Ducang Returns

Compared with its practical use, the talisman's symbolic meaning mattered far more.

It showed how highly Liu Puzhong regarded He Qingling. He hoped that one day she would shoulder the Xuansheng Sect's banner and lead it to greater heights.

Even though, when He Qingling was younger, she had once set her heart on "defecting" to the Empty Mountain Sect.

Talismans were expensive and generally of limited use, which was why most young cultivators on Chenping Continent would never choose one for protection.

Yet tens of thousands of years ago, a former leader of Tian Ding Mountain who had studied talismans had said their potential might be far greater than anyone imagined.

The Immortal Cultivators of Chenping Continent had simply taken a wrong turn.

But the talisman Liu Puzhong had given He Qingling had, beyond any doubt, saved her life.

It could save her once, however. It could not save her a second time.

The shifty-eyed middle-aged man stepped forward and picked up the sword the talisman had just sent flying.

Then he studied He Qingling with apparent caution.

He seemed worried she might still have another trick in reserve.

Only after the shifty-eyed Spirit 통 Realm cultivator had swept her with his Spiritual Sense and satisfied himself that she had nothing left did he approach He Qingling, sword in hand.

"Tsk. Disciples from these great sects really do have plenty of tricks up their sleeves."

With that remark, he raised his sword and slashed at He Qingling—

Clang!

A middle-aged man in a light gray Daoist robe, his temples streaked with white, stood between the shifty-eyed Spirit 통 Realm cultivator and He Qingling.

With just two fingers, he had caught the sword the man had swung.

"...Senior, sorry for the trouble."

He Qingling spoke from behind the man in gray.