Refining a Protective Talisman

Song Changsheng took out a three-legged, two-eared Bronze Cauldron. With a flick of his right hand, the character "Fire" in his palm Flashed and Disappeared, and a cluster of orange-red flames immediately appeared beneath the cauldron, blazing fiercely.

He tossed the egg-sized Jade Pendant inside and pondered aloud, "Since I'm making it, I should make it the best possible. But this jade pendant is too brittle; I need to add some Hidden White Clay to increase its strength."

With that, he took out a Jade Bottle and poured some white powder into it. He then activated his Spiritual Power, making the flames burn even more vigorously.

The Bronze Cauldron quickly turned red-hot beneath the licking flames. Inside, the jade pendant fused with the Hidden White Clay, leaving specks of white across its emerald-green surface.

Song Changsheng added the powdered remains of several minerals in succession, making the fragile jade pendant sturdier. About an hour later, the jade pendant, having been nearly remade from scratch, emerged fresh from the cauldron.

Next came the inscription of Formation Patterns. As the saying went, formations and artifacts had been inseparable since ancient times. An exceptional Artifact Forger was bound to achieve something in the art of formations.

Likewise, an outstanding Array Master needed to study the Dao of artifact forging, for the two were intertwined—you within me, and I within you.

Special magic artifacts needed formations inscribed upon them to improve their quality. Setting up formations also required refining formation bases and Formation Flags. Being able to do it personally was naturally best.

Because he had spent years comprehending Dao Scriptures, Song Changsheng's insight far exceeded that of ordinary people. Not only was he a First-Tier High-Grade Artifact Forger, he was also a First-Tier High-Grade Array Master—a rare dual-skilled talent. That was why Song Changming had sought him out.

"Though this protective talisman is for a mortal's use, it should still focus on defense. Otherwise, it may invite trouble in the future and harm Song Xi instead."

After giving it some thought, Song Changsheng grasped the jade pendant and began condensing his Mental Energy, inscribing Formation Patterns within it.

"It needs to gather Spiritual Power, so it requires a miniature Spirit Gathering Array. It also needs a Sensing Array, so it can automatically activate and protect its owner upon sensing killing intent.

This is my first time arranging such a Linked Formation. Looks like I'll have to focus with all my strength."

Song Changsheng's Mental Energy was like an engraving blade, swiftly carving Formation Patterns inside the jade pendant. Before long, he had inscribed the two basic formations and linked them together.

The instant the formation succeeded, Song Changsheng immediately sensed a small vortex forming inside the jade pendant, slowly absorbing the spiritual energy around it.

"For the defensive measure, I'll choose the Spirit Shield Array. Three hundred and sixty degrees of defense without a single blind spot—that's the only way to put one's mind at ease." Song Changsheng muttered to himself as he quickly inscribed the third formation.

It should have ended there, but he suddenly recalled the Water-Fire Control Technique he had comprehended earlier. After hesitating for a moment, he still picked up the jade pendant and infused it with a thread of Fire Energy.

The secret art had given him extremely precise control over fire Spiritual Power. That thread of Fire Energy fused perfectly, and the formerly cool jade pendant became warm.

Looking at the masterpiece in his hand, Song Changsheng said cheerfully, "If I'd possessed an ability like this in my previous life, couldn't I have mass-produced warm jade? I'd definitely have made a fortune."

He had not intended to give this protective talisman any offensive capability, but a fortress long defended was bound to fall. This was the final life-saving measure he was leaving for Song Xi.

If Song Xi ever encountered a cultivator, she could smash the jade pendant and trigger the Fire Energy hidden within. Catching them off guard, it might even send an Early Qi Condensation cultivator to the Yellow Springs.

"Phew, I've finally fulfilled Elder Brother's request. I'll deliver it to him tomorrow." Song Changsheng murmured as he looked at the evening glow outside the window.

He tidied up his things and made some Spirit Rice Porridge to fill his stomach. He was only a Qi Condensation Cultivator and could not go without food for extended periods; he had to eat regularly.

Of course, he could replace food with Bigu Pills, but those were supplied only to the Lineage's Foundation Establishment Elders. Others had to exchange Contribution Points for them, and Contribution Points were precious, so few would do such a thing.

After finishing his porridge, seeing that the time was about right, he strolled to the pool in the rear courtyard and prepared to begin his evening cultivation.

The Yin-Yang Profound Radiance Scripture he cultivated was highly unusual. Every day, he had to absorb the Essence of the Sun at Mao Shi and Chen Shi, then absorb moonlight essence at Xu Shi and Hai Shi.

Sun Essence Moon Splendor, one yin and one yang, formed Primal Chaos Qi, which was stored in the Dantian Qi Sea.

Primal Chaos Qi had endless wondrous uses. Neutralizing water and fire was merely one of them. Over the years, he had stored only a single breath of it...

The next morning, after finishing his cultivation, Song Changsheng left home and headed toward the foot of the mountain.

Within the Song Clan, the residential areas of clan members were strictly divided. The spiritual energy at the Mountain Peak was the richest, making it the place where the Patriarch or Purple Palace Cultivators cultivated in seclusion.

However, after the Song Clan's last Purple Palace Cultivator, Song Yungui, passed away a century ago, no new Purple Palace Cultivator had emerged. The strongest now was Patriarch Song Xianming, at the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment and also a Third Tier Low-Grade Array Master. He was the Pillar of the Sea of the Lineage.

He was also Song Changsheng's biological grandfather, so people often said that Song Changsheng had inherited his grandfather's talent for formations.

The mountainside was where the Lineage's upper ranks and some clan members lived. Song Changsheng had only been qualified to reside there because he was one of the Lineage's Foundation Establishment Seeds.

Apart from them, the rest of the Lineage's clan members lived at the foot of the mountain and on several Spirit Mountains nearby. Though they could not compare to the mountainside, they were still rare cultivation havens.

Song Changming's small courtyard stood beside a stretch of Spirit Fields. It was early spring, and the lush green Spirit Wheat shoots swayed in the wind as though hosting a grand dance.

A little girl dressed in green, with two pigtails sticking straight into the air, ran and played between the field ridges. Like a butterfly dancing gracefully among the fields, she was brimming with life.

Song Changsheng arrived at the edge of the field, a gentle smile appearing on his face. He waved and called, "Xi'er, come here."

Song Xi, who had been catching grasshoppers, turned at the sound. Upon seeing Song Changsheng standing at the field's edge, a sweet smile immediately bloomed across her chubby little face. She opened her arms and ran toward him as fast as she could.

Song Changsheng scooped the little girl up and smiled. "Xi'er, where's your father?"

"Father went out to take care of something." Song Xi's voice was crisp and pleasant as a silver bell, making people unable to help but adore her.

"Is that so? Do you still recognize me?" His timing had been somewhat unfortunate, but since little Song Xi was here, he could give it to her directly.

"You're Little Uncle," Song Xi called sweetly.

An auntie-like smile instantly spread across Song Changsheng's face. He took out the jade pendant and hung it at Song Xi's waist. "Your father asked me to give this to you. Don't lose it, and don't touch it carelessly, understand?"

Song Xi nodded her little head. "Got it, Little Uncle."

With a turn of his hand, a Spirit Fruit rich in spiritual energy appeared in Song Changsheng's palm. He had specifically exchanged for it at the Contribution Hall on his way down the mountain. After a mortal ate it, they would remain free of illness for life.

It was a small gift for his grandniece.

Song Xi hugged the fruit and happily took bites from it while acting coquettishly in Song Changsheng's arms. "Little Uncle, tell me a story."

Song Changsheng had only met this girl a few times, but every time, he told Song Xi a story. It seemed to have become an unspoken agreement between them.

"Alright. How about Uncle tells you the history of our Lineage today?" Song Changsheng said as he walked beneath a large tree and set the little girl down.

Song Xi's eyes curved into crescent moons as she hurriedly sat down beside Song Changsheng.

A trace of reminiscence filled Song Changsheng's eyes as he said, "Our Song Clan is descended from an ancient Golden Core Family.

"Our Old Ancestor, Song Taiyi, was expelled from the family for a crime. After wandering from place to place, he arrived at the Moon-Gazing Mountain Range. Relying on his powerful Purple Palace Stage cultivation, he slew a Great Demon and occupied Ling Province's only Third-Tier Spirit Vein.

"Old Ancestor then founded the Lineage. With the Moon-Gazing Mountain Range's abundant mineral resources, it developed rapidly and dominated all of Ling Province in a short time.

"Later, he nurtured Old Ancestor Yungui into a Purple Palace Cultivator, and for a time, the Lineage's splendor was without equal.

"But Tian had unforeseen winds and clouds. Less than a century after Ancestor Taiyi passed away, Old Ancestor Yungui also fell while fighting a Great Demon. From then on, the Lineage began to decline. It had no choice but to surrender many interests and divide Ling Province among the other five Foundation Establishment Forces.

"Yet even so, there were still people who wanted to seize our home. It was the Blazing Sun Sect, the overlord of eastern Yang Province. They tried every possible means to oppress us.

"To avoid being exploited by them, your Great Grandfather secretly entered seclusion to break through to the Purple Palace Stage ten years ago. But a traitor leaked the news, and the Blazing Sun Sect poured out in full force to attack us.

"Right when the Lineage was on the verge of collapse, your Great Grandfather halted his breakthrough, emerged from seclusion, and took control of the Clan Protecting Array. Only then did he drive back the Blazing Sun Sect..."

After finishing, Song Changsheng looked at Song Xi and asked, "Do you remember?"

Song Xi nodded hard. Then she waved her little fist and said angrily, "The Blazing Sun Sect is awful! Why did they come bully us?"

Song Changsheng did not answer. Instead, he stroked her head and murmured, "You must remember it well. Never forget."

No one could forget that history. It was the root of the Song Clan Members.

Moreover, in that battle ten years ago, the Song Clan lost five Foundation Establishment cultivators and more than a hundred cultivators. Song Xianming had also damaged his vitality by halting his breakthrough and had to remain in seclusion year-round to suppress his Injuries.

Song Changsheng had personally witnessed his father's blood staining the skies, and he had seen many uncles who loved him fall into pools of blood. That sight was one he would never forget for the rest of his life.

After the war, the Lineage was clothed in white mourning garb. Every household wore hemp and filial mourning clothes. Every Song Clan Disciple should remember this blood-deep hatred.

Song Xi had to remember it even more. If not for that battle, her grandfather would not have died, and her father would not have needed to descend the mountain due to a lack of manpower, leaving them separated in two places.

Song Xi seemed to understand something. She sat quietly beside Song Changsheng for a long while before staring at him with wide eyes and asking, "Why do people have to fight? Can't everyone be friends?"

"Friends" were a luxurious thing in this world. Human desires were bottomless; everyone wanted to seize more resources.

When the Song Clan had been glorious, it had dominated Ling Province and forged blood feuds with many forces.

Thus, he could not answer her question. Big fish ate little fish—such was the iron law of the Cultivation World, unrelated to right or wrong.

One large and one small figure sat beneath the tree in silence.

But a child was still a child. Her emotions came quickly and left quickly. Before long, she became lively again, pulling Song Changsheng along to catch butterflies.

It was not until evening, when Song Changming returned, that Song Changsheng bade farewell and departed...