Cultivation: I Have a Golden Talisman

’If I’d used Zhanyue, it would’ve been over in a single strike...’

Fang Cheng thought to himself as he watched Nine Kui being refined by the Array Formation of the nine Resentment Celestial Demons.

He had grown accustomed to relying on external items like his Tier Five Flying Sword, Feather Divine Soldiers, and Dream Spirit Incarnation. Using only his own Divine Techniques felt a little strange.

The nine Tier Three Mid Stage Resentment Celestial Demons commanded a pitch-black Demon Fire, emitting a profound, gloomy light that covered over ten acres. It surged in endless, overlapping layers.

Nine Kui was suppressed deep within the Demonic Light. His Qi Sea Magical Power, his vital blood, and his physical body were all set ablaze, rendering him unable to even speak a word.

This cruel and tyrannical Demon Sect technique stunned the surrounding spectators into dead silence.

Everyone stared intently at the duel, wondering why the Ten Thousand Transformations Sect hadn’t conceded.

Fang Cheng stood in the void, clad in a magnificent Daoist Robe with a jade belt at his waist. His large sleeves billowed like clouds, and his aura was as heavy as a mountain. Set against the sky filled with black Demonic Light, he looked even more sinister and strange.

Like an incarnation of a Celestial Demon in the Mortal World.

On the giant ship, someone urged Ruan San Niang to concede defeat to save Nine Kui’s life.

Unexpectedly, Ruan San Niang said, "He caused me to lose a Fourth-rank Magical Artifact. It’s only right that he pays for it with his life."

Everyone fell silent.

Aside from Ruan San Niang and Nine Kui, no one else on the giant ship was a member of the Ten Thousand Transformations Sect.

They had all lost their duels, and their Contract Jades had fallen into Ruan San Niang’s hands, forcing them to obey her commands.

Now that Ruan San Niang had spoken, no one dared to say another word.

A short while later, the Demonic Light in the sky flared violently before abruptly vanishing. The nine Resentment Celestial Demons also disappeared into thin air.

Whether it was the Life Soul Cultivators on the giant ship or the spectators nearby, everyone felt their scalp tingle and a prickling sensation on their backs.

Nine Tier Three Mid Stage Celestial Demons, with combat strength comparable to nine Life Soul Realm cultivators, had been summoned with a mere wave of the Demon Lion Peak Master’s hand. Such a Divine Technique was simply too tyrannical and terrifying!

Nine Kui, who had overpowered Master Cui of Taihao Mountain, had perished in the raging Demon Fire. It was a truly lamentable end.

More importantly, now that the Ten Thousand Transformations Sect had suffered a setback at the hands of the Yinluo Sect, would they let the matter rest?

Ruan San Niang’s voice drifted over, soft and eerie. "Fellow Daoist Fang, your Divine Techniques are truly impressive. It is a great fortune for the Yinluo Sect to have someone like you."

With that, she waved her hand and tossed a ball of spiritual light, which landed in front of Fang Cheng.

Fang Cheng casually caught it. Within the light was a Fangtian Halberd, about a foot long. It was covered in dense Profound Patterns and radiated a brilliant spiritual light. It possessed both a heavy presence and a sharp edge, brimming with a menacing Evil Qi.

Ruan San Niang continued, "According to the terms of our bet, this Fourth-rank Magical Artifact, the Mountain and Sea Halberd, now belongs to you, Fellow Daoist."

Fang Cheng glanced at Ruan San Niang. "Fellow Daoist Ruan, that last fight wasn’t satisfying enough. How about you and I have a duel?"

Ruan San Niang chuckled softly, her laugh tinged with a coquettish charm. "Fellow Daoist Fang, you have such a heavy killing intent. I wouldn’t dare duel with you. How about this: we can schedule another time. Next time, I will bring a friend from the Dharma Realm to experience your superior skills."

As soon as she said this, the cultivators of the Abyssal Marsh fell silent, exchanging glances with furrowed brows.

Fang Cheng chuckled. "That’s for later. Today, Fellow Daoist Nine Kui has piqued my interest in dueling. If you don’t agree, Fellow Daoist Ruan, I’m afraid I won’t be able to let you leave."

As he spoke, his large sleeves fluttered, and he descended toward the giant ship.

Ruan San Niang’s expression tightened. She sighed softly. "Fellow Daoist, isn’t taking the Mountain and Sea Halberd enough for you?"

The moment she finished speaking, the light of the restrictive arrays on the giant ship flared. Amid flashes of lightning, a Third-tier Defense Array materialized, blocking Fang Cheng.

Fang Cheng’s hearty laugh rang out as a peerlessly sharp sword light suddenly flashed, streaking across the giant ship in an instant.

HISS!

The array outside the giant ship was instantly slashed open, and the entire vessel was cleaved in two from bow to stern.

Wherever the sword light passed, the sturdy and magnificent ship was sliced through as cleanly as if it were made of tofu.

’A Tier Five Flying Sword really is more convenient...’

It had been countless years since a Fifth-rank Magical Artifact had appeared in the Yun Country. Therefore, when this strike landed, not many people understood its true nature.

Only Ruan San Niang sensed the extreme danger. Alarms blared in her heart. Clenching her teeth, she decisively activated a talisman. Her body was enveloped in a golden light, and with a single flicker, she vanished over the horizon.

A Vertical Earth Golden Light Talisman!

The talisman was unbelievably fast. Even with the reaction speed granted by his Sword Heart Clarity, Fang Cheng was half a beat too slow.

"What an excellent Fourth-rank Talisman!"

He remarked lightly, his gaze then falling upon the remaining Life Soul Cultivators on the ship.

These cultivators all had different demeanors, and the fluctuations of their auras were not the same. It was clear they all came from different sects and factions.

The nine Resentment Celestial Demons reappeared at some point and surrounded the twelve remaining Life Soul Cultivators. A monstrous demonic intent washed over them, thick with killing intent.

"Fellow Daoist Fang, wait! We were all coerced by the Ten Thousand Transformations Sect! We hold no animosity toward your esteemed sect!"

"Fellow Daoist Fang, I am a Supreme Elder of the Evergreen Sect from the Wood Country. I traveled through the Yun Country in my early years and had the pleasure of meeting your sect’s late Senior Gao Yue on several occasions..."

Master Cui flew out from the group and cupped his hands. "Fellow Daoist Fang, please calm your anger. For the sake of the many years of friendship between our two sects, please allow this old man to say a few words."

Fang Cheng raised a hand. "There is no need for more words. Until the Ten Thousand Transformations Sect returns, I invite all of you to reside temporarily in my Yinluo Sect. You can serve our sect by performing alchemy, artifact refining, and drawing talismans. Be our Honored Guest Elders!"

Surrounded by the Celestial Demons, the cultivators broke out in a cold sweat. How could they dare refuse?

Since they had followed the Ten Thousand Transformations Sect to threaten the Yinluo Sect into a duel, they had to bear the consequences of failure.

The Yinluo Sect was a giant of the Demon Dao in the Yun Country, not some righteous Mystic Sect. They would not let them off so easily.

Unfortunately, they had originally possessed two other Fourth-rank Magical Artifacts, but Ruan San Niang had taken both with her. Otherwise, they might have had a chance to break through the Celestial Demons’ encirclement.

As they spoke, Su Miao and Sun Fuguo arrived.

The cultivators were "invited" into the Bone Daoist Palace, where Su Miao and Sun Fuguo placed a Divine Prohibition on each of their souls. Only then were they given a chance to sit and drink tea.

Fang Cheng asked, "Do any of you know why the Ten Thousand Transformations Sect wants you to refine Talismanic Coins?"

One of the cultivators answered, "For cultivation, of course. The Ten Thousand Transformations Sect has a Body Refining Divine Technique that requires Talismanic Coins as fuel for tempering. It’s said that with enough Talismanic Coins, one can infinitely increase their physical strength and power. That’s why every disciple of the Ten Thousand Transformations Sect is proficient in Body Refining Divine Techniques."

Another person added, "As far as I know, the Sect Leader of the Ten Thousand Transformations Sect takes the vast majority of the Talismanic Coins for his own cultivation. Ruan San Niang and the other disciples are left with only ten or twenty percent..."

"That Sect Leader achieved his Dharma Aspect long ago. It’s difficult to guess what his realm is now!"

These cultivators seemed long accustomed to a life of being controlled. Now captured by the Yinluo Sect, they adapted quickly. They chattered back and forth about the Ten Thousand Transformations Sect, seeming to relish the chance to finally speak freely after holding it in for so long.

According to them, the Ten Thousand Transformations Sect had a mysterious origin, and its mountain gate’s location was still unknown.

The Sect Leader was especially elusive; only his five great disciples and four Daoist companions were seen moving about the Cultivation Realm.

These nine were all in the Life Soul Realm, and their strength was astounding. Ordinary Life Soul Cultivators were no match for them.

The seven major sects of the Wood Country and Lu Country had all been subdued by the Ten Thousand Transformations Sect and were forced to refine Talismanic Coins for them.

Someone said that the Ten Thousand Transformations Sect’s legacy came from an Ancient Evil Sect, which had a tradition of enslaving countless cultivators to support a single person.

The Master of Ten Thousand Transformations Sect aimed to break through to the Tribulation Realm. That was why he was sweeping through several small Cultivation Countries to amass power, with his future sights set on major nations like the Jin Country, Cang Country, and Moon Country.

From their words, it seemed they were not optimistic about the Yinluo Sect’s chances of withstanding the next wave of retaliation from the Ten Thousand Transformations Sect.

Fang Cheng merely smiled faintly at this, offering no comment.

He had refined seven Dream Spirit Incarnations these past few days, all at the Mid-Dharma Stage. One of them had even been bestowed a Divine Technique by a Tier Five Demon Saint. Whoever dared to cause trouble for the Yinluo Sect was in for a surprise.

However, Fang Cheng was hesitant to launch a reckless offensive without knowing the true strength of the Ten Thousand Transformations Sect.

He decided to meet change with constancy!

Keeping these Life Soul Cultivators served two purposes. First, they could enrich the Yinluo Sect’s Treasure Vault. For example, Master Cui from Taihao Mountain was skilled at crafting Thunder Talisman Dragons of immense power, a top-tier lightning technique. Fang Cheng had long wanted to leave a few for each of his children and Daoist companions at home.

Second, these people could help him gather the Spiritual Medicines needed for the White Tiger Divine Pill and the materials for refining Tier Five Feather Divine Soldiers.

With so many new Life Soul Realm Honored Guest Elders, the Yinluo Sect’s capabilities had undergone a heaven-and-earth-shaking transformation. They could now do many things that were previously unimaginable.

「On a mountain peak at the West Shore of the Abyssal Marsh.」

The three from the Flame God Palace quietly landed, their Escape Lights fading.

"I used to harbor a fair bit of resentment toward the Yinluo Sect, but after witnessing this battle, it has completely vanished. Taking the initiative to befriend Fang Cheng back then was truly the right move!"

The Palace Master of the Flame God Palace, Ye Lingxiu, said slowly.

Ye Tianlan said in a low voice, "That final sword strike of his... was truly terrifying. After we return, we should take the initiative to show our goodwill. Contact the woman from the Bai Family, ask about the situation, and send another batch of congratulatory gifts."

Ye Lingxiu nodded, her tone half self-mocking and half resigned. "Right now, staying on good terms with this Fang Cheng seems even more important than our Flame God Palace producing another Celestial Elder."

The three discussed for a moment before finally departing and returning to the Flame God Palace.

「Primordial Qi Celestial Island. Yongchang Hall.」

Fang Cheng sat in the hall, toying with two Magical Artifacts.

One was a cyan wooden puppet left behind by Nine Kui of the Ten Thousand Transformations Sect, and the other was the Mountain and Sea Halberd he had won in the duel.

The cyan puppet was a Third-tier Magical Artifact with a peculiar function: it could take a fatal blow for its owner. Its refining method was completely different from those of the major sects in the East Cyan Domain’s Cultivation Realm. Fang Cheng studied it for a long time but couldn’t figure out its secrets.

Its ability to block a disaster for its master was clearly a countermeasure the Ten Thousand Transformations Sect had devised after studying his Immortal Binding Rope. They had specifically found a Magical Artifact to counter it.

As for the Mountain and Sea Halberd, it was just a powerful offensive weapon. Fang Cheng had handled many Fourth-rank Magical Artifacts before, so he wasn’t particularly interested in it.

He only inspected it carefully to confirm that Ruan San Niang hadn’t left any hidden tricks on the Fourth-rank Magical Artifact before putting it away.

Afterward, he sat cross-legged and entered a meditative state. Circulating his Profound Skill, he began to refine the Spiritual Power within the Resentment Demon Bead in his Qi Sea to further consolidate his cultivation.

To him, the matter with the Ten Thousand Transformations Sect was just a minor interlude.

He still needed to advance steadily, without haste or impatience, to cultivate his Dharma Aspect and break through to the Tribulation Realm as soon as possible.

There was only one true hidden danger: the Demon Lord’s left hand, suppressed deep within the Earth Abyss!

Compared to the Demon Lord, the Master of the Ten Thousand Transformations Sect was nothing more than child’s play. Countless figures like him had appeared throughout the history of the Cultivation Realm, only to eventually disappear into the long river of time.