Chapter 112: Incomplete Talisman Treasure
The talisman radiated a faint jade-green glow, though the color was rather pale. The three jade spheres seemed to have phantom images, slowly revolving upon its surface.
“Senior, this is…”
The shop assistant paused slightly, about to explain as usual, when he was interrupted by a voice.
“This is a Talisman Treasure.”
A middle-aged man dressed in brocade robes, with a somewhat portly build, walked over slowly.
Song Yan turned to look. He had seen this person earlier—one of the managers of the Treasured Pavilion, stationed here today.
Faint ripples of spiritual energy at the ninth level of the Qi Refining Stage emanated from his body.
“Senior Brother.”
Song Yan cupped his fists in a bow.
He did not actually know whether the other party was a member of the Eastern Abyss Sect.
But as long as one was in the Spirit Source Marsh market, one could not be separated from the Eastern Abyss Sect’s influence.
Whether one was a clan cultivator affiliated with the sect or a resident guest elder, since the other party was both older and higher in cultivation, calling him “Senior Brother” was absolutely the right choice.
“You’re too kind.”
“Young friend, to enter a superior sect’s inner door at such a young age—your immortal path is limitless.”
This man was named Zhou Baogui, and as Song Yan had guessed, he was indeed one of the managers of the Treasured Pavilion.
From the moment Song Yan had stepped through the Treasured Pavilion’s door, he had been secretly observing him.
Only now did he feel the timing was right, and so he spoke.
The shop assistant, upon his signal, went to attend to other customers.
“I am Zhou Baogui. If young friend does not mind, just call me Old Zhou.”
Old Zhou’s speech had a natural warmth. Though the two were strangers, after just a few casual exchanges, it felt as though they were ordinary friends.
“Song Yesheng.”
“This talisman seems different from the other spirit talismans, and it is displayed separately. Does it have some special quality?”
“Senior Brother Zhou, forgive my ignorance—I have never heard the name ‘Talisman Treasure’ before…”
Zhou Baogui chuckled, but rather than introducing the talisman on the spot, he asked a question.
“Young friend Song, you came here today to purchase such a large quantity of cultivation supplies at once. Are you planning to leave the sect for an extended period?”
“…”
Song Yan nodded.
“Among your purchases, spirit-refining pills and arrays are the main items. I suspect you are worried that your destination has sparse and barren spiritual energy, and you are concerned about low cultivation efficiency. Am I correct?”
“That’s right.”
Song Yan thought to himself that this man truly had a talent for reading people.
With these two points identified, combined with the sect’s most significant external mission currently underway, his itinerary was practically laid bare.
However, Zhou Baogui stopped at that point and did not continue.
He pointed at the special spirit talisman in the display case and said slowly, “Talisman Treasures are indeed rare in the cultivation world of our Chu State.”
“It’s perfectly normal for you not to know about them, young friend. If I hadn’t seen everything in this line of work, I wouldn’t know either.”
Song Yan listened with full attention.
He had not known until now, but once he heard the explanation, this “Talisman Treasure” truly had an impressive background.
“The reason ‘Talisman Treasures’ are so precious and rarely circulated is mainly because only great cultivators at the Golden Core realm and above have the ability to create them.”
Golden Core realm and above?!
“Young friend should know the distinction between magical artifacts, spirit artifacts, and dharma treasures.”
Seeing Song Yan nod, Zhou Baogui continued.
“These ‘Talisman Treasures’ are mostly created by great cultivators at the Golden Core realm and above, who repurpose incomplete, worn-out, or damaged dharma treasures.”
“They seal a portion of the power and effects into special talismans, allowing other cultivators—even those at lower realms—to barely wield the power of a dharma treasure through these special talismans.”
“As a type of talisman, it is naturally convenient to use and easy to control.”
“As a small fragment of a dharma treasure, it also possesses formidable power.”
“Therefore, it is deeply sought after by many Foundation Establishment cultivators.”
“Foundation Establishment cultivators?” Song Yan could not help but ask. “Does that mean only Foundation Establishment cultivators can use this ‘Talisman Treasure’?”
Just these few words from Zhou Baogui had already piqued his interest.
If it really could only be used by Foundation Establishment cultivators, that would be quite a pity.
“Not at all.”
Zhou Baogui waved his hand. “Ordinary ‘Talisman Treasures’ can be used by both Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment cultivators. However, because Qi Refining Stage cultivators have lower cultivation, they can only unleash one or two tenths of its power.”
“In that case, compared to its price, which far exceeds ordinary talismans, it becomes less attractive.”
“I see.”
“Although ‘Talisman Treasures’ are powerful, they are not dharma treasures themselves. Like water from a severed source, each use diminishes their power.”
“Once fully depleted, the ‘Talisman Treasure’ becomes useless.”
After briefly introducing the relevant information about Talisman Treasures, Zhou Baogui shifted his focus back to the specific talisman before them.
“This particular Talisman Treasure was not created by a Golden Core senior from our Chu State.”
The Chu State’s cultivation world had only a handful of Golden Core cultivators.
If they created Talisman Treasures, they would certainly pass them down to their disciples or relatives. There was virtually no possibility of them circulating outward.
“It appears that a cultivator from another region, fleeing from an enemy’s pursuit, came to Chu State and sold it along with other spiritual assets when he needed money.”
“After changing hands several times, it eventually arrived at our shop.”
“According to him, this Talisman Treasure originated from a pearl jade pendant dharma treasure. Its function is to resist divine sense attacks or erosions.”
“However, he had already used it for quite some time before. The remaining power in this Talisman Treasure is only enough to activate its effect for half the time it takes an incense stick to burn.”
It was actually an incomplete Talisman Treasure…
Song Yan considered silently. Ghost Mountain in Changping was teeming with demons and heterodox cultivators. Though senior brothers and elders from the sect would be stationed there for protection, he was genuinely worried about encountering some sinister technique that specifically targeted the divine soul.
Seeing his hesitation, Zhou Baogui did not push or hard-sell. Instead, he took a step back.
“This Talisman Treasure, first, is incomplete with very little power remaining. Second, it is designed to resist divine soul attacks, so its versatility is not great.”
“It has rarely attracted buyers to begin with, and on top of that, its price of one hundred and fifty spirit stones is truly steep.”
“If you’re interested, it would make a decent collector’s item. If not, our shop has many other spirit talismans for you to choose from.”
Zhou Baogui was clever. He placed all the decision-making power and right of initiative entirely in the other party’s hands.
Song Yan’s choice was free.
At this moment, he found himself wanting this “Talisman Treasure” even more.
“I’ll take it.”
Considering the potential dangers and hidden hazards of the Changping expedition, he ultimately decided to make the purchase.
“Very well.”
Zhou Baogui nodded, a hint of pleasure on his face, though it was not exaggerated.
He packed all of Song Yan’s purchases into a new Cosmos Bag and handed it to Song Yan as a complimentary gift.
“Young friend Song, you are welcome to return anytime.”
After leaving the Treasured Pavilion, he visited other miscellaneous shops to purchase some additional necessities.
Due to the Changping matter, prices in the market had risen slightly recently.
This trip cost Song Yan a total of over three hundred and sixty spirit stones.
His savings were nearly depleted.
But now that all preparations were complete, the burden in his heart also lifted.
He returned to his cave abode and began his daily cultivation.
Waiting for a certain day to arrive.