Chapter 81 - 81: Blood Firmament
Cloud Mountain Swamp.
In the depths of the underground mine, the strange blood-colored energy covered all detection.
On the fifth level of the cave abode, there were strange patterns carved on the dark round platform. Each of these patterns had a groove. There were still traces of blood under the traces of time, emitting a pungent smell of blood.
At this moment, more than 50 black-robed cultivators wearing blood masks stood on the strange patterns.
Not far away, the Spring Garden’s Nascent Soul with powerful magic power and aura said indifferently, “I wonder if the Blood Sea Scripture that this Ancestor Blood Crocodile cultivated when he was alive can transform into a bloodline ritual. It’s fine if it succeeds, but if it fails, hmph, this Cloud Mountain is a useless place.”
A voice sounded beside him, “The Blood Sea Scripture is not a bad technique. It’s a pity that the Ancestor Blood Crocodile took a wrong path in his cultivation. However, the Golden Sun Sect is a little strange. The array formation they set up seems to be related to the Blood Sea Scripture.”
The Spring Garden’s Nascent Soul suddenly laughed, “Ancestor Jinyang had a relationship with his daughter-in-law, to think that his son can make up such words. If Ancestor Jinyang is willing, I’m afraid Fairy Cai Yue will take the initiative to visit.”
“The major sects only want a reason. It doesn’t matter if it’s true or not.”
“Alright, hurry up. Our every move is very likely to be under the nose of that Ancestor Jinyang!”
It was September.
Cloud Mountain Parlour became hot. Just as Shen Ping was discussing with Yu Yan and Luo Qing whether the grapefruits were delicious or the peach was sweet, Shopkeeper Chen sent a message.
Although he was going to take the True Treasure Pavilion’s flying ship and leave Cloud Mountain Parlour in a few days, after some thought, he still made a trip over. No matter what, Shopkeeper Chen had taken good care of him in the beginning. He still had to show some respect.
“Talisman Master Shen!” He had just arrived at the entrance of the Spring Embroidery Pavilion when Shopkeeper Chen, who was dressed in a gray robe, welcomed him warmly.
He came to the backyard. Chen Shurong sat under the old locust tree and enjoyed the shade. “Senior Chen.”
“Talisman Master Shen.”
They greeted each other and sat on wooden stools.
Chen Shurong said apologetically, “The last time I invited Talisman Master Shen to the cave abode, I didn’t consider it carefully. Sigh, if not for Fellow Daoist Hong’s protection, I would have lost an arm.”
Shen Ping was shocked. Even a Foundation Establishment cultivator like Chen Shurong had encountered danger. If he went, it would probably be very difficult for him to return. “Its dangerous to fight. I have to be careful when I go out!” He could not help but be vigilant. “If Senior Chen can escape this calamity, fortune will definitely come in the future.”
“I hope so.” Chen Shurong hesitated for a moment, but still opened her red lips and said, “Talisman Master Shen, at the end of the year, our Chen family is preparing to leave the sub sect and return to the main sect. If you’re willing, you can take a flying ship to the main sect together. The True Treasure Pavilion also has a shop in the market.”
If this Senior Chen had said a few months earlier, Shen Ping would definitely have agreed readily. But now, he rejected politely, “To be honest, Senior Chen, I’ll take the flying ship of the True Treasure Pavilion in a few days and leave the Cloud Mountain Swamp.”
Shopkeeper Chen, who was standing at the side, said in surprise, “Talisman Master Shen is leaving so early?”
Shen Ping nodded. “This is the arrangement of the True Treasure Pavilion.”
“I wonder where you’re going?”
“Qingyang City.”
Chen Shurong was silent for a moment, and a trace of disappointment flashed across her brows. However, she still maintained her politeness and said, “Qingyang City is a cultivation city at the border of the Wei Kingdom. It’s indeed not bad there. Your cultivation advancement isn’t slow, and you have the resources of the True Treasure Pavilion. I think it won’t be difficult for you to build your foundation. If there’s a chance in the future, Shurong would like to participate in Talisman Master Shen’s Foundation Establishment Banquet.”
She still wanted to maintain this connection. A few years ago, Shen Ping was also a mid-grade Talisman Master at the fourth level of Qi Refinement. However, in just six to seven years, he had grown to become a high-grade Talisman Master at the eighth level of Qi Refinement and had even obtained the guest wooden token of the True Treasure Pavilion.
Such a change really made Chen Shurong sigh in her heart.
It was obvious. Talisman Master Shen was a person with deep fortune.
Shen Ping cupped his hands and said, “Definitely!”
At this moment, Chen Shurong suddenly frowned and looked apologetic. “Wait a moment. The sect sent a message.” She returned to the house and came out quickly. “Talisman Master Shen, when I have time in the future, I will definitely visit Qingyang City. The sect has summoned me.”
Shen Ping hurriedly said, “Senior Chen, please.”
He bid farewell to Shopkeeper Chen. It was still early when he returned to the True Treasure Pavilion. He simply went to the private room on the second floor to drink the spiritual tea. The spiritual tea prepared by the True Treasure Pavilion was not low-grade, so he could not bear to buy it.
He closed his eyes and felt the spiritual energy in his dantian. A smile appeared on his face. It had only been three months since he broke through to the eighth level of Qi Refinement, but the spiritual energy in his body had clearly strengthened. He was very satisfied with this speed.
Of course, other than the top-grade spiritual root, the most important thing was the Snow Ganoderma Pill. This item was indeed necessary for Dao companions. Although it was a little expensive, it was worth it.
“Puppet Master is about to advance to Level Two. When I reach Qingyang City, I can try to make a second-stage puppet. If I can make it, I will have another chance to protect myself.” Shen Ping pondered.
Although he did not like to take risks and fight, he had to prepare all the life-saving items on him. There was a huge difference between having a sword in his hand and not having a sword in his hand.
“Talisman Master Shen has been coming to the True Treasure Pavilion more and more recently!” Mu Jin came to drink the spiritual tea again.
Shen Ping smiled calmly. “Qinghe Alley is very close to the True Treasure Pavilion, so I naturally have to walk around more.”
Mu Jin clicked her tongue and fell silent.
After drinking a cup of spirit tea, she glanced at Shen Ping from the corner of her eye. She wanted to say something but hesitated. In the end, she bit her lower lip and stood up. However, after taking a few steps, she sent a voice transmission. “Talisman Master Shen, I don’t have a background or resources. I can only rely on myself. Please forgive me.”
He looked at her round back profile. Shen Ping was silent.
“Second-grade guest elder.”
That was what Mu Jin had said last time. That was why he was a little distant.
The lowest requirement to advance to a second-grade guest elder was to be a Foundation Establishment Cultivator. For example, Guest Elder Cui and Guest Elder Luo’s Talisman Dao skills were not low, but they could still only be third-grade Guest Elders.
The longer one stayed in the True Treasure Pavilion, the clearer the huge difference in status. This difference was not only reflected in daily connections, but also in resources.
Mu Jin was an external cultivator. Her figure and appearance were both top-notch, but her status was relatively low. After enjoying the treatment of the True Treasure Pavilion, she probably didn’t fancy the sect or the third-grade guest.
In response, Shen Ping could only say that he understood. He sat for a while. He got up and went to the wooden shelf on the second floor to buy some puppet materials before returning to Qinghe Alley.
At night, the stars twinkled.
Shen Ping, who was tired of making talismans, called Yu Yan and Luo Qing to the courtyard to admire the starlight and beautiful scenery. Meteors streaked past.
Yu Yan supported her face with half an arm and reminisced, “In the past, Master told me that the death of every meteor meant that a Nascent Soul would die in the five continents and four seas.”
Shen Ping replied casually, “Then did your master say that if you make a wish to a meteor, it will be especially effective?” As he spoke, he made a wish in his heart. Tonight, he would cat all the grapefruits and peaches.
Luo Qing glanced at Shen Ping. “Husband, what wish do you have?”
“Grapefruits and peaches…” Shen Ping hurriedly stopped and laughed dryly. “I’m thinking of leaving Cloud Mountain Parlour as soon as possible.”
Yu Yan looked at Shen Ping with a smile. Luo Qing was even more direct. She rolled her eyes and was speechless.
Rumble-
At this moment, the small courtyard of the house suddenly shook. Streaks of blood light shot into the sky. Shen Ping and Yu Yan suddenly stood up and watched as the blood light intertwined and quickly spread.
“Something happened!” His heart skipped a beat. He hurriedly took out a communication talisman and sent a message to Shopkeeper Ding.
Almost at the same time, Chen Market, Cloud Mountain Parlour, Hundred Thousand Mountains, Cloud Mountain Swamp, everywhere was filled with blood qi. The rogue cultivators who lived in the house and had low cultivation bases felt as if a blood crocodile was roaring in their sea of consciousness when the blood qi enveloped their bodies.
On the fifth level of the cave abode, the expression of the Nascent Soul cultivator of Spring Garden changed slightly. “Ancestor Jinyang is too impatient. He actually activated the array formation in advance! Speed, speed up.” He hurriedly urged.
On the third floor, the Nascent Soul cultivators of the various large sects were still thinking of a way to open the blood-colored stone door in the depths. After receiving the news from outside, their expressions changed drastically.
The Nascent Soul elder of Luosha Demonic Valley roared gloomily, “Old thief Jinyang, you’re ruthless!”