Talismans Steady the Realm, Undercurrents Surge

The air inside the cave seemed frozen. On one side, Su Yan raced against time to draw [Heart Purifying Talismans], streams of white light continuously flowing into Crimson Tail's writhing body to combat the foul Data Fragments; on the other, Drunken Spring Breeze's three-man group attacked without mercy!

The Tiger Head Monster player, [World Crusher], roared as his Xuanhua Axe cleaved toward the purple Sea Hairy Caterpillar that had been harassing him for so long. Empowered by [Night Battle], Little Big Dipper nimbly twisted aside, barely evading the axe blade. Its shell scraped against the axe wind with a piercing screech. Refusing to yield, it sank its teeth into World Crusher's calf with [Advanced Poison]. Dark-purple venom rapidly spread, while the [Life Steal] effect activated, drawing a thread of vitality from the wound to replenish its own expenditure.

"Damn bug!" World Crusher grimaced in pain, his movements slowing slightly. With the health it had stolen back, the thin layer of Energy Shield around Little Big Dipper's body solidified a little further, barely allowing it to withstand the aftershock of a [Rockfall Spell] hurled over by the Giant Demon King player, [Boundless Dharma Sea].

Su Yan was under the greatest pressure. He had to maintain the stable output of the [Heart Purifying Talisman]; if it was interrupted, Crimson Tail might be completely devoured by the Data Fragments at once. At the same time, he had to deal with Fleeting Life, Dreaming's ghostlike fan strikes at his pressure points and Boundless Dharma Sea's long-range spell harassment.

The glow of [Mind Loss Talismans] repeatedly flashed, precisely interrupting Boundless Dharma Sea's chants and forcing his spells to fail again and again. Yet Fleeting Life, Dreaming's folding fan struck from treacherous angles, targeting the wrist Su Yan used to draw talismans and the vital points around his body. Su Yan had to keep dodging, and his talisman drawing nearly broke off several times.

"Not bad reflexes, kid." A flicker of surprise passed through Fleeting Life, Dreaming's eyes before being replaced by deeper greed. "But it's not enough! Hand over the Compass and that Data Fragment, and I might consider letting you die quickly!"

Su Yan pressed his lips together and remained silent. His gaze was sharp as his mind calculated at top speed. On the [Probability Accumulation Panel], he had already temporarily invested most of his points into [Skill Comprehension/Breakthrough Chance] and [Crafting/Synthesis Success Chance]. He regarded his current talisman drawing as a special kind of "crafting."

Just as Fleeting Life, Dreaming jabbed his fan toward Su Yan's throat and Boundless Dharma Sea prepared another [Water Attack], a gleam flashed through Su Yan's eyes!

He gave up dodging. His left hand continued steadily drawing the [Heart Purifying Talisman], while his right moved at a speed far beyond before, nearly completing another talisman in an instant—not a [Dragon Quelling Talisman], but a far more intricate talisman gleaming with strange silver light!

[Immobilization Talisman]!

Combining the principles of Mount Fangcun talisman arts, under crushing pressure and catalyzed by [Probability Accumulation], he had achieved a deeper understanding and breakthrough from the [Mind Loss Talisman]! Its effect was no longer to prevent spellcasting, but to directly imprison movement!

"Buzz!"

The silver talisman shot out like lightning, striking after but arriving first. Before Fleeting Life, Dreaming's stunned eyes, it precisely stamped itself onto his chest!

Fleeting Life, Dreaming's forward charge instantly froze, as though invisible ropes had bound him. He remained locked in his attacking stance, his face full of disbelief! He tried to struggle, only to discover that he could not even move a finger!

"What?!" Boundless Dharma Sea was utterly shocked, even forgetting to release his prepared [Water Attack].

An opportunity!

How could Su Yan possibly miss such a fleeting opening? The final [Heart Purifying Talisman] in his left hand was completed at last, and gentle yet vast white light completely enveloped Crimson Tail!

"Screee!"

Crimson Tail let out a shrill, agonized cry. Its body convulsed violently as the floating [Abnormal Data Fragment] emitted a harsh sizzling noise. Its light flickered erratically before, with a sharp crack, exploding like shattered glass into countless drifting motes of data. Most dispersed, but a tiny strand of the purest Data Stream, trailing crimson flames, was automatically absorbed by the [Damaged Compass] in Su Yan's arms!

[System: Successfully purified 'Polluted Crimson Tail'! Hidden quest 'Echoes of Data' stage complete!]

[System: Obtained experience points, 8,000 Dream Coins, and special item [Crimson Tail's Gratitude - Data Core Fragment].]

[System: Congratulations! You have reached Level 8!]

[System: The [Damaged Compass] has absorbed a pure abnormal data source. Repair progress increased by 5%. Temporary ability 'Low-Level Data Sense' acquired (duration: 1 hour).]

[Probability Accumulation Panel: Absorbed high-purity abnormal data. Obtained 50 one-time Probability Points!]

A string of system notifications flashed before him as two level-up beams shone over Su Yan in succession! His condition instantly returned to full! The exhaustion from days of cultivation and battle was swept away, and his spiritual energy became even more abundant!

The purified Crimson Tail had lost all the confusion in its eyes, its clear golden pupils restored. It lay weakly upon the ground, gave Su Yan a grateful look, then gradually faded away. In the end, it turned into a streak of golden light and vanished into the depths of the cave.

"Bastard!" Fleeting Life, Dreaming regained his freedom just as the immobilization effect ended. Seeing what had happened—especially the Data Fragment being absorbed by the Compass—made his face turn ashen. "Blow him up! Take the stuff back!"

World Crusher and Boundless Dharma Sea also snapped out of their shock and charged forward again with furious roars.

However, Su Yan was no longer in the desperate state he had been in moments earlier. The attribute growth from leveling up, his fully restored condition, and his newly acquired temporary ability, Low-Level Data Sense, had greatly enhanced his control over his surroundings.

He could even vaguely "see" the path of power through World Crusher's body as he charged and the weak points in Boundless Dharma Sea's spiritual energy when he gathered spells!

"Little Big Dipper, let's go!"

Su Yan gave a low shout and took the initiative to meet them. He no longer focused solely on dodging. [Dragon Quelling Talismans] came readily to hand, gathering lightning with even greater power than before! Meanwhile, the newly comprehended [Immobilization Talismans] occasionally flew out. Though their success rate was not yet one hundred percent due to his low proficiency, they heavily disrupted the enemy's coordination.

Little Big Dipper was equally fired up. Its attributes had risen after leveling up, its [Advanced Poison] had become more potent, and [Life Steal] returned more health. Moving like lightning, it tightly entangled World Crusher, preventing him from effectively supporting his teammates.

The more Fleeting Life, Dreaming fought, the more alarmed he became. He discovered that his prized speed and skill were restrained at every turn by Su Yan's bizarre perception, which seemed able to predict his movements, and those elusive Immobilization Talismans! Boundless Dharma Sea's spells, meanwhile, were being tormented by the targeted [Mind Loss Talismans].

"Retreat!" Fleeting Life, Dreaming made the decision at once, knowing there was nothing to gain today. He shot Su Yan a vicious glare, as though he wanted to carve his face into memory. "Kid, I'll remember you! Drunken Spring Breeze isn't done with you!"

With that, he crushed a precious [Thousand Mile Teleportation Talisman] without hesitation, and his figure blurred before vanishing. Seeing this, World Crusher and Boundless Dharma Sea could only grit their teeth, force Little Big Dipper back, and flee in disgrace using ordinary Recall Talismans.

The battle ended abruptly. Only Su Yan and Little Big Dipper remained in the cave, along with the energy ripples that had yet to fully settle.

Su Yan let out a long breath and stroked Little Big Dipper, who was excitedly circling around him. "Well done, partner," he praised. The little fellow affectionately rubbed against his leg.

He checked the quest reward first. [Crimson Tail's Gratitude - Data Core Fragment] was a red crystal the size of a fingernail, warm and smooth like jade. A Data Stream seemed to rotate slowly within it.

[Crimson Tail's Gratitude - Data Core Fragment] (Special Item)

Description: Formed from the gratitude of Polluted Crimson Tail after its purification and the remaining pure data. It seems capable of resonating with certain ancient beings or devices. Perhaps Mount Fangcun holds a way to decipher it.

After the [Damaged Compass] reached 5% repair progress, its appearance had not changed much, but it carried a faint warmth when held. Its "Low-Level Data Sense" ability also gave him a vague grasp of the flow of data in his surroundings.

He did not linger. He swiftly left Water Curtain Cave. The Turbid Qi outside on Flower-Fruit Mountain seemed to have thinned somewhat, but it had not completely dispersed. Clearly, purifying Crimson Tail had only resolved one of its sources.

Upon returning to Aolai Country, Su Yan clearly sensed indistinct gazes falling upon him. Drunken Spring Breeze's influence was evidently greater than he had imagined, and information traveled quickly. Keeping a low profile, he replenished his consumables and continued assigning the potential points gained from leveling mainly to Strength, which increased physical attack power and supplemented talisman damage, with a small amount invested in Agility.

He decided to return to Mount Fangcun immediately. On one hand, he could turn in the quest and see what insights Patriarch Bodhi had regarding the [Data Core Fragment] and the Compass's changes. On the other, he could lie low for the time being and further strengthen himself. Drunken Spring Breeze's retaliation would not end here.

Using a sect teleportation talisman, he returned to Mount Fangcun of Lingtai. The familiar Immortal Spiritual Energy calmed his mind at once.

After listening to Su Yan's brief report—he concealed the details of his golden finger, claiming only that he had relied on Mount Fangcun talisman arts and a fortunate coincidence—Patriarch Bodhi accepted the [Data Core Fragment]. He examined it for a moment, and a trace of gravity flashed through his eyes.

"This object... contains a thread of pure 'Primal Demonic Power' and the 'Principle of Anomaly,'" the Patriarch said slowly. "Flower-Fruit Mountain is a spiritual realm nurtured by heaven and earth, and Crimson Tail is also a spiritual creature. For it to be corrupted and then purified, the remnants left behind are indeed extraordinary. As for this Compass..." His gaze fell upon the Compass, whose repair progress had increased. "Its path to restoration appears closely connected to quelling such violations of heaven and earth."

He returned the fragment to Su Yan. "Keep this object safe for now. Its karmic ties may bear fruit in the future. As for Drunken Spring Breeze, they are no more than a minor irritation. Handle them yourself. Disciples of Mount Fangcun do not provoke trouble, but neither do they fear it. Remember: conduct yourself uprightly, understand your true heart and nature, and no external evil can invade."

The Patriarch's words reassured Su Yan and pointed out his path. After thanking him, Su Yan returned to his temporary residence in Three Star Cave and began absorbing the gains from this expedition.

He allocated 20 of his newly acquired 50 Probability Points to [Item Acquisition Chance (Rare)] and saved the remaining 30 as reserves. Then, while cultivating the Yellow Court Scripture, he held the [Data Core Fragment] in his hand. Sure enough, the gathering and perception of his Spiritual Power seemed sharper, and his awareness of data fluctuations deepened. The red Data Stream within the fragment appeared to interact ever so faintly with his Spiritual Power.

It looks like this thing can aid cultivation as well, Su Yan thought.

Over the next few days of game time, Su Yan remained peacefully at Mount Fangcun. Each day, he cultivated the Yellow Court Scripture and practiced [Dragon Quelling Talismans], [Mind Loss Talismans], and [Immobilization Talismans], steadily increasing his proficiency. Occasionally, he brought Little Big Dipper to spar with Immortal Cranes and spirit deer in the back mountain, refining their combat coordination.

During this period, he also kept an eye on outside information through the sect and world channels. As expected, the Drunken Spring Breeze guild had issued a bounty for "a low-level Mount Fangcun disciple with a purple Mutated Sea Hairy Caterpillar." The description matched Su Yan, and the reward was substantial. This only strengthened his resolve to remain hidden for now and build up his strength.

At the same time, scattered rumors of "abnormal incidents" in other regions began to appear. For example, space had become unstable in certain areas Outside Great Tang, while Northern Continent of Jizhou had seen plant-type monsters with abnormal cold resistance. This world seemed to be undergoing quiet, unknown changes from every corner.

On this day, after practicing [Immobilization Talismans] until he could use them with ease and raising their success rate above eighty percent, Su Yan knew it was time to set out again. The Compass's guidance had not ceased. Though vague, it generally pointed toward a region farther north—near Longevity Village.

He adjusted himself to peak condition, checked his equipment and supplies, then patted Little Big Dipper, which had become increasingly majestic through cultivation.

"Come on, partner. Next stop, Longevity Village."

With greater strength, a clearer goal, and threats lurking in the shadows, Su Yan set out once more. The veil over this world was lifting layer by layer before him, and he would be drawn ever deeper into this mystery of data.