First-grade High-rank · Tortoise Shell Talisman!

"Fellow Daoist Li, aren't you celebrating too soon?"

Beside Li Qingyuan, Gong Yuan let out a soft sigh. "Fellow Daoist Li, First-grade Top-rank Talisman Paper is not so easily drawn."

"Many First-grade High-rank Talisman Masters exhaust their entire lives without ever being able to draw First-grade Top-rank Talisman Paper. Do you know why?"

Hearing this, Li Qingyuan cupped his fists in salute and humbly asked, "I truly do not know. I ask Fellow Daoist Gong to enlighten me."

Gong Yuan said, "From First-grade Top-rank Talisman Paper onward, the Talisman Path no longer has detailed distinctions such as low-grade quality, standard quality, and fine quality."

"Either it succeeds, or it does not."

"Once it succeeds, it can rival the full-force strike of a Qi Condensation Tenth Layer cultivator."

"Once it fails, the talisman paper destroys itself."

After hearing this, Li Qingyuan and Li Guangao revealed looks of astonishment. "So that's how it is?"

"First-grade Top-rank Talisman Paper actually has no distinctions of low-grade, standard, or fine quality?!"

Li Qingyuan flattered him, "Fellow Daoist Gong truly deserves to be Elder Gong's direct grandson and sole inheritor of the Talisman Path. Your family's learning runs deep indeed. I greatly admire you."

Gong Yuan grinned so broadly that the corners of his mouth lifted, then waved his hand. "Ah, it is not worth mentioning, not worth mentioning. My Talisman Path Skill is still far behind my grandfather's."

Seizing the chance, Li Qingyuan asked, "May I ask, Fellow Daoist Gong, what does Quasi Second-grade Talisman Master mean?"

"First-grade is First-grade, and Second-grade is Second-grade. How can there be such a thing as a Quasi Second-grade Talisman Master?"

Gong Yuan smiled faintly. "A so-called Quasi Second-grade Talisman Master is a Talisman Path expert who can easily draw First-grade Top-rank Talisman Paper."

"Moreover, these Quasi Second-grade Talisman Masters can even draw genuine Second-grade Low-rank Talisman Paper. However..."

At this point, Gong Yuan paused slightly before adding, "However, to draw genuine Second-grade Talisman Paper and allow it to wield the magical power of a Foundation Establishment Venerable requires the power of divine sense."

"Even if Qi Condensation Tenth Layer cultivators can draw Second-grade Talisman Paper, they lack divine sense. They can only use spiritual sense as a guide to draw Heaven and Earth Spiritual Energy into the talisman paper, causing the talisman paper to fail."

"This is the case for Quasi Second-grade Talisman Masters. They can draw the runes for Second-grade Talisman Paper, but because they lack Foundation Establishment Divine Sense, the talisman paper cannot complete its final step."

Gong Yuan smiled. "In the end, Quasi Second-grade Talisman Masters are merely the cream of the crop among First-grade Top-grade Talisman Masters."

Li Qingyuan's horizons broadened, and he said in sudden realization, "So that is how it is. Fellow Daoist Gong is truly learned and knowledgeable. This little brother admires you."

This Talisman Master exchange gathering had been more than worth attending.

Gong Yuan said, "Therefore, even if Fellow Daoist Li's grandfather receives five days of guidance from Elder Zhao, it will still be difficult for him to draw First-grade Top-rank Talisman Paper."

"Eight hundred Spirit Stones will very likely go down the drain."

Gong Yuan spoke earnestly. "For a Talisman Path Inheritance, an artifact refining inheritance, or a Pill Dao Inheritance, the core of the inheritance is not jade slips, but the personal instruction and oral teachings of one's elders."

As soon as these words were spoken, Li Guangao's expression changed slightly.

However, when he thought of Li Qingyuan's astonishing talent in the Talisman Path, Li Guangao's expression quickly returned to normal.

Eight hundred Spirit Stones were worth the gamble.

Li Qingyuan cupped his fists in salute. "Thank you for informing me, Fellow Daoist Gong."

He secretly thought, I have guidance from the Mysterious Feminine Space, and my innate soul is strong. My spiritual sense is more robust than that of ordinary people, and I have some talent in the Talisman Path as well.

As long as I am willing to climb, willing to work hard, and willing to invest time and resources, I will eventually gain entry into the Pure Yang Sword Talisman.

By the third day, nearly everyone who was supposed to come had arrived, bringing the number of people close to forty.

In addition, the third Quasi Second-grade Talisman Master had arrived.

Elder Gong, Elder Zhao, and Elder Zheng—the three titans of the Talisman Master world—were all present.

All three possessed Qi Condensation Tenth Layer Perfection cultivation and were qualified to attempt Foundation Establishment.

Of course, even the youngest among them, Elder Zheng, was around sixty years old. It was said that he came from one of the four great Foundation Establishment Immortal Clans beyond Willow Crane Island.

Zhao Tu, Elder Zhao, was the oldest—already in his late eighties and nearing ninety.

Throughout the ten consecutive days of the Talisman Master exchange gathering, Li Guangao and his grandson Li Qingyuan did not dare miss a single day. They wanted to improve too badly.

Every day, they came to study and exchange insights, improving themselves.

Soon, time came to the final day of the exchange gathering.

Elder Gong rose to his feet and said, "Fellow Daoists, the final day of the exchange gathering now enters the free trade segment."

"As long as both sides are willing and reach a consensus, any resources may be freely exchanged."

Very quickly, the atmosphere became lively.

Artifact Refining Materials, Alchemy Spirit Plants, talisman paper materials, magical artifacts, formations, pills, talisman paper... all kinds of resources were displayed, while their owners called out with all their might to attract interested Fellow Daoists.

Before long, this place had become a private trading fair exclusively for Talisman Masters to exchange what they had for what they lacked and trade resources.

Someone said, "Fellow Daoists, I possess a First-grade High-rank Defensive Type talisman paper and wish to exchange it for a talisman paper of the same grade with an ice-cold attribute."

"May I ask which Fellow Daoist is willing to trade with me?"

Li Guangao and Li Qingyuan looked at each other and nodded lightly.

The Flame Ice Soul Severing Talisman was an offensive type talisman.

They happened to be badly in need of First-grade High-rank Defensive Type talisman paper.

The method for drawing First-grade High-rank Talisman Paper was worth three hundred Spirit Stones, something Li Guangao and the Li Family could no longer afford.

Thus, if they could barter and exchange talisman paper of the same grade, neither side would lose out.

Li Guangao rose to his feet. "Fellow Daoist, this old man is willing to trade with you."

"I am willing as well."

"And me. I also have First-grade High-rank Talisman Paper with an ice attribute."

Three people spoke up, all willing to trade.

That person cupped his fists in salute and said politely, "Three Fellow Daoists, this is my talisman paper. Please inspect it."

"I also ask the three Fellow Daoists to take out your talisman paper for me to inspect."

Li Guangao and the other two nodded, each taking out a sheet of talisman paper.

When that person's talisman paper reached Li Guangao's hands, Li Qingyuan also leaned over to look.

It was indeed First-grade High-rank Talisman Paper, named the Tortoise Shell Talisman.

A standard-quality Tortoise Shell Talisman could withstand the full-force blow of a Qi Condensation Eighth Layer cultivator.

An image had already formed in Li Qingyuan's mind.

The Tortoise Shell Talisman would continuously stack armor, while the Flame Ice Soul Severing Talisman continuously slew enemies. As long as they had enough talisman paper, with one attacking and one defending, they would be invincible at the Qi Condensation Eighth Layer.

However, whether the trade could ultimately be completed depended on the other party's needs.

A moment later, the Talisman Master said, "This Flame Ice Soul Severing Talisman is exactly what I need. I intend to exchange with Fellow Daoist Li."

"My apologies, you two Fellow Daoists."

The other two were not particularly disappointed. If the trade did not work out, then so be it. It was an equal trade in the first place, each taking what they needed. Neither side had gained more of an advantage.

"I am Lu Daoming. Fellow Daoist Li, please keep this safe. This is the method for drawing the Tortoise Shell Talisman." The sixty-year-old man gave his name and handed over a jade slip.

Li Guangao had also prepared a jade slip in advance. It contained the method for drawing the Flame Ice Soul Severing Talisman. He handed it over and said, "Fellow Daoist Lu, here."

The two old men completed the trade.

Very soon, Li Qingyuan also received the jade slip. Pressing it against his forehead, he read it with his spiritual sense.

The method for drawing the Tortoise Shell Talisman was very complete. The other party had not tampered with it.

Next, Li Guangao and Li Qingyuan had nothing they urgently needed to trade for, so they quietly watched everyone exchange resources and waited for time to pass.

At last, night arrived.

Elder Gong, Elder Zhao, and Elder Zheng rose to their feet and said, "Fellow Daoists, this Talisman Master exchange gathering has concluded with complete success."

"We wish all Fellow Daoists an eternal Immortal Dao and bright prospects for Foundation Establishment."

Everyone rose to their feet and said, "We wish Elder Gong, Elder Zhao, and Elder Zheng an eternal Immortal Dao and bright prospects for Foundation Establishment."

"Fellow Daoists, until we meet again at the next exchange gathering."

"..."

Everyone bid each other farewell and departed separately.

There were also groups of three to five traveling together, chatting away grandly as they arranged to drink wine and wait together for the auction to begin.

Li Guangao and his grandson Li Qingyuan, meanwhile, sought out Zhao Tu, Elder Zhao.

Besides the grandfather and grandson, four others also sought out Zhao Tu.

Everyone greeted him politely, "Elder Zhao."

Zhao Tu said, "Fellow Daoists, only a few days remain until the auction."

"For the next five days, this old man will guide each of you for one hour each day. How much you comprehend and how much you master will depend entirely on your own fortune."

Everyone nodded. "Thank you, Elder Zhao."

Thus, early the next morning, Li Guangao and his grandson Li Qingyuan arrived at the agreed location to visit Zhao Tu.

There were five people in total who needed to study.

This meant Zhao Tu would need to guide five people each day, for five hours every day.

Zhao Tu looked at Li Guangao and said, "Let us begin with Fellow Daoist Li."

However, Li Guangao said something astonishing. "Fellow Daoist Zhao, the one studying talisman drawing is not this old man, but my grandson."

Li Qingyuan stepped forward and cupped his fists in salute. "This junior is Li Qingyuan. I ask Elder Zhao for guidance."

Zhao Tu was startled and asked in surprise, "Fellow Daoist Li, are you certain?"

"Your grandson is so young. Given his attainments in the Talisman Path, wanting to master First-grade Top-rank Talisman Paper is likely—likely utterly impossible."

Li Guangao merely cupped his fists in salute. "Fellow Daoist Zhao, I leave it to you."

Zhao Tu nodded. "Very well. This is your freedom."

"Alright, Fellow Daoists, let us begin!"