My Cell Prison-Chapter 1199 - 1198: Corpse Collection, Talisman Tools, and Taoist Master

Chapter 1199: Chapter 1198: Corpse Collection, Talisman Tools, and Taoist Master

"One hundred and thirty barrels, that’s a bit expensive! If only we had captured it alive at that time... Ah, what a pity."

"If we miss this opportunity, we’ll have to wait until next month to go to the [market], which is really troublesome."

Han Dong’s face showed difficulty as he stared at the [Floating Corpse Internal Classic] in his hands.

Zhang Xiliang also sensed something was amiss and immediately followed over, feeling a headache himself when he saw the price marked on it.

"Mr. Han, have you decided on this book?"

"Hmm... Most of the ’Black Corpse Collection’ have prerequisites for the zombies, but this book doesn’t impose any, and the development direction guided by the Corpse Collection also interests me.

Ask little sister if it’s possible to buy on credit."

But Han Dong’s whispered secret was overheard by the zombie girl following nearby.

"The Ministry of Officials has clear regulations, no credit is allowed in the Book House.

If the oil coupons you gentlemen carry are not enough, we also provide a pawn service; any of your possessions can be collateralized for oil coupons without any fees... You can reclaim your pawned items with enough oil coupons when you visit the Book House next time."

Mortgaging.

Zhang Xiliang had only become a Green Zombie not long ago and naturally had nothing to offer as collateral; Han Dong was even less likely to put up his Fate Equipment... Otherwise, it would surely attract the attention of the Ministry of Officials.

At that moment.

A hoarse voice of an old man came from behind:

"The [Floating Corpse Internal Classic] authored by Academician Du does not impose much demand on the individual, but its difficulty of cultivation ranks in the top three among all known ’Black Corpse Collection.’

Even though the introduction says it is more suitable for beginners, it is only ’suitable’ after all, and the difficulty has not been reduced.

If you want to choose a ’Black Corpse Collection’ with no requirements, [Flying Fish Classic], [Jizo Corpse Classic], or [Sparse Spirit Internal Classic] are all good choices.

Of course, if you are lacking money, this old Taoist is willing to lend you some... However, as a handling fee, I hope this zombie will cut off part of his toxic tissue for me."

"No need, thank you."

Before Zhang Xiliang could speak, Han Dong promptly refused.

To tell the truth, Han Dong did not like others butting in.

And of all the books the Taoist Master mentioned, Han Dong had seen them, but they didn’t quite suit his taste... The price of two of them was also not cheap, still requiring borrowing money.

As for the seemingly friendly offer to lend money, it was actually with ulterior motives, a special interest in Zhang Xiliang.

Zhang Xiliang was also quite startled, as Han Dong had outright rejected a Taoist Master’s proposal to his face.

Similarly, the Taoist Master’s Machine Eye immediately locked onto Han Dong.

He could tell that Han Dong, this White Zombie, was the decision-maker... but the Machine Eye could not perceive anything special about Han Dong, only considering him to be the descendant of some high-ranking official.

"Let’s look at something else."

Han Dong seemed indifferent, pretending to continue reading in the Black Book Room.

Anyway, the Book House didn’t impose a time limit on its visitors... and since Han Dong had paid a security deposit, as long as he did not violate the rules here, he could stay until the store closed.

Actually.

Han Dong’s purpose was very simple.

If he couldn’t afford to buy it, copying one should be okay, right?

By only observing the books, he knew that they were not originals but perfect copies made through relatively advanced printing techniques.

Since there was not much difference between the copies and the originals, Han Dong was not worried about the issue of practicing.

Although the ’Black Corpse Collection’ was locked by the seals of the Ministry of Officials, the Demon Eye could slowly permeate through, page by page... As each page was permeated, Han Dong perfectly replicated the contents in his mind, writing them down in the brain laboratory’s books.

To avoid errors, the permeation speed of the Demon Eye was relatively slowed down.

As time passed, the Taoist Master fitted with the Machine Eye took a few extra glances at Zhang Xiliang and Han Dong as he left midway.

This stay turned out to be all day.

The maidservants waiting nearby showed no sign of weariness; as long as the guests complied with the book room’s rules, they would accompany them throughout their stay.

"Zhang Xiliang, have you made your choice?"

"Me? Isn’t Mr. Han the one selecting books?"

"I don’t have enough money, I’ll buy some next time... First, pick one that suits you, after all, you’ve reached the mid-stage of Green Zombie, and can try to switch to practicing ’Black Corpse Collection.’"

"Then... this one."

Zhang Xiliang had long set his sights on a Corpse Collection that he admired—The "Great Internal Toxin Classic."

It was a cultivation method uniquely created by a certain high-skilled person from within the court, requiring zombies to possess a certain level of toxicity, which made it a perfect match for Zhang Xiliang... Due to its stringent requirements, it only cost forty barrels of heavy oil.

Originally, Zhang Xiliang thought about buying it later, but Han Dong directly bought it for him.

When the two walked out of the Book House, Zhang Xiliang felt both grateful and perplexed.

"Mr. Han, what you need most now is a Corpse Collection. Why don’t we buy a common Corpse Collection first and come back for the ’Black Corpse Collection’ next month?"

"No need, the [Floating Corpse Internal Classic] is already here," Han Dong pointed to his head.

"Could it be that Mr. Han spent a whole day in the Black Book Room just for this... Isn’t it too risky?"

Zhang Xiliang couldn’t understand.

Not to mention how Han Dong managed to break the Seal of the book, the content of Corpse Collection was obscure and difficult to understand, relying solely on memory would definitely lead to mistakes in some details which would cause problems in later cultivation.

Moreover, Corpse Collections often included various illustrations of insights, which made them even harder to remember.

Any slight error could possibly lead one to cultivation deviation.

That was also the reason why ordinary Corpse Collections placed in the hall area were not overly restricted; because guests could hardly memorize the contents in the process of reading... They had to be purchased for gradual study at home.

"Don’t worry, it’s not off by a single detail.

Speaking of which, we still have sixty barrels of heavy oil left, right? Let’s go take a look at the place selling ’Talisman Tools’."

...

Even though it was evening, the market was still brightly lit and bustling, with zombies hopping around.

After walking past various Talisman Tool shops and stalls, Han Dong had a pretty good understanding.

Talisman Tools were a type of Fate Equipment too, but they had their unique aspect.

[Talisman devices] in Corpse Country were derived from tools previously used by humans to exorcise monsters, but they all had one feature—whether consumable or wearable Talisman Tools, the production process involved using ’talismans’.

The quality of Talisman Tools depended not only on the materials and the forger but also on the integrity and compatibility of talismans embedded within the Talisman Tools.

Hence.

Just like "Corpse Collection," any higher-grade Talisman Tools would have the name of the talisman master marked on them.

Talisman Masters from the public compared to those from the Ministry of Officials, even if using the same materials and the effects of the Talisman Tools were similar, would see a large price difference.

In the end, another fifty barrels of heavy oil were spent to buy Zhang Xiliang a stick-type Talisman Tool—a [Meat Tendon Stone Stick], replacing his old rotten iron stick.

This stone stick had extremely tough meat tendons running through its core, allowing the user to channel their power into it, endowing the attacks with special effects... and since it was all flesh inside, it was lighter compared to other sticks and staves.

"This... why did you buy everything for me? What about you, Mr. Han?" Zhang Xiliang felt very embarrassed.

"I’m not in a hurry, there will be other opportunities."

The reason Han Dong didn’t buy anything was that he didn’t find anything worthy. The stick bought with fifty barrels of heavy oil was just a green-quality Fate Equipment.

And in the market, one could only buy [blue-quality excellent] Talisman Tools at extremely high prices... Epic-grade purple equipment would naturally be for internal use by the court, or it could be said that the court didn’t have many finished products.

Han Dong’s current desire was simply to diligently practice the [Floating Corpse Internal Classic] and strive to condense Black Elixir as soon as possible.

Just as the two were using the ’Graveyard Transport’ to return to the Oil Mill District.

An old man with a signature Machinery Eye embedded in his face slowly emerged from the corner of the graveyard... at his side followed a terrifying zombie.

Both of them lay down in the transport coffin, also heading toward the Oil Mill District.

Such Special Licensed Taoist Masters, who were not restricted by the "Decree of Corpse Transformation," naturally weren’t subjected to district limitations either; they could go to different districts for any given reason.