Chapter 87: Chapter 87: Rank 8 Talismans (Additional updates for every 100 subscriptions)

“So that’s all it was; I thought you intended to steal my disciple.”

“You jest, Lu. Your cultivation level is still above mine; how would I dare to covet what is yours? Moreover, although the Body of the Literary Sage is indeed a rare talent, I simply can’t afford to nurture such talent,” reflected the State Preceptor of Great Xia repeatedly.

Lu Changsheng, already in the Golden Core Realm, allowed his disciple to cultivate using the Xuanlong Huanmo, while the State Preceptor of Great Xia had at most three pieces of Xuanlong Huanmo, barely enough for himself, let alone to present to his disciples.

Mo Huazhi’s achievements under Lu Changsheng’s mentorship would far exceed those she could obtain at the Literary Court of Great Xia.

Lu Changsheng hosted the State Preceptor of Great Xia in his cave abode, and after another session of discussing the Dao, the State Preceptor left with several Great Confucians the following day.

“Ten talismans; you may award them over four days.”

Lu Changsheng summoned his chief disciple, Lin Qingzhi, to start crafting advanced talismans.

“Fourth grade ‘Concealment Talisman,’ which can shield your aura, making it difficult for enemies to detect your presence. I give this to you for self­preservation,” Lu Changsheng said as he took out a yellowish-brown talisman and presented it to Lin Qingzhi for his protection.

Lin Qingzhi was not as physically strong as Lu Changsheng or Lu Qinglian, so Lu Changsheng specifically asked the State Preceptor of Great Xia to craft the Concealment Talisman.

[Ding, you have awarded your disciple Lin Qingzhi a fourth-grade talisman “Concealment Talisman,” and received a 200-fold return reward for mentoring: a sixth-grade talisman” Spirit Concealment Talisman ] [Spirit Concealment Talisman: Sixth-grade talisman, merge with heaven and earth to elude the search by powerful enemies.]

This sixth-grade talisman was particularly useful for preservation of life. “Fifth grade ’Wooden Prison Talisman,1 which can instantly form a wooden barrier to trap the enemy, preventing them from ascending to the heavens or escaping into the earth. Since you possess the Wood Spirit Root, using this talisman will enhance its power,” he explained.

“This talisman can temporarily imprison the enemy and can also be used for self-preservation,” Lu Changsheng added as he awarded the second life­preserving talisman.

[Ding, you have awarded your disciple Lin Qingzhi a fifth-grade talisman “Wooden Prison Talisman,” and received a 100-fold return reward for mentoring: a seventh-grade talisman “Wooden Barrier Talisman” ] [Wooden Barrier Talisman: Seventh-grade talisman, instantly forms a wooden barrier with a ten-mile radius to trap enemies.]

A seventh-grade talisman!

This talisman had a very special purpose, used for trapping enemies and preserving life.

It was precisely because the “Wooden Prison Talisman” was uncommon that Lu Changsheng had asked the State Preceptor of Great Xia to craft this specific talisman.

Mo Huazhi was currently only a junior talisman master, unable to craft talismans above the fourth grade, whereas the State Preceptor of Great Xia, a renowned figure, could craft up to sixth-grade talismans.

A seventh-grade talisman was invaluable.

Yet, Lu Changsheng was not satisfied; his goal was to obtain eighth-grade talismans, or even ninth-grade talismans.

“Fifth grade ‘Soul Stabilizing Charm,’ which can temporarily fortify the seven souls and six spirits against spirit attacks. Elders of the Demon Sects and peerless Great Demons often employ spirit attacks, an unpredictable technique. At a critical moment, this talisman can save your life,” he explained.

Lu Changsheng used his third opportunity to award talismans for the day. While awarding the talismans, Lu Changsheng also explained their specific uses, demonstrating thorough responsibility.

[Ding, you have awarded your disciple Lin Qingzhi a fifth-grade talisman “Soul Stabilizing Charm,” and received a 300-fold return reward for mentoring: a seventh-grade talisman “Soul Calming Divine Talisman”]

The use of the “Soul Calming Divine Talisman” was similar to that of the “Soul Stabilizing Charm,” except it could withstand even stronger spirit attacks.

The three talismans Lu Changsheng obtained-Spirit Concealment Talisman, Wooden Barrier Talisman, Soul Calming Divine Talisman—had unique purposes and might have extraordinary effects.

None of today’s three opportunities to award talismans yielded an eighth­grade talisman; he would have to wait until tomorrow.

The State Preceptor of Great Xia had crafted ten talismans, leaving seven more to be awarded.

The next day, Lu Changsheng continued awarding talismans to Lin Qingzhi, resulting in one fifth-grade and two sixth-grade talismans returned.

On the second day, Lu Changsheng still awarded talismans to Lin Qingzhi.

The previous two awards had yielded two sixth-grade talismans. “Today, we still have one more chance to award a talisman.” Lu Changsheng took out a fifth-grade talisman.

“The fifth-grade talisman, ‘Five Thunders Talisman,’ can summon heavenly thunder to annihilate demons and evils, belonging to the attack category of talismans,”

“Thank you, Master. Master has recently bestowed so many life-saving talismans to your disciple, surely out of concern for my safety. I am not gifted, and have caused Master to worry.”

Lin Qingzhi thought his cultivation was insufficient, which was why Lu Changsheng gave him numerous talismans for protection.

How kind the Master is to him.

“You need not worry too much, as a teacher, I simply enjoy imparting knowledge to my disciples,”

Lu Changsheng would never discuss the system with anyone, not even his disciples.

[Ding, for bestowing the fifth-grade talisman “Five Thunders Talisman” to your disciple Lin Qingzhi, you have received a 5000-fold return reward: an eighth-grade talisman “Divine Thunder Exorcism Charm.”] Finally, an eighth-grade talisman appeared, and it was an offensive type too! In Lu Changsheng’s view, the life-saving effects of the ‘Spirit Concealment Talisman,’ ‘Wooden Barrier Talisman,’ and ‘ Soul Calming Divine Talisman’ were inferior to the ‘Divine Thunder Exorcism Charm.

The best way to preserve one’s life was to eradicate the enemy, naturally ensuring one’s survival.

Stealth, fleeing, and defense were all last resorts. With this, Lu Changsheng had another means to save his own life. “Next, continue to hunt for magical treasures, especially Daoist robes.” After accumulating enough talismans, Lu Changsheng started from the next day to hunt for Daoist robes, aiming to enhance his fighting power as comprehensively as possible.

In the northern part of Huang State, a vast mountain range that stretched for thousands of miles developed a rift due to an earthquake, from which shone golden light and billowing Immortal Clouds.

A group of Golden Core Realm cultivators, who ventured into Huang State to gather herbs, witnessed this miracle.

“Such turmoil, could it be that a peerless expert is undergoing Tribulation?” “No, I’ve read about it in an ancient text; this is the commotion that arises when Immortal Ruins appear!”

“What are Immortal Ruins?”

“Immortal Ruins are the cultivation abodes once used by Great Experts, possibly containing all sorts of treasures and even legacies. These Great Experts existed even before the six major sects and no one knows what could be inside the Immortal Ruins.”

“Thump…”

The group of Golden Core Realm cultivators swallowed hard, greed shining in their eyes.

If they could obtain the treasures or even the inheritance of Great Experts within the Immortal Ruins, they might one day advance to the Nascent Soul Realm or even the Dao Palace Realm.

“But I’ve heard that most Immortal Ruins are fraught with danger, and without significant power, it’s difficult to obtain the treasures within.” “We, as cultivators, are defying the heavens in our pursuit. If we don’t dare to take risks, how can we hope to become immortal?”

“We are likely the first to discover these Immortal Ruins. We should act sooner rather than later, or else the six major sects will send people over!”

“Forget it, let’s take the risk and see if we can encounter a stroke of immortal destiny. Even if it’s a slim chance, it’s worth it even at the risk of death.

The group of Golden Core Realm cultivators gritted their teeth and chose to venture into the Immortal Ruins.

“If you want to seek death, count me out. Better to use this news to strike a deal with the six major sects.”

However, one of the Golden Core Realm cultivators did not recklessly enter the Immortal Ruins.

Such places were not meant for Golden Core Realm cultivators to meddle with. As this Golden Core Realm cultivator left, the news quickly spread to the six major sects.

At this time, Lu Changsheng was bestowing a Daoist robe upon his disciple, Lin Qingzhi.

[Ding, for bestowing the supreme postnatal treasure “Flowing Clouds Daoist Robe” upon your disciple Lin Qingzhi, you have received an 8oo-fold return reward: a medium-grade innate treasure “Qilin Cloud Pattern Daoist Robe.”] After bestowing four Daoist robes to Lin Qingzhi, Lu Changsheng finally got a robe returned that was of great quality and style.

Lu Changsheng donned the Qilin Cloud Pattern Daoist Robe, carried the True Martial Sword, kept eighth-grade Elixir Pills, eighth-grade Talismans, and was adorned with prime treasures. Even his physique, thanks to the practice of the ‘Nine Dragons Refinement Technique,’ was as robust as meteoric iron.

Even if he encountered a Supreme Elder from the Demon Sects who had cultivated for a thousand years, Lu Changsheng would still have the power to fight.

“Without ten or so Immortal Artifacts by my side, it’s still not secure enough…