As the thought flickered in his mind, the jade slip instantly transformed into a beam of clear light and entered Liu Yuan's body.
The light surged, shimmering brightly. In the next moment, Liu Yuan felt a wave of comfort wash over him.
It was a kind of spiritual joy—like soaking in a cool spring on a scorching summer day, his entire body refreshed and his thoughts flowing smoothly.
A mysterious aura enveloped him, and in that instant, Liu Yuan felt as though he had merged with the heavens and the earth—everything in existence felt like an extension of his own consciousness.
Only after a long time did this profound state gradually fade.
[Ding! Congratulations to player Liu Yuan for successfully changing class! Current class: Taiping Warlock!]
[Ding! Player Liu Yuan is the first to change class and has received a mysterious gift package. It has been delivered to your inventory—please claim it promptly.]
Two consecutive notification sounds rang out. Liu Yuan opened his eyes, feeling as if his body had subtly changed in that instant.
But as for what exactly had changed—he couldn't say.
[Ding! Player Liu Yuan has successfully changed class. Comprehending new skill...]
[Ding! Congratulations to player Liu Yuan for comprehending the skill: Divination of Fortune!]
A skill!
Upon hearing the notification, Liu Yuan's eyes lit up. But the moment he looked at the skill description, he was utterly dumbfounded.
[Skill: Divination of Fortune
Level: 10
Buff: Luck +10
Effect: Exclusive skill of the Taiping Warlock. Just as the moon waxes and wanes, humans experience fortune and misfortune. The Divination of Fortune skill can help players seek good fortune and avoid disaster.
Cooldown: 7 uses/day (Each player or NPC can only be targeted once per day).]
Liu Yuan: "..."
Looking at this skill, Liu Yuan had the sudden urge to smash the jade slip right into Zhang Jiao's face.
This thing is supposed to be an overpowered saint-grade skill?!
You messing with me?!
Even a D-tier skill like Three Strikes of the Tiger and Leopard was more practical than this crap!
Liu Yuan felt like his soul was being trampled by ten thousand galloping alpacas—utterly numb and despondent.
"What's wrong? Poor Daoist sees that young friend's expression doesn't look too pleased. Was the skill you comprehended less than satisfactory?"
Zhang Jiao looked at Liu Yuan with a half-smile and asked.
Liu Yuan nodded, not bothering to hide it.
Less than satisfactory?
This was downright pathetic, okay?!
"If that's the case, there's no need to worry. The Taiping Essentials are immortal techniques—starting from the small to see the great, from the subtle to grasp the profound. Though weak at the beginning, the skills you comprehend will grow stronger as your level increases."
"Even this poor Daoist, once praised by my master as gifted by the heavens, able to perceive the Dao at a glance and comprehend its truths, only managed to grasp a simple Lightning Spell in the end."
Zhang Jiao spoke with a modest smile on his face.
Gifted by the heavens?
Perceived the Dao at a glance?
Comprehended lightning magic… and you're calling that "only"?!
Are you trying to make me feel seen?
Trying to say we're all fellow sufferers, down on our luck?
Why does it feel like you're just humble-bragging at me?
Liu Yuan silently ranted in his heart.
And he didn't hold back even a little, despite knowing Zhang Jiao could read minds.
He had every reason.
Because this skill was absolute garbage!
Humble-bragging?
Is this poor Daoist humble-bragging?
Absolutely not!
Zhang Jiao flatly denied it, picked up the teacup beside him, took a slow sip, and looked at Liu Yuan with curiosity.
"The Taiping Essentials include the 36 Heavenly Spells and 72 Earthly Spells. Depending on personal aptitude, what one comprehends can vary widely. May I ask which skill young friend has grasped?"
"Water control? Fire conjuring? Earth manipulation..."
Liu Yuan rolled his eyes. Just hearing those possibilities made his chest hurt. He snapped:
"None! If I had one of those, I'd be thrilled! I got the most useless skill—Divination of Fortune!"
Clatter—
In an instant, the entire room fell into a deathly silence.
Zhang Jiao's smile froze. The teacup slipped from his fingers, smashing on the floor into countless shards.
The stiff smile faded, replaced by a look of utter shock.
Div… Divination of Fortune?!
Wasn't that the Heavenly Spell this poor Daoist had obsessed over, meditated on for thirty long years, before finally grasping?
Heaven and Earth—first comes Qi, then comes Spirit; when Qi gathers, spirit is born; when Qi disperses, spirit fades!
Here, "Qi" refers to luck.
"Spirit" refers to life, to sentient beings!
It can refer to the luck of a person, an object, even a town, a city, a region, or an entire country.
To perceive Qi is to see rise and fall, to discern gain and loss, to understand what can and cannot be done!
The art of Divination of Fortune may seem weak and useless…
But it is the foundation of all national fate techniques.
In later stages of cultivation, one can comprehend a nation's destiny, gather heaven and earth's Qi, summon dragon veins, alter fate itself, and lay the foundation for eternal prosperity!
This—is a true Heavenly Spell!
And you're calling a Heaven-tier fate-altering technique the most useless skill?!
You're calling the skill I slaved over for thirty years the most useless?!
Who's really humble-bragging now?!
Zhang Jiao's breathing grew heavier. He locked his gaze tightly on Liu Yuan and asked with a low voice:
"You're sure it's Divination of Fortune?"
Liu Yuan nodded, face full of sorrow.
Sorrow?
Wanting to cry?
Zhang Jiao: This poor Daoist wants to string you up and beat you!
He stood up, walked over to Liu Yuan, and patted him heavily on the shoulder.
"Young friend... take care of yourself."
Take care of myself?
What's that supposed to mean?
Was he hinting my skill's so bad I should just delete my character and start over?
No way!
I can still be saved!
Liu Yuan thought to himself quickly.
Off to the side, Zhang Jiao—unable to resist using his mind-reading—got humble-bragged at again.
Why can't I stop using mind-reading?!
I'm just torturing myself!
Clutching his slightly aching chest, Zhang Jiao said with a pained expression:
"You can be saved. Just don't act smug in front of this poor Daoist again—or I might not be able to resist smiting you with lightning!"
"Guards!"
With a shout, a burly Yellow Turban warrior entered the room.
"Take Lord Liu down to rest. Treat him well—no negligence allowed!"
"This poor Daoist is tired and needs to rest."
Without giving Liu Yuan a chance to speak, Zhang Jiao waved him off.
Well, "take" wasn't quite right—it was more like dragged out.
The moment the Yellow Turban warrior grabbed him, Liu Yuan realized he had zero ability to resist.
That's it?
That's the end?
Though... Zhang Daozhang's expression at the end was kinda strange.
Smug?
Even Daoists know words like smug now?
Wait a sec—he said I'm smug?
Did he sound... a little pissed off?
Could it be that the skill I got has hidden potential?
Not trash—but something extremely powerful?
Liu Yuan's mind spun rapidly, piecing things together.
He really wanted to barge back in and grill Old Zhang about it.
But thinking of that last look from Zhang Jiao, he glanced up at the sky.
Dark clouds, with thunder faintly rumbling.
Liu Yuan shrunk his neck.
Never mind. There's always next time.
Let's check out that mysterious gift pack first!
Opening his inventory, Liu Yuan spotted the mysterious gift pack and selected open.
[Ding! Congratulations to player Liu Yuan for opening the mysterious gift pack.
Received: 1000 Copper Coins × 2
Received: Steel Long Blade × 1
Received: 100 carts of Grain
Received: 100 carts of Timber
Received: Secondary Profession × Empty.]
...