“ zhè dǎo shì hěn yǒu qù ， suī rán méi yǒu shén me wēi lì ， dàn ná lái xià xià rén hái shì hǎo de ， zěn me mài ？”
“这倒是很有趣，虽然没有什么威力，但拿来吓吓人还是好的，怎么卖？”
"This is quite interesting. Although it doesn't have much power, it can still scare people. How much are you selling it for?"
“ yī kuài jīng shí yī zhāng 。”
“一块晶石一张。”
"One crystal stone per sheet."
“ shén me ， yī kuài jīng shí ？” nà xiū shì dà chī yī jīng ：“ zhè me guì ， nǐ hái bù rú qù qiǎng 。”
“什么，一块晶石？”那修士大吃一惊：“这么贵，你还不如去抢。”
"What? One crystal stone?" The cultivator was greatly surprised: "That's so expensive. You'd be better off stealing it."
“ jiù shì ， dī jiē fú mǎi zhè me gāo de jià qián ， xiǎng jīng shí xiǎng fēng le 。”
“就是，低阶符买这么高的价钱，想晶石想疯了。”
"Exactly, buying low-grade talismans at such a high price must have driven you crazy for crystal stones," others chimed in.
miàn duì zhòng xiū shì de zhǐ zé ， liú jǐng xiǎn de hěn wěi qū ：“ kě zhè yòu bú shì pǔ tōng de dī jiē fú 。”
面对众修士的指责，刘景显得很委屈：“可这又不是普通的低阶符。”
Faced with the accusations of the other cultivators, Liu Jing looked very aggrieved. "But this isn't just an ordinary low-grade talisman."
“ nà yòu rú hé ， wēi lì hái bú shì hé dī jiē de yī yàng 。”
“那又如何，威力还不是和低阶的一样。”
"How so? Its power is still the same as that of a regular one."
yě nán guài ， pǔ tōng de dī jiē fú ， shí zhāng yě zhí bù liǎo yī kuài jīng shí ， zhè ge jià qián ， què shí yǒu xiē lí pǔ ， zuò wèi líng dòng qī xiū shì ， yì bān dōu hěn qióng ， nǎ yǒu kě néng mǎi de qǐ 。
也难怪，普通的低阶符，十张也值不了一块晶石，这个价钱，确实有些离谱，做为灵动期修士，一般都很穷，哪有可能买得起。
It was no wonder. Ordinary low-grade talismans were worth only a single crystal stone for ten sheets at most. This price was indeed rather outrageous. As a Flexible Spirit Period cultivator, he was generally quite poor and unlikely to be able to afford it.
jiàn zhòng rén sàn qù ， liú jǐng tàn le kǒu qì ， zài dào fú shān ， tā zī zhì yì bān ， shǔ yú zhōng děng shuǐ píng ， rán ér tóu nǎo què hěn líng huó ， cháng yǒu bù shǎo qí sī miào xiǎng ， bìng fù zhū shí jiàn ， zhè kàn qǐ lái xiàng gāo jiē fú de dī jiē fú jiù shì tā de dé yì zhī zuò ， rán ér mén nèi de zhǎng lǎo bìng bù xīn shǎng ， fǎn ér chì zé tā bù wù zhèng yè ， jǐn zuān yán yī xiē mò míng qí miào de dōng xī 。
见众人散去，刘景叹了口气，在道符山，他资质一般，属于中等水平，然而头脑却很灵活，常有不少奇思妙想，并付诸实践，这看起来像高阶符的低阶符就是他的得意之作，然而门内的长老并不欣赏，反而斥责他不务正业，尽钻研一些莫名其妙的东西。
Seeing everyone disperse, Liu Jing sighed. In Dao Talisman Mountain, his abilities were average, placing him in the middle ranks. However, his mind was sharp, often coming up with many ingenious ideas that he put into practice. This low-grade talisman that looked like a high-grade one was his masterpiece. But the elders within the sect did not appreciate it; instead, they scolded him for neglecting his duties and delving into mysterious things.
liú jǐng bù gǎn dǐng zuǐ ， dàn xīn zhōng què bù fú qì ， yú shì biàn jiāng zuò pǐn ná dào fú huì shàng lái ， xī wàng néng gòu mài gè hǎo jià qián zhèng míng zì jǐ ， nǎ zhī dào bù jǐn yī zhāng yě méi yǒu mài chū qù ， fǎn ér bèi xī luò zhǐ zé le yī fān ， bù yóu chuí tóu sàng qì 。
刘景不敢顶嘴，但心中却不服气，于是便将作品拿到符会上来，希望能够卖个好价钱证明自己，哪知道不仅一张也没有卖出去，反而被奚落指责了一番，不由垂头丧气。
Liu Jing dared not argue back but felt aggrieved inside. So he brought out his work to the Talisman Fair, hoping to sell it at a good price to prove himself. Not only was none of them sold, but he was also ridiculed and criticized, leaving him feeling dejected.
“ nǐ de fú yǒu duō shǎo ？”
“你的符有多少？”
"How many talismans do you have?"
hé shàn de shēng yīn chuán rù ěr duǒ ， liú jǐng tái qǐ tóu ， kàn jiàn yí gè shēn chuān piāo yún gǔ fú shì de nián qīng rén zhèng xiào yín yín de kàn zhe zì jǐ 。
和善的声音传入耳朵，刘景抬起头，看见一个身穿飘云谷服饰的年轻人正笑吟吟的看着自己。
A kind voice entered his ears as Liu Jing looked up and saw a young man in the attire of Drifting Cloud Valley smiling at him.
yǔ nà xiē rén bù tóng ， lín xuān kě bù rèn wéi zhè zhǒng tè shū de dī jiē fú jǐn néng xià rén ， rú guǒ yòng hǎo le ， gēn běn jiù shì néng gòu jiù mìng de fǎ bǎo 。
与那些人不同，林轩可不认为这种特殊的低阶符仅能吓人，如果用好了，根本就是能够救命的法宝。
Unlike those others, Lin Xuan did not believe that this special low-grade talisman could only scare people. If used properly, it could be a life-saving treasure.
zài xīn zhōng sī liáng le yī biàn zì jǐ kě yǐ zěn me qiǎo miào yùn yòng zhè zhǒng fú ， lín xuān zhǔn bèi quán bù gòu rù 。
在心中思量了一遍自己可以怎么巧妙运用这种符，林轩准备全部购入。
After considering how to cleverly utilize such a talisman, Lin Xuan decided to buy all of them.
“ hái yǒu jiǔ zhāng ， shī xiōng yào mǎi ？” liú jǐng tái qǐ tóu ， yòu jīng yòu xǐ 。
“还有九张，师兄要买？”刘景抬起头，又惊又喜。
"There are nine more. Senior Brother, do you want to buy them?" Liu Jing asked, surprised and delighted.
“ zhǐ yǒu jiǔ zhāng ？” lín xuān chén mò le yī xià ， rán hòu jiù cóng huái lǐ qǔ chū jīng shí ， yī shǒu jiāo qián ， yī shǒu jiāo huò 。
“只有九张？”林轩沉默了一下，然后就从怀里取出晶石，一手交钱，一手交货。
"Only nine?" Lin Xuan paused for a moment before taking out the crystal stones from his pocket, handing over one hand with money and the other with the talismans.
suǒ wèi bīng bù yàn zhà ， xū zé shí zhī ， shí zé xū zhī ， yǒu le zhè zhǒng néng gòu qī piàn rén shì tīng de dī jiē fú ， jiù suàn shì yù shàng zhù jī qī gāo shǒu ， lín xuān yě duō le jǐ fēn ān rán táo zǒu de bǎ wò 。
所谓兵不厌诈，虚则实之，实则虚之，有了这种能够欺骗人视听的低阶符，就算是遇上筑基期高手，林轩也多了几分安然逃走的把握。
...
huái zhōng hái yǒu bù shǎo jīng shí ， lín xuān zì rán bù zhǔn bèi jiù zhè yàng lí qù ， cǐ xíng xiōng xiǎn ， néng gòu mǎi de dōng xī ， yí dìng yào mǎi qí 。
怀中还有不少晶石，林轩自然不准备就这样离去，此行凶险，能够买的东西，一定要买齐。
The saying goes: "In war, deceit is not forbidden." When it's fake, make it real; when it's real, make it fake. With this kind of talisman that could deceive people's senses, even if he encountered a Foundation Establishment cultivator, Lin Xuan would have more assurance in escaping safely.
suī rán shōu huò bù cuò ， dàn tā zuì zhǔ yì de gāo jiē fú ， xiàn zài yī rán méi yǒu jiàn dào yì diǎn zōng jì 。
虽然收获不错，但他最属意的高阶符，现在依然没有见到一点踪迹。
With many crystal stones left in his pocket, Lin Xuan did not intend to leave just like that. This trip was dangerous, and whatever he could buy, he must get it.
lín xuān jì xù xiàng qián zǒu ， duì yú jiǎn lòu de xiǎo tān ， tā yǐ jīng bù zěn me liú yì ， zài zhè tiáo cháng jiē de liǎng páng ， chú le lín shí dā jiàn de tān diǎn ， hái yǒu yī xiē měi lún měi huàn de wū zi ， wáng xīn suǒ shuō de qíng bào yě bú shì wán quán zhǔn què ， suí zhe fú huì jiāo yì liàng de yī tiān tiān kuò dà ， chú le tiān yuán zhǎng lǎo ， mén nèi de qí tā yī xiē zhù jī qī xiū shì zhōng yú yě nài bú zhù jīng shí de yòu huò ， qīn zì bǎi tān le 。
林轩继续向前走，对于简陋的小摊，他已经不怎么留意，在这条长街的两旁，除了临时搭建的摊点，还有一些美轮美奂的屋子，王鑫所说的情报也不是完全准确，随着符会交易量的一天天扩大，除了天元长老，门内的其他一些筑基期修士终于也耐不住晶石的诱惑，亲自摆摊了。
Although the results were good, the high-grade talismans he most desired still remained elusive.
dāng rán ， tā men zì zhòng shēn fèn ， bù yuàn yǔ líng dòng qī dì zǐ wéi wǔ ， dào fú shān zhuān mén xiū jiàn le zhè zhǒng xiǎo wū ， zū gěi zhù jī qī xiū shì zuò wèi mài fú zhī yòng 。
当然，他们自重身份，不愿与灵动期弟子为伍，道符山专门修建了这种小屋，租给筑基期修士做为卖符之用。
Lin Xuan continued walking down the street. He no longer paid much attention to the shabby stalls; on both sides of this long street, there were not only makeshift booths but also some magnificent houses. Wang Xin's intelligence was not entirely accurate. As the trade volume at the Talisman Fair grew day by day, other Foundation Establishment cultivators within the sect finally could not resist the temptation of crystal stones and began to set up their own stalls.
zhè ge fā xiàn ， ràng lín xuān dà xǐ ， shuō bù dìng hái huì yǒu qí tā rén qiāo qiāo chū shòu gāo jiē fú ， rán ér yī lián guàng le wǔ liù jiān xiǎo wū ， què yī wú suǒ huò 。
这个发现，让林轩大喜，说不定还会有其他人悄悄出售高阶符，然而一连逛了五六间小屋，却一无所获。
Of course, they valued their status and did not want to associate with Flexible Spirit Period disciples. Dao Talisman Mountain specially built these small houses for them to sell talismans.
zhèng dāng lín xuān yǒu xiē shī wàng ， zhǔn bèi wǎng huí zǒu de shí hòu ， tā de mù guāng tū rán bèi yī zhāng fú xī yǐn zhù le ， zhè shì cháng jiē jìn tóu de yí gè tān diǎn ， tān zhǔ shì yī wèi mǎn tóu bái fà de lǎo zhě ， kǒng pà yǒu qī shí yǐ shàng de gāo líng ， suī rán méi yǒu yòng líng yǎn shù chá kàn ， dàn cóng tā shēn shàng sàn fà chū lái de qì shì ， lín xuān yě kě yǐ tuī cè ， zhè shì yī wèi dào dá le zhù jī jìng jiè de gāo shǒu 。
正当林轩有些失望，准备往回走的时候，他的目光突然被一张符吸引住了，这是长街尽头的一个摊点，摊主是一位满头白发的老者，恐怕有七十以上的高龄，虽然没有用灵眼术查看，但从他身上散发出来的气势，林轩也可以推测，这是一位到达了筑基境界的高手。
This discovery made Lin Xuan very happy; perhaps others were secretly selling high-grade talismans as well. However, after visiting several such houses, he found nothing.
zhù jī qī què méi yǒu zū yòng xiǎo wū ， nán dào shì wáng xīn kǒu zhōng de tiān yuán zhǎng lǎo ， xiǎng dào zhè lǐ ， lín xuān yī zhèn xīn tiào ， bù guǎn zì jǐ cāi cè dé shì fǒu zhèng què ， tā tān wèi shàng de nà zhāng fú ， dōu lìng lín xuān shí fēn xīn dòng 。
筑基期却没有租用小屋，难道是王鑫口中的天元长老，想到这里，林轩一阵心跳，不管自己猜测得是否正确，他摊位上的那张符，都令林轩十分心动。
Just when Lin Xuan was feeling disappointed and preparing to turn back, his gaze suddenly caught a talisman at the end of the street. It was a stall run by an elderly man with white hair, probably over seventy years old. Although Lin Xuan did not use Inner Vision Technique to check him, he could tell from his aura that this was a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
nà shì yī zhāng lán sè de fú zhǐ ， bǐ pǔ tōng de fú lù yào shāo dà yī xiē ， biǎo miàn shàng ， huì zhe yī zhī jiān zuǐ lì zhuǎ de niǎo ér ， xǔ xǔ rú shēng 。
那是一张蓝色的符纸，比普通的符箓要稍大一些，表面上，绘着一只尖嘴利爪的鸟儿，栩栩如生。
A Foundation Establishment cultivator had not rented one of these small houses; could it be the Sky Pillar Elder mentioned by Wang Xin? Thinking about this, Lin Xuan's heart raced. Regardless of whether his guess was correct or not, the talisman on this stall made him very eager to buy.
suī rán cóng biǎo miàn shàng kàn ， zhè zhāng fú sì hū bìng bù qǐ yǎn ， bù guò lín xuān nǎi shí huò zhī rén ， shòu fú ， yí gè míng cí tiào rù dào le tā de nǎo hǎi zhōng 。
虽然从表面上看，这张符似乎并不起眼，不过林轩乃识货之人，兽符，一个名词跳入到了他的脑海中。
It was a blue talisman slightly larger than ordinary ones, depicting a sharp-beaked and sharp-clawed bird that looked lifelike.
zhǐ shì bù zhī dào lǐ miàn fēng yìn de shì hé zhǒng pǐn jí de yāo shòu hún pò 。
只是不知道里面封印的是何种品级的妖兽魂魄。
Although it seemed unremarkable from the outside, Lin Xuan, who knew his way around, immediately thought of the term "Beast Talismans."
“ qián bèi ， zhè zhāng fú zěn me mǎi ？” lín xuān gōng jìng de xíng le yī lǐ ， lǎo zhě tái tóu kàn le tā yī yǎn ：“ liǎng bǎi jīng shí 。”
“前辈，这张符怎么买？”林轩恭敬的行了一礼，老者抬头看了他一眼：“两百晶石。”
He wondered what kind ofmonster beastsoul was sealed inside.
“ liǎng bǎi ？”
“两百？”
"Senior, how much for this talisman?" Liu Jing respectfully bowed. The elderly man looked up at him: "Two hundred crystal stones."
lín xuān chī le yī jīng ， shòu fú suī rán shì tè shū fú lù ， dàn yě guì bú dào zhè zhòng dì bù ， kě kàn yǎn qián de lǎo zhě ， bìng bù xiàng shī zi dà kāi kǒu de rén wù ， nán dào ……
林轩吃了一惊，兽符虽然是特殊符箓，但也贵不到这种地步，可看眼前的老者，并不像狮子大开口的人物，难道……
"Two hundred?"
lín xuān xiǎng dào le yī zhǒng kě néng ， dàn bìng bù què dìng ， xiǎo xīn yì yì de dào ：“ qián bèi ， liǎng bǎi jīng shí ， shì bú shì shāo shāo guì le yī xiē ？”
林轩想到了一种可能，但并不确定，小心翼翼的道：“前辈，两百晶石，是不是稍稍贵了一些？”
Lin Xuan was shocked. Beast Talismans were special talismans, but they weren't that expensive. However, looking at the elderly man, he didn't seem like someone who would ask for too much. Could it be...
“ xián guì ？” lǎo zhě lěng xiào yī shēng ， tái tóu xié chǒu le lín xuān yī yǎn ：“ xiǎo zi ， nǐ kě zhī dào zhè shì shén me fú ？”
“嫌贵？”老者冷笑一声，抬头斜瞅了林轩一眼：“小子，你可知道这是什么符？”
Lin Xuan thought of a possibility but wasn't sure. He cautiously said: "Senior, is two hundred crystal stones a bit steep?"
“ shòu hún zhī fú 。”
“兽魂之符。”
"Suspect it's too expensive?" The elderly man sneered and looked at Lin Xiang sidelong: "Boy, do you know what kind of talisman this is?"
“ yí ？” lǎo zhě yǒu xiē yì wài ， liǎn shàng de lěng xiào zhōng yú shōu le qǐ lái ：“ méi xiǎng dào nǐ hái shí huò ， nà nǐ kě zhī dào lǐ miàn fēng yìn de shì hé zhǒng yāo shòu hún pò ？”
“咦？”老者有些意外，脸上的冷笑终于收了起来：“没想到你还识货，那你可知道里面封印的是何种妖兽魂魄？”
...
“ zhè ge wǎn bèi bù qīng chǔ ， zhèng yào xiàng qián bèi qǐng jiào 。”
“这个晚辈不清楚，正要像前辈请教。”
"Beast Soul Talisman."
“ lǐ miàn fēng yìn de nǎi shì jìn jiē shī bài de tiān xiáng niǎo hún pò 。”
“里面封印的乃是进阶失败的天翔鸟魂魄。”
"Eh?" The elderly man was surprised. His sneer finally disappeared: "I didn't expect you to be knowledgeable. Do you know what kind ofmonster beastsoul is sealed inside?"
tiān xiáng niǎo ， shuǐ shǔ xìng yī jí jí pǐn yāo shòu ， lùn shí lì ， yǔ tiě jiǎ bào yán hǔ chà bu duō ， dōu xiāng dāng yú líng dòng qī dà yuán mǎn jìng jiè de xiū zhēn zhě 。
天翔鸟，水属性一级极品妖兽，论实力，与铁甲爆炎虎差不多，都相当于灵动期大圆满境界的修真者。
"I'm not sure about that, Senior. I just want to ask for your guidance," Liu Jing replied respectfully.
dàn jìn jiē shī bài shì zěn me huí shì ne ？
但进阶失败是怎么回事呢？
"It's the soul of a failed Golden Skybird."
yāo shòu yǔ xiū zhēn zhě dōu kě yǐ xī nà ， jià yù tiān dì líng qì ， xiū zhēn zhě tōng guò xiū liàn ， shí lì kě yǐ bù duàn tí shēng ， cóng líng dòng qī dào zhù jī ， cóng zhù jī qī zài dào níng dān ……
妖兽与修真者都可以吸纳，驾驭天地灵气，修真者通过修炼，实力可以不断提升，从灵动期到筑基，从筑基期再到凝丹……
Golden Skybirds were first-grade top-grade water attributemonster beast. In terms of strength, they were comparable to Iron Armor Blaze Tiger, equivalent to a Flexible Spirit Period cultivator who had reached the peak of their realm.
yāo shòu yě shì rú cǐ ， yī jí yāo shòu xī shōu líng qì ， qiáng huà zì shēn yǐ hòu ， shí lì yě huì bù duàn zēng zhǎng ， cóng yī jí dào èr jí ， cóng èr jí zài jìn jiē dào sān jí ……
妖兽也是如此，一级妖兽吸收灵气，强化自身以后，实力也会不断增长，从一级到二级，从二级再进阶到三级……
But what did it mean for amonster beastto fail an advancement?
biǎo miàn kàn qǐ lái chà bu duō ， qí shí yǒu qū bié ， xiū zhēn zhě jìng jiè tí shēng ， xū yào tū pò píng jǐng ， zhè ge guò chéng kě yǐ zuò duō cì nǔ lì ， bǐ rú shuō líng dòng qī dà yuán mǎn chōng jī zhù jī ， yī cì shī bài le ， hái kě yǐ zài lái dì èr cì ， dì èr cì shī bài le ， hái kě yǐ zài lái dì sān cì ， zhǐ yào nǐ bù fàng qì nǔ lì ， jiù kě yǐ fǎn fù chōng jī 。
表面看起来差不多，其实有区别，修真者境界提升，需要突破瓶颈，这个过程可以做多次努力，比如说灵动期大圆满冲击筑基，一次失败了，还可以再来第二次，第二次失败了，还可以再来第三次，只要你不放弃努力，就可以反复冲击。
Both cultivators andmonster beastcould absorb and harness the primordial energy from nature. Cultivators could enhance their strength through cultivation, progressing from Flexible Spirit to Foundation Establishment, then to Condensation Core...
dàn yāo shòu bù xíng ， tā men jìn jiē de jī huì zhǐ yǒu yī cì ， rú guǒ zhè cì shī bài le ， jiù zhōng shēn zài yě bù néng jìn jiē 。
但妖兽不行，它们进阶的机会只有一次，如果这次失败了，就终身再也不能进阶。
Similarly, first-grademonster beastabsorbed primordial energy to strengthen themselves, gradually increasing in power as they progressed from one grade to another.
hé xiū zhēn zhě xiāng bǐ ， yāo shòu zài zhè fāng miàn xiǎn rán chǔ yú ruò shì ， dàn tā men yě yǒu zì jǐ yōu shì de yí miàn ， bǐ rú shuō zhè zhǐ tiān xiáng niǎo ， yī jí jí pǐn yāo shòu ， tā jìn jiē èr jí de shí hòu ， shī bài le ， rú guǒ shì xiū zhēn zhě ， chōng jī píng jǐng méi yǒu chéng gōng ， nà me shí lì jiù hái zài yuán dì tà bù ， kě yāo shòu bù tóng ， jǐn guǎn méi yǒu dì èr cì cháng shì de jī huì ， dàn jí shǐ shī bài le ， shí lì yě huì zài yuán yǒu jī chǔ shàng ， tí shēng yī dà jié 。
和修真者相比，妖兽在这方面显然处于弱势，但它们也有自己优势的一面，比如说这只天翔鸟，一级极品妖兽，它进阶二级的时候，失败了，如果是修真者，冲击瓶颈没有成功，那么实力就还在原地踏步，可妖兽不同，尽管没有第二次尝试的机会，但即使失败了，实力也会在原有基础上，提升一大截。
At first glance, it seemed similar, but there were differences. Cultivators could break through their barriers multiple times and keep trying until they succeeded. For example, a Flexible Spirit cultivator might try to advance to Foundation Establishment several times before succeeding.
suǒ yǐ zhè zhǐ jìn jiē shī bài de tiān xiáng niǎo de shí lì ， yǐ jīng jiē jìn le gāng gāng zhù jī de xiū zhēn zhě ， suī rán bù rú ， dàn xiāng chà yě bú huì tài duō 。
所以这只进阶失败的天翔鸟的实力，已经接近了刚刚筑基的修真者，虽然不如，但相差也不会太多。
But formonster beast, they only had one chance at advancement; if they failed, they would never be able to advance again in their lifetime.
Compared to cultivators,monster beastwere clearly at a disadvantage in this aspect. However, they also had an advantage. For instance, this Golden Skybird was a first-grade top-grade water attributemonster beast. When it attempted to advance to the second grade and failed, if it were a cultivator, their strength would remain stagnant after failing to break through the barrier. But for amonster beast, even though they couldn't try again, their strength would still increase significantly from where it was.
Therefore, this Golden Skybird that had failed its advancement now possessed power close to that of a newly Foundation Establishment cultivator. While not as strong, the difference wasn't too great.
"This is quite interesting. Although it doesn't have much power, it can still scare people. How much are you selling it for?"
"One crystal stone per sheet."
"What? One crystal stone?" The cultivator was greatly surprised: "That's so expensive. You'd be better off stealing it."
"Exactly, buying low-grade talismans at such a high price must have driven you crazy for crystal stones," others chimed in.
...
Faced with the accusations of the other cultivators, Liu Jing looked very aggrieved. "But this isn't just an ordinary low-grade talisman."
"How so? Its power is still the same as that of a regular one."
It was no wonder. Ordinary low-grade talismans were worth only a single crystal stone for ten sheets at most. This price was indeed rather outrageous. As a Flexible Spirit Period cultivator, he was generally quite poor and unlikely to be able to afford it.
Seeing everyone disperse, Liu Jing sighed. In Dao Talisman Mountain, his abilities were average, placing him in the middle ranks. However, his mind was sharp, often coming up with many ingenious ideas that he put into practice. This low-grade talisman that looked like a high-grade one was his masterpiece. But the elders within the sect did not appreciate it; instead, they scolded him for neglecting his duties and delving into mysterious things.
Liu Jing dared not argue back but felt aggrieved inside. So he brought out his work to the Talisman Fair, hoping to sell it at a good price to prove himself. Not only was none of them sold, but he was also ridiculed and criticized, leaving him feeling dejected.
"How many talismans do you have?"
A kind voice entered his ears as Liu Jing looked up and saw a young man in the attire of Drifting Cloud Valley smiling at him.
Unlike those others, Lin Xuan did not believe that this special low-grade talisman could only scare people. If used properly, it could be a life-saving treasure.
After considering how to cleverly utilize such a talisman, Lin Xuan decided to buy all of them.
"There are nine more. Senior Brother, do you want to buy them?" Liu Jing asked, surprised and delighted.
"Only nine?" Lin Xuan paused for a moment before taking out the crystal stones from his pocket, handing over one hand with money and the other with the talismans.
...
The saying goes: "In war, deceit is not forbidden." When it's fake, make it real; when it's real, make it fake. With this kind of talisman that could deceive people's senses, even if he encountered a Foundation Establishment cultivator, Lin Xuan would have more assurance in escaping safely.
With many crystal stones left in his pocket, Lin Xuan did not intend to leave just like that. This trip was dangerous, and whatever he could buy, he must get it.
Although the results were good, the high-grade talismans he most desired still remained elusive.
Lin Xuan continued walking down the street. He no longer paid much attention to the shabby stalls; on both sides of this long street, there were not only makeshift booths but also some magnificent houses. Wang Xin's intelligence was not entirely accurate. As the trade volume at the Talisman Fair grew day by day, other Foundation Establishment cultivators within the sect finally could not resist the temptation of crystal stones and began to set up their own stalls.
Of course, they valued their status and did not want to associate with Flexible Spirit Period disciples. Dao Talisman Mountain specially built these small houses for them to sell talismans.
This discovery made Lin Xuan very happy; perhaps others were secretly selling high-grade talismans as well. However, after visiting several such houses, he found nothing.
Just when Lin Xuan was feeling disappointed and preparing to turn back, his gaze suddenly caught a talisman at the end of the street. It was a stall run by an elderly man with white hair, probably over seventy years old. Although Lin Xuan did not use Inner Vision Technique to check him, he could tell from his aura that this was a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
A Foundation Establishment cultivator had not rented one of these small houses; could it be the Sky Pillar Elder mentioned by Wang Xin? Thinking about this, Lin Xuan's heart raced. Regardless of whether his guess was correct or not, the talisman on this stall made him very eager to buy.
It was a blue talisman slightly larger than ordinary ones, depicting a sharp-beaked and sharp-clawed bird that looked lifelike.
Although it seemed unremarkable from the outside, Lin Xuan, who knew his way around, immediately thought of the term "Beast Talismans."
He wondered what kind ofmonster beastsoul was sealed inside.
"Senior, how much for this talisman?" Liu Jing respectfully bowed. The elderly man looked up at him: "Two hundred crystal stones."
"Two hundred?"
Lin Xuan was shocked. Beast Talismans were special talismans, but they weren't that expensive. However, looking at the elderly man, he didn't seem like someone who would ask for too much. Could it be...
Lin Xuan thought of a possibility but wasn't sure. He cautiously said: "Senior, is two hundred crystal stones a bit steep?"
"Suspect it's too expensive?" The elderly man sneered and looked at Lin Xiang sidelong: "Boy, do you know what kind of talisman this is?"
...
"Beast Soul Talisman."
"Eh?" The elderly man was surprised. His sneer finally disappeared: "I didn't expect you to be knowledgeable. Do you know what kind ofmonster beastsoul is sealed inside?"
"I'm not sure about that, Senior. I just want to ask for your guidance," Liu Jing replied respectfully.
"It's the soul of a failed Golden Skybird."
Golden Skybirds were first-grade top-grade water attributemonster beast. In terms of strength, they were comparable to Iron Armor Blaze Tiger, equivalent to a Flexible Spirit Period cultivator who had reached the peak of their realm.
But what did it mean for amonster beastto fail an advancement?
Both cultivators andmonster beastcould absorb and harness the primordial energy from nature. Cultivators could enhance their strength through cultivation, progressing from Flexible Spirit to Foundation Establishment, then to Condensation Core...
Similarly, first-grademonster beastabsorbed primordial energy to strengthen themselves, gradually increasing in power as they progressed from one grade to another.
At first glance, it seemed similar, but there were differences. Cultivators could break through their barriers multiple times and keep trying until they succeeded. For example, a Flexible Spirit cultivator might try to advance to Foundation Establishment several times before succeeding.
But formonster beast, they only had one chance at advancement; if they failed, they would never be able to advance again in their lifetime.
Compared to cultivators,monster beastwere clearly at a disadvantage in this aspect. However, they also had an advantage. For instance, this Golden Skybird was a first-grade top-grade water attributemonster beast. When it attempted to advance to the second grade and failed, if it were a cultivator, their strength would remain stagnant after failing to break through the barrier. But for amonster beast, even though they couldn't try again, their strength would still increase significantly from where it was.
Therefore, this Golden Skybird that had failed its advancement now possessed power close to that of a newly Foundation Establishment cultivator. While not as strong, the difference wasn't too great.