Chapter 78: Moon-Choosing Envoy

What did twenty years of cultivation mean?

The maximum cultivation of a spirit was forty-nine years. Beyond that, it could make the breakthrough into the second realm of a Lesser Beast.

According to the Immortal Alliance standard, a spirit with twenty years of cultivation strength was equivalent to a cultivator at the mid-stage of Qi Refining.

If it was combined with the two second-tier peerless spiritual arts, Sea-Absorbing and Flowing Gold Scales, Golden Egg’s power was nearly comparable to a cultivator at the peak of Qi Refining.

But more than that, what Chen Beiwu cared about most was the cultivation speed gained after successfully constructing the same-path spiritual power circulation system.

Thinking of this, he could not help closing his eyes in impatience and began to circulate the All Laws Converge, Heaven Book of the Divine Tree.

After a long time, Chen Beiwu opened his eyes, his gaze filled with excitement.

The cultivation speed of a Water Spirit Root was already terrifying. Adding the cultivation enhancement from the three meridians of the same-path system, his cultivation speed had doubled twice over.

As long as resources were sufficient, he was confident that within one year he could break through to the Ninth Level of Qi Refining and become a cultivator at the peak of Qi Refining.

“Gulp.”

Golden Egg stared at the dense pile of golden scales on the ground. It could not help but open its mouth wide and activate its Sea-Absorbing talent.

“Whoosh whoosh whoosh!”

The scales immediately turned into streams of golden light that surged into Golden Egg’s mouth, making it burp in satisfaction.

Eat scales to replenish scales.

Having shed so many, if it did not eat more, it would easily become ugly.

Glancing at the contented Golden Egg, Chen Beiwu extended his divine sense to examine its three meridians.

To his surprise, there was no beast seal bearing the Dao Marks of heaven and earth within Golden Egg’s law meridians.

‘Could it be that Golden Egg needs to advance into a second-realm Lesser Beast before the two peerless spiritual arts, Sea-Absorbing and Flowing Gold Scales, could be transformed into the same-path beast seals?’ Chen Beiwu frowned slightly, thinking to himself.

According to the records of the Immortal Alliance, some companion beasts with powerful bloodlines and outstanding aptitude needed to fully evolve their innate arts before these arts could be transformed into beast seals usable by their contract cultivators.

In simpler terms, Golden Egg’s cultivation was too low at present, unable to refine peerless spiritual arts into same-path beast seals through the companion contract.

…

At noon, the sun hung high. On both sides of the northern trading district of Hidden Mist Market, the streets were full of vendor stalls.

Because there were no fixed spots, most stall-keepers simply spread out a beast hide on the ground and neatly arranged their goods on top.

Chen Beiwu had arrived a bit late today, so his usual spot had already been taken, leaving only a corner for him.

Glancing at Wei Xuesong, Chen Beiwu noticed a familiar aura of fate—blue tinged with orange.

‘So he really was at the auction two days ago.’ Chen Beiwu confirmed inwardly.

With his fate tinged with orange, no wonder Wei Xuesong was able to obtain the Soul-Trapping Stone.

But the man did not recognize its value, allowing Chen Beiwu to take advantage.

“Daoist Chen, do you still need Phoenix Yellow Dendrobium?” Wei Xuesong asked with a friendly smile.

“Not for the time being.” Chen Beiwu shook his head and casually settled in a corner to set up his stall.

His purpose in setting up a stall was not to earn Spirit Stones, but to build a reputation for talismans, study formations, and at the same time gather intelligence about the Earth Proliferation Territory of the Southern Wastes.

Sure enough, not long after he sat down, nearby merchants began discussing the latest major events.

“Have you heard? The Gu Clan’s marriage recruitment conference has been canceled.”

“It was canceled just yesterday. The Gu Clan’s second young lady was gravely injured by a demonic cultivator and has yet to recover. How could they possibly hold the marriage recruitment now?”

“What? The Gu Clan’s second young lady is a first-tier superior pill master, highly valued by the Gu Clan. Which demonic cultivator dared to be so bold? Aren’t they afraid the Gu Clan’s Foundation Establishment cultivators will take action?”

“Pfft, what’s strange about that? Though the Gu Clan is a Foundation Establishment family and can intimidate us Qi Refining cultivators, they cannot scare off Foundation Establishment experts.”

“Hiss, you mean a Foundation Establishment cultivator was behind this?”

“Not long after the Black Rock Mountain auction ended, the entire Graywind Gorge was razed. Who else but a Foundation Establishment cultivator could have done that?”

Hearing this, Chen Beiwu’s heart stirred.

Contrary to rumors, he knew that there had been more than one Foundation Establishment cultivator lying in ambush at Graywind Gorge.

For the Gu Clan’s second young lady to escape alive, heavily injured, from the combined strike of two Foundation Establishment cultivators—she truly was extraordinary.

Chen Beiwu shook his head, listening to other gossip about the Five Great Sects while pulling out Foundations of Talisman Drawing Insights to study.

【Azure Scale Talisman】

【Binding Talisman】

【Shadow-Reflecting Talisman】

【Flame Arrow Talisman】

As he immersed himself in talisman studies, a voice suddenly asked from the front.

“How much for this Water Arrow Talisman?”

“Five Spirit Stones for one, nine for two.”

After speaking, Chen Beiwu put down his book and looked up. His pupils shrank slightly.

The newcomer had an orange aura of fate above her head, her face hidden beneath an Ice Silkworm veil, three thousand strands of jet-black hair falling to her waist like a painted immortal maiden.

“You recognize me?” Zhu Qiong’s eyes held curiosity.

Though the concealment artifact she wore was not bad, it could not hide from someone at the peak of Foundation Establishment.

A mere sweep of her divine sense allowed her to clearly see Chen Beiwu’s handsome features. She knew this was their first meeting, not the reunion of old friends.

Realizing his reaction, Chen Beiwu quickly bowed and apologized: “Forgive me, I was being rude. Daoist friend, your jade-like bones and ethereal grace are like that of an immortal, so I was momentarily dazed. Please pardon my offense.”

Hearing this, the cheeks beneath Zhu Qiong’s veil flushed faintly red.

She had not been long on her journey outside her sect, and it was the first time she had heard such straightforward praise.

Especially coming from a man with swordlike brows and a refined bearing, she felt a subconscious delight, and a trace of goodwill toward Chen Beiwu rose in her heart.

“It is nothing.” Zhu Qiong shook her head, feigning calm as she placed nine lower-grade Spirit Stones on the beast hide, picked up two Water Arrow Talismans, and left in a near-flight.

Accepting the Spirit Stones, Chen Beiwu silently watched Zhu Qiong depart before resuming his study of Foundations of Talisman Drawing Insights.

His earlier reaction had been too obvious.

Fortunately, he was quick-witted enough to provide an excuse, successfully dispelling the suspicion of this true disciple.

What puzzled Chen Beiwu, however, was why a true disciple of the Five Great Sects would act like an inexperienced girl, blushing at a single compliment.

‘It must have been my imagination.’ Chen Beiwu shook his head, quelling stray thoughts.

That compliment of his had been nothing but conventional flattery, the kind that would be ridiculed by female cultivators online in the Immortal Alliance.

It might deceive mortals, but to move the heart of a Foundation Establishment old monster was sheer fantasy.

Most likely, her cultivation method had side effects that caused her ears to flush.

…

Spirit Cuisine Restaurant.

Zhu Qiong sat by the window, gaze drifting to the street below, the corners of her lips lifting faintly as she played with a Water Arrow Talisman in her hand.

‘This little fellow is not only good at drawing talismans, but his vision is sharp as well.’

Even when she had broken through to the peak of Foundation Establishment at fifty years of age, her laconic master had only given her a single evaluation: “Aptitude is decent, with hope for Golden Core.”

Her fellow disciples treated her as a second-generation immortal, always speaking with awe and reverence, making conversation dull and tiresome.

But this little fellow’s words were interesting, and the Water Arrow Talismans he drew were unlike ordinary ones, which truly surprised her.

Just then, three knocks sounded at the private room’s door.

“Inner disciple Shu You, requesting audience with the Moon-Choosing Envoy!”

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