At this moment, Nanfrost Lake was a scene of utter chaos. The lake was lit by flashes of lightning, followed by the growling thunder; a female cultivator emerged from the water, snatching the Talisman with a laugh as delicate as a bell; the impact of Sword Energy was still reverberating in the air. All these elements swirled together, filling the senses of those present.
Yet, the surface of the lake was eerily calm. The three individuals who were initially leading the situation seemed to have been suddenly sidelined. The crowd, stirred by the spectacle, took center stage, leaving the trio in an odd silence.
On the shore, Yu Ci transformed into a light mist, swiftly soaring through the air. As one of the instigators, he was probably the most audacious.
The battle at the Golden Elixir level was not something he should have intervened in. However, didn't he, through a mix of bluff and persuasion, drive away Bao Guang, only to stay behind himself, precisely to prevent the situation that just occurred?
Yu Ci was self-aware, yet he did not underestimate himself. He firmly believed that everyone had a role to play, and his role was exemplified by the Five-Thunder Talismans he had just unleashed!
In the art of Thunder Talisman Technique, there was a concept of "responding according to the situation". Yu Ci's Five-Thunder Talismans was a perfect example of harnessing the "thunder mechanism" to its fullest. The burst of lightning, though not as powerful as the real Heavenly Thunder or the Primordial Qi that once bombarded Tu Du, was just right in both saving lives and injuring enemies.
Having witnessed Elder Jie Liang drawing talismans and pondering over it day and night, Yu Ci's proficiency in talismans had unknowingly taken a step forward.
However, it was that same Five-Thunder Talismans that completely exposed him. Therefore, the moment he released the lightning, he held nothing back, using the Foggy Sword Divine to its full extent. Using the heavy fog on the lake, he moved swiftly, doing his utmost to escape the wrathful retaliation of Nan Songzi.
However, the subsequent events showed that all his preparations were in vain.
Nan Songzi was indeed furious, but just as he was about to crush the insignificant creature on the opposite shore, the female cultivator who had broken through the water to snatch the talisman attracted all his attention.
He stared intently at the female cultivator, or more accurately, at the Treasure Talisman in her hand that was flickering with purple light.
Yes, Murong Qingyan was empty-handed. Just when she was closest to her goal, the Treasure Talisman was snatched away right under her nose.
At this moment, the "Great Hole True Symbol" was only a few feet away from her, held in the hands of a purple-robed female cultivator. The flowing purple light complemented the cultivator's attire, creating a dazzling spectacle that further enhanced her already radiant beauty.
Upon trading hands with the Treasure Talisman, Murong Qingyan remained surprisingly composed. She simply shook her head lightly, revealing the identity of the newcomer:
"Sister Tao, what brings you to such lengths?"
The woman in purple, a female cultivator, tittered but did not respond to Murong Qingyan's words. Instead, she held the Treasure Talisman, gently pressing it against her forehead before slowly sliding it down to caress her cheek. During this process, her eyes were slightly closed, deeply inhaling as if in utmost ecstasy. "This Talisman, this Great Void Seven Changes Five Directions True Form Talisman, is finally in my hands."
The female cultivator slowly opened her eyes, staring at Murong Qingyan, and broke into a wry smile. "Qingyan, oh Qingyan, you ask why I suffer?"
She seemed genuinely perplexed, then her emotions erupted. Her beautiful face was flushed with rage, and the hatred in her eyes formed a deep imprint, piercing straight to her crown. "If I weren't suffering, why wouldn't this divine artifact of our Sect, the esteemed Ten Thousand Images Sect, be in my hands, Tao Rong, over these twenty years, but instead ended up in yours, Murong Qingyan?"
"Well said, Qingyan, my dear niece, your actions are indeed underhanded!"
Nan Songzi had appeared behind the woman in purple at some point, elusive as a ghost in this red fog over the lake. However, his target was obvious even to the blind. He was fixated on the Treasure Talisman in the woman's hand, swallowing hard, and chuckled, "Sister Tao, the 'Flowing Rosy Clouds Thousand Reflections Flying Lifting Method' inscribed on this Talisman is mine!"
The woman in purple didn't turn around, her voice slightly displeased, "Since I promised you, I wouldn't forget."
Nan Songzi drawled, "Oh, Sister Tao, holding the Talisman seems to have bolstered your temper!"
Her delicate body shivered slightly. The woman in purple seemed somewhat afraid of him and hesitated. Murong Qingyan, in front of her, furrowed her elegant eyebrows, about to speak, but Nan Songzi was even more straightforward. He reached over the woman's shoulder from behind, hooking her chin and leaned in, "Sister Tao, have you forgotten what you said that night when you were kicking and screaming with your legs wrapped around me?"
After a brief pause, a ferocious roar echoed in the female cultivator's ears: "Give it to me!"
However, his voice was too loud, startling the female cultivator. Her hand trembled, and the Treasure Talisman slipped from her grasp. Nan Songzi spat out a curse, but fearing the impending retaliation from Murong Qingyan, he quickly pulled the female cultivator into his arms, forcefully drawing the Treasure Talisman towards him.
As the warm Treasure Talisman settled in his hand, the sensation was real and tangible. A purple glow filled his vision, turning his eyes into the same hue.
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Nan Songzi raised the Treasure Talisman, bursting into triumphant laughter.
Even though the Ten Thousand Images Sect was merely a third-rate minor sect in the Cultivation World, this "Great Void Seven Changes Five Directions True Form Talisman" was a standout. Crafted by more than ten powerful figures within the sect, including the founder, it had undergone two cycles of refining, completing sixty-four earthly and twenty-eight celestial layers, a total of ninety-two layers of refinement. Despite not reaching the level of a magical treasure, it was considered top-tier among Magical Instruments.
More importantly, the "Flowing Rosy Clouds Thousand Reflections Flying Lifting Method" inscribed on it could help him advance his long-stagnant cultivation, truly stepping into the Vacuum Walking realm, refining his true form, extending his lifespan, and making his future days more comfortable and enjoyable.
Murong Qingyan's expression was solemn. She moved a little forward, seemingly ready to snatch the talisman. Seeing her like this, Nan Songzi laughed even more heartily, flaunting the Treasure Talisman in front of the female cultivator, then swallowed it!
Everyone was stunned.
Indeed, many talismans could theoretically be swallowed, and there were numerous methods to do so in the world, including this Great Hole True Symbol, which could indeed be temporarily integrated into the body by swallowing. Yet, Nan Songzi's sudden move still caused a moment of mental pause among the crowd.
Nan Songzi was extremely pleased with his action: "No matter how cunning and resourceful my dear niece is, she won't need to covet this talisman anymore. We were at each other's throats before, shall we continue now? Tonight, right on this lake, let's have a threesome... no, a foursome!"
With that, he gave a hearty hug to the woman in purple in his arms. The female cultivator seemed to have turned into a fool, completely unresponsive. At this moment, Nan Songzi suddenly remembered something. His eyes shifted, piercing towards the distant lake surface: "Right, there's one more little fellow, truly an eyesore!"
Separated by a distance, a red mist shrouded the scene, yet Nan Songzi's gaze remained accurate and unerring, causing a sudden chill to envelop Yu Ci. Nan Songzi's eyes brought him the most dangerous sensation:
"That Five-Thunder Talismans just now, you managed the lightning mechanism quite well. Unfortunately, the talisman itself is worthless!"
Earlier than Nan Songzi's roar, a blinding chain of lightning struck, not just one, but five, ten!
This was not the Five-Thunder Talismans, but the most ordinary Palm Thunder, at least two levels lower than the Five-Thunder Talismans, lacking the profound transformation of the lightning mechanism. However, the power of the lightning fire contained within made Yu Ci feel that if he were to be grazed even slightly, he would likely lose his life tonight.
Nan Songzi was extremely excited, he did not use any other tactics, only drove the thunder method, as if wielding a long whip of lightning, laughing loudly:
"Drawing talismans with the knowledge of the aperture can shock gods and ghosts; drawing talismans without the knowledge of the aperture only invites the laughter of gods and ghosts! Boy, your few shabby talismans make me want to laugh!"
Yu Ci listened to his mockery, but his mind was as calm as still water. He only urged the Foggy Sword Divine, his body blending into the red mist above the lake. The lightning was fierce, but it was hard to capture his figure. Even in this situation, he had the energy to think:
"Is there something wrong with this Nan Songzi?"
Before he could finish his thoughts, Nan Songzi, who was intent on killing him like a small bug, was already frustrated by his repeated failures.
"Die!"
Finally, he used his true abilities. The red mist that had been rippling around Yu Ci suddenly stilled. An unparalleled force emanated from Nan Songzi, and through some unknown means, it was transmitted through the red mist and struck instantly. The profoundness of his Golden Elixir Upper Level True Sha Stage was fully displayed. The air within a radius of three feet around Yu Ci was trapped, intending to expose this weak junior to a powerful force that could crush him.
Separated by more than ten feet, Meng Wei, who had rushed over earlier, disregarded her injuries and wanted to save him with her Flying Sword. But she was still a step too late. Once again, she triggered the residual toxicity of the "God Slaying Sting". Her Golden Elixir, which had just condensed a few months ago, showed signs of dispersing, and blood seeped from her facial orifices.
Yu Ci also saw Meng Wei. At this moment, his thoughts absurdly stretched into a line:
Tonight, Meng Wei truly opened his eyes: the real Beginning Stage of Golden Elixir Cultivation was beyond his expectations. And the Sword aura she used, upon reflection, completely corroborated with the Foggy Sword Divine taught to him by Ye Bin. This made him recall the day in Sky Rift Valley when he lured Tu Du into the trap, under great pressure triggered the Sword aura left by Ye Bin in his Divine Soul. It dissolved the tremendous force that vertically split and rushed for dozens of miles on the cliff wall, until it rebounded and swung out that exquisite sword, leaving a lasting memory.
At this moment, faint memories once again become reality.
Body and mind form a perfect sphere, flawless in its entirety.
At some point within the body, clear vibrations ripple outwards, resonating with the Primordial Qi, Original Soul, and the blood and bones. At this moment, Yu Ci is like a dense, cohesive orb, suspended in mid-air, colliding head-on with the immense force rushing towards him.
With a muffled thud, Yu Ci's body is thrown back, flying nearly half a mile in the blink of an eye before crashing diagonally into a lake, surprisingly not causing much of a splash.
Nan Songzi uttered a "hmm", seemingly sensing something. But soon, a sense of triumphant joy overcame him, making him burst into laughter, believing the insignificant creature had been crushed.
In his delight, he reached out to pinch Tao Rong's cheek. The woman in his arms, although not as attractive as his "virtuous niece", was still a stunning beauty. To take revenge on Murong Qingyan, she not only disclosed information to him but also followed him here, accommodating him all the way, showing great understanding and tact.
With this thought, Nan Songzi felt a surge of heat in his lower abdomen. Then, a sudden chill!
"Huh?"
The reaction of a Golden Elixir Upper Level Cultivator should not be this slow, but Nan Songzi inexplicably found his mind in a fog. It wasn't until he saw the female cultivator in his arms, like a ghost, breaking free from his grasp and the blood gushing from his lower abdomen that he snapped back to reality.
Then, intense pain shot through his brain. He wanted to scream, but it turned into a laugh, absurdly hysterical.
The purple-robed female cultivator who had escaped was also laughing. Compared to her previous delicate laughter, this one was noticeably different. It carried a slight nasal tone, sounding deep and magnetic, resonating through the air, as if echoing in someone else's chest.
This laughter was so unique that it was clearly discernible even from a distance.
No one noticed that in the lake, Yu Ci, who had just surfaced, was completely frozen, as if struck by lightning.
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Perhaps this passage is a bit lengthy? However, to depict several extremely important characters that run through the entire book, I believe it's worth it. I must admit, this side story that spans nearly ten chapters doesn't appeal much in online publishing, even though it's actually the main thread. Now, all I can do is ask for your strong support! Please keep the upvotes steady and don't forget to add to your collections!
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I have also posted the following more chapters [All free] on: https://www.readgates.com/article/74a39e