Chapter 451: Blue Lotus Heart, Top-Tier Prohibitive Talisman
Chapter 451: Blue Lotus Heart, Top-Tier Prohibitive Talisman
"So it turns out Fellow Daoist Chu has such divine abilities. Knowing that you have such means to deal with vengeful ghosts, we should have asked you to act sooner."
Shi Jing watched as the ghosts were eradicated in the blink of an eye, and his face lit up with delight.
Huang Zongkun's eyes twitched slightly at these words, but in the end, he said nothing.
Even he had to admit that, when it came to dealing with the ghosts, Chu Ning's intervention was much more efficient than his own.
At this moment, his gaze fixed on the faint golden light that surrounded Chu Ning, and he felt a sense of puzzlement.
Initially, he had assumed that the ethereal light shielding Chu Ning was some sort of metallic defensive spell.
However, after witnessing its subduing effect on the ghosts, Huang Zongkun soon realized his guess was incorrect.
As he sensed it more carefully, he couldn't detect any metallic spiritual fluctuations.
This only added to his astonishment.
However, not only did he and Chu Ning not have much of a relationship, but even if they did, it wouldn't be appropriate to inquire about the secret art Chu Ning was currently using.
After all, in the cultivation world, probing into others' secrets was considered highly taboo, especially among Nascent Soul cultivators.
Shentuo Ping, at this time, was staring intently at the two exceptionally majestic golden thunder eagles standing by Chu Ning's side.
"Fellow Daoist Chu, the Nine Lotus Sect is not known for their expertise in beast taming, but I never expected your two golden thunder eagles to have reached such a high level.
These two eagles have a much larger build than ordinary golden thunder eagles, and their golden thunder abilities are far superior as well.
With such innate talent, it won't be difficult for them to achieve shape-shifting in the future."
Shentuo Ping, who came from the Spirit Beast Valley known for their beast taming prowess, could easily recognize the extraordinary nature of the golden thunder eagles, which didn't surprise Chu Ning.
Chu Ning smiled and said, "The two little guys accidentally consumed something that strengthened their physical bodies years ago, so they indeed grow faster than regular golden thunder eagles."
As he spoke, Chu Ning called out, and the two golden thunder eagles immediately flew into his spirit beast bag.
Shentuo Ping glanced at them reluctantly, his eyes filled with envy.
With the background of the Spirit Beast Valley, they naturally had some sixth-rank demonic beasts.
However, those with the innate talent to advance to the eighth rank and achieve shape-shifting were quite rare.
The fact that Chu Ning had two such beasts naturally made Shentuo Ping envious.
With this interlude, Shi Jing and the others gained a preliminary understanding of Chu Ning's abilities.
Especially after learning that Chu Ning was adept at dealing with these malevolent ghosts, they immediately invited him to take the lead.
Chu Ning didn't refuse.
What surprised them slightly was that, perhaps due to the eradication of this wave of ghosts, the other ghosts seemed to be wary and did not launch any further attacks.
However, as they continued on their way, the sinister aura grew denser, keeping everyone on high alert.
Soon, they arrived at a sheer cliff.
The ghostly fog, formed by the convergence of dense sinister aura, was now incredibly thick, almost as if it were about to condense into a liquid.
This sight shocked everyone.
At the same time, they realized why the sect from the Demon Path Alliance had their eyes on this place.
If one were cultivating a certain demonic art that required this sinister aura, cultivating here would undoubtedly yield twice the results with half the effort.
"We're here!"
It was at this moment that Shi Jing's voice sounded.
"This is the location of the Yin Jue Meridian, and also the cave abode of the Mysterious Turtle Elder."
Hearing Shi Jing's words, the faces of the group couldn't help but show a hint of surprise.
Unconsciously, they released their spiritual senses to probe, but before they could extend it more than a few meters, a powerful sinister aura blocked them.
Only Chu Ning's heart stirred at this moment.
His spiritual sense forcefully penetrated the sinister aura and landed on a certain spot within the entire Yin Jue Meridian.
"What a sophisticated array formation restriction!"
Chu Ning's face remained calm, but he was surprised inwardly.
When it came to knowledge of array formation restrictions, he was undoubtedly the most proficient among those present.
Yet, even so, he hadn't detected any signs of an array formation here until Shi Jing spoke up.
It was only after Shi Jing's reminder that Chu Ning, with his powerful spiritual sense, was able to discern some faint traces.
He wondered how Shi Jing had discovered it in the first place.
As Chu Ning and the others were filled with doubt, Shi Jing took out an oval-shaped blue bead.
Instantly, the sinister aura surrounding them dispersed rapidly.
Shi Jing heard and laughed, "Fellow Daoist Chu has sharp eyes. This object is indeed the Blue Lotus Heart, specifically used to dispel Yin Sha Qi."
Chu Ning glanced at Shi Jing with renewed interest upon hearing his confirmation.
He had only read about this object in an ancient book from the Jiuhua Sect.
The Blue Lotus Heart is the spiritual fruit of the Blue Lotus, and according to legends, it can only be formed in a ten-thousand-year-old Blue Lotus.
This fruit specializes in countering Yin Sha Qi, and by carrying it on oneself, the Yin Sha Qi cannot come close.
It was no wonder that Shi Jing had ventured into the Ghost Mist Forest alone, possessing such an object.
"Fellow Daoists, the cave abode's restrictive formation set up by the Mysterious Turtle Elder is intricately linked to the Yin Jue Meridian.
When we reach the location of the Yin Jue Meridian, I will use this Blue Lotus Heart to dispel the Yin Sha Qi, and you will all discover something."
Shi Jing waved his hand, and immediately a pitch-black cave entrance was revealed beneath the sheer cliff. One could vaguely see a narrow passage behind it, just enough for one person to pass through.
Holding the Blue Lotus Heart, he took the lead and walked down the passage.
Chu Ning and the others quickly followed.
The soil inside the passage looked freshly dug, likely done during Shi Jing's previous visit.
As they proceeded downward, they traveled about fifty zhang before encountering a thick black fog that resembled ink.
Their gazes penetrated the fog, and they could vaguely see a black, vein-like existence below.
The Yin Jue Meridian.
As they observed this meridian, their spiritual senses barely touched it before a wave of cold, yin energy assaulted them.
It felt as if their spiritual consciousness was about to be completely devoured, and they quickly retracted their spiritual senses.
Only Chu Ning's spiritual sense remained locked onto an unremarkable spot in the middle of the Yin Jue Meridian.
"This array formation is integrated with the Yin Jue Meridian; it's very clever. It seems that Shi Jing's previous statement might be true.
The Yin Sha Qi here is too strong, disrupting the balance of this restrictive formation.
Otherwise, even with my spiritual sense, it would have been nearly impossible to detect the barely perceptible fluctuations of the formation."
As Chu Ning thought about this, Shi Jing had already reached above the Yin Jue Meridian, holding the Blue Lotus Heart.
He brought the Blue Lotus Heart closer to the meridian.
Immediately, the Yin Sha Qi within a five-zhang radius of the Blue Lotus Heart was completely isolated.
"Oh?"
The group couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.
Evidently, they had also discovered the hidden formation fluctuations.
"Fellow Daoists, this is the entrance to the Mysterious Turtle Elder's cave abode, but this restrictive formation is rather peculiar.
I, Shi, can isolate the Yin Sha Qi, but I am unable to break the formation.
Now, I would like to invite all of you to showcase your abilities."
Chu Ning looked at Shi Jing with a puzzled expression and asked, "Fellow Daoist Shi, since you haven't entered due to this formation, how can you be sure that this is the cave abode of the Mysterious Turtle Elder?"
Hearing Chu Ning's question, the others turned their gazes to Shi Jing as well.
Shi Jing smiled faintly and handed the Blue Lotus Heart to Shentuo Ping, "Brother Shentuo, hold this for me."
Once Shentuo Ping took the Blue Lotus Heart, Shi Jing formed hand seals and struck out one imprint after another onto the restrictive formation.
He was clearly using an advanced technique to break the formation.
The formation rippled, emitting a white light, and something even more remarkable happened. On the light barrier of the formation, vague talisman marks appeared, resembling various spirited turtles.
After the formation's fluctuations subsided, it returned to normal, indicating Shi Jing's failure to break the formation.
Shi Jing didn't seem to mind and instead turned to the group.
"Fellow Daoists, Shi once obtained a manual from a Nascent Soul cultivator from ten thousand years ago.
According to the manual, the Mysterious Turtle Elder's defensive shields and formation restrictions all bear these turtle-like talisman marks.
Aside from this, I have never heard of any other cultivator using such markings.
That is why I am certain that this is the cave abode of the Mysterious Turtle Elder."
"I have also seen records of this in my sect's archives." It was Wu Changdong who answered.
"It seems Fellow Daoist Shi's speculation is correct."
Shi Jing nodded and asked the group, "Fellow Daoists, who would like to attempt to break the formation first?
I also have a proposal. If any fellow Daoist makes the most significant contribution during this process, they will have the first choice of the treasures within.
What do you all think?"
After hearing Shi Jing's suggestion, the group exchanged glances and nodded, indicating they had no objections.
Shentuo Ping, who had the closest relationship with Shi Jing, volunteered, "Then I will try first.
The two then approached the restrictive formation, and Shentuo Ping executed a series of intricate hand seals, causing a bluish-white light to condense in his palms.
At the same time, he began chanting an esoteric incantation, the words sounding like the roar of a spiritual beast.
The combination of the chant and the hand seals lent him an air of mystery.
The light in his hands grew brighter and eventually took on the form of a four-legged spirit beast.
Shentuo Ping's eyes narrowed, and with a flick of his finger, he commanded, "Go!"
As the word left his mouth, the four-legged beast of light surged forward and pounced on the restrictive formation.
The formation rippled once more, and the spirit turtle talisman marks appeared one after another.
Shentuo Ping's beast of light began to gnaw at the formation, devouring several of the talisman marks within moments.
Shi Jing's eyes lit up as he watched the formation react violently to the assault.
But just then, Shentuo Ping's expression changed.
"Not good!" he exclaimed.
Before he could finish, a soft explosion rang out.
"Bang!"
The four-legged beast of light burst apart, and the talisman marks on the formation returned to normal.
Shentuo Ping retracted his hand, feeling somewhat embarrassed.
"Fellow Daoists, I cannot break this restrictive formation. I invite any of you to give it a try," he said.
"Let me give it a shot," Wu Changdong volunteered.
"However, I must admit that I am not particularly skilled in the art of formation breaking. I can only attempt to forcefully break it. If you think it's too risky, I won't proceed."
Everyone turned to Shi Jing, who hesitated for a moment before replying, "Please go ahead, Fellow Daoist Wu. If you can forcefully break it, that would be ideal."
Wu Changdong nodded at Shi Jing's encouragement and took out his signature treasure. Being a cultivator of thunder-attribute techniques, his strength lay in his offensive capabilities. He channeled his power into his treasure and unleashed a series of thunder techniques directly at the formation.
Such an assault would have easily broken an ordinary formation, but this one simply absorbed the attacks, flashing with spirit turtle talisman marks but remaining unmoved.
Wu Changdong tried a few more times before eventually shaking his head and stepping back.
Luo Yuchao stepped forward, taking his place. "Let me try!" she said.
The mid-Nascent Soul female solitary cultivator approached the formation and studied it intently. It was clear that she had some knowledge of formations. She observed for a while before executing a series of hand seals, attempting to break the formation. When that didn't work, she tried another method of breaking the restriction. She changed her approach over a dozen times, but the formation remained unyielding.
Luo Yuchao knitted her brows, her gaze fixed on the formation as she tried to puzzle it out. After a long while, she shook her head in dismay and stepped back, admitting, "This formation is peculiar and unlike modern formations. I've never seen anything like it before. I'm ashamed to say that I'm at a loss."
Seeing that none of them had succeeded, Shi Jing's expression grew concerned. He had gathered everyone for this expedition, and he hoped it wouldn't end in failure.
His gaze shifted to Chu Ning and Huang Zongkun, the two who hadn't attempted to break the formation yet.
Sensing Shi Jing's gaze, Chu Ning, who had been quietly observing, was about to speak up.
But Huang Zongkun beat him to it. "I'll give it a try!" he said, stepping forward.
As he spoke, he took out a green jade talisman from his storage bag.
"Top-tier Prohibitive Talisman!"
Chu Ning was surprised to see the talisman in Huang Zongkun's hand. He had read about it in some talisman manuals, but such special talismans were extremely rare, and this was the first time he had seen one in person.
After Chu Ning's exclamation, the others also fixed their gazes on the jade talisman in Huang Zongkun's hand, especially Shi Jing, whose eyes gleamed with interest.
Huang Zongkun felt a sense of pride as he noticed Chu Ning's immediate recognition of the talisman and sensed the envious glances of the others.
He approached the formation and channeled his spiritual power into the top-tier prohibitive talisman. It glowed with a dazzling green light and, at Huang Zongkun's command, transformed into a beam of green light that struck the formation.
(End of Chapter)
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