Old Demon Han's Golden Marrow Pills

In cultivating the Ice Skin Jade Bone Method, the White Lotus Pill functioned much like a system patch. Creating an identical patch by hand would undoubtedly be an exceptionally difficult task.

But that was not impossible for a Cultivator, because Cultivators possessed the formidable tool known as divine sense.

Through practical experimentation, Luo Hong discovered that the stronger one's divine sense was, the more precise work one could perform and the smaller things one could observe.

Luo Hong believed this was why Cultivators could immediately perceive the world more clearly after advancing in cultivation.

My divine sense is already twice that of Cultivators at the same level. If I want to improve it further, I'll likely have to cultivate a supreme secret art like the Great Evolution Technique, or nourish it with a divine object like Soul Nurturing Wood. Even if I can obtain either of them, increasing my divine sense will take an enormous amount of time. Combined with the time needed for further research, it will interfere with my plan to reach Foundation Establishment before thirty. The loss would outweigh the gain. So, for now, my top priority is obtaining the Pure Lotus Pill. If that truly proves impossible, I'll have to make do with a Foundation Establishment Pill.

The reason Luo Hong was so determined to cultivate the Ice Skin Jade Bone Method to its sixth layer was because the Mortal World possessed an extremely strong discontinuity!

Leaps between tiers existed everywhere in cultivation. The most typical examples were the major realms along the Immortal Path.

Why could Foundation Establishment Cultivators crush Qi Refining cultivators? It was because, after Foundation Establishment, their magic power energy levels underwent explosive growth, and their level of life ascended by a tremendous step.

Although Luo Hong had already cultivated five of the Ice Skin Chapter's six layers, with only one layer remaining, it might not seem like a big deal.

But in reality, the benefits gained from cultivating the sixth layer would far exceed the combined benefits of the first five.

If the benefits from the first five layers of the Ice Skin Jade Bone Method were expressed as a function, one could clearly see a steadily rising curve that gradually approached a marginal point.

The marginal point was the point of arrival for the sixth layer, calculated by Luo Hong from the data gathered during the first five layers. It was also the basis for the Ice Skin Jade Bone Method proficiency on the Physical Examination Table.

Because marginal points appeared far too frequently throughout cultivation, Luo Hong could basically conclude that the fundamental reason behind the appearance of marginal points and marginal effects was absolutely related to the Mortal World's most basic energy particles—Spirit Particles.

From this, it could be inferred that Spirit Particles possessed a marginal transition effect.

The strongest proof was the existence of Spirit Eye objects.

So-called Spirit Eye objects were...

"I'll take this book!"

An utterly ordinary voice pulled Luo Hong, whose thoughts had drifted ever farther away, back to reality.

He looked toward Han Yunzhi's stall and saw a young Cultivator who was not ugly, yet would disappear into a crowd the instant he was thrown among one, flipping through a copy of the Evergreen Technique.

Luo Hong took a sip of Jade Dragon Wine, using the surging Spiritual Qi in his chest and abdomen to suppress the excitement in his heart.

Old Demon Han, I've finally waited for you!

The pills Han Li had brought out for trade were precisely what Han Yunzhi desperately needed. She was doing her utmost to promote the goods at her stall to Han Li, and when she noticed Luo Hong's gaze, she immediately turned sideways to block his view like a little hen guarding her food.

Luo Hong could not help but smile. He did not interfere with Han Li and Han Yunzhi's first meeting, remaining a mere spectator throughout.

Only after Han Li had successfully traded for the Golden Bamboo Brush and was about to turn and leave did Luo Hong speak.

"Fellow Daoist, please wait. Judging by the things you bought, you intend to make talismans yourself, don't you? I happen to have some excellent talisman-making materials here. Why not take a look?"

Han Li halted. He had actually noticed Luo Hong beside him long ago, but he did not recognize the attire of Yellow Maple Valley. He had assumed Luo Hong was, like Wan Xiaoshan, an unrestrained young master from a wealthy family.

This brother is as fair as those three Mo Family girls. How strange indeed.

"My apologies. I only need some cinnabar. Judging from the Spirit Talismans you have displayed, I doubt you would sell such low-grade spiritual materials, would you?"

Han Li had already swept his gaze over Luo Hong's stall. Every talisman displayed on it was an exquisite item brimming with magic power and radiating Spiritual Qi. After coveting them, his resolve to learn the art of talisman-making only grew firmer.

"Haha, Fellow Daoist, you are mistaken. Who says a Cultivator skilled in talisman-making has no need for cinnabar?

"Cinnabar pairs with Yellow Talisman Paper, blood patterns painted on green paper. Power rests in the brush tip's ink, intent stirs like dragons and serpents dance. Think thrice before you send it forth, lest greed in your heart bring regret. Grasp the meaning within these lines, and Spirit Talismans will naturally take form."

Luo Hong laughed and promptly made up a crude poem based on his own insights into talisman-making.

At first, Han Li found the other man baffling, but the more he listened, the more he felt that those lines were filled with the principles of talisman-making. They were completely incomparable to the dry, rigid methods of talisman-making he had read in books.

He firmly memorized the poem. Only after pondering it over several times did he remember that the stall owner was still waiting for his response. Feeling somewhat ashamed, he cupped his hands and said, "Thank you for your guidance, sir. I have benefited greatly. However, aside from a few low-grade pills, I have nothing else on me to trade. I wonder if you find them acceptable?"

Han Li completely regarded Luo Hong as a Cultivator deeply versed in talisman-making. He immediately stopped concealing that he was a beginner in the art and humbly sought instruction.

"Acceptable, very acceptable. I have a jar of Ink Cloud Frog Demon Blood here. If you offer a bottle of Golden Marrow Pills in exchange, I'll also add some Yellow Talisman Paper and cinnabar. A bundle of Green Talisman Paper is priced at one Spirit Stone for one pill. Take as much as you want."

Luo Hong filled his stall with all kinds of talisman-making materials. Old Demon Han is so easy to befriend at this stage, when he thirsts for knowledge about the Cultivation World. Say a few casual words about cultivation insights, and he'll think he has benefited enormously. Once he joins Yellow Maple Valley, I won't get opportunities like this anymore.

After receiving two bottles of Golden Marrow Pills from Han Li, Luo Hong examined their medicinal properties.

Good heavens. The Golden Marrow Pills, which should have medicinal properties similar to Yellow Dragon Pills, actually have 10 medicinal power. Could it be that two of their main ingredients were each over a hundred years old?

Old Demon Han, as expected of you!

Luo Hong happily capped the bottles and reminded Han Li, who was gathering up a pile of talisman-making materials, "Fellow Daoist, failure is unavoidable when one is first learning to make talismans. Demon Blood is expensive, so I suggest using it only after your skills have improved. During the practice stage, the best combination is Green Talisman Paper and cinnabar. It will not affect the success rate and will save you a great deal of expense."

"So that is how it is. My surname is Han, given name Li. I am a rogue cultivator from the wilderness. Thank you for your guidance today."

Han Li believed he had encountered another pure-hearted family Cultivator like Wan Xiaoshan. Filled with gratitude, he voluntarily gave his name.

"My name is Luo Hong—the hong in 'spanning like a rainbow,' not the hong in 'lightly rouged makeup.' Calling it a debt of guidance is far too exaggerated. These are merely common knowledge about talisman-making. Although they are not recorded in books, basically every Cultivator who has learned talisman-making knows them. Fellow Daoist, there is no need to be so solemn about it."

Luo Hong was overjoyed inside. The First Step in befriending Old Demon Han could be considered a success.