Translator: AnubisTL
There was a stark difference in demeanor between disciples of cultivation sects and rogue cultivators. The former often exuded confidence and composure in every movement, while the latter always seemed hurried, their appearance reflecting a life of constant travel and hardship.
As Li Qing stood before the Hall of Merit, observing the disciples who greeted him respectfully, a sudden realization dawned upon him.
Of course, competition among disciples within cultivation sects was fierce, but they still valued fellowship. They wouldn't resort to life-or-death struggles over minor resources like rogue cultivators often did.
Among rogue cultivators, conflicts over a few pills to enhance mana or even a handful of low-grade spirit stones were commonplace.
As a result, disciples raised within sects often lacked the ruthlessness and desperation that characterized those who lived on the edge.
"If we could, who wouldn't want to remain a sheltered flower forever?" Li Qing mused inwardly before entering the Hall of Merit. He presented his elder's token and claimed the spirit stones he hadn't collected in the past two years.
"Elder Li, here are your spirit stones. Please keep them safe!" A disciple working at the Hall of Merit respectfully handed Li Qing six mid-grade spirit stones.
"Mm, thank you," Li Qing replied, toying with the stones for a moment before storing them in his storage pouch.
The value of one mid-grade spirit stone is equivalent to one hundred low-grade spirit stones, but the total amount of spiritual energy they contain isn't quite that much. In reality, it's closer to the equivalent of seventy low-grade spirit stones.
The reason they're so valuable is that in an emergency, a single mid-grade spirit stone can restore spiritual energy far more efficiently than seventy low-grade spirit stones. Combined with their compact size and space-saving benefits in a storage pouch, they're valued at one hundred low-grade spirit stones.
In short, the currency system of the immortal cultivation world is simple and straightforward.
To maximize the value of a mid-grade spirit stone, one should either save it for critical moments to restore spiritual energy or use it as currency. During daily cultivation, almost no one uses mid-grade spirit stones; it's considered too wasteful.
After receiving the spirit stones, Li Qing pondered for a moment.
"Since I'm going to explore Tianliang Mountain, it's best to acquire more protective measures for self-defense."
Now that he had a suitable magic artifact and a method to rapidly enhance his combat strength, the only remaining option was talismans.
"I should visit the Talisman Hall and see if I can acquire some second-tier talismans for self-defense. Hopefully, they won't be too expensive."
For Li Qing, Tianliang Mountain was a must-visit location. Not only did it hold the legacy of the Immortal Path, but it would also provide valuable insights into the specific power dynamics of the Black Wind Domain, enabling him to more effectively exploit the resources of the World of Eternal Night.
At the foundation establishment realm, relying solely on time-consuming, arduous cultivation would take an eternity to reach the mid-foundation establishment stage. For cultivators like Li Qing with inferior talent, pills and other cultivation resources were paramount.
With this thought in mind, Li Qing spent some time flying through the sect before arriving at the Talisman Hall.
The Lingyun Sect's Talisman Hall wasn't located on the Floating Island but on a cloud-shrouded peak in the northern part of the sect. The mountain had no summit, as if a sharp blade had cleanly sheared it off, leaving a smooth, flat surface. Such a feat could only be achieved by a sword cultivator at least at the core formation realm!
Witnessing this, Li Qing couldn't help but click his tongue in amazement, deeply awed by such earth-shattering power.
He landed in a hall surrounded by mist.
"Greetings, Elder Li!" A female disciple of the talisman hall, at the qi refining realm, immediately bowed respectfully upon seeing the token at Li Qing's waist.
Li Qing nodded in acknowledgment and said, "I wish to purchase some second-tier talismans. Please show me the talisman hall's selection."
"Elder Li, please follow me."
As soon as they entered the hall, a clear, youthful voice rang out:
"Senior Brother Li! It's you!"
A lively young woman, her hair braided into two pigtails, looked to be in her early twenties. She was strikingly beautiful, radiating youthful energy and vitality.
At first glance, Li Qing immediately recognized her.
It was Chu Lingyi, one of the immortal seeds who had received the foundation establishment pill from the sect with him.
Back then, Chu Lingyi was only at the eighth layer of the qi refining realm and hadn't taken the pill with them.
He hadn't expected that after more than two years, this girl, whose physique remained unremarkable, had also achieved foundation establishment and was now serving as an elder in the talisman hall.
"Junior Sister Chu? I didn't expect to see you here," Li Qing said, somewhat surprised, and offered a gentle smile.
Chu Lingyi blinked her gem-like eyes and said with a charming smile, "I never expected senior brother Li to remember me! How rare!"
"Senior brother Li seems to have made quite an impression of me. Could it be that you have feelings for me?"
The female disciple from the talisman hall standing nearby immediately became flustered and uneasy, her face even turning slightly pale with fear.
Li Qing was taken aback as well. He hadn't expected her to be so bold and direct, casually tossing out such suggestive remarks. Her flippancy was truly remarkable.
But having lived two lifetimes, Li Qing wasn't fazed by such teasing.
He quickly recovered, his expression remaining calm as he chuckled softly. "A lively and clever woman like junior sister Chu is naturally unforgettable. I've been cultivating for quite some time now, and I happen to be looking for a dao companion. If junior sister Chu is interested..."
At these words, the female disciple's cheeks flushed crimson, and she buried her head, too embarrassed to look up.
"Hmph, senior brother Li, you're not as serious as you seem. But junior sister isn't planning to find a dao companion so early. The dao companion I want must at least be a core formation realm cultivator!"
Chu Lingyi chattered on and on, almost making Li Qing forget his true purpose for being there. He almost thought he had come to the sect talisman hall to meet her for a blind date.
"Cough, cough... Alright, Junior Sister Chu," Li Qing said, feigning a headache as he rubbed his forehead. He then waved his hand, dismissing the female disciple beside him, who was blushing furiously.
If this girl, whose face was as red as a monkey's butt, were to lead him around the talisman hall, they'd definitely be misunderstood!
Li Qing was very protective of his reputation within the sect. He didn't want to be labeled as a flirtatious senior brother.
"Hehe, Senior Brother Li, what kind of talismans are you looking for? Our hall has a wide variety, including offensive, defensive, and concealment types—we have everything!" Chu Lingyi said with a mischievous smile, looking like a little Demon Lord.
Li Qing ignored her and replied, "Just show me around first. I don't have many contribution points, so I'll only need a few protective talismans."
Soon, Chu Lingyi led Li Qing to the second floor of the talisman hall.
"This is the Thunderclap Talisman. Though it's a low-grade second-tier talisman, its offensive power is extremely potent, comparable to a mid-grade second-tier attack talisman. However, it consumes a lot of mental power to activate."
"The contribution points required to exchange for it are also higher than for ordinary low-grade second-tier talismans—sixty-five contribution points!"
Li Qing's expression remained unchanged, but his heart was deeply shaken.
So expensive!
His annual contribution points barely reached two hundred. It seemed like even coming here wouldn't be enough to buy a few second-tier talismans!
"Hmm, not bad. Do you have any others? I'd like to see more," Li Qing said calmly, despite his limited contribution points.
Chu Lingyi continued to smile with her eyes narrowed, pointing to another sealed talisman.
"The Fire Dragon Talisman! Low-grade second-tier. Once activated, it unleashes a massive fire dragon with immense power. How about it, Senior Brother Li? Interested?" Chu Lingyi tilted her head, her demeanor lacking any trace of the composure and maturity expected of a sect elder.
"That's quite good. What about defensive talismans? Show me those too," Li Qing replied, his mind in turmoil. He was torn between spending his hard-earned contribution points on talismans or saving them to exchange for inheritance in the Hall of Technique Transmission.
But the high price was justified. A low-grade second-tier talisman could wound a foundation establishment cultivator, and with skillful use, even killing one was possible.
Still, it was expensive. He wanted to save his contribution points to exchange for inheritance in the Hall of Technique Transmission.
Suddenly, a spiritual light flashed through Li Qing's mind.
That's right!
He could privately trade with the elders of the Talisman Hall! The sect didn't prohibit elders from engaging in private transactions!
As Li Qing thought of this, he turned his gaze to Chu Lingyi beside him and couldn't help but chuckle.
Sensing Li Qing's gaze, Chu Lingyi immediately took two steps back defensively. She spoke rapidly, "Senior brother Li, what's that look for? I already told you before that I'm not considering romantic relationships with fellow sect members, especially foundation establishment elders. So please put your thoughts away, even though your junior sister is as beautiful as the moon and flowers."
Li Qing raised his hand, his face completely black, and interrupted her. "Junior sister Chu, you misunderstand. I was planning to privately purchase a few talismans from an elder in the talisman hall using spirit stones. My contribution points aren't quite enough. Could you help introduce me?"
"Oh, that's all it was? Senior brother, you should have said so earlier! You made me waste so much emotion for nothing!" Chu Lingyi couldn't help but roll her eyes, then burst into laughter again. "Actually, senior brother, you don't need to look for anyone else. Your junior sister is a rare talisman genius, born once in a hundred years! Although I've only recently reached foundation establishment, I can barely draw some second-tier talismans!"
"What kind of talismans do you need? Just tell me, and I'll give you a discount!"
Hearing this, Li Qing found it hard to believe her claims about her talisman mastery. He looked at her with deep suspicion.
You've only just reached foundation establishment, and you can already draw second-tier talismans?
(End of the Chapter)
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