Outside the Talisman Cultivator Guild.
“Has that old man arrived yet?”
A tall evil cultivator in a black robe of the Evil God Cult hid in a corner and asked.
“Yes.”
The evil cultivator nodded and said, “He’s arrived, Boss. He’s just a talisman master, we could’ve dealt with him on the way. Why go through so much trouble?”
The tall evil cultivator sighed helplessly and explained, “That’s a talisman master from the Ganji Pavilion. This operation has been classified as top priority by Dao Sword Immortal.”
“Not only are the accompanying guards all late Foundation Establishment, even the immortal vessel is engraved with the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion’s most exquisite formations and inscriptions.”
“The only way to deal with him is to catch him off guard.Those who study side paths, as long as they’re prepared, can unleash far more explosive power in their own fields than sword cultivators, spell cultivators, or body cultivators.”
“But on the other hand, they’re fragile and react slowly to sudden events, making them easy to counter.”
The tall evil cultivator glanced at the Talisman Cultivator Guild, his gaze turning a bit mocking as he said, “Let’s wait a bit longer. Don’t forget Lord [Wise One]’s order before he left: pave the way for the Xiao Sect at all costs!”
But this left another evil cultivator somewhat confused. “Why must we help the Xiao Sect?”
“Because the Four Sages Academy belongs to the Imperial Family. Are we going to help the Imperial Family, you fool?”
The tall evil cultivator cursed in a low voice and said, “Continue lurking. If there’s an opportunity, eliminate any high-value targets to clear obstacles for the chaos soon to descend on Lingtian City.”
Having said that, the tall evil cultivator lowered his voice, “The deity is undying, the divine cult is eternal.”
The other evil cultivator simply nodded, “The deity is undying, the divine cult is eternal!”
***
On the other side
Dongfang Xiaotian could only be impressed by this rich young master in front of him.
As expected, a loose cultivator like himself couldn’t compare to the wealthy. Couldn’t compare at all. He just casually threw out the method for making a third-tier talisman. You could only say—he’s truly loaded.
Dongfang Xiaotian only casually flipped through it. After glancing twice, he had already memorized it completely.
Although Dongfang Xiaotian didn’t understand the principles, the Grand Dream Heart Sutra was just that miraculous.
Its main function, aside from its incredible compatibility with other cultivation methods, was to strengthen Dongfang Xiaotian’s memory.
The world and all the practice he constructed in his dreams were based on this ability.
Not quite photographic memory, but as long as he took a serious look once or twice, he could remember everything in detail.
“Alright, I’ve more or less memorized it.”
Dongfang Xiaotian put away Yuan Zhe Daoist’s things and began demonstrating the preparation of material ratios.
“First, grind the Sky Blue Bull’s horn into powder. Next, melt down the Black Patterned Dragon Elephant’s scales, and then add a bit of Double-Armed Kui Bull’s hoof…”
The method for blending the ink for talisman-making spiritual fluid was actually much like the potion-mixing process described in Western novels—just prepare the various ingredients in a certain ratio, put them together, then stir until the ink matched the color described in the book, and it would be ready for use.
As long as one grasped the order and timing of adding the ingredients, even a mortal could do it.
But as he watched the liquid emit a faint fragrance and glow with a green light, Yuan Zhe Daoist couldn’t help but praise it.
“Dongfang brother, your technique is quite interesting, eh?”
As someone who was a total amateur at blending spiritual ink, Yuan Zhe Daoist naturally couldn’t see the profundity in Dongfang Xiaotian’s technique, but just felt awed without understanding.
“The color’s right. This should be no problem.”
Yuan Zhe Daoist nodded, finally acknowledging Dongfang Xiaotian’s ability as a partner. Just as he finished speaking, someone knocked on his private room door.
“Fellow Daoist, the competition is about to begin. Are you ready?”
“No problem, of course no problem!”
Yuan Zhe Daoist patted Dongfang Xiaotian on the shoulder and said, “With your skills, how could I not win first place!”
With that, Yuan Zhe Daoist immediately dragged Dongfang Xiaotian to the competition venue.
Dongfang Xiaotian immediately spotted the three people sitting at the judges’ table.
Two were Zhou Fenghe and Zhou Hongwu, whom Dongfang Xiaotian had met before, and the other was an elderly man with white hair just like Zhou Hongwu.
Judging by the looks, this should be Zhou Fufu’s grandfather, a third-tier talisman master whose strength was on par with a Golden Core cultivator.
Of course, competitions like this are essentially about complicating simple things by proceduralizing them, breaking down the original steps and dragging out the competition time.
First, there was a lengthy introduction of a group of second-tier talisman masters—famous ones from various cities and places.
But when it came to helpers like Dongfang Xiaotian, they were all summarized with “and his assistant.”
Looking around, Dongfang Xiaotian saw that out of the twenty competitors, seventeen had brought helpers to assist them, which showed that most talisman masters really couldn’t handle every part of the process alone like he could.
At this moment, there was an uproar around him. Dongfang Xiaotian then realized that the introductions had reached Zhou Fufu.
And at this time, Zhou Fufu looked at Dongfang Xiaotian with a proud, smug expression.
Seeing Dongfang Xiaotian walking behind Yuan Zhe Daoist, Zhou Fufu’s sense of superiority surged.
“Hmph, turns out he’s not even a contestant, just someone tagging along as a helper, not even qualified to compete on the same stage as me.”
Facing Dongfang Xiaotian’s look of incredulity and frown, she replied with a polite smile.
“But at least I finally know why he dared to boast about selling those precious materials for five times the price. I didn’t expect he actually has connections with the Black Dragon Chamber of Commerce. With the help of those big tycoons, it’s not hard to sell for five times the price.”
At its core, the Black Dragon Chamber of Commerce is still a chamber of commerce—buy low, sell high.
As one of the top chambers in the world, they even have the credibility to issue spiritual cards, so their ability to buy low and sell high is second to none.
But even with such abundant Sage Hua Martial Virtue, simply buying low and selling high isn’t enough. They also need strength.
Zhou Fufu thought to herself, with her status in Lingtian City, the Black Dragon Chamber of Commerce should show her some respect, right?
Besides, she wasn’t one of those old men who’d been stuck at tier three for over ten years; her future potential was limitless.
She would talk to Yuan Zhe Daoist later and ask him to set aside some materials for her to practice. He’d definitely agree.
And she’d give that Dongfang fellow a little shock too, since he was so indifferent to her just now!
As for Zhou Fufu’s thoughts, Dongfang Xiaotian more or less understood. The thrill of being a “dragon among men”—he’d experienced it plenty of times himself.
Wasn’t it just about saying, “I failed to recognize your greatness, you’re actually XXX,” and then handing over whatever she needed?
Unfortunately, this time Dongfang Xiaotian was here to get something himself.
With Yuan Zhe Daoist’s ability to draw third-tier spiritual talismans, Dongfang Xiaotian felt that getting first place should be more than enough.
Once Dongfang Xiaotian received the champion’s prize and exchanged it with the second place’s Tiangang Gold, it would be enough for him to start printing Vajra Body-Protection Talismans.
No way would a competition be full of second-tier talisman masters with gray third-tier talismans. If it were, even a desperate contest could create a few third-tier talisman masters on the spot.
Under such absolute power, Lingtian City would be thrown into chaos for sure.
The competition soon began. The first round was a simple test of basics: contestants were given the method to make a first-tier spiritual talisman and had to produce a similar talisman as quickly as possible.
“This is a first-tier Qi Gathering Talisman. It helps a cultivator conceal their cultivation and aura from Qi Refining cultivators before using spiritual power.”
After Zhou Fenghe, president of the Talisman Cultivator Guild, finished speaking, the maids brought out the already-prepared Qi Gathering Talisman instructions and materials.
“A Qi Gathering Talisman—now that’s a rare gem among first-tier talismans. They’re generous this time.”
Yuan Zhe Daoist handed the Qi Gathering Talisman instructions to Dongfang Xiaotian. “Dongfang brother, take a look. I just happened to have learned this one.”
Yuan Zhe Daoist mumbled something that sounded like a spell, then, without hesitation, grabbed the colorful, oddly glowing materials in front of him and, with practiced skill and swift movements, placed them into a delicate container in a particular order.
As the final ingredient was dropped into the porcelain bottle, Yuan Zhe Daoist gently waved his hand and channeled a mysterious spiritual force from his fingertips into the bottle.
The once-calm porcelain bottle suddenly shook violently, accompanied by a low humming sound—signaling the formation of the spiritual ink required for a first-tier talisman!
Compared to third-tier spiritual talismans, the proportion requirements for spiritual ink in first-tier talismans weren’t as strict.
Plus, Yuan Zhe Daoist had already reached third-tier as a talisman master, so he was more than experienced and skilled enough.
Making the spiritual ink for a low-level talisman was practically second nature!
Seeing that Yuan Zhe Daoist was already having fun tinkering away, Dongfang Xiaotian decided not to bother and began taking notes on the Qi Gathering Talisman’s production method.
Naturally, the first to finish in this round was Zhou Fufu, who looked every bit like a high-level NPC female character, followed by Yuan Zhe Daoist.
Unlike Yuan Zhe Daoist, who was already familiar with the Qi Gathering Talisman, Dongfang Xiaotian noticed that Zhou Fufu had seriously read the instructions once before proceeding.
This meant it was her first time, yet she still produced the talisman faster than Yuan Zhe Daoist and with slightly better results.
As for how to judge the effectiveness, it was based on distance.
A Qi Gathering Talisman only conceals aura, not erases it. Get close enough, and you’ll always feel it.
They used a chicken for testing: whoever held the talisman and unleashed spiritual power, the closer they got to the chicken before it got startled, the better the talisman.
Most contestants, due to rushing, could only make Qi Gathering Talismans effective within ten meters—barely a pass. Yuan Zhe Daoist’s was five meters, which was standard.
But Zhou Fufu was incredible. With her Qi Gathering Talisman, the chicken didn’t panic until the cultivator was within one meter.
If this talisman was a higher tier and could mask the aura and soul sense of a Golden Core cultivator, Dongfang Xiaotian could have used it to stealthily take the Xiao Sect Grand Elder’s head.
Truly an assassin’s treasure. Unfortunately, this was just a first-tier talisman; any significant exertion would expose him. It was only good for amusement.
Once again, Dongfang Xiaotian felt the gap between geniuses and ordinary folk.
For a genius, even if you have the answers, you might not even copy them as fast as they solve them.
The second round was to complete the method for making a talisman, with a half-hour time limit.
After an hour, whoever produced a talisman whose effect most closely matched—or even surpassed—the incomplete talisman’s description, would win.
If the first round was about learning ability, then this round was about who had the strongest foundation. Using solid knowledge and understanding of spiritual materials to complete a talisman.
Even though it was just a first-tier talisman, it was still a challenge for second-tier talisman masters.
Even Yuan Zhe Daoist brought the incomplete talisman to consult Dongfang Xiaotian. Dongfang Xiaotian glanced at it.
It was called a Life Preserving Talisman, which could forcefully keep someone alive, ensuring injuries stayed within a manageable range—a very useful talisman.
Not much use in daily life—if you needed it regularly, you’d best give up—but in emergencies, it was a lifesaver. Dongfang Xiaotian loved this kind of thing.
Even better, this was only a first-tier talisman.
Though its effect was limited, its low cost meant he might even be able to improve it into a second or third-tier version someday.
“Dongfang brother, do you think this needs Heaven Mending Herb as a main ingredient?”
Yuan Zhe Daoist asked Dongfang Xiaotian for advice. Although Dongfang Xiaotian claimed his talisman skills weren’t as high, everyone had different strengths.
Plus, Dongfang Xiaotian was a second-tier talisman master himself, not much inferior in comparison.
“Heaven Mending Herb is indeed the most common healing ingredient, but this talisman has no healing effect. It’d be better to pick a spiritual material with protective or soul-stabilizing properties.”
Dongfang Xiaotian casually reminded him, and Yuan Zhe Daoist seemed to have an epiphany, “Exactly, exactly!”
He immediately started picking through the spiritual materials provided by the Talisman Cultivator Guild, ready to experiment.
Meanwhile, at the judges’ table of the Talisman Cultivator Guild.
Zhou Hongwu looked at the incomplete talisman instructions, frowning as he studied them. “Xiao Feng, isn’t this round a bit too difficult—”