The surface of Southern Frost Lake was in utter chaos. The flashing lightning was accompanied by deafening thunder.
A female cultivator emerged from the water to snatch the talisman, her laughter ringing like bells. Sword Qi clashed with gusting winds, leaving lingering shockwaves that had yet to dissipate. These overlapping sensations filled the air, overwhelming the senses.
Yet, amidst the chaos, a strange tranquility loomed over the lake. The three individuals who had initially dominated the scene now seemed sidelined. The interlopers had seized control, leaving the trio in an unusual silence.
On the shore, Yu Ci transformed into a wisp of mist and darted away swiftly.
As one of the interlopers, he was likely the most outmatched.
A confrontation involving Core Refinement cultivators was not something he should have meddled with. Yet, wasn’t it precisely to prevent this situation that he had sent Bao Guang away with a mix of coaxing and reprimanding while staying behind himself?
Yu Ci was well aware of his limitations but didn’t underestimate his own value. He firmly believed that everyone had their purpose, and his was just demonstrated with the Five Thunder Talisman.
In talisman arts, there is a saying: "Strike when the opportunity arises."
Yu Ci's use of the Five Thunder Talisman exemplified this principle perfectly. The burst of lightning, though far weaker than a true heavenly thunderbolt and even less potent than the attack against Tu Du that day, was both a rescue and an attack, executed to perfection.
However, it was also this very use of the Five Thunder Talisman that exposed him completely. The moment the lightning was unleashed, he spared no effort in channeling his mist-like sword intent, utilizing the thick fog over the lake to rapidly move and escape Nan Songzi’s wrathful retaliation.
But the subsequent events proved his precautions unnecessary.
Nan Songzi was indeed furious, but just as he was about to crush the little bug on the far side of the lake, the female cultivator who had snatched the talisman from the water completely captured his attention.
His gaze was locked on the female cultivator—or more accurately, on the talisman in her hand, glowing with violet light.
Murong Qingyan, now empty-handed, remained surprisingly composed. Shaking her head slightly, she revealed the newcomer’s identity:
“Aunt Tao, why bother doing this?”
The woman in violet robes chuckled softly but didn’t respond to Murong Qingyan’s words. Instead, she held the talisman close, pressing it against her forehead before sliding it down her cheek with a caressing motion. Her eyes closed slightly, and she inhaled deeply, intoxicated.
“This talisman… this ‘Great Profound Seven Transformations Five Directions True Form Talisman’ is finally mine…”
When she reopened her eyes, the woman fixed her gaze on Murong Qingyan and laughed coldly. “Qingyan, oh Qingyan, you ask why I bother?”
Her tone carried deep confusion before exploding into fury. Her beautiful face flushed red with anger, and the hatred in her expression seemed to carve a line straight to the top of her head.
“If I didn’t bother, as the rightful sect master of the Myriad Cosmos Sect, how could this ancestral talisman have stayed in your hands, Murong Qingyan, for the past twenty years instead of mine, Tao Rong’s?”
“Well said! Niece Qingyan, what you did was truly inappropriate!”
Nan Songzi appeared behind the woman in violet without warning, his movements within the crimson mist on the lake as elusive as ever. Yet, his target was unmistakable even to the blind. His eyes were fixated on the talisman in the violet-robed woman’s hand as he licked his lips and laughed hoarsely.
“Sister Tao, the ‘Flowing Mist Thousand Reflections Ascension Method ’ inscribed on this talisman belongs to me!”
The violet-robed woman did not turn around, her voice tinged with irritation. “Since I promised it to you, I won’t forget.”
Nan Songzi dragged out his words mockingly. “Oh, Sister Tao, holding the talisman in your hand seems to have given you quite the temper!”
The woman’s body trembled, hesitating as though fearful of him.
Murong Qingyan furrowed her brows, about to speak, but Nan Songzi acted decisively. He reached from behind, hooking a finger under the woman’s chin and leaning close.
“Sister Tao, have you forgotten the words you screamed while clutching your legs the other night?”
After a pause, his furious roar echoed in her ears, “Give it to me!”
Startled by his sudden outburst, the woman flinched, and the talisman slipped from her grasp. Cursing under his breath, Nan Songzi quickly pulled her into his arms to shield against Murong Qingyan’s possible attack, all while summoning the talisman toward himself.
The talisman’s faint warmth against his palm felt vividly real. The violet light reflecting in his eyes gave them a purplish hue.
Nan Songzi raised the talisman high, laughing triumphantly.
Though the Myriad Cosmos Sect was a minor third-tier sect in the cultivation world, this "Great Profound Seven Transformations Five Directions True Form Talisman" was no ordinary artifact. It had been refined over two tribulations by more than ten great cultivators across generations. With 92 layers of refinement—64 earthly and 28 heavenly—it was a masterpiece within the system of "Heavenly Celestials and Earthly Fiends" refinement techniques. Though not reaching the level of a true treasure, it stood among the best of magic artifacts.
More importantly, the "Flowing Radiance Thousand Reflections Ascension Technique" inscribed on it could allow him to break through his long-stagnant cultivation and truly step into the Void Stepping realm. This would refine his True Form, extend his lifespan, and make his days far more comfortable and pleasant.
Murong Qingyan’s expression grew solemn as she took a few steps forward, as if intending to snatch the talisman. Seeing her reaction, Nan Songzi burst into even more exuberant laughter, flaunting the treasured talisman at her before abruptly…
Everyone was stunned.
Certainly, many talismans could theoretically be ingested, and there were indeed various methods of talisman consumption. Even this Great Void True Talisman could be temporarily assimilated into the body through such techniques. However, Nan Songzi's sudden action left everyone momentarily dumbfounded.
Nan Songzi looked immensely pleased with himself. "No matter how cunning you may be, you can forget about scheming for this talisman anymore. We've fought so fiercely before, but now… shall we continue? Tonight, right here on this lake, let's make it a bed of three—no, four!"
As he spoke, he forcefully embraced the purple-clad beauty in his arms. The female cultivator seemed utterly stunned, showing no reaction at all. At this moment, Nan Songzi suddenly recalled something and shifted his gaze toward the distant lake surface:
"Oh right, there’s still a pesky little brat—truly an eyesore!"
Though separated by nearly a mile and obscured by a red mist, Nan Songzi's gaze locked onto Yu Ci with pinpoint accuracy, sending a chill down Yu Ci's spine. That gaze carried an ominous, deadly sensation:
"That earlier strike with the Five Thunder Talisman had decent control over the ‘Thunder Mechanism,' but unfortunately, the talisman itself… was absolute rubbish!"
Even before Nan Songzi’s roaring mockery reached Yu Ci, a blinding chain of lightning surged forth—five, no, ten bolts!
These were not Five Thunder Talismans, but ordinary Palm Thunder techniques, at least two tiers inferior and lacking the intricacies of the Thunder Mechanism. Yet the thunderous might contained within them was enough for Yu Ci to sense that even a glancing hit would mean the end of his life tonight.
Nan Songzi, in his frenzied excitement, stuck solely to this thunder technique, brandishing it like an immensely long whip. His laughter echoed: "If you know the secrets of talismanic connectivity, you'll terrify even spirits and gods; if you don't, you'll become the laughingstock of spirits and gods! Boy, your crude and broken talismans are simply laughable to me!"
Yu Ci ignored his jeers, his mind as calm as still water. He activated his Ethereal Sword Intent, blending his body into the red mist over the lake. His figure seemed illusory and elusive, making it difficult for the lightning to land a hit. Amid this evasive maneuver, he even had the presence of mind to reflect:
‘Is something off with this Nan Songzi?' No sooner had the thought formed, Nan Songzi, enraged by his repeated failures to strike down the "bug," let out an infuriated roar:
Finally, he unleashed his true power. The red mist around Yu Ci instantly froze. An overwhelming force erupted from Nan Songzi, transmitted through the mist in an instant. The profound True Qi of a high-level Core Refinement cultivator surged forth, locking the air within a radius of three meters around Yu Ci. The intent was clear: to crush this lower-realm cultivator with sheer overwhelming force.
From more than thirty feet away, Meng Wei, who had been rushing over in desperation, attempted to save Yu Ci with her flying sword. However, she was ultimately a step too late. Moreover, the residual backlash of the "The God-Slaying Thorn" technique flared up again, threatening to destabilize her newly-formed Core Refinement stage cultivation. Blood seeped from her facial orifices.
Yu Ci noticed Meng Wei and, in that moment, his thoughts strangely strung together:
Tonight, Meng Wei had truly broadened his horizons. Her genuine early-stage Core Refinement cultivation exceeded his expectations. Furthermore, her sword intent, upon closer reflection, perfectly aligned with the Ethereal Sword Intent imparted to him by Ye Bin. This reminded him of the time in Sky Rift Valley when Ye Bin’s sword intent had been imprinted upon his soul, enabling him to unleash a miraculous strike.
Now, this memory blurred into reality.
Mind and body became seamless, flawless.
From a single point within his body, a clear vibration emanated in all directions, resonating with his True Qi, spirit, meridians, and blood. At this moment, Yu Ci was like a dense and compact sphere, suspended midair, colliding head-on with the oncoming force.
A muffled boom rang out as Yu Ci’s body was sent hurtling backward, flying nearly half a mile before plunging into the lake. Strangely, there was little splash.
Nan Songzi uttered a confused "Hmm?" as though sensing something. But soon, euphoria overtook him, and he burst into laughter, assuming the "bug" had been crushed to pieces.
In his glee, he reached out to pinch Tao Rong’s cheek. Although the woman in his arms was slightly less alluring than his "young niece," she was still an exceptional beauty. Having willingly provided him with information and accompanied him in pursuit, she had catered to his whims with commendable tact.
As this thought crossed his mind, a surge of heat ignited in his lower abdomen—followed by a sudden chill!
A high-level Core Refinement cultivator should never react this sluggishly. Yet Nan Songzi inexplicably found his thoughts clouded. Only when he saw the woman in his arms slip away like a ghost and noticed the blood gushing from his abdomen did clarity return.
Agonizing pain pierced his mind. He wanted to scream, but all that emerged was a deranged laugh.
The departing purple-clad woman also laughed, her voice now deep and magnetic, resonating like a bass note in one’s chest. This laughter was so distinct that even those far away could hear it clearly.
No one noticed Yu Ci, who had just surfaced from the lake. Struck by the sound, he froze as if thunderstruck, his entire body paralyzed.
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