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At the front of the caravan, three figures in black stood apart, their early-stage Foundation Establishment auras pressing down on the group so heavily that no one dared to raise their heads.
“Im… Immortals…”
The coachman stammered out the words.
“We don’t even have ten people here…”
“Is that so?” The leading middle-aged cultivator’s expression was mild, “Then we’ll just kill everyone within ten breaths.”
The caravan leader kicked the coachman.
“Three breaths have passed.”
The elderly cultivator standing at the back spoke in a faint, ghostly tone, bringing two fingers together. A trace of dark light flickered at his fingertips.
“Die.”
Boom!
Spiritual energy collided, kicking up a swirl of dust. The caravan leader tumbled back in panic, landing hard on the ground. Before him now stood a short, slender figure.
It was an elderly woman. Her mid-stage Foundation Establishment aura swept out, her eyes blazing like torches, her face unusually pale.
“Stop!”
The carriage door was shoved aside as Liu Yu leaped down.
“It’s you again! Wasn’t killing my sister enough?!”
Seeing him emerge, the middle-aged cultivator gave a faint smile, “Young Master, if it had been you who died last time, we wouldn’t have had to make this extra trip.”
All color drained from Liu Yu’s face.
The old woman spoke, her voice hoarse, “Young Master, run!”
Liu Yu turned to flee, but instead ran right up to her, “Aunt Zhou, we—”
Before he could finish, the old woman grabbed him by the collar and flung him backward. In the same swift motion, she thrust out a palm to block the combined strike launched by the three cultivators.
Spiritual energy erupted violently. The old woman staggered back three steps, vomiting a great mouthful of blood.
The elderly cultivator clicked his tongue, shaking his head, “Once a renowned expert of Qingzhu City, worn down by the years. Today, you meet your end far from home.”
Liu Yu, flung aside, eyes blazing red, “You beasts! I’ll fight you to the death!”
“Young Master! Run!”
The old woman sent Liu Yu flying several more yards with another palm strike, then turned her hand and struck toward her own dantian—she intended to self-destruct!
The elderly cultivator let out a strange laugh, no longer concealing his aura as he stepped forward—mid-stage Foundation Establishment!
His aged hand flipped over, and a giant bell descended from above, his gaze pitying, "When I see you, it is as the Heavenly Dao sees a mayfly."
Liu Yu sprawled on the ground, lifting a face streaked with tears and blood, and desperately scrambled toward the old woman—
A slender hand reached out from the side, hooked his collar, and with a flick of the wrist, tossed him backward.
Liu Yu: "???"
Again!
Having been tossed around like a ceremonial ball three times already, Young Master Liu was utterly numb. He scrambled up skillfully, his pupils shaking violently.
The giant bell hung in mid-air, frozen and motionless.
A figure stood before him, dressed in neat black clothes, tall and slender, with cool, indifferent features.
Liu Yu stared, dumbstruck, as he heard the elderly cultivator shout sharply, "A mere mid-stage Qi Refinement trash dares to come deliver himself to death?!"
"Not good! Brother Jiang, run!"
The ancient bell trembled mightily, its soundwaves surging forth like heavy tides. The crowd of ordinary people collapsed in agony, and Liu Yu felt a weight of a thousand pounds press down on his back, making his eyes bulge and his chest cave in.
The elderly cultivator, pouring all his energy into driving the artifact, narrowed his murky eyes, an ominous sense of foreboding arising inexplicably within him.
Among the fallen crowd, only the young Qi Refinement cultivator stood tall and straight, his dark robes fluttering slightly in the wind.
He did not look toward the three of them. He raised a hand, his slender fingers pinching a talisman. With a flick, the talisman shot out like an arrow, igniting mid-air.
A leaping flame instantly illuminated everyone's eyes. As the light vanished, countless runes swirled out, spreading across a hundred-meter radius, suppressing the soundwaves of the ancient bell.
The burning runes shone brilliantly. Everyone heard that clear, cold voice utter two words: "Step down."
The elderly cultivator's brow furrowed, and he quietly retreated behind his companions.
A talisman cultivator?
He wasn't at the mid-stage of Qi Refinement, but the peak... How could a Qi Refinement cultivator possess such formidable pressure? He couldn't even discern his true cultivation stage!
The other two cultivators sneered coldly, "A mere Qi Refinement brat dares to show off! Today, we'll send you to your grave!"
Chen Moqing lowered his gaze indifferently.
The flowing runes suddenly turned sharp, like countless interwoven sword auras, tearing through the long night and starry river—the ancient bell shattered! The two early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators at the forefront died instantly!
The elderly cultivator immediately clasped his hands in salute, his form rapidly retreating dozens of meters, "Senior! I have offended greatly! Please forgive this junior! I will retreat immediately!"
What followed was a voice as cold as ice: "Too late."
The runes blazed like flame, the killing array already formed.
Fierce, blazing firelight instantly swallowed the elderly cultivator's murky eyes.
How is this possible?!
Having cultivated for two hundred years, on the verge of forming his Golden Core... how could it end like this...
The elderly cultivator strained to reach out, not even given time to utter half a plea for mercy—his body trapped within the talisman fire, his soul and spirit utterly extinguished.
The caravan fell deathly silent.
In less than ten breaths, three Foundation Establishment cultivators slain.
After a long silence, Liu Yu sucked in a sharp breath, "Th-this is the peak of Qi Refinement?"
The old woman he helped up had a complicated expression.
No. That person is definitely more than just at the peak of Qi Refinement!
It was said that some geniuses of the talisman path could craft talismans capable of transcending cultivation levels, just as sword cultivators who reached the pinnacle could use their swords to slay enemies beyond their realm—heaven's favored ones always carried the fortune of heaven.
This was absolutely a prodigy specializing in talismans, perhaps even a direct disciple of the Tingyu Sect!
So young, yet possessing such profound skill in the talisman path. His actions were ruthless, decisive in killing... this youth was absolutely immeasurable!
"This old woman is Zhou Feixu. I thank you, fellow Daoist, for saving our lives."
"Brother Jiang! From today on, we are sworn brothers!"
Inside the spacious carriage, Liu Yu bowed deeply.
Chen Moqing sidestepped to avoid the bow, "Unnecessary. Young Master Liu invited me to share the carriage; we are now even."
"That is not so. How can a life-saving grace be lightly offset? Brother Jiang's great virtue, I will surely remember in my heart!"
Liu Yu smiled, then sighed, "I imagine Brother Jiang must also wonder why those men wanted to kill me."
Chen Moqing: "I do not."
As if he hadn't heard, Liu Yu murmured, "My surname is Liu. The Liu family of Qingzhu City."
"After giving birth to my sister and me, my mother stayed in the countryside to recuperate from her illness. She passed away not long ago. My father sent people to bring us back. Who could have guessed we would be ambushed on the road? My sister, she..."
"Aunt Zhou was gravely injured protecting us, her cultivation falling by two minor stages. I thought this place was only a hundred miles from Qingzhu City, that those people wouldn't dare cause trouble again... I never imagined..."
The snowy-white little beast on his lap yawned, looking utterly bored. Chen Moqing directly covered it with his sleeve, saying calmly, "Even so, you still wish to proceed?"
"Yes!" Liu Yu wiped the corner of his eye, clenching his fist tightly, "The mastermind behind the assassination is my younger brother. We do not share the same mother. He is vicious to this extent. Once I return and tell my father, he will certainly meet a bad end!"
His expression grew spirited again as he cupped his hands toward Chen Moqing, "Great kindness is beyond words of thanks! I see Brother Jiang is not the type who loves wealth. In the future—"
Chen Moqing: "I am."
"I knew... Huh?"
A moment later, Chen Moqing stowed several bulging sacks of spirit stones into his storage pouch and tossed one to the Demon Emperor beside him to play with.
Cang Shun sat upright on the soft cushion, casting a disdainful glance at that shiny, round stone.
A little while later.
The snowy-white little beast began pawing at the spirit stone.
[With this, can we buy many bowls of wontons?]
Chen Moqing fell silent for a brief moment, then said, "It can buy enough to last ten years."
Cang Shun, satisfied, hugged the spirit stone and played with it for a while longer. Remembering something, he lifted a paw, retrieved a package of osmanthus cakes from the void, and gently tossed it to the person beside him.
Chen Moqing: "Not eating them?"
Cang Shun turned his head away.
[They're cloying. Don't like them anymore.]
A faint smile then appeared on Chen Moqing's face as he unwrapped the neatly folded package of osmanthus cakes.
Not as fragrant as the osmanthus from years gone by.
...
Three days later, Qingzhu City.
A talisman-path city occupying an entire mountain range, its city walls carved with ancient runes. Upon arriving, Chen Moqing immediately sensed the vast and profound aura of the talisman path.
At the city gate hung a bounty board, using spiritual energy to depict the most wanted great villains. Chen Moqing gave it a casual glance.
Twelve scrolls of bounties, and every scroll bore his name.
Cang Shun gave a sidelong glance: [Who's this guy? Your brother from the same father and mother?]
"Chen Moqing? I heard he's a formidable great demon!" Liu Yu clicked his tongue in amazement at the portrait, "Thank goodness he's already been executed. If he'd snuck into Qingzhu City, wouldn't this place face the disaster of being wiped out?"
As soon as he finished speaking, he saw the little demon beast in Brother Jiang's arms shaking, laughing so hard its fur flew everywhere.
It got a leisurely tap on the head from Brother Jiang.
Instantly, the little beast's round eyes widened, and it started mewling and grumbling again, ferocious yet cute, making a lot of noise.
It looked fierce, but wouldn't even extend its claws for a scratch.
Liu Yu found it utterly adorable and wiggled his fingers, "Here kitty, kitty, kitty."
Suddenly, a sharp pain split his face as if sliced by a claw. He let out a wretched "Ow!" and covered his face with his hands, but there was no blood.
Zhou Feixu beside him seemed to want to say something but held back, pretending not to see.
"Oh, right, Brother Jiang, do you have a place to stay?" Liu Yu hissed through the pain, holding his face, "Why not come to my house as a guest..."
"No need," Chen Moqing pressed Cang Shun's head down, his expression calm, "We part here."
Liu Yu was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and nodded, "Alright! Though Qingzhu City is large, there will still be a time to meet again. If Brother Jiang ever needs anything, come to the Liu family and find me!"
"Take care."
After bidding farewell to Liu Yu, Chen Moqing, holding Cang Shun, who for some reason suddenly seemed in a better mood, circled the city once and quickly found the place selling talismans.
Qianxuan Pavilion.
A resplendent, golden signboard, a towering twelve-story pavilion.
A maid quickly came forward to greet them. Upon learning Chen Moqing wished to sell low-grade talismans, she guided him to an area on the first floor.
A man in gray robes sat behind the counter, glancing sideways at the arriving customer.
He was a very young cultivator, at the mid-stage of Qi Refinement. His attire wasn't luxurious, his features only moderately handsome, yet he possessed a clear, elegant aura like green bamboo after rain, pleasant to behold.
On his shoulder sat a demon beast, its spiritual power low, but its appearance quite fine. Being able to capture such a beast indicated some level of skill.
The man leisurely sipped his tea, dragging out his words, "What talismans does our guest have?"
Chen Moqing lightly tapped the table with his knuckle, and three talismans slid into the air.
The man glanced over casually, his eyes widening as he abruptly straightened up, "This is... two first-grade Flame Talismans, and a second-grade Thunderbolt Talisman!"
Talisman cultivators could use spiritual energy to draw talismans on the spot during battle, or infuse spiritual energy into talisman paper in advance to craft finished talismans.
Talismans are divided into nine grades. First and second grade are low-grade; third, fourth, and fifth are middle-grade; sixth and seventh are high-grade—high-grade talismans are worth millions, even tens of millions, of spirit stones. At eighth grade and above, they are supreme-grade talismans capable of stirring heaven and earth phenomena, their value beyond spirit stones.
Having recognized countless talismans, the man saw at a glance that while these three talismans were low-grade, they were brimming with spiritual energy, their runes exquisitely crafted. This indicated the talisman path attainment of their creator was exceptionally profound; they were truly top-quality, perfect specimens.
"A Flame Talisman is one thing, but this second-grade Thunderbolt Talisman is quite difficult to produce. Once made, its power is astonishing, capable of unleashing combat strength at the peak of Foundation Establishment!"
Initially thinking Chen Moqing wouldn't produce anything remarkable, the man now realized he was a master who didn't flaunt his skills. He immediately switched to a smiling face, "Quickly, serve tea to our honored guest! Honored guest, please sit! This old one's eyes were dull, actually letting our honored guest stand all this time!"
A maid promptly brought over an armchair and thoughtfully provided a soft cushion for the guest's little demon beast to lie on.
The man carefully held the second-grade Thunderbolt Talisman at a distance, "Did you personally craft this talisman, honored guest?"
Chen Moqing picked up the teacup, "A gift from my master."
The man's eyes narrowed into slits as he smiled, "For these two first-grade Flame Talismans, we are willing to offer six hundred spirit stones each. For this second-grade Thunderbolt Talisman, we are willing to offer three thousand spirit stones!"
A difference of even one grade in talismans is like the difference between heaven and earth; even among talismans of the same grade, there can be disparities—the Thunderbolt Talisman is already among the top-tier in terms of lethality among all second-grade talismans.
The old man's quoted price was ten percent above the market rate, intended as a gesture of goodwill towards this talisman cultivator. Generally, only Golden Core cultivators can maintain youthful appearances. This Qi Refinement talisman cultivator was too young; the old man didn't believe this Thunderbolt Talisman was crafted by him, but being able to obtain such a talisman indicated his connections were not shallow either.
Chen Moqing was in no hurry and said, "Do you have a third-grade Spirit Protection—"
"Eight hundred spirit stones. I'll take them."
A slightly sharp voice cut in. The old man's eyelid twitched as he saw a young man adorned with gold and jade striding over, casually tossing a pouch of spirit stones onto the table, "Eight hundred. These three talisman papers are all mine now."
The old man inwardly groaned in distress.
Why is it him again?
—Liu Jue, the youngest son, most favored by the head of the Liu family, a tyrannical king in Qingzhu City.
To this person who suddenly barged in, Chen Moqing only had one sentence: "Four thousand two hundred spirit stones."
Liu Jue's face showed mockery, "Hah! For me to be willing to pay is already giving you face! Think clearly. What I, Liu Jue, want, no one in Qingzhu City dares to snatch!"
Chen Moqing shifted his gaze towards the old man. The old man gave an awkward chuckle, "This..."
While this talisman cultivator was worth investing in, he was currently alone. And Liu Jue's father was the head of the Liu family, one of the three great powers of Qingzhu City—a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator!
Chen Moqing didn't say more. Calmly, he retrieved the talisman papers, "Then forget it."
He stretched out his hand. The snowy-white little beast jumped onto his shoulder, letting out a low 'meow-meow'.
Chen Moqing patted the little beast's back and walked out.
The old man opened his mouth to stop him, but his peripheral glance caught Liu Jue beside him. In the end, he could only sigh and give a gesture of farewell.
Liu Jue hadn't expected Chen Moqing to just leave like that, actually giving him no face at all. He stood there dumbfounded for a few seconds before forcing out a cold sneer, "Given face, yet he refuses to take it!"
He stormed out of Qianxuan Pavilion, couldn't find the man's figure, and angrily scolded the attendants waiting at the entrance, "Are you all blind?! Go! Get it for me by force!"
An attendant quickly approached, "Young Master, just received news—"
"What?! Those useless idiots couldn't even take care of two people?! Weren't they carrying the Suppression Demon Bell? That's a Foundation Establishment peak-grade artifact!"
"Zhou Feixu? Hah, seems I underestimated that old woman Zhou Feixu. A top expert from Qingzhu City years ago, still not to be looked down upon!"
The attendant lowered his voice again, "Young Master, a Qi Refinement mid-stage talisman cultivator also entered the city with them. Likely helped them."
"Another talisman cultivator?"
Liu Jue flared up at the mention of those two words. His eyes rolled, quickly thinking of something.
"Hah... hahaha..."
After a chilling laugh, Liu Jue's eyes turned sinister, "Go invite Uncle Xue to settle this matter."
"Kill that man, bring those talismans of his to me. Mother's birthday is coming up. With such good items, she'll definitely be happy, and her illness might improve."
An upper room in an inn. A few dishes of side food, a bowl of fresh fish soup.
Cang Shun wandered around on the table, sniffing this and that, then turned his head to look at Chen Moqing meditating on the bed.
[Not eating?]
Chen Moqing didn't lift his eyelids, "Forgot to tell you, I've long since practiced inedia."
[...Oh.]
Then why does he always think about eating!
Cang Shun stared at a plate of braised fish in front of him. The thick, soy-colored sauce soaked the crispy skin, beneath it lay snow-white, tender fish meat, garnished with fine, crisp shreds of scallion and ginger.
Doesn't like it.
He's a Demon Emperor, he doesn't eat mortal food.
Turned his head and jumped off the table.
"The food will get cold."
"......"
Two seconds passed.
A snowy-white little beast jumped back onto the table and began eating the fish as if nothing had happened.
While picking out the most tender part of the fish belly, he said leisurely: [Benzun can intervene once, help you kill that trash.]
"Not necessary," Chen Moqing said, "Just stay by my side."
He feared this Demon Emperor might either not act at all or, if he did, create an earth-shattering commotion and draw attention.
Cang Shun: "......"
He treats me quite well too.
He... he even wants me to stay by his side.
Cang Shun fell silent, his eyes drifting slightly toward a certain direction. His pace of eating the fish even slowed down a little.
Not paying attention to the little glances of a certain demon emperor, Chen Moqing's divine sense sank into his spiritual sea.
The once barren spiritual sea was now full again, spiritual energy flowing smoothly. Although he hadn't broken through to the next stage yet, Chen Moqing knew his combat power had already surpassed Foundation Establishment.
Now, there was still one problem before him.
Of the thousand spirit stones given by Liu Yu earlier, after refining four talismans, only a few dozen remained.
Spirit stones contain Heavenly Dao spiritual energy, usable for cultivators' cultivation and also circulated as currency. Talisman cultivators expend vast amounts of spiritual energy when refining talismans, and their own cultivation also requires spiritual energy—if one uses their own spiritual energy for cultivation, then refining talismans can only rely on spirit stones.
Currently, he was only refining low-grade talismans, consuming only spirit stones. If they were high-grade talismans, they would also require rare treasures and materials, the price even more unimaginable.
This is also a common pain point for many technique cultivators not born into great clans or sects—using spiritual energy to refine treasures, while improving refining techniques, slows personal cultivation progress, making it impossible to refine high-grade treasures. If one focuses on raising cultivation level but neglects refining techniques, one may have cultivation but lack proficiency in refining, and thus have no combat methods.
Therefore, the innate advantage of sword cultivators lies here: cultivating the sword is cultivating the self, no need to divide attention with external things—and for this reason, those with sword path aptitude are few and far between, often regarded as heaven's darlings.
With a wave of his hand, Chen Moqing had dozens of spirit stones floating in the air, emitting a faint glow.
Pitifully few.
No matter how he arranged or stacked them, he couldn't make this pile of spirit stones look any bigger.
Why wasn't there a spell that could make spirit stones give birth to more spirit stones?
Chen Moqing sighed softly. It was a pity he couldn't claim the bounty on himself; truly a great regret.
As his thoughts drifted, a soft, fluffy ball had somehow wiggled its way into the palm of his hand. Lost in contemplation, he didn't look down, but instinctively began stroking it, one gentle pet after another.
Only when a faint sound reached his ear did he return to his senses slightly, lowering his gaze.
In his palm, lay a round little fluffy ball.
The little fluffy ball narrowed its demon eyes slightly, its belly emitting a soft, rumbling purr.
Chen Moqing withdrew his hand.
The snowy-white little beast lifted its fuzzy head, its round demon eyes fixed unblinkingly on him.
Chen Moqing: What is it.
He tossed this Demon Emperor lightly to the bedside and began drawing some low-grade talismans that didn't consume much spiritual energy.
Cang Shun, who landed with a soft 'thump' on the bed: "......."
He hates humans!!
For the umpteenth time, a certain Demon Emperor's fur puffed up in agitation. He stared at Chen Moqing for a few seconds, and seeing he paid him no mind, angrily flicked his tail, leaped out the window, and vanished into the night.
The full moon hung high, willow leaves brushed the riverbank.
On the inn's rooftop, a snowy-white little beast crouched atop the ridge. The cold night wind ruffled its fur into a mess, its round ears drooping slightly.
That fluffy paw swiped at the glazed tiles of the roof, each stroke from the seemingly soft little claw leaving deep scratches in the tiles, making an eerie sound in the night wind.
Cang Shun waited for a while, but the person didn't come out to look for him. His ears, which had been perked up, drooped a little further.
...Ignoring him.
So weak, yet daring to stay alone in a room. What if someone came looking for him? He'd have no ability to protect himself at all.
No, it has nothing to do with him anyway.
He refuses to go back, refuses to stay in the same room with that detestable human!
....His fish wasn't finished yet.
...
He's definitely wasn’t for that person at all!
Inside the room, Chen Moqing was about to push the door open and leave when he heard movement by the window. He turned around.
A fluffy little furball huffily squeezed in through the window, hopped onto the table, and grabbed two pieces of dried fish.
It shot a glare at Chen Moqing, then turned and jumped away with cold indifference.
It crouched outside the window, munching on the dried fish with icy detachment.
Chen Moqing: "......"
The corners of his eyes curved slightly. He walked over and picked up that chilly, fluffy ball.
The little furball was still puffed up, squirming and making little noises. He gently pressed two slender fingers against its head and rubbed, "Be good."
The little furball stopped moving instantly.
Chen Moqing tucked the little furball inside his robe, wrapping the garment around it.
The little furball buried itself against his chest, motionless.
It became soft.
"Don't come out later."
After saying this to the little furball, Chen Moqing looked up. The cold moonlight reflected in his dark, deep eyes.
"What are you waiting for, sir?"
A moment later, a figure appeared outside the window, "For your last words."
Great perfection of Foundation Establishment.
Half a stage higher than late-stage Foundation Establishment, a False Core cultivator just half a step away from Golden Core—
Number one below the Golden Core stage.
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