Immortality begins with equipping a worn-out talisman pen.

The State of Yue, Qingxuan Sect.

Qi Refining Peak.

The monthly sect competition is in full swing.

Arenas floated amidst the sea of ​​clouds, with spells booming continuously. Disciples from various peaks gathered around, occasionally erupting in cheers.

Just then, the elder's voice echoed throughout the entire hall.

"Next match: Cheng Yantang from Danxia Peak vs. Zhong Xiyao from Lingyun Peak!"

Upon hearing this, the previously noisy square immediately quieted down, and countless eyes turned to the third arena.

"It's Cheng Yantang!"

"I heard that he has already reached the eighth level of Qi Refining, his Flame Manipulation Technique is highly proficient, and his talent in alchemy is astonishing. It is said that he has some kinship with Elder Liu of Danxia Peak, and he will most likely be one of the next batch of direct disciples."

Immediately, someone nearby disagreed.

"Cheng Yantang is indeed formidable, but his opponent is Fairy Xiyao."

"He broke through to the ninth level of Qi Refining half a year ago and is a first-grade high-level talisman master. He is one of the top figures in the entire inner sect."

"In my opinion, Cheng Yantang is likely to be in grave danger in this battle."

On the third arena.

Cheng Yantang, dressed in a red monk's robe, stood tall and straight, his brows radiating confidence.

Opposite him stood a woman in white, standing quietly.

The woman had snow-white skin, a cool and aloof demeanor, and long, jet-black hair that cascaded down to her waist. Her eyes and brows seemed to be shrouded in a chilling aura that kept people at a distance.

It was none other than the renowned Fairy Xiyao of Lingyun Peak.

Facing this goddess in the hearts of countless inner disciples, Cheng Yantang dared not underestimate her in the slightest, and instead solemnly clasped his hands in greeting.

"Junior Sister Xiyao, please enlighten me."

Zhong Xiyao simply nodded slightly.

"please."

With a command from the elder in charge.

The competition officially began.

Knowing that his cultivation was inferior, Cheng Yantang dared not delay and went all out from the start.

"Flame Manipulation Technique!"

boom!

Several clusters of crimson flames appeared out of thin air, constantly rotating and intertwining under the control of his divine sense.

From a distance, it resembles a slowly blooming crimson fire lotus.

A wave of intense heat swept in all directions, and gasps of surprise immediately rose from the audience.

"The Fire Lotus Takes Shape!"

"Senior Brother Cheng's Flame Manipulation Technique has actually reached this level!"

"Even ordinary late-stage Qi Refining cultivators wouldn't dare to take this attack head-on!"

However, Zhong Xiyao remained calm as she faced the oncoming fire lotus.

She simply raised her hand, and a talisman spontaneously combusted without any wind.

Whoosh!

A dazzling sword light suddenly pierced the sky.

In an instant, the fire lotus was split in two by the sword light and exploded in mid-air.

The raging fire waves swept across, yet they didn't even touch the hem of her clothes.

Cheng Yantang's pupils contracted slightly, but he showed no panic whatsoever. He truly lived up to Zhong Xiyao's reputation!

next moment.

Cheng Yantang patted his storage bag, and a crimson-gold flying sword shot into the sky.

The ultimate magical artifact—the Crimson Flame Sword!

As sword light flashed and crimson flames rolled.

Zhong Xiyao finally got serious, and several high-grade talismans flew out one after another, colliding fiercely with the flying sword in mid-air.

The roaring sound was incessant.

In a short time.

The entire arena was filled with brilliant light, and the two sides were locked in a stalemate.

But as time went on, people gradually began to see the signs.

The eighth level of Qi Refining is ultimately just the eighth level of Qi Refining.

In terms of sheer magical power, he ultimately cannot compare to the ninth level of Qi Refining.

If this drags on, Cheng Yantang will undoubtedly lose, and clearly, Cheng Yantang himself understands this.

He suddenly created some distance and then took out an ancient talisman from his storage bag.

The talisman paper was yellowed, and the spiritual patterns on it were extremely complex, faintly revealing a sense of the vicissitudes of time.

"This is……"

Many elders in the audience were taken aback.

Cheng Yantang activated the talisman without hesitation.

hum!

As the spiritual light surged, an incomparably pure spiritual energy of heaven and earth flowed into his body through the talisman.

The mana that had been somewhat depleted was instantly restored by more than half.

Even his aura was several degrees stronger than before.

"Such pure spiritual energy!"

"What kind of talisman is this?"

"It can actually replenish mana during a magical battle?"

Everyone's expression changed.

With the help of the talisman's power, Cheng Yantang once again activated the Flame Manipulation Technique.

Flames gathered in the sky, and a fire lotus, even more enchanting than before, slowly bloomed.

boom!

The two sides clashed again.

Finally, as the fire lotus shattered and the sword light dissipated, Cheng Yantang staggered back several steps, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

Zhong Xiyao also took a half step back for the first time.

The outcome is decided.

"Lingyun Peak's Zhong Xiyao wins!"

The entire audience erupted in thunderous cheers.

Although Cheng Yantang was defeated, he was still honorable. He was able to force Zhong Xiyao to this point with his Qi Refining Level 8 cultivation, which was enough to make him proud.

He sheathed his flying sword, gave a wry smile, and clasped his hands in a fist salute to the person opposite him.

"Junior Sister Xi Yao's strength is profound; I humbly admit defeat."

However, to everyone's surprise,

Zhong Xiyao, who usually turned and left without saying a word to anyone after the competition, did not leave this time.

Her clear, cool eyes, like autumn water, did not look at Cheng Yantang.

Instead, it landed on the ancient talisman in his hand, whose spiritual light was gradually dimming and was about to completely disintegrate.

After a moment of silence, she suddenly spoke.

The voice remained clear and cold, yet unusually, it carried a hint of emotion.

"This talisman..."

"What's your name?"

......

Inside the market area.

After leaving the Hundred Arts Hall, Li Mufeng slowly walked towards the cave.

In this lesson, Zhou Zhengyang did not teach specific talisman techniques, but instead explained in detail the differences in talismans drawn by various schools, as well as the impact of different combinations of spiritual patterns on the power of the talismans.

What delighted Li Mufeng was...

As Zhou Zhengyang's explanation deepened, the proficiency of the various talismans on the panel slowly increased, and the increase was even greater than he had expected.

This made him look forward to his weekly classes even more.

Holding the Iron-Backed Demon Ape meat he had packed from Zuixianlou, Li Mufeng walked along, silently calculating.

With the blessing of the [Mountain and River Suppressing Prison Ring], and combined with the power of this top-grade demon beast's flesh and blood, I should be able to break through to the Iron Bone Realm after today's body tempering.

Thinking of this, he quickened his pace.

However, as soon as Li Mufeng stepped into the courtyard where the No. 13 cave dwelling was located, he frowned.

A strong, pungent smell of blood permeated the air.

He felt a chill run down his spine.

His divine sense spread out instantly.

Fortunately, the surroundings were quiet, with no ambushes or remnants of a battle.

He quickly discovered the source of the bloody smell.

Shen Yuan, with disheveled hair and a pale face, was sitting leaning against the entrance of the cave.

His robes were torn in half, and several deep claw marks on his chest, revealing bone, were still bleeding. His left arm was severed at the shoulder, making him look extremely pitiful.

Upon seeing this, Li Mufeng was suddenly startled.

"Fellow Daoist Shen, what's going on?"

Shen Yuan raised his head and forced a bitter smile.

"I'm sorry to have made you laugh, Fellow Daoist Li. I, Old Shen, have roamed the Black Stone Mountains for so many years, but today I've been caught off guard and suffered a setback."

Li Mufeng quickly took out healing pills and handed them over.

After taking the pill, Shen Yuan's complexion improved somewhat, and he slowly said:

"A few days ago, our demon-hunting team discovered a lair of the Riftwind Demon Wolf deep in the Blackrock Mountains. Near the lair, there was also a Blood Marrow Grass that was about to mature."

"That beast was only a mid-grade first-tier demon beast. It wasn't the first time we had hunted the Rift Wind Demon Wolf. So, we set a trap according to our old rules, thinking we had it in the bag."

Even now, a hint of lingering fear remained in Shen Yuan's eyes.

"Who knows, that Gale Wolf suddenly went berserk for some unknown reason."

"Not only has the speed increased dramatically, but the strength has also increased by 30% out of nowhere."

"Old Xu's neck was bitten off on the spot, and my arm was also torn off by that beast."

"If it weren't for the high-quality Swift Travel Talisman I bought from Fellow Daoist Li, I probably wouldn't have made it back alive."