The Trap

The Jade Slip contained the method for making Restriction-Breaking Talismans, progressing step by step from first-tier low-grade to second-tier superior-grade, without a single grade missing.

Mo Wen's current attainment in the Talisman Dao was second-tier low-grade, and his success rate at drawing Fire Phoenix Talismans had just passed ten percent.

Drawing first-tier talismans was now as easy as could be for him! On top of that, his Heavenly Dao Rewards Diligence talent guaranteed that his efforts would bear fruit, increasing the speed of his progress severalfold!

In just three days, he successfully drew a first-tier superior-grade Restriction-Breaking Talisman. Half a month later, he finally drew his first second-tier low-grade Restriction-Breaking Talisman!

After that, his success rate at drawing second-tier low-grade Restriction-Breaking Talismans rose by the day.

One percent, two percent...

After half a year, his success rate at drawing second-tier low-grade Restriction-Breaking Talismans surpassed fifteen percent.

During those six months, he drew over two hundred second-tier low-grade Restriction-Breaking Talismans in total.

To keep the Dharma Derivation Society from discovering how quickly he was truly progressing, he deliberately held back half of the finished Restriction-Breaking Talismans.

Even so, Yun Qing was astonished by the speed of Mo Wen's progress!

"Senior, your aptitude for the Talisman Dao is incredible. You'll definitely become a third-tier talisman master someday!" Yun Qing said this more than once.

Third-tier talisman masters were also known as Treasure Talisman masters. They were exceedingly rare throughout Yan Province, numbering fewer than a hundred in all!

Every third-tier talisman master was vigorously sought after by numerous immortal sects. Even the three great Nascent Soul immortal sects were willing to take them in and nurture them with care.

After all, if they could raise a fourth-tier talisman master, they would strike it rich!

Given a complete talisman inheritance and enough time, Mo Wen could even become a legendary fifth-tier Divine Talisman master!

Although he thought little of third-tier talisman masters, being praised so often still made Mo Wen feel rather good.

One hundred and twenty-six second-tier low-grade Restriction-Breaking Talismans earned Mo Wen seventy-four drops of second-tier Demon Beast Essence Blood.

After absorbing the Demon Beast Essence Blood, Mo Wen's Primordial Embryo finally reached the minor accomplishment realm.

With his Primordial Embryo at minor accomplishment, Mo Wen's body cultivation advanced another step, reaching a level comparable to the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage.

Besides that, Mo Wen also awakened his first body cultivation Divine Ability-Blood Qi Armor Manifestation.

Blood Qi Armor Manifestation allowed a body cultivator to release their Blood Qi and form a layer of Blood Qi armor over their body to defend against enemy attacks.

The Blood Qi Armor Manifestation Divine Ability could grow, improving as its owner's body cultivation grew stronger.

At first, the armor formed from Blood Qi was only comparable to a second-tier low-grade defensive Spirit Artifact. But as Mo Wen's body cultivation grew stronger, so would the power of Blood Qi Armor Manifestation, until it reached the upper limit of this world!

Just as Mo Wen was preparing to press on and cultivate his Primordial Embryo to major accomplishment in one go before emerging from seclusion, something unexpected happened!

"Third Brother has disappeared!" Song Yixue triggered the warning array in the cultivation room and notified Mo Wen with a Message Transmission Talisman.

When Mo Wen saw the message, a fire of rage burned in his heart!

The Ji Household-it had to be the Ji Household again!

To keep the Ji Household from setting its sights on Song Xuan, he had deliberately given the impression that his relationship with Song Xuan was unremarkable. Song Xuan had been in Azure Luan Immortal City for over a year, yet Mo Wen had only met him once or twice in all.

He had not expected Song Xuan to run into trouble anyway!

"Isn't the Ji Household a little too bold? How dare they make trouble in Azure Luan Immortal City?" Mo Wen thought the Ji Household was acting far too recklessly, but he had no time to dwell on it. He immediately left the cultivation room.

Song Yixue was waiting outside the cultivation room. As soon as she saw Mo Wen emerge, she said, "This has to be a plot by the Ji Household. Mo, please be careful!"

"I know." Mo Wen drew Song Yixue into his arms and comforted her. "Don't worry. I'll bring Song Xuan back!"

After the Spiritual Qi vortex incident on Jingxiu Mountain, Song Yixue knew how powerful Mo Wen was. She did not try to dissuade him, only telling him to be careful.

"I was going to let the Ji Household live a few more days, but since they're courting death, I'll oblige them!" After giving Song Yixue a few more instructions, Mo Wen left the cave abode and went straight to the Song Clan Talisman Shop.

When the Song clansman watching the shop saw Mo Wen, he promptly presented him with a sheet of talisman paper bearing a written message.

"Come to Soul-Severing Ridge at the third watch tonight to ransom him. We won't wait if you're late!"

"When did Old Song disappear? Where's Soul-Severing Ridge?" Mo Wen asked directly.

"Third Uncle was fine last night, but he was gone this morning. This sheet of talisman paper was all he left in his bedroom," the clansman said with a woeful expression. He then told Mo Wen where Soul-Severing Ridge was.

"All right, keep the talisman shop open as usual today. I'll be back shortly!" Mo Wen patted the Song clansman on the shoulder, then turned and left.

Before long, Mo Wen concealed himself and returned to the Song Clan Talisman Shop.

He watched with his Divine Sense for quite a while and found that the Song Household members in the shop were all behaving normally. There was nothing suspicious nearby, either.

Looks like I was overthinking it! Mo Wen sighed inwardly and was about to leave.

Just then, a Foundation Establishment cultivator walked into the Song Clan Talisman Shop.

Several Song clansmen immediately went forward to greet the newcomer.

After listening for a moment, Mo Wen learned that the newcomer was none other than Song Leqing, the Song Household's grand elder.

A thought stirred in Mo Wen's mind, and he used a secret technique-Formless Escape.

Mo Wen had obtained Formless Escape from an assassin of the Ji Household. It was exceptionally effective at concealing one's presence.

After reaching Foundation Establishment, Mo Wen had set aside a little time each day to practice Formless Escape. He had only recently ground his way to the proficient level.

After using Formless Escape, Mo Wen slipped into the Song Clan Talisman Shop without anyone being the wiser and came to the door of a quiet room.

Not long ago, Song Leqing and the Song Household member who had received Mo Wen had entered this room.

Mo Wen sneered inwardly and activated the measure he had placed on the Song Household member.

Soon, he heard someone ask, "Apart from asking where Soul-Severing Ridge was, what else did that man say?"

The speaker was Song Leqing. Mo Wen had just heard his voice.

"Grand Elder, Senior Mo didn't say anything else. He only said he'd be back shortly!" the Song clansman replied respectfully.

"Back shortly?" Song Leqing gave a disdainful laugh. "Let's see how you make it back!"

"Grand Elder, Senior Mo is a second-tier talisman master. His methods are probably formidable," the Song clansman cautioned.

"This time, the Ji Household has come out in full force! One False Core patriarch and four Foundation Establishment cultivators against a second-tier talisman master who only advanced recently-how could they lose?!" Song Leqing chuckled, his voice full of pride.

"Brilliant, Grand Elder! This junior is in awe!" the Song clansman hurriedly flattered him.

"Haha, Xiao Zhou, you're very promising. Keep cultivating diligently, and you'll have a chance at Foundation Establishment!" Song Leqing painted the Song clansman a rosy picture.

"Grand Elder, is Third Uncle really at Soul-Severing Ridge?" Xiao Zhou asked.

"Why worry about so much? Do your job well, and I won't treat you poorly!" Song Leqing said impatiently.

Xiao Zhou hurriedly changed the subject and continued flattering him.

Hearing this, Mo Wen knew there was no point in staying any longer.

When I get back, I'll deal with you, you old dog!