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Chapter 341: Talisman Jade (For Reader 16511895272223117056's Alliance Leader Honor)

Chapter 341: Talisman Jade (For Reader 16511895272223117056's Alliance Leader Honor)

After a miserable shriek, the green-robed man hastily removed the eyeball. It seemed both his eyes were bleeding.

His aura became unstable for a moment. After a few gasps, he continuously swallowed several spirit pills. Then, in front of Fang Xi, he began to circulate his cultivation, seemingly just barely suppressing his injuries. Only then did he wail: "You brat. . . did you kill seventeen or eighteen direct descendants of Nascent Soul old devils? Or did you wipe out an entire Nascent Soul family? Why is the light of the 'Grudge Soul Mark' on your body so incredibly dense?"

"Is it very dense?"

Fang Xi looked suspicious: "I don't know either. . . after all, I merely casually killed a demonic cultivator. . ."

"It couldn't have been just one person. . . Records state that observing a 'Grudge Soul Mark' with the 'Demon-Seeking Hound's Eye' only reveals a faint circle of blood-light. . . But the blood-light on your body earlier soared into the sky, at least dozens of 'Grudge Soul Marks' stacked together, to the point that even this old man's secret art suffered backlash. This 'Demon-Seeking Hound's Eye' is utterly ruined. . ."

The green-robed man regretfully looked at the now dull eyeball in his hand. He looked at Fang Xi and clicked his tongue in wonder: "Regardless. . . this old man finally believes that your enmity with a certain demonic path is truly as deep as the sea!"

Fang Xi was speechless for a moment, then said: "Enough nonsense. Is there a way to break it?"

If he weren't uncertain whether the other party carried a method to lift the curse, he would have directly captured him and soul-searched him.

The green-robed man pondered for a moment, then formed a hand seal. The green light shrouding his face flashed and vanished instantly, revealing his true appearance.

His head was full of silver hair, and he had a three-strand long beard. He looked as if he must have been a handsome man in his youth.

Paired with his green robe, his aura was ethereal, completely dispelling the previous sinister and gloomy impression.

"This old man, 'Qingyang Shangren', greets fellow Daoist."

Qingyang Shangren's face was wreathed in smiles as he performed a Daoist salute.

"Qingyang Shangren. . ."

Fang Xi observed the other party with his Divine Consciousness, finding that he was still only at the early Core Formation stage. He couldn't help but narrow his eyes slightly: "In the Yuan Kingdom, it seems there is no mention of fellow Daoist's name. . ."

"Naturally so, because this old man hails from the Jiang Kingdom. . . In the Jiang Kingdom, the demonic path holds great sway, and the righteous path can only struggle to endure. . ."

Qingyang Shangren briefly introduced his origins.

"A Jiang Kingdom cultivator, actually? !"

Fang Xi's expression involuntarily grew solemn: "Jiang Kingdom cultivators, coming to the Yuan Kingdom to secretly establish the Tianmeng. . . is it to interfere in our Yuan Kingdom's cultivation world?"

"Not so. . . The great demonic sect of the Jiang Kingdom, the 'Seven Fiends Hall', has long secretly supported the Red Blood Cult. We are merely acting out of righteous indignation, coming to provide some assistance to the Yuan Kingdom's righteous path. . ."

Qingyang Shangren sighed: "It's only because I've confirmed that fellow Daoist is absolutely not a demonic path spy; otherwise, this old Daoist would never have revealed his origins. . ."

"Just based on the 'Grudge Soul Mark'?"

Fang Xi was slightly surprised: "Couldn't it be a self-directed performance, intentionally having a demonic sect disciple killed by me?"

"Heh heh. . . The fact that fellow Daoist asks this shows you don't understand this demonic path secret art. Its cost is quite significant. . . The entire Red Blood Cult likely doesn't have a single cultivator with the 'Grudge Soul Mark' planted on them right now. . . Only the core true disciples of the 'Seven Fiends Hall' might have a slight possibility. . . This Shangren doesn't believe he possesses such value as to make the 'Seven Fiends Hall' go to such lengths to arrange a spy."

Qingyang Shangren shook his head.

"So fellow Daoist is actually a member of the righteous path, I apologize for my disrespect. . ."

Fang Xi cupped his fist, a hint of understanding dawning in his heart.

No wonder the Tianmeng wanted to assist Mu Yu in his revenge; it was to weaken the Red Blood Cult's strength!

"Alas. . . In the Yuan Kingdom today, the Green Leaf Merchant Guild has always remained neutral, and the Hunyuan Sect has signed an alliance with the Red Blood Cult. . . We lament their misfortune and are angered by their lack of contention. . . yet can do nothing but follow instructions from above, first lying low and secretly accumulating strength. . ."

Qingyang Shangren said: "I see fellow Daoist as a true talent. If you are willing to join the 'Tianmeng'. . . this method to lift the curse, I am willing to present it with both hands. You must know. . . although this 'Grudge Soul Mark' is difficult for us to detect, in the eyes of some old devils, it is incredibly dazzling. Even if it's not from their sect, they will still be quite hostile towards it. . . If fellow Daoist continues to carry this mark, I fear you might encounter calamity at any time in the future."

"Fellow Daoist need not worry about that. The entire Yuan Kingdom has at most three or four Nascent Soul True Monarchs. . . As long as I don't go to the Red Blood Cult's territory, I imagine there will be no issues. . . I just don't know, what are the conditions for joining this Tianmeng?"

Fang Xi pondered for a moment, finally asking this.

"That's simple. . . as long as you swear an oath before the 'Heavenly Dao Stele', there will be no further restrictions."

Qingyang Shangren replied: "This 'Heavenly Dao Stele' is a peculiar supreme treasure. Oaths sworn before it, even by Nascent Soul old monsters, will result in a huge price if violated. As for the content of the oath? First, you must not betray the Tianmeng; second, you must serve the Tianmeng for at least a hundred years; third. . ."

The smile on Fang Xi's face gradually faded.

Although the content of the oath wasn't overly harsh, many clauses were unacceptable to him.

What's more. . . he wasn't in a hurry at all.

'Now that I have a clue, it means there's a high probability of finding a curse-lifting method in the Jiang Kingdom. . . There's no need to rush into an alliance. . . '

'Once I reach Nascent Soul, I can directly visit the mountain gates of those great Nascent Soul sects and exchange for it, even if it costs a bit. '

'After all. . . though my enemies are powerful, they are not in this realm. . . '

With his thoughts settled, Fang Xi looked at Qingyang Shangren, revealing a faint smile: "Since that's the case, let's first discuss the trade for the Talisman Jade art. . ."

Seeing this, Qingyang Shangren couldn't help but feel helpless, yet he also knew that high-level cultivators had exceptionally firm wills.

Rogue cultivators like 'Yun Jizi' valued freedom and leisure above all else. He could only sigh: "'Thousand-Mile Communication Talismans' are not easy to make, priced at ten high-grade spirit stones each. . . Furthermore, we will not leak the refining method for 'Talisman Jade' itself, but we offer 'Talisman Jade' for sale at quite favorable prices. . ."

"Heh heh. . . Is this the Tianmeng's style? Truly stingy. . ."

Fang Xi grumbled a few times, then somewhat painfully pulled out a dozen or so high-grade spirit stones, exchanging them for a jade slip and several pieces of 'Talisman Jade'.

"This is already a special discount I'm personally granting fellow Daoist. . . As for the subsequent few talisman techniques, they cannot be bought with spirit stones."

Qingyang Shangren said serenely: "Of course, if fellow Daoist were one of us, then this Talisman Jade art could also be taught without reservation. . ."

...

Profound Ice Palace.

Little Cold Cave.

"Greetings, Young Master!"

Jiang Ling was tending to the spirit herb garden when she saw Fang Xi walk in from outside, and couldn't help but be slightly surprised.

So this Grand Elder had already gone out?

Nevertheless, she quickly composed herself and curtsied.

"Never mind. . ."

Fang Xi toyed with two pieces of Talisman Jade in his hand, feeling quite good.

After comparing them, he confirmed that the Talisman Jade Qingyang Shangren sold him was exactly the same as the Talisman Jade produced from the half-secret art he had obtained from the Green Wood Sect back then.

This way, he wouldn't have to fear being held back by talisman paper.

It was a pity, though, that he had only obtained the method for drawing one type of Talisman Jade, and couldn't get the techniques for making other powerful talismans, which left him with a slight regret.

'However, Qingyang Shangren's move was an open scheme. . . He'd given me a taste of the sweetness. If I didn't help him accomplish a few big tasks next, I probably wouldn't get any future deals and would greatly offend the Tianmeng. '

At this moment, Fang Xi paid no attention to Jiang Ling's slightly resentful gaze, instead excitedly saying: "I need to immediately enter seclusion to diligently cultivate a technique. Here's a list of some materials. . . Take it to the Sundry Hall and have the disciples there gather them all without fail."

As he spoke, he slipped a jade slip into Jiang Ling's hand.

Jiang Ling respectfully assented. Her Divine Sense swept over it, and she felt a slight puzzlement: "Purple Jade Powder, Thousand Insect Wax, Vermilion Cinnabar. . . Please rest assured, Young Master, although these materials are quite rare, our palace has a considerable amount in reserve. . ."

"Excellent. Your contribution will be directly increased by ten percent this time."

Fang Xi smiled faintly.

These materials were, naturally, all necessities for refining Talisman Jade.

The Profound Ice Palace acted with extreme speed. In less than three days, all these materials were gathered and sent into the Little Cold Cave.

...

In the artifact refinement room.

Fang Xi took out a piece of Talisman Jade, silently recalling the method for refining 'Thousand-Mile Communication Talismans' that he had comprehended.

A moment later, he opened his mouth and spat out a wisp of pill fire, letting it fall onto the Talisman Jade.

Under the scorching of the pill fire, the Talisman Jade became even more lustrous and radiant, crystal clear, as if it would melt any moment. . .

Seeing this, Fang Xi immediately grabbed a handful of vermilion cinnabar. The cinnabar was vibrant red and rich in spiritual energy, clearly a rare and superior grade.

With a gentle blow, the cinnabar seemed to be affected by an inexplicable heat, melting in mid-air, then falling onto the Talisman Jade, slowly permeating it to form a certain pattern.

'This ancient method for refining Talisman Jade is somewhat similar to artifact refining. . . If it were a wood talisman, I'd even need to prepare carving knives. . . '

'Are talisman crafting and artifact refining inseparable. . . For me, this is a bit difficult. '

Just as Fang Xi's attention momentarily wavered.

CRACK!

A crisp, sharp sound came from the Talisman Jade. It actually split open, a crack appearing, and wisps of spiritual energy leaked out. Immediately after, the Talisman Jade shattered into fragments, falling to the ground with extremely clear sounds.

Seeing this scene, Fang Xi's expression instantly turned grim.

This piece of Talisman Jade was now scrap.

He took a deep breath, beginning to reflect on this talisman-making process:

"This isn't my fault. I'm not good at artifact refining to begin with. . . The skill for refining Talisman Jade is vastly different from ordinary talisman drawing."

"Perhaps. . . this talisman-making art was even tampered with, its difficulty increased, and success rate lowered. . ."

"Maybe Qingyang Shangren is waiting to laugh at my misfortune right now? Then he'll hit me hard in the next Talisman Jade transaction?"

Fang Xi sighed, feeling it was highly probable.

Fortunately, the method for refining Talisman Jade was not a secret to him, which would save a significant amount of cost.

"Joining the Tianmeng isn't an option, but getting involved on the periphery and snatching some benefits shouldn't be a problem. . ."

"As for taking action or anything. . . I'll think about it once I'm at the late Core Formation stage."

Fang Xi thought as he picked up the second piece of Talisman Jade. . .