Returning to his hut, Zhou Shu immediately took out the several talismans he had obtained and began to study them.
The three Light Body Talismans were easy to grasp, and the Fire Bird Talisman was of some value. However, even with the best calculations and deductions, simply observing the rune patterns would not reveal their profound meaning, let alone draw the corresponding talisman. He needed to purchase a jade slip for drawing the talismans, or seek guidance from a talisman master.
Last time at Sanyuanzhai, he had seen that even the simplest jade slip for the Light Wind Talisman required fifty low-grade spirit stones, and the others were even more expensive.
"What a long and arduous journey,"
Zhou Shu said helplessly, looking at the few spirit stones
. Lacking a storage bag, he piled the stones onto his mat.
He then entered a state of cultivation, practicing for about an hour each day. The process was complex and arduous, with minimal results, but he never slacked off.
For him now, cultivation was a torture, a torment both physical and mental.
Less than a tenth of the spiritual energy he absorbed and transformed remained in his Qi channels and Qi sea, a deeply uncomfortable experience.
The excess spiritual energy coursed through the shattered meridians, whipping the body like a whip, causing immense pain before slowly dissipating.
An hour passed, and Zhou Shu slowly opened his eyes, a hint of confusion on his face.
On the cushion before him, the black beetle he had previously ignored suddenly appeared from nowhere, nestled among the spirit stones, waving its horns contentedly.
Upon closer inspection, the beetle's carapace had become much shinier, almost mirror-like. The spirit stones beneath the beetle, their once shimmering luster, had dimmed, evidently depleting their spiritual energy.
"Could it be cultivating too? Could it be a spirit insect?"
Zhou Shu, suddenly intrigued, reached out and scooped the beetle up.
The beetle clutched a spirit stone, glaring at Zhou Shu with disapproval, its horns dancing for a moment.
Zhou Shu ignored it and used his spiritual energy to probe. The moment he touched the beetle, he felt a repulsive force. This suggested that the beetle harbored a similar spiritual energy, sharing the same origin but a different species.
"It's indeed a spirit insect."
Zhou Shu's face lit up with a hint of joy as he placed it back on the cushion. He had already placed the spirit stones elsewhere, so he couldn't let it eat them all; the spirit stones needed to maintain the formation had to be left behind.
The beetle, fearing Zhou Shu would take them again, held down several spirit stones tightly, staring at him motionlessly.
Spirit insects are similar to demonic beasts, mostly devoid of intelligence, making them more easily exploited by cultivators.
Zhou Shu had seen several spirit insects before in the Wuwang Sect, such as earthworms used for digging and gold-eating beetles used for prospecting, but he had never seen a beetle like this one that could directly absorb the spiritual energy of spirit stones.
"I don't know what it's called or what it's used for, but foodies are generally good things..."
He was quite pleased.
A day passed, and the date he had agreed with Yan Yue arrived.
The Sanyuanzhai luncheon was usually quiet, but this time it was bustling with activity.
Four female cultivators stood in the hall, occasionally looking out and returning disappointed.
A female cultivator walked in from outside, stamped her feet, and said with resentment, "Senior Sister Yan, we've been waiting for an hour, and I don't think that kid will come. He is only at the first level of Qi Refining Realm, how could he have a mid-grade thunderstorm talisman? He must be hiding and dare not come."
Someone followed, "That's right, he talks big and makes Senior Sister Yan waste time waiting for him. It's so hateful. Next time I see him, I will definitely teach him a lesson!"
Yan Yuexiu lowered her eyes slightly and sighed with a little resentment.
She also had some such thoughts in her mind, but she could only comfort, "Well, let's wait a little longer, anyway, we have no other way."
Compared with others, only the childish Yangmei still believed in Zhou Shu, and nodded seriously, "Sister Yan Yue, I believe he can do it, let's wait a little longer."
Not far away, Sun Hedao was picking talismans. Hearing Yangmei's words, he snorted coldly from his nose, "He can do it? Yangmei, don't be silly, I don't think he dares to come at all! A mid-grade thunderstorm talisman, how can it be so easy to get?"
Yangmei pouted, blinked her big eyes twice, and ignored it.
Sun Hedao approached slowly and said with a smile, "Junior Sister Yan, don't worry. At worst, I can ask Master to get you one."
The female cultivator muttered softly, "He only knows how to talk. He's said it dozens of times, but he's just not willing to do it."
"That's right, inner disciples can exchange contribution points for mid-grade talismans. It only takes fifty points, but he just can't bear to do it. Not only is he reluctant to do it, but he also pesters Senior Sister Yan every day..."
"It's okay for him not to help, but he mocks others. What kind of man is he..."
The Heyin Sect is a well-known sect with many talisman masters. Naturally, there is no shortage of first-level mid-grade talismans, but they need to be exchanged for sect contribution points, and only inner disciples are eligible to exchange them.
Several female cultivators knew in their hearts that if Sun Hedao was willing to help, there would be no need to go through so much trouble as it is now.
Sun Hedao's face flushed slightly, he wanted to say something but didn't, he thought to himself, Humph, the contribution value to the sect is so precious, I should keep it to exchange for elixirs and spells, to exchange for talismans to please you, I'm not that stupid.
Seeing the awkward atmosphere, Yan Yue's face tightened slightly, her eyebrows raised like hooks. "You guys just like to nag. There's no need to bother Senior Brother Sun with a small matter like the Thunderstorm Talisman. We can handle it ourselves. Senior Brother Sun Hedao, please don't blame them for being rude."
"It's okay, why would I blame you?"
Sun Hedao waved his hand and said with a fake smile. "How about, Junior Sister, I accompany you on the mission? Even without the Thunderstorm Talisman, we still have some confidence."
A faint smile graced her delicate face, and Yan Yue shook her head lightly. "Thank you for your kindness, Senior Brother, but this mission is ours, and we have to do it alone. If others complete it, it won't count."
A flash of disdain flashed in her eyes. The mission she had taken on was coveted by many Foundation Establishment disciples. Sun Hedao wanted to go with them, claiming to be helping, but he was afraid there were more ulterior motives.
Rejected again, Sun Hedao felt a little embarrassed. She awkwardly stepped aside and spoke to Shopkeeper Hua.
After a while, the waiter pointed outside the door and shouted, "Here they come, here they come!"
Outside Sanyuanzhai, Zhou Shu walked quickly with a calm expression.
Upon entering, he bowed to Shopkeeper Hua and Sun Hedao, then turned to Yan Yue and bowed apologetically, "Senior Sister Yan Yue, I'm sorry I'm a little late."
Yan Yue took a step forward, a look of slight anxiety on her face. "It's okay, Junior Brother Zhou, do you have the talisman?"
Zhou Shu paused. "Thank goodness, I have it."
"Ah!"
Yan Yue exclaimed, covering her mouth with her hands. She had only expected a one-in-a-million chance, but she didn't expect such a surprise. The female cultivators nearby also approached, surrounding Zhou Shu with a mixture of suspicion and joy.
Sun Hedao, not far away, had a slight change of expression and glanced at him with disdain. "Hmph, you brat, so arrogant."
Hua Ruoan's eyes also flashed with doubt, and he shook his head slightly. He didn't think Zhou Shu could draw the thunderstorm talisman, and he didn't know what was so strange about his visit this time.
The clerk beside him, eyes wide open and ears perked up, watching Zhou Shu's every move.
A female cultivator reached out impatiently, "Where is it? Show it to me!"
"If you dare to lie, even if Senior Sister forbids, I'll beat you up,"
several female cultivators chirped. Even the usually dignified Yan Yue seemed a little uneasy. Yang Mei, on the other hand, was much quieter, staring at Zhou Shu with wide eyes, her expression filled with anticipation.
Zhou Shu smiled, "Don't worry, Senior Sister. I've got what you want."
He pulled out a thunderstorm talisman and handed it to Yan Yue with both hands.
Seeing Zhou Shu actually take out the thunderstorm talisman, everyone's eyes were fixed on it, their expressions varied.
The man's eyes widened, stunned for a moment, then he laughed so hard that he stumbled over, almost falling.
Sun Hedao was the most astonished, frozen in his tracks, his mouth wide open enough to fit a dog egg.