“How can there be talk of ‘possible or not’?”
As the tension eased, Xie Liang had fully regained his composure. He said, “Since my technique has been made public, it is only natural for disciples of the sect to cultivate it once they meet the requirements. Why the surprise?”
Yu Zhou finally noticed the pain in his jaw. After rubbing it a couple of times, he turned to Yu Ci with a grin and said, “You’re in luck! Junior Brother Xie’s self-created Primordial Origin Qi technique is among the top three innate Qi cultivation techniques developed within the sect in the past tribulation cycle. After it was refined and perfected thirty years ago, it was immediately enshrined in the Ancestral Hall alongside the works of the great sages.
“It’s just that he dislikes the Hall of Collective Merit and requested that this technique not be listed in the ‘technique registry.’ The senior members of the sect indulged him, which is why its fame hasn’t spread. However, this method is universally acknowledged as an exceptional Qi cultivation technique, excelling in refining hidden consciousness, condensing the Yin Spirit, and even in the later stages of merging and circulating spirit and Qi. Moreover, it aligns exceptionally well with some of the sect’s most superior core manuals, such as the Supreme Purity Golden Core Manual and the Nine Radiant Purple Pearl Core Manual. Compared to the techniques cultivated by ordinary external disciples, it is far superior. If you can master it, it will greatly benefit you when you eventually achieve Core Refinement.”
Yu Zhou was full of admiration, but Xie Liang remained impassive. “My method is nothing extraordinary, but I’ve already said that his foundation is insufficient to pass on the technique.”
“So, if his foundation is sufficient, you would be willing to teach him?” Yu Zhou pressed on, giving Yu Ci a meaningful look, signaling him to pursue the matter further.
The prospect of cultivating an innate Qi method so highly praised by Yu Zhou was too enticing for Yu Ci to resist. Without any pretense, he fixed his gaze on Xie Liang and, after taking a deep breath, asked solemnly, “Daoist Master Xie, may I ask what conditions are required to cultivate the Primordial Origin Qi technique?”
Xie Liang, who had a favorable impression of Yu Ci, didn’t resort to any mystification. He raised two fingers and said:
“First, you must be a disciple of the sect, whether a direct disciple or an external one. This is to adhere to the sect’s regulations. Second, you need a certain level of expertise in talisman arts. My Qi cultivation method is largely derived from talismanic principles. Without a solid foundation in this, your progress will be hindered, resulting in wasted effort with little reward.”
“What level of expertise in talisman arts is required?”
Xie Liang glanced at him and replied, “Proficient mastery of the Qi Infusion Technique.”
Yu Ci was momentarily taken aback. Recalling Xie Liang’s demonstration in the Prominent Virtue Hall, he still found it profoundly mysterious, unsure of where to even begin. If this was the standard, it indeed posed a significant challenge.
As Yu Ci bowed his head in thought, Xie Liang added, “While the Qi Infusion Technique may seem like a minor skill, it touches upon the essence of talismanic arts. It is difficult to comprehend but easy to refine. There’s no need to be overly fixated on it. Besides, it’s too early to discuss this now. I’m leaving for the Sky Rift Valley tomorrow, and I’ll be gone for several months. Let’s revisit this matter when I return.”
Yu Ci had just agreed when Yu Zhou let out a cold laugh. “What a clever plan!” he said, glaring at Xie Liang.
Calculating on his fingers, Yu Zhou continued, “An external disciple’s qualification costs just a thousand merits, while a high-quality Dragon Fish costs at least three thousand merits to start. That talisman manual you mentioned, if it truly contains several of the sect’s missing immortal talismans, is priceless. No matter how good your Qi cultivation technique is, it’s still just a Qi cultivation technique. How much merit do you think it’s worth?”
These remarks were the last thing Xie Liang wanted to hear, especially since Yu Zhou was comparing his self-created method to transactional merits. His expression darkened immediately, and the atmosphere grew tense once more.
Caught between the two bickering daoists, Yu Ci felt a headache coming on. To diffuse the situation, he pointed to an item on the table and interjected:
“Actually, there’s another matter I’d like Daoist Master Xie’s help with. Today, I listened to your lecture on Talisman Plates. While the Cosmic Circuit Technique is fascinating, the craftsmanship of the Talisman Plate itself struck me as ingenious. It so happens that I have one here, made of excellent material, but it broke in my hands. I wonder if Daoist Master Xie could help repair it?”
This caught both Xie Liang and Yu Zhou by surprise. Yu Zhou seemed about to speak but eventually closed his mouth, watching the scene unfold. Xie Liang shot him a cold glance before picking up the Talisman Plate. After a cursory look, he frowned and asked, “What is this?”
“Huh?”
Yu Ci was puzzled by the question. “Isn’t this a Talisman Plate?”
Xie Liang glanced up at him and shook his head. “While it has the appearance of a Talisman Plate, it has been used as a Formation Plate. Though the transformation is ingenious, it abandons the essence for superficialities. Compared to the Cosmic Circuit Technique, it’s not particularly impressive.”
“A Formation Plate?” Yu Ci still didn’t understand, so Xie Liang elaborated.
Talisman Plates and Formation Plates were fundamentally different.
According to Xie Liang, Talisman Plates are tools used to create talismans. Their intricate layout allows for the full utilization of talismanic principles, gathering the natural energies of heaven and earth to rapidly generate talismans. In this sense, Talisman Plates are akin to a craftsman’s hammer or chisel—useless in the hands of an amateur but capable of producing countless creations in the hands of an expert.
Formation Plates, on the other hand, are used to pre-engrave complex formations into special materials. When activated, they enable swift deployment of formations, functioning like a semi-finished product. Users need not have any knowledge of formations or restrictions to use them effectively, making their nature closer to that of jade talismans used for storing spells.
The creator of the Talisman Plate seemed to have had a peculiar mindset. Perhaps it was ignorance, or maybe they aimed to be unconventional, but they made an audacious decision to modify this Talisman Plate in a unique way.
Using the Talisman Plate’s integration of the three talents of heaven, earth, and man, along with its special material properties, the creator employed techniques for crafting jade talismans and Formation Plates. On the surface of the plate, they inscribed an exceedingly intricate and powerful top-tier talisman, solidifying it into the plate. This allowed even cultivators who knew nothing about talismans to use this top-tier talisman as long as they had sufficient cultivation and the correct activation technique. In such cases, their combat power would increase drastically.
However, compared to the true purpose of the Talisman Plate, this approach was absurd. It sacrificed the boundless potential of the plate for temporary benefits, akin to buying a jewel box and discarding the gem inside.
That being said, Yu Ci had to admit that the individual who could create such a Talisman Plate and solidify a top-tier talisman on it must have been highly skilled. At that level, the creator probably didn’t care much about the Talisman Plate itself. As for the rationale behind their decisions, who could truly understand?
Although Xie Liang disapproved of the creator’s approach, he was intrigued and asked Yu Ci about the origins of the Talisman Plate. Just as Yu Ci was about to explain, a thought suddenly crossed his mind.
A perfect opportunity!
At that moment, Yu Ci thought of the Pure Water Altar and the Monk Yixin, who was still concealing his identity. There was no doubt that the turmoil around Sky Rift Valley involved Monk Yixin to a significant extent. However, out of caution, Yu Ci had intentionally omitted some details about the Pure Water Altar when recounting his experiences in Sky Rift Valley to Daoist Yu Zhou. Over time, he grew concerned that despite their strength, the Rifting Earth Sect might overlook this nearby clue due to familiarity.
Now, this was the perfect opportunity to subtly reveal the clue. With the Talisman Plate as a foundation and the ghost beast as an intriguing topic, how would the two Immortal Elders react to this information?
Yu Ci then recounted in detail how he had obtained the Talisman Plate. Every word was truthful, but he subtly shifted the narrative’s focus toward Zheng De.
“Shooting Star Plate?”
“Pure Water Altar?”
The responses from Xie Liang and Yu Zhou revealed their differing focuses. Xie Liang uttered the former, while Yu Zhou addressed the latter.
Yu Zhou turned to Xie Liang and said, “Monk Yixin of the Pure Water Altar, wielding the pure and profound Army of Enlightened King Technique of the Buddhist Sect—his origins remain murky. You may want to pay attention to him in the Sky Rift Valley region.”
Xie Liang nodded slightly. Though his response was understated, Yu Ci’s objective was partially achieved.
Since the conversation revolved around the Talisman Plate, Yu Zhou quickly returned the topic to it.
Xie Liang pointed at the plate and explained to Yu Ci, “Although the modifications to this Talisman Plate are absurd, the craftsmanship is highly refined. Nearly a thousand circuit layers and 360 apertures have been intricately inscribed with talisman patterns using ingenious methods. Even if the plate’s layout were restored, these patterns would cause unpredictable effects on talisman techniques, making the restoration challenging.”
He gazed at Yu Ci and said, “If you don’t mind, I’ll take this Talisman Plate back to the sect. I’ll discuss it with Senior Brother Lu to determine how to repair it. You’ll have your answer within half a year. Does that work for you?”
The Senior Brother Lu he referred to was the one who had issued the Prominent Virtue mission and sought the Dragon Fish earlier. He shared close ties with both Yu Zhou and Xie Liang.
Yu Ci had no objections and immediately expressed his gratitude.
Since the Talisman Manual needed to be copied, Yu Ci handed over the Talisman Manual as well, asking Bao Guang to return it the following day.
Xie Liang now held several items, including the stone box containing the Dragon Fish, on the table.
Bao Guang, ever perceptive, stepped forward to take the Talisman Plate and Manual. Just as he reached for the stone box, Xie Liang halted him.
“Wait!” Xie Liang fixed his gaze on Yu Ci. “Although I haven’t seen this spiritual creature yet, based on Brother Yu’s assessment, it could earn you a significant amount of merit. What are your intentions?”
Yu Ci respectfully replied, “I’ll follow the elders’ arrangements…” His initial words were standard, but then he added, “If I exchange it, I will only trade it for longevity.”
The statement was bold, but Yu Ci spoke without hesitation, laying bare his ambition.
Xie Liang nodded slowly, his expression difficult to read. Whether he was showing understanding or approval was unclear.
Finally, Xie Liang said, “Longevity is not easily attained, immortality even more so, but I can grant you an opportunity. The Dragon Fish doesn’t need further testing. Though Brother Yu has the authority to recommend external disciples, the sect will send someone to verify it. You can arrange matters then. As for the Primordial Origin Qi technique, once you’ve mastered the Qi Cultivation Technique, come find me anytime.”
Yu Ci’s heart stirred. Before he could respond, Xie Liang bade him farewell and left.
Yu Zhou rose with a smile, about to speak to Yu Ci. But Xie Liang, already at the door, suddenly turned back.
“Isn’t this exactly as you planned?”
Yu Zhou was puzzled. “Why do you say that, Junior Brother?”
Xie Liang glanced at him with a faint sneer. “You contacted me ten days ago, inviting me to lecture here. Tonight, you deliberately mentioned medicinal materials to lure me. Wasn’t it all to make me use this technique?”
Without waiting for a response, he let out a cold chuckle and swept out the door.
Yu Ci wanted to see him off, but seeing Xie Liang’s abrupt departure, he refrained. Turning back to Yu Zhou, he saw the elder’s face, shadowed by deep wrinkles under the lamplight, making it hard to discern his emotions.
However, judging by the atmosphere, both seemed to be in good spirits.
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