Cultivation: I Have a Golden Talisman

"What are the characteristics of the Ten Thousand Transformations Sect’s Divine Techniques?" Fang Cheng asked leisurely, picking up his teacup.

After he had advanced to the Life Soul Realm, he had traveled through the three great Cultivation Countries of the East Cyan Domain. He had witnessed many cultivators and Divine Techniques from major sects and was confident that the Yinluo Sect’s heritage was in no way inferior to those great sects that had Dharma Masters.

Since this Ten Thousand Transformations Sect had a Secret Technique for refining Talismanic Coins and could sweep through both the Wood and Lu Countries, they must have something extraordinary about them.

Sun Fuguo’s expression grew a little grave. "The person who fought Fellow Daoist Cui of Taihao Mountain that day was a Body Cultivator. His physical body was as tough as Profound Iron Immortal Gold, and his strength was boundless. Fellow Daoist Cui fought him for over a hundred rounds but couldn’t injure him in the slightest. In the end, he was defeated by a counterattack."

Fang Cheng said, "In ten days, I will go out to fight and test the mettle of this Ten Thousand Transformations Sect. And even if the worst happens—if a master from the Ten Thousand Transformations Sect arrives in the future and we truly cannot defeat them—our sect can retreat to the Wilderness Domain and destroy the Teleportation Array. What can they do to me then?"

Su Miao sighed. "That is a last resort. The foundation left to us by our ancestors cannot be abandoned so easily."

After a pause, he looked at the other three and said, "However, if it truly comes to that, we Demon Cultivators are not so pedantic. What must be abandoned, will be abandoned!"

The implication was that everything depended on whether Fang Cheng could stop the tyrannical Ten Thousand Transformations Sect.

Soon after, Su Miao, Sun Fuguo, and Xun Yuanchu departed.

Fang Cheng sat alone in Yongchang Hall, his expression calm.

Although he did not underestimate the Ten Thousand Transformations Sect, he felt not a shred of fear in his heart.

He currently possessed a Tier Four Feather Divine Soldier and had a Tier Five Flying Sword in hand. He was confident that even if a Dharma Master arrived, he could still put up a fight.

’Back then, in a certain Dream Spirit World, I seem to recall seeing the Secret Technique for Talismanic Coins...’

He searched his hazy memories, a flicker of doubt in his mind.

Everything the Dream Spirit experienced was like a long, unreal dream. After it ended, it became hazy and indistinct, half-real and half-illusion.

’Could the Dream Spirit World be connected to the real world?’

Fang Cheng’s thoughts churned. As his cultivation grew, he had indeed sensed that his Dream Spirit Incarnations did not just appear from thin air; they must have some origin.

After all, the method of creating "something" from "nothing" involved the fundamental principles of the Celestial Dao. It was not something a mere Life Soul Cultivator like him could control.

The Dream Spirit Incarnation was more like a way of "stealing"!

’After dealing with the Ten Thousand Transformations Sect, I should calm down and focus on my cultivation. I need to refine the Spiritual Power in the Resentment Demon Bead, consolidate my cultivation, comprehend the refinement method for the Tier Five Feather Divine Soldiers, and search for the spiritual medicines for the White Tiger Divine Pill...’

The White Tiger Divine Pill was crucial for his future breakthrough to the Dharma Realm, so he should start preparing for it in advance.

As for the Tier Five Feather Divine Soldiers, they were not just Divine Weapons, but also supreme treasures for crossing a tribulation. The heavenly tribulations in the Red Profound Realm were far more dangerous than in other World Heavens, so the Tier Five Feather Divine Soldiers had long since become something Fang Cheng had to obtain.

But refining this treasure was no easy task. Forget the Yinluo Sect—even the resources and foundation of the entire Yun Country would be insufficient to support the creation of such a priceless treasure.

He would need the power of one of the three great Cultivation Countries in the East Cyan Domain to achieve this goal.

From this perspective, what Fang Cheng was plotting in his heart was quite similar to what the Ten Thousand Transformations Sect was scheming to do now.

"For the next few days, I’ll first refine a few more Dream Spirit Incarnations, just in case..."

With a wave of his wide sleeve, Fang Cheng summoned an incense burner into Yongchang Hall.

He had previously exhausted all his Dream Spirit Incarnations in the Xuanyu Realm. He had refined a few more later, but those had also been used up.

Having grown accustomed to the benefits of the Dream Spirits, he felt rather uneasy now without a few of them protecting him.

...

Inside the magnificent hall, green smoke curled upward. Fang Cheng sat cross-legged in the void, his eyes slightly closed, as he performed the Dream Spirit Secret Technique.

Not far in front of him, sheets of Snow Silkworm Paper in the center of an array stirred without any wind, and lines of text began to appear—

’I was orphaned at a young age and raised by my kinsmen. Upon reaching adulthood, I was fair-skinned with handsome eyes, my features elegant and refined. I was skilled in composing poetry and calligraphy, and well-versed in all hundred arts, from singing and whistling to zither and chess. The people of my time called me Sai Anren, for Anren was a man of beauty, a rarity in the world.’

’In the year of my capping, there was not a single renowned beauty in the province who did not send me tokens of her affection. Yet I cared only for the mountains and rivers, and loved the flowers and grasses. Be it by the spring woods or under the autumn moon, I roamed wherever my heart desired.’

’By the age of twenty-five, I had yet to tread the paths of brothels.’

’One day, after a spring rain, the misty scenery was tranquil and warm. Delighted, I took up my walking stick and went for a stroll, letting my feet carry me where they would. I came upon a gorge where green vines hung from the cliffs and the stream was a shade of turquoise. Nearby, I saw a cave. Peering inside, it was dark and deep. A trace of round light shone from within. Upon closer inspection, I saw it was the light of the sky at the far end of the cave.’

’My interest greatly piqued, I entered the cave and walked for a hundred paces. When I emerged, the view before me opened up dramatically. A chain of peaks stood like a painting, and before me was a forest of flowering trees, their blossoms like vibrant clouds and rosy mists—a beauty beyond words.’

’I walked into the forest and saw an elegant courtyard. From within, I could hear the sound of a zither and singing, the melody clear and bright, like a crane calling from the high marshes, its bearing as noble as a tall pine. I found myself captivated, sighing in endless admiration.’

’Someone peeked out from a window. A short while later, two maids came out and asked me from whence I had come. I told them the truth. The maids reported back to their mistress and then invited me inside, where I met the lady of the house.’

’The mistresses of this place were two peerless beauties. The elder was called Li Fanghua, perhaps twenty-seven or twenty-eight years of age, elegant, gentle, and with a curvaceous figure. The other called herself Tang Niang, about eighteen years old, her face like a peach blossom, lively and charming. There were also a dozen or so maids, all of them beautiful and stunning.’

’The two women were inexplicably delighted to see me. They prepared a banquet and ordered the maids to play flutes and zithers, to sing and dance for our entertainment. Goblets were raised and toasts were exchanged. I became joyfully drunk, and in high spirits, I recited a poem. The two women, being quite talented themselves, responded with poems of their own.’

’After the banquet, I retired to the guest room for the night but tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Around the second watch, someone holding a candle pushed open the door and entered. It was Sister Li and Tang Niang.’

’Sister Li came straight to the bed and nudged me, saying, "In such a secluded place, I know you must be lonely. Besides, we did not drink to our heart’s content earlier. I wish to drink with you by candlelight through the night." I could not refuse.’

’The next day, a mountain cuckoo suddenly called out, its cry like the splitting of bamboo, the sound echoing through the stream and forest. I awoke with a start, only to find the two women gone. The bed curtains, screens, and furniture had all vanished. My clothes, however, were as they were.’

’I sat up in the forest and turned my head to see a scroll. On it were two trees: one was a white plum, its blossoms like drifted snow; the other was a crabapple, its flowers like a rising dawn. Only then did I realize that the two women were the spirits of a plum tree and a crabapple tree.’

’Recalling the many pleasures of the previous night, I could not contain myself. I took the scroll and returned home. After studying it intently, I one day saw a spiritual light flicker within the painting as seal script appeared, revealing a Qi Refining Technique.’

’In the three years that followed, I sensed the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi and made progress in my cultivation. I left home and traveled to all the famous mountains under heaven, where I met other people of cultivation. Only then did I learn that I was already a Sixth-Layer Sensing Cultivator.’

’When I reached the age of thirty, I had a fortuitous immortal encounter and was accepted into the Daoxuan Sect, a giant of the Immortal Dao, becoming an Outer Disciple and finally settling down.’

’Several years later, I cultivated to the Peak of Sensing and refined the scroll once more. Only then did I discover that the scroll was a relic left by an Ancient Cultivator, a Space Artifact rarely seen in the world. I entered the painting and once again saw Sister Li and Tang Niang.’

’Overjoyed at our reunion, we shared a passionate and tender embrace, pouring out the anguish of our separation. I knew then that this was the greatest fortune of my life. Afterward, the two women taught me profound skills and wondrous techniques, as well as Four Pill Formulas, all legacies of an Ancient Cultivator.’

’From then on, I kept to myself, establishing myself in the Outer Sect of the Daoxuan Sect through my Alchemy Technique. I lived a reclusive life, enjoying dual cultivation with the two women and quietly raising my cultivation. I did not seek fame, only a peaceful and orderly life, a tranquil spirit, and a serene mind.’

’At the age of fifty, I broke through to the Life Talisman realm, becoming an Outer Elder of the Daoxuan Sect and a Tier Two Alchemy Master. Many elders and disciples within the sect sought my help, showing great interest in befriending me.’

’Some offered to act as matchmakers, proposing to marry me to beauties from noble families. There were also beautiful disciples within the sect who tried to seduce me. I rejected them all.’

’The reason was that Li and Tang were already celestial, peerless beauties. Having them, what more could a man ask for? In my spare time from cultivation, I took pleasure in alchemy, and at the age of eighty, I finally succeeded in refining the Vermilion Bird Divine Pill.’

’At the age of ninety, I broke through to the Life Soul realm, shocking the sect. I was promoted to the position of Inner Sect Elder, bypassing the usual conventions.’

’Afterward, I traveled the world to collect spiritual medicines. I encountered many dangers, but thanks to the profound skills gifted to me by my two Daoist companions, I escaped peril time and again. However, I also made many enemies. I later changed my appearance and embarked on a path of slaughter, fueling my strength through battle and bathing my enemies in blood. It was then I earned the title Netherworld True Man.’

’In the decades that followed, I roamed the world, undefeated within the Life Soul Realm. People revered me as the number one Life Soul cultivator in the world. Yet, no one knew my true identity.’

’At the age of two hundred, I successfully refined the White Tiger Divine Pill and broke through to the Dharma Realm, my name shaking the world. I became the third living Dharma Cultivator in the Daoxuan Sect.’

’Only after I reached the Dharma Realm did I learn that my two Daoist companions’ true cultivation was at the Peak of Dharma Form. I was shocked beyond words. After that, I retired from the sect and spent a hundred years traveling with the two women, helping them break through to the Tribulation Realm and gathering the items they needed to face their tribulations...’

’With the help of two Tribulation Realm female cultivators in dual cultivation, my own cultivation advanced by leaps and bounds. However, when I reached the Mid-Dharma Stage, I found myself unable to advance even an inch. Tang Niang observed my condition and told me that this was a limitation imposed by the Celestial Dao! Disheartened, I returned to the Daoxuan Sect with the two women to live in seclusion.’

’When I was three hundred years old, the seven great Demon Sects appeared, bringing chaos to the world and attacking the Righteous Path. The Supreme Elder of the Daoxuan Sect tragically fell in battle. At that time, three of the Demon Sects besieged the Daoxuan Sect, and the entire sect knelt and begged me to come out of seclusion.’

’On that day, I walked out of the mountain gate and swept through the three great Demon Sects, slaying five Dharma Masters in a row. My name shook the world, and only then did people learn that I was not only proficient in the Alchemy Technique, but also a master of Slaughter Treasure Techniques.’

’In the years that followed, I fought across the world and quelled the demonic chaos. I was revered by the world’s cultivators as the Alliance Leader of the Righteous Alliance, wielding supreme power. Yet, I was still unable to break through the shackles of my cultivation.’

’Among the seven Demon Sects, there was also a transcendent genius. Under the pressure I exerted, he broke through in a desperate situation, achieving the Supreme True Demon Body, which was comparable to a Tribulation Realm cultivator of the Mystic Sect! I was no match for him. Sister Li and Tang Niang intervened to help. After several days of bitter fighting, we finally killed him.’

’The two women were gravely weakened and reverted to their original forms. I took them back into the Ancient Scroll. Before they departed, they left me with two body-protecting Divine Techniques...’

’Decades later, I took many wives and concubines, and my clan flourished, becoming what was hiddenly known as the number one family in the world. As for me, I gave up cultivation and returned to the painting, standing guard beneath the two trees. Until the end of my days, I was never able to make the two women reappear.’

’And yet... I have no regrets in this life!’

...

「In Yongchang Hall.」

Fang Cheng slowly awoke. The lifetime of experiences from the Dream Spirit Incarnation receded like a tide, leaving him in a dreamlike daze.

He steadied his mind and refined the thick stack of Snow Silkworm Paper into a paper effigy.

This Dream Spirit possessed Mid-stage Dharma Phase Cultivation!

Although it only had the power for a single strike, it held the body-protecting Divine Techniques left by two Tribulation Realm Great Powers. The terrifying might of that one strike was unimaginable.

Fang Cheng put away the Dream Spirit Incarnation, took a Jade Dew Golden Lotus Pill, and sat in meditation for half a day before continuing to refine more Dream Spirit Incarnations.

Each Dream Spirit Incarnation was different, but every one of them had its own spectacular life.

...

「At the edge of the Celestial Cloud Mountain Range.」

Thick layers of clouds appeared over the endless mountains and ridges, flickering with thunder of immense power.

Atop the clouds hovered a colossal boat of incredible size, a full thousand zhang from end to end. It had a dragon’s head and a phoenix’s tail, with eight decks in total. Beneath the boat, one hundred and eight Thunder Talisman Dragons served as an escort.

These Thunder Talisman Dragons raised their heads and let out long hisses, their bodies wreathed in dancing electricity. Dazzling flashes of light flickered on and off, blinding to the eye.

The giant boat stirred the sea of clouds, advancing like a mountain as it slowly left the Celestial Cloud Mountain Range and sailed into the distant sky.

A five-story building stood upon the giant boat, complete with gardens, pavilions, long corridors, golden bridges that wound and looped, and winding paths leading to secluded spots. Strange rocks and ancient pines dotted the landscape, and streams flowed with gentle, gurgling ripples. There were even rare birds and strange beasts that had been gathered, often moving in groups and running freely about.

In the main hall on the top floor of the building, a graceful and opulent woman, her hair adorned with pearls and jade, reclined languidly on a couch.

She appeared to be in her thirties, with fair, smooth skin. She was plump yet elegant, her features like polished pearls and lustrous jade. A seductive charm lingered in her eyes. Dressed in wide sleeves and loose robes of light gauze, a section of her arm, fairer than snow and frost, was exposed, its skin gleaming.

Opposite her stood a Life Soul Cultivator with his hands clasped in respect. He looked to be in his sixties, with graying temples. He wore a Golden Wing Pearl Crown, a Double Sun Radiance Robe, a silver-python purple sash at his waist, and a Sleeveless Cloak over his body. His aura was as deep as an abyss and as vast as the sea, yet his expression held a hint of defeat.

This was none other than Master Cui, one of only two Life Soul Cultivators from Taihao Mountain.

The woman spoke lazily, "Fellow Daoist Cui, I’ve heard that the Yinluo Sect’s number one master, Fang Cheng, has been away traveling for several years and has not yet returned. Do you think he will appear this time?"

...