Lan Rui woke up to the quiet stillness of the morning. The first rays of sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow across his study room. He began his day with a simple but calming ritual using a water spell to wash his face, the cool, refreshing sensation grounding him before settling at his desk.
The room was filled with the faint scent of incense as he began his morning routine, flipping through his cultivation panel.
Lifespan: 21 / 105
Realm: 5th Layer Qi Refining Realm (1/100)
Spirit Roots: Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth
Cultivation Technique: Five Elements Cultivation (Minor Achievement Level 1/300)
Techniques: Cleaning Technique (Beginner Level 79/200) Earth Pillowing Technique (Minor Achievement 12/300) Cloud Rain Technique (Minor Achievement 45/300) Entanglement Technique (Beginner Level 1/200) Geng Metal Finger (Minor Achievement 235/300) Geng Metal Sword Technique (Beginner Level 12/200)
Skills: First Order Talisman Master: Cleaning Talisman (Minor Achievement 10/300) Light Shield Talisman (Beginner Level 188 /200) Evil-Repelling Talisman (Beginner Level 173/200) Fireball Talisman (Beginner Level 160/200)
Comprehension Points (CP): 2
"My proficiency in Geng Metal Finger has increased significantly. Perhaps it was because of the life-and-death battle last night," he muttered to himself with a sigh.
"Let's see the spoils from last night." He took a storage bag, unsealed it with his divine sense, and poured the contents onto the table.
He quickly scanned the loot, arranging it systematically. In front of him, a pile of shiny stones revealed themselves to be low-grade spirit stones, totaling exactly 418 pieces.
There were also several talismans, most of which were common types such as Fireball Talismans and Evil-Repelling Talismans.
Among the loot were several jade bottles. The first contained Qi Condensation Pills, useful for cultivation, while the second held Qi Gathering Pills to recover spirit energy.
Then, his gaze shifted to a set of seven Flying Knives and two books. As his spirit energy flowed into the Flying Knives, he instantly recognized them as First Rank Middle Grade Flying Knives.
Instead of disappointment, a vibrant smile spread across his face. A set of magic tools like these was rare, and far more expensive than ordinary ones. The set of seven Flying Knives, when unleashed together, could rival First Rank High Grade Magic Tools.
Next, he turned his attention to the two books. One was titled "Object Controlling Technique," and the other, "Spirit Concealing Technique."
The Object Controlling Technique, as the name implied, allowed one to control objects using divine sense.
The Spirit Concealing Technique, on the other hand, was similar to the Concealing Talisman but allowed for major movements. However, as soon as he activated another spell or talisman, this technique would automatically cancel itself.
"Well, let's put this aside for now. I've bought a new talisman brush, so I can try drawing a Middle Grade talisman," he thought, setting the books down and reaching for a stack of talisman paper. He began drawing the Fireball Talisman. After two failures, he succeeded.
This wasn't unexpected. The requirements to draw a Middle Grade talisman were simply to invest more spirit energy, and with the help of a First Rank Middle Grade Talisman Brush, the success rate was higher.
As he was about to draw another talisman, a familiar sensation filled the air around him. A surge of knowledge about the Fireball Talisman was absorbed into his divine sense.
Fireball Talisman (Minor Achievement 1/300)
He nodded with satisfaction. "Let's upgrade the other talismans too."
After an incense's time, he put his talisman brush down and looked at the panel with a pleased smile.
Light Shield Talisman (Minor Achievement 1/300)
Evil-Repelling Talisman (Minor Achievement 1/300)
Fireball Talisman (Minor Achievement 1/300)
"Now all of my talisman drawings have reached Minor Achievement, and the success rate is 40%. Time to learn a new talisman."
He took out the manual he had purchased the previous day and began reading. It contained three offensive talismans: Wind Blade Talisman, Earth Spike Talisman, and Ice Shard Talisman.
After a few moments of focused study, he picked up his talisman brush and began drawing the easiest one first,the Earth Spike Talisman.
Meanwhile, the situation outside was far from peaceful.
.....
Nightmare Forest
A few kilometers from the spirit stone mine, a brutal battle raged. Spells were cast continuously, and bodies lay scattered across the battlefield.
"Attack! Don't give them a chance to recover!" shouted Mo Yuchen, the leader of the Crimson Blade Gang's elite forces, barked orders.
"Mo Yuchen, kill him first!" one of the Feng Family members commanded.
Mo Yuchen smirked, his lips curling into a twisted grin, before he decapitated the man before him. "You Immortal Family disciples have abundant resources and magic tools, but you lack real battle experience. Such a waste of your resources. We, on the other hand, rise through sweat and blood. Do you really think you can defeat us?"
"How dare a lowly Loose Cultivator insult our family? Kill him! Protect the honor of our family!" shouted Feng Hoaran, the first young master of the Feng Family and a Foundation Establishment seed.
Mo Yuchen sneered. "You command others as though their lives mean nothing. To think that you're a Foundation Establishment seed. You're unworthy of the title."
"You! I will kill you with my own hands!" Feng Hoaran's eyes burned with bloodlust.
"No, young master. Ancestor ordered us to protect you. We can't let you confront this man alone," one of his bodyguards warned.
"Hmph, I make the decisions for my own life. With the two of you joining forces, this man will die without even realizing it," Feng Hoaran replied confidently.
Both Feng Hoaran and his two bodyguards were at the 8th Layer of the Qi Refining Realm. He was confident that they could defeat Mo Yuchen.
"No, young master. The man before us is not someone we can defeat with numbers alone. He is one of the ten commanders of the Crimson Blade Gang, 'The Swift Gale Sword' Mo Yuchen." one of the bodyguards warned.
"A Loose Cultivator title is nothing but a facade. And you, are you the young master?" Feng Hoaran said disdainfully.
"If you argue any longer, I will report you to the ancestor," he said, his tone domineering.
With a resigned sigh, the bodyguard followed Feng Hoaran into battle.
"Hahahaha, I thought you'd be afraid and run off with your tail between your legs," Mo Yuchen taunted.
"You! Attack!" Feng Hoaran ordered.
The bodyguard activated a talisman and cast a wind spell behind it, but Mo Yuchen simply slashed through both with his sword.
Suddenly, a figure appeared behind him, attempting to stab him with a knife. To thier surprise, a transparent light shield appeared behind Mo Yuchen, blocking the attack.
"Did you really think such petty tricks would fool me? How naïve," Mo Yuchen said coldly. "Any more tricks? I'll give you one more chance."
The two bodyguards distanced themselves and activated a smoke talisman to obscure the vision.
"As I said, this trick won't work," Mo Yuchen said calmly.
The two bodyguards and Feng Hoaran held high-grade Fireball Talismans and activated them. The fireballs soared, nearly 8 meters tall, their flames intensified by the smoke.
Feng Hoaran didn't stop there. He took out a talisman made from beast hide and activated it. A transparent sword materialized and shot toward the fire.
"Hmph, now you're done. Where has your arrogance gone? At last, a lowly Loose Cultivator is no match for me," Feng Hoaran sneered.
But as his words left his mouth, a wind blade shot out from the flames, each one striking toward the three attackers. One bodyguard managed to dodge the wind blade, but it still took his arm.
"Aghhhhh!" he screamed in pain.
The other bodyguard wasn't as fortunate, his head was cleaved from his body and rolled toward Feng Hoaran.
As for Feng Hoaran, as the wind blade reached him, a green light appeared before him, blocking the attack. Still stunned, he saw a figure emerging from the flames.
"A sword talisman and an automatic defense-type magic tool. Your ancestors certainly gave you many protective treasures. But how long will they last?" Mo Yuchen taunted.
The remaining bodyguard shouted at Feng Hoaran, "Young master, run!" Feng Hoaran snapped out of his shock, realizing the gravity of the situation.
"Are you finished? No more tricks? What a shame. I thought you could at least give me a decent fight. Looks like this is the end," Mo Yuchen said, raising his sword.
The bodyguard tried to charge toward Mo Yuchen to protect Feng Hoaran, but was instantly decapitated. Mo Yuchen then began attacking the green light in front of him. After a few strikes, the green light shattered.
He raised his sword, preparing to kill Feng Hoaran. "See you in the next life. I hope you're born without a background," he said coldly.
"Ancestors! Save me!" Feng Hoaran cried out in desperation.
Just as the words left his mouth, a voice filled with immense pressure echoed across the battlefield, "Stop!"
But before the voice could continue, Feng Hoaran's head was already rolling across the ground.
.....