I Accidentally Drew an Incredible Talisman

Lin Qi curiously swept her gaze over the group. She recognized the white-robed disciple at the head of them, with his jade-like face, red lips, and white teeth—Pill Peak's senior brother, Xie Zeduan.

Lin Qi had happened to meet him the last time he came to deliver Body Tempering Medicine, and he had left quite an impression on her.

"Junior Sister Lin." Seeing Lin Qi, Xie Zeduan greeted her with a smile.

After returning the greeting, Lin Qi asked, "Today isn't the day for delivering Body Tempering Medicine. What brings Senior Brother Xie to Zonglei Peak?"

As she spoke, she walked over to stand beside Senior Sister Yuan Xi.

Refined and courteous, Xie Zeduan slowly said, "I have come to Qingyun Palace today for two matters."

Just then, True Monarch Qingyun appeared, dressed in a floor-length green gown and attended by several maidservants.

One look at her master's attire told Lin Qi that there was serious business to attend to today. She quietly stayed behind Senior Sister Yuan Xi and watched the show.

Xie Zeduan respectfully greeted True Monarch Qingyun and explained his purpose.

"We have come primarily for two matters. First, we heard that Junior Sister Yuan Xi has already broken through to the Golden Core realm. The Sect Master was overjoyed and specially prepared a generous gift for Junior Sister Yuan Xi. Pill Peak's portion has been delivered by me."

True Monarch Qingyun lowered her eyes, concealing the thoughts within them, a faint smile resting on her lips. "What is it? Does the Sect Master have something difficult to say and wish to convey it through a junior like you?"

Xie Zeduan's expression shifted slightly in surprise. He likely had not expected True Monarch Qingyun to be so direct.

"In three years, at the Sect Grand Competition, the Sect Master wishes for Senior Sister Yuan Xi to participate."

Anyone who had spent some time in the sect knew that True Monarch Qingyun of Zonglei Peak was exceptionally protective of her eldest disciple.

She almost never allowed Yuan Xi to take part in any competitions, fearing that early fame would invite disaster.

As Zonglei Peak's senior sister, Yuan Xi rarely even participated in the sect's usual excursions for training. It was said that True Monarch Qingyun had turned them down, deeming them unsuitable.

When the Sect Master learned that Yuan Xi had formed her Golden Core at the age of twelve, he was ecstatic. He had nearly been so excited that he wanted to spread the news throughout Tianyi Sect to encourage the other disciples, but the moment he remembered True Monarch Qingyun, he abandoned the thought.

After agonizing over it for an entire day, he had only then made this "small" request.

Tianyi Sect was one of the three great sects of the Southern Continent, but the previous generation had suffered a gap in talent, and they had not produced any noteworthy results for several years. It was no wonder the Sect Master had set his sights on Senior Sister Yuan Xi so early.

After hearing this, True Monarch Qingyun did not respond. Instead, she asked gently, "What is the second matter you came for?"

Xie Zeduan said, "True Monarch Baiyi has already uncovered the truth. Elder Lu colluded with Wei Wuji, a disciple of Pill Peak, to secretly transport a large quantity of Pills for sale at the Marketplace, gravely violating sect rules. Elder Lu was thrown into Law Enforcement Peak yesterday."

"The thief had originally been drifting through the Marketplace. By chance, he stole several bottles of Fifth-grade Spring Return Pills from Elder Lu's residence. Once Elder Lu learned of it, he could neither sit nor stand at ease, so under the pretext of investigating the thief, he searched everywhere. He happened to encounter Junior Sister Lin's stolen money pouch. Afraid that his pill-smuggling scheme would be exposed, he seized the opportunity to throw everyone involved into the dungeon so that he could destroy the evidence."

Lin Qi had always suspected that Elder Lu was hiding some shameful secret. Hearing Xie Zeduan's words now, she suddenly understood.

So Elder Lu had been a guilty thief, panicking and choosing the wrong path?

If he had not brainlessly dragged Zonglei Peak and Law Enforcement Peak into this, True Monarch Qingyun would never have invited True Monarch Baiyi, who was skilled at investigating cases and held immense prestige, to come forward.

For simple pill smuggling, given True Monarch Tinghan's standing, even if it had been discovered, the matter could have been smoothed over—turned from a major issue into a minor one, and from a minor one into nothing at all.

Since things had escalated to this point, all that could be said was that he had been done in by his own stupidity.

After seeing Xie Zeduan off, True Monarch Qingyun asked Senior Sister Yuan Xi, "What are your intentions regarding the Sect Grand Competition?"

Senior Sister Yuan Xi pondered for a moment before solemnly answering, "Master, this disciple wishes to give it a try."

This time, True Monarch Qingyun offered no objection. She nodded. "Then go. But for the next three years, I'm afraid you cannot venture too far from Tianyi Sect."

Lin Qi glanced at her master and wore an expression that said, just as expected.

A touch of helplessness also appeared between Senior Sister Yuan Xi's delicate brows. "Master, you needn't be like this..."

True Monarch Qingyun's eyes shifted away, avoiding Senior Sister Yuan Xi's gaze. She turned to Lin Qi instead. "Xiao Qi, what important matter brings you to your master?"

"Master, this disciple will be entering Lübing Abyss again tomorrow. I have some questions about cultivation and wish to ask Master for guidance."

The smile on True Monarch Qingyun's face deepened. She beckoned to Lin Qi. "Whatever doubts Xiao Qi has, ask freely. Your master will naturally tell you everything I know."

Lin Qi and Senior Sister Yuan Xi exchanged helpless looks.

Lin Qi stepped forward a few paces. "Master, I don't know if it is the effect of the body tempering, but over the past half month, this disciple feels that both my strength and speed have increased severalfold."

"Feng Ling should have told you that the Ancient Ice Phoenix Bloodline within your body has awakened ahead of time. The Body Tempering Medicine merely promotes the fusion between you and the Ice Phoenix Bloodline. The increase in strength you feel is likely because your body has already begun to fuse with the Ice Phoenix Bloodline. This is a good thing."

The anxiety hanging in Lin Qi's heart eased slightly.

She then asked True Monarch Qingyun a few more questions about cultivation. Along the way, she also learned the first level of Tai Chi Swordplay from her.

Tai Chi Swordplay was a relatively gentle sword art. When performed, it flowed like water and clouds—soft yet steady—with the principle of using four ounces to deflect a thousand pounds at its core.

After practicing it several times, Lin Qi felt even the restlessness in her heart settle considerably.

Noticing that her mental state was excellent, Lin Qi rushed into the Underground Palace to begin making talismans as soon as she returned to her courtyard.

She would be entering Lübing Abyss again tomorrow. She had to completely master the Thunder Burst Talisman today!

Lin Qi had already prepared herself to stay awake through the night.

Spiritual energy flowed from the tip of her brush across the smooth scroll. Her strokes fell like drifting clouds and flowing water, leaving behind one spirit-energy-filled character after another.

Holding her breath and focusing her mind, Lin Qi connected the first character to the fifth in one unbroken sweep, completing them in a single burst without pausing for even an instant.

The moment she lifted her brush to finish, the spiritual energy within the characters at the center of the scroll surged violently, their aura growing several times stronger.

"Success!"

Lin Qi could not help clenching her fist and shouting in excitement.

This time, the characters on the scroll did not vanish. Instead, they peeled away from its surface and automatically condensed into a translucent talisman in midair.

Lin Qi reached out to catch it, and the talisman imprinted itself onto her palm before slowly fading from sight.

Just as she was wondering about it, a figure surrounded by demonic beasts suddenly appeared on the scroll.

The figure within swept up a hand, and a talisman suddenly appeared in the air. At the same moment, the surrounding demonic beasts roared and charged forward.

The talisman tore apart down the middle, and vast sheets of purple lightning crashed down from the heavens, striking the demonic beasts with brutal force.

Several demonic beasts were blasted to pieces in an instant, their corpses twitching incessantly under the stimulation of the lingering lightning.

Lin Qi said in astonishment, "The talisman I drew is this powerful? This isn't a first-tier Thunder Burst Talisman—it's a spirit-treasure-grade Thunder Burst Talisman, isn't it?!"

Lin Qi could not help turning her palms over and examining them, faintly sensing an additional connection within her spiritual sense.

It seemed she had accidentally drawn an extraordinary talisman...

The next chapter will be updated tomorrow afternoon. I came home today, and the ride gave me a headache. Updates may be a little unstable these next couple of days, but I'll do my best to write four thousand words every day.

P.S. This book's outline isn't set in stone. If there are any plotlines or character settings you cuties would like to see, feel free to speak up in the comments. I'll do my best to write them in.

You can even directly share your opinions about any potential deal-breakers or poison points. I'll take them into consideration when arranging the later plot.