shuō qǐ běn mén de jiāo ào ， wáng xīn yī liǎn yǎng mù ， dàn tā yě bù gǎn zài zhè wèi piāo yún gǔ de shī xiōng miàn qián hú luàn chuī niú ， lǎo shí de dào ：“ tiān yuán zhǎng lǎo fǎ lì jīng shēn ， zhì zuò de fú lù gèng shì wēi lì wú bǐ ， hún rán tiān chéng ， dàn yě bú shì shuō yí dìng néng dǎ bài níng dān qī de gāo shǒu ， zhǐ shì shuāng fāng shí lì chà bu duō 。”
说起本门的骄傲，王鑫一脸仰慕，但他也不敢在这位飘云谷的师兄面前胡乱吹牛，老实的道：“天元长老法力精深，制作的符箓更是威力无比，浑然天成，但也不是说一定能打败凝丹期的高手，只是双方实力差不多。”
Speaking of the pride of our sect, Wang Xin's face was filled with admiration. However, he didn't dare to brag in front of his senior brother from Drifting Cloud Valley. He said honestly, "Senior Elder Tianyuan has profound magical power and his talismans are incredibly powerful, almost as if they were naturally formed. But it’s not guaranteed that he can defeat a Core Formation Stage expert."
“ ń 。” lín xuān diǎn diǎn tóu ， duì yú tiān yuán de shí lì ， tā jǐn jǐn shì lüè gǎn xìng qù ， zhēn zhèng zài yì de shì ， rú hé zài tā nà lǐ mǎi dào gāo jiē fú lù 。
“嗯。”林轩点点头，对于天元的实力，他仅仅是略感兴趣，真正在意的是，如何在他那里买到高阶符箓。
"Hmm," Lin Xuan nodded. While he was only slightly interested in the strength of Senior Elder Tianyuan, what truly mattered to him was how to purchase high-grade talismans from him.
wáng xīn méi yǒu mài guān zi ， jiāng lín xuān xiǎng yào zhī dào de qíng bào ， yī yī dào lái 。
王鑫没有卖关子，将林轩想要知道的情报，一一道来。
Wang Xin didn't hold back and began recounting all the information that Lin Xuan wanted to know.
yuán lái zhè wèi tiān yuán zhǎng lǎo bù jǐn fǎ lì shēn hòu ， shì dào fú shān zhì fú de dì yī gāo shǒu ， ér qiě pí qì pǒ wèi gǔ guài ……
原来这位天元长老不仅法力深厚，是道符山制符的第一高手，而且脾气颇为古怪……
It turned out that not only did Senior Elder Tianyuan have profound magical power and was the first-rate expert in making talismans at Dao Talisman Mountain, but his personality was rather peculiar...
bǐ rú shuō ， běn mén měi yuè yī cì de fú huì ， běn yì shì wèi dī jiē dì zǐ tí gōng fāng biàn ， zhǔ yào cān yù bǎi tān mǎi fú de dōu shì líng dòng qī de dī jiē xiū zhēn zhě ， rán ér suí zhe fú huì de míng shēng yuè lái yuè dà ， mù míng ér lái de xiū shì zhú jiàn zēng jiā ， měi yī cì jiāo yì ， dōu néng huàn dé bù shǎo jīng shí ， fēng hòu de shōu rù ， ràng zhù jī qī de xiū shì men jiàn jiàn yǎn rè ， dàn tā men zì zhòng shēn fèn ， què yě bù hǎo yì sī zì jǐ pǎo qù bǎi tān ， yú shì biàn jiāng zì jǐ zhì zuò de fú lù ， jiāo gěi mén rén dì zǐ dài mài 。
比如说，本门每月一次的符会，本意是为低阶弟子提供方便，主要参与摆摊买符的都是灵动期的低阶修真者，然而随着符会的名声越来越大，慕名而来的修士逐渐增加，每一次交易，都能换得不少晶石，丰厚的收入，让筑基期的修士们渐渐眼热，但他们自重身份，却也不好意思自己跑去摆摊，于是便将自己制作的符箓，交给门人弟子代卖。
For instance, this sect held a talisman fair every month with the intention of providing convenience for low-grade disciples. The main participants were mostly low-grade cultivators from the Flexible Spirit Stage who would set up stalls to sell their talismans. However, as the fame of the fair grew and more cultivators came out of admiration, each transaction brought in a substantial amount of crystal stones. This generous income made Foundation Establishment Stage experts gradually envious, but they respected their status too much to openly set up stalls themselves. Thus, they would entrust their disciples to sell the talismans on their behalf.
rán ér tiān yuán bù tóng ， tā shēn wèi běn mén dì yī zhì fú gāo shǒu ， shēn fèn zūn chóng ， kě què cóng bù zài hū shén me miàn zi zhī lèi de dōng dōng ， bù shí yě huì qīn zì cān jiā fú huì ， yǒu shí shèn zhì huì jiāng yī xiē gāo jiē fú lù chū shòu 。
然而天元不同，他身为本门第一制符高手，身份尊崇，可却从不在乎什么面子之类的东东，不时也会亲自参加符会，有时甚至会将一些高阶符箓出售。
However, Tianyuan was different. As the first-rate expert in making talismans for this sect, he held a high and revered position. Yet, he cared little about face or other such matters. He would sometimes personally participate in the fair and even sell some high-grade talismans from time to time.
suī rán yán gé shuō lái ， zhè yàng yǐ jīng wéi fǎn le dào fú shān de guī jǔ ， kě tiān yuán shì shuí a ， běn mén dì yī gāo shǒu ， shuí gǎn guǎn tā ， biàn shì zhǎng mén ， yě ná zhè wèi pí qì gǔ guài de shī xiōng méi bàn fǎ 。
虽然严格说来，这样已经违反了道符山的规矩，可天元是谁啊，本门第一高手，谁敢管他，便是掌门，也拿这位脾气古怪的师兄没办法。
Although strictly speaking, doing so violated the rules of Dao Talisman Mountain, who dared to manage Tianyuan? Even the sect leader found it hard to deal with this eccentric senior brother.
“ nǐ shuō tiān yuán zhǎng lǎo huì xiàn shēn fú huì ， chū shòu gāo jiē fú lù ？” lín xuān liǎng yǎn yī liàng de shuō 。
“你说天元长老会现身符会，出售高阶符箓？”林轩两眼一亮的说。
"You think Senior Elder Tianyuan will appear at the fair and sell high-grade talismans?" Lin Xuan said excitedly.
“ yě bù yí dìng ， tiān yuán shī bó xíng shì ， shén lóng jiàn shǒu bù jiàn wěi ， yǒu shí hòu ， tā huì jiē lián cān jiā jǐ cì fú huì ， yǒu shí hòu ， què jiē lián shù yuè bù lái ， ér qiě lái le ， yě bù yí dìng chū shòu ， zǒng zhī ， quán kàn shī bó dāng shí de xīn qíng ， yè shī xiōng xiǎng yào mǎi gāo jiē fú ， zhǐ néng dǔ yī dǔ yùn qì le 。”
“也不一定，天元师伯行事，神龙见首不见尾，有时候，他会接连参加几次符会，有时候，却接连数月不来，而且来了，也不一定出售，总之，全看师伯当时的心情，叶师兄想要买高阶符，只能赌一赌运气了。”
"It's not certain. Senior Master Tianyuan acts like a dragon, showing its head but not its tail. Sometimes he participates in several fairs in succession, while other times, he doesn't come for months. And even if he does show up, it’s uncertain whether he will sell anything. In short, all depends on Senior Master's mood at the time. Brother Ye can only rely on luck to buy high-grade talismans."
lín xuān mò mò wú yǔ ， zhè wèi gāo rén xíng shì hái zhēn shì gǔ guài dé kě yǐ ， dàn bù guǎn zěn me shuō ， yǒu xī wàng zǒng bǐ méi yǒu xī wàng hǎo a ， jiù kàn zì jǐ jīn tiān yùn qì rú hé 。
林轩默默无语，这位高人行事还真是古怪得可以，但不管怎么说，有希望总比没有希望好啊，就看自己今天运气如何。
Lin Xuan remained silent. This senior brother's actions were indeed peculiar, but after all, having a chance was better than none. He would see how his luck held out today.
shuō huà jiān ， liǎng rén yǐ jīng lái dào shān dǐng ， rán ér zhè lǐ què kōng kōng rú yě ， shén me yě méi yǒu 。
说话间，两人已经来到山顶，然而这里却空空如也，什么也没有。
As they spoke, they had arrived at the top of the mountain, but it was empty, with nothing in sight.
wáng xīn jiāng shǒu shēn rù huái zhōng ， qǔ chū le yī zhāng fú ， chōng zhe qián miàn de kōng qì pāo le guò qù ， tóng shí dà hē yī shēng ：“ duō ！”
王鑫将手伸入怀中，取出了一张符，冲着前面的空气抛了过去，同时大喝一声：“咄！”
Wang Xin reached into his pocket and took out a talisman, throwing it towards the air while shouting loudly: "Duo!"
dùn shí kōng qì zhōng chū xiàn le yī dào xuàn lì de yín guāng ， kuò dà ， xíng chéng le yí miàn kě gōng rén tōng xíng de gǒng mén xíng zhuàng 。
顿时空气中出现了一道绚丽的银光，扩大，形成了一面可供人通行的拱门形状。
Instantly, a brilliant silver light appeared in the air, expanding to form an archway that allowed passage.
“ shī xiōng ， qǐng 。”
“师兄，请。”
"Senior Brother, please."
lín xuān háo bù yóu yù de jìn rù dào yín guāng zhī zhōng ， dùn shí yǎn qián huò rán kāi lǎng ， tíng tái lóu gé ， niǎo yǔ huā xiāng ， yī fù xiān jiā shèng jǐng de mú yàng 。
林轩毫不犹豫的进入到银光之中，顿时眼前豁然开朗，亭台楼阁，鸟语花香，一副仙家胜景的模样。
Lin Xuan stepped into the silver light without hesitation. Suddenly, before him was a clear view of pavilions and terraces, birds chirping and flowers blooming, a scene reminiscent of a fairyland.
“ shī xiōng ， xiǎo dì jiù zhǐ néng sòng nǐ zhì cǐ le ， zhè ge yāo pái nǐ ná zhe ， yán zhe jiē tī shàng qù yǐ hòu ， zuǒ guǎi wǎng xī ， jiù kě yǐ dào dá fú lù chū shòu zhī dì 。”
“师兄，小弟就只能送你至此了，这个腰牌你拿着，沿着阶梯上去以后，左拐往西，就可以到达符箓出售之地。”
"Senior Brother, I can only send you this far. Hold onto this token. After ascending the staircase, turn left towards the west to reach the area where talismans are sold."
“ yǒu láo shī dì le 。”
“有劳师弟了。”
"You've been very kind."
“ shī xiōng kè qì 。”
“师兄客气。”
"It's nothing."
wáng xīn gōng gōng jìng jìng de xíng lǐ ， suī rán tā xiàng lín xuān jiǎng shù le bù shǎo guān yú dào fú shān de qíng kuàng ， dàn duì yú tóng méng mén pài de dì zǐ lái shuō ， nà xiē běn lái jiù bù suàn mì mì ， dǎo shì lín xuān zài xiū liàn fāng miàn de jǐ jù diǎn bō ， ràng tā huò yì liáng duō 。
王鑫恭恭敬敬的行礼，虽然他像林轩讲述了不少关于道符山的情况，但对于同盟门派的弟子来说，那些本来就不算秘密，倒是林轩在修炼方面的几句点拨，让他获益良多。
Wang Xin performed a respectful bow. Although he had told Lin Xuan much about Dao Talisman Mountain, for their allied sect members, such information was not a secret. Instead, it were Lin Xuan’s few insights on cultivation that greatly benefited him.
lín xuān jiē guò yāo pái ， yǔ wáng xīn fēn bié yǐ hòu ， jiù àn zhào tā de zhǐ diǎn ， xiàng zhe chū shòu fú lù de dì fāng ér qù le 。
林轩接过腰牌，与王鑫分别以后，就按照他的指点，向着出售符箓的地方而去了。
Lin Xuan took the token and parted ways with Wang Xin as instructed, heading towards the area where talismans were sold.
yī lù shàng xiū shì de shù liàng jiàn jiàn zēng duō ， chú le dào fú shān dì zǐ ， hái yǒu bù shǎo mù míng gǎn lái de xiū shì ， dāng rán ， quán dōu shǔ yú tā men tóng méng yī pài ， bié shuō dí duì shì lì ， biàn shì zhōng lì de sàn xiū ， cǐ shí yě bù yǔn xǔ cān jiā jiāo yì 。
一路上修士的数量渐渐增多，除了道符山弟子，还有不少慕名赶来的修士，当然，全都属于他们同盟一派，别说敌对势力，便是中立的散修，此时也不允许参加交易。
As they walked, the number of cultivators increased. Besides Dao Talisman Mountain disciples, many others had come out of admiration, all belonging to their allied sect. Not only was it forbidden for hostile forces to participate, but even neutral scattered cultivators were not allowed to join the transactions.
suī rán jǐn jǐn shì xiāo hào zhàn ， dàn liǎng dà xiū zhēn mén pài jí qí méng yǒu de duì lì ， yǐ jīng gǎo dé zhěng gè yǎn zhōu de xiū zhēn jiè fēng shēng hè lì 。
虽然仅仅是消耗战，但两大修真门派及其盟友的对立，已经搞得整个兖州的修真界风声鹤唳。
Although this was merely a消耗战 (tiring battle), the opposition between two major cultivation sects and their allies had already caused the entire Yanzhou region’s cultivation world to be on edge.
tǐ nèi yǒu biàn shí shēn fèn de fǎ jué ， zài jiā shàng wáng xīn suǒ gěi de yāo pái ， ràng lín xuān yī lù chàng xíng wú zǔ ， zhí jiē lái dào le jiāo yì fú lù de jí shì 。
体内有辨识身份的法诀，再加上王鑫所给的腰牌，让林轩一路畅行无阻，直接来到了交易符箓的集市。
With the identification spell in his body and Wang Xin's token, Lin Xuan moved freely without any hindrance. He directly arrived at the marketplace where talismans were sold.
zhè shì yī tiáo cháng jiē ， liǎng biān tān diǎn lín lì ， bù shí yǒu yāo hē de shēng yīn chuán chū ， bù zhī dào de rén ， hái yǐ wéi lái dào le shì sú de jí shì 。
这是一条长街，两边摊点林立，不时有吆喝的声音传出，不知道的人，还以为来到了世俗的集市。
This was a long street with stalls lining both sides, occasionally filled with shouts. To those who didn't know, it seemed like a secular market.
lín xuān bù dòng shēng sè ， màn màn liú lǎn ， yǔ yǐ qián bù tóng ， xiàn zài tā xiū wèi yǐ jīng dào le líng dòng qī dà yuán mǎn zhī jìng ， shí lì jīn fēi xī bǐ ， zì rán bú huì zài duì dī jiē fú lù gǎn xìng qù ， biàn shì zhōng jiē fú ， yě zhǔ yào xún zhǎo fáng yù xìng de ， yuán yīn wú tā ， xiū wèi dà jìn yòu xué huì líng kòng shù yǐ hòu ， gōng jī zhǔ yào yī * líng qì ， jìn gōng xìng de fú lù yǐ jīng duì tā shī qù le xī yǐn lì 。
林轩不动声色，慢慢浏览，与以前不同，现在他修为已经到了灵动期大圆满之境，实力今非昔比，自然不会再对低阶符箓感兴趣，便是中阶符，也主要寻找防御性的，原因无他，修为大进又学会灵控术以后，攻击主要依*灵器，进攻性的符箓已经对他失去了吸引力。
Lin Xuan moved silently, browsing carefully. Unlike before, his cultivation had now reached the peak of the Flexible Spirit Stage, and his strength had greatly improved. He no longer showed interest in low-grade talismans; even middle-grade ones were mainly sought for defensive purposes. The reason was simple: with significant progress in his cultivation and mastery over spirit control techniques, he relied more on spiritual artifacts for attacks, making offensive talismans less appealing.
yǔ dī jiē fú bù tóng ， zhōng jiē fú suī rán jǐn jǐn gāo le yí gè děng jí ， jià gé què fān le shù bèi ， suī rán lín xuān shēn jiā fēng hòu ， yōng yǒu yì bǎi èr shí yú kē dī jiē jīng shí ， dàn yě bù néng làng fèi a ， hǎo gāng yào yòng zài dāo rèn shàng ， jīng shí zì rán yě zhǐ néng huā zài gāi huā de dì fāng 。
与低阶符不同，中阶符虽然仅仅高了一个等级，价格却翻了数倍，虽然林轩身家丰厚，拥有一百二十余颗低阶晶石，但也不能浪费啊，好钢要用在刀刃上，晶石自然也只能花在该花的地方。
Unlike low-grade talismans, middle-grade ones, though only one level higher, had prices that increased several times. Although Lin Xuan's wealth was considerable, with over a hundred and twenty low-grade crystal stones, he couldn't afford to waste them. He needed to spend his resources wisely, so the crystal stones could only be spent where necessary.
suī rán cān jiā bǎi tān de dōu shì líng dòng qī dì zǐ ， dàn què yǒu bù shǎo zhù jī qī xiū shì jiāng zì jǐ zhì zuò de fú lù jiāo yǔ dì zǐ dài wéi chū shòu ， lín xuān yī lù zǒu lái ， suǒ jiàn bù fá jīng pǐn 。
虽然参加摆摊的都是灵动期弟子，但却有不少筑基期修士将自己制作的符箓交予弟子代为出售，林轩一路走来，所见不乏精品。
Although those setting up stalls were mostly from the Flexible Spirit Stage, many Foundation Establishment Stage experts had entrusted their disciples to sell their talismans on their behalf. Along the way, Lin Xuan saw several excellent ones.
“ zhè wèi shī xiōng ， mǎi yī zhāng ba ， fēi xíng fú ， kě yǐ ràng nǐ téng yún jià wù ， jí shǐ méi yǒu líng qì ， yě néng zài tiān kōng zhōng zì yóu áo xiáng 。”
“这位师兄，买一张吧，飞行符，可以让你腾云驾雾，即使没有灵器，也能在天空中自由翱翔。”
"Senior Brother, why not buy one? This flying talisman will allow you to soar through the clouds and skies even without a spiritual artifact."
yí gè dà yuē èr shí yú suì de qīng nián ， shǒu lǐ ná zhe yī zhāng líng qì bī rén de fú zhǐ ， xiàng lín xuān jiè shào ， cǐ nǎi zhōng jiē fú lù ， fēng yìn zhe “ fēi xíng shù ”， yuán běn shì bù cuò de fǔ zhù zhī fú ， ràng páng biān bù shǎo dī jiē xiū shì yǎn chán bù yǐ ， dàn yī wèn jià gé ， què wàng ér què bù 。
一个大约二十余岁的青年，手里拿着一张灵气逼人的符纸，向林轩介绍，此乃中阶符箓，封印着“飞行术”，原本是不错的辅助之符，让旁边不少低阶修士眼馋不已，但一问价格，却望而却步。
A young man in his twenties held up a talisman paper with an aura of essence power, introducing it to Lin Xuan. It was a middle-grade talisman containing "Flying Technique," originally a fine auxiliary talisman that had made many low-grade cultivators envious. However, upon asking the price, they were deterred.
liǎng kuài jīng shí ， tā men nǎ lǐ fù dé qǐ 。
两块晶石，他们哪里付得起。
Two crystal stones—where could they afford such a sum?
lín xuān dǎo shì cái dà qì cū ， bù guò xué huì líng kòng shù yǐ hòu ， tā yǐ jīng néng gòu yù qì fēi xíng ， zhè yàng de fú lù zì rán shī qù le xìng qù 。
林轩倒是财大气粗，不过学会灵控术以后，他已经能够御器飞行，这样的符箓自然失去了兴趣。
Lin Xuan, on the other hand, was rich and generous. But after mastering spirit control techniques, he already knew how to fly using his spiritual artifacts, making such talismans uninteresting to him.
jiàn lín xuān bù gǎn xìng qù ， tān zhǔ què yě bìng bù zài yì ， dào ：“ shī xiōng xū yào shén me fú ， bù mǎn nín shuō ， wǒ zì jǐ xiū wèi suī rán ná bù chū shǒu ， dàn shī zūn què shì zhù jī zhōng qī de dà gāo shǒu ， zhè lǐ yǒu bù shǎo tā lǎo rén jiā zhì zuò de fú lù 。”
见林轩不感兴趣，摊主却也并不在意，道：“师兄需要什么符，不满您说，我自己修为虽然拿不出手，但师尊却是筑基中期的大高手，这里有不少他老人家制作的符箓。”
Seeing that Lin Xuan wasn't interested, the stall owner didn’t mind and said, "Senior Brother, whatever you need in a talisman, just tell me. My own cultivation might not be impressive, but my teacher is a high-ranking Foundation Establishment Stage expert. There are many talismans he made here."
“ zhù jī zhōng qī ？”
“筑基中期？”
"Foundation Establishment Stage mid-level?"
lín xuān yuán běn yào zǒu ， tīng le zhè huà què tíng xià jiǎo bù ， zhù jī qī xiū shì de zuò pǐn ， yīng gāi néng gòu zhǎo dào zì jǐ xiǎng yào de 。
林轩原本要走，听了这话却停下脚步，筑基期修士的作品，应该能够找到自己想要的。
Lin Xuan was about to leave when he stopped upon hearing this. The works of Foundation Establishment Stage experts should have what he wanted.
“ yǒu méi yǒu fáng yù xìng de fú lù 。”
“有没有防御性的符箓。”
"Do you have any defensive talismans?"
“ fáng yù xíng de a 。” qīng nián náo le náo tóu ：“ yǒu ， dāng rán yǒu 。”
“防御型的啊。”青年挠了挠头：“有，当然有。”
"Yes, naturally," the young man scratched his head: "Of course, there are some."
jiē zhe biàn cóng huái zhōng tāo chū le yī bǎ fú lù 。
接着便从怀中掏出了一把符箓。
He then pulled out a handful of talismans from his pocket.
Speaking of the pride of our sect, Wang Xin's face was filled with admiration. However, he didn't dare to brag in front of his senior brother from Drifting Cloud Valley. He said honestly, "Senior Elder Tianyuan has profound magical power and his talismans are incredibly powerful, almost as if they were naturally formed. But it’s not guaranteed that he can defeat a Core Formation Stage expert."
"Hmm," Lin Xuan nodded. While he was only slightly interested in the strength of Senior Elder Tianyuan, what truly mattered to him was how to purchase high-grade talismans from him.
Wang Xin didn't hold back and began recounting all the information that Lin Xuan wanted to know.
It turned out that not only did Senior Elder Tianyuan have profound magical power and was the first-rate expert in making talismans at Dao Talisman Mountain, but his personality was rather peculiar...
For instance, this sect held a talisman fair every month with the intention of providing convenience for low-grade disciples. The main participants were mostly low-grade cultivators from the Flexible Spirit Stage who would set up stalls to sell their talismans. However, as the fame of the fair grew and more cultivators came out of admiration, each transaction brought in a substantial amount of crystal stones. This generous income made Foundation Establishment Stage experts gradually envious, but they respected their status too much to openly set up stalls themselves. Thus, they would entrust their disciples to sell the talismans on their behalf.
However, Tianyuan was different. As the first-rate expert in making talismans for this sect, he held a high and revered position. Yet, he cared little about face or other such matters. He would sometimes personally participate in the fair and even sell some high-grade talismans from time to time.
Although strictly speaking, doing so violated the rules of Dao Talisman Mountain, who dared to manage Tianyuan? Even the sect leader found it hard to deal with this eccentric senior brother.
"You think Senior Elder Tianyuan will appear at the fair and sell high-grade talismans?" Lin Xuan said excitedly.
"It's not certain. Senior Master Tianyuan acts like a dragon, showing its head but not its tail. Sometimes he participates in several fairs in succession, while other times, he doesn't come for months. And even if he does show up, it’s uncertain whether he will sell anything. In short, all depends on Senior Master's mood at the time. Brother Ye can only rely on luck to buy high-grade talismans."
Lin Xuan remained silent. This senior brother's actions were indeed peculiar, but after all, having a chance was better than none. He would see how his luck held out today.
As they spoke, they had arrived at the top of the mountain, but it was empty, with nothing in sight.
Wang Xin reached into his pocket and took out a talisman, throwing it towards the air while shouting loudly: "Duo!"
Instantly, a brilliant silver light appeared in the air, expanding to form an archway that allowed passage.
"Senior Brother, please."
Lin Xuan stepped into the silver light without hesitation. Suddenly, before him was a clear view of pavilions and terraces, birds chirping and flowers blooming, a scene reminiscent of a fairyland.
"Senior Brother, I can only send you this far. Hold onto this token. After ascending the staircase, turn left towards the west to reach the area where talismans are sold."
"You've been very kind."
"It's nothing."
Wang Xin performed a respectful bow. Although he had told Lin Xuan much about Dao Talisman Mountain, for their allied sect members, such information was not a secret. Instead, it were Lin Xuan’s few insights on cultivation that greatly benefited him.
Lin Xuan took the token and parted ways with Wang Xin as instructed, heading towards the area where talismans were sold.
As they walked, the number of cultivators increased. Besides Dao Talisman Mountain disciples, many others had come out of admiration, all belonging to their allied sect. Not only was it forbidden for hostile forces to participate, but even neutral scattered cultivators were not allowed to join the transactions.
Although this was merely a消耗战 (tiring battle), the opposition between two major cultivation sects and their allies had already caused the entire Yanzhou region’s cultivation world to be on edge.
With the identification spell in his body and Wang Xin's token, Lin Xuan moved freely without any hindrance. He directly arrived at the marketplace where talismans were sold.
This was a long street with stalls lining both sides, occasionally filled with shouts. To those who didn't know, it seemed like a secular market.
Lin Xuan moved silently, browsing carefully. Unlike before, his cultivation had now reached the peak of the Flexible Spirit Stage, and his strength had greatly improved. He no longer showed interest in low-grade talismans; even middle-grade ones were mainly sought for defensive purposes. The reason was simple: with significant progress in his cultivation and mastery over spirit control techniques, he relied more on spiritual artifacts for attacks, making offensive talismans less appealing.
Unlike low-grade talismans, middle-grade ones, though only one level higher, had prices that increased several times. Although Lin Xuan's wealth was considerable, with over a hundred and twenty low-grade crystal stones, he couldn't afford to waste them. He needed to spend his resources wisely, so the crystal stones could only be spent where necessary.
Although those setting up stalls were mostly from the Flexible Spirit Stage, many Foundation Establishment Stage experts had entrusted their disciples to sell their talismans on their behalf. Along the way, Lin Xuan saw several excellent ones.
"Senior Brother, why not buy one? This flying talisman will allow you to soar through the clouds and skies even without a spiritual artifact."
A young man in his twenties held up a talisman paper with an aura of essence power, introducing it to Lin Xuan. It was a middle-grade talisman containing "Flying Technique," originally a fine auxiliary talisman that had made many low-grade cultivators envious. However, upon asking the price, they were deterred.
Two crystal stones—where could they afford such a sum?
Lin Xuan, on the other hand, was rich and generous. But after mastering spirit control techniques, he already knew how to fly using his spiritual artifacts, making such talismans uninteresting to him.
Seeing that Lin Xuan wasn't interested, the stall owner didn’t mind and said, "Senior Brother, whatever you need in a talisman, just tell me. My own cultivation might not be impressive, but my teacher is a high-ranking Foundation Establishment Stage expert. There are many talismans he made here."
"Foundation Establishment Stage mid-level?"
Lin Xuan was about to leave when he stopped upon hearing this. The works of Foundation Establishment Stage experts should have what he wanted.
"Do you have any defensive talismans?"
"Yes, naturally," the young man scratched his head: "Of course, there are some."
He then pulled out a handful of talismans from his pocket.