I Have An Infinite Cultivation Resource
Chapter 78: Gains
With the jade key in hand, Lu You made his way unimpeded to the residence of the Nascent Soul expert.
Contrary to what Lu You had imagined, although the Heaven District looked like a paradise, the Nascent Soul expert's residence itself was not extravagant. There was only a reception hall, a bedroom, and a study.
The reception hall was simple at a glance—a tea table, a go board, and four chairs. The bedroom was equally plain, containing only two meditation cushions. After inspecting everything one by one, Lu You pushed open the door to the study.
There were no books in the study. Only a large desk stood in the center, upon which lay a sheet of xuan paper and a jade token shaped like a mahjong tile.
What is this?
Curious, Lu You picked it up and tried channeling spiritual energy into it. Instantly, a stream of information entered his mind.
This was a transmission token used by the Verdant Cloud Sect to grant cultivation techniques to disciples. Each token could store up to ten techniques. By placing it against the forehead, a cultivator could read brief introductions of the techniques and then choose one.
But only one.
Once a choice was made, the other techniques would disappear from the token, and the selected one would fully reveal itself. As long as the token remained in hand, the technique could be reviewed at any time.
Placing the token against his forehead, Lu You immediately saw its contents.
This was a reward prepared by Wu Tong for Lu You. If Lu You wrote the clues he had obtained onto the paper beside it, he could take the transmission token and select a talisman-making method to learn. Since this was Lu You's first reward, Wu Tong had deliberately upgraded it from a single talisman into a method for crafting an entire type of talisman, to encourage him to work harder.
Inside the token were three talismans: Communication Talisman, Frost Talisman, and Mount Tai Talisman.
The Communication Talisman was simple—Qi Refining cultivators could already draw it. Once successfully created, the talisman would split into two. When one was inscribed with a message, it would automatically activate and display on the other.
The Frost Talisman, however, had a much higher threshold. When drawing it, the cultivator had to supply a large amount of spiritual energy—either through spirit stones or their own reserves—roughly equivalent to the output of a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.
Once completed, the talisman could convert spiritual energy into ice. If released into water, it could freeze an entire lake. If used on a cultivator, it could turn them into an ice sculpture. Of course, the actual effect depended on the target:
Against Qi Refining cultivators, it would likely freeze them to death outright.Against Foundation Establishment cultivators, the frozen parts would be injured, and their internal energy circulation would become sluggish.Against Golden Core cultivators, it would likely only cause some inconvenience.
But talismans couldn't be evaluated so simply. Their true power depended on timing, environment, and synergy. In Lu You's mind, hundreds of practical applications had already formed.
For example, combining Rain-Calling Talismans, Wind Talismans, and Frost Talismans could fill the sky with countless ice arrows.
Or combining Rain-Calling Talismans, Frost Talismans, and Light Talismans—the dazzling light would refract endlessly. One could even use Frost Talismans to shape the Rain-Calling into prisms or magnifying lenses, allowing Light Talismans—normally affecting vision and spiritual sense—to gain offensive capability through refraction.
Finally, Lu You turned his attention to the Mount Tai Talisman.
Unlike the previous two, this was a semi-permanent talisman.
Talismans were generally divided into three types: one-time use, semi-permanent, and permanent.
All the talismans Lu You currently possessed were single-use—once activated, they would disappear.
Permanent talismans, on the other hand, required durable materials. Once completed, they could be used indefinitely as long as they were periodically replenished with spiritual energy. In the Nascent Soul expert's Water-Cloud Realm, Lu You had already seen many glowing jade stones used for illumination. These weren't natural luminous pearls, but rather permanent talismans inscribed onto special jade, forming portable formations that emitted light day and night.
As long as spiritual energy is periodically infused into a permanent talisman, the jade can continue to provide light indefinitely.
To create a permanent talisman, one not only needs top-grade materials, but must also master formation techniques as well as the method of permanent inscription.
Unfortunately, the method of permanence was never passed down by the Verdant Cloud Sect. Lu You had never even heard what kind of contribution would be required to obtain it.
As for semi-permanent talismans, the Mount Tai Talisman in the transmission token was exactly such an example.
Most talismans required spiritual energy to be infused during their creation, with emphasis on completing the process in one continuous flow. But semi-permanent talismans could continue to receive spiritual energy even after being completed.
After drawing the Mount Tai Talisman, its initial power was not particularly great. However, as long as it was not released, the cultivator could continuously channel spiritual energy into it.
In other words, a semi-permanent talisman was like a chargeable attack. As long as one was willing to invest spiritual energy and spirit stones—and put in the time—the Mount Tai Talisman could truly become as heavy as Mount Tai itself. Once it struck, it could even suppress a Golden Core cultivator.
Wu Tong had planned this well.
After reviewing the information on the three talismans, Lu You quickly understood why Wu Tong had used a transmission token.
Faced with a three-choice situation, Lu You couldn't help but feel a trace of greed, wanting to claim all three talisman methods for himself. But due to the limitations of the token, he could only choose one. To obtain the other two, he would have to work harder—continue observing Lu Xiao'e, gather more clues, and exchange them with Wu Tong for further rewards.
There was also a more insidious aspect to this setup. Although the reward had been upgraded into talisman-making methods, it actually made things harder for Lu You. As an ordinary outer sect disciple, where would he get the resources to practice talisman after talisman? In this way, using more powerful talismans as bait and the resources needed for practice as leverage, Wu Tong could effectively keep Lu You under his control.
"I choose… the Communication Talisman."
Lu You picked up the transmission token and examined the three talismans over and over again. Finally, with a long sigh and visible reluctance, he made his decision—abandoning the more powerful Frost Talisman and Mount Tai Talisman, and choosing the Communication Talisman, which could be learned and crafted at the Qi Refining realm.
A common man is innocent, but possessing treasure brings guilt. Lu You didn't know whether there were hidden risks with the transmission token. The Frost and Mount Tai Talismans were clearly extremely valuable—if he chose them, it was hard to say whether it would bring trouble. Moreover, he was only a Qi Refining outer sect disciple. If he chose something far beyond his level, Wu Tong might also grow suspicious.
Fearing that he might be under surveillance, after making his choice, Lu You deliberately acted conflicted—full of regret and greed. He even feigned a small outburst before finally picking up a brush and writing down the information he had gathered about Lu Xiao'e on the xuan paper.
Lu Xiao'e, real age: 20. Golden Core realm. Has family in the lower city.
By stating that she was a 20-year-old Golden Core cultivator, he not only highlighted her extraordinary talent but also hinted at the powerful resources behind her. In this way, even if Wu Tong wanted to act against her, he would have to think twice. Additionally, by fabricating the existence of her "family," Lu You could buy some time—after all, investigating nonexistent relatives would take more than a day or two.
After finishing writing, Lu You left with the transmission token, looking full of ambition. If there had been surveillance in the Nascent Soul expert's residence, one could easily conclude from his expression and actions that he was eager to follow Lu Xiao'e and obtain his next reward.
He left the Water-Cloud Realm in high spirits, passing through the Heaven District and the Earth District. Only after leaving them behind did the excitement fade from his face, returning to a calm and composed expression.
Evil Eye said, "Boss, even I was almost fooled by you. That performance was way too real—you stayed excited the whole way, and then perfectly adjusted your emotions the moment you got back to the Human District. This way, even if Wu Tong is monitoring you, he won't notice anything suspicious. He might even think you're working hard to complete the task, and that you deliberately calmed yourself down in time so Lu Xiao'e wouldn't suspect anything."
Evil Eye added, "It's just a pity—the transmission token only contains descriptions of the talismans. If they were real talismans, I could replicate them and study them slowly later."
Lu You's expression remained calm, but inwardly he was overjoyed. "That excitement wasn't fake. Anyone who picked up a windfall would be happy all the way. Evil Eye, check first—does this transmission token contain any surveillance restrictions?"
Holding the token in his palm, Lu You infused it with spiritual energy. Evil Eye took the opportunity to probe it thoroughly before replying, "Boss, it's safe. Wu Tong probably didn't dare add anything suspicious, fearing you might notice. The problem is more likely in that Nascent Soul expert's residence—it probably already reported your choices and actions to Wu Tong."
"Just as I expected. This token can be taken away. If there were restrictions on it and I had someone else examine it, Wu Tong would lose me as an informant." A slight smile appeared at the corner of Lu You's lips. Then he flipped his hand—and two identical transmission tokens appeared in his palm.
In the Nascent Soul expert's residence, while Lu You pretended to be overwhelmed with excitement and held the token to examine it, he had secretly placed it into the small cauldron to duplicate it. Now, he possessed countless copies of the transmission token containing all three talisman methods. If he wanted to learn the Mount Tai Talisman or the Frost Talisman, he could study them endlessly—even distributing copies to every cultivator in the Verdant Cloud Sect would still leave him with more than enough.
Evil Eye exclaimed, "Damn, Boss, that's too cunning—even I didn't think of that! On the surface, you chose the Communication Talisman to dispel Wu Tong's suspicion, but behind the scenes, you've already obtained all the talisman methods!"
Just as Lu You and Evil Eye were celebrating, Wu Tong appeared in the Nascent Soul expert's residence.
Instead of entering the study, Wu Tong walked straight to the go board. He gently adjusted a few pieces, as if giving the board eyes and a mouth. The next moment, the go board spoke.
"Young Master, that person just now chose the Communication Talisman through the transmission token."
This go board was actually the core of the Water-Cloud Realm formation—and it had developed intelligence.
Wu Tong nodded. "Go Spirit, do you think the information he left is true or false?"
The go board didn't analyze truth or falsehood. Instead, it recounted all of Lu You's actions. "That person was extremely excited. After choosing the Communication Talisman, he regretted it so much he almost went mad, wishing he could choose again. When he wrote on the paper, I could sense his heartbeat through the spiritual paper and brush—his excitement was genuine, without any other emotions mixed in."
Wu Tong clenched his fist in excitement. "Excellent. Looks like I chose the right person!"
"This Lu You has potential. He didn't let greed drive him to choose the strongest Mount Tai Talisman. Whether he realized it wasn't easy to obtain, or simply chose according to his current ability step by step, it proves he's worth using." Wu Tong gently stroked the go board. "Go Spirit, when Grandfather comes out of seclusion and sees all these plans I've made, do you think he'll believe I've truly grown?"
The Go Spirit shifted the pieces, forming a human-like smiling expression on the board. "Of course. Young Master's calculations are truly brilliant. Not only have you uncovered the true identity of 'Dongfang Bubai,' you've also planted a spy at her side. Even if things fail on Elder Huo Chuan's end, once the Venerable emerges from seclusion, you can still use the clues from Lu You to unravel the forces behind Dongfang Bubai."
Meanwhile, back at Lu You's courtyard…
No sooner had Lu You left than Lu Xiao'e pushed open the bedroom window, poking her little head inside.
"So Lu You actually noticed something…" Her eyes flickered uncertainly. "What will he do next?"
Even if Lu You had discovered that her cultivation was stronger than she appeared, Lu Xiao'e wasn't particularly worried. She had been undercover in the Verdant Cloud Sect for a long time and had never done anything out of line. The incident where she beat Zhou Lei had already been pinned on "Dongfang Bubai," so no one could possibly suspect her. Moreover, she possessed a secret technique that allowed her to suppress her cultivation to the Foundation Establishment realm. Even if the sect elders examined her, they wouldn't find anything wrong. At worst, she could simply claim she had just broken through and smoothly join the inner sect.
In the next moment, Lu Xiao'e jumped down from the window and slipped into Lu You's room.
"Forget it—better to strike first. Since Lu You has already noticed something, for safety's sake, I should deal with him first. What a pity… it's rare to encounter such a swordsmanship genius. I even thought I had found a successor for my master's legacy."
Lu Xiao'e took out a piece of crystal-clear jade. It was identical to the jade Elder Huo Chuan had used to display Zhou Lei's memories. With a light infusion of spiritual energy, mist rose from it, revealing an image—Lu You disguised as a mass of black fog, fighting Zhou Lei.
This image had been secretly recorded by Lu Xiao'e. She had originally planned to use it in the future to threaten Lu You and lure him into her own sect. But now that Lu You had demonstrated talent in the talisman path that could reach the Grandmaster State, he would undoubtedly become a key figure in the Verdant Cloud Sect. It would no longer be so easy to blackmail him.
"I can't just sit back and watch the Verdant Mountain Sect gain both a talisman genius and a sword genius."
Lu Xiao'e entered Lu You's bedroom and quietly hid the jade beneath his bed. Suddenly, she sensed a familiar energy. Her gaze shifted to the pillow on Lu You's bed.
She grabbed the pillow—clang—and a jade key fell out.
"You knew there was something wrong with my identity, yet you still chose to give me the key?"
Seeing the key hidden in her pillow, how could Lu Xiao'e not understand Lu You's intention? Her room was directly across from his—every time she opened the window, she could see that pillow. Lu You had clearly placed the key there deliberately, waiting for her to "steal" it.
Looking at the jade in her hand—the very thing she had planned to use to frame Lu You—Lu Xiao'e felt a surge of mixed emotions: shame, guilt, and something deeper. Suddenly tightening her grip, she crushed the jade into pieces.
"You idiot, Lu You… how could someone as foolish as you ever achieve immortality…? Waaaah… you're making me so moved…"
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