Xuanfeng Heavenly Sect, Contemplating Yin Talisman Divine Lightning

Inside the Inner City of Great Marsh Prefecture,

Within a hundred-acre estate of flower pavilions and terrace towers, beautiful beyond measure, a lovely woman who looked to be around thirty but had a head full of white hair sat upright in a pavilion, admiring the flowers and scenery.

A woman in a plain white robe hurried outside the pavilion. After kneeling and kowtowing, she said, "Elder Hua, Ma Rusong says he has an urgent matter and wishes to see you!"

The white-haired woman's eyes stirred, divine light flickering within them. "Let him come over!"

A moment later, Ma Rusong followed the white-robed female disciple to the outside of the pavilion. From afar, he dropped to his knees, then crawled forward on them. "Elder Hua, Little Song has come to see you!"

"Mm. If there is anything you need my help with, just say it." Elder Hua gazed at a bamboo grove outside the pavilion and spoke softly.

Ma Rusong's eyes flickered as he said, "Little Song wishes to ask Elder to send a disciple to deal with someone named Lin Xuankong!"

"What cultivation does he have? Which sect is he from?" Elder Hua's brows furrowed slightly.

Anyone who required one of her disciples to act should have some ability. He had to be a fourth-layer expert or above, surely?

Ma Rusong said, "His name is Lin Xuankong. He is my fellow sect member, at Mortal Transformation Layer Two!"

Elder Hua looked at Ma Rusong. "Your fellow sect member? Someone from the Yin Talisman Sect?"

Ma Rusong nodded.

Elder Hua looked at Ma Rusong with slight surprise. "Merely a second layer?"

She secretly shook her head. The pills Ma Rusong had given her were wondrous beyond compare and had restored her youthful appearance. Naturally, she would remember this favor. Yet Ma Rusong was using the favor of an elder of the Xuanfeng Heavenly Sect to deal with a second-layer ant? How foolish! She had previously sent disciples to investigate his past, and Ma Rusong had always acted steadily. Had he lost his head in a fit of rage?

The beautiful female disciple beside her saw Elder Hua frown and immediately said,

"Our elder has a good relationship with your Yin Talisman Sect Master, and his disciples can be considered Elder Hua's juniors. Ma Rusong, a request like yours puts Elder Hua in a difficult position!"

Of course, what bothered the female disciple most was that Ma Rusong had used the favor of an elder of the Xuanfeng Heavenly Sect merely to deal with a second-layer ant. It was simply laughable! Even a fifth-layer expert would be no match for Elder Hua.

Ma Rusong's expression changed slightly at those words, and he could not help looking up at Elder Hua.

Elder Hua considered for a moment before speaking. "I will always remember your favor, but the target is a disciple of the Yin Talisman Sect, and merely a second layer at that. If word gets out, people will say that I, Hua Yanluo, bullied the weak with the strong!

In that case, the Great Marsh Demon Subduing Valley under my charge will open in two months. At that time, I will have my disciples invite second- and third-layer disciples from every city, family, and sect under Great Marsh Prefecture to participate. Then I will have them invite Lin Xuankong to join the Demon Slaying Conference. The Yin Talisman Sect should not refuse the invitation of one of my disciples!"

The Demon Slaying Conference!

Ma Rusong's eyes lit up.

Great Marsh Demon Subduing Valley was filled with vile swamps and demons everywhere. It was a place where nightmares and dreams intertwined for disciples of every sect. In every previous Demon Slaying Conference, some had risen to fame in a single stroke, stepped onto the road to heaven, and reaped immense rewards. Yet among a thousand elite Martial Cultivators who entered, fewer than thirty could emerge alive. It was nine deaths for every one chance at life!

Lin Xuankong's achievements all relied on the Evil-Dispelling Hand Ma Jiang had given him. He certainly could not contend against late-stage or perfected Layer Two experts, much less mid- or late-stage Layer Three Martial Cultivators!

Most importantly, there were countless terrifying second- and third-order demons suppressed within. Even a mid-stage Layer Three Martial Cultivator would likely find every step difficult there!

Lin Xuankong, you little second layer, enjoy your pride while you can. Two months from now will be the day you die!

"Little Song thanks Elder Hua!" Having thought this through, Ma Rusong's eyes shone. He immediately knelt again and repeatedly kowtowed.

Yin Talisman Sect, Mule Street Branch,

Lin Xuankong stood outside the Cultivation Chamber, looking toward Steward Xu Bei, who was instructing the disciples.

Although Xu Bei was only at mid-stage Layer Three and far inferior to Ma Jiang and Zhao Yufei, his Three-Seal Talent made him highly valued. One of Xu Bei's duties was to teach the Yin Talisman Art to sect members.

What irritated Lin Xuankong somewhat was that he had arrived at the Cultivation Chamber early today,

but Xu Bei said Lin Xuankong had only just begun cultivating and was not at the same stage as the disciples before him. He told Lin Xuankong to wait until he had finished the important task of instructing the disciples, after which he would teach him the technique.

That wait lasted more than an hour!

Once the instruction was complete, the many Yin Talisman Sect disciples who had finished cultivating headed outside. Upon seeing Lin Xuankong standing at the entrance with a jade belt and silver plaque, all of them stiffened and respectfully saluted him.

Silver Jade Manager,

there was only one in the entire Yin Talisman Sect.

At this moment, no one in the Yin Talisman Sect did not know of him!

Only after the final disciple left the Cultivation Chamber did Xu Bei walk to the door. Looking at Lin Xuankong, he put on a face full of apology. "Ah, why is Steward Lin still standing here? I thought you had left long ago! I was even planning to find you later and teach you the Yin Talisman Art!"

"There is no need to trouble Steward Xu. I can use the Merit Transmission Jade Butterfly to learn the technique myself, and I can use the Contemplation Jade to cultivate myself as well!"

Lin Xuankong glanced at Xu Bei's false expression and walked directly toward the Merit Transmission Jade Butterfly and rune stones in the Cultivation Chamber.

He had not waited here for an hour for nothing. He had long been carefully observing the methods the disciples used while cultivating!

Besides, Xu Bei appeared apologetic, but hostility lurked in his eyes. How could Lin Xuankong possibly let this fellow guide him in the technique?

Seeing this, Xu Bei spoke expressionlessly.

"Steward Lin is taking the Yin Talisman Art too lightly!

Even a genius like Beicheng would probably need several years to reach Entry Level in the Yin Talisman Art without anyone to teach him! Back then, when he cultivated Nine Thunders Surrounding Body in two and a half years, he could not have done it without my daily guidance!

At Steward Lin's advanced age, reaching Entry Level without guidance will surely be even harder. Perhaps eight or nine years, perhaps ten or more! Does Steward Lin truly not want me to guide him carefully?"

Lin Xuankong had already reached the stone platform holding the Merit Transmission Jade Butterfly. Ignoring Xu Bei, he picked up the jade butterfly and began examining it.

Xu Bei's face immediately darkened when he saw himself being so thoroughly snubbed.

Thinking of how Lin Xuankong had prevented him from removing his punishment, thinking of Lin Xuankong's glory yesterday and his own loss of face, then seeing Lin Xuankong acting like this before him, the ever-proud Xu Bei could not help feeling hatred rise in his heart.

He sneered. "Hmph. Cultivating blindly without instruction—I would like to see how many years it takes before you manage Lightning Surrounding Body! Of course, Steward Lin is already at such an age. His life will soon be over anyway, so perhaps there is no need for him to cultivate Lightning Surrounding Body at all!"

After saying that, he gave a scornful laugh, flicked his sleeve, and left.

The more than two hundred new disciples outside saw this scene and immediately looked at one another. Not one dared to speak.

One was a Silver Jade Manager.

The other was a dignified Three-Seal steward.

This was a battle between immortals. Who the hell would dare stick their nose in?

A short while later, the many disciples left the Cultivation Chamber and gathered at the branch Food Hall, where they ate and discussed the matter.

All of them were new disciples with One-Seal or Two-Seal Talents who had yet to enter the Mortal Transformation Realm. Their years of cultivation had given every one of them a pounding headache, and they deeply understood how obscure and difficult the Yin Talisman Art was to cultivate.

A disciple with exceptionally thick black brows said, "How could anyone possibly cultivate Yin Talisman Lightning without guidance? Steward Lin may be strong, but refusing to give face to Steward Xu, who teaches the techniques, was truly a little rash!"

One of the disciples looked at the thick-browed disciple. "Senior Brother Lou Yi, among the more than two hundred One-Seal and Two-Seal disciples here, you cultivate the fastest. I remember that you only needed seven months to cultivate your first Divine Thunder Root. I wonder how long this Steward Lin will take to cultivate even one Divine Thunder Root!"

Thick-browed Lou Yi shook his head. "I heard Steward Lin has Four-Seal Talent. According to the technique, someone with his talent should have a chance of cultivating eight or nine Divine Thunder Roots!

But at his advanced age, and without allowing Steward Xu to guide him, whether he can cultivate even one Divine Thunder Root by relying solely on the Merit Transmission Jade Butterfly and his own contemplation is a question!"

The disciples all frowned upon hearing this. They felt that this Silver Jade Manager was being far too impulsive. Why oppose the steward responsible for transmitting techniques?

After everyone discussed it for a while, footsteps suddenly sounded nearby. The disciples turned their heads and saw Gu Beicheng, his three wisps of long beard flowing, approaching.

The disciples immediately set down their chopsticks, rose with looks of admiration, and cupped their hands in salute. Gu Beicheng merely nodded slightly with a frown.

He had heard the disciples' discussion from a distance. Although he was under Steward Xu's jurisdiction, Xu Bei flattered those above him and treated those below him with arrogant contempt. Even though Xu Bei had taught Gu Beicheng the technique, Gu Beicheng still disliked the man's conduct.

Now that he had heard about Lin Xuankong, he naturally felt displeased. As he hurried along, he secretly thought, Although my understanding of the Yin Talisman Art falls far short of Steward Xu's, I should be able to offer Senior Brother Lin a little guidance. It would be better than having him contemplate the jade recklessly and run into problems.

Besides, Manager Jiang had asked him today to notify Steward Lin and the others that the Xuanfeng Heavenly Sect's Great Marsh Demon Subduing Valley would hold a Demon Slaying Conference in two months. This time, Steward Lin was actually among the Yin Talisman Sect's selected participants.

He had better notify him as soon as possible. Demon slaying was fraught with danger, ten deaths with no life. Why had they chosen Steward Lin, who had only just become a Silver Jade Manager?

After the disciples waited until he had gone far away, they began discussing quietly again.

Lou Yi gazed admiringly at Gu Beicheng's retreating back and said, "I heard that when Steward Gu cultivated his first Divine Thunder Root under Steward Xu's guidance, it only took two or three months. With talent like that, one cannot even feel jealous. He is simply too far beyond reach!"

Someone revealed an envious expression and said quietly, "Steward Gu cultivates incredibly fast. I heard even Steward Xu is far inferior to him!"

The disciples all looked envious as well.

Most of them were in the prime of their lives,

yet when they cultivated their first Divine Thunder Root, they had generally needed more than ten months. They could not compare with Lou Yi, much less Xu Bei, let alone Steward Gu, whose talent was one in ten thousand!

Inside the Cultivation Chamber,

Lin Xuankong lowered the Merit Transmission Jade Butterfly from his forehead and silently recalled the contents it had transmitted into his mind. ".When Heaven unleashes killing intent, stars shift and constellations change; when Earth unleashes killing intent, dragons and serpents rise from the land; when Man unleashes killing intent."

This Yin Talisman Sect Merit Transmission Jade Butterfly truly was wondrous.

One only needed to place the jade butterfly against the forehead and activate it with qi and blood, and a vast amount of profound technique content would automatically emerge in the mind.

The Yin Talisman Art contained tens of thousands of words. If read from books, it would take some time, and memorizing and understanding all of it would take several days.

Yet with this Merit Transmission Jade Butterfly, the contents were instantly branded into his memories. Its mind method, the techniques for circulating it, and everything else became clear one by one.

According to the technique,

at the beginning of cultivation, Yin Talisman Sect members needed to diligently cultivate the Yin Talisman Mind Method and contemplate the jade in order to gradually nurture Divine Thunder Roots within their bodies, roots capable of unleashing lightning.

Depending on their degree of compatibility, the number of Divine Thunder Roots they could nurture differed, and naturally, so did their cultivation speed and the power of their techniques!

Generally speaking, disciples with One-Seal Talent could nurture two Divine Thunder Roots within their bodies.

Those with Two-Seal Talent could nurture four Divine Thunder Roots. Among them, those extremely close to Three-Seal Talent could nurture at most Five Seals.

And so it went: Three Seals meant six, Four Seals meant eight, Five Seals meant ten. It was said that the Founding Ancestor, who had obtained the technique through a fortunate encounter, possessed Nine Seal Talent and thus nurtured a full eighteen Divine Thunder Roots!

The number of Divine Thunder Roots was closely related to the quantity and power of the lightning Yin Talisman Sect members could unleash in the future.

For example, a disciple with Two-Seal Talent could nurture four Divine Thunder Roots. Once that disciple had nurtured and strengthened those roots to the realm of Initial Glimpse, the lightning he could release outside his body would be four bolts of divine lightning—Four Thunders Surrounding Body!

Thus, even if that Two-Seal disciple constantly raised his cultivation in the future, causing his lightning to grow thicker and more powerful, the overall power of the divine lightning he could unleash would still differ enormously from that of a Three-Seal disciple at the same realm!

Compared with the Nine Seal Founding Ancestor, it would be the difference between Heaven and Earth!

Even at the same realm as the Founding Ancestor, when you circulated your divine art, four bolts of divine lightning surrounded your body, while eighteen bolts surrounded his the moment he used his technique.

Having understood the technique, Lin Xuankong secretly thought,

Compatibility has such a tremendous effect on the Yin Talisman Art. No wonder the Yin Talisman Sect differs from the Black Tiger Gang—when accepting disciples, it must test their talents.

One-Seal Talent was truly the bare minimum. A Martial Cultivator without compatibility could join the Yin Talisman Sect, but without compatibility with the technique, they could not nurture Divine Thunder Roots in their body. How could they possibly cultivate the Yin Talisman Art?

When he had tested his talent,

the result had been Four-Seal compatibility, the same as Gu Beicheng. According to the technique, Four-Seal Talent could generally nurture eight Divine Thunder Roots, with nine at most!

In other words, once he reached the Initial Glimpse realm and could unleash lightning, he would also have a chance at Nine Thunders Surrounding Body. That was already exceptionally good—one talent in ten thousand.

At the very least, he was far stronger than that Five Thunders Surrounding Body fellow Han Lu, and far beyond Xu Bei's Six Thunders Surrounding Body!

Yet when he had tested himself back then, he had felt that if he activated his blood qi, he could continue lighting up the seals. He did not know whether that feeling had been real!

If it was, perhaps he could nurture ten or even more Divine Thunder Roots!

Unfortunately, the illusion within the Heavenly Derivation Stone was too dangerous. His current strength could not guarantee his safety, so he had no way to test it again. Still, since he was about to begin cultivating, would he not find out by seeing how many Divine Thunder Roots he could ultimately nurture?

With that thought, Lin Xuankong put down the Merit Transmission Jade Butterfly and looked toward the left side of the Cultivation Chamber, where four special jade stones taller than a person stood.

He did not know what special material these four Contemplation Jades were made from. They shimmered with flowing colors and appeared quite marvelous. Each jade stone also bore thousands, even tens of thousands, of marks, seemingly left behind by someone striking them with Yin Talisman Lightning.

Yet those marks were chaotic and disorderly, without any discernible pattern. They looked like the random scribbles of a child.

According to the technique, to nurture Divine Thunder Roots, one had to contemplate the jade stone placed in the first position while cultivating. But the marks on this jade stone were so chaotic—what was there to contemplate?

Normally, should he not be contemplating some divine thunder diagram, lotus diagram, old tree diagram, or diagrams of immortal women, immortal men, and immortal couples?

Damn it all, these chaotic marks. Even if a monkey were allowed to scribble randomly, its scribbles would have more pattern than these marks!

Lin Xuankong silently circulated the Yin Talisman Art's mind method while studying the jade stone for quite some time.

After nearly the time it took to drink a cup of tea, he still gained nothing, and irritation gradually welled up in his heart.

At last, he secretly thought, It seems I must ask Boss Ma Jiang for advice and ask him exactly how one is supposed to contemplate this jade stone! This Yin Talisman Art is profound and mysterious indeed. As expected, it is not as simple as the Pine Crane Longevity Technique!

Once that thought arose, he stopped contemplating and focused on the Destiny in his mind.

Lin Xuankong: Remaining lifespan: twenty-five years and fifty-three days

Destiny: [Old and Vigorous]

First Destiny Talent: [Old and Cunning] Age 59, cultivation speed increased fiftyfold

Realm: Late Mortal Transformation Layer Two

Mortal Transformation Layer Two qi and blood: 1789/100000

Techniques: [Pine Crane Longevity Technique: Mastered 142/150]

[Flying Stone Technique: 12/12]

[Yin Talisman Art: Not yet Entry Level 0/1000]

The next moment, the four words [Old and Vigorous] flashed with violet-golden radiance, and [Yin Talisman Art: Not yet Entry Level 0/1000] became [Yin Talisman Art: Not yet Entry Level 0/20].

Lin Xuankong could not help feeling somewhat surprised.

When he had cultivated the Pine Crane Longevity Technique, reaching Initial Glimpse required 3,000 proficiency points. Yet now, cultivating the obscure and difficult Yin Talisman Art required only 1,000 points, only a little more than the comparatively simple Flying Stone Technique.

It seemed his body was quite compatible with the Pine Crane Longevity Technique, but even more compatible with the Yin Talisman Art—and not by a mere trifling amount!

Overjoyed, he looked once more toward the Contemplation Jade, only to discover in astonishment that the marks upon its surface had suddenly begun to change!