Chapter 22: Talismans and Wooden Swords
Chapter 22: Talismans and Wooden Swords
"This is the Seven Star Spirit Fruit?"
Chu Ning couldn't help but express his surprise, and Old Man Sun's tone held a hint of amusement as he replied, "Indeed, this is the Seven Star Spirit Fruit. I obtained it by chance, and it took quite an effort to nurture it properly."
"It's truly extraordinary," Chu Ning remarked inwardly, but he didn't inquire further about the fruit's mystical properties or how Old Man Sun had acquired it.
Under the watchful gaze of Old Man Sun, Chu Ning performed a series of intricate hand seals and cast the Green Wood Everlasting Spring Technique.
While he couldn't yet cast this technique in an instant, it was undoubtedly far more advanced than spells like the Promotion Art.
However, due to Chu Ning's frequent use of this technique, his proficiency with it was exceptionally high.
Moreover, Chu Ning's execution of the Green Wood Everlasting Spring Technique consumed less spiritual energy than most cultivators.
This was why he dared to agree to cast the spell again, even after using the Promotion Art ten times earlier.
Seeing Chu Ning's display, Old Man Sun's eyes lit up with enthusiasm.
Although he didn't know the technique, he could tell from the concentration of spiritual energy that Chu Ning's spellcasting abilities were remarkable.
Chu Ning cast the Green Wood Everlasting Spring Technique ten times in succession.
By now, it was evident that the colorful leaves of the Seven Star Spirit Fruit were glowing faintly.
Delighted by this sight, Old Man Sun expressed his gratitude profusely and offered Chu Ning three spirit stones and a small jade bottle.
"Brother Wu, here are three spirit stones and a Recovery Pill, which includes today's payment.
Consider the extra spirit stone as an advance for tomorrow. I hope you'll arrive on time tomorrow, and I'd appreciate your discretion in this matter."
The surname 'Wu' was something Chu Ning had made up on the spot. Since he had revealed a different cultivation level from the one he had at the sect, he naturally wouldn't use his real name.
Chu Ning nodded, "Since I've promised Shopkeeper Sun, I'll definitely be here on time. Now, if you could kindly provide me with a place to meditate and restore my spiritual energy."
"Of course, please follow me, fellow daoist." Old Man Sun led Chu Ning to a room where he could rest.
Chu Ning took out a pill from the small jade bottle and, after confirming that it was indeed a Recovery Pill, swallowed it.
The Recovery Pill was a basic restorative in the cultivation world, especially beneficial for cultivators in the early and middle stages of Qi Refining.
Chu Ning had seen these pills before during his time in the transmission room.
Less than a quarter of an hour after consuming the pill and meditating, Chu Ning slowly opened his eyes, feeling his spiritual energy fully restored. He couldn't help but be impressed.
"This Recovery Pill is indeed effective. It replenishes spiritual energy very quickly.
To be honest, casting the Green Wood Everlasting Spring Technique ten times didn't deplete my spiritual energy that much, so I didn't need to rush the recovery.
Next time I obtain one of these pills, I can keep it for emergencies."
After restoring his spiritual energy, Chu Ning bid farewell to Old Man Sun, who once again emphasized the importance of discretion. Only after receiving Chu Ning's assurance did he finally let him leave.
Chu Ning left the market street and, having already missed his agreed-upon meeting time with Qiu Shunyi, he directly used the Wind Riding Technique to head back to the mountain.
Covering a distance of a hundred miles, Chu Ning arrived back at the courtyard in less than an hour.
Over the next few days, Chu Ning checked on the growth of the Ink Spirit Bamboo and Spirit Rice in the two spirit fields each morning.
After that, he would go to Old Man Sun's shop in the market street to earn spirit stones.
The Seven Star Spirit Fruit matured at a visible rate under Chu Ning's daily casting of the Green Wood Everlasting Spring Technique.
On the last day of Chu Ning's visit, as he completed his spellcasting, the fruit beneath the colorful leaves was plump and ripe, hinting at a reddish hue.
One could sense the dense spiritual energy emanating from it even from a distance.
Old Man Sun's attitude towards Chu Ning was now extremely warm and hospitable. He even prepared a special spirit tea to entertain his guest.
As they sipped their tea, Old Man Sun took out two spirit stones and a small bottle.
"Brother Chu, I've already given you nineteen spirit stones. Here are two more spirit stones and two Recovery Pills.
Consider the extra spirit stone and pill as a token of my appreciation for your efforts over the past ten days."
"Thank you, Shopkeeper Sun," Chu Ning said as he accepted the offer without hesitation.
Old Man Sun chuckled, "If there's anything like this in the future, I hope you'll continue to lend me your support."
Chu Ning smiled and, instead of rushing off this time, he asked, "Shopkeeper Sun, do I get a discount if I use these spirit stones to purchase items from your store?"
"Of course! I'll make sure to give you a good price, fellow daoist."
Old Man Sun's smile widened at the mention of Chu Ning buying something from his store.
Without further ado, Chu Ning continued, "I'd like to buy some offensive and defensive talismans. Also, do you have any manuals on talisman-making for sale?"
"I do have offensive and defensive talismans here, depending on the grade you're looking for.
A lower-grade offensive talisman is two low-grade spirit stones each, and a defensive talisman is three low-grade spirit stones each."
Sun Lao Tou took out two talismans from each of the two boxes and presented them to Chu Ning, introducing them, "The Golden Sword Talisman and the Protective Talisman are both excellent choices among lower-grade offensive and defensive talismans. I'll give them to you for nine spirit stones altogether, fellow Daoist."
Chu Ning nodded, knowing that this price was indeed considerate of his situation. He hadn't wasted his time in the market district and had gained some understanding of the going rates for various items.
Subsequently, Chu Ning inquired, "Do you have any artifacts suitable for wood-attribute techniques?"
"Indeed, I have quite a collection of artifacts related to wood-attribute techniques, especially lower-grade ones. You'll be hard-pressed to find a more comprehensive selection than what I have here." Sun Lao Tou replied with a smile as he turned around and took a sword from the shelf behind him.
"This flying sword is fairly basic. It's forged from refined iron, and a simple wood-attribute formation is inscribed on it. It's particularly suited for cultivators practicing wood-attribute techniques, and I'm offering it for 30 spirit stones."
"Thirty spirit stones? That's too expensive!" Chu Ning exclaimed, taken aback by the price.
He didn't have anywhere near 30 spirit stones on him.
He had earned 21 spirit stones from Sun Lao Tou during this time. He had also taken on additional tasks in the market district, such as performing the Hastening Art and the Cleansing Art, which, together with what he had earned from Song Zhangui on the first day, amounted to about two additional spirit stones.
Sun Lao Tou could somewhat guess Chu Ning's thoughts and chuckled, "A regular flying sword would cost around 20 spirit stones. Since you specifically wanted one that's more compatible with wood-attribute techniques, it's natural that the price would be a bit higher."
That sword would cost 20 spirit stones, which meant Chu Ning would have to forgo buying the talismans.
However, as someone who intended to pursue the path of talisman-making, he really wanted to purchase a few talismans to experience their effects firsthand.
"Never mind, then." Chu Ning shook his head, deciding to put it off for another time.
"Oh, right! I also have a wooden sword here." Sun Lao Tou suddenly remembered something and spoke up.
He turned around and retrieved a dusty, pitch-black object from the corner of the shelf behind him.
"To be precise, it's not really a sword. It's more of a sword-shaped artifact made of wood." Sun Lao Tou explained as he cast a Cleansing Art to remove the dust, revealing the true appearance of the item.
It was a pitch-black wooden sword, larger than an ordinary flying sword.
A typical flying sword measured about 15 inches in length and 1 inch in width, but this wooden sword was 20 inches long and over 2 inches wide.
Moreover, it was twice as thick as a regular flying sword or wooden sword.
Chu Ning reached out to take it, expecting the wooden sword to be light, but he was surprised by its weight. He tried to lift it casually, but he couldn't budge the sword.
"This sword is 21 inches long and 2.5 inches wide. I'm not sure what kind of wood it's made of, but it's incredibly heavy. However, there's a simple formation inscribed on it, and once you infuse it with spiritual energy, it will become as light as a regular flying sword. When it strikes a target, it will regain its weight and deal a certain amount of damage. But because it's made of wood, it's not very sharp, so the damage it inflicts is limited, making it somewhat useless. It's been sitting in my shop for quite some time. Initially, there were some inquiries about it, but in recent years, I've almost forgotten about its existence." Sun Lao Tou finished his explanation.
Chu Ning gave the wooden sword a strong tug and finally managed to lift it. He then infused it with a bit of spiritual energy, and just as Sun Lao Tou had said, the sword became significantly lighter.
"It's quite interesting," Chu Ning commented before asking, "How much for this?"
Sun Lao Tou waved his hand and replied, "I bought it for 10 spirit stones on a whim, so if you want it, I'll sell it to you for the same price."
Chu Ning nodded and took out 17 whole spirit stones from his pocket. Together with some broken spirit stones he had accumulated, which were worth about two whole spirit stones, he handed them over to Sun Lao Tou.
Sun Lao Tou didn't mind the mix of whole and broken spirit stones and readily accepted the payment.
Chu Ning stored the four talismans separately in different places on his body and left the shop holding the wooden sword in his hand.
He didn't linger in the market district and soon made his way out, using the Wind Riding Technique to head straight back to the sect.
At the same time, on the usual route that Chu Ning took to return to the sect, a figure was hiding behind a dense thicket of trees.
"This kid hasn't shown up yet. He seems to be later than the previous two days."
(End of Chapter)
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