Chapter 198: Character Talisman · Chang Family Crisis · Departure Preparations

Chapter 198: Character Talisman · Chang Family Crisis · Departure Preparations

The towering white bone altar at the center, over a hundred meters high, lasted less than ten breaths before being devoured by the Beidou Spirit Flame.

The shattered bones hadn’t even begun to fall before they turned to ash.

Waves of scorching heat rose like a storm, while drifting embers fell like snowflakes, continuing for half a kezhang (approximately 15 minutes).

"Huh? It didn’t burn completely?"

Yet when the spirit flame receded, Xiao Chen swept the site with his spiritual sense and noticed a character talisman remaining at the center.

With a flick of his hand, true mana surged forth, lifting the talisman into his grasp.

The talisman wasn’t large—six inches long, one inch wide, and as thin as a finger. Yet its weight felt extraordinary, its material defying classification: neither metal nor jade, neither wood nor iron.

On its front were three neatly carved characters, but Xiao Chen couldn’t recognize them.

Flipping it over, the back bore a line of smaller script, equally indecipherable.

"Wait, this looks familiar—like the small clerical script from that painting. Could they share the same origin?"

Suddenly recalling something, he flipped it again and confirmed the resemblance.

Interesting. At least now there was a clearer clue.

This unusual script likely related to demonic cultivators, possibly a cipher to evade detection by orthodox Dao cultivators.

Yet the Yellow Spring Path’s secret texts hadn’t mentioned such codes, suggesting the Yellow Spring Path hadn’t used them. There was clearly another story here.

More clues would be needed to unravel it.

"Regardless, if it survived the flames, it must be valuable."

Xiao Chen had a unique way of judging unknown spirit herbs: "I’ll keep it for now. Opportunities to understand it will come."

After rechecking the site and confirming only ashes remained, he flew off to notify Lei Yin Zhenren and Yao Hua Zhenren, emphasizing the need to strike against Bandit Cultivators.

With the demonic calamity ended, restoring Hezhou’s order and suppressing lower cultivators exploiting the chaos was urgent.

Human-caused disasters were often the greatest threat.

A single warning from him might save lives—why not?

As he exited the Spirit Origin Sect’s hall, a sudden shout erupted beside him.

"Senior Xiao, save us!"

A figure lunged forward, crashing to his knees with a bang: "Esteemed senior, please speak for us and save my brother’s life!"

Xiao Chen squinted. The man was Chang Shunping, long unseen, now gaunt and skeletal.

He wept: "Esteemed senior, our Chang family has always been cautious, never colluding with demonic sects!"

"Let alone conspiring with the Divine Flame Cult—that’s pure slander!"

Xiao Chen blinked, surprised. He knew Chang Shunping lacked the guts to consort with demons. What was happening?

"Cultivator Chang, calm down. Rise and explain."

The story unraveled: after the Divine Flame Cult’s defeat, the Spirit Origin Sect had launched a province-wide purge, targeting escapees and collaborators while seizing abandoned spirit fields and veins.

The Chang family had become the unlucky target.

Chang Shunping’s younger brother, Chang Shun’an, was arrested as a spy at Yuan Ci Peak’s rear mountains, awaiting execution after interrogation. Their assets were seized for evidence.

"Wait—are you sure there’s no other reason?"

Xiao Chen frowned. He had personal ties with the Changs, and Chang Shunping was a Foundation Building Sixth Layer cultivator. Few families would dare act without proof.

"No other reason! My brother’s nature mirrors mine—we’ve never dared cause trouble!"

Chang Shunping hurried: "Shun’an guarded the frontline, with many witnesses. After the battle, he returned home directly."

"We’ve taken turns guarding the estate, never leaving!"

His tone was earnest, his words seemingly truthful.

"Then let’s investigate."

Xiao Chen asked: "Where’s your brother now? I’ll take you to see him."

But Yao Dehai intervened, suggesting bringing the parties together for confrontation.

Soon, Chang Shun’an and the Pan family’s arresting officer arrived, along with three pieces of evidence:

1. A copy of Demon Cultivation Techniques found in the Chang estate.

2. An unidentified cultivator corpse discovered in their cellar.

3. Two witnesses.

The first witness, a Chang servant, claimed the brothers resisted investigation and attacked the officers.

The second, a Spirit Origin Sect disciple, testified seeing Chang Shun’an secretly meet a demonic cultivator at Ling Yuan Bazaar during his New Year leave. The demon had been executed, but his confession implicated Chang Shun’an in obtaining pills.

The evidence chain seemed solid.

"Senior Xiao, it’s a frame-up!"

After the Pan officer spoke, Chang Shunping countered: "They barged in without investigation, clearly coveting our newly acquired spirit vein!"

"I’ve learned—the disciple was under Demon-Slaying Hall’s Elder Pan!"

Xiao Chen asked: "Tell me about this spirit vein."

The "new" spirit vein was Qiuping County’s original vein, abandoned after the Four Great Wanderers’ invasion. The Changs, connected by marriage to Qiuping’s fallen families, sought to claim it.

The Pans disputed this inheritance, swiftly gathering evidence of demonic collusion.

When officers raided, Chang Shunping used a hidden defense formation to escape.

With Xiao Chen, a Golden Core cultivator, present, a crowd gathered. Spirit Origin Sect disciples, managers, and elders flocked to witness the drama.

Pan Qiaochun arrived with a new witness: a Huidong Merchant Guild cultivator testifying that on the 17th of February, Chang Shun’an secretly met a demonic cultivator in the guild’s private room.

"I didn’t recognize him as a demon at the time", the witness admitted, "but learned later during the purge."

"Xu Fellow Cultivator of Huidong Merchant Guild works under me", Pan Qiaochun challenged Chang Shunping, "Surely not a Pan family pawn? With such evidence, how can you deny guilt?"

The crowd nodded. Xu Xixuan, Huidong Merchant Guild’s Ling Yuan Bazaar outpost leader, was beyond Pan family’s reach.

Chang Shunping hesitated, then turned to his brother.

"I never met Xu Fellow Cultivator! On the 17th, I was with Li Fellow Cultivator at Ling Yuan Bazaar’s secluded cultivation grounds, healing injuries!"

Pan Qiaochun snapped: "Then why hasn’t Li Fellow Cultivator testified for you?"

Chang Shun’an’s eyes widened: "Li Fellow Cultivator died defending Wangyan Mountain! Elder Pan, you know this!"

"Of course I know!"

Pan Qiaochun thundered: "You dare use a fallen comrade’s name to clear yourself? Absurd!"

"First accusing us of seizing your spirit vein, now fabricating evidence with a dead man!"

"All you do is shout 'unjust' with no proof!"

"Such tricks won’t fool everyone—or Feng Lei Zhen Ren!"

Since Xiao Chen’s "Wind Thunder Sword" days, some cultivators had dubbed him Feng Lei Zhen Ren (Thunder Hermit).

Pan Qiaochun’s speech drew nods from the crowd.

Only Xiao Chen’s expression remained inscrutable.

Once, he’d stood where Chang Shunping stood—accused of demonic collusion. Now, three years later, he was the judge.

Yao Dehai noticed, intending to help the Changs—but swallowed his words.

Du Mingjie, recalling his Qingyang Mountain days with Chang Shunping, considered intervening until the testimonies swayed him.

Qiu Qichen, however, watched Xiao Chen’s face. Noting his calm reaction to Xu Xixuan’s testimony, he guessed Xiao Chen might protect the Changs.

"Let’s suspend judgment", Qiu proposed. "With Pan family involvement, impartiality is questionable. A fresh investigation is needed."

Yao Dehai’s brows twitched. He’d considered the same but hesitated.

Qiu family’s opportunism was clear.

Gu Qiuling, witnessing the scene, stepped forward: "Qiu Qichen, don’t speak against your conscience!"

"Are the pieces of evidence enumerated by Junior Sect Sister Pan not clear enough?"

"Clearly, the Chang family has been colluding with the Divine Flame Cult! I'd like to ask you—what exactly are you planning to investigate with this re-investigation?"

A Gu Clan cultivator beside her quickly tugged at her sleeve, signaling her to hold her tongue.

But Gu Qiuling merely flicked her sleeve away. "Don't stop me! The matter is already clear—the Chang family has been making baseless accusations and stirring up trouble!"

"I'm speaking up for Junior Sect Sister Qiao Chun today, not because we're friends."

"I simply hope all demonic cultivators and traitors receive the punishment they deserve."

"Rather than having the outcome manipulated by certain factors due to deception by those with ulterior motives."

As she said "certain factors", her gaze settled on Xiao Chen.

This situation was quite ridiculous.

When Xiao Chen first joined the Spirit Origin Sect during the selection process, he had sensed her hostility toward him. But this enmity was inexplicable—surely they had no grudges between them?

"To prevent wrongfully accusing the innocent, let me ask one question first", Xiao Chen said, scanning the crowd. "How many Foundation Building cultivators surnamed Xu are there in the Huidong Merchant Guild?"

The moment he asked, murmurs rippled through the crowd. What did this mean?

Xu Xixuan, stunned, thought carefully before solemnly replying, "Only my elder brother and I, who manage the teahouse the guild operates within the Ling Yuan Bazaar."

That settled it.

Earlier, when Xiao Chen visited the Huidong Merchant Guild, he had overheard the Xu brothers being reassigned to assist with the sacrifice trade.

The true demonic cultivators weren't the Chang family—they were the Xu brothers.

This was clearly a conspiracy between the Xu and Pan families fabricating evidence. The Pan family might also be implicated.

Xiao Chen pressed further, "If that's the case, how many sacrifices have you helped sell?"

At the word "sacrifice", Xu Xixuan's face paled, cold sweat breaking out.

This was the highest-level secret within the merchant guild. How could Xiao Chen possibly know?

Even more shockingly, Pan Qiaochun turned ashen-faced on the spot.

"The Huidong Merchant Guild has many members colluding with demons, including these Xu brothers", Xiao Chen declared. "Therefore, the Chang family has been slandered, while the Pan family has been conspiring with the demonic sect."

"Interrogate the entire Pan family. Anyone who colluded with demonic cultivators or concealed their crimes must be executed alongside them."

The situation shifted suddenly, leaving the surrounding cultivators stunned.

Yao Dehai hesitated, then nodded. "Honoring the True Man's decree."

"Oh, and what about her?" Xiao Chen asked, pointing at Gu Qiuling.

Yao Dehai responded promptly, "Reporting to the True Man, Junior Sect Sister Gu is the Demon-Slaying Hall Manager, responsible for investigating demonic cultivators."

Xiao Chen shook his head. "With such low intelligence, she shouldn't hold such a critical position. It endangers innocent people."

"Also investigate her—see if she's one of those with ulterior motives."

At these words, the Gu Clan cultivator beside her exhaled in relief. Fortunately, Thunderclap Zhenren was reasonable and hadn't implicated the entire Gu Clan.

Gu Qiuling stared at her best friend in disbelief.

But Pan Qiaochun had already turned corpse-pale. The moment she heard "sacrifice", she knew everything was over.

Sure enough, Yao Dehai soon uncovered more evidence in the Pan family's estate, along with several hiding demonic cultivators.

After resolving the Chang family's crisis, Xiao Chen departed amidst Chang Shunping's tearful gratitude, returning to Lihuo Sect.

Since the demonic disaster had ended and the time window for the Hundred Grasses Forbidden Realm was limited, he needed to prepare for an early departure.

Before leaving, however, there were minor matters to settle.

First was refining the Bai Bo Fruit.

Thinking back, it had been nearly a month since his Golden Core breakthrough.

He hadn't had two consecutive days of proper cultivation, constantly shuttling between Hezhou and Lizhou.

Now, finally with some respite, he could focus on strengthening his power.

After all, this journey would span millions of li. The farther he traveled, the more unpredictable dangers he might face.

One thing was certain—the higher his strength, the more calmly he could handle emergencies.

Thus, he decided to consume his remaining spirit herbs before heading to the Hundred Grasses Forbidden Realm.

A day later, after fully absorbing the Bai Bo Fruit, Xiao Chen's true mana increased from 109 to 111 strands.

He cultivated for two more days.

Without spirit fruits, however, his true mana grew by only one strand.

If this rate became public, it would make other Golden Core Zhenren green with envy.

But Xiao Chen remained dissatisfied.

At his current cultivation rate, one day equaled a hundred days of ordinary practice.

In other words, without hexes, refining one strand of true mana required two hundred prodigies' worth of effort.

"This is absurd! No wonder other Golden Core Zhenren cultivate so slowly."

Recalling past rumors, he realized breakthroughs among Golden Core Zhenren were indeed rare.

This wasn't solely due to poor talent but also the inherent difficulty of Golden Core cultivation.

This wasn't a secret—everyone knew higher cultivation stages meant slower progress.

Slower progress led to slower stage advancements.

Slower advancements meant lower stages.

In short, the higher the stage, the lower the stage.

"Huh, something feels off about that logic."

Xiao Chen shrugged off the thought. After temporarily concluding his cultivation, the three-day-and-night simmered Cloud Leopard Bone Soup was finally ready.

This pot used an entire intact spinal bone.

With his cultivation realm improved, the spirit flame he summoned was fiercer, enhancing the soup's potency.

As he lifted the lid, a rich aroma filled the air.

Looking down, the spirit spring water had turned into a milky-white bone broth.

The once-solid bones had softened after prolonged stewing.

This time, he had also prepared an extra pot, simmering twenty jin of Rolling Pearl Spirit Rice.

Now perfectly cooked, each grain emitted a faint spiritual glow.

Without hesitation, Xiao Chen devoured the broth and rice in a frenzy, alternating spoonfuls.

Soon, the entire pot of bone soup and twenty jin of spirit rice vanished into his stomach.

As expected, this meal didn't help his Body Cultivation breakthrough to the third stage.

But it wasn't without benefits—his Nine Strengths Mountain Shifting Method advanced to its peak—the ninth force—nearly perfected.

Currently, his Body Tempering realm had already reached Foundation Building's peak.

"That should suffice."

Feeling his progress, Xiao Chen nodded in satisfaction.

There was little more he could do now.

With his spirit herbs exhausted and normal cultivation too slow, delaying further might make him miss the Forbidden Realm's window.

"Before leaving, I should bid farewell properly. This journey might take a long time."

Xiao Chen pondered his upcoming tasks.

First priority: the Hundred Grasses Forbidden Realm to seek the Yellow Spring Path's Purple-Gold Bodhi.

While there, he'd also search for other high-grade spirit herbs.

According to the legacy records, the Forbidden Realm should harbor other medicinal plants.

Logically, anything cultivated there should be at least third-tier.

Even picking random flowers and grasses would likely be valuable.

Second priority: gathering malevolent qi.

He must personally investigate Feidu Sea's bay to confirm rumors about silver frost malevolent qi.

He could also inquire about other malevolent qi sources.

Though already in Golden Core Formation, malevolent qi remained a crucial resource.

The "Xuantian Consumption Secret Method" hidden within the Wordless Stele was a heaven-reaching technique left by the Xuantian Immortal Palace's master.

Calling it heaven-reaching meant it wasn't merely for Golden Core Formation.

According to the secret method's records, during Nascent Soul Formation, each pair of five-element malevolent qi could increase success rates by half a tier.

Collecting all five elements could grant an additional 0.5 tier boost.

In total, five-element malevolent qi could increase Nascent Soul Formation success rates by up to three tiers.

Most importantly, these boosts could stack with other breakthrough elixirs or techniques.

Thus, gathering malevolent qi remained Xiao Chen's top priority.

Beyond these two critical goals, he had three matters to handle in the Eastern Territory.

First: purchasing a Storage Ring to replace his space-limited storage bag.

His waist already bore five storage bags.

Adding a sixth or seventh would be too cumbersome.

Second: inquiring about Dao Crystals.

Opportunities to comprehend the Dao were always better in greater numbers.

Besides, once he obtained the Purple-Gold Bodhi, his cultivation aptitude wouldn't be a concern.

Third: seeking a Body Cultivation secret technique.

Besides the previous Guijiao Zhenren, Xiao Chen hadn't heard of other third-stage Body Cultivators in the Southern Domain.

Thus, obtaining a third-stage Body Cultivation technique would require the Eastern Territory.

Moreover, third-stage Yao Beast bones and flesh would be more accessible there.

Ideally, he could advance his Body Cultivation to the third stage directly in the Eastern Territory.

That alone might take months.

Adding travel time, he likely wouldn't return for two or three years.

Thus, a formal farewell before departure was necessary.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end