017: The Spiritual Plants
That afternoon, the guards under the Town Lord came with the talisman materials and her reward. Zemirah swept her spiritual consciousness on the space bag that held the spiritual plants.
Inside are 12 Grade 1 pots of spiritual flowers, three Low-Stage Uncommon-Quality [Colorful Ring Flower], 3 Low-Stage Uncommon-Quality [Hanging Sun Flower], three Mid-Stage Uncommon-Quality [Winter Blue Flower], two Late-Stage Uncommon-Quality [Maroon Pollen Flower], and one Peak-Stage Uncommon-Quality [Tidal Wave Flower].
"Not bad, at least they are not Common-Quality and look pleasing to the eye," Zemirah commented as she gestured to Thea to arrange the flowers on the table.
"Tell the Town Lord that I want an ornament artifact next week," Zemirah said to the guards as she admired the flowers she had just gotten.
The guards nodded, "Yes, my lady." Then they left after hearing her demands.
"Wendy, take these flowers to feel your wood and earth affinity. Thea, help Wendy to plant the Low-Stage flowers in the front garden."
Zemirah arranged the flowers as she listened to Sia's voice in her mind.
[Ding! Congratulations to the Host for triggering a 1,000 fold back and getting a Supreme-Quality Low-Stage Grade 2 [Rainbow Ring Flower]
Details: An important ingredient to a Grade 2 Special Pill related to illusion antidote.
[Ding! Congratulations to the Host for triggering a 3,000 fold back and getting a Supreme-Quality Low-Stage Grade 2 [Fallen Sun Flower]
Details: Main ingredient for Grade 1 Vital Yang Pill.
[Ding! Congratulations to the Host for triggering a 5,000 fold back and getting a Celestial-Quality Mid-Stage Grade 2 [Azure Winter Flower]
Detail: A precious herb for Ice Spiritual Root, ice-type Pill, and others. Its pure ice energy can attract even a spirit beast of the Golden Core Realm.
[Ding! Congratulations to the Host for triggering a 7,000 fold back and getting a Celestial-quality Late-Stage Grade 2 [Comfort Shine Flower]
Details: A flower that releases gentle light that can comfort an injured soul and spiritual consciousness.
[Ding! Congratulations to the Host for triggering a 9,000 fold back and getting a Celestial-Quality Peak-Stage Grade 2 [Tidal Sea Flower]
Details: A precious flower that is said to be able to allow anyone who eats it to learn a Black Grade water-type cultivation technique.
'Sia, do you think I can take these flowers and plant them in my garden?' She asked for her system's opinion.
[Ding! The system suggests that the Host add more protective and illusion array formation to the host's residence.]
'Then I'll use the array disk I got from you last time?' She was referring to the Celestial-Quality array disk she got after giving the array disks she bought from the array formation master David to Wendy.
Sia made an agreeing sound.
Zemirah watched her disciple and Thea busy themselves in the garden and decided to arrange the array disks later tonight.
She didn't take out the rewards from Sia's system space, she knew very clearly the value of those spiritual plants. She'll take them out when her cultivation is high enough.
**
"Sister Thea, where should we plant this?" Wendy asked Thea's opinion as she examined the bare garden.
She called Thea a sister because she is older than Wendy and her master didn't dissuade her. She is not used to having a personal servant so she just treats Thea as a sister that is there to help her anytime.
Thea thought for a moment before answering. "I think you can plant them on the land near the pavilion so that the lady can have a better view when she's staying there."
Wendy's eyes lit up and she nodded, "Good idea, let's go."
Thea and Wendy transplanted the spiritual flowers from the pots to the garden in front of the pavilion. After that, Wendy patted her dirty hands and then pulled out a talisman.
"That is?" Thea curiously stared at the talisman on Wendy.
Wendy smiled and explained, "This is a [Plant Rain Talisman], it can help stabilize newly planted plants so they can adapt better."
Thea was amazed, "That's good. I was worried that the spiritual plants would wilt after we transplanted them."
After all, they are just kids who don't know a thing about planting.
Zemirah watched the two girls planting and saw Wendy activate a talisman. Then like magic, a rain appeared above the newly planted spiritual plants. The rain is gentle and one can feel the mild vitality as they fall on the ground and nourish the plants.
Zemirah watched how the talisman brought miracles to the plants. The almost wilting spiritual plants stood happily again, they seemed to have adapted to the new place after the rain.
In a trance, she seems to understand something. Talismans can be used by anyone, be it mortal or cultivator to release magic. It can be an attack, defense, or for daily life like the scene in front of her.
Talismans may be a one-time thing, but they are universal.
Time seemed to slow down as she immersed herself in a new world. She only woke up when the sky turned dark. Her disciple and Thea standing a few steps away from her, seemingly guarding her.
[Ding! Congratulations to the Host for entering the epiphany of the talisman dao and being rewarded with [Talisman Master ASTYRANAX's Journal]
A journal? Zemirah thought inwardly then she focused on the two girls in front of her.
She smiled, "Thank you for guarding me."
The epiphany was so sudden she didn't get to prepare at all. If she was attacked or disturbed, she may miss the rare chance to further her talisman understanding.
She can feel that if she tried to make a Celestial-Quality Grade 1 talisman, she would have a higher chance of success. With suitable talisman materials and sufficient spiritual consciousness, she can do it.
Wendy almost wrote the worry she had in her face as she asked, "Master, what happened? Are you okay? You suddenly slept there without waking up."
Thea didn't speak but Zemirah could see the worry in her eyes.
Zemirah chuckled at Wendy's wording and said, "I didn't fall asleep, I just got an enlightenment."
She always made talismans, but she rarely used them herself. She knew that talismans could release magic, but she rarely saw them. The scene where Wendy uses the talisman and its effect makes her enter an epiphany.
"Enlightenment?" Wendy was puzzled.
Zemirah wasn't impatient and explained, "Enlightenment is a rare chance encounter for cultivators. It can bring benefits to a person depending on what you are enlightened with. I just got an epiphany in Talisman Dao."
Wendy didn't understand it very much but it seemed to be a good thing so she congratulated her master, "Congratulations for having an epiphany, master."
Thea followed, "Congratulations on having enlightenment, my lady."
Zemirah was happy and took out two Supreme-Quality talismans and gave the two girls each. "Thank you for your blessings. Here's a little gift."
[Ding! Congratulations to the Host for triggering an 8-fold back and getting a Grade 1 Peak-Stage Supreme-Quality [Earth Heart Talisman]
[Ding! Congratulations to the Host for triggering an 8,000 fold back and getting a Grade 2 Late-stage supreme-quality [Earth Heart Talisman]
The two girls chatted with Zemirah for a while as she brewed some Grade 2 spiritual tea as a rare celebration.
After that, everyone went to their rooms to rest.
Zemirah didn't immediately rest though, as she went to arrange the Grade 2 Celestial-Quality array disk. She watched as the courtyard became more protected from spying eyes and was able to resist the Low-Stage of Mind Activation Realm.
Then in her room, she checked the unexpected reward she got from Sia after having an epiphany.
'Sia, what is this journal?' She asked in her mind.
[Ding! The journal of Talisman Master Astyranax has the experience of a Grade 2 Celestial Talisman Master. There are also many recorded Grade 1 and 2 talismans inside that the Host can use besides her experience that can help to solve your questions.]
Zemirah's eyes widened, 'This is so precious, Sia!' She exclaimed in her mind.
[Ding! The Host succeeded in having an epiphany that is rarely encountered. This is a gift to the Host]
'Thank you, Sia!'
The system made a humming sound and didn't respond more.
Zemirah took a deep breath before taking out the journal. She saw a small and thick book that was made with precious materials. From the cover and the pages, she can see its old age yet preserved appearance.
Caressing the cover and feeling the talisman intent of the owner till now, she then turned to the next page where the owner started telling the beginning of her journey as a talisman master.
Talisman intent is the same as sword intent, it is the understanding of the owner about that subject. Everyone has their own different understanding and thoughts, so although she can use the talisman intent as a guide, she must not copy it as she would lose her own dao.
Zemirah started reading the journal without sleeping as she was immersed in the world of talisman written by the owner.
Some common sense she didn't know was clarified, some difficulty she had was answered and her knowledge of talisman-making increased greatly.
She also discovered at least 50 Grade 1 talismans and 30 Grade 2 talismans. It was a good harvest that Zemirah didn't have to worry about finding talisman books anymore in a short time.
The next morning, she started her routine of making talismans while occasionally giving advice to her disciple.
On the third day of Thea and her family's coming under her wings, something happened.
It was one of the forces that was eyeing the Inn of the previous master of Thea and her parents. The Wild Sword Cultivator.
Zemirah was talking to Wendy about cultivation practice with Thea listening on the side when a knock sounded from the gate of the courtyard.
Puzzled at who would look for them at this time, "We don't have an appointment today, do we?" Zemirah asked.
Wendy thought for a moment before she shook her head, "Nothing master. The auction will be next week while the town guards just delivered the talisman materials."
Zemirah thought so.
Though puzzled, she ordered Thea to check the person at the gate. "Thea, see whose looking for us."
Thea nodded and went to the gate. After a while, she came back hurrying with a pale face.
Zemirah frowned as she stared at Thea's face. "What happened?"
Thea gasped and said, "My lady, it was the wild sword cultivator that wanted the Inn that day."
Zemirah frowns deeper after hearing Thea's answer. The struggle for the properties of Thea's previous master has nothing to do with her. She clearly asks Thea and her parents to leave a notice about it.
How come this person came here?
"I'll go myself, you take Wendy and call your parents." Zemirah decided that the unknown sword cultivator might not be here with good intentions.
Thea nodded while Wendy said worriedly, "Master, be careful." Wendy felt the gloomy atmosphere and wasn't that ignorant of these affairs.
Zemirah smiled and hid the worry in her heart. "No worries, your master her own measure."
Only then did Wendy sigh in relief. She then let herself be pulled by Thea to the backyard.
Zemirah patted the crease on her dress before striding to the gate. The gate was quite high and the whole courtyard was covered with array formations so sneaking or forcing their way inside was not possible.
The cultivators still have this common sense.
Opening the gate, Zemirah saw an old cultivator wearing an old artifact robe standing outside. His face was wrinkled from the passing of time but it couldn't hide the malicious glint in the person's eyes.
Deep inside, she confirmed her guess that this person looking for trouble. She became more vigilant but didn't let it show on her face as she asked with a calm tone, "This Daoist, what can I do for you?"
The sword cultivator laughed after hearing her words and said, "This beauty, I'm here to settle accounts."
Zemirah didn't look fazed as she asked back, "What accounts?"
The old man put his hands on his sword and caressed the hilt as he said, "There are three mortal slaves from the Inn. I believe they are inside."
Zemirah didn't deny his words, "Daoist is right. They are now my personal servants."
"Heh, then Fellow Daoists have to send them back since the property of the late official is divided to only me and the other two forces. The servants are part of the property." The old cultivator laughed wretchedly.
Zemirah could feel the naked malice from the old cultivator, she frowned and asked with a serious tone, "Since they are now under my wing, they are now my property."
She pressed the uncomfortable feeling of calling a living human being a property.
A malicious smile appeared on the Old Cultivator's face, "Since Fellow Daoists say so – " Suddenly, the old man unsheathed his sword and attacked Zemirah.
Zemirah wasn't defenseless despite her shock at the boldness of the old man. She tore a Late-Stage Grade 1 defensive talisman.
An earthen wall appeared and blocked the sword slash. The old man is a Peak-Stage Energy Refinement Cultivator, so the attack shattered half of the earth wall.
Zemirah's expression turned solemn. This is this time first time she encountered an attack, she doesn't have much experience in terms of fighting, be it her predecessor or her.
"If you dare attack again, don't blame me for being ruthless." Zemirah gritted her teeth and warned the other person.
The Old man saw his attack being blocked by a Rare-Quality talisman and greed flashed in his eyes. He made a preliminary investigation to the other party. He knew that she was a talisman master and a rich one at that.
He can already imagine the wealth he'll get after killing her. He didn't reply and attacked again using his sword. This time, he uses a set of sword moves that has greater lethality.
Zemirah's heart sank and she controlled the defensive array to block the attack. The array can receive attacks from Foundation Building so defending against an Energy Refinement Cultivator is easy.
The old man saw her being protected by an array formation making his expression turn ugly.
He quickly thought of his next move when he saw from the corner of his eyes a group of people. It was the woman's disciple with the servant family he was looking for.
A vicious glint flashed in his mind and attacked that direction.
Zemirah's expression turned ugly as she shouted angrily, "Audacious!"
This time, all the hesitation about killing in her heart disappeared. She activated the array formation and used it to attack the old man.
A power-reaching Foundation Building spread. The old man felt the perilous danger but he didn't have time to dodge. A ball of light with the power of stars bombed him.
The old man isn't dead yet, Zemirah can feel his dwindling life force that seems to be going out at any time. After the dust settled, she saw a bloody sight in front of her.
The old man has his lower limbs cut off and many burns all over his body. Zemirah can feel the dense star energy on his injuries.
"Cough, cough." The old man vomited blood with difficulty. With every cough, he can feel piercing pain oh his chest while his lower limbs are numb.
He regrets it.
The old man regretted not investigating enough, otherwise, why would he provoke this woman?
Who would've thought that besides her high-quality talismans, she also has a powerful array on her?
He felt a power that only someone like the Town Lord would have.
A f*cking Foundation Building Realm!
Thinking of this, the old man vomited blood again from anger.
He can feel his death nearing, but he doesn't want to die. Looking at the beautiful woman wearing a veil, he wanted to beg yet when he saw her take another talisman, he felt despair.
A mere Late-Stage Energy Refinement cultivator actually killed him.
A rain of sword made of ice fell on his body, finally taking away his last breath.
Zemirah could use her sword to kill the old man, but she didn't want to. Apart from dirtying her hands, she doesn't want to feel the murder in her hands. Besides, there are convenient talismans to use. So why bother?
As for using the array formation again, she didn't think of it. It's enough to use it once, again, it will be a waste. Who knows if someone is watching her moves and figured out her details?
An array formation that could release a Foundation Building attack is precious. Other cultivators will inevitably be curious.
The cultivation families in the town would surely love to have one. Maybe even the Town Lord.
Feeling her stomach churning at the thought of killing for the first time, and in a brutal way at that, she ordered Thea's parents.
"Find someone from the Town Hall to clean this mess and check his body for me." Zemirah didn't want to touch the dead body.
The other people only saw her cold expression, they only thought that she disdains to do such things as searching a dead body for loot so they nodded.
Thea's father checked the dead body while her mother went to the Town Hall to report what happened and ask for guards to clean the dead body.
Thea's father found a space pouch and a space bracelet on the old man. There is also the sword artifact and a jade pendant that looks precious.
"My lady, I found these on the body." Thea's father handed over the loot he found. He didn't even have any thoughts on the things and only felt grateful for the protection of their lady.
He knew that without the lady, their family would surely be a lamb in the hands of those cultivators. Besides, the old cultivator came for their family. The fact that the lady protected them without giving in to the pressure is already a favor they can't pay with their life.
Thea's father secretly vowed his loyalty to the lady in front of her.
Zemirah took the things and put them in her space ring before saying, "You arrange for other things, I want to enter seclusion."
"Yes, my lady." He nodded obediently.
"Thea and Wendy, come with me," Zemirah said as she walked inside the courtyard into her room. The two girls followed her silently as they felt her bad mood.
They were also scared of what happened that day, especially after seeing that they were almost attacked by the old man.
Thea can feel the powerful attack that could easily take her life away.
While Wendy only focused on the sword moves the old man released earlier. She was kind of expecting to see her master fight using her sword and was bewildered that her master didn't touch her sword at all.
Wendy didn't pay attention to the bloody body as she had seen many before in her village. The one she saw was even more gruesome.
With everyone having something on their minds, they entered Zemirah's room.
Zemirah used her spiritual consciousness to check the items of the old man and found some good things inside.
Most are medicinal pills and spiritual plants. There are no spirit stones but a lot of Gold Coins and Silver Coins. She also saw two artifacts inside besides the sword artifact the old man used.
One is a set of needles and a dagger.
Zemirah didn't want the medicinal pills since they are mostly common and uncommon quality. She also didn't know how to use the spiritual herbs since she's not an alchemist, maybe she'll just give it to her disciple or Riya.
Zemirah took out the two artifacts and erased the spiritual marks on them. The needle is actually an Outstanding-Quality Late-Stage Grade 1 weapon artifact. The dagger is an Uncommon-Quality Mid-Stage Grade 1 weapon artifact.
Zemirah has no use for them so she puts the needle artifact away first, since Wendy is a sword cultivator she has no need for the needles. While the dagger can be used for emergencies.
"Take this dagger, Wendy. You can use it for daily life aside from your sword." She handed the dagger artifact.
Wendy only fancy sword but the dagger is also interesting so she didn't reject it. "Thank you, Master."
Zemirah took the other medicinal pills and gave them to Thea, "Thea, you can have the medicinal pills. You can sell or trade them if you want."
Thea didn't expect she have one too making her delighted at the Lady's gift. "Many thanks, milady."
Zemirah nodded, "For the next few days, I'll be in seclusion. You can handle the rest for me outside."
Wendy and Thea didn't ask for questions and agreed.
Zemirah took out the medicinal plants and put them in a space pouch, "These medicinal plants, hand them to your Aunt Riya for me. Say that this is a gift I got from my loot."
Wendy nodded, she knew her master and Aunt Riya had a good relationship. Giving gifts like this isn't new to her master.
"Okay, you can go now." Zemirah dismissed the two girls.
Sitting on her bed, Zemirah started to cultivate to calm her mind. Her breathing technique absorbs star energy even if the sun is still bright.
This day was quite exhausting for her, even if the fight was not long, it was intense for a newbie like Zemirah. A woman from modern earth where there are rules and laws to protect the citizens, she couldn't have imagined herself killing someday.
Yet she killed another cultivator just staying for a few months in this world.
It was sickening for her. Yet she knew that she must not be like this after. Azar World is not modern Earth, killing for treasures is common here.
Zemirah herself possesses countless valuable treasures on her. Something that anyone must not see or else she would be killed without mercy by powerful cultivators of this world.
Power…
Zemirah deeply felt the importance of power and strength at that time. If she didn't have the means and power to protect herself and her disciple, she would be dead by now.
Thinking of the dead body of the old cultivator and replacing it with her and her disciple. Zemirah felt the last pity and regret to vanish in her heart.
Slowly, she understood many things that day.
Slowly, she grew stronger, both her cultivation and her heart and mind. She's not the naïve lady who just came to this world.
**
Wendy and Thea silently left Zemirah's room.
"Let's see what happened outside first?" Wendy asked Thea.
Thea nodded, she was also worried about her parents outside. "Yes, young lady."
While walking, Wendy spoke, "Why was that old man keen on asking for you guys?" She was puzzled at this point.
Thea also noticed how the old cultivator seems to care more about their family than the inn. She was confused at why would an old cultivator at the Peak-Stage of Energy Refinement Realm be so persistent on finding a mortal like them.
Thea is not stupid, she quickly went through the possible reasons why would their family be targeted. Her family is just a group of mortals working under a cultivator under the Town Lord. They had been taking care of the inn for years and cultivators usually don't have time to bother them.
It was only these past few days when the Lady gifted Thea some precious items. The most eye-catching is the spirit stone their family chose to exchange with their previous master.
Thea's eyes widened at the realization.
The spirit stone!
"I think I know the reason," Thea took a deep breath as she said to Wendy.