Rune Master

"A Rune Master? The Purple Lightning Talisman?" Zeng Fan's voice was tinged with confusion. Murong Xue glanced at him. "You don't know?"

"No, Miss Murong, what does a Rune Master mean?" Zeng Fan asked Murong Xue. After all, Zeng Fan's entry into cultivation was accidental, with no prior guidance. He could only explore step by step on his own.

"Rune Masters are also cultivators. Some people are born with an extraordinary sensitivity to spiritual energy. They use ancestral inheritances or their own created runes to condense incredible powers of heaven and earth, which are then drawn onto talisman paper. Those who draw these runes are called Rune Masters. Because the runes have myriad uses and Rune Masters are rare, their prices are very high," Murong Xue explained to Zeng Fan with emotion.

"So this is like the talismans Taoists drew before I transmigrated, but because cultivation is possible here, the runes have undergone a qualitative change!" Zeng Fan gained a general understanding of Rune Masters and their runes after hearing this.

At this moment, Chen Ren's voice also came from the stage, "In case anyone doesn't know the effects of the Purple Lightning Talisman, I'll say it again. This Third Tier Purple Lightning Talisman, when activated with spiritual energy, can transform into a thundercloud, unleashing an attack equivalent to that of a Foundation Establishment realm cultivator, and it can last for half an incense stick's time!"

"An attack equivalent to a Foundation Establishment realm cultivator, and it can sustain the attack?" Zeng Fan was inwardly shocked. This was practically a life-saving treasure for cultivators below the Foundation Establishment realm, and for some small families, it could be considered part of their foundation. A spark of greed ignited in his eyes; who wouldn't want more of such things?

However, the atmosphere below had already become frenzied.

"Seven hundred Spirit Stones!"

"Eight hundred Spirit Stones!"

"One thousand one hundred Spirit Stones!"

The spark of greed in his heart was instantly extinguished. Zeng Fan stared dumbfounded. The price of this talisman had, in just a few breaths, become something he could no longer afford.

Murong Xue looked at Zeng Fan's expression and burst into laughter. "Without such fervent pursuit, how could Rune Masters be so fascinating?"

Zeng Fan was also startled. "Forget it. This is not something I can possess right now. I'll just study that metal fragment properly after the auction ends."

Ultimately, the Purple Lightning Talisman was sold for one thousand six hundred Spirit Stones. The buyer's face was full of joy, showing no sign of heartache, likely feeling it was worth the price. After the transaction, Zeng Fan paid it no further attention. A maid from the backstage respectfully entered the private room carrying a tray. Zeng Fan, suppressing his inner excitement, lifted the silk cloth covering the tray. A black metal fragment lay quietly in the center of the plate.

Zeng Fan picked up the metal fragment, feeling its coolness in his palm. Now was certainly not the time to study it. After putting the metal fragment away, he left the auction house with Murong Xue.

"Miss Murong, I have something to attend to, so I'll take my leave now." Murong Xue waved at him. Knowing that Zeng Fan likely wanted to go back and study the fragment, she understood without needing further explanation. It was good to maintain a good relationship. She then walked into the crowd with her two maids, her silvery laughter echoing.

After parting ways with Murong Xue, Zeng Fan immediately quickened his pace towards his lodging, his heart feeling as if a small hand was scratching at it. Upon returning, Zeng Fan scanned his surroundings. Seeing no one paying attention, he slipped into his room and closed the door tightly.

He took out the metal fragment. Only now did Zeng Fan have the chance to examine it closely. The fragment was about the size of his palm, cool to the touch, and covered in some indecipherable runes, exuding a sense of mystery. It was already somewhat blurred due to its age. He squeezed it hard but found it unyielding.

"How do I use this thing?" Ever since he obtained it, the strange sensation in his heart had not reappeared, as if it were an illusion. This gave Zeng Fan a headache.

"Let's try with spiritual energy," Zeng Fan attempted to channel his spiritual energy into the fragment. As he continuously poured spiritual energy into it, his spiritual energy was almost depleted. Although the fragment kept absorbing the spiritual energy, it was like a bottomless pit, showing no reaction at all.

"Let's try dripping blood?" Zeng Fan bit his finger and dripped his blood onto the fragment. The blood simply rolled off to the side. He then tried various methods such as burning and boiling, but the fragment remained unmoved.

After a long while, Zeng Fan sat quietly by the table, staring at the fragment in a daze. "Why is this thing not reacting at all? Besides absorbing spiritual energy, is it because my cultivation level is too low and my spiritual energy is insufficient to activate it?" He rubbed his temples, unsure of what to do with it for the moment.

"Zeng Fan, Zeng Fan." Just as Zeng Fan was contemplating what to do with the fragment, Yuan Jin's voice came from outside the door.

"I'll put it away for now. I'll explore it slowly when I have the chance in the future. Haste makes waste." He put the fragment into his storage ring and opened the door. He saw Yuan Jin standing outside, waiting, his face filled with excitement. His aura was much stronger than it had been a few days ago.

"You've broken through to the Grand Perfection of Body Tempering Muscle?" Zeng Fan sensed Yuan Jin's aura.

"Heh heh, that's right! After fighting with Murong Xue last time, I felt the breakthrough coming. Combined with these two Spiritual Fruits, it just happened naturally. You're not bad yourself, reaching the Grand Perfection of Body Tempering Skin!" Yuan Jin clapped Zeng Fan on the shoulder and laughed heartily.

"If I fight Murong Xue again now, I might not necessarily lose to her," Yuan Jin said with confidence.

"That's right, I also think you can fight her again now." Hearing Yuan Jin's words, Zeng Fan knew Yuan Jin wasn't aware that Murong Xue had broken through yet, and he couldn't help but instigate him.

"Hmph, hmph. Once I consolidate my realm these few days, I'll find her for another fight and reclaim my honor. She completely humiliated me that day!" Yuan Jin gritted his teeth.

"Alright, alright. Let's go out for a meal to celebrate your breakthrough. Let's invite Wang An too." Zeng Fan walked towards the door, his voice carrying from a distance.

"Wait for me, why are you walking so fast!" Yuan Jin quickly caught up, complaining.

The two arrived at Wang An's residence. Fortunately, Wang An was not cultivating, so he called them to go out together.

Wang An quietly said to the two, "I heard Murong Xue has broken through to Body Tempering Bone. Her cultivation speed is truly terrifying!"

"What?! I was still planning to settle the score with her, and she's already broken through? If there's a whole realm difference, how can I possibly win? Bad luck, bad luck!" Yuan Jin exclaimed.

"It's okay, it's okay. At worst, we'll find another opportunity when our realms are higher later." Zeng Fan consoled Yuan Jin with regret. Yuan Jin had no idea he was almost sold out and was still grumbling.

"There's one more thing. I heard we're leaving for the Sect tomorrow." Wang An said to the two.

Zeng Fan and Yuan Jin froze. "We're leaving tomorrow?" They exchanged glances, and a flame seemed to ignite in their eyes.

"Finally setting off, huh? I've stayed here long enough. It's time to go. Only in the Sect will there be more cultivation resources, otherwise, how can I defeat Murong Xue?" Yuan Jin laughed heartily.

"Finally setting off," Zeng Fan slowly clenched his fists. Recalling all the events that had happened during this time, he felt a sense of daze. The daze gradually disappeared, and the confusion in his eyes slowly turned into determination. Since these events had happened and changed his life forever, he would continue on this path and see how far he could go. A surge of ambition rose within him.

"Are we still going to eat then?"

"Of course! How can we have the energy to cultivate if we don't eat? I can't achieve abstinence from food!"

"Let's eat first. Tomorrow's matters can wait until tomorrow. Let's go."

The voices of the three drifted westward, and they were already gone.