion, promote blood circulation, and improve eyesight.
[Description] The arrow left behind by the [Blue Bat].
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After leaving the Bat Cave, Li Yu first went to the stream south of Gujingyi to take a bath. He also washed his clothes, bronze spear, and lamellar armor.
Next, go into the [square pot] to change into the clean clothes that were prepared beforehand.
Upon entering the pot, one sees [Xuan Shisan Ant] gesturing on the [Immortal Abode Stele] with a pine needle. He's quite skilled, as if practicing spear techniques.
[Xuan Shisan Ant] was overjoyed to see Li Yu. Then suddenly her face turned red, she spat out "Pah!" and jumped away, covering her eyes.
We don't even need the pine needles.
Li Yu was speechless. I'm wearing wet clothes, not naked. What's there to "spit" at?
Hearing the commotion, [Snake Princess] swam out from [Jade Maiden Mountain Temple].
Appearing silently behind Li Yu, it startled him as he was pulling up his pants.
[Snake Princess] raised the stone sword in her hand, and Li Yu immediately understood what she meant—she wanted to spar.
Li Yu shook his head and refused, saying he was tired and wouldn't play. [Snake Princess] immediately fell silent.
Just as Li Yu was about to leave the pot and return to Chen Wangli, his stomach rumbled, and he was hungry.
Li Yu thought for a moment, then took the stone sword from [Snake Princess] and went to the south river of [Ancient Well Town] outside [Pot] to catch a few grass carp. After catching the fish, he saw a pretty pebble on the riverbank, so he picked it up and returned to [Pot] to hand it to [Snake Princess] along with the fish.
[Snake Princess] looked at the stone in her hand, then at the fish, and then at Li Yu. Li Yu said, "The stone is for you. Go quickly and get the cauldron to make fish soup."
[Snake Princess] nodded and swayed her hips to fetch the cauldron. Under Li Yu's direction, she gutted the fish, removed its scales, and made soup.
After about half an hour, the fragrant fish soup was ready. Li Yu devoured it with gusto, eating with great relish.
[Snake Princess] scooped up a pebble from the bottom of the cauldron, intending to put it in her mouth, but then stopped and put the stone into her bosom.
Li Yu had almost finished the pot of fish soup, but [Xuan Shisan Ant] still hadn't appeared. After leaving her a finger's worth of fish meat and a leaf of fish soup, Li Yu instructed [Snake Princess] to wash the pot and dishes.
After [Snake Princess] finished her task, she raised her stone sword again. Li Yu told her that he would take her to kill bats the next day, and only then did she put down her sword.
Li Yu then produced the [Fanghu], and took three sheets of [red donkey paper] and put them together—
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Orange Donkey Paper
[Rank] Not classified.
[Attribute] A paper cutout shaped like a donkey, sprayed with water, can become an orange donkey. Riding it, the speed is 20 li per hour.
[Description] In the past, Zhang Guolao...
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Li Yu took a mouthful of water from the small pond in the [square pot] and sprayed it onto the orange paper cutout.
In an instant, a dazed little donkey appeared beside him.
Li Yu rode backwards on it, slowly making his way towards Chenwang Lane.