Chapter 59: Spiritual Talisman Method

Chapter 59: Spiritual Talisman Method

Li Chejing wandered around the cave, tracing the faintly glowing golden runes of the formation at the heart of the hall with his finger. He spoke with uncertainty. “My master only taught me some basic talisman techniques. Most of my training in the sect focuses on swordsmanship, so my understanding of formations is rather limited. This pattern doesn’t seem to align with the typical formations found in Yue State, it appears to be designed to mainly gather and nourish qi.”

“The spirit eye releasing this qi appears to be a natural formation, later enhanced with a formation to stabilize it. With the spirit eye’s influence, the spiritual qi in this cave is about forty to fifty percent richer than the outside,” he added.

After meticulously recording the formation diagram, Li Chejing scrutinized the cave’s interior. Finding no hidden passages or secret chambers, he finally approached the stone table and studied the white cloth laid upon it.

Greetings from Chi Wei. The target has reached Moongaze Lake. The cultivators sent by our sect have surrounded the area. Please act swiftly. The requested Flaming Sunrise Technique manual has been dispatched to you. The Spirit Jade and Fire Crystals will be delivered to your cave after resolving this matter. Be wary of the target; they are formidable. Should you encounter them unprepared, retreat toward the Azure Pond Sect and alert us immediately.

Li Chejing pondered over the message for a moment with a thoughtful expression. With a conflicted look on his face, he mused, “This person was probably among those who sought to kill the disciple from the immortal mansion. He seemed to be aware of the risks involved in this and cleared out his cave dwelling... The great battle occurred at the foot of Mount Dali. I did some digging after joining the sect, but the records I found were surprisingly vague and provided only a few details.”

Li Xiangping’s interest was piqued.

“What did you find in the Azure Pond Sect?” he asked eagerly.

Li Chejing’s frown deepened as he replied solemnly, “In the seventh month of autumn, Li Jiangqun, a rogue cultivator, who claimed possession of the Moonlight Origin Mansion’s true art, declared that the immortal mansion had been destroyed. Consequently, the three sects and seven gates were ordered to besiege and kill him at Moongaze Lake.”

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While Li Tongya and the others were still processing the information, Lu Jiangxian, who had been observing them from Mount Lijing, felt a chill run down his spine. He was left dazed and disoriented as if struck by lightning.

The moonlight in his mirror fluctuated, threatening to dim as his mind was rendered a complete blank.

“Li Jiangqun...” The name echoed in his ears like a shrill whistle, overwhelming his six senses. A blinding white light then flooded his vision.

“That name sounds so familiar!”

Visions of shiny swords, spells, talismans, flying arrows, and the brilliance of dharma artifacts danced before his eyes, overwhelming him until he collapsed in anguish.

“Given the Fire Baleful Qi’s value, if you two were to handle this, you might attract unwanted attention. Since tomorrow is a full moon, I’ll handle this personally as a disciple of the Azure Pond Sect.”

After a thorough discussion, the group finalized their plan. Aware that time was of the essence for Li Chejing, they promptly departed for Moongaze Lake.

With the Divine Movement Spell, Li Tongya and Li Xiangping conjured a breeze with each step. Li Chejing, however, was even more graceful, seemingly stepping on the wind itself, his speed surpassing that of his older brothers.

Watching him, Li Tongya and Li Xiangping could not help but feel a touch of envy.

As they progressed, the shimmering expanse of Moongaze Lake came into view. For Li Xiangping, it had been over a decade since his last visit.

“I remember coming here with Second Brother to collect the jade from the lake. We were barely fifteen or sixteen then. Now, we’ve started our own families and even have children of our own,” Li Xiangping reminisced.

Gazing at the stars above, a wave of nostalgia washed over him. The past ten years seemed like a dream, the memories floating like clouds in his mind.

It was as though he was back on that moonlit night, waiting in the reeds by the lake for Li Tongya’s return.

“How time flies,” Li Tongya agreed softly.

They scoured the lake’s edge. With their spiritual sense, Li Chejing and Li Tongya finally detected a spot on the shore where mana subtly fluctuated, matching the description in the Lixia Secret Note.

Following the instructions in the Lixia Secret Note left by Si Yuanbai, they picked up a pebble, cast the Golden Light Spell on it, and then hurled it toward the lake’s center.

The stone soared before plunging sharply, triggering the hidden spell formation in the air. A brief flash of silver light revealed the formation before it vanished.

“The formation’s activation should soon bring a boat to meet us,” Li Tongya said.

The three brothers waited in silence on the shore. As time ticked on, their anxiety grew.

“If we miss this chance, dealing with the Fire Baleful Qi will be a whole lot trickier.”