While in Hollywood, I used Taoist magic to quell American terrorism.

A powerful force rose from within him, and the pain returned.

Even though Cao Kun was mentally prepared, he was still in great pain.

I gritted my teeth and endured the pain, my body trembling uncontrollably. Several minutes later, the pain gradually subsided, replaced by a feeling of complete comfort.

Cultivation level: Fourth-grade Human Teacher

Merit points: 2000

"As expected, it's increasing exponentially."

Cao Kun felt a headache coming on, worried about the merit points needed for the next upgrade.

However, there's nothing we can do about worrying now; we can only wait and see.

"continue!"

Cultivation level: Fifth-grade Human Teacher

Merit points: 400

With 400 merit points remaining, the previously lit-up "Taiqing Sword Technique" and "Talisman Technique" have now turned gray and can no longer be upgraded.

This confirmed to Cao Kun that it would take a full 1000 merit points to advance a spell from the second to the third level.

"A direct increase of 10 times?"

Cao Kun scratched his head, looking helpless.

"This time, the ritual to deliver those souls from the dead didn't even reward us with any magic spells."

"Is it because they are too weak?"

"It seems that ghosts of the same level will only be rewarded with spells the first time they are defeated."

"After that, the only reward will be merit points."

Host: Cao Kun

Constitution: Innate Thunder Spirit Body

Cultivation level: Fifth-grade Human Teacher

Cultivation Technique: Taiqing Shenxiao Jue

Skills (Spells):

Taiqing Sword Technique: Second Level

Talisman Technique: Double Level

Purification Mantra

Merit points: 400

After checking his current status, Cao Kun logged out of the system, a smile appearing on his face.

Cao Kun was in high spirits as his cultivation level increased by two levels.

He felt that the magical power within his body had suddenly become much stronger.

Cao Kun got up, went into the bathroom, took off his clothes, and looked at himself in the mirror.

There were no marks or anything like that left on his body.

He carefully sensed his entire body and confirmed that there was no external object left in his mind as well.

Cao Kun breathed a sigh of relief.

Jeremiah had previously said he would definitely kill him, and I thought Jeremiah had secretly done something to him.

Now it seems there's nothing there.

"It's just empty talk."

Cao Kun felt that it was unlikely that Jeremiah would come to kill him.

But once his cultivation level is higher, he must get rid of Jeremiah.

This guy is definitely worth a lot of merit points.

There are also some other lost souls there; after performing a ritual to help them pass on, you can earn some merit points.

"Let's leave these merit points there for now, and retrieve them whenever we need them."

After taking a bath, Cao Kun lit three incense sticks and then released the rotten flesh face.

Rotten Face immediately ran to the incense and began to inhale deeply.

The flame on the incense suddenly became much brighter, and the burning speed visibly increased.

Before long, the three incense sticks burned out and all of them entered the body of the rotten flesh face.

The body of the mangled face had also solidified somewhat.

Cao Kun lit three more incense sticks and patted the man's rotten face on the head: "Inhale slowly."

When Cao Kun slapped him, several maggots fell off his rotten face.

He quickly picked up the rotten flesh and stuffed it into his mouth.

Before long, the areas where maggots had fallen off were replaced with new ones.

The man with the rotten flesh face remained silent and continued to inhale the incense.

Since Lawrence died in such a tragic way, the shop next to Cao Kun's has remained unrented, causing the landlord, Old Neil, to have even more gray hairs.

Old Neil approached Cao Kun and offered to rent the room to him for 3200 yuan, but Cao Kun refused.

Old Neil said angrily, "If Cao Kun doesn't rent it, someone else will."

After saying that, he stormed off in a huff.

That day, Cao Kun was drawing talismans in the house.

Although his success rate has improved considerably, it is still not high.

Each time you invoke the spirits, you can usually successfully draw about two to three pictures.

Then, you need to take a break for a while before continuing to draw.

Jingle Bell……

The phone next to him rang, but it didn't bother Cao Kun.

After finishing the last stroke and feeling the unified power of the talisman, he picked up his phone to check it.

The caller was Officer Laura from the 17th Precinct.

Cao Kun answered the call and heard Laura say, "Master Cao, we've encountered a tricky case and need your help."

Cao Kun: "Sure, but my current appearance fee is $10."

"What?" Laura exclaimed in surprise, "10?"

Cao Kun: "That's right, 10."

Laura: "Then I need to ask Sheriff Ford. No, Sheriff Ford doesn't have the authority to approve a $10 consulting fee. I need to ask the chief."

Cao Kun: "That's your business."

Laura hung up the phone.

Then, they never called again.

I estimate that they won't be able to get past the 10 yuan consulting fee hurdle.

Cao Kun naturally wouldn't call to ask; that would be too low-class.

Anyway, he won't lower the price.

A few more days passed, and Laura finally called again: "Master Cao, our director has agreed to approve a consulting fee of 1 for you."

Cao Kun: "This isn't my price, Laura. If it's less than 10, don't bother calling again."

Laura sighed, "Fine."

………………

17th Precinct.

Laura hung up the phone and went into the conference room.

Immediately, all eyes turned to him.

Laura shook her head at everyone: "Master Cao refused, and said that we shouldn't send him any more money if the consulting fee is less than $10."

"snort!"

A cold snort suddenly rang out from inside the room.

The voice did not come from Sheriff Ford, but from an extremely obese middle-aged white man.

Beside him stood a white man in his thirties, wearing glasses, with a humble expression, looking like a butler.

These two men were none other than Douglas and his butler Charlie, who had previously visited Cao Kun's shop.

That cold snort just now was from Douglas.

Douglas snorted coldly: "This Chinese exorcist is really greedy; he can't even be bribed with $10000."

Laura spoke up for Cao Kun, saying, "But Master Cao is really capable. He was the one who resolved the issue that happened to our bureau last time."

Douglas: "That's why I'm willing to pay $10000."

Laura asked, puzzled, "Mr. Douglas, you're so rich, won't you spend $10 for your daughter, Miss Catherine?"

Douglas: "It's not a question of whether he's willing or not, but I feel he's not worth $10."

I would never spend more than a person is worth, not even a penny.

Laura: "So what do we do now?"

Douglas: "Is he the only exorcist in all of Hollywood? Can't your police force hire a few more exorcists or mediums who can find people?"

Sheriff Ford chimed in, "Of course, but that would require more consulting fees, and Mr. Douglas, you'd need to cover that cost."

Douglas: "That's not a problem, as long as I feel these guys are worth the price."

………………

Cao Kun was actually a little curious about what kind of tricky case Laura and her team had encountered this time, which required him to assist in solving the case multiple times.

But since they couldn't agree on a price, he refrained from asking.

A few more days passed, and Amanda came to visit again.

Cao Kun asked her, "You came to see me because of what you asked me to do last time?"