Encounter

Talismans?

Mo Hua glanced at them and found three talismans in his hand, all made of jade. Two of them had red patterns embedded, labeled "Flame Talisman," while the third had golden patterns and was labeled "Golden Sword Talisman."

"Are these talismans very expensive?" Mo Hua asked.

Old Zhao nodded, "They're quite expensive, and hard to come by. These kinds of talismans should have the power of ninth-level Qi Refinement spells, with significant killing potential. They are regulated by the Dao Court, and not typically available through ordinary channels."

"They are too precious; I can't accept them."

"Take them, keep them for self-defense. It will ease our minds," Old Zhao insisted, patting Mo Hua's shoulder. "Alright, go back early. I'll take care of these ruffians first."

"Okay, Uncle Zhao, take care."

Mo Hua didn't argue further, accepting the talismans and heading home.

Behind him, he heard the cries of the Qian family cultivators, but Mo Hua paid them no mind.

They brought this upon themselves, they deserved it.

Back home, Mo Hua studied the three talismans briefly.

He knew the basic usage of talismans; however, due to poverty, he had never used them before.

Using talismans was relatively straightforward: inject spiritual power, activate the talisman, and it would automatically unleash a spell.

Generally, talismans could only be used once, but their power was formidable.

There were few restrictions on their use; as long as one was of the same realm, regardless of spiritual root attributes, cultivation techniques, or amount of spiritual power, talismans could be activated.

With few restrictions and great power, the Dao Court tightly regulated talismans with high lethality.

If left unregulated, allowing cultivators to hoard talismans, especially in large quantities, posed a significant threat to the overall security of the cultivation world.

Therefore, it was challenging for ordinary cultivators to obtain high-quality talismans.

Mo Hua wondered where the Qian family got these talismans—they must have spared no expense.

Mo Hua silently thought, then became puzzled:

"I haven't really done anything, just drew a few formations. Why do they hate me so much? Instead of troubling Elder Yu of the Foundation Establishment Stage, they come after me. Are they bullying the weak and fearing the strong...?"

Qian Shunzhi and his companions were beaten badly and taken to the Dao Court.

Qian Hong spent some spiritual stones to bail them out.

This time, Elder Yu didn't use them to extort, wanting to bring this matter to the Dao Court, to let them know of the Qian family's treacherous intentions. Simultaneously, he wanted Qian Hong to act with caution and not cross the Dao Court's bottom line.

Secret struggles were permissible, but open conflicts were not.

In the public eye of Tongxian City, they must adhere to laws.

Adhering to Dao laws' "regulations" and adhering to the Dao Court's "laws."

Later, Qian Hong persisted, either bribing or hiring some out-of-town cultivators, planning to strike again covertly.

However, Elder Yu protected Mo Hua well.

These cultivators, once they appeared south of the city, would quickly be discovered. If they attempted anything, they would soon be subdued.

Then, as before, they would be severely beaten and thrown to the Dao Court.

As much as Qian Hong wanted to kill Mo Hua, Elder Yu had as many ways to protect him.

He didn't even want Mo Hua to lose a single hair.

Frustrated, Qian Hong planned repeatedly, but all in vain.

Demon hunters spent years hunting monsters in the Great Black Mountain, making them more alert than ordinary cultivators, more sensitive to killing intent, and their coordination with each other is seamless. When they truly strike, they move faster and strike harder.

Moreover, they are on their own turf. If a demon hunter pays attention, even a foreign fly can be detected, let alone a living person at the ninth level of Qi Refinement.

"Should we let Foundation Establishment cultivators take action?" Qian Hong frowned.

One alone won't suffice, at least two.

One to detain Yu Changlin and another to act covertly, breaking through the demon hunters' obstruction to kill that young formation master.

But the crucial question is, who in the Qian family is willing to take such risks?

Everyone schemes and seeks their own profit, and as the family head, he doesn't want to get his hands dirty.

Violating Dao laws, murdering cultivators.

The severity of this crime varies; if no one pursues it, it might be overlooked.

But if someone does, the consequences could be severe—execution might be possible according to Dao laws...

Qian Hong sighed.

For now, hiring Qi Refinement stage cultivators seems preferable.

Success would be a permanent solution; even if it fails, it would only cost some spiritual stones.

If it comes to that, Foundation Establishment cultivators will have to intervene. After all, in the long run, the threat posed by a talented formation master should not be underestimated.

Mo Hua is the issue of a young formation master. The Qian family knows it, and Master Luo naturally knows it too.

Previously, it was mere speculation; now that he knows, Qian Hong's feelings are even more complicated.

How could things turn out like this?

Then, he grew suspicious again. A ten-something-year-old first-grade formation master—can talent really be that exceptional?

Master Luo wants to verify it himself.

He sought out Mr. Feng.

Mr. Feng has been refining pills and saving lives in Tongxian City for over a century. From independent cultivators to family cultivators, regardless of wealth or status, he has interacted with most of them, including Master Luo.

Years ago, Mr. Feng cured Master Luo's grandson of a serious illness.

The complex formation in Mr. Feng's pill furnace before was also drew by Master Luo himself as a token of gratitude.

However, although the formation was exquisite, it didn't reach first-grade status.

Mr. Feng was discussing pill formulas with other alchemists in the pill refining shop when he heard that Master Luo had come to visit.

After a moment of contemplation, Mr. Feng had someone invite Master Luo to the guest hall for tea.

The guest hall of the pill refining shop was specifically for receiving guests. From the main gate to the guest hall, there were high walls that obscured the view inside the shop.

There were some formations on the walls that blurred spiritual perception. Although they couldn't completely block it, unless one's spiritual perception was too strong, they wouldn't detect anything crucial.

Walking along, Master Luo sighed inwardly:

"This is indeed the work of a first-grade formation master."

Entering the guest hall, the two greeted each other and exchanged pleasantries. After a few words, Mr. Feng asked:

"Master Luo, what brings you here?"

After hesitating for a while, Master Luo spoke up:

"I would like to meet that 'young formation master.'"

"Mo Hua?"

Master Luo nodded, "That's the name."

Mr. Feng frowned, "Just to meet?"

"Not hiding anything from you, Mr. Feng. I have been studying formations for many years and have never encountered such exceptional talent in a formation master. I am both amazed and curious, hence I wish to meet him in person," Master Luo explained.

"Does this have nothing to do with the Qian family?"

"It has nothing to do with the Qian family!"

Mr. Feng pondered in silence.

Master Luo earnestly said, "I hope Mr. Feng can facilitate this meeting."

After hesitating for a moment, Mr. Feng said, "Very well. When Mo Hua comes to the pill refining shop later, you can meet him. Please wait a while, Master Luo."

Master Luo was delighted and said, "Thank you, Mr. Feng."

The two then sat in the guest hall, drinking tea and chatting, discussing some trivial matters and past events.

After two cups of tea, Master Luo grew slightly impatient. He then heard light footsteps approaching. Looking up, he saw a child with an ordinary appearance, looking cute, entering through the doorway.

On the fair little face, the features were lively, with eyes sparkling like stars.

Master Luo's eyes widened slightly, inwardly surprised.

Above the Niwan Palace, there was a faint light, indicating a full spiritual sea and extraordinary spiritual perception.

TL Note: Niwan Palace is between the eyebrows

In Master Luo's heart, he became seventy to eighty percent sure of his assumptions.

(End of the Chapter)