Chapter 114: Talisman Crafting Upgrade, Limit-Breaking Talisman

Pure Yang Five Elements Spiritual Power is the name Zhou Changwang gave to the spiritual energy he cultivated through practicing the Pure Yang Five Elements Technique.

In truth, the spiritual power cultivated through the Pure Yang Five Elements Technique was indeed different from the energy he had previously mastered. It not only contained the power of the Five Elements but also nurtured a pure Yang energy—vast, overwhelming, supremely strong and radiant.

In his spare time, Zhou Changwang was gradually converting all his original Five Elements spiritual power into this Pure Yang Five Elements spiritual power. The impurities were removed, and the nature of the spiritual energy began to transform!

One cycle, two cycles, three cycles…

Zhou Changwang continuously practiced the technique. Though as a beginner there was a familiar adjustment period after switching methods, it still took at least one hour to complete a full cycle. Yet he relished it, for he had already begun to sense the benefits of this top-tier Five Elements technique.

The purity of his spiritual power had indeed improved.

After completing the fifth cycle, all his original spiritual energy had been converted into Pure Yang Five Elements spiritual power through the technique, and its total volume had been compressed to only seventy percent of its original amount.

This compression was not a reduction but a concentration—his foundation had increased.

The quality of his spiritual power had improved.

“I wonder if after switching to the Pure Yang Five Elements Technique, this Pure Yang Five Elements spiritual power will also enhance the potency of my spells?” Zhou Changwang muttered to himself as he stood and approached the magic wall.

Then he began to cast spells.

Metal Finger, Fireball, Thousand Thunder Flashes, Five Elements Thunder Transformation Technique...

One offensive spell after another slammed into the magic wall.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The thunderous sounds were intimidating.

After a long while, Zhou Changwang finally stopped.

“The power of my spells has indeed increased.

At the same Qi Refinement level five, and with the same perfected stage Metal Finger and Fireball spells, the difference in spiritual power resulted in a roughly ten percent increase in effectiveness.

Though just ten percent, a Metal Finger with such an increase is effectively the difference between a full-force strike from a Qi Refinement level six cultivator and one from level seven.

Now my Metal Finger can genuinely threaten a Qi Refinement level seven cultivator!”

Back when Zhou Changwang had broken through to Qi Refinement level four, he had already been able to threaten Xue Tong, the insect king at level six, with this Metal Finger.

Using the same defensive techniques, he knew it had been nearly impossible for him to threaten a level seven cultivator at that time.

Though Xue Tong was said to be comparable to level seven and had even slain level seven cultivators, his power relied on his spiritual insects, and his personal offense and defense remained at level six, not even outstanding among level six cultivators.

Now, Zhou Changwang was at Qi Refinement level five, and with his spiritual power transformed into Pure Yang Five Elements spiritual power, his spell potency had improved, allowing his Metal Finger to truly break through the defenses of a level seven cultivator.

“Not to mention, my strongest offensive spell now isn’t Metal Finger but my lightning magic—the Five Elements Thunder Transformation Technique.”

With a slight thought, Zhou Changwang unleashed the Five Elements Thunder Transformation Technique once more.

The elemental energy roiled instantly.

Above the sky, thick dark clouds enveloped the entire expanse.

Crack!

A bolt of lightning pierced through the clouds and the heavens, striking the magic wall fiercely.

Boom!

The entire magic wall trembled.

The violent energy fluctuations produced a shockwave that rattled the entire cultivation chamber.

After a long while, the disturbance finally dissipated.

Yet the fierce energy fluctuations clearly testified to the overwhelming power of the spell just cast.

Zhou Changwang had to perform five cleansing spells before he could calm the residual intense energy fluctuations.

“The Five Elements Thunder Transformation Technique has already reached the mid-stage of mastery. In terms of power, it’s at least three times stronger than Metal Finger...”

Though Zhou Changwang couldn’t precisely measure how strong three times the power of Metal Finger was, he knew this spell had become his trump card.

If even this spell failed to secure victory, his only option would be to flee immediately.

...

In the backyard, Zhou Changwang looked helplessly at the withered spiritual field.

The Red Leaf Spiritual Tea Tree had advanced to a century-old age and transformed into a third-grade spiritual tea tree, greatly increasing its demand for the spiritual energy of heaven and earth.

The amount of spiritual energy supplied by the first-grade high-level spiritual field was obviously insufficient to sustain its growth.

Thus, in just one day, more than an acre of spiritual field’s energy had been completely absorbed, leaving it dry, coarse, and cracked.

If left untreated, even the quality of the spiritual field would deteriorate.

Moreover, without sufficient spiritual energy, the third-grade spiritual plant might regress from third to second rank.

“The quality of the spiritual field determines the upper limit of the plant’s grade.

To maintain the growth of this third-grade spiritual tea tree, it must be transplanted onto at least a second-grade mid-level or even a second-grade high-level spiritual field.”

Of course, the best choice would be a third-grade spiritual field, but he had none of those.

“Half a month ago, Gong Baixue came to invite me to join the Gong family again.

One of the conditions was the provision of a second-grade spiritual field…”

Zhou Changwang couldn’t help but recall Gong Baixue’s visit two weeks prior.

She had attempted to lure him to join the Gong family as a contracted spiritual plant master.

Among the terms, he would have free cultivation rights to three acres of second-grade low-level spiritual field and manage fifteen acres of first-grade high-level spiritual field.

All these fields would be his responsibility.

All he needed to do was meet the Gong family’s demands, such as cultivating spiritual materials and medicines, treating high-grade spiritual plants, and assisting their growth.

Besides that, any surplus from the spiritual fields would belong to him.

There were also other benefits, like access to alchemical pills, cultivation techniques, and mentorship from the Gong family.

If Zhou Changwang were merely an ordinary spiritual plant master, he would have been tempted by such an offer.

The terms were indeed generous, guaranteeing a stable annual income of at least two thousand lower-grade spirit stones, with three to five thousand not uncommon for diligent effort.

But he was not ordinary.

Besides being a spiritual plant master, he was also a talisman craftsman with many secrets and aspirations for immortality.

Therefore, he had directly rejected the offer when it was made.

Since his refusal, Gong Baixue never returned.

Zhou Changwang did not regret this, but now, seeing the century-old spiritual tea tree struggling due to the spiritual field’s grade, he felt somewhat helpless.

“For now, I can only intensify the watering with Spiritual Rain Technique.

When I find a suitable spiritual field later, I can transplant it then.”

Zhou Changwang continuously cast Spiritual Rain to nourish the tea tree, but dared not use the Year-Ring Accelerating Technique, lest the tree’s spiritual power be exhausted, causing it to regress in grade or even die.

...

As for transplantation, it had long been on his mind.

The conflict between the Bai and Chen families was intensifying and threatening the market district.

Such a high-grade spiritual tea tree would inevitably attract attention and be uprooted.

Therefore, he had already planned to seal and transplant it before chaos erupted.

Achieving this was not difficult.

With sufficiently powerful sealing methods, he could lock away its spiritual energy and vitality, then, upon finding a suitable place, lift the seal and transplant it.

“However, sealing this third-grade spiritual plant is not so easy.

I must buy ready-made sealing talismans of sufficient grade, and one talisman won’t be enough.

At least four or five…”

If he remembered correctly, at the Talisman Fate Shop there were ready-made sealing talismans.

A first-grade low-level sealing talisman sold for thirty lower-grade spirit stones.

The price was not high.

Such sealing talismans had limited use in battle, so their price hadn’t surged.

But as a talisman craftsman, he preferred to draw them himself or learn a sealing spell.

After all, ready-made sealing talismans had uncertain durations—some lasted only three to five days, others ten to fifteen.

If he couldn’t quickly find an appropriate spiritual land, his demand for sealing talismans would be significant.

“So, I must learn it myself.”

Zhou Changwang smiled bitterly as he cast a dozen Spiritual Rain spells, barely sustaining the third-grade spiritual tea tree.

Then he returned to his cultivation chamber to resume practicing the Pure Yang Five Elements Technique.

For Zhou Changwang, the most important thing now was his own cultivation.

The introductory level Pure Yang Five Elements Technique was no match for the perfected Five Elements Formula.

Moreover, as it was still in its early stage, the technique had no automatic operation function.

Naturally, he wished to raise his mastery quickly.

What about other matters?

They could all wait.

One cycle, two cycles, three cycles…

After seven days, Zhou Changwang suddenly felt a tremor in his body.

Countless insights and experiences about the Pure Yang Five Elements Technique flooded his mind, as if he had practiced it thousands of times in this brief period.

He had mastered the Pure Yang Five Elements Technique!

His gaze fell on his attribute panel.

Pure Yang Five Elements Technique (Mastery 1/200)

Sure enough, the technique had entered the mastery realm.

He silently experienced the mastery level, immediately sensing differences.

First was the cultivation speed—almost rivaling the perfected Five Elements Formula.

In other words, after this period of intense training, he had finally restored his cultivation speed.

Furthermore, the time required to run the technique shortened from an hour to the duration of seven incense sticks.

Considering half an hour equals four incense sticks, one hour equals eight.

Though the reduction was slight, it allowed him to complete at least one more cycle per day.

Accordingly, his cultivation speed improved.

Unfortunately, the mastery level of the Pure Yang Five Elements Technique did not grant him the secret of automatic operation.

He still had to meditate to cultivate, unlike before with the Five Elements Formula, which could run automatically, slowly restoring and enhancing his cultivation.

“So, I must advance this technique to the small success stage first.

At that level, my cultivation speed will further increase, surpassing the perfected Five Elements Formula.

Its automatic operation function will greatly aid my spiritual energy recovery and strength.”

With this in mind, Zhou Changwang threw himself into cultivation again, determined to push the Pure Yang Five Elements Technique to small success.

But this plan was eventually interrupted.

On the third day after reaching mastery, a knock sounded at the door.

Zhou Changwang opened it to find an unexpected visitor—Tuoba Xiu, the broker from the Wandering Cultivators Market.

“May I ask what brings you here, fellow cultivator?” Zhou Changwang’s expression cooled.

If he remembered correctly, he had never told Tuoba Xiu where he lived.

The sudden visit, evidently after prior investigation, naturally displeased him.

“Please don’t take offense, Zhou. I’ve come to return the one hundred lower-grade spirit stones you deposited with me last time.

After deducting the cost of three pieces of intelligence, you still have seventy lower-grade spirit stones here,” Tuoba Xiu said hurriedly, handing over a small pouch.

“These are your spirit stones. Please accept them.”

“You are indeed very trustworthy. I must say, I admire that,” Zhou Changwang expressed with surprise, bowing slightly.

“It’s because I’ll be leaving the market district in a few days.

There are matters I must attend to.

The cultivation world is vast and rich; after this parting, we may not meet again soon.

I must settle all debts to leave unburdened,” Tuoba Xiu explained.

“Has something changed in the market district?” Zhou Changwang’s heart skipped.

“No. It’s my birth mother.

She recently sent a letter saying she has successfully broken through Foundation Establishment and invited me to join the Qingyuan Sect, also arranging a position for me.

Naturally, everything in this Fengmingwu Market District must be dealt with cleanly.”

At this, a rare smile appeared on his face.

“Congratulations, fellow cultivator.

Joining the Qingyuan Sect heralds a bright future.

With your mother, a true Foundation Establishment cultivator, supporting you, smooth sailing is assured.

Perhaps in time, you will also reach Foundation Establishment and glimpse the Dao’s grandeur.”

Zhou Changwang relaxed and congratulated him.

“There are many rules in sect life, which can be less free than life in the market district.

But joining the Qingyuan Sect brings more opportunities—various cultivation resources far beyond what the market offers.

Moreover, Fengmingwu Market District is filled with treachery and hidden dangers, with countless experts and schemers lurking.

Conflict could erupt anytime; it’s no place to stay long.

That’s why I plan to leave early and avoid the dangers,” Tuoba Xiu sighed.

Then, as if remembering something, he added, “By the way, about the auction I mentioned before—are you still interested?

This time, the Bai family plans to unveil their ultimate treasure as the grand finale, attracting many cultivators, including Foundation Establishment practitioners.

If you wish to come, my previous promise still stands.

I plan to leave the market three days after the auction ends.”

“Forget it.

I won’t join that commotion.

My cultivation isn’t strong enough to gain anything,” Zhou Changwang shook his head.

Then, thinking a moment, he said, “But I am interested in the Five Elements Glazed Heart Lantern you mentioned.

Would you be willing to help me bid?

As long as it’s under five thousand lower-grade spirit stones, you may bid freely.

As for payment…”

“Payment will be the seventy lower-grade spirit stones.

The auction starts in three days.

After it ends, I’ll come to you.

You just need to give me the spirit stones required for bidding.”

Tuoba Xiu seemed relieved, quickly pocketed the small pouch of spirit stones, smiled, and strode away.

Zhou Changwang blinked, smiling wryly.

He wasn’t sure if Tuoba Xiu truly cherished those seventy spirit stones or if it was just business instinct.

Still, he preferred dealing with such people—open and straightforward, better than being schemed against in secrecy.

Back in his courtyard, Zhou Changwang did not cultivate but went directly to his talisman workshop.

The auction would begin in three days.

Though the five thousand lower-grade spirit stones he arranged wasn’t much, it was not insignificant.

After spending thirteen thousand five hundred lower-grade spirit stones to purchase the Pure Yang Five Elements Technique, he was left with only three thousand.

He still needed two thousand more.

Naturally, there was no faster way to earn than crafting talismans.

So, for the next two days, Zhou Changwang devoted most of his time to talisman drawing.

One talisman after another took shape under his brush.

One, two, three…

He mainly crafted Fireball Talismans, Lightning Talismans, and Golden Light Shield Talismans.

These three were the best sellers; others sold more slowly and were not his first choice.

Finally, at the moment he completed a Lightning Talisman, a surge of intense spiritual light flickered on the talisman.

Simultaneously, a flood of experience regarding Lightning Talisman crafting flooded his mind—he felt as if he had drawn thousands upon thousands of these talismans, understanding every stroke deeply.

Combined with his personal insights from practicing lightning spells, he suddenly perceived a subtle secret within lightning—a destructive essence.

Almost as if blessed by fortune, he immediately reached out and swiftly drew another Lightning Talisman.

At its completion, terrifying spiritual energy condensed rapidly and surged into the talisman.

A brand-new talisman appeared before him, even more formidable in power.

“Lightning Talisman perfected.

This talisman has surpassed the Lightning Talisman’s usual limits, advancing from a first-grade low-level talisman to a first-grade mid-level one.

Its power is three times that of a standard talisman.”

Zhou Changwang rejoiced.

The Lightning Talisman was a beginner talisman; most talisman crafters, no matter their efforts, could only produce finished talismans at the first-grade low-level tier.

That was its power ceiling.

Breaking this limit to craft a first-grade mid-level talisman was rare.

In the cultivation world, such feats were usually the province of second-grade talisman crafters.

Yet Zhou Changwang had achieved this breakthrough.

Though it didn’t mean he had become a second-grade talisman crafter, it was a significant leap.

He glanced at his attribute panel.

Talisman Crafting (Mastery 2/200)

Lightning Talisman perfected!

“Indeed.

This change came not only from perfecting the Lightning Talisman but more importantly from my breakthrough in ‘Talisman Crafting’ skill.

I’ve advanced from beginner to mastery level.”

Suddenly it became clear.

Though he had expected to perfect the Lightning Talisman, especially as the flood of crafting experience appeared in his mind, the real reason he crafted a “limit-breaking talisman” was due to his skill breakthrough.

With this breakthrough, his talisman crafting methods had become much more sophisticated.

He then began crafting Fireball and Golden Light Shield Talismans.

Sure enough, his chance of producing finished talismans increased markedly.

Previously, he might have needed to draw ten or so talismans to get one finished product.

Now, drawing just three to five talismans would guarantee one finished product.

Moreover, besides finished talismans, none of his talismans now fell to the ordinary level; the lowest quality was now fine talismans, then finished talismans.

For example, first-grade low-level Fireball Talismans and first-grade mid-level Golden Light Shield Talismans.

It was worth noting that the Golden Light Shield Talisman was an intermediate talisman, so its finished products started at first-grade mid-level.

This also explained why its price was much higher than Lightning and Fireball Talismans.

Time passed.

In the blink of two days, besides regularly watering the century-old spiritual tea tree with Spiritual Rain to maintain its growth, Zhou Changwang spent most of his time in the talisman workshop.

His efforts bore fruit.

Within two days, he perfected both the Lightning and Fireball Talismans.

Correspondingly, his Talisman Crafting skill rose to Mastery 18/200.

As for the Golden Light Shield Talisman, being intermediate, it took longer to perfect and was still some distance away.

Meanwhile, he had accumulated a batch of finished talismans: nineteen Lightning, fifteen Fireball, and twelve Golden Light Shield Talismans.

He also had nearly three hundred fine talismans.

Additionally, he possessed five “limit-breaking” talismans—three Lightning and two Fireball.

Unfortunately, perhaps due to the Golden Light Shield Talismans not being perfected, he didn’t trigger a “limit break” when crafting them, missing out on creating a first-grade high-level talisman.

(End of chapter)