The Confucian and Taoist Sages of Mortal Cultivation

Upon learning of Master Zhong's arrival, Yang Qingyuan hurriedly went out to greet him.

"Twelfth level of Qi Refining! No wonder he has the talent of a Thunder Spirit Root." The moment Sect Leader Zhong saw Yang Qingyuan, he noticed the rapid progress in Yang Qingyuan's cultivation. He immediately smiled and said, "With Junior Nephew Yang's current cultivation, coupled with the treasures bestowed by Senior Uncle Wan, he is more than capable of standing out in the Blood Trial and making a name for himself."

"Perhaps, this time, our Yellow Maple Valley will be able to overpower the other six major sects."

Yang Qingyuan cupped his hands in greeting and replied, "Sect Leader, you flatter me. Please come in."

After saying this, he and Sect Leader Zhong went inside the house together.

Headmaster Zhong looked around the room and saw the simple stone table and stone windows. He sighed and said, "Junior Nephew Yang is truly a person of asceticism. He can stay in such a simple place for two years."

"No wonder his cultivation level has improved by leaps and bounds."

"But the conditions here are too poor. Now that your cultivation level has exceeded the tenth level of Qi Refining, you can move to Xuankun Mountain to live."

"How about I allocate a residence for you, Uncle?"

"No, no." Yang Qingyuan waved his hand and replied, "I plan to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage after I obtain the cultivation technique. At that time, I can open up my cave dwelling and will no longer need to go to Xuankun Mountain."

"Very well." Sect Leader Zhong did not insist any further, then took a seat and took out a yellow storage bag from his robes, emptying the contents of the bag onto the stone table.

With a flash of yellow light, two objects appeared on the table: a silver-white flying sword and a fiery red bullet.

"Master only bestowed two treasures?" Yang Qingyuan frowned slightly, clearly dissatisfied.

Sect Leader Zhong then explained, "Junior Nephew Yang, please be patient. These two treasures have quite a history."

"Even among Foundation Establishment cultivators, this is an extremely rare treasure."

"First of all, there's this flying sword. It's a top-grade lightning-attribute flying sword called the Thunderclap Sword. It was the sword that Uncle Lei used when he was in the Foundation Establishment stage, and it has killed many evil demons and heretics."

Upon hearing that the flying sword was of the lightning attribute, Yang Qingyuan couldn't help but take a look at it.

This Thunderclap Sword is three feet and three inches long, with a broad blade, a chilling light, and a bright finish.

Seeing this, Yang Qingyuan flicked his finger and sent a burst of lightning-attribute magic power onto the flying sword.

The Thunderclap Sword immediately emitted streaks of silver lightning, producing a crackling sound.

"This sword, combined with Junior Nephew Yang's lightning spiritual root, is enough to sweep away 70% of cultivators of the same level," Sect Leader Zhong said with a smile. "If the enemy does not have a top-grade defensive magic weapon, they will definitely not be able to withstand Junior Nephew's sword."

"Alright then." Yang Qingyuan felt it was barely satisfactory, and then looked at the second treasure.

Headmaster Zhong looked at the fiery red projectile with apprehension in his eyes and introduced it, "This treasure is called the Thunderfire Pearl. It is a one-time attack magic weapon. It was made by Senior Uncle Lei by sacrificing his Golden Core magic power. Once triggered, thunder and fire will burst forth."

"Even a Foundation Establishment cultivator like myself risks perishing if struck by a Thunderfire Pearl."

Yang Qingyuan blinked, then suddenly realized, thinking to himself, "This Thunderfire Pearl in front of me is a one-time use magic weapon similar to the Heavenly Thunder Pearl."

He was quite satisfied with this treasure.

Immediately afterward, Yang Qingyuan asked, "Sect Master, didn't Master mention any treasures like talismans?"

"A talisman?" Sect Leader Zhong looked surprised and replied, "I didn't expect that my junior nephew would know about talismans."

"These talismanic treasures are usually crafted by Core Formation stage cultivators before their passing, by sacrificing their own magical artifacts."

"But Uncle-Master Lei is in his prime, so naturally he wouldn't make talismans."

"Furthermore, cultivators in the Qi Refining stage do not know the art of condensation, so they can only unleash one or two tenths of the power of a talisman when using it. Compared to top-tier magic weapons, they are not much better."

"Moreover, it takes a long time for a Qi Refining stage cultivator to input mana to activate the talisman."

"With this time, Junior Nephew Yang could just throw out the Thunderfire Pearl and kill the opponent."

Yang Qingyuan frowned slightly and said carefully, "But there is only one Thunderfire Pearl. In the Blood Trial, there are probably more than one Qi Refining stage cultivator who possesses a talisman."

"If the enemy activates the talisman beforehand, a fierce battle is inevitable."

"Never mind, I'll go find my master and ask for a talisman."

Sect Leader Zhong waved his hand and explained, "Senior Uncle Lei is not in the sect at the moment. He has gone to Yuanwu Kingdom to attend an auction for Core Formation cultivators."

"I wonder when I'll be able to get back?"

"Since my junior nephew wants a talisman, I'll go back and send a transmission talisman to Uncle Lei, so he can keep an eye out at the auction and see if there are any talismans for sale."

"Nephew Yang, please wait for my news."

After saying that, he got up and walked towards the door.

Yang Qingyuan also got up and saw him off to the gate, watching him leave on the green leaf magic artifact, and then fell into deep thought.

"It seems that the value of treasures like talismans has exceeded my expectations as a cheap master."

Yang Qingyuan didn't believe Lei Wanhe didn't possess talismanic treasures; aside from anything else, right now...

Inside the shop "Wanbaolou" in Huangfeng Valley Market, there is a Golden Brick Talisman for sale.

However, this talisman is quite valuable. Han Li exchanged a thousand-year-old Huangjingzhi for it. In addition, he exchanged a second thousand-year-old spiritual herb for a Heavenly Thunder Seed and two top-grade magic weapons: the Golden Cicada Mother-Child Blade and the Xuan Iron Flying Sky Shield.

Now, Lei Wanhe has bestowed upon him a rare lightning-attribute flying sword and a lightning fire pearl comparable to a heavenly thunderbolt, without any personal gain, which has already reached the limit of his expectations.

Yang Qingyuan frowned, feeling very conflicted. On the one hand, he already possessed seven top-grade magic weapons: the Azure Wood True Cover, the Gold Locking Ring, the Bone-Melting Treasure Fan, the Rainbow Sword, the Azure Light Sword, the Purple Cloud Sword, and the Thunderclap Sword. He even had a two-headed beast, so losing one magic weapon seemed insignificant.

But when he thought about how many cultivators in the Crimson Forbidden Land, such as Han Li and Madman Feng Yue, had talisman treasures in their hands, he realized that if he didn't have any talisman treasures, he would be at a disadvantage from the start.

Just as he was hesitating, a disciple in his thirties flew in from the horizon on a green leaf magic artifact and landed in front of the stone house.

The newcomer was wearing a yellow silk robe from Yellow Maple Valley, and the spiritual energy emanating from him had reached the twelfth level of Qi Refining.

"Junior Brother Yang, you've broken through to the twelfth level of Qi Refining. That's truly unbelievable." The newcomer stepped off the green leaf magic artifact and greeted Yang Qingyuan warmly. "No wonder you have the talent of a Thunder Spirit Root."

"Now we're much more confident about finding the treasure."

"Treasure hunting? What is Senior Brother Wu talking about?" Yang Qingyuan was completely confused by the other party's sudden words.

It turns out that this disciple at the twelfth level of Qi Refining was Wu Feng from the Transmission Pavilion.

The two have become quite familiar with each other over the years.

"Come on in. Let's talk inside." Wu Feng looked around and said in a low voice, "I have something important to discuss with you."

Seeing that the other party looked mysterious, Yang Qingyuan invited him into the house.

Once the two were seated, Wu Feng asked, "Junior Brother Yang, how are your preparations for the Crimson Trial going?"

Yang Qingyuan replied, "Master just bestowed two powerful treasures upon us, which are enough to deal with the experts from the other six major sects."

"However, no treasures such as talismans were bestowed upon me. To be honest, I was feeling uneasy just now because I didn't receive any talismans."

"Well, then Senior Brother made the right choice coming this time." Wu Feng said solemnly, "What are talisman treasures?"

"Junior brother, have you ever heard of the 'Wind and Thunder Fan,' a top-grade magical artifact known as the 'Number One in Slaughter'?"