Journey to the West: Tang Monk Conquers Everything-Chapter 497: Level 60, Unlocking New Features

Character Profile.

Looking at this little boy who resembled a puppet, Jiang Liu silently chanted to himself, and immediately, a semi-transparent character profile appeared in front of Jiang Liu.

ID: Little Tao (White).

Gender: None.

Profession: Demon.

Level: 21.

Equipment: None…

Looking at the character profile of this puppet-like little boy, Jiang Liu's heart stirred slightly. Sure enough, was he a member of the demon kind?

Level 21? So, he had just barely reached the status of a Demon Soldier, right? It must mean he had just learned to mimic humans. No wonder he looked only like a human puppet.

From its name and level, could it be that a peach tree has become sentient?

"Where did this little demon come from? How dare it spy on us?"

He had not even noticed the little demon spying nearby; it was his master who detected it. Sun Wukong, feeling somewhat guilty over the death of the Little White Dragon Aolie, felt even more negligent and said fiercely.

Seeing Sun Wukong's demeanor, Little Tao took several steps back in alarm, looking terrified.

"Wait a minute, Wukong…" A mere level 21 Little Demon Soldier posed no threat to Jiang Liu. Jiang Liu spoke up and stopped Sun Wukong.

Immediately, his gaze fell upon Little Tao and he asked, "You little demon, why are you secretly hiding by our side and spying? What's your purpose?"

"Holy Monk, I'm not a bad person, uh, not a bad demon. I'm good. I don't mean to harm you, I was just hiding to the side, wanting to secretly listen to you, to see if you can compose poetry!" Hearing Jiang Liu's inquiry, Little Tao yelled out in panic.

"Write poetry!?" Little Tao's words slightly surprised Jiang Liu.

This was the first demon creature he had encountered that mentioned poetry to him.

"You, you secretly watching if I can write poetry, what does that mean?" Jiang Liu asked curiously, looking at Little Tao.

"Holy Monk, you don't know, I have six masters, and they are all like me, transformed from the trees of Thistle Ridge. However, my six masters prefer beautiful poetry and discussing scriptures. They gave me homework to write a poem for them to critique…"

By the end of his explanation, Little Tao scratched his wooden head, looking troubled, and said, "I've been thinking for three days and still have no idea. Just so happens I saw that you, Holy Monk, seem to be well-read, so I wanted to secretly listen in, hoping to hear you compose poetry…"

"A demon that likes poetry and songs!? Now, that's really strange!" Hearing Little Tao's words, Jiang Liu also felt quite astonished.

Nonetheless, his thoughts stirring, Jiang Liu followed up with another question, "But how did you know who I am? How did you know I am the Holy Monk?"

"My master said to always be kind to people. When we meet monks, we should call them Holy Monk and Master, when we meet Taoists, we should call them Real Persons and Superior Immortals, and for the elderly, we should address them as Grandfather…" Little Tao replied straightforwardly.

"Well, it seems like they are a few demons with kind hearts!" Jiang Liu nodded inwardly, reflecting on Little Tao's words.

Perhaps because they originate from trees, their nature is more peaceful. It looked to Jiang Liu like Little Tao's masters, though they were demon creatures, might not be malevolent.

"Holy Monk, can you really compose poetry? Could you give me some pointers? Help me finish my homework? My masters said that poetry and lyrics are the strong suits of you learned people!"

Having gotten to the point, Little Tao seemed quite shrewd, realizing the anger on Jiang Liu and their faces had subsided, and immediately asked with anticipation, putting forth his request.

Prompt: You have triggered the task "Academic Study." Task requirements: Gift Little Tao with a fine poem. Task success rewards 12 million Experience Points and a Fine Level Treasure Chest*1. Task failure deducts 12 million Experience Points. Accept/Reject?

Following Little Tao's request, the system's prompt suddenly appeared, taking Jiang Liu by surprise, and then filling him with elation!

12 million Experience Points might not seem like a lot, but for Jiang Liu's current situation, it was like manna from heaven.

He was short just the last 10 million Experience Points to level up.

And to think, one poem could fetch 12 million?

If indeed such good fortune had come his way, and he recited all three hundred Tang poems by heart, how many Experience Points could that earn him!? Over 30 billion!?

With this thought, Jiang Liu's gaze landed on Little Tao, his eyes shining brilliantly, almost like a person who had gone hungry for many days suddenly beholding a table full of exquisite delicacies.

"Holy, Holy Monk, what, what are you going to do?" Jiang Liu's intensely fervent gaze startled Little Tao, who stepped back, his face filled with terror.

In his eyes, Jiang Liu's current expression was even more terrifying than when Sun Wukong was about to take action.

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"It's alright; you said you wanted a poem, didn't you? I just happen to have thought of a fine one!" Jiang Liu looked at Little Tao with burning eyes, trying his best to show a kind smile, and said softly.

"This, this…"

To Little Tao, however, Jiang Liu's current appearance seemed more like a suspicious man with candy lurking by the road, ready to trick little girls, making him want to turn and run. Yet, he didn't quite dare to do so. As for Jiang Liu's mentioned poem, he clearly did not believe it.

He had just made his request for a poem, and it had appeared in the blink of an eye?

"How can it be so fast?" Little Tao naturally didn't believe it.

But Jiang Liu, who was eager to exchange 12 million Experience Points, where did he care whether she was willing or not?

Thinking that Little Tao was a demon creature transformed from a tree, Jiang Liu secretly pondered which poem related to trees he should recall?

A poem from his primary school Chinese textbook reflexively sprang to mind.

"Ahem..." Clearing his throat, Jiang Liu began, "Listen carefully, the name of my poem is 'Visiting the Garden in Vain'."

"One should pity the overlaying green moss for the clogs' prints; small knocks on the wooden door, yet long unopened. The spring scenery can't be shut away, as a branch of pink apricot breaks through the wall."

"What do you think? How's this poem?" Jiang Liu asked Little Tao.

Just kidding, could a poem that's included in an elementary school textbook be bad?

Especially the last line "as a branch of pink apricot breaks through the wall" is simply a divine verse. In his previous life, Jiang Liu wouldn't believe if anyone hadn't heard of it!

"Huh?" Originally, Little Tao didn't believe Jiang Liu could actually produce a poem in the blink of an eye, but after hearing this poem, she was stunned for a long time.

Though she couldn't understand the meaning, Little Tao felt the poem was quite pleasant to hear, and probably very good.

If she took it back, she should be able to complete her six masters' assignment.

"Thank you, Holy Monk, thank you, Holy Monk!" Overjoyed, Little Tao hurriedly thanked Jiang Liu.

After she finished speaking, she turned around and ran off happily, her body very agile, nimbly weaving through the thistles at great speed.

"Hey, wait..."

One poem for 12 million Experience Points, having tasted the sweet fruit, Jiang Liu naturally wanted to exchange for more, shouting out, hoping she would beg him several more times.

But, as soon as Jiang Liu spoke up, Little Tao ran even faster, disappearing into the depths of the thistle in a flash of smoke.

Notification: Completed the quest "Studies" and obtained 12 million Experience Points and one Fine Level Treasure Chest.

Notification: Level has increased by 1, current level is 60.

Notification: Unlocked the Marketplace feature; mentally say "Marketplace" to open it.

While Jiang Liu was still contemplating exchanging for more poems, a series of system notifications echoed in his mind, pulling all of his thoughts back to reality.

After grinding for three days straight, always downloading copies, Jiang Liu initially looked pale and listless.

However, as his level rose to 60, a cool breeze swept through his entire body. Every cell seemed to be cheering, and his previously listless spirit was invigorated, feeling better than ever before.

"Indeed, the feeling of being completely refreshed in an instant when leveling up is just too good!"

It was like after staying up all night, having a full night's rest left him fully satisfied. Jiang Liu closed his eyes and savored the state of his body, nodding to himself.

Of course, aside from the joy of leveling up, the newly-unlocked Marketplace feature also warranted attention.

Indeed, upon reaching level 60, he had unlocked another new function.

The Marketplace feature? By implication, it should be a place to buy things, right?

However, what could be purchased in the Marketplace?

Or rather, what would be used to make purchases there?

Despite Jiang Liu's curiosity about the functions of the Marketplace, after days of incessant grinding, he was more focused on the Soul-Returning Spell.

With the Marketplace feature always available for later checking, Jiang Liu wasn't in a hurry and instead opened his inventory space, taking out the Skill Book "Soul-Returning Spell" that he had been keeping for a long time.

Notification: Would you like to use 1 Skill Point to learn the "Soul-Returning Spell" Skill?

As Jiang Liu opened the Skill Book for the Soul-Returning Spell, the system's prompt arrived as expected.

Having looked forward to this moment, he naturally chose to learn.

Ex nihilo, as if countless messages emerged from the void into Jiang Liu's mind, like sudden recollection of lost memories.

At the same time, a new skill appeared in Jiang Liu's skill list.

Jiang Liu examined the Skill 'Soul-Returning Spell' and quickly, the corresponding attribute information appeared before him.

Soul-Returning Spell (Primary Level): Cast on targets dead for no longer than 3600 seconds to resurrect them, restoring life to 10% of maximum Life Value after resurrection, with a Cooldown Time of 3600 seconds.

"What!?" Upon viewing the attribute information, Jiang Liu's expression turned very unpleasant.

The Soul-Returning Spell could only be cast on targets dead for less than an hour? Then wasn't it useless for Little White Dragon?