The Xu siblings had placed great expectations on Li Xin, but Li Xin held a decisive secret he had not told them. He quietly lowered his gaze to the talismans in his hand.

  The Demonic Beast Talismans are already all drawn.

  For the past eight months, he had steadily crafted Demonic Beast Talismans—Invisibility Talisman, Enemy Shadow Talisman, Refined Shadow Talisman, Silent Step Talisman. From Four-Stroke to Seven-Stroke, ten of each in total.

  No one had noticed that Li Xin had already completed the Demonic Beast Talismans. Because his Origin True Qi had not decreased in the slightest. Whenever he drew Demonic Beast Talismans, Li Xin left Qingshan Valley and traveled back and forth through the Qingshan Mountain Range, consistently seeking spiritual herbs to replenish his lifespan. They were not rare treasures like White Dew Danhua, but low-grade spiritual herbs such as Deadwood Heart Grass, which he had occasionally obtained from within rotten ancient trees, could still be acquired with fair frequency. But he could not remain blindly optimistic.

  Li Xin had gradually begun to feel it. Just as repeated stimulation dulled the senses, the efficiency of this method was declining. In the past, a single spiritual herb could grant him a year of lifespan. Now, it required two or three herbs of similar grade to produce the same effect. To see proper results, stronger stimulation was required. Even so, the crafting of the Demonic Beast Talismans was nearing its end.

  The talisman he was currently immersed in was the Eight-Stroke Illusory Void Talisman. The final stage of the stroke-crafting method. He had grown accustomed to Seven-Stroke talismans, but the wall of Eight Strokes refused to crumble so easily. The deeper he delved into the structure of the Illusory Void Talisman, the more keenly he realized what he lacked most was ‘realm’.

  Eight-Stroke talismans were ordinarily the domain of One-Tier Perfection talisman masters. But Li Xin was merely at the sixth layer of Tier One. In his mind, he could comprehend the principles of the talisman. But his body could not keep up. More frustrating still was the fact that even if he wished to raise his realm, he could not.

  The cultivation method he practiced—the Five-Element Yin–Yang One Path Myriad Manifestations Returning to Origin Law. This method automatically refined and converted energy the moment it accumulated. The problem was that Li Xin had not even achieved the ‘First Star’ of the method, and therefore could not freely control the converted energy.

  Up until now, every breakthrough he had achieved had come simply because his body had reached its limit. Like a reservoir filled to the brim, forced to release water on its own. Of course, the realms he built in this manner were sturdier than anyone else’s. The energy refined by Guiyuan was pure, and Li Xin’s foundation was incomparable to that of ordinary cultivators. But the total quantity of energy was not something that could be solved by effort alone.

  Advancing one’s realm was not achieved solely by the ‘quality’ of energy. ‘Quantity’ was equally critical. And Li Xin, at present, was in no position to forcibly increase that quantity. It was possible to break through with medicinal pills, but given his status, the pills he could obtain were limited. At that moment, a thought flickered through his mind.

  If I use a Pseudo Spirit Stone, could this problem be solved?

  Pseudo Spirit Stones were originally cultivation resources used for various purposes. They replenished depleted energy or served as the core power source for powerful arrays. Yet no matter how precious they were, they could not be used directly for cultivation. The energy within them was too pure and too high-grade for an ordinary cultivator’s body to endure. At most, cultivators placed a Pseudo Spirit Stone nearby to draw upon a fraction of its energy, or refined it for auxiliary use. But Li Xin was different. The ‘Returning to Origin’ energy produced by his Five-Element Yin–Yang One Path Myriad Manifestations Returning to Origin Law was extremely similar to the energy within a Pseudo Spirit Stone.

  No—it was not merely similar. It felt as though they shared the same source.

  If my energy resonates with the Pseudo Spirit Stone… Then perhaps I can directly absorb the pure spiritual power condensed within it and break through my realm.

  A gamble far more dangerous than promising. Yet Li Xin did not hesitate.

  Let’s try it once.

  With that thought, he decided to obtain a Pseudo Spirit Stone.

  But where could he get one?

  Pseudo Spirit Stones were exceedingly rare, nearly impossible to acquire through ordinary means. After some thought, one person came to mind.

  ***

  Li Xin went to seek out Han Taizhen, the branch leader of the Talisman Union in Daejin Domain. They had spoken several times during their stay at Pavilion, and he knew Han Taizhen had decided to move together with the Daejin Sect. Han Taizhen had invited Li Xin to join them, but Li Xin had postponed his answer. Since he was already planning to escape through the hidden realm with Xu Hui’s group, the proposal was no longer under consideration.

  “You came to see me first? Is there some matter?”

  His expression showed mild surprise.

  Li Xin went straight to the point.

  “Is there a way to obtain a Pseudo Spirit Stone?”

  Han Taizhen stroked his chin, pondering for a moment.

  “Hm… It will not be easy right now. We will be leaving Qingshan Valley soon, so the Daejin Sect is retrieving all Pseudo Spirit Stones.”

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  Li Xin’s expression darkened. If the Daejin Sect was collecting them all, it would be nearly impossible for an individual to obtain one. At that moment, a faint smile curved Han Taizhen’s lips.

  “However, if one were to secretly trade what is privately held, who would know? I happen to possess a few Pseudo Spirit Stones myself.”

  Li Xin’s eyes flashed. In that instant, he understood. Han Taizhen was his only path to acquiring one.

  Li Xin bowed deeply, “If there is something you require, please tell me.”

  Han Taizhen smiled meaningfully and continued softly.

  “I ask for nothing grand. A few talismans you have drawn will suffice.”

  Li Xin could not conceal his puzzlement. Surely Han Taizhen himself could draw far more perfect talismans. As a Tier Two great cultivator, there was no reason he would need talismans crafted by a mere Tier One cultivator. Then a thought struck Li Xin.

  Could it be… Demonic Beast Talismans?

  Cold sweat ran down his back.

  “There is no divine-sense defensive array installed within your Dusk Pouch.”

  Though his tone was calm, Li Xin’s heart pounded violently.

  …Have I been discovered?

  Looking at Li Xin’s stiff expression, Han Taizhen offered calm advice.

  “If you wish to keep secrets in the future, you must be more thorough.”

  He pointed out Li Xin’s inexperience, yet his attitude was instructive rather than threatening.

  Li Xin inwardly felt relieved. Had another Tier Two cultivator discovered his secret, they would likely have seized his Dusk Pouch without hesitation. A common man without fault still invites disaster by possessing a treasure. Even without wrongdoing, holding something beyond one’s station could bring calamity.

  “Thank you for your guidance.”

  As Li Xin bowed, Han Taizhen smiled gently.

  “I have no intention of forcibly taking from a junior. I merely desire a fair trade.”

  Li Xin nodded and cautiously asked,

  “How much… is one Pseudo Spirit Stone worth?”

  “Hm, a Pseudo Spirit Stone is not easily measured in jeon.”

  Seeing Li Xin’s expression, Han Taizhen elaborated.

  “Jeon are merely for low-tier cultivators trading minor goods. Among cultivators, the true currency is the Pseudo Spirit Stone itself.”

  Li Xin once again realized his ignorance. He had thought jeon encompassed all transactions in the cultivation world. But Pseudo Spirit Stones were the ‘real’ currency among high-ranking cultivators.

  “Still, if one insists on a price, a single low-grade Pseudo Spirit Stone would be worth roughly one hundred thousand jeon.”

  One hundred thousand jeon?

  Li Xin doubted his ears. Even if he sold all the talismans he possessed, he could only afford a few. He took out most of the talismans he had accumulated.

  Beginning with Four-, Five-, and Six-Stroke Extreme Grade talismans, he added five Demonic Beast Talismans from Three- to Six-Stroke that he had secretly drawn behind Xu Yul’s back. He did not take out the Seven-Stroke Demonic Beast Talismans. Those were essential for the Xu Clan’s hidden realm escape plan and had to be given to Xu Hui and Xu Yul.

  “Very well, I shall calculate the value.”

  As a One-Character talisman master, Han Taizhen knew precisely what the talismans were worth. As though determined not to lose a single hair’s worth, he practically stripped Li Xin’s Dusk Pouch clean. Yet Li Xin bore no dissatisfaction. On the contrary, the fact that a Tier Two great cultivator conducted a fair trade with a mere Tier One cultivator earned his sincere respect.

  Truthfully, had Han Taizhen wished it, he could have forcibly taken every talisman Li Xin possessed. After the transaction, Han Taizhen handed him one Pseudo Spirit Stone.

  “I hope this aids your cultivation.”

  Then he added something Li Xin had not expected.

  “As a bonus, I will give you a small gift.”

  Gathering spiritual power at his fingertip, Han Taizhen imprinted a simple divine-sense seal upon Li Xin’s Dusk Pouch. A faint, invisible light enveloped the pouch before fading away.

  “Now others will not be able to probe its contents with divine sense. Be more cautious in the future.”

  Li Xin bowed deeply in sincere gratitude. Obtaining the Pseudo Spirit Stone delighted him, but even more so, Han Taizhen’s unexpected consideration left a deep impression.

  In truth, the One-Character talisman Han Taizhen had previously given him was worth far more than all the talismans Li Xin had offered today. And the Enlightenment Tea he had received earlier had not been an ordinary tea either.

  Only now did Li Xin fully realize how much consideration Han Taizhen had shown him. And he understood that the reason for such immense goodwill stemmed from the ‘Upper-Upper’ potential rating he had received upon joining the Talisman Union.

  At the time, he had merely been satisfied with receiving a high evaluation. Now, he felt that the authority attached to that rating was far greater than he had imagined.

  ***

  After concluding the trade with Han Taizhen and returning to his quarters, Li Xin carefully took out the Pseudo Spirit Stone from his Dusk Pouch.

  Within the translucent stone imbued with light, pure spiritual power stirred.

  …It resembles the energy formed by Guiyuan.

  But it was not completely identical. Naturally. Even energy of the same attribute differed depending on who wielded it and how. Like identical ingredients producing entirely different flavors depending on the cook.

  Li Xin slowly regulated his breathing and circulated Guiyuan. At that moment—the energy within the Pseudo Spirit Stone responded. His internal energy overlapped with the stone’s spiritual power, and a subtle resonance arose. A faint tremor flickered in Li Xin’s eyes.

  It works. Absorption is possible.

  He sensed that drawing the spiritual power of the Pseudo Spirit Stone into his realm was achievable. But…

  The problem is efficiency.

  He quickly grasped the limitation. Absorption was possible, but not proper. Energy accumulated within his body, yet most of it scattered like sand slipping through his fingers. The absorption rate was barely a tenth. The remaining nine-tenths evaporated into the air, beyond his control. It was like overturning an entire water jar just to drink a single drop.

  Is this the limit of my current proficiency…?

  Li Xin bit down hard on his lip. Though inefficient, it was the only method available to raise his realm. Time was short, and the Pseudo Spirit Stone was his sole answer.

  There is no other choice.

  Suppressing his regret, Li Xin began his cultivation, absorbing the energy contained within the Pseudo Spirit Stone. Hoping that one day, when his mastery of the Five-Element Yin–Yang One Path Myriad Manifestations Returning to Origin Law deepened, he would be able to absorb such resources without waste.