Chapter 83: An Unusual State (4/5)

As long as the small mechanism remained untriggered, it meant that after he left, no one had entered the meditation chamber. In other words, no one knew that He Song had gone out during that period.

He put the small mechanism away.

Soon, He Song was once again immersed in his cultivation and the study of the Introduction to the Art of Talismans.

The Introduction to the Art of Talismans.

Much like the Introduction to the Art of Arrays, it only recorded the methods to craft three types of spirit talismans.

“This is the Introduction to the Art of Talismans, which contains the crafting techniques for the Earth Fortification Talisman, the Golden Sword Talisman, and the Swift Movement Talisman, as well as various fundamentals of talisman-making.”

He recalled, in his mind, words spoken long ago by Ping'er, as she explained the Introduction to the Art of Talismans to him.

He Song then began to study the methods of crafting spirit talismans as described in the text.

The patterns drawn with a talisman brush on talisman paper using special ink are known as talisman seals.

Talisman seals and array patterns share certain similarities.

Though not many.

But it was enough for He Song to gain a swift entry into this art.

By now, the spiritual fields He Song had cultivated outside were on the right track.

It was time to delve into the Introduction to the Art of Talismans and use his status as a talisman master to make the spirit stones he earned less conspicuous.

In the world of cultivation, if someone who knew nothing of the various arts, and whose combat abilities were weak, were to suddenly become wealthy, it would certainly draw attention.

Suspicion, doubt, greed, and threats—every kind of gaze would converge on such a person.

They would never rest until his secrets were unearthed.

But if a talisman master were to become wealthy overnight, people would only assume it was because of his skill and the volume of talismans he sold.

Moreover, as a talisman master, he would naturally carry many talismans. Usually, cultivators of the same level facing a talisman master would find themselves overwhelmed by the endless stream of talismans.

A single misstep, and they might be blasted to death on the spot.

With means of self-preservation, a talisman master who became rich would not attract as much covetous attention.

This was one of the reasons He Song chose to become a talisman maker.

Now, his spiritual fields could bring in a profit of a thousand spirit stones a year. With no need to worry about spirit stones, He Song naturally wished to study anything that could enhance his strength.

With strength, one could survive better in times of danger.

However—

Just as He Song delved ever deeper into the Introduction to the Art of Talismans and made swift progress, outside Bamboo Mountain’s Immortal Market, the conflict between the demonic cultivators and the Qingyuan Immortal City Law Enforcement Team grew ever more intense.

News kept trickling in from the outside.

At certain times and places, the two sides would clash in great battles, even leveling mortal cities in the process.

At other times, demonic cultivators ambushed members of the Law Enforcement Team, causing deaths and injuries.

Beyond this—

There were also reports of immortal city cultivators destroying demonic cultivator strongholds.

But whether these tales were true or not, no one could say.

He Song listened to all this, but felt only confusion in his heart.

In his eyes, demonic cultivators were merely struggling rogue cultivators.

They might be unruly, ruthless, willing to do anything for resources.

But—none of them were fools.

Would they really take on the Law Enforcement Team of Immortal City head-on, as if the Foundation Establishment elders of Qingyuan Immortal City were not formidable enough? Had they lost their minds, intent only on stabbing at the Law Enforcement Team?

Weren’t they the kind who would never act without clear benefit? Why would they risk their lives for something so fruitless?

This left He Song somewhat puzzled.

Yet, as it didn’t concern him directly, he didn’t dwell on it.

But once, at a small monthly gathering, He Song finally heard the answer from Wei Fan.

In the Lingjian Pavilion,

On the second floor,

In a room rich with antique charm,

He Song and Wei Fan sat face to face, with two freshly brewed cups of tea on the table between them.

The fragrance of tea drifted through the room, imbuing the air with a refreshing scent.

When He Song, half in jest, brought up the recent events, Wei Fan pondered for a moment before replying,

“As far as I know, demonic cultivators generally act alone; only a few band together for mutual protection. I’ve never seen such rampant activity recorded in the annals of the Earth Fortification Courtyard.”

“But in an old book I read long ago, it was written that whenever demonic cultivators gather in large numbers, there is always a powerful force lurking behind them.”

Hearing this, He Song’s indifference vanished.

Demonic cultivators.

Gathered together.

A powerful force in the shadows.

Individually, these words were unremarkable. Together, however, they conjured vivid images in He Song’s mind.

As the saying goes, there is nothing new under the sun.

Having lived through an era of information explosions in his previous life, He Song could always perceive the essence of things.

With that, his confusion was dispelled.

A sharp gleam flashed in He Song’s eyes; even the Immortal Market suddenly seemed fraught with danger.

Normally, the market was guarded by Foundation Establishment elders, ensuring its safety.

Its spiritual energy was richer than outside, making it the ideal place for He Song to settle.

However—

When demonic cultivators defied expectation and fought the Law Enforcement Team head-on,

After several battles with no clear winner,

The suspicion that a great power was backing the demonic cultivators began to take root in He Song’s mind.

But what was it that this great power sought?

They could not be supporting demonic cultivators for no reason, nor would they encourage open warfare with the Law Enforcement Team without some goal in mind.

Such actions came at a cost.

Those demonic cultivators, being opportunists at heart, would not risk their lives without reward.

If there were no gain, such a heavy price would make no sense.

So, what was their purpose?

Thoughts churned in his mind, and He Song could not help but glance toward the very center of the Immortal Market.

There—

Lay the abode of Master Chengshan.

It was the safest place in Bamboo Mountain’s Immortal Market.

But after pondering for a while, He Song still had no clue.

Could it be that the great power behind the demonic cultivators would send a Foundation Establishment expert to attack the market?

The suddenness of the thought startled He Song, but he quickly shook his head.

A Foundation Establishment master should not be so easily killed.

Then again, one could not be too sure—what if one did come, and Master Chengshan fled without a fight?

Perhaps, he should be preparing an escape route for himself as well.

So He Song mused.

He simply had too little information to analyze anything clearly.

Rather than guessing wildly, he might as well gather more intelligence before drawing conclusions.

With a sigh, He Song looked at Wei Fan.

“Brother Wei, from today onwards, if you hear any news, please inform me at once. There is a lingering unease in my heart.”

(End of chapter)