Nightmare Heart-Control Talisman

Feeling the pressure of a superior cultivator, Lin Shiyu's legs trembled despite herself.

Zhou Er felt no pressure at all. Holding Lin Shiyu with one arm, he asked:

"If we go with you, what do you want?"

"What do we want? That depends on whether you're willing to cooperate."

As he spoke, the black-clad leader reached out to grab Zhou Er by the neck.

Zhou Er stayed where he was and simply opened his Third Eye.

The eye on his forehead opened, shooting out a beam of brilliant blue light. The black-clad cultivator froze in place, unable to move.

Then Zhou Er reached out and grabbed him. Qingming Cold Poison entered the man's body, and his neck immediately turned a purplish black.

Zhou Er casually tossed the black-clad cultivator aside, then swiftly grabbed several more Cultivator Robbers.

In the space of a few breaths, Zhou Er had killed them all.

In the end, only Xu Lifeng remained.

He tried to flee, but Zhou Er and his wife blocked his way.

Although Lin Shiyu couldn't understand why Zhou Er was so powerful, now was no time to dwell on it.

"Fellow Daoist Lei, Lin the Alchemist, I had no choice! The Taiyi Talisman Alliance threatened me. Please spare my life, for the sake of our shared ties as fellow disciples of the Sunset Sect!"

Cornered by the two of them, Xu Lifeng immediately dropped to his knees and begged for mercy.

Neither of them said a word. They simply closed in slowly, their oppressive presence filling the space.

Seeing this, Xu Lifeng tore off his shirt, revealing the tattoo on his back.

The tattoo was a weave of dark crimson and pale purple, its intricate, uncanny lines fine and clear. Beginning at a star-shaped core over his heart, it spread across his shoulders and neck, down his back, and to his abdomen, forming a closed loop. Its course resembled a spirit snake winding through the undergrowth, or vines climbing a trellis.

"This is the Nightmare Heart-Control Talisman the alliance leader of the Taiyi Talisman Alliance carved into my body. I had no choice."

Xu Lifeng hurriedly explained.

Seeing the demonic enchantress tattoo on Xu Lifeng's body made Zhou Er's eyes hurt. He killed him with a single swipe of his claw.

Then Zhou Er seized Xu Lifeng's fading soul and searched his memories.

Skimming through them, Zhou Er saw that Xu Lifeng had belonged to the Taiyi Talisman Alliance even before joining the Sunset Sect.

This so-called Taiyi Talisman Alliance seemed like an orthodox sect, but in truth, it had ties to the Hehuan Sect. The alliance leader was probably a member of the Hehuan Sect.

The alliance leader used the Nightmare Heart-Control Talisman, inscribing it onto these people's bodies and taking control of them.

Zhou Er checked the others too. Sure enough, they all bore the Nightmare Heart-Control Talisman.

Xu Lifeng had been marked with the talisman at a young age and coerced into submission. That was why he'd become more and more slovenly over the years: he'd been trying to avoid the ruthless people from the Taiyi Talisman Alliance.

The Taiyi Talisman Alliance had played a very important role in Xu Lifeng's life, helping him in many ways.

Not only had they helped him achieve Foundation Establishment, but the Foundation Establishment materials used by his younger sister, Xu Yuanyuan, had also been obtained through the Alliance's efforts.

This time, the Alliance had sent these Late-stage Qi Refining cultivators to waylay them because Lin Shiyu was a highly skilled alchemist. They wanted to recruit her, make her one of their own, and have her refine pills for them.

And the best way to bring her into the fold was to carve the Nightmare Heart-Control Talisman onto her body.

Those marked with the Nightmare Heart-Control Talisman became the talisman-carver's Cauldron, loyal without question.

Xu Lifeng had planned to carve the talisman onto Lin Shiyu and make her his Cauldron. He'd even brought the Spirit Ink needed to inscribe it.

By this point, Zhou Er felt a surge of malice.

Killing Xu Lifeng so easily had let him off far too lightly.

Still, Zhou Er had learned how to inscribe the Nightmare Heart-Control Talisman.

Then Zhou Er thought of Xu Lifeng's younger sister, Xu Yuanyuan.

Xu Yuanyuan was also a member of the Taiyi Talisman Alliance, but she had only recently achieved Foundation Establishment and hadn't yet stabilized her cultivation, so she hadn't taken part in this operation.

Xu Lifeng had wanted Lin Shiyu. He'd also set his sights on Xu Yuanyuan.

Since you like the Nightmare Heart-Control Talisman so much, I'll inscribe one for you.

Zhou Er took the belongings from Xu Lifeng and the other Cultivator Robbers, a wicked plan forming in his mind.

"Senior Brother, what did you see in Xu Lifeng's memories?"

Lin Shiyu didn't know what Zhou Er had seen, so she asked.

"Nothing much."

Zhou Er replied casually:

"The people from the Taiyi Talisman Alliance just wanted to control you and make you refine pills for them. We shouldn't linger here. Let's leave."

"Okay!"

Lin Shiyu nodded, then released scarlet spirit fire from the Flowing Fire Gourd and burned the Cultivator Robbers' corpses to ashes.

Afterward, the two of them hurried back to the sect together.

Zhou Er didn't act rashly. He waited until a day when Lin Shiyu was busy refining pills, then went to Xu Yuanyuan's Cave Mansion and called out:

"Fellow Daoist Xu."

Zhou Er called to her.

These past few days, Xu Yuanyuan had known that her brother had gone out and not returned, while Zhou Er and his wife had made it back safely. She was already extremely anxious, and the sound of Zhou Er's voice left her startled and flustered.

Afraid her identity as a member of the Taiyi Talisman Alliance had been exposed, she paced back and forth before finally opening the door.

"Fellow Daoist Lei, what brings you here?"

When Xu Yuanyuan met Zhou Er's tender, affectionate gaze, she fell under his spell despite herself. Before he could even answer, she welcomed him inside.

"Little Sister Xu, I heard you were a Talisman Master, so I came especially to discuss the art of making talismans with you."

Zhou Er looked at Xu Yuanyuan as he spoke.

He considered where it would be best to inscribe the Nightmare Heart-Control Talisman: her lower abdomen, back, inner thighs, chest, or neck.

Xu Yuanyuan was young and had a fine figure. Any of those places seemed suitable.

Xu Yuanyuan didn't know what he was thinking, but she guessed he wanted something intimate with her. A little delight crept into her heart, though she kept her expression proper as she said:

"Senior Brother Lei, my brother taught me everything I know about making talismans. I'm nowhere near as skilled as he is, and I haven't learned how to make Second-tier Talismans yet. I'll need Senior Brother Lei to guide me."

"That's all right, Little Sister Xu. Whatever you don't know, I can teach you."

Zhou Er spoke gently.

In Xu Yuanyuan's eyes, Zhou Er's gaze was as warm as a bright spring breeze.

"Then thank you, Senior Brother Lei."

Xu Yuanyuan said shyly.

Zhou Er followed Xu Yuanyuan into her room and glanced around. With a barrier separating the room from the outside, he didn't have to worry about what might happen next.

"Senior Brother Lei, please sit."

Xu Yuanyuan brought over a cushion and handed it to Zhou Er.

"Thank you, Little Sister Xu."

Zhou Er deliberately brushed her little hand. The fleeting touch made Xu Yuanyuan shiver despite herself.

Xu Yuanyuan grew more and more certain of what would happen today.

Looks like Senior Brother Lei doesn't want to be lonely either.

Xu Yuanyuan thought dreamily.

"It's a little warm, isn't it, Senior Brother Lei?"

Xu Yuanyuan panted softly and tilted her face up a little. Her eyes glistened with moisture from the heat, and her voice held a hint of coyness and dependence.

She raised a hand and lightly tugged at her collar with slender, pale fingers, the gesture deliberately alluring.

Then she made as if to take off her outer robe, pretending to fumble and struggle with it.

Xu Yuanyuan's cheeks flushed. She lightly bit her lower lip and whispered:

"Senior Brother Lei, help me..."

Her voice was soft as a feather brushing the heart.

Seeing this, Zhou Er reached out. This time, his movements were gentle and slow.

Zhou Er eased Xu Yuanyuan's outer robe from her shoulders, revealing the moon-white ruqun she wore beneath it.

The ruqun clung closely to her figure, tracing her graceful curves without being overly revealing.

Made of light silk, the skirt stirred in the breeze, like a dreamy cloud of mist drifting around her.

Pale pink peach blossoms were embroidered along the hem, their petals so lifelike they seemed ready to flutter away on the wind.

A row of tiny pearls edged the skirt, catching the light with a soft gleam.

A sheer shawl draped over her arms, embroidered with silver thread. Her fair skin showed faintly through the fabric, making her seem like a celestial maiden descended to earth—bewitching, yet touched with an ethereal grace.

Seeing Xu Yuanyuan like this, Zhou Er swallowed, then asked:

"Little Sister Xu, are you still warm?"

Xu Yuanyuan nodded, her face bashful.

Then Zhou Er opened his Third Eye. A flash of brilliant blue light darted across the room, and Xu Yuanyuan felt as if she'd fallen into an ice cave. Her body went rigid, unable to move.

Zhou Er didn't know the eye's Divine Ability's original name. He called it the Frost Pupil. It could freeze a person in place in an instant.

At Xu Yuanyuan's level of cultivation, she had no idea when she might break free of the Frost Pupil's attack.

"Little Sister Xu, you're not hot anymore, are you?"

Zhou Er said with a smile, then began arranging Xu Yuanyuan's body.

Xu Yuanyuan couldn't move a muscle. She could only let Zhou Er do as he pleased.

Zhou Er laid Xu Yuanyuan sideways across the table, his gaze moving over her.

Though she couldn't move, Xu Yuanyuan was still conscious. Seeing Zhou Er look her over like prey, she panicked.

She might have feelings for Zhou Er, but she didn't want to become a lamb waiting for slaughter.

Zhou Er's gaze passed over the bare space on Xu Yuanyuan's chest. He could do as he pleased, but there wasn't enough room there to work.

Then Zhou Er shifted his gaze to her lower abdomen.

Her stomach was flat and smooth, her skin as fair as snow, like finely carved jade without a single flaw.

This spot was perfect. Zhou Er took out his Spirit Ink and Spirit Brush and began drawing the Nightmare Heart-Control Talisman.

The Nightmare Heart-Control Talisman had a heart-shaped core, with patterns spreading out to either side.

Frozen in place, Xu Yuanyuan felt only a faint sting on her body, like the prick of a needle.

The process lasted for the better part of half an hour. At last, Zhou Er finished drawing the talisman.

Zhou Er looked over his handiwork and nodded with satisfaction.

The Nightmare Heart-Control Talisman's intricate, uncanny pattern was a weave of dark crimson and pale purple, its lines fine and clear, winding like a living thing.

With a star-shaped core over the heart, it spread across the shoulders and neck, down the back, and to the abdomen, forming a closed loop. Its pattern seemed to slither like a snake or climb like a vine.

The core over the heart was star-shaped, with faint spiral patterns and dark crimson light flowing through it. The lines thinned around the shoulders and neck, branching here and there, dotted with pale purple light and blending with the natural patterns of the skin.

Two main lines ran parallel down the back, interspersed with fine auxiliary patterns in dark crimson and pale purple. Around the abdomen, the lines formed a ring like a lock, a glimmer at its center stabilizing the talisman's power.

The entire pattern flowed smoothly over her skin. In the light, the two colors alternated, seeming almost alive—uncanny yet exquisite.

The lines shimmered with a thin, mistlike spiritual glow, lighting up at a touch. When the glow faded, the color remained settled beneath the skin, hiding a mysterious aura.

Once the Nightmare Heart-Control Talisman was complete, Zhou Er could control Xu Yuanyuan through his Spiritual Sense.

Xu Yuanyuan had become his puppet completely.

There was no longer any need to keep Xu Yuanyuan frozen, so Zhou Er released her from the Frost Pupil's control.

After she regained control of her body, Xu Yuanyuan looked at Zhou Er with a dazed gaze and flushed cheeks.

"Master!"

Xu Yuanyuan cried out excitedly.

Seeing this, Zhou Er nodded.

"Do you like Master?"

Zhou Er asked.

"I do."

Xu Yuanyuan nodded.

"Who do you like most?"

Zhou Er asked.

"Of course I like Master most!"

Xu Yuanyuan hurriedly nodded.

In the heated atmosphere, Zhou Er felt stirred too.

After they had grown close, Xu Yuanyuan clung to Zhou Er like a little dog.

But Zhou Er had lost interest in Xu Yuanyuan. She was nothing more than a tool for testing the Nightmare Heart-Control Talisman.

"Master, I still want you to stay with me."

Xu Yuanyuan said reluctantly.

"Focus on your cultivation and making talismans. I'll make time to visit you once a month."

Zhou Er said casually.

[Peerless Elegance (Green): Increases presence and charm, and makes one more attractive to the opposite sex.]

[Solidification Condition: Win the hearts of ten beauties. (5/10)]

He had no special feelings for Xu Yuanyuan. Now that he'd won her over, he could cast her aside.

"Master, once a month isn't enough."

Xu Yuanyuan said reluctantly.

"Hold it in!"

Zhou Er said sternly.

After leaving Xu Yuanyuan's Cave Mansion, Zhou Er returned to Lin Shiyu's place. When he saw Li Xiao looking at him strangely, he sensed something was off.

"Do you have a problem with me?"

Zhou Er found Li Xiao and asked.

Seeing Zhou Er approach, Li Xiao grew extremely nervous and hurriedly said:

"Uncle Lei, I don't have a problem with you. I don't have any problem at all."

"Then why are you looking at me like that?"

Zhou Er questioned him.

"Uncle Lei, no matter how I look at you, I've always treated you normally!"

Li Xiao was extremely nervous.

"I asked you a question. Answer honestly."

Zhou Er released a little of his pressure.

Under the force of that immense pressure, Li Xiao confessed everything:

"Uncle Lei, I wanted to apologize to you. When you came to Master's house back then, I stopped you."

"It's nothing serious."

Zhou Er said casually.

He wasn't going to quibble with a young woman barely in her twenties. There was no point.

However, Zhou Er knew that this wasn't the only reason Li Xiao feared him.

"What else is there?"

Zhou Er asked.

Li Xiao hadn't wanted to speak, but under the pressure, she confessed anyway:

"I... I saw you go to Xu Yuanyuan's Cave Mansion, Uncle Lei. I didn't know what you were planning to do."

"Who told you to follow me?"

Zhou Er immediately grew tense.

"I didn't follow you, Uncle Lei. M-Master asked me to keep an eye on you. I only saw you from far away."

Li Xiao explained.

Hearing this, Zhou Er realized that Lin Shiyu had been worried about him and had sent Li Xiao to watch him more closely.

"Don't tell Shiyu about this."

Zhou Er said sternly.

He still didn't want Lin Shiyu to know about this.

"O-okay! Uncle Lei."

Li Xiao nodded hurriedly.

Zhou Er nodded too and was about to leave, when he suddenly remembered that Li Xiao might not be trustworthy.

She was Lin Shiyu's disciple, so she would naturally obey Lin Shiyu.

After thinking for a long while, Zhou Er remembered that he still had some Spirit Ink left for the Nightmare Heart-Control Talisman.

The Nightmare Heart-Control Talisman was much easier to use for controlling someone than their own heart.