Immortality and Cultivation: I Have Too Many Talents

Chapter 234 Third-Tier Divine Bamboo (Seeking Subscriptions)

What a joke!
It gets really difficult right from the start!
Shen Xuan quickly shook his head: "Fellow Daoist Qianzhu is joking. I am only in the early stage of Foundation Establishment. Even if I have a few tricks up my sleeve, how could I possibly defeat someone in the late stage of Demon Foundation Establishment!"

Then, Shen Xuan looked at Qianzhu Jushi with expectant eyes: "I'm sure Fellow Daoist Qianzhu has a way to deal with this!"

Qianzhu Jushi smiled bitterly.

"Even Fellow Daoist Shen, a high-ranking cultivator from a major sect, has no solution. Qianzhu, however, comes from a minor sect; how could he possibly possess such abilities!"

Xuanzhu Sect was virtually unknown in the Song Dynasty.

There are only a few Core Formation cultivators.

Whether there are any Golden Core cultivators or not is unknown.

Their strength is even weaker than that of the Azure Water Sect.

It is a small sect in name only.

Shen Xuan asked, "Fellow Daoist Qianzhu, what makes you say that?"

"Logically speaking, those in the late stages of the Demon Foundation stage are all seeking opportunities to form their core, so they wouldn't come to the Azure Spirit Secret Realm!"

There is definitely no opportunity to form a core in the Azure Spirit Secret Realm.

Otherwise, how could it have fallen into the hands of the Foundation Establishment family of Weiwu County?

"Most demonic cultivators are violent and practice various secret techniques. Many demonic sect secret techniques can squeeze out potential in a very short time and instantly raise one's cultivation level by one small realm."

"Mid-stage Demonic Foundation, capable of maintaining late-stage Demonic Foundation combat power for a short period of time."

Qianzhu Jushi explained.

"That's true, I've heard about it too."

"However, Weiwu County is still located in the heart of the Song Kingdom. How could the situation have deteriorated to such an extent?"

"Even demonic cultivators can now swagger around freely?"

The Hermit of Thousand Bamboo let out a soft sigh.

"Fellow Daoist Shen has lived in a major sect for a long time and is unaware of the situation outside."

"Although it wasn't blatant, it was not far off."

Shen Xuan also sighed.

The essence of the conflict between the Dao and the Demonic sects is to deplete the cultivators of both sects and hone the seeds of Core Formation.

Not to mention independent cultivators, many small sects are unaware of the inside story.

Since it is permissible for demonic cultivators to sacrifice mortals and cultivators in border prefectures and counties.

It is normal for demonic cultivators to appear in the heartland that the various sects cannot reach.

"Doesn't the Azure Water Sect care?"

"The Azure Water Sect is already doing quite well to be able to maintain stability in the core area within a thousand miles!"

It turns out that Weiwu County was outside the protected area of ​​the Biyue Sect.

"Once we enter the secret realm, should we split up or join forces?"

"Of course, we should join forces."

The Hermit of Thousand Bamboo took out a pair of jade pendants made of spirit bamboo.

"This is a unique communication jade pendant of the Xuanzhu Sect. If you and I each send a stream of spiritual energy into it, we can see each other's whereabouts within a hundred miles."

Shen Xuan accepted the spirit bamboo jade pendant.

After thinking for a moment, he took out a dozen or so thunder talismans and a dozen or so poison talismans.

"These are the [Evil-Breaking Divine Thunder Talisman], the [Silver Hook Snake Venom Talisman], and the [Stone Fish Venom Talisman]. Fellow Daoist Qianzhu, please keep them safe for unforeseen circumstances."

Qianzhu Jushi stared intently, his face showing surprise.

"Fellow Daoist Shen is a second-tier talisman master?"

"Ah."

"Do you have any more? Bring out some more!"

"By the way, since there are so many talismans, there must be some high-quality ones as well."

"Fellow Daoist Shen, don't be stingy, bring out some fine talismans!"

"At most, Qianzhu will prioritize compensating Fellow Daoist Shen for the gains from the secret realm!"

Shen Xuan was speechless.

He underestimated the Foundation Establishment cultivators' desire for thunder and poison talismans.

Helpless, Shen Xuan had no choice but to take out more than a dozen thunder talismans and poison talismans.

Among them are five high-quality talismans.

Without any hesitation, the hermit of Qianzhu happily put it into his storage bag.

"Fellow Daoist Shen, Qianzhu doesn't have anything of value, except for this section of third-grade Thunder Sound Bamboo, which is worth a few spirit stones. I'll give it to you in return."

Thunderous Bamboo?
Shen Xuan stared intently at it.

A small section of verdant bamboo appeared before Shen Xuan's eyes. The surface of the bamboo was covered with mysterious thunder patterns, faintly emitting a thunderous sound.

"Third-tier spirit bamboo?"

"Hmm. If Fellow Daoist Shen is willing, this bamboo can be cultivated. Here is the cultivation method for Thunder Sound Bamboo, which I will also give to Fellow Daoist Shen!"

The hermit of Qianzhu handed over a jade slip.

"Thank you very much, Fellow Daoist Qianzhu! If I have time in the future, I may give it a try."

The thunder and poison talismans that Shen Xuan took out were worth tens of thousands of spirit stones.

Since it concerned their sincere cooperation in the Azure Spirit Secret Realm, Shen Xuan showed his sincerity.

Qianzhu Jushi came from a sect, not the kind of petty, independent cultivator.

In return, they gifted Leiyin bamboo and its cultivation method.

This is also a way to build trust.

If Master Qianzhu accepts the Thunder Talisman and Poison Talisman, he will not give anything in return.

In Shen Xuan's mind, this person's credibility had to be lowered to below the passing grade.

On the contrary, the hermit of Qianzhu reciprocated by presenting a treasure of equal value.

This also means that the two have the basis and willingness to work together.

In the secret room, the two discussed things for a while longer.

Deducing how to deal with various situations in the secret realm.

As they parted, they smiled at each other.

They were both pleased.

“Fellow Daoist Shen is a talisman master, with enough talismans on him, and he is also skilled in thunder magic.”

"Qianzhu is not talented, but he is skilled in puppetry and has some knowledge of formations,"

"Our team is considered quite strong in the Azure Spirit Secret Realm."

"I am a hermit named Qianzhu," he said with a smile.

"Fellow Daoist Qianzhu, do not underestimate this. If any demonic cultivators infiltrate the secret realm, they will be difficult to deal with."

Shen Xuan said seriously.

"Hehe. Isn't there Fellow Daoist Shen here!"

"Fellow Daoist Shen is able to create such exquisite thunder talismans, demonstrating his superb thunder magic; he must have already reached the pinnacle of mastery!"

"If some ignorant demonic cultivator dares to provoke us, wouldn't we be just throwing money away!"

Shen Xuan quickly waved his hand: "Alright. Fellow Daoist Qianzhu, stop being so cheeky. Please keep my identity a secret."

"Qianzhu understands."

Qianzhuju nodded, agreeing with Shen Xuan's approach.

Attacking them by surprise is more effective.

……

Back to the residence.

Shen Xuan compared the information about the Azure Spirit Secret Realm provided by Tianxiang Pavilion and Wohulin Family.

The participants in the secret realm are from the seven major families of Weiwu County, with a total of nineteen slots available.

The Guan and Zeng families alone occupy four spots.

According to the covenant of the seven clans, cultivators entering the Azure Spirit Secret Realm cannot have a cultivation level higher than the mid-Foundation Establishment stage.

This clause is good news for Shen Xuan.

This also means that no cultivator who enters the Azure Spirit Secret Realm poses a life-threatening threat to him.

Even if someone could use secret techniques to advance a small realm in a very short time, Shen Xuan was not afraid.

He had three corpse beasts at his disposal, enough to serve as cannon fodder and keep the opponent occupied.

Once the opponent's time runs out and they return to normal, they'll be completely at his mercy. Moreover, even though Qianzhu Jushi comes from a small sect like Xuanzhu Sect...

But a sect is a sect.

Their lineage is far beyond what ordinary cultivation families and independent cultivators can match.

This can be seen in Lin Zhuying.

The hermit of Qianzhu revealed the truth to him.

She is a mid-level second-tier puppeteer, skilled in creating puppet beasts using spirit bamboo.

He had as many as seven mid-grade second-tier puppet beasts on his body.

More than ten second-tier low-grade puppet beasts.

While its individual attack power is somewhat unsatisfactory.

But all of these puppet beasts were activated.

It's more than enough to deal with ordinary mid-Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Logically speaking, cultivators from sects would not become retainers of cultivation families.

Although Qianzhu Jushi did not say it.

Shen Xuan could still sense an indescribable intimacy between her and Lin Zhuying.

This is a gut feeling.

After mastering the skills of "Insight Technique" and "Avoiding Misfortune and Seeking Good Fortune," Shen Xuan's intuition became even more acute.

Often, one can discern good from bad without resorting to magic.

He can clearly sense whether others are kind or malicious towards him.

That evening, Shen Xuan was practicing internal energy cultivation.

Now, wherever he is, he continues his spiritual practice.

Little by little, water dripping on stone will eventually wear it down.

However, at that moment, there was a knock on the door.

Shen Xuan was slightly taken aback.

His identity was kept secret when he came to the Wohulin family.

Aside from the three Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Lin family, only Qianzhu Jushi and Lin Zhuying knew his identity.

Shen Xuan finished his practice and opened the door.

The person standing in front of him was none other than Lin Zhuying, dressed in plain clothes.

"Senior Shen, I heard that Master has made an appointment with you to join forces against the enemy after entering the Azure Spirit Secret Realm. May I have a few words with Senior Shen?"

"Please come in!"

Lin Zhuying smiled and gracefully entered the room, bowing respectfully.

"I heard from the patriarch that Senior Shen is a Grand Master cultivator, skilled in thunder magic. There is something I would like to ask Senior Shen for a favor."

Shen Xuan remained noncommittal.

Lin Zhuying was not the kind of stunningly beautiful woman.

But she possesses a unique, upright and graceful demeanor.

Like a delicate bamboo, it exudes a faint fragrance that is refreshing and invigorating.

However, if it weren't for the Lin family's sake...

Lin Zhuying was not qualified to speak to him at all.

The difference in status between Qi Refining cultivators and Foundation Establishment cultivators is like heaven and earth.

"Bamboo Shadow knows that there's nothing she can do to help Senior Shen right now. But once she reaches Foundation Establishment, she will surely repay this kindness."

Lin Zhuying bowed deeply in a deep bow and did not get up, as if she were frozen in place.

Shen Xuan said calmly, "Get up, let's get down to business first!"

He had a good impression of Lin Zhuying.

The other party did not try to seduce him with her female charms.

But it's impossible to get him to do anything just by talking!

"Zhu Ying knows that Senior Shen is highly skilled in combat. If you encounter danger in the secret realm, please take care of your master."

Whether or not we obtain the Worry-Free Fruit is not important. As long as Master is safe, Zhu Ying will surely repay him in the future.

Shen Xuan shook his head.

He thought it was something serious.

It turns out, he was only asked to take care of Qianzhu Jushi.

This indirectly confirmed his guess.

"Lin Zhuying, listen up!"

"Since I have agreed to join forces with your master, we will definitely work together to overcome difficulties."

"Unless absolutely necessary, I will protect Fellow Daoist Qianzhu."

Shen Xuan said with a solemn expression.

"Thank you, Senior Shen! It was Zhuying who was rude."

Lin Zhuying smiled sweetly, her pretty face beaming with joy.

Seeing Lin Zhuying's genuine smile.

For some reason, Shen Xuan's mind became inexplicably serene.

This was the first time he had met a female cultivator who had negotiated with him without using her looks as leverage.

"Go back! Hone your skills diligently, and strive to build a superior Dao foundation after obtaining the Worry-Free Fruit!"

Shen Xuan offered some words of encouragement.

Time passes day by day.

Soon, it was time for the Azure Spirit Secret Realm to open.

On this day, Shen Xuan, led by Lin Xingcheng, arrived at the Lin family's main hall.

Not long after they sat down, Qianzhu Jushi, accompanied by Lin Zhuying, and Shi Ranran entered.

Subsequently, the head of the Lin family arrived.

He and Lin Xingcheng accompanied Shen Xuan and Qianzhu Jushi to the Qingling Secret Realm.

Lin Xingping and Lin Zhuying diligently guarded the Lin family's territory.

The arrangements have been finalized.

The Lin family patriarch summoned his family's flying ship and invited Qianzhu Jushi and Shen Xuan to ride it.

When facing outsiders, Shen Xuan took a half step back, allowing Qianzhu Jushi to stand in front.

This was something they had agreed upon beforehand.

Qianzhu Jushi has been worshipped in the Lin family for many years.

All the cultivation families in Weiwu County have information about it.

Shen Xuan, on the other hand, used the alias Shen Ping and was a rogue talisman master hired by the Lin family.

Qianzhu Jushi referred to himself as "Master Shen Fu".

The four boarded the spaceship together, bid farewell to Lin Xingping and Lin Zhuying, and flew straight towards the entrance of the Qingling Secret Realm in Weiwu County.

There was a crouching tiger flag on the spaceship, which was the symbol of the Lin family of Wohu Ridge.

Lin Xingcheng focused on controlling the spaceship, while the Lin family head stood at the very front of the deck, keeping watch over all sides.

Shen Xuan nodded to himself.

This Lin family head is of average strength, but he is quite methodical in his actions.

Taking Lin Xingcheng and the family's spaceship along would allow them to handle any unexpected events that might occur.

No wonder the Lin family head said he would meet them at the exit of the secret realm.

The spaceship releases its speed.

They arrived at their destination in just one hour.

An ancient battlefield plain in Weiwu County.

The Lin family head told Lin Xingcheng to stay on the spaceship, and then brought Qianzhu Jushi and Shen Xuan down.

At this moment, more than thirty Foundation Establishment cultivators had gathered at the agreed meeting place.

As soon as Shen Xuan stepped off the spaceship, he sensed extremely strong bloodthirsty energy and turbid demonic energy through his [Insight Technique].

I was slightly startled.

"So many Tribulation Cultivators and Demonic Cultivators?"

(End of this chapter)