FFSC_06

Qianxuan Pavilion.

At the third mark of the morning hour, the old man on the first floor responsible for acquiring low-grade talismans saw a young guest enter the pavilion, holding a young demon beast in his arms.

Was it him?

There had been a private altercation in the city last night. He thought this person was surely dead... It seems the Liu family didn't send anyone to trouble him yesterday, otherwise he wouldn't be here safe and sound.

The old man instinctively covered his face with his sleeve, not wanting that young talisman cultivator to see him.

Arriving so early today, he must be trying to sell those few talismans while the Liu family's young master isn't around.

Too bad, he really doesn't want to offend Young Master Liu...

"You must be the esteemed guest Master mentioned!"

A girl in a goose-yellow dress skipped down from the second floor, her two braids flying behind her. Her bright eyes glanced several times at the snowy-white beast nestled in Chen Moqing’s arms.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Ning Lili, just call me Lili,” the girl said with a soft smile, “Please follow me. My master has been waiting for you since early morning!”

Chen Moqing nodded in thanks, “I am Jiang Yu.”

The old man’s eyes suddenly widened.

Wasn’t that the manager’s—

The lively girl led Chen Moqing toward the second floor. The old man hurried after them, only to see them pass right through the second floor and head straight up to the third.

The old man stood frozen in place.

The third floor, that was a place only Foundation Establishment cultivators and above could set foot in!

Just who was he, to actually receive an audience with the manager!

In the elegant room on the top floor, wisps of pale incense smoke drifted past a flower-and-bird folding screen, while several talismans floated in midair.

Ning Lili’s face was nearly pressed against a talisman, her mouth slightly agape.

Every single one was of flawless quality! How on earth were they crafted?!

Bai Yue tugged Ning Lili’s little braid and pulled her back with a look that said she was hopeless, then turned to the young talisman cultivator sitting calmly across from them, “How many times did you try refining these, Young Friend?”

Chen Moqing replied, “Seven attempts. Two Thunderfall Talismans, one failure."

He casually rested his palm on the snowy-white beast’s back, stroking its fluffy fur.

Cang Shun narrowed his eyes slightly, sprawled across Chen Moqing’s lap, his spine relaxing completely.

He went from a fluffy ball to a little round pancake.

Bai Yue sighed in admiration, “Young Friend, your talent is truly extraordinary.”

A seventy percent quality talisman is already considered high-grade. The higher the level of the talisman, the more difficult it is to achieve high-grade. Even she couldn't guarantee that every refinement would result in a consistently high-grade product.

Four out of seven times reaching ninety-nine percent quality was an extremely astonishing success rate. Not to mention that two of those attempts weren't failures, but resulted in equally high-grade, first-grade Thunderfall Talismans.

Bai Yue glanced at Ning Lili, the meaning in her eyes very clear—Look at him!

Ning Lili touched the Thunderbolt Talisman, then turned to look at Bai Yue, her expression also very clear—Master! I want this one, and this one too!

"......"

The transaction was quickly settled. Bai Yue purchased four second-grade Thunderbolt Talismans, two first-grade Thunderfall Talismans, and two Flame Talismans for fifteen thousand and two hundred spirit stones.

Ning Lili hugged the talismans, her grin nearly reaching the sky. But before she could rejoice for long, she heard Bai Yue's indifferent voice: "Carefully feel the talismanic patterns and the flow of spiritual energy within them. I expect a reflection of at least a thousand words on your insights. I will examine it this afternoon."

"......"

The smile vanished from Ning Lili's face. Bai Yue's lips curved slightly upward, "Little Friend Jiang Yu, would you be willing to join our Qianxuan Pavilion?"

"Our Qianxuan Pavilion is the top talisman-refining organization in the Dongzhou Prefecture. This is only a branch in Qingzhu City. If you are willing, I can recommend you directly to the main pavilion."

"I am deeply honored by your kind offer," said Chen Moqing, "But this junior already belongs to a sect."

A few plates of exquisite pastries were placed beside the table, among them a plate of osmanthus cakes. Noticing the snow-white little beast on his lap sneaking a glance in that direction, he picked up a piece and placed it in his palm. Then he added, "Might I ask if Manager Bai has any third-grade Spirit Protection Talismans here?"

Third grade? For Golden Core formation?

While Bai Yue was pondering, she shook her head, "Young Friend Jiang, you are a step too late. Our branch had only one Spirit Protection Talisman. At the auction half a month ago, it was purchased by the Tingyu Sect for eighty thousand spirit stones."

Before Chen Moqing could reply, a low male voice overlapped with a soft 'meow' in his ear: [Have spirit stones depreciated this much already?]

[You'd better just sell my fur.]

Chen Moqing picked up another piece of osmanthus cake and fed it to this demon emperor. He wasn't surprised by the price.

Although cultivation for talisman cultivators is relatively more difficult than for sword cultivators, they tend to be wealthier. Artifacts like talismans and elixirs they refine often sell for high prices, and those with special functions are even more overpriced.

Ning Lili looked at the several brand-new talismans in her hand and poked Bai Yue's arm. Bai Yue glanced at her helplessly and spoke again:

"I might as well share a bit more inside information with you, Young Friend Jiang. Qingzhu City has three major powers: the Liu family, Qianxuan Pavilion, and then the Tingyu Sect— a third-tier talisman cultivator sect adjacent to Qingzhu City."

"Half a month ago, the young master of the Tingyu Sect clashed with the second young master of the Liu Family at the auction and, in a moment of impulse, bid a high price for that Spirit Protection Talisman. Regretting it afterward, he pressured his sect to exert pressure on us, forbidding us from refining or selling Spirit Protection Talismans for six months."

"Although Qianxuan Pavilion is the top talisman organization in the Dongzhou Prefecture, the Tingyu Sect is a branch sect established here by an upper prefecture. If you ever encounter them in the future, Young Friend Jiang, it's best not to get into conflicts."

"Thank you for the warning," Chen Moqing accepted her goodwill and spoke again, "What if I want to buy the formula and materials for a third-grade Spirit Protection Talisman?"

Refining talismans requires formulas. Third-grade talismans are already considered mid-grade, not only consuming large amounts of spiritual energy but also requiring auxiliary special materials.

Most of the formulas he previously mastered were focused on offense; he wasn't very familiar with auxiliary-type talismans. However, he knew formulas and materials would be much cheaper than the finished talisman.

Bai Yue asked, "Do you wish to purchase it for your master?"

"No," Chen Moqing said, "I will refine it myself."

Ning Lili let out a surprised "Ah" thinking to herself that this was too fanciful. Unless he possessed twelve spiritual roots in the talisman path and was the Chen Moqing among talisman cultivators.

Bai Yue also fell silent for a few seconds before speaking slowly, "If you, Young Friend, intend it for your own Foundation Establishment, you could choose a second-grade Spirit Assist Talisman. I happen to have one here and can give it to you."

"It's not that I look down on you, Young Friend. It's just that attempting to refine a third-grade talisman with Qi Refinement cultivation is as difficult as ascending to heaven. The slightest misstep could lead to spiritual power backlash and damage to your spiritual roots, hindering your future cultivation path."

Chen Moqing smiled faintly, "I've heard that there was a great talisman cultivator in the Dongzhou Prefecture who, with Golden Core cultivation, refined a fifth-grade talisman. Such astonishing talent is truly admirable and inspiring."

"Cultivation itself is a path to defy the heavens. What does it matter if a mayfly-like existence crashes against the abyss of the sky? Even if the body perishes, the soul lamp will still illuminate the path for those who come after."

Cang Shun raised his eyes.

When this human cultivator said these words, his spirit was so high and unwavering, like a sword charging forward without hesitation.

Ning Lili was slightly stunned, noticing that her master's expression had changed.

A gleam flickered in her master's eyes—a mix of shock, astonishment, joy... an indescribable luster. It was like an elder in twilight years seeing a long-lost old friend.

This was the first time she had ever seen her master like this.

"...So, there are still those who come after who remember her."

Bai Yue's finger rested on the rim of the teacup, unaware that the tea had spilled over onto her fingertip.

She slowly set down the teacup. The porcelain base tapped the table with a light sound, and then she smiled.

"No need to worry about the formula. I can gather all the materials for you, without charging a single spirit stone. However, the pavilion's materials are currently incomplete, so in a short time, I can only gather enough for two attempts."

Two chances are extremely low for a third-grade talisman. Even with her mid Golden Core cultivation, refining a third-grade talisman requires preparing at least three sets of materials—this is precisely the rarity of mid-grade talismans, far beyond what low-grade ones can compare to.

"There's been no movement from the Liu Family yet. Just in case, during this period, Young Friend Jiang can move to our Qianxuan Pavilion. I'm, Bai, here still has some small reputation, they won't do anything to you."

Chen Moqing's voice was clear and gentle: "I'll trouble the manager to search diligently on my behalf. This is the remuneration."

His slender fingers lifted from the snow-white little beast's back, slightly stretching. Brilliant talismanic patterns swirled and, in the blink of an eye, condensed into a transparent talisman, with fragmented thunderlight flickering in the center.

Bai Yue suddenly sat up straight.

"A small matter," she said, grasping Chen Moqing's hand in one swift motion, speaking with composure and reliability, "Leave it to me!"

Cang Shun: "???"

Cang Shun raised a paw to swat that hand away, but Bai Yue, quick-eyed and swift-handed, withdrew her hand first.

Ning Lili was dumbfounded.

That was...

A fourth-grade talisman formula?!!

...

The guest had left, leaving only half a cup of cold tea in the elegant room.

Bai Yue infused her divine sense into that talisman formula, and instantly, a surge of scorching thunderlight flowed within.

Fourth-grade Thunderstrike Talisman formula!

—If successfully refined into a talisman, it could unleash power equivalent to the early Nascent Soul stage!

Ning Lili said dumbly, "Master, is he really only at the Qi Refinement stage?"

"You're right," Bai Yue affirmed, "To be able to easily produce a fourth-grade talisman formula, possessing such talent, yet traveling alone through the lower prefecture, I'm afraid... he must be a someone who has also fallen into despair."

"Then why didn't he ask you, Master, to help refine the talisman? Why take such a huge risk?"

Bai Yue rapped her on the head, "He doesn't wish for me to offend the Tingyu Sect either. He's much smarter than you."

Ning Lili covered her head, accustomed to this, "Master, do you believe in him?"

Bai Yue fell silent for a moment before speaking again, "They all say the sword is the leader of all weapons, and sword cultivators are the leaders among cultivators, reaching for heaven with their swords, disregarding realms. But, the talismans refined by talisman cultivators are also unconstrained by realms. The path pursued in the talisman path is one of lifelong devotion to the classics, even a tiny mayfly can shake the heavens."

"Your grandmaster once refined a fifth-grade talisman at the Golden Core stage, whose power could rival a Soul Formation cultivator. I have spent my life trying to follow in her footsteps, but sadly, two hundred years have passed, and in the end, my innate talent fell short."

"If he truly can refine a third-grade Spirit Protection Talisman with Qi Refinement cultivation, it would be like the dawn of a great sun for our talisman cultivator lineage."

As Bai Yue said this, a radiant glow appeared on her face.

"Having seen such fine jade, how can one not be gladdened?"

Hearing her master's murmur, Ning Lili suddenly felt her eyes grow hot.

Her master was once a genius of the sect, achieving Golden Core formation before the age of a hundred, and was expected to become the youngest Nascent Soul cultivator in the Dongzhou Prefecture... But later, for unknown reasons, the grandmaster passed away, her master was expelled from the sect. With her foundation damaged and her cultivation stagnant, two hundred years have now passed, yet she remains at the Golden Core stage.

Ning Lili said loudly, "Master! I can do it too! One day, I will refine a fourth-grade Spirit Passage Talisman!"

A fourth-grade Spirit Passage Talisman can protect a Golden Core cultivator's spiritual platform, keeping it stable. When Master's cultivation reaches the peak of the Golden Core stage, with the aid of this talisman, achieving Nascent Soul will be greatly within reach!

Bai Yue said with a faint sigh, "Why is your ambition so small?"

Ning Lili: "?"

"You possess eight talisman cultivator spiritual roots. Even in the upper prefecture, you would never lose to the prodigies of the great sects."

Bai Yue raised her hand, her palm slowly coming to rest on her disciple's head.

"Of course, your master doesn't demand that you necessarily reach the Great Path. Passing a life in peace and joy is also enough."

She looked into her disciple's pure eyes and sighed softly, "Even if one had twelve spiritual roots, so what? In the past, that prodigy in sword path who shook the Nine Thousand Prefectures, didn’t he still—"

"Because he didn't have a good master," Ning Lili blurted out without thinking, hugging Bai Yue's arm and giving it a gentle shake, "My master is the best to me!"

Bai Yue smiled kindly, "Now go and write your thousand-word talisman refinement reflection."

"......"

On the first floor of the Qianxuan Pavilion, it seemed as though someone’s gaze had fallen upon him.

Chen Moqing turned his head slightly and saw the old man from yesterday hiding behind the counter, looking as though he wanted to speak but hesitated.

He gave the old man a slight nod of acknowledgement. The old man was taken aback for a moment before nodding in return.

On the long street, the young cultivator walked at a leisurely pace, his tied-up black hair drifting casually past his slender waist.

In the crook of his arm, a round, fuzzy little puffball held a piece of osmanthus cake, nibbling at it bite by bite with an exceptionally graceful posture.

Chen Moqing glanced down at it twice, "White sugar cake eats osmanthus cake."

Cang Shun: "?"

Just as the snow-white little beast lifted its paw, Chen Moqing tucked the fuzzy puffball into his embrace. His palm slid skillfully from the small head all the way down to the fluffy tail.

The little puffball, which had been about to bristle, grew quiet, nestling softly against his arm. Its round, bright eyes narrowed contentedly.

Two seconds later, Cang Shun seemed to realize something was amiss and lifted its head once more.

A gentle breeze brushed through the loose strands of black hair, revealing a fair, serene profile. Those eyes lowered slightly, holding within them a soft, luminous glow.

"......"

Never mind, he’s a great demon. No need to bother with him.

Cang Shun slowly raised his furry paw and patted the edge of Chen Moqing’s robe.

Returning to the inn, Chen Moqing found that Bai Yue worked with impressive efficiency. Within just two or three days, she had gathered most of the materials needed for the Spirit-Protection Talisman, missing only the final one.

Half a day later, she sent a message talisman to Chen Moqing: "Young Friend Jiang, my apologies, but it seems we’ll need to wait a few more days."

"The final required ingredient, the century-old spirit bamboo segment, has been bought up by the Liu family at a high price. It seems word must have leaked. They know I’m looking for materials for the Spirit Protection Talisman."

"I’ve already requested purchases from other branch pavilions. It will take another half-month for the item to be delivered."

After Xue Qi’s death, the Liu family remained silent, as if that person had never existed. Now that they had suddenly made a move, Chen Moqing wasn’t surprised—they had likely guessed that he was the one truly in need of the Spirit Protection Talisman, since Bai Yue had only been in contact with him recently.

[If they want revenge, why didn’t they come knocking the day after you killed that waste?]

Cang Shun was holding a small dried fried fish stick, expressing considerable disdain about the matter.

"Xue Qi was just a pawn to them. Once dead, he became a discarded piece," Chen Moqing leaned by the window, watching a light rain soak Qingzhu City, "They don’t know my true strength and probably assume I’m only at the Golden Core stage as well."

Dongzhou was merely a minor world among the six thousand lower prefectures, and Golden Core cultivators were considered top-tier experts here. Even the Liu family head himself had only reached the mid-Golden Core stage.

Cang Shun sneered: [Yet they were foolish enough to provoke you in the first place. Once they kicked an iron plate, they didn’t dare make a sound, only resorting to these low-level tricks]

[Why do you humans always have so many wicked schemes?]

He looked down at the little fish stick in his paw, then added: [You’re an exception.]

Chen Moqing: "Good kitty."

Cang Shun: "???"

The snow-white little beast huffed angrily, using its paw to give Chen Moqing’s robe another scratch before scurrying to the other side of the room with its little fish stick, refusing to pay him any more attention.

Less than half a day later, Chen Moqing received another message talisman.

"It’s all here."

"Liu Yu, the Liu family’s newly returned eldest young master, secretly sent someone to deliver several century-old spirit bamboo segments. He had been elsewhere before and only returned to the Liu family in recent days. I didn’t expect you to have connections with him as well."

Several bamboo segments, lustrous as jade, floated in the air. One of them had a smiling little figure drawn on it.

Chen Moqing gently held the bamboo segment, hearing Cang Shun’s voice beside him: [What, you planned for this all along?]

Chen Moqing offered a faint smile, "How could I possibly arrange an accidental meeting with the Liu family’s young master?"

All the delivered talisman-crafting materials were checked repeatedly, and the recipe for the Spirit Protection Talisman was confirmed to be correct.

Cang Shun wandered around the guest room. As he passed by, Chen Moqing raised his hand, "Might I trouble you to guard this place for me and prevent others from entering?"

Cang Shun raised an eyebrow slightly, lifted his chin, and said nothing.

Chen Moqing: "Your Majestic the Demon Emperor."

Cang Shun: "......"

The very majestic Demon Emperor snorted lightly and lifted his paw, placing it in the palm of the young human who spoke so pleasantly.

In an instant, countless serpentine bolts of lightning flickered, bursting into a blaze of brilliant silver light. Amid the roaring, swirling storm of thunder, a massive figure stepped forth.

This was a beautiful and formidable great demonic beast, shaped like a snow leopard with strong, fluid muscles. Its fur, silver-tinted in the sunlight, shimmered with a moonlit glow. Its crimson demonic pupils burned like flowing fire, dazzling and intense.

Around it coiled silvery-white lightning, radiating an unimaginable aura of majesty, like a thunderbolt sword cast down by the Heavenly Dao.

At this moment, Chen Moqing still could not see through Cang Shun’s cultivation. Not because the gap between them was too great, but because this Demon Emperor’s unique bloodline inherently shielded him from all external scrutiny.

Cang Shun gazed down at the human before him, the lightning around him slowly receding. He lowered his head slightly, and from within those dark, calm eyes, he clearly saw the reflection of his own majestic and heroic form.

He leaned in a little closer.

Chen Moqing was met face-first with a wave of fluffiness.

This great Demon Emperor circled him gracefully, his thick, long tail lightly wrapping around Chen Moqing’s slender back.

[The outside world cannot detect Benzun’s presence.]

A low, pleasant male voice, like the finest zither strings gently plucked.

Chen Moqing had originally intended to pat the fluffy head, but after a moment’s thought, it seemed less dignified for a Demon Emperor who had grown so large, so he withdrew his hand.

Cang Shun stared at his palm.

He stared without a word.

Slowly leaning closer, he buried his fluffy head slightly.

Chen Moqing closed his eyes to focus his spirit and began refining the talisman.

Cang Shun: "......"

All the talisman materials floated in the air, swirling around Chen Moqing. His expression was calm and undisturbed, a faint halo enveloping him like a deity untouched by joy or anger.

Cang Shun slowly lay down beside him, his back like a range of majestic, undulating mountains. His silver-white long tail curled around the young human, like a lake nestled at the edge of mountains, secretly tucking that beautiful, clear pool between the peaks.

Two sets of materials, two chances.

Chen Moqing gathered his focus, slowly opened his eyes, and with his divine sense as the brush, he began tracing the talisman characters stroke by stroke in the air.

Each of his strokes carried the weight and sluggishness of layered mountains.

As the final stroke settled, brilliance instantly ignited along the brushwork, as if stars from the sky had descended one by one upon it.

Cang Shun sensed the rapidly rising spiritual energy—the sign of a talisman nearing completion.

...Indeed, before this human was bullied by those despicable people and his cultivation was destroyed, he must have been a formidable talisman master.

Cang Shun pressed a paw onto Chen Moqing’s robe, which pooled on the floor, smoothing out the wrinkles along the folds, then crumpling it again, rubbing and kneading it.

See, refining talismans isn't that useful—better to practice the sword, so you can fight back when bullied.

...Better still to be one of the demon race, so he could stay in the demon realm.

He watched Chen Moqing unblinkingly, idly drifting through many thoughts. In the next second, those crimson demonic pupils suddenly sharpened.

The young human swayed slightly, a trace of red blood escaping from his thin lips. His black hair cascaded down, brushing past his pale, sweat-drenched cheek.

The nearly completed talisman characters instantly collapsed. The backlash struck him, and his Qi Refinement peak-stage cultivation plummeted to the mid-stage!

—Talisman refining forcibly failed!

–

TL: Muji

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