Chapter 49: The Talent Finally Levels Up

At that moment, outside the tent, Gu Lao Si, growing increasingly impatient, idly kicked at the stones beneath his feet and couldn't help but complain, "I have no idea what the old man and Qingshan that brat are talking about inside, but they absolutely refuse to let anyone else listen."

Beside him, Gu Chenghu guessed, "Maybe it has something to do with the inheritance cave in the valley."

"Even so, they shouldn’t keep me out of it. After all, I’m the next village chief."

Gu Chenghu looked at him and said, "Old Si, I think you should get your head straight and change your attitude. Didn’t the village chief just say that you might not even become the chief?"

Gu Lao Si paid no mind. "If I’m not the chief, then who else could it be? Among the younger generation, I’m the only one with the divine blessing talent. Surely, the village chief won’t pick someone else. Besides, my master won’t have many years left..."

Just then, the tent flap was abruptly lifted, and Gu Tianci emerged slowly with Lin Yi.

"Xiao Hu, Old Si, come over here. I have an announcement."

"What is it?"

"From now on, Qingshan Bulao will be the deputy village chief of our village. Aside from me, his status will be equal to that of the three senior elders."

What?

Deputy village chief?

Upon hearing this, Gu Lao Si immediately cursed.

If he’s the deputy village chief, then what am I?

Gu Lao Si couldn’t help but say, "Master, you must be losing your mind. I’ve never heard of a deputy village chief position in our village. And this brat is a Descendant — who knows what kind of temperament Descendants have. How can you just appoint anyone as deputy village chief?"

Gu Tianci shot Gu Lao Si a stern look. "Old Si, it seems your temper hasn’t changed at all this year. You even dare to scold me, your master. How can I trust you with the future of Gutang Village?"

Lin Yi, standing nearby, smiled and said, "That’s right, Old Si. Don’t worry, I won’t become village chief. This deputy village chief position is just a title. No one will take your place as the next candidate for village chief."

Upon hearing Lin Yi’s words, Gu Lao Si nearly jumped up.

Old Si? That’s what you call me now?

Just the other day, you were calling me Captain Old Si, and now it’s Old Si?

"I say, you little punk, you really think you’re deputy village chief? I don’t recognize your status."

Gu Lao Si then turned to Gu Tianci. "Master, I don’t agree with this. He’s only been here less than a month and he’s a Descendant. How can he have the qualification to be our village’s deputy chief? This clearly breaks the rules."

Gu Tianci was too tired to argue and replied flatly, "Once Qingshan and I retrieve the inheritance from the cave, he’ll have the qualification. Besides, I’m still village chief now. What I say is law. If you don’t agree, then leave the village. Go wherever you want; I won’t stop you."

"I..." Gu Lao Si was speechless, glancing at his master’s expression — this time, he seemed genuinely angry.

"Fine, I’ll reluctantly accept this brat’s status."

Lin Yi scratched his ear playfully and teased, "This brat? From now on, Captain Old Si, you should call me Deputy Village Chief. If I ever hear you disrespect me again, I’ll cut your team’s resources."

"Damn it..." Gu Lao Si really didn’t know what to say this time.

"Deputy Village Chief, you used half a catty of my Spirit Ash a few days ago. When will you pay me back?"

"I say, Captain Old Si, your memory is terrible and your face is thick. I told you, once I retrieve the inheritance from the cave, the debt is wiped clean. Why bring it up now? And as for you, abandoning five Descendants from Team Five and returning to the village without organization or discipline — I don’t think you’re fit to be militia team captain anymore. When we get back, I’ll discuss this with the village chief and elders."

"I..." Gu Lao Si dared not speak. He realized that without cursing, he really couldn’t argue with Lin Yi.

"Deputy village chief, you’re impressive."

With that, Gu Lao Si dropped the matter and stormed off to vent his anger on the militia’s Team Five, who were training nearby.

Gu Tianci reminded Lin Yi once more before returning to the tent to prepare the talismans.

They had decided to set out tonight for the inheritance cave within the valley, though even for Gu Tianci, entering that place required thorough preparation.

Lin Yi turned to see Gu Chenghu staring at him and smiled, "Captain, are you alright?"

"Qingshan, you’re already the deputy village chief now. Don’t call me captain anymore..."

"It’s fine. Even though I have the title of deputy village chief, I’m still a member of the second team. Aren’t you still my captain?"

"Alright then..."

Gu Chenghu smiled. He hadn’t been mistaken about Lin Yi. Even after rising to a high-ranking position in the village, Lin Yi remained humble and unpretentious, just as before.

Then, Lin Yi and Gu Chenghu talked about the details of the rescue. They learned that it was the afternoon before when Gu A Le and others noticed Gu Chenghu hadn’t returned on time and went back to report. That same night, Gu Lao Si brought the village chief to rescue Gu Chenghu.

"Captain, I put that corrupted wood fruit in my backpack for you. I’ll give it to you when we return to the village."

Gu Chenghu asked worriedly, "Alright. By the way, Qingshan, are you really going with the village chief to the cave in the valley?"

Lin Yi nodded. "Yes, I promised the village chief. Don’t worry, he agreed to make me a life-saving talisman. If there’s any danger, I’ll be fine."

"How will you get to the inheritance cave?"

"Tonight, when the yin energy is strongest — that’s when the malevolent spirits in the cave awaken..."

"Alright, be very careful then..."

Actually, Gu Chenghu most wanted to ask why Lin Yi suddenly became the deputy village chief of Gutang Village, but after thinking about it, he didn’t dare to ask.

After all, the village chief and Lin Yi had been talking inside the tent for a long time, clearly discussing secrets unknown to others.

As for Lin Yi, he said at first he never intended to become deputy village chief, but after Gu Tianci presented the Talent Stone, he immediately changed his mind.

The Talent Stone: a rare celestial artifact born from the world’s fusion. Descendants with talents who use it can upgrade their talent level; those without talents can randomly gain medium or low-quality talents, with a small chance of obtaining high-quality talents.

The stone had no quality grade, but for Lin Yi, it should upgrade his Universal Talent and grant him a second solidification slot.

One more talent solidification slot would enhance Lin Yi’s power by far more than just one plus one.

Thus, tempted by the Talent Stone, Lin Yi decisively agreed to Gu Tianci’s request.

However, Lin Yi only agreed to become deputy village chief with the promise to protect Gutang Village within his ability and to improve the villagers’ strength.

For this, the old village chief made Lin Yi sign a professional-level contract.

Lin Yi didn’t know why the old village chief had so much confidence in him, but he readily agreed. Even without the Talent Stone’s reward, becoming deputy village chief was a clear advantage for him.

The village chief had told him that the deputy village chief’s status was equal to the three senior elders, with monthly provisions of blood food and spirit fruits, and, as long as it didn’t harm village interests, the ability to mobilize the militia teams at will.

In other words, Gu Tianci’s promise of deputy village chief powers was not an empty title but a real position with real authority.

Still, Lin Yi felt that the deputy village chief role didn’t quite suit him yet, as his combat power was only level nine. Even Gu Lao Si didn’t acknowledge him, so the militia members below probably saw him as just a lucky fellow and might not obey his orders.

His next goal was to accumulate attributes through talents, break through level seven, and truly wield power comparable to level ten.

...

After finishing his chat with Gu Chenghu, Lin Yi eagerly returned to his tent and took out the Talent Stone the old village chief had just given him.

The Talent Stone was roughly fist-sized, a crystalline gem shimmering with rainbow hues. Holding it, Lin Yi could even feel a faint warm current emanating from it.

What a treasure!

Though the stone had no quality grade, it was worth more than anything else he owned.

Lin Yi immediately used the Talent Stone, and it instantly merged into his body.

"Ding! You have used a Talent Stone..."

"Detected: You possess a red-quality Universal Talent; new talent activation unavailable. Universal Talent upgrading... Universal Talent upgraded to LV2, talent solidification slots +1."

Seeing a new solidification slot appear on the rainbow-glowing talent page, Lin Yi felt a heavy weight lift from his heart.

He had feared that upgrading talents might require experience points, meaning one Talent Stone might not guarantee an upgrade.

But now it seemed talent upgrades didn’t need experience points; one Talent Stone could raise the Universal Talent by one level.

Since he hadn’t yet drawn a Universal Talent today, Lin Yi immediately clicked to draw one.

Perhaps due to the talent upgrade increasing the chance of quality talents, a blue light flashed in his eyes this time.

It was clearly a fine blue talent.

[Life and Qi Interchange]: A rare blue talent granting the ability to convert health points and qi points into each other at a ratio of 10:1. Converted attributes cannot be converted again.

(Note: Upgrading this talent slightly adjusts the conversion ratio and allows multiple conversions.)

Reading carefully, Lin Yi realized the talent’s power.

By solidifying this [Life and Qi Interchange] talent, Lin Yi could convert his abundant 1700+ health points into the qi points he desperately needed. At a 10:1 ratio, 1700 health points would convert to 170 qi points.

Conversely, his current 36 qi points could only convert to 360 health points.

Once converted, the attributes were fixed and could not be altered again unless the talent’s level was raised.

Lin Yi pondered.

He had to admit, this talent was perfect for him, since his health and qi were extremely unbalanced.

From his recent experience fighting corpse monsters in the valley, his blade skills were sharp—able to attack and defend deftly—so he rarely lost health. His 1700+ health was largely wasted.

Yet only 36 qi points severely limited his output.

Using the Flame Sun Blade technique required at least 10 qi points.

If he had sufficient qi, Lin Yi could use the Flame Sun Blade without restriction. Facing level ten corpse monsters would be no problem—if one strike failed, he could try ten or twenty.

He definitely planned to use [Life and Qi Interchange], though he wasn’t sure how much health to convert.

After all, the thicker his health, the greater his sense of security.

Lin Yi decided to solidify the [Life and Qi Interchange] talent first, but not convert any health yet, since he had a dangerous mission tonight and more health would keep him safer.

He had no plans to farm corpse monsters further, as he needed time to prepare for the journey to the inheritance cave with the village chief tonight.