Chapter One Hundred: The Art of Flight, the Dance of Magic

Closing his book, a golden devouring spirit bee happened to fly right before him, and he caught it effortlessly.

“Hm? It seems larger than before?”

Zhou Changwang examined the bee in his hand—plump and chubby. Though its shell remained incredibly hard, it carried a sense of robust fullness.

Not only was it plumper, but faintly, he could sense its aura was much stronger than previously.

He casually cast a soothing spell.

In a blur, he perceived some of the bee’s thoughts.

“Full... need to digest... still want to eat... must eat...”

He released the bee, then turned his gaze toward the beehive.

Immediately, he noticed more bees.

Before, due to the last attack by the insect king, all the drones except the queen had been reduced to only twenty-four. Now, including the one he just caught, there were exactly forty, nearly doubling in number.

Moreover, many of the drones appeared far plumper, and a few had even grown one or two times larger than before.

Had they advanced?

Had these ordinary spirit bees evolved into first-grade beginner spirit bees?

He approached quickly.

On the ground, piles of various spirit insect corpses from the last battle lay scattered.

He had used them as food for this batch of golden devouring spirit bees, and by now half had been consumed. In his spirit beast pouch, he still kept many preserved carefully.

He estimated the supply would last these bees for over half a year.

Then, he focused on the beehive.

First, the queen bee—nearly twice as large as before, though she had not advanced, remaining at about the first level of Qi Refinement.

But two of the drones, which had more than doubled in size, had truly advanced to the first-grade beginner level, equivalent to the first level of Qi Refinement.

As for the rest, each was larger than before, and though not advanced to the first-grade beginner tier, their auras were more ferocious and violent, greatly increasing their combat abilities.

“This batch of golden devouring spirit bees has preliminarily gained combat strength,” Zhou Changwang thought with delight, refraining from disturbing their feeding.

Returning to the pavilion, he began practicing one spell after another.

Spirit Eye Technique, Flight Technique, Insect Luring Technique, Exorcism Technique, Seven Stars Moonstep...

In addition to spells, he also practiced physical cultivation techniques.

When the time was right, he again summoned his spiritual power and cut himself—a routine yet numbing act.

In truth, some spells he wasn’t even sure would work, but with time on his hands and the mindset that more skills never hurt, he studied each spell thoroughly.

Anyway, as long as he devoted time, these low-level spells improved quickly.

Notably, the Insect Luring Technique proved quite effective.

When he cast it, even spirit insects sleeping over a yard underground were drawn out and promptly dealt with by the devouring spirit bees.

“This Insect Luring and Exorcism Technique are invaluable for spirit farmers and spirit botanists. If I cultivate them to moderate or great success, I could try the Spirit Plant Hall’s test and see if I qualify as a spirit botanist,” Zhou Changwang mused while practicing spells.

After all, in the cultivation world, strength was paramount, but status mattered too.

Take Qian Xiaoyue, for example—once targeted by that innate couple as a plunder victim, she suddenly became an apprentice alchemist in the Six Directions Pavilion, and the innate couple immediately abandoned their plans.

This was the effect of a change in status altering others’ perceptions.

The same applied to Zhou Changwang. Holding the identity of a spirit botanist in the Spirit Plant Hall would make others regard him more highly when he traveled.

Spirit farmer?

Certainly not comparable to a spirit botanist.

Especially since, as Shen Xinyue mentioned, with his spirit root aptitude, entering a sect was nearly impossible, even with the Shuiyun Token they offered.

Only by adding the credential of a mid-grade spirit botanist...

Whether or not he wished to enter a sect, acquiring that qualification would do him nothing but good.

In the afternoon, after lunch featuring Thunder Spirit Rice, he entered his cultivation chamber and practiced the Five Elements Thunder Transformation Technique for two full hours.

When he emerged, his technique had finally evolved.

Spell: Five Elements Thunder Transformation Technique (Proficient 1/200)

“The proficient rank of the Five Elements Thunder Transformation Technique has truly surpassed the Metal Finger technique in power.

It can absolutely be considered my strongest spell,” Zhou Changwang thought with joy.

To him, a seed-level Metal Finger was already extremely powerful—comparable to a sixth-level Qi Refinement cultivator unleashing a full strike with a mid-grade magic tool.

Now, his Five Elements Thunder Transformation Technique had surpassed that, reaching the seventh level of Qi Refinement.

Its power could threaten a seventh-level Qi Refinement cultivator.

“However, the same issue remains.

The casting time is too long.

Though the proficient technique’s casting time has been reduced from fifteen breaths to ten, it still cannot be effectively used in combat.”

He sighed and went to the backyard to vigorously irrigate his five-acre spirit field.

Using Growth Inducing Technique, Spirit Rain Technique, Thousand Thunder Flash... striving to push every spirit plant, whether Spirit Gathering Grass or Thunder Spirit Rice Tree, to its growth limit for quicker maturity.

This was a daily task before nightfall, as without his spells, the plants would grow slowly overnight.

With his surplus spell power, the plants would grow noticeably each night.

At night, Zhou Changwang devoted himself to talisman crafting.

Almost every day, he spent at least two hours drawing talismans.

At first, it was to build his talisman-crafting experience.

So he produced many varied talismans, cycling through those he had mastered.

Therefore, he raised his proficiency in various kinds—protection talismans, lightness talismans, cleansing talismans, exorcism talismans, soul-calling talismans...

Among these, his Fireball and Lightning talismans had reached great success.

Correspondingly, his talisman crafting experience increased substantially.

Talisman Crafting (Entry 86/100)

He drew talismans faster, and both the quality and success rate improved significantly.

But now, things were different.

He could no longer craft talismans casually.

He had to focus on earning spirit stones.

After all, to exchange for a high-grade or above cultivation technique, he needed a considerable number of spirit stones.

At least ten thousand low-grade spirit stones as a baseline.

He had far fewer than that.

Growing Spirit Gathering Grass was meant to earn spirit stones but required at least two months.

Besides that, his quickest way to earn spirit stones was through talisman crafting.

Only by producing high-value talismans could he earn more spirit stones faster.

“Talisman Fate is moderate,” Zhou Changwang recalled Wei’s words.

“The finished Lightning Talisman and Golden Light Shield Talisman are relatively valuable.

The Golden Light Shield Talisman, even at ordinary level, is worth over ten low-grade spirit stones.

At refined level, at least twenty.

If it reaches finished first-grade beginner level, the price soars above eighty low-grade spirit stones.”

He spread talisman paper on the table, pressed it flat with a stone slab, then took out the talisman brush and ink, arranging them around.

Lighting a calming incense stick, he felt his mind settle before dipping the brush in ink.

Once saturated, he held the brush suspended over the paper, inhaled deeply, and let his spiritual power flow into the brush.

Feeling the spiritual energy flow smoothly in the brush, he began to draw.

One stroke after another.

His spiritual power slowly and steadily transferred through the brush onto the paper.

He guided the brush carefully, drawing the talisman.

Throughout, his spiritual power continuously diminished, and his mental power was crucial to controlling the brush—advancing stroke by stroke, slowly.

Crafting talismans was never easy.

The exertion of energy and spiritual power rivaled that of casting the corresponding spells, yet demanded more time.

At last, with the final stroke completed—

Buzz!

A flash of light shimmered on the talisman, followed by intense spiritual energy fluctuations.

A vast influx of heavenly and earthly spiritual energy rapidly flooded into the talisman.

One breath, two breaths, three breaths...

After five breaths, the spiritual fluctuations ceased.

The talisman was fully formed.

“A refined Golden Light Shield Talisman.

Twenty low-grade spirit stones earned,” Zhou Changwang said cautiously, placing it aside before immediately dipping the brush in ink to continue.

One, two, three...

“Hm? This one’s good.

Finally, a finished talisman.

First-grade beginner Golden Light Shield Talisman, market price eighty low-grade spirit stones.”

He felt a wave of satisfaction.

Fortunately, ever since he improved his crafting skills to refined level, he had been using beast-skin talisman paper capable of withstanding stronger spiritual energy.

Beast-skin paper could bear the spiritual energy of a first-grade beginner Golden Light Shield Talisman.

Thus, this talisman was not wasted.

“Keep going!”

After a brief pause, Zhou Changwang resumed drawing.

An hour later, he switched to drawing Lightning and Fireball talismans.

These two were offensive talismans.

Though basic, and even finished ones were worth less than refined Golden Light Shield Talismans, they sold better.

In battle, a few defense talismans were enough.

Because one talisman wouldn’t block everything; even if you triggered a second, it was hard to hold the line, and opponents rarely allowed a second trigger.

But offensive talismans differed.

You could activate ten, twenty at once, producing astonishing effects.

So he needed to draw Golden Light Shield Talismans, but more urgently, Lightning and Fireball talismans.

---

The next two days, Zhou Changwang maintained this rhythm.

On the third day, he left his place.

The moment he stepped into the market, he sensed more people than usual.

Whether they were unfamiliar faces, he wasn’t sure—he seldom went out.

Along the street, he saw someone handing out flyers.

Not colorful posters as he imagined, but plain white paper with promotional phrases.

Passing by, someone handed him one.

His eyes caught the words instantly:

“Exciting performances at Rainbow Night.

Flight stunts, magical dances, conjuring out of thin air, man-snake battles, arena duels...

Venue: Fengming Dock Market, North District Square.

Three days from now.”

Zhou Changwang paused.

A performance troupe had suddenly arrived in Fengming Dock Market, planning a show three days later at the North District Square.

In the cultivation world, not all was pursuit of immortality or life-and-death battles.

There was entertainment among the people.

Mortal street troupes had almost no market here.

Cultivators saw through mortal acrobatics at a glance, and if they performed, their displays were often more dazzling.

Yet, even in the dull life of cultivation, such diversions were needed.

Hence, such performance troupes existed.

Their shows featured feats most cultivators could not replicate but were captivating.

For instance, “Flight Stunts” showcased performers’ flying skills—true flight, agile and versatile.

Flying was usually reserved for Foundation Establishment true cultivators; a low-level cultivator achieving it would draw amazement and cheers.

Similarly, magical dances, conjuring, and man-snake battles sought to be spectacular and perilous—things ordinary cultivators couldn’t do.

Zhou Changwang recalled only seeing such a show once as a child with his father, Zhou Qiankun, leaving a deep impression.

“Seems a performance troupe has indeed come to Fengming Dock Market.

Their show is in three days.

Location: North District Square, near the wandering cultivators’ market.”

He casually handed the flyer to a curious cultivator and quickly entered a shop.

The shop was Talisman Fate.

Inside, besides Zhou Changwang, were the shop owner Wei Xingyuan and a middle-aged cultivator around forty.

They were conversing under a soundproof spell.

Seeing this, Zhou Changwang waited quietly nearby.

Shortly after, they removed the spell.

Wei Xingyuan smiled at Zhou Changwang.

“Talisman Master Zhou, it’s been a while.”

“I’ve been busy crafting talismans, lost track of time,” Zhou Changwang smiled back.

He then glanced at the middle-aged cultivator, who showed no intention of leaving.

“Talisman Master Zhou, let me introduce you.

This is Bai Shaoqing, also a talisman crafter like you,” Wei Xingyuan said.

“Greetings, Talisman Master Bai,” Zhou Changwang cupped his hands politely, his eyes flickering slightly.

Surname Bai.

His expression remained calm, and seeing Bai paid him little mind, he turned back to Wei Xingyuan and feigned curiosity.

“Boss Wei, it seems lively outside.”

“It is.

A large caravan suddenly arrived from the north, with hundreds of people.

Among them, a performance troupe.

You probably saw the flyers on your way here.

The troupe is quite powerful; their leader is a ninth-level Qi Refinement high cultivator.

Their acts are said to impress even Foundation Establishment true cultivators.

If interested, you could go see.

I heard the one performing the magical dance is a peerless beauty, heavenly fair,” Wei Xingyuan chuckled.

“I’ll pass.

I’d rather spend the time drawing talismans,” Zhou Changwang waved off with a smile.

He had no intention of joining.

Such performances would attract much of the market crowd—people mingling, complicated relationships.

Better not to get involved.

He just wanted a quiet few months, then leave with Shuiyun Pavilion cultivators before chaos came.

No troubles were welcome.

“That’s wise.

The troupe was rejected by my family head, but they turned to the Chen family.

Even though they knew our family head refused, the cursed Chen Jiudao not only agreed to their performance but also reserved the North Street Square for them.

Clearly, they don’t respect our Bai family,” Bai Shaoqing snorted coldly, his face dark.

Zhou Changwang and Wei Xingyuan exchanged a glance but said nothing.

From Bai’s words, Zhou confirmed his identity.

Indeed, he was from the Bai family and a talisman crafter.

Why he came to Talisman Fate and was discussing serious matters with Wei Xingyuan remained unclear.

As for Bai’s complaint about the Bai family rejecting the troupe while the Chen family allowed it, that was just another skirmish between the Bai and Chen families.

With the Bai family patriarch secluded for healing, the Chen family had the upper hand in the market.

“Talisman Master Zhou, what talismans have you brought this time?”

Wei Xingyuan quickly diverted the topic, looking at Zhou.

“Over twenty days’ work, quite a collection,” Zhou Changwang said, glanced at Bai Shaoqing, then silently cast a soundproof spell, deeming there was no need to hide from Bai Shaofeng, and presented the talismans he intended to sell.

A thick stack, various talismans included.

“Fireball, Lightning, Exorcism, Lightness, Golden Light Shield...

Master Zhou, your skills are indeed impressive to craft Golden Light Shield talismans so fast.

Wait, so many refined talismans?

And these few, finished talismans?”

Wei Xingyuan’s casual expression shifted to shock as he examined the batch.

He wasn’t surprised by the refined talismans—stable crafters often produced refined ones, and Zhou’s rate was high, about one in three.

But finished talismans?

Those were beyond most crafters.

Finished talismans were the domain of first-grade mid-level talisman crafters.

So...

Had Zhou Changwang already reached first-grade mid-level talisman crafter?

“Just got lucky, managed a few,” Zhou shrugged.

“That’s no mere luck.

So you’re truly a first-grade mid-level talisman crafter now?” Wei Xingyuan pressed.

Zhou smiled, not denying it.

He felt he should reveal some of his strength.

Otherwise, hesitating would prevent him from selling high-grade talismans, which would be a loss.

“This batch is 130 talismans total.

42 refined, 5 finished first-grade beginner talismans...

How about 152 low-grade spirit stones total?”

Wei Xingyuan calculated and offered.

“Of course,” Zhou Changwang nodded, satisfied.

Among the five finished talismans were mostly Fireball, Lightning, and Exorcism ones.

He hadn’t included any Golden Light Shield talismans.

Selling this much spirit stone was quite satisfying.

The deal was sealed.

Quickly, 152 low-grade spirit stones were collected.

The talismans were stored in Wei Xingyuan’s pouch.

Then Zhou released the soundproof spell.

Surprisingly, Bai Shaoqing had not left.

He gazed steadily at Zhou.

“You can craft finished talismans? You’re a first-grade mid-level talisman crafter?”

“So what if I am? What if I’m not?” Zhou frowned.

“In the future, you can sell your finished talismans to our Bai family.

Bai Qiucheng, steward of Bai Trading Company and my second uncle, will buy them from you at ten percent above market price if you mention my name.

Oh, and we only want finished talismans; don’t bother sending us those so-called refined ones,” Bai Shaofeng said, then glanced at Wei Xingyuan.

“Remember our agreement, Wei Daoist.”

With that, he ignored them and left.

“Boss Wei, that guy...” Zhou Changwang looked after him with a strange expression.

“That’s a Bai family member, like us, a first-grade mid-level talisman crafter.

But backed by the Bai family, with dedicated talisman heritage and ample materials.

I hear he’s just one step from becoming a first-grade high-level talisman crafter.

He came here to collect first-grade beginner talismans.

He demands our shop provide fifty finished talismans monthly,” Wei Xingyuan said helplessly.

Fifty finished talismans was no small number.

Though Wei worked with about ten talisman crafters, only three could produce finished talismans steadily.

Now with Zhou Changwang, there were four—not enough.

“Does the Bai family not have enough finished talismans? Why buy from you?”

Zhou asked curiously.

“Everyone can see the Bai and Chen families will fight.

Before battle, both sides prepare.

Finished talismans are ready to use, powerful in their own right, so they’re commodities.

The Bai family never considers that too many,” Wei sighed.

(End of chapter)