Chapter 124 Qingyang Talisman

After resolving his most pressing need by copying the cultivation technique jade slip, Ji An returned to the cultivation technique area and slowly searched for the inheritance of talisman-making techniques.

Previously, the jade slips he selected described more about the drawing of talismans, which was a craft and could not be called a tradition.

Currently, he can only create talismans at the Qi Refining level. Although mid-grade talismans can pose a certain threat to enemies at the Foundation Establishment level, the threat is not fatal.

His past experience of being robbed outside Qingzhufang City made him realize the benefits of having more talismans.

If he starts stockpiling explosive talismans now, he can unleash a series of devastating explosions on his enemies.

After much deliberation, he chose a jade slip called "Qingyang Fulue".

The introduction states that it records the talisman-making experience and insights of Lu Qingyang, a second-tier talisman maker in the sect, throughout his life. It includes the production of most of the Foundation Establishment stage talismans, as well as the methods for making talisman plates and talisman soldiers.

Ji An then found some jade slips containing miscellaneous records of cultivation and went back to have his senior brother on duty copy them.

One's experience is limited, but by reading the records of other cultivators, one can broaden one's horizons, and who knows, one might find them useful someday.

"Each jade slip containing the Miscellaneous Records of Immortal Cultivation only requires 200 contribution points, but this talisman inheritance requires 21,000 contribution points."

Lü Qingyang was a cultivator from two hundred years ago. It's said he was just a step away from breaking through to the Chaoyuan stage. Many talisman makers in the sect chose this inheritance. Junior brother has a good eye.

The cultivators on duty were all smiles. There was an extra benefit to being on duty in the Transmission Hall: they received a share of the contribution points that other disciples spent copying jade slips.

Today, this junior brother exchanged for all sorts of good, high-end, and expensive items, spending over 50,000 contribution points. He will receive a few thousand points as a share of the profits.

Ji An grinned, knowing that at his current spending habits, his 300,000 contribution points wouldn't last long.

After copying the jade slip, Ji An bid farewell to his senior brother and left the Transmission Hall, strolling to the nearby Diligent Work Hall.

Ye Changqing glanced at him as he walked in and immediately stood up to greet him, his face crinkling into a wide smile.

"The sun must have risen in the west today. What brings you here, Junior Brother? Are you perhaps looking to take on more sect missions?"

He joked that this junior brother had not stepped out of Crimson Flame Peak for many years and was jokingly called the 'Stone Turtle Cultivator' by some alchemists.

Turtles don't like to move, and stone turtles are even more motionless.

"I'm here today to exchange for cultivation techniques at the Transmission Hall. How can I not ask my senior brother for a cup of spiritual tea while I'm passing by?"

Ji An cupped his hands in a respectful gesture and smiled, then said:

"The apricots on my side are starting to ripen one after another. I'll have someone send some over in a few days so that my senior brother can have a taste."

As he spoke, he handed over a gray cloth bag containing more than thirty pounds of roasted pine nuts.

The other party treated him very well, sending him only the finest materials for making talismans, and was willing to share any news with him.

Giving a small gift is not a sign of respect, but it can enhance relationships.

The pine nuts from Crimson Flame Peak are plump and much larger than those from other places, and they are much better in terms of both spiritual energy and taste.

"Come, stay here at noon, we'll brew tea and make wine."

Ye Changqing smelled the fragrance of pine nuts and happily took the cloth bag.

Because of its high quality, half of the pine nuts collected from Crimson Flame Peak were specifically requested by high-ranking cultivators of the sect. In addition, they were sent to the heads of various halls. Since he was guarding the Diligent Work Hall, he didn't get much in his own hands.

He doesn't have much to do, and eating pine nuts is a good way to pass the time.

The two sat facing each other, and as they talked, the conversation turned to the matter of Mingfeng Mountain.

Ye Changqing sighed and said:

"Some of my old comrades asked me about the battle. They wanted to fight back with their remaining strength to make one last contribution to the sect and to benefit their descendants in the future."

"Hehe, no cultivator would willingly spend their entire life like this unless they truly felt hopeless about their future."

Two hundred years earlier, cultivators of his age and level would have long since resigned from sect affairs and retired to enjoy their old age.

When faced with a major event like a demonic calamity that concerns the survival of a sect's lineage, how could one possibly find peace and quiet?

If he were to encounter monsters surrounding the mountain in the future, even this old man would still be ready to fight again.

Ji An's expression was solemn as he said in a deep voice:

"The three sects have been planning for a hundred years. If they operate properly, the impact of the demon calamity on the sects of the Western Continent will be far less than the last large-scale demon calamity."

Compared to demonic beasts, which rely on their physical strength to attack, humans are physically weaker, but they can completely compensate for this deficiency by using various magic arrays, magical artifacts, and talismans.

Over thousands of years, cultivators have continuously improved their skills, but the attack methods of demonic beasts have not changed much, giving cultivators an advantage.

Ye Changqing shook his head slightly and said:

"Let's hope so. Even with the most thorough preparations, the cultivation world of Xizhou will inevitably suffer heavy losses, and there will be huge casualties among the sect disciples."

That said, the demon calamity is also a test, and it remains to be seen how many cultivators will emerge victorious in the war.

Any cultivator who survives the war will achieve something in the future.

After having lunch at a restaurant, Ji An bid farewell to Senior Brother Ye and rode his flying shuttle to Ningcui Cliff.

Inside the cave, he clasped his hands and bowed deeply:

"Greetings, Master. It has been many years since we last met. You still look as dignified as ever."

Ge Ying picked up her teacup and feigned anger, saying:

"You still remember that you have a master? You've been gone from Ningcui Cliff for ten years and haven't returned. I had completely forgotten that I had a disciple like you."

Although she appeared angry, she was still quite satisfied after sensing her disciple's cultivation level.

To cultivate wood-element techniques in a place like Crimson Flame Peak, where the spiritual energy of metal and fire is so intense, and to break through to the third level of Foundation Establishment within ten years, one must be extremely diligent in their cultivation, given their aptitude.

For the past ten years, the disciple has not returned to Ningcui Cliff, yet the annual gifts he has presented have never ceased.

Judging from the quality of the pine nuts and spirit charcoal that were delivered, her understanding of the cultivation technique is quite profound, even surpassing her own back then.

It is an honor for a teacher when their student surpasses them.

"Master has summoned me several times, but I have been delayed by other matters. It is my fault."

I'd wanted to visit Master for a while, but since the spiritual apricots I planted are almost ripe, I thought I'd bring some for Master to try. These apricots are of even better quality this time.

Ji An took out the fruit basket, keeping his bowed posture and raising both hands.

The aroma of fruit wafts through the air, mingling with the delicate fragrance of the tea, creating a unique flavor.

After a few breaths, Ge Ying put down her teacup, maintaining her dignified and solemn expression, and said:

"What, do I have to help you get up?"

A kind light flashed in her eyes, then quickly disappeared.

"Thank you, Master."

Ji An smiled and stood up, handing the fruit basket to the maidservant beside him:

"Clean some and bring them up."

He sat to his master's left and began to speak:

"Speaking of which, the seed of this spirit apricot tree was obtained from Senior Sister Mu."

He recounted how he bought peach seeds from Li Lingyu and how Mu Qingwan gave him a bonus.

As her master grew older, talking about people she knew helped her recall those memories.

"I've heard Lingyu mention this before. Our master-disciple relationship is quite remarkable. Both Liuyu and Lingyu have had interactions with you and recommended you at the same time."

I hadn't planned to take you on as a disciple at the time, but after meeting you, I realized you were a promising talent and immediately accepted you as my student."

The master and apprentice reminisced about the past, and the slight estrangement caused by not seeing each other for many years quickly disappeared.

A maidservant brought over some apricots. Ge Ying picked one up, brought it to her nose to smell its fragrance, and then took a small bite and chewed it carefully.

Approval shone in her eyes as she spoke gently:

"Your ability to cultivate spirit fruit trees is not far from that of your teacher."

She used her object manipulation technique to send a spirit apricot into Ji An's hand, then stood up and said:

"Come with me, I'll show you a treasure."

Ge Ying used a hand seal to break the magical barrier and entered the herb garden.

Then, it flew to the other end of the herb garden and stopped beside a stone wall covered with green vines.

She tilted her head slightly and transmitted her voice to the person behind her:

"Inside lies the most valuable treasure of Ningcui Cliff, where the sect's second-tier top-grade spirit peach tree is housed."

She took out the token to unlock the barrier, made a hand seal to open the portal, and the stone wall silently parted to reveal a two-foot path.

"Do not use your inner energy to fly, otherwise the magical restrictions above will temporarily close for a period of time."

Ji An followed them inside; it was a stone staircase carved into the mountainside.

On the rock face, every few steps, there are luminous pearls the size of pigeon eggs, emitting a soft white light, which does not make it appear dark.

After walking for about 15 minutes, Ji An felt a sudden brightness before his eyes. After passing through a layer of light, he found himself on a platform of about two acres in size, with a sheer cliff outside.

A rich, wood-elemental aura wafts over you, the air is filled with a delicate fragrance, and in the distance you can see rushing waterfalls shrouded in mist.

Two peach trees grew on the left and right, their blossoms as white as snow and as pink as the sunset, like clusters of ethereal clouds adorning the branches. A swarm of tiny purple bees buzzed among the flowers.

The thickest peach tree had cracked bark, sparse leaves and flowers, while the other tree was lush and leafy.

Ji An saw several great tits land in the air above his head, chirping and hopping around chasing each other.

"Go away!" He waved his hand, pretending to shoo the birds away, but they were unmoved and didn't even glance at him.

Ge Ying smiled and said:

"Even though the sunlight is shining in, from the outside it looks like just a rocky area."

There was an illusion array and a mimicry array set up outside, which even a Golden Core cultivator could not see without careful observation.

Even if you shout here, your voice won't carry.

"Truly divine intervention," Ji An chuckled twice to cover his embarrassment, as his knowledge of array formations was rather limited.

He coughed a few times, took out a brocade box, presented it with both hands, and said with a smile:

"I also have a gift for Master this time."

There's no one else around, and the secrecy is excellent, making it a perfect place to discuss confidential matters.

Ge Ying took the brocade box, only to feel her arm suddenly drop. She raised her eyebrows slightly, curiously opened the box, and saw specks of light reflecting from inside, shining into her eyes.

After carefully examining the items inside, she said in a deep voice:

"The second-grade high-quality Heavenly Profound Crimson Gold and the second-grade top-quality Star Mark Gold are such a precious gift."

Do you know what these things mean to those sword cultivators?

The Heavenly Profound Crimson Gold has a color like brass, with natural patterns like water ripples, and the surface of the Star Mark Gold is covered with star-like points of light.

She stared intently at her disciple:

"Where did you get this? Have you done something serious?"

These things are not something a Foundation Establishment cultivator in the early stage could possess. Heavenly Profound Crimson Gold is alright, but Star Mark Gold can be used to make the blanks for top-grade spiritual weapons.

Top-grade spiritual artifacts are refined day and night by cultivators in the Chaoyuan stage. Once their auras are perfectly integrated, they can be used to withstand tribulations.

After successfully transcending the tribulation, the cultivator breaks through to the Golden Core stage, and the top-grade spiritual artifact transforms into a magic weapon.

(End of this chapter)