Shadow Movement Talisman Art

"Second: Shadow Movement Talisman Art."

At last, after watching the demonstration of that strange Maze Tracking Art, Yue Wen breathed a little easier.

The narration sounded again. "This is an Escape Technique that combines talisman cultivation. You can refine a Shadow Talisman with offensive power and, within a certain range, travel to wherever the talisman is at any time..."

For the first time, a person appeared in the footage. He was a Black man whose entire body, including his face, was covered in black dragon scales. Only his eyes and teeth showed any other color. He looked just like a killer in a detective comic who hadn't been unmasked yet.

The little black man flipped his hand and produced a palm-sized, crescent-shaped blade, engraved with complicated runes. Its edges were sharp, and it glinted with a cold, black-purple light.

This must be the Shadow Talisman they'd mentioned.

Next, he flung it forward. The Shadow Talisman whistled through the air and lodged in a tree ahead. It certainly looked sharp.

The little black man flipped his hand again and formed a seal. His figure blurred into a streak of shadow and swept to the tree, almost as if he'd teleported.

"This looks really powerful." Yue Wen's eyes gleamed.

Compared with the previous Maze Tracking Art, which was purely for stealth, this Escape Technique could also deal some damage. That was what he wanted more.

The narration continued. "The practitioner can refine multiple Shadow Talismans at the same time. The number depends on their level of cultivation. Using several Shadow Talismans at once makes the technique unpredictable and leaves no openings."

As soon as the narration ended, the little black man took out five Shadow Talismans and shot them in different directions.

Then he used his supernatural ability, and his figure began darting back and forth. In an instant, he swept through the southeast, northwest, and every direction in between, leaving afterimages that practically drew a five-pointed star.

Just as Yue Wen was feeling pleased, a loud BANG! rang out.

A cloud of blood burst in midair. Then the little black man's limbs fell in pieces, split into several sections.

"Remember, don't activate several Shadow Talismans at the same time. If your body can't tell where you want to go, it might decide to split up and go in different directions." The narration offered a friendly reminder.

Yue Wen stared at the scene in shock, deeply shaken.

Good grief.

Wasn't that just like Shang Yang, all because of one careless mistake?

"For such a powerful Escape Technique, I'm only charging you seventy Demon Suppressing Coins. That's not expensive, right?" The narration quoted a price again. "Oh, and each Shadow Talisman costs extra. One talisman costs ten Demon Suppressing Coins."

"Huh?" Yue Wen frowned. "Charging for the supernatural ability is one thing, but you're charging extra for the talismans it comes with, too? That's heartless."

The narration didn't respond. It quickly began demonstrating the third supernatural ability.

"Third: Lightning Escape."

"This is an extremely powerful offensive Escape Technique. The practitioner transforms into lightning, striking with fierce force. When they hit an enemy, they not only deal massive damage but also paralyze them," the narration explained.

This time, two little black men appeared in the light and shadow.

One of them rubbed his right hand, then punched forward. In a flash, he transformed into a dazzling bolt of lightning and shot ahead.

BANG!

The lightning struck the other little black man instantly. The practitioner reappeared, hands on his hips, laughing smugly.

The little black man who'd been hit was badly wounded. He staggered to the ground, groaning, "Why does it hurt so much? Why can't I see clearly? Who paralyzed me? Oh! It was you who paralyzed me!"

"Hey?" Yue Wen pointed at the scene. "I can accept that he can talk, but why is he swearing?"

The narration ignored him and continued. "The only drawback is that although Lightning Escape is fast and deals heavy damage, it consumes a massive amount of true essence. Practitioners in the lower three realms may only be able to use it once or twice in a short period."

The practitioner used Lightning Escape again to return, then braced his hands on his knees and started panting.

"That's enough to tire him out?" Yue Wen said. "He's got no stamina at all."

Lightning Escape wasn't a long-distance Escape Technique. Each move covered at most ten meters. It was powerful and could be used to attack, but if you needed it to dodge or flee, it wasn't going to get you very far.

"For such an Escape Technique, I'm only charging you eighty Demon Suppressing Coins. Isn't that excellent value?" The narration sounded again.

"Not at all." Yue Wen shook his head. "If I were already in the middle three realms and could use Lightning Escape more often, maybe it'd be worth it. But someone in the lower three realms can only use it once or twice. What's the value in that?"

The narration said, "Being poor and weak aren't its shortcomings..."

"What do you mean by that?" Yue Wen glared up at the air. "I've put up with you long enough. You're not some prepared narrator, are you? You're clearly insulting me on purpose!"

"Thank you for watching. Goodbye." The narration abruptly fell silent.

The demonstration in Yue Wen's mind ended as well.

He opened his eyes and saw Big Dragon standing before him, radiating a solemn presence.

"How was it?" Big Dragon asked. "Everything you can cultivate at your current level, everything that meets your requirements, and everything you can afford is here. Now that you've seen them all, which one do you want?"

Yue Wen frowned. "Maze Tracking Art is only for stealth and can't deal damage. Lightning Escape is only good for dealing damage, so it's not suitable for frequent use. The Shadow Movement Talisman Art seems better by comparison. But if the talismans cost extra, then seventy Demon Suppressing Coins plus three talismans I can use right now comes to a full hundred Demon Suppressing Coins! Isn't that too expensive?"

Big Dragon replied, "Being expensive isn't its shortcoming."

"That narrator just now was you wearing a voice changer, wasn't it?" Yue Wen's brows drew together. "I knew that snide tone sounded just like you!"

"Hmph." Big Dragon snorted impatiently. "Are you buying it or not? If not, I'm leaving."

"I'm buying!"

Yue Wen flipped his hand and produced a large stack of Demon Suppressing Coins. His heart ached a little. He'd only just managed to save up some money, and now all he had left would be a few scraps.

"Shadow Movement Talisman Art and three Shadow Talismans. Here!" He tossed over a hundred Demon Suppressing Coins.

Big Dragon immediately sucked them in, a look of satisfaction in his eyes. Then he opened his mouth and let out a dragon's word: "Haa—"

The Visualization Diagram for the Shadow Movement Talisman Art appeared in Yue Wen's mind. He also left the black-and-gold palace and returned to his little bedroom on the second floor.

"Man, money really doesn't last." He shook his head and was about to start studying the talisman art.

Suddenly, someone knocked at the door.

Knock, knock, knock.

"Guimi, what should I do? I went to try out for that livestreaming plan, and I actually got selected!"

Back at the office, Zhao Xing'er saw Yue Wen had gone upstairs again to get on with his work. She immediately pulled out her phone and began typing quickly.

Two minutes later, a reply came in. "You mean the one you went to check out with your boss? Didn't you say you were just going to take a look and didn't want to participate?"

"I was only curious, so I tagged along to watch. Who knew there'd be tryouts, and that the tryouts would be a martial arts competition? Guimi, you know I could never lose a martial arts competition." Zhao Xing'er puffed out her cheeks, looking troubled.

"A woman who's determined to be the best, haha." The other person sent a playful sticker.

"Hey, don't laugh at me." Zhao Xing'er typed gloomily. "Now they want us to sign a contract. Actually, I do kind of want to go. That Wasteland Zone exploration plan sounds exciting and fun, and I could make a lot of money. My boss seems really short on cash lately. He even wants to do suggestive dances. I thought I could help him out. After all, he kept me on even though I injured him last time. I ought to show some loyalty."

"Then go for it," the other person replied. "Though I'd love to see your handsome boss do suggestive dances, hehe. But why not do something that's fun and makes money?"

"You know my situation!" Zhao Xing'er replied at once. "What if my family sees me on the livestream? How would I keep working and going to school in Jiang City in peace?"

"Oh, right. That is a problem." The other person sent that, then immediately followed up with, "Guimi, I have an idea!"

"What idea?" Zhao Xing'er's eyes lit up.

"In the movies I've watched, some actresses cover their faces, and that only makes them more appealing. Their movies do really well, too," the other person said. "Why not cover your face when you livestream? Maybe it'll give viewers more room to imagine and make them even more curious. If you change your name and cover your face, surely no one will recognize you. Your family probably doesn't watch that kind of livestream anyway."

"Hey?" Zhao Xing'er smiled brightly. "That might actually work."

She put down her phone, went upstairs, and knocked on the door of Yue Wen's second-floor bedroom. "Boss!"

"Hm?" Yue Wen opened the door and stepped out. "What's up?"

"Boss." A hint of guilt crossed her face. "I have to come clean about something."

"What is it?" Seeing how serious she looked, Yue Wen listened attentively.

"Actually..." Zhao Xing'er's eyes flickered. She hesitated, then said, "I have parents."

"Huh?" Yue Wen paused. "Is that some kind of secret? Doesn't everyone?"

Zhao Xing'er tilted her head. "You don't."

Yue Wen: "?"

So she'd come all this way just to find an excuse to insult him.

"Never mind whether I have anything else. I'm starting to think I should dock your pay," he said.

"But you haven't paid me yet!" Zhao Xing'er realized she'd misspoken and hurriedly explained, "I mean, I never mentioned it before. My parents and family don't know I'm here. I ran away from home."

"Ran away from home?" Yue Wen furrowed his brow slightly. "Is there any legal risk in keeping you on as an employee?"

"Not at all." Zhao Xing'er smiled. "I'm an adult. I'm not some idiot who can't make my own decisions."

"Really?" Yue Wen looked at Zhao Xing'er, seeming unsure what to say.

"What are you doubting?" Zhao Xing'er glared at him.

Yue Wen quickly waved his hands, afraid she'd get angry. "Just kidding. So why are you telling me this? Are you afraid to participate in the livestream?"

Zhao Xing'er smiled. "I have an idea..."