Forty-two Years

Chapter 16: Forty-Two Years

This man had come hunting him down—there was no way he would let him go.

But the information gleaned from him was unclear whether good or bad.

Lost in thought, he had already arrived before Lu Qingshan and Lu Qingyu.

Lu Qingyu's eyes sparkled as she asked excitedly, "Big Brother, what martial art was that just now? So powerful!"

Lu Qingshan felt the same.

No blame to them—the 'Cloak Saber Technique' Lu Qingfeng had just displayed was simply too fierce. Five skilled fighters, at Fetal Respiration First Level and Second Level, hadn't even lasted a few exchanges under Lu Qingfeng's blade before being slain.

Too shocking.

"Cloak Saber Technique."

"If you want to learn it, Big Brother will teach you in a couple of days."

Lu Qingfeng said with a smile.

[Skill: Cloak Saber Technique] [Grade: Low-tier, Two Layers] [Derivation: Four-time Enhancement] [Description: A fairly exquisite martial saber technique from the mortal world; after enhancement, its power has greatly increased.]

To match the Nine Ring Saber in his hand, Lu Qingfeng had deliberately sought out the 'Cloak Saber Technique' in the "Primordial Chaos." After five years of diligent practice, it had finally played a decisive role in reality.

The Cloak Saber Technique, already no less than the Lifeless Saber Technique, had been enhanced four times by Lu Qingfeng, making its refinement rival the finest saber arts under heaven.

Lu Qingfeng, merely at Fetal Respiration First Level, had cut down five Returning Truth Sect experts—the lowest at Fetal Respiration First Level, including one at Second Level—in just a few exchanges!

And he himself came out unscathed.

"Cloak Saber Technique!"

"What a cool name!"

"Big Brother, I want to learn it!"

Lu Qingyu was completely unaffected by the five corpses not far away, her mind entirely on the Cloak Saber Technique. She only thought about how impressive and powerful she would be once she mastered it.

Lu Qingshan, however, thought more deeply.

These past days.

They had been living quite comfortably here, thinking the Returning Truth Sect had given up tracking them. They never expected the enemy to strike so suddenly.

Thankfully, Big Brother's strength was extraordinary, so they weren't captured alive.

"Big Brother, were they from the Returning Truth Sect?" Lu Qingshan asked in a low voice.

"That's right."

Lu Qingfeng nodded, his expression grave. "The Returning Truth Sect has already discovered this place. We need to relocate!"

Seeing Lu Qingshan's face suddenly pale, Lu Qingfeng added, "But don't worry. A few days ago, the Returning Truth Sect clashed with a large sect to the east, and they're in the middle of a major battle. The ones they can spare to hunt us down are just small fry."

This was the intelligence Lu Qingfeng had extracted from that man just now.

Apparently, ten days ago, the Returning Truth Sect had somehow come into conflict with a major sect in a neighboring county. In a short time, it had escalated into a large-scale battle. The sect's top experts were all deployed, leaving little energy to track the three of them.

Only the Punishment Hall Chief hadn't given up, sending out the Punishment Hall's outer enforcement squad to continue the search. The five just now were disciples of that squad.

"That's a relief."

Lu Qingshan breathed a little easier, but they still needed to move quickly.

No more words.

The three immediately packed their belongings.

"I need to learn talisman inscription as soon as possible!"

Lu Qingfeng mused inwardly.

He had originally planned to master a few more pill types before turning his attention to talisman arts. But with pursuers already here, drawing talismans for self-defense was urgent.

Fortunately, he had fully mastered the refinement of the Yellow Dragon Pill, allowing him to rapidly increase his cultivation in reality. The next few pill types could wait for now.

"The preparation of Fire Spirit Cinnabar?"

"Why are you asking about that?!"

Daoist Huangluo frowned, staring at Lu Qingfeng.

"I've recently taken an interest in drawing talismans, so I want to try mixing my own cinnabar." Lu Qingfeng smiled.

Five years had passed!

Counting the four years before that.

In this reincarnated life, Lu Qingfeng had grown to twenty-five years old.

The slight change in appearance was secondary.

As the two improved pills—the Fasting Pill and the Yellow Dragon Pill—produced by the 'Qingfeng Alchemist' entered the market, they became wildly popular.

Although Lu Qingfeng was still only a low-level Alchemy Apprentice, his reputation had spread within the small scope of Black Sand Town, almost rivaling that of Daoist Huangluo, a senior Talisman Apprentice who had been at it for decades.

Among Fetal Respiration Realm cultivators, Lu Qingfeng was even more sought after than Daoist Huangluo.

After he partnered with the Imperial City Guild, his fame grew even further.

Over the past few years, however, Lu Qingfeng's friendship with Daoist Huangluo had deepened.

Daoist Huangluo strongly disapproved of his 'neglecting proper work.' If not for the trouble he encountered while modulating cinnabar this time, Lu Qingfeng probably wouldn't have told Daoist Huangluo about it.

Sure enough!

Upon hearing Lu Qingfeng's words, Daoist Huangluo's eyes went wide. He pointed at Lu Qingfeng in disbelief and said, "You're perfectly fine as 'Qingfeng Master,' so why are you drawing talismans! What business do you have modulating cinnabar?!"

Daoist Huangluo thought Lu Qingfeng had lost his mind.

Over the years, he had watched Lu Qingfeng waste a great deal of time on alchemy and let it slide. But now, he actually wanted to divert his attention to learning talisman drawing!

For an ordinary cultivator, mastering either alchemy or talisman crafting alone was already difficult. That Lu Qingfeng had achieved some success in alchemy surprised Daoist Huangluo a little.

But the intricacies of talisman crafting were no less profound than alchemy.

Where would an ordinary person get that much energy?

"Big Brother Huang, I know my limits." Lu Qingfeng kept smiling.

Seeing this, Daoist Huangluo shook his head. "Forget it. Do I not know your stubborn temper? I just hope you won't regret it when your lifespan runs out."

With that, Daoist Huangluo took several jade slips from the pouch at his waist and tossed them to Lu Qingfeng.

Lu Qingfeng quickly caught them.

Detailed Explanation of Six Common Cinnabar Modulations!

Detailed Explanation of Spirit Communication Brush Refinement!

Basics of Talisman Paper!

Complete Collection of Low-Level Talismans!

"Since you want to learn talisman crafting, these are the basics. But as for making cinnabar, talisman brushes, and talisman paper, just skim through them. If you're really interested in focusing on talisman research, you can buy all kinds of materials in bulk on the market—no need to waste effort." Daoist Huangluo reminded him.

"Thank you, Big Brother Huang."

Lu Qingfeng quickly expressed his gratitude.

Daoist Huangluo was a senior Talisman Apprentice with rich experience. With his guidance, Lu Qingfeng could avoid many detours in learning talisman crafting. In reality, pursuers from the Returning Truth Sect could arrive at any moment. Mastering talisman techniques as soon as possible would give him a better chance of survival.

"Consider this repayment for the favor of connecting me with the Imperial City Guild!" Daoist Huangluo said dismissively.

"It was just a small favor." Lu Qingfeng smiled.

The Imperial City Guild!

It was one of the six top-tier guilds in Black Sand Town. Although it didn't have the backing of major powers like the Army Destroyer Guild, the Myriad Laws Guild, or the Sword Immortal Guild, its strength in Black Sand Town was no less than theirs.

It was also the only one among the six top guilds without any background.

The Fasting Pills and Yellow Dragon Pills Lu Qingfeng refined were of a quality far superior to similar pills. As soon as they were released, word of mouth spread quickly.

First, they became hot commodities in the market, then they attracted many guilds seeking to recruit or cooperate with him.

In the end, Lu Qingfeng chose the strongest and most reputable Imperial City Guild to establish a long-term partnership—

He supplied his refined pills to the Imperial City Guild, which purchased them at a fixed price and was responsible for collecting various medicinal herbs for him.

Because Lu Qingfeng's skill in refining low-grade pills was outstanding, it was of extraordinary significance for the Imperial City Guild in attracting Newbie Players. So when Lu Qingfeng proposed connecting the Imperial City Guild with Daoist Huangluo for cooperation, they agreed after a brief evaluation.

For Daoist Huangluo, cooperating with a major force like the Imperial City Guild meant his talismans would never lack buyers, and his materials would never be in short supply—saving him immense effort.

It was naturally a huge favor.

"The Imperial City Guild thing was just a casual mention on my part. It's all thanks to your skill, Big Brother Huang—it has nothing to do with me." Lu Qingfeng smiled, then left the market.

Every day, after cultivating and refining pills, he would come to the market to set up a stall. After partnering with the Imperial City Guild, he no longer needed to sell pills at a stall, but his habit of wandering the market remained.

It was a balance of work and rest, and his efficiency actually increased rather than decreased!

Leaving the market, Lu Qingfeng returned to his residence.

With his current wealth, he could easily afford a decent courtyard in Black Sand Town as his home.

Entering the Meditation Room, he took out the jade slips Daoist Huangluo had given him and recorded them one by one into his Attribute Panel.

Then he began studying from Detailed Explanation of Six Common Cinnabar Modulations.

For most cultivators, drawing talismans might skip the three processes of modulating cinnabar, boiling talisman paper, and refining talisman brushes.

But Lu Qingfeng couldn't do that.

In reality, there were no ready-made cinnabar, talisman paper, or talisman brushes. He had to master the methods of making all of them.

Cinnabar was a natural ore, bright red, with a luster ranging from diamond-like to metallic. When ground into powder, it could be subtly altered through different modulation techniques, making it suitable for various talisman schools or categories.

Lu Qingfeng started with cinnabar modulation, then moved on to talisman paper and brush making.

Time slipped by unnoticed.

In the blink of an eye.

Forty-two years had passed since Lu Qingfeng began practicing talisman drawing.