Chapter 65: Chapter 48: One Talisman Seals 3000 Li, All Cultivators in Beimang Dare Not Speak

When Jiang Yi emerged from Wudu Hall, a crowd was still gathered at the main entrance. Some had placards hanging from their chests, while others had straw markers stuck in their disheveled hair, all waiting to be chosen.

If this had been when he first arrived in Sanhe District, he would have surely wondered, ’Why go through all this?’

But after everything he had seen and heard along the way, Jiang Yi had come to understand the myriad states of existence for those at the bottom of the Demon Dao Dharma Lineage, and he was beginning to accept it.

Take Wudu Hall’s selection of “Medicinal Materials,” for instance. Many Lower Cultivators gladly accepted the role, flocking to the hall in droves.

A bowl of Old Grain Noodles for five talisman coins could only stave off hunger; it could hardly nourish the body. If they wanted to eat Spirit Rice or Spiritual Food, they had to work hard at menial jobs.

Thus, the Lower Cultivators, long since exhausted and numb, would rather come to Wudu Hall to test medicines in exchange for pills. At least that way, they could get a taste of Spiritual Qi.

As for whether it would ruin their foundations or damage their Dao path—that was a problem for another day!

Besides, they were already struggling to survive in Sanhe District. Who still cared about such things?

’Looked at this way, Brother He is actually quite “ambitious” in comparison.’

Jiang Yi parted ways with He the Venerable at the Shuangfeng Street Intersection. He had originally wanted to find a place to treat the man to a good meal, but he saw He the Venerable wringing his hands and saying sheepishly:

“I won’t impose on Brother Yi tonight.”

’Huh, has Brother He had a change of heart? Is he really passing up a freebie?’

Following He the Venerable’s gaze, which kept darting toward the mouth of an alley, Jiang Yi saw several pink lanterns hanging in a deep alleyway, faintly visible and exuding a decadent, ambiguous air.

’So he’s eager to experience the local customs of Sanhe District, is he?’

“Take care of yourself, Brother He.”

Jiang Yi clasped his hands, understanding the implication.

“AHEM, AHEM… It’s not what you think, Brother Yi.”

He the Venerable looked embarrassed, his old face flushing red.

“I knew an old acquaintance here from long ago… I’ll tell you the details another day.”

As he spoke, he glanced toward the alley again and waved his hand dismissively.

“It’s getting late, Brother Yi, you should head back. This Sanhe District isn’t a very peaceful place.”

Jiang Yi nodded his farewell and returned to Dai Pavilion not long after.

He sat quietly and regulated his breathing for the time it takes half an incense stick to burn, circulating and refining his True Qi’s Fire Attribute.

At the first quarter of the Zi hour, Yang Xun finally returned.

“Grandpa, have you had dinner?”

Jiang Yi stood up, pushed open his door, and went to the room next door.

Seeing the exhaustion on Yang Xun’s face, he quickly poured a cup of hot tea and offered it to him.

“Some unexpected problems came up, but fortunately, they weren’t major. Everything has been handled properly.”

Yang Xun gently blew on the tea, took a few sips, and said slowly,

“A True Master from the Taifu Sect has graced us with his presence, and the entire Beimang Ridge is in an uproar. The Zhao You Sect and the True Gu Sect have both sent people over, waiting for an audience and to receive their orders.”

“The Pool and Fire Swamp Refining is an Immortal Dao Ritual. I came down the mountain this time hoping to ask a few old friends to help me gather the necessary materials.”

“But as it turns out, that True Master from the Taifu Sect used a single talisman to seal off a three-thousand-li radius. I have no idea what they’re investigating, but it’s put everyone on edge and even my little errand has been put on hold.”

Jiang Yi’s eye twitched upon hearing this.

’Foundation Establishment Grand True Masters really act tyrannically. Especially Cultivators from the Ancestral Sects—their arrogance is on another level.’

’Sealing a three-thousand-li radius with a single talisman!’

’Without so much as a word of warning?’

’Truly awe-inspiring!’

“Right now, the Zhao You Sect and the True Gu Sect are in total chaos. It’s mainly affecting Cultivators at the Qi Cultivation Seventh or Eighth Layer and above. They’re not allowed to fly or teleport, and they’re forbidden from opening their Sleeve Pouches to store or retrieve items. How are they supposed to travel around or trade with each other like this?”

“The unluckiest one was an Elder from the Zhao You Sect. His Merit had already reached the Qi Cultivation Twelfth Layer, and he was at a critical juncture of his secluded cultivation.”

“When the Taifu Sect’s True Master arrived, the shockwave directly shattered the Spiritual Aura protecting his Cave Mansion. The disturbance forced him out of his seclusion, and I hear he even coughed up blood…”

As Yang Xun sighed, a trace of longing appeared in his eyes.

When Lower Cultivators hear of the methods of Upper Cultivators, it’s only natural for them to admire such power and style.

They can’t help but wish they could be in their place!

“Why would the Taifu Sect go to such great lengths?”

Jiang Yi couldn’t help but ask, his curiosity piqued.

“Who knows? All sorts of rumors are flying around. Some say a traitor from the Taifu Sect stole a great treasure and fled; others say the chief of the True Inheritance has defected to the Immortal Dao… The stories are all over the place. It’s a mess.”

Yang Xun shook his head.

“Fortunately, I had already sent letters down the mountain to have people gather the Main Materials. Most of them have been collected by now. It’s just that with the seal in place, they can’t be retrieved for the time being. I suspect we’ll have to wait a while.”

Only then did Jiang Yi breathe a sigh of relief. He added,

“You’ve worked hard, Grandpa.”

Yang Xun waved his hand.

“There’s no need for such formalities between us. In reality, whether it’s the Inner Sect or the Branch Sect, we all ultimately work for the Dharma Lineages above us.”

“I don’t have that kind of heaven-defying power. I just hope that you, Ah Yi, will one day come across a great Opportunity and find your way to the doorstep of those great sects and Upper Sects.”

Jiang Yi just smiled at his words.

The great sects and Upper Sects were not something an ordinary Cultivator could hope to reach. Those places only recruited true Dao Materials—prodigies who would have been considered extraordinary and outstanding even in ancient times were the only ones qualified to enter their gates.

Even though the Celestial Book had once revealed an Opportunity for a master-disciple relationship, he had never considered this path.

After all, forging a connection with a great sect or Upper Sect was far too complex to be fully grasped through a mere fifteen-day deduction.

“For now, just stay put in Sanhe District. It’s fine to go out, but don’t wander too far, lest you run into Tribulation Cultivators.”

After a few more words of advice, Yang Xun’s weariness became apparent. Jiang Yi tactfully withdrew from the room, gently closing the door behind him.

’The Taifu Sect… a three-thousand-li territory is so vast, yet a single talisman has put everyone here in “prison.” Their power is truly as deep as the ocean!’

Jiang Yi marveled upon returning to his room.

Having grown accustomed to the lives of Lower Cultivators over the past few days, suddenly hearing about the methods of Upper Cultivators had shaken his Heart Spirit.

As his thoughts drifted, Jiang Yi sat by the window, pushed it open to gaze at the moon, and his expression gradually hardened.

’Since I have already entered this path, how can I shrink back just because the mountain is high? This is precisely the time to cultivate!’

With this in mind, he gathered his stray thoughts and closed his eyes.

Once again, he sat in meditation, beginning his Breathing exercises and guiding the energy through its Circulation.

…

…

“What a damn useless place! It’s not even easy to cultivate here!”

A string of curses drifted through the Qingming High Heaven before being scattered by the biting astral winds.

The same Eight-Cornered Flying Tower that had once appeared over Beimang Ridge was now hovering in the sky, its clear light cascading down like a waterfall, blocking out the violent turmoil outside.

On the top floor of the flying tower, a young Cultivator in a Water Blue Magical Robe sat cross-legged, strenuously pouring all of his Magical Power into a palm-sized Gold Talisman.

The talisman looked as if it were cast from pure gold, without the slightest flaw or any extraneous markings. Only a single, strikingly conspicuous character—”Forbidden”—was etched upon it in a powerful, flowing script.

“Master is too much! He decided halfway through to go fight some rival and left little old me here to hold this talisman and seal Beimang Ridge… Pity me, a Half-Step Foundation Establishment cultivator with incomplete Five Elements. How am I supposed to handle this consumption rate! This is true suffering!”

The young Cultivator was full of complaints. The talisman in his hand had been forged by his Master using a Metal Technique. It devoured twenty-four types of Superior Spiritual Mechanisms, like a bottomless pit that could never be filled. And to make matters worse, Beimang Ridge was a barren and desolate place.

He had no choice but to continuously channel his own True Qi to supply it.

Being trapped in the Dharma Tower every day was practically like being in prison!

“Senior Brother, Senior Brother!”

The Dharma Tower’s Artifact Spirit suddenly leaped out. It had the appearance of a three-inch-tall child, with red lips, white teeth, and a cute, rosy complexion.

“The Elders from the Zhao You Sect and the True Gu Sect are here again! They’re asking when you will lift the seal, Senior Brother!”

The young Cultivator’s head throbbed upon hearing this. He roared in anger,

“What’s the use of asking me? How should I know! I can only hold this talisman; I don’t know how to operate it. Besides, Master isn’t here. You think I’d dare put away the ’Forbidden’ talisman on my own authority?”

“What if that Little Ancestor actually escapes to the Dongsheng Continent or the Ximizhou Continent! If that happens, I’ll be the one taking the blame for Master, and the punishment from above will be enough to last me two hundred years!”

The Artifact Spirit Child was so frightened he shrank back, timidly retreating downstairs.

After two or three breaths, he poked his head back out and asked in a small voice,

“Senior Brother, should I tell them that the master isn’t here? And to please come back next time?”

The young Cultivator’s shoulders slumped and his head drooped. He said weakly,

“Don’t be so polite! We’re the Taifu Sect! Show some backbone, don’t lose face!

“Just tell them to ’get lost’! And remember, be fierce about it!”

The Artifact Spirit Child said “oh” and began practicing as he went downstairs.

“Get… get… get lost!”

Unfortunately, his voice was childlike and carried no intimidating power whatsoever.

The young Cultivator sighed in despair. Just as he was about to complain some more, a great RUMBLE echoed from higher up in the Qingming, as if celestial drums were beating, powerful enough to shatter the void!

He hurriedly bowed his head as if in prayer.

“Daoist Lord, protect us! Please don’t let my esteemed Master lose the fight! Otherwise, I’ll be stuck in this prison for even longer!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep