Chapter 32: Great Achievement in Talisman Making Skills
"Old Huang, after seeing these charming and beautiful cultivators from Xian Huan Pavilion making talismans, I know what true pursuit is. I want to work hard to earn spirit stones so that one day I can kiss their fragrance." Lin Yi said with determination on his face, having prepared his reasons in advance.
The allure of these female cultivators was indeed extraordinary, far stronger than Xiao He. If they were truly to tempt him in person, they could probably bring the title effect to its peak.
Hearing Lin Yi's words, Old Huang patted his shoulder sympathetically,
"Ah, it seems you've really suffered at Xun Fang Pavilion, or else, I…"
"Ahem, keep working hard. The ladies at Xian Huan Pavilion are waiting for your grace." Originally, he wanted to treat Lin Yi for once but touching his pocket and coughing, he quickly changed his tone.
"Old Huang, thank you for giving me a chance to see this real Flower Moon Land." Lin Yi nodded seriously, expressing his thanks.
Following this, the second performance began. Two female cultivators with slim bodies came onto the stage. Unlike the previous performers, these two had extraordinarily proud capital, like towering peaks. They held two wine jars in their hands, and nobody knew what they were going to do.
"Here they come, here they come! This performance is very exciting, Little Lin, you better watch closely. We call it 'High Mountain and Running River'." Seeing the two female cultivators holding wine jars, Huang De Sheng was instantly thrilled.
At first, Lin Yi was a bit confused, but when the performance began, he was stunned. So, this was what they meant by 'High Mountain and Running River'.
The female cultivators held up the wine jars, pouring wine into their mouths. Their bodies tilted, and wine continuously flowed from their mouths, crossing the towering peaks like rivers…
As for why two female cultivators were performing, that was the most exciting part of the program. It was truly imaginative.
After the performance ended, a Qi Refinement cultivator who was about to reach foundation establishment waved his hand,
"Have these two ladies brought to my room. I want to taste their wine!"
As time approached midnight, the atmosphere in Xian Huan Pavilion was getting hotter and hotter. After each performance, the performing female cultivators were selected by wealthy cultivators at the front.
Even that Zhang Yuan Cheng, after one of the performances, couldn't resist his desires. He selected two performing ladies and took them to the private room behind, showing how rich this steward was.
Lin Yi also made several talisman templates during these performances. He gained insights a few times. He felt that with one or two more enlightenments, his talisman-making skills could be advanced from proficiency to the great achievement level.
"Fellow daoists, the final performance of the Xian Huan Pavilion celebration is about to begin. No need for your humble servant to introduce, as everyone already knows…"
After this announcement, a woman dressed in a white skirt and wearing a veil, carrying a lute, slowly came on stage. Many cultivators in the audience, including Old Huang, couldn't help but cheer,
"Fairy Song, Fairy Song."
Lin Yi shook his head, surprised that there were fan circles in the Cultivation World too. These cultivators, who were high above mortals in the eyes of ordinary people, became extremely fanatical because of a woman.
He raised his head to look at the stage, and saw the veiled Fairy Song. Just half of her face revealed outside made his heart throb violently.
She was as flawless as jade, and there was a touch of coldness in her eyes, which made her seem extremely clear. She was just as Old Huang had described, like a cold lotus.
But this coldness made people even more desirous to conquer her, especially for cultivators.
"Alas, a good woman, but she is a flower." At this moment, a sigh from Old Huang came from the side.
Hearing this, Lin Yi burst out laughing, and was reminded of an adage on Earth — Men's favorite pastime is to force a wholesome woman into prostitution and persuade a prostitute into wholesome living.
Fairy Song gently sat down, started to play a melody. A wave of spiritual power fluctuated from the lute. The sound was pleasing and beautiful, as if immersing people into a land of tenderness.
The previous performances blatantly aroused people's desires, while this song played by Fairy Song seemed to gradually lead people into an environment of jade-like tenderness, tasting the caring and gentleness of a bedside lover.
As Lin Yi listened to the song, a faint fragrance reached his nose, and he gradually began to fantasize. He was making talismans at home, and a gentle woman was helping him dip his brush in ink and light the lamp, her eyes exuding tenderness.
When he looked at the woman's face, he immediately became alert. It was Fairy Song, still wearing her veil, concealing her appearance.
He bit his tongue lightly, instantly becoming alert. Noticing the people around him, it seemed everyone had fallen into a dream.
This act, was it a meeting with Fairy Song in a dream? Realizing this, he understood that when reality does not give, dreams do. Perhaps the faint fragrance was meant to send people to sleep.
However, the dream was shallow, and for cultivators, awakening from it was extremely easy. He noticed a few Foundation Building Cultivators in front of him. They appeared to be immersed in a dream, but in reality, they held sword techniques in their hands, prepared to unleash spiritual power at any signs of trouble.
Lin Yi watched Fairy Song perform on the stage for a while. Her mere presence, alluringly different, was not due to her shape or extraordinary performance.
It was her ethereal, stunningly attractive demeanor that made her the ideal fairy in the hearts of cultivators.
He looked at the effects of the title on the panel, the enlightenment effect of 'Color is Void' had reached 18%. Truly extraordinary.
As Lin Yi watched Fairy Song, he kept crafting talisman templates. Fire Talismans, one after the other, were successfully created in his hands.
When he looked up at the stage again, it seemed like Fairy Song had sensed his gaze. She slowly raised her eyes and looked towards him.
As their eyes met, Lin Yi didn't look away. He stared directly into her icy and clear eyes, and at this moment, the enlightenment effect suddenly shot up to 25%.
Suddenly, he had a realization, and continued crafting the talismans. Upon drawing the final stroke, a flash of light appeared on the talisman template.
"Talisman crafting experience +1".
At this moment, he felt his confusions and bottleneck regarding talisman crafting disappear like everything fell into place in an instant. The arrangement of the talisman patterns became clear to his mind.
Lin Yi took a slow breath and picked up the newly crafted Raging Fire Talisman. A glint of a smile crossed his face. This was a Raging Fire Talisman of the Great Achievement Level. He could sense its extraordinary power just by holding it.
He put the Raging Fire Talisman away and looked back up at the stage again, connecting again with Fairy Song's gaze. He nodded gently in gratitude.
Fairy Song, her face expressionless and her eyes devoid of any emotion, continued playing her music. Very soon, the music ended. She plucked the strings lightly, producing a clear note.
Immediately, the cultivators present started to come around and look at Fairy Song, their faces filled with admiration.
"My, oh my! My Fairy Song! It would be wonderful if I could grow old with her. She's so gentle and considerate," Old Huang's face showed an indecent expression, seemingly still immersed in the music.
"Ahem, Old Huang, you're already white-haired," Lin Yi coughed and said.
"Talkative one, you are." Old Huang gave him a glance while continuing to watch Fairy Song perform on the stage.
At that moment, Fairy Song gestured gently. The curvaceous lady in red walked onto the stage and bent over to listen to Fairy Song's whisper. An unusual expression crossed her face briefly before she straightened up to look towards Lin Yi's direction.
"Oh my, Fairy Song seems to be looking our way, does it mean she wants to spend the night with me?" Old Huang noticed Fairy Song's gaze and exclaimed excitedly.
The lady in red had a broad smile on her face,
"Fellow cultivators, ever since Fairy Song came to our Xun Fang Pavilion, very few have had the chance to meet her alone. Today, she has chosen someone unexpectedly, a big surprise indeed! The one sitting in the northeast corner, that young…"
As she spoke, she pointed towards where Lin Yi was sitting. However, she noticed that the young cultivator had suddenly turned into an old man with a lewd smile on his wrinkled face.
She stopped, looking around for Lin Yi, but she couldn't find him even after a while.
"Could it be me, the venerable fellow? Thank you, Fairy Song! I finally get to meet the fairy of my dreams…" Old Huang stood up suddenly, a look of delight on his face. He even poured a cup of tea and tried to tidy up his sparse white hair.
Chapter 33: Li Yuan Qjng's Reminder (Seeking more reading)
While many cultivators were busy selecting female cultivators, Lin Yi dragged Old Huang out of the Xian Huan Pavilion.
"Hey, you boy, Fairy Song should have picked you, but what were you doing hiding under the table?" Old Huang said with a regretful look and couldn't help but stomp his foot.
Lin Yi spread his hands helplessly and said,
"Old Huang, think about it. Is it that easy to see Fairy Song? It definitely costs a lot of spirit stones. I am a poor guy, where can I get those from?"
Old Huang found this very reasonable. "Indeed, a foundation-building cultivator once offered four hundred spirit stones to see Fairy Song alone, but
He didn't succeed."
Suddenly, he seemed to think of something, shook his head,
"No, this time it seems that Fairy Song took the initiative to see you, probably wouldn't cost spirit stones, right? I see you don't look like a handsome young man with distinguishing features. It is strange why she would want to suddenly see you."
"Don't worry about it, they all just want to make spirit stones." Lin Yi patted his shoulder and said. He didn't expect that Fairy Song would take the initiative to see him, wasn't this like putting him on the grill?
There were so many cultivators at the scene, including Foundation Building cultivators. He didn't want to become a rival in love in everyone's eyes. It was all downsides, no upsides, to meeting Fairy Song.
Old Huang nodded, suddenly thought of something, and slapped his thigh,
"That's right. On today's celebration day, the price of the girls has dropped a bit. Unfortunately, why did I come out with you, boy? If I'm late, the good girls might be gone. Are you coming or not?"
"I'm going home to focus on making talismans. One day when I make enough spirit stones, I will personally take you to see Fairy Song." Lin Yi shook his head, since the talisman craftsmanship had already reached the Great Achievement Level, he needed to speed up the production, earn more spirit stones, and complete his plan.
With Zhang Yuan Cheng around, it always felt awkward, and cultivation was not pleasing.
After returning home, Lin Yi concentrated on making talismans overnight. After reaching the Great Achievement Level, he had deepened his understanding of talisman considerably. He could integrate the making of some new talismans and encountered virtually no major obstacles.
After a night, he looked at the stack of talisman in front of him and showed a smile. He had made a total of eighty talisman yesterday, forty of which were made in the Xian Huan Pavilion, and the remaining forty were made at home with his Great Achievement Level talisman making skill.
First, Lin Yi went to the small market nearby and found that Li Yuan Qing was still not there, so he went home and continued making talismans, still mainly Raging Fire talismans, and he also made a small number of supporting talismans such as Binding Charm and Smoke Talisman.
He was unable to make some talisman as he didn't buy the special materials needed.
He focused all his attention on making talismans. The spirit stones earned from these talismans would determine whether the next plan could be carried out smoothly.
Another day passed, and he had made a total of 200 talismans, including 150 Raging Fire talismans and 50 supporting talismans, which increased his just-achieved Great Achievement Level of talisman making skill by 200 experience points.
To upgrade [Talisman Craftmanship Novice] to the third level wasn't that simple. It seemed that there were only 200 points, but it would take about two thousand times of talisman-making.
Of course, mastering a new type of talisman would also add extra experience, making leveling slightly faster. Therefore, he would also make some new talismans in his spare time.
As a popular skill of cultivators, there are many kinds of talismans. There are one to two hundred kinds of basic talismans alone. However, the most commonly used are only a few dozens.
Holding 200 talismans, Lin Yi came out of the secret room in his house. Zhi Ling had accompanied him for a day. Seeing the sun outside, she was also excitedly jumping around.
Walking on the way to the small market, he found that the surroundings were peaceful, as if nothing happened. It had been two days since the loose cultivator made trouble. It should not be so peaceful. There was even no one coming to ask about it.
The small market was also open as usual. Lin Yi was surprised to find that Li Yuan Qing had set up a stall. On it was still a piece of monster beast meat. It was simple and unpretentious, but the outer sect disciples around did not dare to underestimate this inner-sect senior brother, who was also a disciple of
Golden Core Real Person.
Even the stall placements dared not be too close, resulting in Senior Brother Li's stall having a wide empty space around it.
"Senior Brother Li, at last, you've opened your stall. Here is the Spirit Stone for the purchase of Zhi Ling. Please accept it." Lin Yi took out ten lower-grade Spirit Stones from his bag and placed them on the table.
Although Li Yuan Qing had mentioned he would sell at a cheaper price, Lin Yi didn't take it to heart. The arrival of Zhi Ling had made his boring cultivation life become interesting.
"As promised, I'll give you a discount, just seven Spirit Stones will do. Take back the remaining three." Li Yuan Qing said with a calm expression, taking seven Spirit Stones.
"Senior Brother, please accept them. Since I adopted Zhi Ling, this little guy has brought me lots of joy, so I should be the one thanking you." Lin Yi waved his hand and spoke hurriedly in thanks.
Seeing this, Li Yuan Qing didn't decline and took the remaining three Spirit
Stones as well.
"Zhi Ling, not a bad name, is the little fellow doing well?"
"Pretty good, he's been becoming stronger recently and his speed has also improved." Lin Yi said with a smile. Before coming to the small market, he had asked Zhi Ling if he wanted to come along and meet Li Yuan Qing.
The little guy shook his head like a rattle, seemingly scared of the Beast Hunter Senior Brother Li.
"It seems you two truly have a fortuitous relationship, take good care of him. Lastly, just a reminder, devote yourself to your farming, it'll benefit you in the end." Li Yuan Qing quirked his mouth slightly, apparently holding no small amount of interest in the little guy. Then, he abruptly spoke an inexplicable phrase.
Lin Yi understood it somewhat, and gave a bow in thanks,
"Thank you for the reminder, Senior Brother."
Li Yuan Qing, a disciple under Golden Sword Master's Door, must have some insider information. Perhaps there's a change of a wind brewing in Sinong Palace. The Golden Sword Master has already taken action, some things really don't need too much investigation.
Just as he was about to leave, Li Yuan Qing, seemingly remembering something, spoke again:
"Hey, I've often seen you buying talisman materials before, I suppose you've had success in creating talismans. Could you let me see one of your talisman templates?"
"I wouldn't dare, Senior Brother. This is my best talisman template, please enlighten me." Lin Yi took out a great achievement level Raging Fire Charm and handed it over.
He guessed Li Yuan Qing was merely curious. Even though this was a great achievement level Raging Fire Charm, due to his cultivation levels, even if his talisman craftsmanship skill was high, it still couldn't achieve the damage of the Foundation Building Realm.
Of course, if he threw hundreds of Raging Fire Talismans at once, the effect would be different, even Foundation Building cultivators would have to retreat.
Li Yuan Qing held the Raging Fire Charm, and after scrutinizing it, a look of surprise appeared on his face. He sensed an unusual amount of power contained within this ordinary Raging Fire Charm, far exceeding the others available in the market.
He couldn't help but glance at Lin Yi and then said,
"Can you take out a few more?" He wanted to verify whether this talisman template was truly made by the person standing before him.
Without hesitation, Lin Yi took out several more Raging Fire Charms and some Protective Talisman templates from his bag and put them all on the table.
Upon seeing these identically drawn talisman templates, Li Yuan Qing completely believed him. He never thought this person possessed such a talisman crafting talent,
"If you have such a talent for crafting talisman, why not take a job in the Talisman Hall and become an Outer Sect Talisman Master? I can help recommend you."
"Thank you, Senior Brother, but I've already gotten used to the life of cultivation and farming. I only craft talismans to aid my cultivation, I don't want to make it a duty." Lin Yi considered for a moment before tactfully declining.
Going to the Talisman Hall to become an Outer Sect Talisman Master, crafting talismans to complete tasks every day, probably the Spirit Stones I get would be the basic price. It's not as enjoyable as farming.
If he really had to move, his ideal plan would be to become an Inner Sect Disciple. Apart from needing to periodically complete some tasks, he would be free and unhindered, not bound by too many restrictions..
Chapter 34: How Many Spirit Stones Are You Willing to Spend
Hearing Lin Yi's refusal, Li Yuan Qing's face didn't display any change. He nodded and said,
"In that case, I won't insist. Your Raging Fire Talismans are quite good. How many do you have? Take them all out. I'll pay you the highest market price."
Lin Yi couldn't help but feel a bit puzzled, so he reminded him,
"Senior Brother, even if my Raging Fire Talismans have great power, they can only inflict damage at the Qi Refining Realm. I'm afraid they won't serve much purpose for you."
Senior Brother Li was a disciple under the Golden Sword Zen Ren, and with his cultivation levels reaching the Foundation Establishment Stage, the use of talismans meant for the Qi Refining Realm would likely prove insignificant to him.
"I don't plan to use them one by one. While hunting monster beasts, I'll use these talismans for supplemental attacks," Li Yuan Qing explained briefly.
Without questioning further, Lin Yi took out a set of Raging Fire Talismans from his bag,
"Alright, this batch of Raging Fire Talismans, a total of a hundred, are all here. Senior Brother, wouldn't you want some protective amulets?" Lastly, he didn't forget to advertise his amulets.
Without even sparing a glance, Li Yuan Qing accepted the stack of Raging Fire Talismans and put them into his Storage Bag. He said nonchalantly, "My cultivation is of the aggressive kind, my sword Qi stops at nothing, the best defense is offense.'
Having said that, he took out a talisman emanating a mysterious aura from his Storage Bag, "There are 150 spirit stones in this Storage Symbol, which can be used around ten times more. I'll give it to you."
"Senior Brother, this is too much, especially gifting me a Storage Symbol, I can't accept this," Lin Yi quickly put up a hand, even though his Talisman was of the Great Achievement Level, in the talisman shop in Qing Yun City, the buyback price is a maximum of around one Spirit Stone. Possibly, even the talisman shop won't sell it for one and a half Spirit Stones each.
Moreover, he didn't expect Li Yuan Qing to actually use a Storage Symbol to pay the Spirit Stones. This kind of talisman, especially for low ranking cultivators or Loose Cultivators, was rarely bought because it was somewhat insignificant.
A Storage Symbol costs twenty spirit stones and can only be used a hundred or so times. It equals to the cost of twenty spiritual pearls per use, resembling the dreadfully high-interest loans, thus not many low-ranking cultivators bought it.
"It's no problem. If you think it's too much, just give me a few more talismans next time," Li Yuan Qing spoke with indifference. As the direct disciple of the Golden Core Zen Ren and frequently hunting monster beasts, he certainly wasn't short on Spirit Stone resources.
"Thank you, Senior Brother." Hearing this, Lin Yi no longer refused. He gave a fist and palm salute, then accepted the Storage Symbol. The patterns drawn on it were more profound than those of the Raging Fire Talisman or other basic talisman papers. Simply studying this talisman wouldn't allow one to reverse engineer the method of creating Storage Symbols.
"No need for formalities, I should get going," Li Yuan Qing waved off, put the monster beast meat on the table into his Storage Bag, and then left the small market.
Pretending to also leave the small market, Lin Yi walked some distance, slapped on a Swift Movement Talisman, activated Gale Step, and chased after the direction Li Yuan Qing left in, hoping Senior Brother Li wouldn't fly too fast.
The Outer Sect of Liu Yun Sect was allowed to use flying swords for traveling, but after entering the Inner Sect, unless you were a Golden Core Zen Ren, all must land from their swords and enter on foot. Otherwise, they would be directly shot down.
After a frantic chase, finally, not far from the Inner Sect, he spotted Li Yuan Qing, who was leisurely cruising with his flying sword. It seemed more like he was out for a leisurely stroll. Lin Yi hurriedly yelled,
"Senior Brother Li, please hold on… I'm down here."
Li Yuan Qing looked around, with a puzzled expression on his face. After Lin Yi's reminder, he finally noticed Lin Yi running hysterically on the mountain trail. He flew down quickly, landing,
"Why are you in such a hurry to catch up with me? What is it?" he asked.
"Senior Brother Li, there were too many people around earlier, so it wasn't the right time to bring up this. So, if my words offend you in any way, please forgive me. I'd like to hire you for a job, and I'm wondering how many Spirit Stones I need to prepare," Lin Yi saluted with a fist and palm, then stated his intentions.
Li Yuan Qing slightly knitted his brows, and with a flick of his finger, a transparent light curtain appeared around them. He looked calmly at Lin Yi, asking,
"Are you trying to kill somebody, or do you need protection? My sword only slashes at those who deserve to be killed."
"I certainly wouldn't dare to cause blood to stain your sword, Senior Brother. It's just for protection. The target isn't a Foundation Building Cultivator," Lin Yi quickly explained. It was in his plan to hire a strong cultivator to ensure a high success rate.
Before this, he hadn't considered Li Yuan Qing. Given his high status as a disciple under the Golden Core Zen Ren, Lin Yi didn't believe he could afford him.
However, today, Li Yuan Qing purchased many talismans and had such a
Magnanimous demeanor, so he decided to give it a try impulsively.
"When I was buying talismans, you could have tried to leverage them to increase my chances of agreeing. But you didn't. This pleases me." At this point, Li Yuan Qing didn't respond to whether he would agree, instead, he brought up the matter of purchasing talismans.
Lin Yi silently rejoiced and saluted again,
"Senior Brother has treated me well. I wouldn't dare to use cunning tricks."
At the time, he had indeed contemplated on gifting the talismans to Li Yuan Qing before making his request. However, he later decided that sincerity mattered most.
"When is the day of action? If I happen to be occupied, I can only apologize," Li Yuan Qing asked. His face still showed no change, his tone remaining indifferent.
"The exact date hasn't been determined yet. Once it's decided, I will inform Senior Brother in advance." Lin Yi shook his head. Whether his plan could be executed depended on the situation at Sinong Palace.
Today, Li Yuan Qing had hinted at an imminent shift in power at Sinong Palace. This had allowed Lin Yi's plan to proceed smoothly. Next, he had to see if things would unfold as he envisioned.
Li Yuan Qing then tossed over a talisman,
"This is my Sound Transmission Talisman, it's a one-time use. After setting the date, transmit the message to me." Saying that, he took off on his flying sword, heading towards the Inner
Dec L.
Lin Yi quickly saluted as he watched Li Yuan Qing leave. Turning around, he looked at the Sound Transmission Talisman in his hand, a smile crossing his face. With Li Yuan Qing joining, success was now only a step away.
Afterward, he returned home. Taking out the Storage Symbol from his pocket, his face bore an expression of contemplation. This tool was truly a luxury that low-level cultivators could not afford. Many Qi refining cultivators didn't have many Spirit Stones saved up and wouldn't likely use twenty Spirit Stones to buy it.
The reason why the Storage Symbol was so expensive was due to the rarity of its required materials and the incredible difficulty in its creation. The failure rate for junior Talisman Masters could be as high as ninety-five percent. As for higher level Talisman Masters, since there weren't many cultivators buying it, they wouldn't bother creating this non-essential talisman.
Another key reason was that the Basic Talisman Manual did not include the Storage Symbol. It must be purchased from a talisman shop. The price in the previous owner's memory seemed to be over a hundred Spirit Stones, but he didn't know the specific price.
Learning a Storage Symbol involved a Scripture Jade Slip, which had some usage limitations. After learning it, you couldn't teach it to others.
Therefore, according to the novice talisman craftsmen, no one was making this talisman. With the high failure rate and the cost of learning and obtaining materials for a talisman reaching hundreds of spirit stones, it was just not worth it.
Even now with his Great Achievement Level novice tailsmen crafting ability and the [Talisman Craftmanship Novice] 20% success rate, he didn't want to make this talisman just yet. Studying the talisman and obtaining materials were too expensive, there weren't many buyers, and it was hard to make a profit.
He decided to focus on crafting basic talismans to earn more spirit stones to meet his daily cultivation needs before considering anything else..
Chapter 35: Spirit Farmer Gathering, the Golden Glow Reappears (Seeking More Reading)
With the storage symbol in hand, Lin Yi extended his divine sense into it, saw the neatly stacked one hundred and fifty spirit stones inside, and chuckled that even Li Yuan Qing had a touch of OCD.
The space inside was quite small, just one square meter. It was enough for storing spirit stones for now, but to store the harvested spirit rice at home was not possible.
Looking at the spiritual energy left on this talisman template, it wouldn't support him much longer. If he used it only ten more times, he wouldn't be able to freely store and retrieve spirit stones.
Lin Yi decided to use it to store some backup talisman templates. If he ever encountered enemies in the future, he could quickly take out a large number of talisman templates, catching them off guard.
As for purchasing a storage bag, he had the desire, but his current spirit stones were far from enough. He prioritized cultivation, and since he had few valuable possessions, he didn't particularly need a storage bag.
After dinner, Lin Yi took the storage symbol and headed to Qing Yun City. Since Li Yuan Qing had already alerted him, Sinong Palace's difficulties would be confirmed in a maximum of two days. He needed to execute his plans as soon as possible.
First, he went to the talisman shop and sold the forty proficiency-level Raging Fire Talisman templates he had made during the performance at Xian Huan Pavilion, earning thirty-six lower-grade spirit stones.
He waited a short while, then, after the last customer left the shop, he promptly took out all one hundred and fifty spirit stones from his storage symbol and spent eighty spirit stones on talisman-making materials, including talisman paper, rune ink, and some special materials.
Buying from one stall to another in the small market was too time-consuming, and the news of his continuous purchase of talisman-making materials gradually spread in the local small market.
The spirit farmers who had failed to learn talisman-making had all wised up and collectively raised prices. Materials for a hundred talisman templates were now only one or two spirit stones cheaper than in the talisman shop. It was unnecessary to take extra steps for such a small difference.
After buying the materials, Lin Yi placed them in a bundle and pointed to the remaining spirit stones, saying,
"Shopkeeper, can these one hundred lower-grade spirit stones be exchanged for a medium-grade spirit stone?"
"Others would have to pay extra, but since you are a loyal customer, of course, you can." The shopkeeper of the Talisman Shop said with a smile. Generally speaking, exchanging lower-grade spirit stones for higher-grade ones would definitely cost extra, as medium-grade spirit stones were much more precious than lower-grade spirit stones.
Then, the shopkeeper took out a medium-grade spirit stone from his storage bag. It seemed the same size as the lower-grade spirit stone but was more infused with spiritual energy. The flow of spiritual energy inside it was like a liquid, which was very beautiful.
Lin Yi took the medium-grade spirit stone and held it in his hand, feeling the rich spiritual energy inside. It was almost liquefied, indicating the stone contained an overwhelming amount of spiritual energy.
Lower-grade spirit stones were basically considered currency in the Cultivation World, while medium-grade spirit stones had greater uses. They could be used for cultivation, driving formations, and refining some items with unique uses.
He carefully placed the spirit stone on him and then left the talisman shop, heading to a large store where he could buy many things: talisman templates, pills, formations, including magic artifacts, etc.
Upon entering, a shop assistant greeted him,
"What would the Immortal Master like?"
"I'm just looking around." Lin Yi waved his hand and strolled to a merchandise cabinet, looking at the objects inside which resemble medium-grade spirit stones but were engraved with mysterious symbols.
He recorded all these symbols in his mind, then wandered around for a bit before heading to the Qing Yun City Gate.
Because of a different route, he passed by the entrance of Xian Huan Pavilion this time. Although the celebration had been over for two days, its jovial atmosphere could still be felt.
Lin Yi remembered that when he escaped Fairy Song's invitation, he even earned ten experience points for the
"Lowly Corner Creature." It seemed being low-profile and cautious was the right way to go.
Returning home, he continued making talisman templates. Now that he had a means of earning spirit stones, he didn't want to waste time. A lowly corner creature wasn't one to lie down and do nothing, but to avoid trouble and cultivate diligently.
The next day, just after breakfast, suddenly, a majestic voice rang out in the sky,
"All Loose Cultivator disciples of Liu Yun Sect, gather at the mountain gate immediately. Our sect's Gold Sword Zen Ren has an important announcement to make."
Hearing this grand voice, Lin Yi couldn't help but reveal a look of joy. It was about time. Li Yuan Qing's previous reminder to keep farming for benefits implied that the entire Sinong Palace, from top to bottom, was likely to undergo a major cleansing.
"Little Lin, hurry! Let's go to the mountain gate to see what's happening." Soon, Old Huang's knocking came from outside.
Without hesitation, Lin Yi and Old Huang headed to the Liu Yun Sect mountain gate together. On the way, they encountered many spirit farmers flocking from all directions, all moving towards the mountain gate.
Upon reaching the mountain gate, the place was already swarming with people. The stones on the mountains were full of people, ranging from young cultivators to old ones like Old Huang who were nearly buried in the ground; almost all of them could be seen.
Several Foundation Building cultivators present there were maintaining order, asking the Loose Farmers to stand in different places according to their respective spiritual field areas.
Lin Yi and Old Huang stood in the Spirit Field Area B. After a while, he saw
Zhang Yuan Cheng arrive, looking upset and no longer as invigorated as before.
Seemingly aware of everyone's gaze, Zhang Yuan Cheng spoke grimly,
"Everyone, stand in order and stop looking around to show respect for Golden Core Real Person."
Lin Yi laughed and shifted his gaze elsewhere. Regardless of whether the Spiritual Field Manager was dealt with this time or not, it mattered little.
If he was dealt with, things would be easier for Lin Yi. If not, he could smoothly carry out his plan. In any case, he wouldn't be seeing Manager Zhang anymore.
At this time, outside the mountain gate, many Loose cultivators had gathered from Qing Yun City, ready to see how the Liu Yun Sect would handle this matter. The corpses of the ten or so people killed by the elder Sinong Palace last time were still there, perfectly preserved.
A quarter of an hour later, a golden sword glow flew out from the inner sect, with the sword energy like a rainbow, extremely sharp. Behind it, several other sword glows followed.
Seeing this scene, the crowd stirred. Normally, the Golden Core Real Person was high above, unreachable to these outer sect spirit farmers. Today they finally had a chance to see his demeanor up close.
"Silence." The Foundation Building Cultivators maintaining order at the scene spoke in a condensed voice. The noise immediately died down, and everyone's gaze was fixed on the sky.
The golden sword glow slowly descended and stopped above the mountain gate. The sword glow turned into a golden flying sword, exuding a killing intent.
Then, the other sword glows one by one flew over and revealed their figures.
However, one old man was lying on a wine gourd, standing alongside the Gold Sword Zen Ren, with a smile on his face.
The others stood behind the Gold Sword Zen Ren. Li Yuan Qing was among them, presumably all his disciples, as they looked expressionless.
Standing in the first place behind the Gold Sword Zen Ren was a middle-aged cultivator. His expression was solemn. His sharp and fierce aura, just like that of Gold Sword Zen Ren, seemed to have been molded from the same mold.
"We greet Gold Sword Zen Ren. We greet Drunken Immortal." Led by a few Foundation Building Cultivators, the Outer-sect Spirit Farmers, including Loose Cultivators, all cupped their hands and bowed towards the sky..
Chapter 36: Growing Gradually is the Key
"There is no need for formalities, I am here today solely for the matters regarding the selection of the Spiritual Field." Gold Sword Zen Ren said seriously while standing on top of his flying sword.
A look of anticipation appeared on everyone's faces, as they discreetly peered at the two Golden Core Real Persons. Cultivating the Immortal Way and only reaching the Foundation Establishment Stage, is merely stepping onto the threshold, building a foundation for the Immortal Way.
Only at the Golden Core Realm does one truly possess a trace of Immortaldom, after many years of hard cultivation, one's efforts bear fruit, achieving the Golden Core.
Both Golden Core Real Persons seemed like two extremes, one with a solemn expression, entirely void of smiles, while the other lounged on his gourd, relaxed and natural, his face bearing a warm smile.
Lin Yi also discreetly studied them. Every disciple of the Liu Yun Sect knew more or less about the high-level members of their sect. Gold Sword Zen Ren was the strongest among them. Yet, his disciples and he himself seemed to have stern faces, like they were paralyzed.
As for the one lounging on the gourd, he was Drunken Immortal. Like his name, he loved wine as he loved his life. He was reportedly quite amicable and took a casual approach towards his disciples. He only accepted five true disciples and basically let them develop freely. However, not many people had actually seen this Real Person in action.
While reading novels on Earth, phrases like
"Golden Cores are as common as dogs" and
"Nascent Souls are everywhere" were familiar, but once in the Cultivation World, one would realize how difficult cultivation truly was. Even the Foundation Building cultivators who seemed disposable in the novels can be considered as accomplished cultivators.
Gold Sword Zen Ren, suspended in mid-air, solemnly said: "After an investigation by the Law Enforcement Hall of Liu Yun Sect, it is confirmed that the lottery draw for the Outer Sect's Spiritual Field did take place. This kind of behavior tarnishes the reputation of Liu Yun Sect, causing the Sect Master to be furious. Hence, I announce the Sect Master's decree…
"Elder Chen Qi Feng of the Sinong Palace is one of the orchestrators of the Spiritual Field draw system, who killed indiscriminately, behaving crazily, almost like a demon. According to Sect rules, it is decided to abolish his cultivation levels and expel him from the sect…
Upon hearing Gold Sword Zen Ren's words, a cheer echoed from the crowd outside the sect gates. They hadn't expected the punishment from Liu Yun Sect to be so severe. To abolish a Foundation Building cultivator's cultivation and expel him from the sect was even more painful than direct execution.
Without cultivation, one was no longer a revered Foundation Building cultivator, but someone whom even the most common man would dare to bully.
Lin Yi wasn't surprised by this punishment. This Elder Chen of Sinong Palace had practically asked for it by heading straight for disaster.
If he had secretly killed someone, it definitely wouldn't have raised so many concerns. But he brazenly committed murder in broad daylight at the entrance of the Liu Yun Sect. If no public and fair punishment was deliberated, Liu Yun Sect's reputation as a prominent orthodox sect would have been heavily damaged.
"Bring him here." After finishing the sentence about Chen Qi Feng's punishment, Gold Sword Zen Ren spoke indifferently.
Quickly, two Disciples of the Law Enforcement Hall brought Chen Qi Feng up. His hair was disheveled, his expression defeatist, without the craziness he previously showed during the act of murder. And he was shackled in special chains, sealing off all his spiritual power.
"Chen Qi Feng, have you heard the Sect Master's decree?" Gold Sword Zen Ren stared at Chen Qi Feng, his face devoid of any emotion as he spoke.
"I heard it, after decades, I obtained the Foundation Building Realm, killed just a few Loose Cultivators, only to face such a punishment, haha…," Chen Qi Feng said in a melancholic tone, bursting into crazed laughter towards the end.
At this point, the Drunken Immortal chuckled:
"Once you joined the Liu Yun Sect and enjoyed its resources, you are supposed to follow the rules of the sect. You murdered the Loose Cultivators to cover up the truth, you are no different from the demonic cultivators. You've brought it on yourself, so don't play the victim here."
"Take your punishment." Gold Sword Zen Ren voiced out calmly. He then flicked a golden ray, which entered Chen Qi Feng's body, destroying his Dantian.
His spiritual power completely sealed off, Chen Qi Feng didn't have the strength to resist. His entire cultivation was terminated in an instant.
Chen Qi Feng's dark hair started to turn gray alongside the dispersion of his cultivation, his vitality slowly faded away. His face gradually aged.
The scene fell silent. The Foundation Building cultivators, the realm every Qi Refinement cultivator yearned for, had just been terminated so easily.
"Throw him out of the sect gate," Gold Sword Zen Ren declared sternly.
Two Disciples of Law Enforcement Hall removed the shackles from his hands and threw them out of the mountain gate. Chen Qi Feng struggled to his feet, his legs wobbling. He limped his way down the mountain.
"You are a disgrace to the Liu Yun Sect." A Loose Cultivator nearby couldn't help yelling angrily.
Chen Qi Feng abruptly lifted his head and, the powerful aura of a cultivator that had not yet fully dissipated from his body, instantly emitted, frightening the Loose Cultivator into stepping back.
"Your cultivation level has been abolished, sooner or later you'll be worse than an ordinary person. You're waiting to die." The Loose Cultivator seemed embarrassed by his previous action and forced himself to speak.
A hint of anger flashed across Chen Qi Feng's face, but he didn't retaliate. Instead, he silently departed. Following the abolishment of his cultivation level, the power of a cultivator gradually dissipates. If he uses his abilities now, he would only die quicker.
Watching how Chen Qi Feng's physical strength began to fade after his cultivation level was abolished, Lin Yi could not help but sigh. Most cultivators only cultivated their abilities, not their physical bodies.
Cultivation was already not easy, adding body refinement to it would make the path of cultivation become more difficult. Besides, body refinement wasn't much simpler than cultivation.
If Chen Qi Feng had practiced body refinement before, despite the abolished cultivation level, his body would still maintain a great deal of strength, and he
Wouldn't become an ordinary person so easily.
Lin Yi withdrew his gaze from Chen Qi Feng and accidentally noticed that Zhang Yuan Cheng's body was faintly trembling. He couldn't help but smile. It seemed like Manager Zhang was scared.
Many Loose Cultivators watched as Chen Qi Feng walked away. A camel that had starved to death was still bigger than a horse. Although Chen Qi Feng's cultivation level was abolished, his strength won't disappear instantly. If he wanted to sabotage other people on his way down, it would still be possible. They didn't want to die alongside Chen Qi Feng.
Furthermore, as an Elder of the Liu Yun Sect Agriculture Hall, Chen Qi Feng surely had a network of connections. If they attacked him now, they might face retaliation in the future.
"Aside from Chen Qi Feng, several other elders of Sinong Palace were also involved. They will be sent to the Cliff of Reflection to face the wall for a hundred years…"
"The Lord of Sinong Palace was not involved, but due to his poor management, he was stripped of his duties. My disciple, Zhou Yun Feng, will take over as Hall Master." Then, Gold Sword Zen Ren spoke again.
At this moment, a middle-aged cultivator standing behind Gold Sword Zen Ren flew on his sword to the side, bowed, and said,
"I will obey the Sect Master's decree and do my best to set Sinong Palace back on track."
Seeing this scene, the venue fell silent, followed by a burst of cheers. Gold Sword Zen Ren's disciple was appointed as the Hall Master, giving them a real glimmer of hope.
Lin Yi was also surprised. No wonder Li Yuan Qing was privy to insider information, it turned out that his senior brother was going to take up the position of Hall Master.
"Ah, it seems that Gold Sword Zen Ren intends to take responsibility for this even Zhou Yun Feng, who had retired, was brought out." Old Huang couldn't help but sigh.
"Retired? Old Huang, he's a senior disciple, and it won't be long before he breaks through to the Golden Core. Why would he retire?" Lin Yi asked with doubt.
Old Huang leaned over to Lin Yi and whispered, "You have only just arrived at
Liu Yun Sect, so naturally you wouldn't know. Zhou Yun Feng has reached Perfect Foundation Building, indeed he is about to break through to the Golden
Core"
"But like me, he encountered danger in the Secret Realm that damaged his foundation. Even though Gold Sword Zen Ren found many spiritual medicines, they did not cure him. He's already lost the chance to form a Golden Core."
Lin Yi's heart tightened, he shook his head and said,
"That's really too regrettable." Reaching Perfect Foundation Building, but being unable to form a Golden Core due to damaged foundation, must be the greatest regret of his life.
This made him realize how dangerous Secret Realms and conflicts could be. One should not casually make a move or provoke trouble without absolute certainty – lying low and developing cautiously was the right way..
Chapter 37: Three Challenges of the New Hall Master 1
After announcing Zhou Yunfeng as the new Hall Master, the notice regarding the lottery for the Spiritual Fields came to an end.
Zhou Yunfeng stood atop his flying sword, declaring the first order of the Sinong Palace,
"Starting from today, the lottery for the Spiritual Fields will continue. All who meet the requirements may register. There will be a draw once a month. The winners will become Outer Sect Spirit Farmers directly without any fees. Anyone who uses their power for personal gain will be executed without mercy."
Upon hearing Zhou Yunfeng's words, the Loose Cultivators beyond the mountain gate could not help but cheer. The lottery made everyone's opportunities equal, depending on their luck.
If not this time, there will be a next. Liu Yun Sect has tens of thousands of Spirit Farmers and it's not uncommon for accidents to happen. Therefore, there will be plenty of lottery opportunities.
After Zhou Yunfeng thrashed out the instructions, Gold Sword Zen Ren led his disciples to depart on his sword. Several Inner Sect Disciples carried and buried the Loose Cultivator who had killed Chen Qi Feng.
At that moment, the Drunken Immortal, lying on a gourd, laughed and said,
"All right, the spectacle's over. Let's all go home. This old Taoist needs his wine."
People couldn't help but laugh. They had previously thought the Drunken Immortal came here for some important matter, but it turned out that he, like everyone else, was here for the spectacle.
"Farewell, Gold Sword Zen Ren. Farewell, Drunken Immortal…" All the Cultivators in the scene fist-greeted the departure of the two Golden Core Real Persons.
Lin Yi also bowed with fists. Gold Sword Zen Ren indeed earned his upright and pure reputation. After everyone said their parting respects, a voice came from the side,
"Farewell, Master Zhou."
Everyone couldn't help looking in the direction of the voice. It was Zhang Yuan Cheng, who continued to bow with fists towards the sky, his face filled with respect.
Seeing this, other Spiritual Field Managers muttered curses under their breath. This guy really knew how to go with the flow. They had no choice but to follow suit and repeat the farewell. The Spirit Farmers around them joined in.
Subsequently, the Spirit Farmers and Loose Cultivators around the Liu Yun sect mountain gate scattered, leaving the Spiritual Field Managers involved in the business. They could finally breathe a sigh of relief.
The Sect Master's decree did not deal with them, the Stewards, so they seemed to have dodged a bullet for now. Still, they were unsure what actions the new Hall Master would take next.
At that moment, Zhang Yuan Cheng stopped shaking, and a smile returned to his face,
"Friends of Zone C area, we have a new Hall Master in Sinong Palace. We must unite and manage the Spiritual Fields together."
The few sycophants on the side applauded and agreed,
"Manager Zhang is right. Planting season is about to come. Let's do our best for a good harvest in the second half of the year."
After they left, Old Huang sneered,
"This guy, he thinks he's off the hook. Just wait, the new Hall Master is sure to take action."
Lin Yi nodded in agreement. The Sect Master's decree only dealt with the key figures, while the Spiritual Field Managers fell under the management of Sinong Palace. The next course of action wholly depends on the
"three fires" of the new Hall Master.
Upon returning to the Spiritual Fields, he continued to make talisman templates, striving to earn Spirit Stones. With Li Yuanqing as a stable customer, he didn't worry about finding a market for his talismans.
Everything was progressing well. The most critical task was to resolve the trouble that was Zhang Yuan Cheng. Only then could the future be stable.
Two days later, early in the morning, as Lin Yi was getting ready for breakfast, he heard a commotion outside,
"Hurry up and come see, there's new news from the Sinong Palace. A new notice has been posted."
A smile appeared on his face, It's finally here. So he put down his food and was about to head out when he heard a knock at the door,
"Little Lin, come out. Sinong Palace has issued a new command."
Lin Yi quickly rushed to the door and joined Old Huang to the center of the Spirit Farmer Residential Area. It was said that Sinong Palace had installed a new notice board. Any new directives and news would be posted there.
Upon arriving at the central location, many Spirit Farmers had already gathered. They were looking up at an announcement board filled with text. He stood on the outskirts, gazing intently at the text. Indeed, this new initiative would greatly benefit those dedicated to good farming.
Those who cultivate Spirit Rice with high yield and good quality will receive certain rewards, including tax reductions, Merit Points, cultivation in Cave Mansions, etc. The highest reward is a higher grade Spiritual Field.
Exceptional individuals might even get the opportunity to enter the Inner Sect. The specific way of granting rewards will be announced before the next harvest.
Seeing this directive, many Spirit Farmers cheered enthusiastically. They rely on farming for their livelihood, and naturally, they would be thorough in care. Now having additional rewards for good farming certainly made them happy and motivated.
Those Spirit Farmers with weaker farming abilities, however, couldn't help but change their expressions. They hurriedly looked down and, upon seeing that there were no penalties for reduced production, they finally breathed a sigh of relief.
The following commands targeted the Spiritual Field Managers. Since the previous Spiritual Field Managers, besides colluding with the higher-ups of the Sinong Palace to earn Spirit Stones and distribute Spiritual Fields, hardly did anything else, assessments for Spiritual Field Managers would also begin immediately.
Subsequent Spiritual Field Managers will be responsible for a series of matters from sowing to harvesting. Any Farmer who is unsure about farming can seek help from the Manager. If they get refused, they can appeal to the Sinong Palace. Sinong Palace will also send deacons periodically to visit various plantation areas.
In their jurisdiction, if the yield and quality of the Spirit Rice are high, the Spiritual Field Managers will also have the opportunity for rewards and promotion. Meanwhile, if there are too many Spirit farmers with reduced production, penalties will be imposed.
Also, in five days, Sinong Palace will send palace deacons to various areas for the first visit to collect opinions about the current Spiritual Field Managers.
If there are too many opponents or serious mistakes, they will immediately be dismissed. If the Spiritual Field Managers dare to obstruct the visiting deacons, they will be handed over to the Legal Hall for punishment.
Seeing this scene, Lin Yi showed a smile on his face. The third fire by the new
Hall Master was pretty good, making those Spiritual Field Mangers who made Spirit Stones but did nothing else, have nowhere to hide. Now Zhang Yuan Cheng would be nervous.
"Good kid, this reward of the Sinong Palace seems specially prepared for you." Old Huang looked at the text on top and slapped Lin Yi forcefully.
He knew the talent of Lin Yi in farming, not only was the yield high, but also the quality. He'd farmed in the Outer Sect for several decades and sometimes the yield increased too. But it wasn't as exaggerated as this kid, who with twenty mu increased one mu of yield, factoring in the quality, it was two mu.
At this time, Lin Yi glanced at the arrival of Zhang Yuan Cheng out of the corner of his eye and deliberately raised his voice and said,
"Don't worry, Old Huang, if I farm my way into the Inner Sect, I won't forget you."
Zhang Yuan Cheng heard Lin Yi's words and his face turned gloomy.
"Move aside, Manager Zhang is here." Some bootlickers next to him squeezed out a patn ror mm.
He, as the Spiritual Field Manager, stood under the announcement board, took a close look at the notice stuck above. Upon reading the first command, his eyes narrowed instantly, and he glanced towards Lin Yi.
Farming could be a way of entering the Inner Sect. What was the Sinong Palace planning? He remembered that Lin Yi's Spirit Rice farming was thriving, and he had rarely seen such abundant Spirit Rice, the harvest in the first half of the year would definitely increase.
Perhaps Lin Yi could not enter the Inner Sect in a short time, but based on his farming talent, he would definitely get a lot of rewards.
Zhang Yuan Cheng continued to read downwards. When he saw that assessments would be made on the Spiritual Field Managers, he quickly looked down and saw the duty of helping with all farming affairs. The refusal to assist Spirit Farmers could lead to impeachment, and his brows furrowed tightly. He had practically become a nanny for the Spirit Farmers.
However, within the jurisdiction, if the yield and quality of Spirit Rice were high, the Managers would have the chance of rewards and promotion, which made him smile. But quickly, his facial expression became complicated. Should he pamper Spirit Field No. 38?
The final command was that the Sinong Palace would visit and collect opinions on the current Managers. His expression darkened again, and he became extremely frustrated.
Upon hearing Huang De Sheng and Lin Yi discuss the wonderful life after entering the Inner Sect, he felt his head was about to explode, didn't want to stay there a moment longer, and quickly left..
Chapter 38: Zhang Yuan Cheng Visits
The orders issued by the Sinong Palace received the support of nearly all the Spirit Farmers. They came to the Outer Sect of Liu Yun Sect to cultivate peacefully in the harsh Cultivation World and who wouldn't want more resources.
Moreover, a reduction in crop yield would not be their responsibility as Spirit Farmers, which naturally removed any concerns they might have had, and they, in turn, offered fervent support for the order issued by the Sinong Palace.
However, many Spiritual Field Managers were filled with trepidation, much like the end of the world was upon them. Many of them had become managers due to different connections and alliances, with farming abilities that were often inferior to even some Spirit Farmers, let alone instructing others on farming.
Nevertheless, they dared not voice any opposition, only muttering resentfully under their breath because it did not matter how powerful their connections were. None of them was more influential than the Golden Sword Zen Ren, the strongest combat power in the Liu Yun Sect.
Particularly, managers who had not treated the Spirit Farmers well in the past felt as if they had been dealt a powerful blow upon seeing the notice. Their faces drained of color. If there were too many objections, they, as the affluent Spiritual Field Managers, would end up losing their jobs.
Above all, Lin Yi continued leisurely making talisman templates after reading the notice. Adding to the ones made earlier, he also included the Concealment Charm, the primary use of which is to conceal one's breath from being detected by others. Though it had an ability to cover up one's cultivation level to an extent, this function was rather insignificant. Any cultivator of a higher realm or one possessing a spirit vision technique could see right through it.
The [Petty Survivor] title he held was unique in this regard, hiding the cultivation level in such a way that no cultivator would be able to see through it. He had tested this earlier. To a Foundation Building Cultivator, he still appeared to be at the Qi Refining Three Layers stage.
The title, when worn, would keep its effect intact all the time without any consumption, unlike talismans or spells which required constant activation.
Consider such an instance when a group of people venture into a Secret Realm. Even while resting or sleeping, one must maintain the use of the Concealing Breath Technique.
Upon his return, his neighbor Lv Qing Ming, who had a pair of big dogs, specifically visited him. He confessed that all his actions were instructed by
Zhang Yuan Cheng and even suggested that they join forces to oppose Zhang Yuan Cheng's continued position as the Spiritual Field Manager.
Lin Yi didn't express any opinions. He simply stated it depended on the situation.
In contrast to Lin Yi's nonchalance, Zhang Yuan Cheng was rather anxious. He looked at the paper filled with names, his expression fluctuating. These were none other than the Spirit Farmers from Zone B.
Fortunately, he hadn't harbored great animosity toward many Spirit Farmers. Only some newly joined Spirit Farmers were a source of significant contradictions.
Among them, Lin Yi's name was highlighted. Initially judging Lin Yi to be tame and naive, who couldn't string three words together to make a point, someone who could be easily swindled.
Therefore, he recruited him as an Outer Sect Spirit Farmer at a low price intending to exploit him later. To his surprise, Lin Yi not only endured but also excelled at farming.
Zhang Yuan Cheng's face darkened as he continued to contemplate. Emotions complexed within him. His antagonism with Lin Yi hadn't reached the point of no return, the main point of disagreement centered around the murder of an innocent girl.
He felt that Xun Fang Pavilion's Xiao He sudden disappearance could be attributed to Lin Yi. Hence, their animosity wasn't particularly intense.
Should he, who had previously appeared overbearing and constantly targeting Lin Yi, now abide and display a submissive attitude? Should he please and appease this guy? The struggle was real.
There was another solution, making this man disappear completely. He had done such things before.
However, no sooner had this suggestion appeared in his mind than he dismissed it. With the Sinong Palace under new management, committing murder was akin to courting unnecessarily detrimental attention. Besides, there was still some room for improvement in his relationship with Lin Yi.
After Zhang Yuan Cheng had pondered for a moment, he thought of the message passed on by Lv Qing Ming. He slapped the table abruptly and said,
"Forget it, in the quest for wealth, all men die; for sustenance birds perish. Keep him happy, and I can take advantage of his farming talent to get rewards and promotional opportunities."
That night, he carried a package and quietly arrived at Lin Yi's house under the cloak of darkness. When he saw the light inside, he sighed in relief and gently knocked on the door.
At that moment, Lin Yi was busy making talisman templates in his secret basement while Zhi Ling abruptly flew into the basement from the surface, gesturing towards the upper level and chirping a few times.
He immediately understood. Someone was at the door. So, he tidied up, left the basement and returned to the surface.
Hearing the gentle knock, a smile appeared on his face. It seemed the main character arrived.
Lin Yi casually strolled to the courtyard entrance and asked,
"Who's there at this late hour?"
"Ahem, it's me, Zhang Yuan Cheng," Zhang Yuan Cheng cleared his throat and whispered softly. Even the form of address had changed from "Number 38 of
Zone B" to
"Lin Dao You – Friend Lin".
"So, it's Manager Zhang, please come in." Lin Yi opened the door, expressing apparent surprise.
Zhang Yuan Cheng came in briskly, carrying a package.
"Friend Lin, can we go inside and talk?"
"Sure, please come in," Lin Yi closed the entrance and invited Zhang Yuan Cheng inside, pouring him a cup of tea.
"Friend Lin, you've done an excellent job with this courtyard. You have chickens, vegetables, even flowers," Zhang Yuan Cheng picked up the cup of tea, took a slight sip, and said with a smile.
"Thank you for your kind words, Manager Zhang. I'm curious though, what brings you here so late at night?" Not wanting to waste time on pointless chatter, Lin Yi posed the direct question.
A hint of embarrassment crossed Zhang Yuan Cheng's face. He placed the package on the table and gently opened it. The package contained several pieces of Spirit Stones, about thirty or so. Any junior cultivator would be tempted by these.
Pushing the package slightly towards Lin Yi, he stood up and cupped his fist, saying,
"Friend Lin, I am to blame for any past disagreements. Please forgive me. I hope we can assist each other in the future and manage the Spiritual Field together."
Looking at the few dozen Spirit Stones in the package, Lin Yi couldn't help but lament. He had been turned down when he offered Spirit Stones in the past. Now, the tables had turned. He just smiled and did not touch the package.
"You're too kind, Manager Zhang. There's no need for such underhanded tactics. Farming is my job, and I will farm well. In the future, I may need your help with many things. Please, take these Spirit Stones back," Lin Yi replied.
Zhang Yuan Cheng's expression slightly faltered. He didn't expect his previous words to return to him. He pushed the package forward again,
"Friend Lin, this is a token of my sincerity. I genuinely want to be friends with you."
Lin Yi looked at Zhang Yuan Cheng and said with a smile,
"On the subject of proper farming, we're already friends. It depends on whether Manager Zhang considers me as a friend. Personally, I am content if I can carry on farming peacefully."
"Thank you, Manager Zhang, for your visit today. I need to practice cultivation, so I won't keep you any longer." He was quick to add.
Reluctantly, Zhang Yuan Cheng took back the Spirit Stones, stood up, and left.
As he left the courtyard, he kept a smile on his face, turned around, and said,
"Of course, I will treat Friend Lin as my friend, goodbye."
The moment he turned to leave, his smile-filled face immediately darkened. He was well aware that under the new order of Sinong Palace, Lin Yi's farming talent would provide significant advantages.
However, this kid was too difficult to control, his farming talent might earn him a promotion more quickly than himself. This realization made him agitated once again..
Chapter 39: Preparing for Action
Lin Yi stood at the door, watching Zhang Yuan Cheng leave. He really wanted to farm in peace and avoid any trouble. What happened next depended on how Manager Zhang chose to act.
From his investigation into Zhang Yuan Cheng, Lin Yi knew that the man was narrow-minded and highly suspicious. In his ten years as a Spiritual Field Manager, around twenty or so Spirit Farmers had mysteriously disappeared, with no leads revealed from the investigations by the law enforcement court and the cases were concluded as accidents in the wilderness, then casually dismissed.
When he first discovered this information, Lin Yi was alarmed, realizing his initial thoughts were naive. He had thought that with rules forbidding fellow sect members from harming each other and expecting that law enforcement would be thorough, Zhang Yuan Cheng wouldn't lay a hand on him.
However, in the recent two years, it appeared no Spirit Farmer had unexpectedly disappeared within this 'Bing' region's cultivation area, bringing some relief to Lin Yi. However, he remained vigilant, constructing a secret room and frequently visiting Qing Yun City, rarely going into the wild to feed animals anymore.
Now, he had given Manager Zhang an opportunity. His future depended entirely on his own choices.
Instead of making talisman, Lin Yi ruminated on whether there were any cracks in his plan. If Zhang Yuan Cheng chose not to act, he himself wouldn't pursue trouble, he would move to another spiritual field area and quietly grow stronger.
With new orders from the Sinong Palace, someone with his farming talent would be highly welcomed by the stewards.
If Zhang Yuan Cheng chose to act, nobody could be blamed but him. Lin Yi would have to rid himself of this nuisance.
The next day, after breakfast, Lin Yi stepped outside. Glancing around, he saw his neighbor, Lv Qing Ming, lounging in a reclining chair, leisurely soaking up sun with two big dogs beside him, frequently touched their heads.
When the two dogs saw him coming out, they wagged their tails and tried to stand up. Lin Yi shot them a glance and they immediately started to bark fiercely at him.
"Can you be quiet? This is my friend, Daoist Lin." After the dogs had barked for a while, Lv Qing Ming gently patted their heads, then asked Lin Yi,
"Daoist Lin, are you heading out?"
"No, I'm just here to exercise." Lin Yi casually responded, then started practicing his boxing moves at his doorstep. Now and then, he would roll up his sleeves to show off his muscular arms.
Hearing the commotion, Old Huang also came over. Upon seeing Lin Yi displaying his muscular body, he quickly walked over and began to pinch Lin Yi with his hands,
"Tsk, tsk, Little Lin, I didn't know that you've been doing Body Refinement. Look at these strong muscles."
"Body Refinement isn't that useful anyway, you surely are not planning to compete with cultivators in physical strength, right? You should focus on Cultivation."
Lin Yi shook his head and said helplessly,
"Old Huang, I only began Body Refinement because my Cultivation was not progressing well. Look at me, I'm still stuck at Qi Refining Three Layers, the only way to increase my strength is through Body Refinement."
At this point, he changed the topic and said,
"But, the monster beast meat required for Body Refinement is even more expensive than Spirit Rice. I can hardly afford it. I am planning to go to the wild to hunt monster beasts tomorrow."
"Hunt monster beasts? You don't want to live, do you? A Qi Refining Three Layers going to hunt monster beasts is like offering food to them." Old Huang's face changed instantly, and he hurriedly tried to dissuade Lin Yi.
"Old Huang, don't worry. I will only skirt the edges of where monster beasts are found. If there's danger, I can run faster than anyone else." Lin Yi reassuringly explained, purposely giving Zhang Yuan Cheng an opportunity to secretly strike.
"It still sounds too dangerous. You used to be so cautious, why have you become so reckless now?" Old Huang asked, puzzled.
Lin Yi confidently said,
"I'm not being reckless, I've made all the necessary preparations to ensure there's no danger."
"If you won't listen to reason then you have to be careful. How about I accompany you tomorrow?" Old Huang suddenly proposed.
"There's no need. If I need protection just to go to the edges of the monster beast area, my Qi Refining Three Layers would be useless." Lin Yi waved his hand and said. If Old Huang were to come along, then he wouldn't be able to carry out his plan.
Old Huang pondered for a moment, and decided not to say more. Even though he and Lin Yi were friends, he could not protect him in every circumstance, especially considering that he himself was just a semi-invalid at Qi refining level four.
On one side, Lv Qing Ming, while seemingly just basking in the sun on his chair, had already pricked up his ears, committing their entire conversation to memory.
By night, Lin Yi rushed to the entrance of the Liu Yun Sect Inner Door. He took out the sound transmission talisman given to him by Li Yuan Qing. In a few days, it would be time to sow the spiritual fields, hence, plans needed to be set in motion without further delay.
That's why he chose this morning to subtly hint to Lv Qing Ming about his plans for tomorrow.
After activating the talisman, a glow appeared on it. He hastily whispered a few words to the talisman, then casually tossed it out. The talisman automatically flew in the direction of the Inner Door.
The sound communication talisman is not included in the Basic Talisman Handbook either. It's just as difficult to create as a storage symbol and equally useless in that it can only be used once, and its range is quite limited.
What's more troublesome is that the sound transmission talisman can't just send to anyone; it requires the recipient to ritualize it in advance and then give it to someone else before it can fly back to its origin.
It's like a homing pigeon. Once it has been tamed and brought to a new place, it can fly back home once set free.
This sound transmission talisman from Li Yuan Qing had clearly been ritualized. Within a certain range, the talisman would follow the ritualized info on it and fly back to him.
After a while, a sword glow appeared in the night sky, flying out from the Inner Door. Lin Yi quickly activated a spell to illuminate his location, and the sword glow promptly flew in his direction.
Soon, the sword glow gently descended, and Li Yuan Qing appeared. He glanced at Lin Yi and calmly asked,
"Are you sure you want to proceed with the action tomorrow?"
"Senior Brother Li, it is confirmed, but please accompany me to familiarize yourself with the location," Lin Yi said, saluting with a fist and then nodding. He had found an excellent spot at the edge of the Monster Beast area, where they could just wait for Zhang Yuan Cheng to bite the bait.
"Alright, climb up." Li Yuan Qing agreed and gently descended, controlling the flying sword. The flying sword was now a little bigger, sufficient to carry not only two but even three or four people.
Lin Yi quickly stepped onto the flying sword, a hint of expectation appearing on his face. Ever since he entered the cultivation world, he had seen others wield flying swords, but he had never experienced the joy of flying on a sword.
"Channel your spiritual power into your legs, and remember to show the way, " Li Yuan Qing reminded him lightly, then controlled the flying sword to ascend slowly.
Lin Yi's body swayed slightly. He quickly channeled his internal spiritual power into his legs, which firmly anchored his body on the flying sword. He then took a look around and pointed a direction.
The flying sword immediately moved towards the direction Lin Yi pointed out.
The speed was not too fast, but it was definitely faster than traveling on foot. Standing on the flying sword, he felt only a gentle breeze. There seemed to be protective measures in place.
Otherwise, after flying fast on a flying sword, when the senior experts arrived at their destination, their hair would have been in disarray, looking like a hen's nest.
Upon reaching the edge of the Monster Beast region, Lin Yi indicated the exact location of the operation to Li Yuan Qing and briefly explained some details, but he did not reveal any information about Zhang Yuan Cheng's identity.
"Alright, tomorrow, I will come here in advance. If you encounter danger ahead of time, send a warning, and I will be there immediately," Li Yuan Qing nodded lightly while also giving some advice to Lin Yi.
"Thank you, Senior Brother Li." Lin Yi quickly saluted with his fists and then returned to the Liu Yun Sect with Li Yuan Qing..
Chapter 40: Activate the Subsidiary Title [Burst Out]
Upon returning to the Outer Sect Spiritual Field Plantation Area, Lin Yi looked at the retreating figure of Li Yuan Qing, who was leaving on his sword. He wanted to ask how many Spirit Stones a single intervention from Senior Brother Li would cost, but he was too embarrassed to ask.
After all, it was almost time for action. It would seem rather disrespectful to ask such a thing of a Foundation Building cultivator now.
Nevertheless, as long as he gets rid of the trouble called Zhang Yuan Cheng, he wouldn't mind dedicating his time to producing talismans for Senior Brother Li for ten days or half a month.
Judging from Senior Brother Li's past behavior, like offering a discount when buying Monster Beast meat and paying the highest market price when buying Lin Yi's talismans, he must also be reasonable about the cost of his intervention now.
Instead of returning home, he used Gale Step to stroll around other planting areas and made a trip to Qing Yun City. He made sure he wasn't being followed using a Concealment Charm before starting to carry out his plan.
He worked non-stop until the early morning. Only when his plan was fully arranged did Lin Yi decide to visit the district where the lower-rank Martial Artists lived. Seeing how these Cultivators who thought highly of themselves bullied the Martial Artists freely made him angry.
This was the final part of his plan, collecting one hundred Anger Points to activate the subsidiary title [If the Small Endurances Are Not Made, A Great Plan Can Be Ruined].
Previously, during the time he wasn't producing talismans, he had already collected over ninety Anger Points through various means. He was only one step away from completing his plan.
At that moment, a Martial Artist, who was walking with his four or five-year-old daughter in a small alley in Qing Yun City, looked very tired. The rain had just stopped and there were puddles all over the street. The little girl held her father's hand and jumped happily in the puddles.
Just then, a Cultivator who was passing by got a few drops of water splashed
Onto his clothes. The Martial Artist quickly apologized and took out a
Handkerchief to wipe the water off.
However, the Cultivator cursed at him and used a spell to send the Martial Artist flying. He then lifted the little girl by her clothes and yelled at her to lick all the water drops off his clothes.
Lin Yi happened to stumble upon the scene, causing a surge of anger,
"Fury +2, reached 100 points, automatically activating subsidiary title [Burst Out], The host can wear it at will, entering a furious state."
He slowly walked over and said calmly,
"My friend, there's no need to get angry over such a small issue. I'll give you these two Raging Fire Talismans to calm you down. Let them go."
With that, he handed over the two Raging Fire Talismans. Judging from the Cultivator's appearance and temperament, it was unlikely that he was a disciple of the Liu Yun Sect. Only a Loose Cultivator would bully Martial Artists so wantonly, seemingly to prove their noble identity as a Cultivator.
Seeing the Raging Fire Talismans in Lin Yi's hand, the Cultivator's eyes lit up.
He grabbed the talismans without any hesitation and threw the little girl aside,
"Consider it bad luck. Be more careful next time.'
Lin Yi caught the little girl with his quick reflexes and placed her next to the
Martial Artist,
"Go home."
"Thank you, Immortal Master, thank you." The Martial Artist quickly knelt down to express his gratitude.
Lin Yi waved his hand and left with a smile. Seeing the already activated subsidiary title [Burst Out] on the title panel, he smiled. The most crucial part of the plan had been completed.
Once he entered the Furious state, he would have a full chance of escape even in front of Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivators.
Now that his goal was achieved, he left Qing Yun City. Upon reaching his home, he suddenly noticed that Lv Qing Ming from next door was out walking his dog so late at night. Did he think that everyone was a fool with such an obvious spying operation in progress?
"Brother Lin, you're returning home so late." Seeing Lin Yi, Lv Qing Ming immediately perked up and casually asked.
Lin Yi nodded and replied with a smile,
"Yes, I have to go Monster Beast hunting tomorrow, so I went to Qing Yun City to prepare a few things. Brother Lv, why aren't you asleep yet?" He also returned the question.
"These two dogs are too restless, so I took them out for a walk. I didn't want to disturb the peace of the fellow Daoists around." Lv Qing Ming explained, lightly kicking the dog by his side.
"Brother Lv, you're always so considerate. Well, I'll be going to bed first then." Lin Yi sneered inwardly, then went into his yard.
The purple mink, which usually excitedly flew out to greet him when it heard noises, was nowhere to be seen. Lin Yi shook his head and smiled. His home felt a bit lonely without it.
Rather than producing more talismans, he lay down on his bed to get a good night's sleep. He needed to conserve his energy for tomorrow's operation.
Based on his deductions, if Zhang Yuan Cheng were to take action, considering his suspicious nature, he would likely do it personally to prevent unforeseen accidents. Moreover, since his own operation was scheduled for the next day, with just one day left, it was impractical for Zhang to hire an assassin.
In addition, he had deployed Zhi Ling to monitor their surroundings. Some Spirit Farmer's dogs were also laid in ambush close by. If this guy dared to sneak out, they would bark loudly to draw attention.
When dawn arrived, Lin Yi opened his eyes and got up instantly. After preparing breakfast, he came to the courtyard seemingly waiting for something. Not long after, Zhi Ling squeaked as it jumped down from the rooftop and perched on his shoulder.
He stretched out his hand, and Zhi Ling obediently settled into his palm. It started gesturing and squeaking nonstop, seemingly telling the story of a grand drama.
"Zhi Ling, did he step out at all during the day?" Lin Yi, stroking Zhi Ling's head, asked with a smile.
Zhi Ling swayed its paw twice and shook its head vigorously, then puffed its chest out proudly, looking at Lin Yi.
"I see. You and the dogs prevented his departure. You all worked hard. Let's go eat." Lin Yi roughly got the message and prepared to head back to his room for a meal with Zhi Ling.
Zhi Ling squeaked twice more and waved its paw toward the outside, making Lin Yi chuckle, "You little rascal, even remembered to include your friends.
Don't worry, I'll feed those dogs when I return."
After finishing breakfast, he kept Zhi Ling at home. With many unpredictable changes taken into consideration for his plan, he had made preparations, ensuring the smooth success of the plan.
Zhi Ling seemed to sense that Lin Yi was heading off for an adventure. Clinging to his finger tightly, Zhi Ling squeaked with teary eyes.
"Don't worry, I will definitely come back," Lin Yi patted its little head, he wasn't the type to gamble with his life. Without absolute confidence, he wouldn't carry out the operation.
At that moment, Zhi Ling suddenly opened its mouth and bit the finger it had been holding tight. However, it didn't draw blood. As Lin Yi's body refining techniques were nearing the Great Achievement Level, it naturally wouldn't be affected by the bite of a little purple mink with a degenerated bloodline.
Seeing that it couldn't break the skin, it became frustrated and started scraping its teeth against him, seeming to want to grind through his finger.
Lin Yi appeared to understand what Zhi Ling was thinking and said with a smile, "Zhi Ling, there's no need for that. I can't afford to leave you behind.
Wait for me to come back."
Zhi Ling let go of its mouth, pointing at the finger and squeaking while its claws held on tighter. It seemed to be saying that if he didn't do as it said, it wouldn't let him go.
"You silly child." Left without a choice, Lin Yi used the Gale Finger technique to release his inner energy, slicing a tiny cut on his finger to squeeze out a droplet of blood essence.
Seeing the droplet of blood essence on his finger, Zhi Ling squealed in delight, and then put its little head closer. The moment it touched the drop of blood essence, its body absorbed it.
At this moment, Lin Yi suddenly experienced a peculiar sensation as if he and Zhi Ling had formed some kind of connection. They seemed to be closer, the feeling differing from their previous companionship. It felt like a kinship. Could this be the change after a Monster Beast recognizes its owner?
Monster Beasts are very cautious about choosing their masters because once they do, they cannot disobey their masters' commands. Only a significant increase in its realm of strength can potentially give it the chance to break free.
Zhi Ling licked Lin Yi's finger with its tongue, then started hopping happily in his palm.
"Are you satisfied now, little one? Stay home and wait for me to come back," Lin Yi rubbed its little head, placed it in its little wooden house in the room, and after waving goodbye, he embarked on his journey to the Monster Beast region.
As he stepped out of the house, he heard a flurry of squeaks. Zhi Ling was on the garden wall, waving its little paws at him repeatedly. It looked like a child left at home, bidding farewell to its parents.
"Brother Lin, the Monster Beast region is full of dangers. Be careful," his neighbor, Lv Qing Ming, who was lying in a chair, greeted him.
"I appreciate your concern, Brother Lv." Lin Yi replied with a smile, then turned around and left.