Chapter 5: Back Home (Part 1)

The outer room of the wooden house was empty, while someone was talking inside. Guo Shier stepped into the house and asked again, “Is anyone there?” The voices inside stopped, and someone said, “Who is it? Wait a moment!”
A young man came out. The talismans on his face indicated that he was a beginner Talisman Warrior, a newcomer to this profession. He didn’t notice Guo Shier at first; his gaze fell on Eagle Demon. The talismans on Eagle Demon’s face were layered and dense, covering almost his entire face, clearly showing that he was a high-level Great Talisman Warrior. Frightened, he quickly said, “I don’t know which senior this is. I’m Qi Delong, an outer disciple of the Northern Talisman Sect.”
Eagle Demon ignored him and remained behind Guo Shier. Only then did Qi Delong notice the child before him. He stared at him in surprise, then glanced at Eagle Demon, wondering silently what relationship the two might have.
Guo Shier smiled and said, “Northern Talisman Sect, inner disciple Guo Shier. Are you the person in charge here?”
Qi Delong was extremely surprised. It was almost impossible for an inner disciple to come here. He replied, “Yes, I’m the person in charge. This supply point was established less than three months ago.” He didn’t know what profession the child belonged to, but the burly man beside him seemed to be the child’s follower, which was worth pondering.
At that moment, another person came out of the inner room. Guo Shier smiled upon seeing this person—it was an acquaintance.
“Sun Chenshuo? Yes, it’s Sun Chenshuo!”
Sun Chenshuo found the child familiar but couldn’t recall where he had met him. He asked doubtfully, “Who are you?”
Guo Shier shook his head and smiled, “I bought an ice stone from you… back in Ye Guan City.”
Only then did Sun Chenshuo remember. He exclaimed, “Ah! I remember now! You’re the kid who exchanged two one-time fireball talismans for one of my ice stones… By the way, those fireball talismans weren’t very powerful at all, yet you claimed they were made by some great spellcaster…” He seemed very excited.
Guo Shier couldn’t help but laugh and asked, “Are you feeling cheated?”
Sun Chenshuo was stunned for a moment. He couldn’t complain either, as it would be embarrassing to admit he had been tricked by a nine-year-old. He stared at Guo Shier for a while before saying, “Oh right, your name is Guo Shier! Uh, I remember you’re in the spellcasting profession. Are you still a spellcasting apprentice? Hehe, I’m already a spellcaster!” He boasted proudly.
Eagle Demon let out a chuckle.
“You underestimate people. Would someone followed by a high-level Great Talisman Warrior be a spellcasting apprentice?”

Sun Chenshuo was stunned and dizzy. Guo Shier actually had a senior grand talisman martial artist as his follower? What a joke! He murmured, “Could it be he’s advanced to a talisman master? That’s impossible…” Even a talisman master couldn’t have a master-level follower. He simply couldn’t understand it.

Eagle Demon said, “No need to guess. Shier is a senior grand talisman master within the Northern Talisman Sect.”

Sun Chenshuo’s legs turned weak, and he almost sat down. Qi Delong beside him trembled with fear; he also thought it was impossible—how could such a young child become a master-level expert?

Guo Shier said, “Enough, Uncle Eagle Demon. Stop talking. Sun Chenshuo, I have some questions for you. Are you free now?”

Sun Chenshuo’s mind was in chaos. Unconsciously, he said, “Yes, I have time…”

Guo Shier added, “Qi Delong, come with us too. I want to know about the recent situation in the Northern Talisman Sect.”

Qi Delong said, “Sure. Please come inside and sit.”

The inner room was also a small wooden house, covered with thick animal skins, with a low table on which stood an oil lamp. Qi Delong took out several water cups, filled them with clean water, and said, “Please sit.” He didn’t know what to address Guo Shier as either.

Guo Shier sat cross-legged, with Eagle Demon sitting to his left behind him. Qi Delong and Sun Chenshuo no longer doubted anything—only followers would sit to the side behind their master, as per local customs.

“You came from the Northern Talisman Sect. I haven’t been back there for a long time. What’s happened in the Northern Talisman Sect over the past year?”

Qi Delong said, “Nothing much… Oh, right. The Yanhu Secret Realm has opened. It’s a pity my strength is too weak. Although I signed up, I was still eliminated and sent here to establish a new camp… Younger Brother Sun is my friend. He came along because my strength is too weak.”

Guo Shier nodded. He had already known the Yanhu Secret Realm was about to open, so it wasn’t surprising that it had opened now. He said, “Sun Chenshuo, someone from your Sun family must have entered the Yanhu Secret Realm. Do you have any news?”

Sun Chenshuo shook his head and said, “Indeed, some experts from our family went in. But until they come out, we won’t get any news. Heh, I was also eliminated… Sigh, I’m not qualified to enter the secret realm, so I’m feeling depressed. I just followed Brother Qi out to clear my mind… This place isn’t bad. There are no fierce wild beasts, but it’s too remote. Apart from caravans, you hardly see anyone else.”

Guo Shier asked, “How long have you been out?”

Zidelong said, “It’s almost half a year already. In another half year, I’ll be able to go back, and someone will come to replace me by then.”
Guo Shier asked a few more questions but found that Zidelong and Sun Chenshuo didn’t know much. Not wanting to waste any more time, he got up to leave. The two saw him off warmly, and Zidelong even instructed his subordinates to prioritize supplying Zhu Xu’s caravan with provisions.
Back in his tent, he happened to meet Zhu Xu, who came to invite everyone for a meal.
After eating casually until he was full, Guo Shier returned to his tent to rest. These past few days, he had felt his soul expanding rapidly, so whenever he had free time, he would retreat aside to silently recite scriptures and refine his soul. Now he understood that the soul was the foundation of spells, and this didn’t conflict with his own concept of soul reincarnation and inheritance. The effect of reciting scriptures was even stronger than the cultivation methods passed down by the Chenxiao Sect; his soul grew stronger with each passing day.
Therefore, Guo Shier never missed any free time. Whenever he had a chance, he would keep reciting scriptures to train his soul. He faintly sensed that as long as his soul grew strong, he could advance easily—this was better than any other form of cultivation.
Throughout the night, Guo Shier only slept for two hours in the middle of the night, spending the rest of the time reciting scriptures.
In the morning, he exercised with Eagle Demon as usual. He was not only a great spellcaster but also a beginner in spell-martial arts, needing to digest and absorb the teachings he had received from the Void Mist Path.
Guo Shier held a stick while Eagle Demon fought bare-handed. Guo Shier didn’t use the spell-martial arts skills he had inherited but instead fought with the stick techniques from his past life, as his boxing and stick skills from that life were highly refined. He didn’t want to become a true spell-martial artist; he just wanted to exercise, so using the stick techniques he already knew felt more natural.
Eagle Demon knew the young man was formidable—just handling that stick gave him a headache.
Monier was seeing Guo Shier and Eagle Demon fight for the first time. Zhu Juan was also very curious, as Guo Shier’s stick techniques were fascinating, with endless variations that gave off a sharp impression.
During the fight between Eagle Demon and Guo Shier, Eagle Demon didn’t attack but focused solely on defense, not using too much force or else the stick would break. According to Guo Shier’s instructions, he could only parry, not attack, and worst of all, he couldn’t break the stick, or he would lose. So every time Guo Shier exercised, he felt exhilarated—he could attack freely without worrying about himself, able to use any technique effortlessly.

The Eagle Demon laughed as it blocked attacks from all directions—just avoid letting the staff hit its chest, abdomen, back, or head; it didn’t matter whether it used its arms or legs. It was extremely fast, after all, being a great rune martial artist. Even without familiarity with staff combat, it had enough reflexes to block attacks.

Guo Shieru swung his staff at the Eagle Demon’s head, which swept aside with its arm. Guo Shieru shouted loudly, suddenly pulling back his staff and thrusting it forward with force. The Eagle Demon crossed its arms and exerted great strength, snapping the staff in two with a crack. Guo Shieru cried out, “Ah… it broke again!”

The Eagle Demon raised its hand and said, “Heh, that strike was too fast!”

Monier smiled and said, “Baby, come and eat!”

Zhu Juan was very curious. He asked, “Shieru, what kind of training method is this?” He had high standards and immediately noticed the uniqueness of this staff technique.

Guo Shieru grinned and said, “Uncle Fat, I’m just playing around!”

Zhu Juan replied, “Who are you trying to fool? My uncle Fat still has some insight… Besides being a Saint of Spells, I’m also a great rune martial artist!”

Guo Shieru waved his hand and said, “Let’s eat!”

…

After breakfast, Guo Shieru bid farewell to Qi Delong and Sun Chenshuo, and the five of them continued their journey with the caravan.

They traveled through rough conditions for ten days until the caravan reached a dock on a tributary of the Qingchang River. From here, it was convenient to take a boat to the Northern Rune Gate, and most caravans chose to do so. This was a convenient route—following the tributary into the main river, it only took a month to reach the Northern Rune Gate.

The journey went smoothly. While on the boat, Kuumu took all the Spirit Stones, purified them, and stored them away. Zhu Xu didn’t dare complain. Fortunately, Guo Shieru had assured him he wouldn’t suffer any losses, and he also planned to close his business and stay hidden in Northern Rune City from then on.

…

Two months later, the caravan entered Northern Rune City. After the caravan was settled, Guo Shieru led everyone toward the inner gate.

For some reason, Guo Shieru’s heart was pounding wildly. He patted his chest hard. Monier wondered, “Baby, what’s wrong? Are you not feeling well?”

“N-no… nothing. I just feel a bit nervous for some reason.”

Kuumu said indifferently, “Pathetic!” He knew inside that the kid probably valued the people here a lot, but he was confident that Guo Shieru would eventually follow him.

Guo Shieru had an identity token for the inner gate, so it was easy for him to lead everyone in.

Before arriving at Luo Jie’s grand manor, several Symbol Warriors and a dozen or so Symbol Soldiers stood at the gate. Before Guo Shier could step forward, someone came out from inside the gate. Guo Shier’s eyes lit up as he shouted, “Uncle Luo Zhan!”
Luo Zhan was stunned; he seemed a bit incredulous and rubbed his eyes hard. He saw Guo Shier.
“Shier? You… how did you come back? That’s great… haha… Shier is back!”
Luo Zhan’s shout was so powerful that it made the gate shake slightly. As a great Symbol Warrior, his voice carried throughout the entire manor.