Cultivation: I Have a Golden Talisman

"The last Array!"

Jingyuan and Jingxuan reached the ninth floor and grew excited when they saw the Buddha Light Array blocking their path.

Without a word, Jingxuan stepped forward to break the Array.

This final Array was more complex than the previous eight, but they were all derived from the Bright Mandala Embryo Barrier. As Jingxuan had progressed, he’d been able to compare and contrast their principles, and with the added guidance of the True Spirit Maiden, his understanding of this Array had become even more profound.

In less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, he slowly extended a hand, condensed an Array Pattern with his Magical Power, and inserted it into the Array.

The next moment, reacting to the intrusion, the entire Array suddenly destabilized and collapsed, bursting into a dazzling radiance that scattered in all directions.

The two wooden doors behind where the Buddha Light had been slowly swung open, and a pleasant voice drifted out. "Young gentlemen, please come inside so we may speak."

Outside, the two brothers exchanged a glance. Jingyuan nodded slightly and was the first to step inside the room.

Inside sat two bewitchingly beautiful women, one in her twenties and the other in her thirties. The auras emanating from them were unfathomably profound.

As the gazes of the two women fell upon them, both boys felt a sudden, bone-chilling sensation. A moment later, however, one of the women’s expressions changed, and she let out a soft gasp.

Bing Wuyi was born with an exceptionally keen Spiritual Sense, a natural talent for sensing danger. Throughout her cultivation journey, she had relied on this gift to survive countless tribulations.

The moment she laid eyes on Jingyuan and Jingxuan, her heart skipped a beat as an unprecedented terror seized her.

’It’s as if these two youths possess some terrifying power that could obliterate me with ease!’

The Cyan Rattan Demon King, however, saw something different. Her gaze fell upon the empty space behind the two youths, and there, she could faintly make out two skeletal figures wreathed in pitch-black Demon Flames.

The arms and legs of the skeletons were formed from intertwined bones covered in bizarre patterns, exuding an aura of evil and power.

A lofty, tyrannical demonic intent washed over her like a tidal wave, slamming into her sea of consciousness.

The gasp had come from her, uttered in her shock.

’Such powerful Celestial Demons! How did they get in here?’

The Cyan Rattan Demon King’s heart went cold. Just as she was about to speak, Bing Wuyi stood up and said in a gentle voice, "Young gentlemen, may I ask what your relationship is with Master Fang Cheng of the Yinluo Sect?"

With a charming glance, she continued, "I have known Master Fang for many years. Seeing how much you two gentlemen resemble him, I imagine you must be related by blood."

Jingyuan chuckled and cupped his hands in a surprisingly formal gesture. "So, Senior is an acquaintance of my father."

’He’d often heard his mother and his other mothers talk about how his father was an incorrigible womanizer, always chasing after beautiful women. This lady was gorgeous; perhaps she was one of his father’s old flames...’

Bing Wuyi sighed in admiration. "Like father, like sons, indeed. I never imagined Fellow Daoist Fang could raise such exceptional offspring. The futures of you two are limitless."

"You praise us too highly, Senior," Jingyuan said with a smile. "My brother and I only came in to attempt the climb on a whim. This experience has been most beneficial, and for that, we must thank you."

Bing Wuyi noted that despite his youth, he spoke with the dignified bearing of a young master from a great clan, and a hint of approval appeared in her eyes. She then glanced at Jingxuan, who was mature beyond his years and had a look of wisdom in his eyes, and she nodded to herself in satisfaction.

’If I can get the help of these boys,’ she thought, ’that great undertaking might actually have a chance of success.’

"Where might your esteemed father be at present?" Bing Wuyi asked.

Jingyuan shook his head. "I’m not sure. If you wish to find my father, Senior, you could meet him tomorrow at Cave Mansion Jiachen-7 on the Immortal Mountain."

Bing Wuyi nodded. "Very well. Since you two gentlemen were able to break the Arrays and ascend the tower today, I will first fulfill our promise as stated in the notice. Here are nine Upper-Grade Spirit Stones. Please, accept them."

As she spoke, she took out an exquisite jade box and handed it to Jingyuan.

The Cyan Rattan Demon King, for her part, took out a talisman that shimmered with a faint, cloudy light and pulsed with Spiritual Charm, handing it over with visible reluctance.

"This is a Fourth-rank Talisman, the Great Wei Cloud Palace Token. It can be used for both defense and Flying Escape. Virtually no one below the Dharma Aspect Realm can break through it," the Demon King said slowly.

Jingyuan and Jingxuan’s expressions grew solemn. While Upper-Grade Spirit Stones were valuable, they had seen them before.

But a Fourth-rank Talisman... it was likely that few Life Soul Cultivators in the entire world had ever even used one.

And now, one had simply appeared right in front of them.

It had been too easy... It felt unreal.

Originally, Bing Wuyi and the Cyan Rattan Demon King had planned to use the grand auction at the Celestial Traveling Immortal Pavilion as an opportunity to recruit a group of powerful Array Masters.

If an Array Master could pass all nine tests, they would use this Fourth-rank Talisman as a bargaining chip to compel them to perform one more task for their two sects.

But now that the Cyan Rattan Demon King knew the boys’ father was none other than Elder Demon Fang of the Yinluo Villa, she abandoned the idea.

Years ago, Zi Kuang, despite wielding a Fourth-rank Magical Artifact, had fallen at this man’s hands.

Then, seven Life Soul Masters from the Rakshasa Sect had besieged Taiyue Mountain, only for all of them to be killed by him.

And back then, Elder Demon Fang had only been in the Life Talisman Realm.

Now that he had reached the Life Soul Realm, who knew how strong he truly was? The mere presence of the ferocious Celestial Demons hidden behind his sons was enough to make her heart pound with fear.

Offending such a powerful figure and jeopardizing the great plan of the Valley of Ten Thousand Beasts, all just to save one Fourth-rank Talisman... it simply wasn’t worth it.

After accepting the Spirit Stones and the Talisman, Jingyuan and Jingxuan stood up to take their leave.

Inside the room, Bing Wuyi and the Cyan Rattan Demon King were silent for a moment before the former asked curiously, "Demon King, was there a reason for your gasp earlier?"

The Cyan Rattan Demon King told her exactly what she had seen.

Bing Wuyi said, "I see. Fellow Daoist Fang is a master of the Li Hen Demon Light. I never imagined that after reaching the Life Soul Realm, he would be able to command such powerful Celestial Demons. The heritage of the Yinluo Sect is truly remarkable."

The Cyan Rattan Demon King said, "Now that we’ve given away the Spirit Stones and the Talisman, what if Fang Cheng refuses to cooperate with us?"

Bing Wuyi gave a faint smile. "A Tribulation Realm cultivator’s great tomb... I refuse to believe he won’t be tempted. Besides, having Fellow Daoist Fang on board gives us another ace up our sleeve. This is a good thing."

The Cyan Rattan Demon King gave a wry smile. "You make it sound so simple. But this just means one more person to split the treasures with. I wonder if your master will be displeased when he finds out."

...

Fang Cheng watched with satisfaction as his two sons left the shop and headed straight back to their Immortal Mountain Cave Mansion.

A moment later, he walked into the Cave Mansion as well.

Jingyuan immediately launched into an animated retelling of what had happened, taking out the Spirit Stones and the Talisman to show Fang Cheng.

"You two certainly are lucky," Fang Cheng said with a laugh. "To obtain such treasures at your young age, and with only a Sensing Cultivation. But have you thought about why they would do such a thing?"

Jingyuan’s eyes darted thoughtfully. "Jingxuan and I were just discussing that. For them to give out both Spirit Stones and a Fourth-rank Talisman, it can’t be as simple as attracting customers and promoting their shop. There must be a deeper motive."

Jingxuan added in a serious tone, "It’s just a shame we’re so young. Those two ladies didn’t discuss their actual business with us. I expect they will come to see you in person tomorrow to talk."

Fang Cheng held the Great Wei Cloud Palace Token. "Correct. And in the future, when the two of you are traveling the Cultivation Realm on your own, you must remember to hide your true abilities. You can’t expose your talents so brazenly."

"You can’t use this Talisman yet, so I’ll hold onto it for you for now."

...

「The next day.」

Just as predicted, Bing Wuyi came to visit.

Fang Cheng didn’t send his sons away, receiving his guest with tea in the main hall of the Cave Mansion.

Bing Wuyi got straight to the point. "Fellow Daoist Fang, not long ago, a great tomb from beyond this realm crashed into the Western Wilderness. My master, Zhao Wuji, and the Qianmu Demon King from the Valley of Ten Thousand Beasts happened to be nearby..."

...