Chapter 57 Killing Living Beings

Seven days later,Zhao Sheng sat cross-legged in the quiet room, his fingers restless, flicking a light ball back and forth across his fingertips.

Within the light ball, several shadows of light faintly flickered.

This light ball was precisely a First-tier Magic, the Illusion Light Skill.

Zhao Sheng loosened his grip, allowing the light ball to hover before his eyes as he stared intently.

However, as his mind flowed, he felt that there were nine "Spirit Vortices" scattered within and around the ball, with invisible threads connecting the vortices and specks of light emanating continuously from these threads.

At the same time, the voice of Old Man Xie, echoing the guidance he provided seven days ago, lingered in his mind:

"Every talisman has its acupoints, and through these acupoints, Divinity is channeled.

If one opens the acupoints while painting a talisman, Divine Intent will flow into them; without opening them, the Divine Intent is wasted."

Those specks of light were precisely the scattering of Divine Intent.

And this was the very reason why Zhao Sheng kept observing and contemplating the Illusion Light Skill.

Because his control over Divine Intent was too weak.

"Acupoints interconnected, Divine Intent flowing endlessly..."

This phrase was recorded on the second page of the Jade Void Talisman Scripture.

Zhao Sheng had always thought that the phrase meant that when painting talismans, the spirit and Divine Intent had to flow continuously, with each stroke connecting seamlessly in every direction.

This understanding was not wrong, but now it seemed to be somewhat superficial.

According to what Elder Xie had said, one must understand the acupoints to control Divine Intent when painting talismans.

It is difficult for Qi Refining Immortal Cultivators to craft Second-level Talismans.

The biggest reason is not the lack of Divine Intent, but rather the insufficient control over it.

Thus, when painting talismans, Cultivators unconsciously waste a significant amount of Divine Intent.

According to Zhao Sheng's understanding, the "spiritual acupoints" in talismans and spells are like the body's acupoints, with Spiritual Power constructing the pathways between them that must be unobstructed.

Divine Intent serves as the markers on these pathways, guiding nature's spiritual energy to flow along them and transform.

Take the simplest Illusion Light Skill as an example, it has nine acupoints, which, once activated, communicate with nature's spiritual energy, allowing it to pass through these acupoints and, guided by Divine Intent and Spiritual Power, transform into various natural phenomena.

Understanding talismans leads to understanding magic, and knowing magic leads to understanding talismans.

To draw the Second-order Illusion Shadow Escape Talisman, Zhao Sheng must start by deciphering the most fundamental Illusion Techniques.

And he needs to improve his control over Divine Intent as much as possible to achieve the effect of "reducing waste and increasing efficiency."

Knowing is easy, but doing is difficult!

Even after receiving pointers from Elder Xie, it was not something that could be achieved immediately.

In the past few days, in an effort to improve his control over Divine Intent, Zhao Sheng had repeatedly drawn hundreds of Illusion Light Talismans.

From being able to draw only eighteen talismans before running out of spiritual power seven days ago, today, he could draw twenty-three.

Such progress could not be described as anything but tremendous.

But for the Second-order Illusion Shadow Escape Talisman, this level of progress still did not meet the minimum standard required for refinement.

Shortly thereafter, Zhao Sheng waved his hand, dispersing the light ball, and sighed, "Oh well, there's plenty of time! I should go check out the Elixir Cauldron Pavilion. It should be time; the invitation ought to have arrived."

With that, he stood up, pushed the door open, and walked out.

Half an hour later, Zhao Sheng once again arrived at the Elixir Cauldron Pavilion.

This time, there was no need for him to ask anyone; someone had already been waiting for him for quite some time.

Upon Zhao Sheng's arrival, a servant promptly led him to meet with Manager Liu. Sёarch* The nôvel_Fire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

In the third-floor trading room, Manager Liu had just sent off a Foundation Establishment Cultivator. Seeing Zhao Sheng, he immediately greeted him with a smile, "Brother Zhao, your timing is perfect. Your items have arrived."

Zhao Sheng bowed his hands in greeting and replied with a smile, "I should be thanking you, Brother Liu. Without you, I wouldn't have had such an opportunity."

Manager Liu felt heartened upon hearing this. Although he was aware that Zhao Sheng's words were but courteous flatteries, sweet words please everyone, and he was certainly no exception.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Manager Liu quickly took out a dark green invitation with a medicinal fragrance and handed it to Zhao Sheng, along with a thin booklet.

Zhao Sheng took the two items, looked at the booklet, and with a puzzled expression, he asked, "Brother Liu, what is this...?"

Manager Liu smiled, his voice mysteriously hushed, "This booklet, you should take a good look at it when you get back. It contains an overview of the upcoming Spirit Vein auction. There's also some intelligence on various Cultivation Families, all of whom are your competitors."

Upon hearing this, a sharp light flashed in Zhao Sheng's eyes as he immediately bowed and said, "Brother Liu is thoughtful. I will keep this kindness in mind. Allow me to repay you in the future."

Manager Liu waved his hand dismissively, saying carelessly, "Brother Zhao, you're being too formal. It was nothing—a mere gesture that's not worth mentioning. Besides, thanks to you, I've made a fortune this time."

Upon returning to his family after this trip, Manager Liu hit the jackpot as his batch of Foundation Establishment Pills astonishingly yielded six, one of which was even top-grade.

Because of this, not only was his own Foundation Establishment assured, but his status within the family had significantly increased.

To express his gratitude, he felt he had to do something to thank Zhao Sheng.

When he heard this, Zhao Sheng retorted, "Why say such things, Brother Liu? Our last deal was a fair trade. Even if you made a fortune, it's simply because your luck was high; it has nothing to do with me, Zhao."

"Haha, let's not talk about that anymore," Manager Liu laughed heartily, then added, "In three months, I'll have to return to the sect for my duty report. At that time, Brother Zhao, you bring your people and accompany me."

Zhao Sheng quickly expressed his thanks.

Seeing his reaction, Manager Liu feigned annoyance and said, "Brother Zhao, you're being too courteous."

Zhao Sheng was about to say more.

Just then, a person suddenly turned out from the corridor and walked towards them, appearing to just pass by.

As soon as Manager Liu saw the person, he immediately greeted, "Manager Shen."

Manager Shen was an old man past his sixties.

"Hmm,"

He nodded towards Manager Liu but showed no intention of stopping.

However, as this person passed by Zhao Sheng, his fingertips quietly grazed the hem of Zhao Sheng's clothes.

Manager Liu seemed not to notice anything amiss.

But after Manager Shen left, Zhao Sheng suddenly excused himself to leave.

Manager Liu retained him with a few words, but seeing Zhao Sheng's determined attitude, he said no more.

Shortly after, Zhao Sheng, with an emotionless expression, hurried away from the Elixir Cauldron Pavilion.

As he walked farther away, a middle-aged man with a plain appearance, a Black Vulture perched on his shoulder, and silver-white armor covering his upper body, suddenly turned out from a street corner.

He watched Zhao Sheng's back, a glint of murderous intent flashing in his eyes.

As the Black Vulture took flight with a flap of its wings, the middle-aged man sneered softly and quietly followed behind Zhao Sheng.

Zhao Sheng seemed unaware of being tracked, his head lowered as he walked towards the Outer City.

After walking about three to four miles and passing seven or eight streets, he suddenly slowed down, turned, and entered a secluded alley.

The middle-aged man looked up at the sky upon witnessing this scene, where the Black Vulture was circling above.

Gaining confidence from the sight, the man soundlessly approached the alley and slipped inside.

As soon as he entered the alley, he suddenly saw a stunning beauty draped in a purple veil, full of coquettish charm, standing not far away with a winsome smile, her eyes brimming with tenderness and affection.

Caught off guard by such a seductive vision, the middle-aged man couldn't help but be momentarily distracted, instantly losing his focus.

At that moment, a sudden crisis erupted!

Suddenly,

A thick fog rose, enveloping the entire alley in an instant.

With his vision obstructed, the middle-aged man came to his senses, his face drastically changing as he exclaimed, "Not good!"

But it was already too late!

Amidst the resounding noise of swords clanging, countless water drops imbued with sharp Sword Intent coalesced from the air; the next moment, like a torrential rain, they viciously crashed down, "submerging" the middle-aged man.

In an instant, thick blood mist burst forth within the white fog, and a potent, nausea-inducing scent of blood rapidly spread.

By the time the fog gradually dissipated, the alley was empty.

At this moment, the alley's ground was densely pockmarked with numerous small pits.

And at the edge of the alley, what was once a silver-white half armor had turned into a honeycomb, with a pool of bloodied flesh slowly oozing from its insides.