Immortal of the Nine Realms

The ancient scroll in Fang Chen’s hand described eight types of talismans, each exceedingly intricate. For an ordinary cultivator, even attempting to comprehend them might induce dizziness and confusion.

These eight talismans were all variations of the Five Elements Armor Talisman, ranging in grade from lower yellow rank to peak profound rank.

For instance, the simplest low-grade, yellow-rank talisman could summon a Five Elements Soldier. When activated with spiritual energy, the soldier’s strength would vary between the first and twelfth levels of the Qi Refining Realm, depending on the quality of the spiritual energy used.

These soldiers were ephemeral, lasting only about half an hour. They were fearless, utterly obedient, and immune to illusions or tricks—making them ideal for charging into battle.

The eighth and most advanced talisman, however, could summon a soldier with strength comparable to a cultivator in the Fusion Realm. Although it would still be inferior to a true Fusion Realm cultivator, its utility was undeniable. After all, it was just a talisman, requiring only materials and skill to produce.

However, what truly caught Fang Chen’s attention wasn’t the tactical advantages of the Five Elements Soldiers.

”If it’s called a Five Elements Soldier, what would happen if I activated it with my Azure Lightning power? Would I summon an Azure Lightning Soldier?”

Fang Chen pondered, intrigued by the possibilities. Determined to memorize this talisman technique, he planned to test it when the opportunity arose.

Just as he was engrossed in the ancient text, a voice interrupted his thoughts.

”You look unfamiliar. You’re not from the Talisman Department, are you?”

Fang Chen turned to see a young man dressed in a purple Daoist robe standing a short distance away, watching him with a faintly mocking smile.

Nearby stood a few cultivators, their cultivation levels not particularly high, similar to the young man. They were mostly around the Nascent Soul Realm.

Fang Chen smiled and introduced himself. ”I am Fang Chen, from the Alchemy Department.”

The young man looked surprised. ”Oh, you’re Sword Leader Fang! My apologies for the lack of courtesy. I am Ouyang Mo.”

Fang Chen nodded. ”Senior Brother Ouyang, nice to meet you. If there’s nothing else, I’d like to continue.”

”Continue?” Ouyang Mo chuckled. ”Continue studying the classics of the Talisman Department? Forgive me for being blunt, but you were brought under Instructor Ji’s wing because of your exceptional talent in alchemy. You should dedicate yourself to advancing in that art. Wasting time on talismans would surely anger Teacher Ji. I suggest you return to the Alchemy Department.”

”Senior Brother Ouyang, have I wronged you in any way?” wondered Fang Chen, still smiling.

Although Ouyang Mo masked it well, the flash of hostility deep in his eyes did not escape Fang Chen’s sharp perception. He had seen such subtle traces of animosity before and recognized them instantly.

Ouyang Mo’s tone remained indifferent. ”Not at all. We’ve never met before, so how could there be any offense? I merely offer kind advice, hoping you will heed it and refrain from lingering here.”

”And what if I refuse to leave?” Fang Chen responded calmly. ”From what I understand, there’s no rule in the Desolate Academy that forbids disciples from other departments from reading the classics here. Your actions strike me as rather overbearing.”

”The Desolate Academy indeed encourages diversity and lacks rigid rules,” Ouyang Mo said with a sly smile, ”but each department has its own customs. For instance...”

Ouyang Mo’s smile grew as he approached Fang Chen, extending his hand. ”Classics that our department’s disciples wish to study must naturally take precedence over those from other departments. That Five-Element Soldier Talisman in your hands interests me greatly. Hand it over. Once I’ve finished, I’ll return it to you.

”However, a few of my junior brothers might also wish to read it, so you may need to wait... oh, three to five years. No big deal, right? As a cultivator, time is hardly a concern. Oh, but I forgot—Junior Brother Fang, as the Sword Leader of the Void Immortal Sword Sect, your lifespan is likely only half that of an average cultivator. What a pity.”

Fang Chen frowned slightly, but before he could respond, two figures descended from the upper floors, their movements drawing attention.

One of them was Hua Miaoqing, while the other was a middle-aged man with the aura of a Dao Union Realm cultivator.

Ouyang Mo and his companions immediately saluted with cupped fists. ”Greetings, Master Hua Yan and Senior Sister Hua.”

Hua Yan nodded lightly before asking, ”What’s going on here?”

Ouyang Mo answered, ”It’s nothing serious. I merely wished to study this Five-Element Soldier Talisman, but Junior Brother Fang seems reluctant to let me have it.”

”Junior Brother Fang,” Hua Yan said, turning toward Fang Chen with a faint smile, ”as a disciple of the Alchemy Department, you should prioritize our department’s disciples in such matters.”

Ouyang Mo glanced at Fang Chen with a flicker of triumph in his eyes, feeling confident in his position.

Fang Chen remained composed. He nodded and handed the Five-Element Soldier Talisman to Ouyang Mo, though he had already memorized the first four talismans within. The remaining four would take a few hours more to commit to memory, but there would be another opportunity for that.

”Then I must thank Junior Brother Fang,” said Ouyang Mo with a faint smile. ”I am quite slow-witted and may need several years to finish reading this book. Junior Brother Fang might as well look at something else in the meantime.”

Fang Chen chuckled lightly and said, ”A few years ago, I ventured into the Ancient Demon Wasteland and questioned the Dao of a cultivator from the Great Expansion Dao Sect, named Ouyang Haoyu, and killed him. What’s his relation to you? Hmm, you’re both at the Nascent Soul Realm; could he be your brother?”

He had already discerned that Ouyang Mo’s interference stemmed from his deliberate intent to obstruct, likely due to some grudge. The animosity was too evident to be a coincidence.

Ouyang Mo’s expression instantly shifted.

Hua Yan and Hua Miaoqing exchanged a glance, their eyes curious.

”Ouyang Haoyu is indeed of the same clan as me,” Ouyang Mo finally replied with a measured smile. ”He died to you during the Dao questioning; it was not unwarranted. After all, such is the nature of Dao questioning. Rest assured, I would not act against you simply because of his death. In truth, I have been studying the Five-Element Soldier Talisman recently and genuinely need this book.”

Pausing, Ouyang Mo cast a look of feigned surprise at Fang Chen. ”Junior Brother Fang, could it be that you’re interested in talismans as well? How about this, if you can prove your talent in talismans surpasses mine, I’ll let you have this book first. What do you think?”

Hua Miaoqing frowned. ”Junior Brother Ouyang, are you suggesting a talisman duel? That’s uncalled for. Junior Brother Fang is merely dabbling in this art for interest’s sake. How could he compare to you? You’ve been in the Talisman Department for years.”

”I was merely making a suggestion,” Ouyang Mo said with a slight smile. ”I wouldn’t force him.”

Fang Chen returned the smile and said, ”What if I can’t defeat you?”

”It’s simple,” Ouyang Mo grinned. ”That would prove Junior Brother Fang lacks the talent for talisman crafting. In that case, you should refrain from appearing here again.”

”This seems a bit unfair,” Fang Chen said with a chuckle. ”How about we add another condition? I wonder how many mid-grade spirit stones you can put on the table?”

Ouyang Mo’s eyes narrowed slightly. ”Why do you ask?”

”Since you’re intent on suppressing me, you might as well stop pretending,” responded Fang Chen coolly.

Ouyang Mo paused for a moment, then suddenly smiled. ”I can offer one hundred and twenty mid-grade spirit stones. What do you think, Junior Brother Fang?”

Fang Chen didn’t reply immediately. Instead, he directly took out one hundred and twenty mid-grade spirit stones and handed them to Hua Miaoqing.

”Senior Sister Hua, please hold onto these for me. If I lose, they will belong to Junior Brother Ouyang.”

Seeing Fang Chen’s swift agreement, Ouyang Mo sneered inwardly and also took out one hundred and twenty mid-grade spirit stones, handing them to Hua Miaoqing as well.

Teacher Hua Yan, who had been silent until now, said with a frown, ”You’re going to duel in talisman crafting? You two aren’t equally matched in this regard.”

”Let Junior Brother Fang choose,” Ouyang Mo said lazily. ”I’ll craft whatever talisman he wants, as long as I know how.”

”Then let’s go with the Purple Lightning Talisman,” Fang Chen said with a smile. ”I just saw the inheritance of this talisman here, and with your background, I’m sure you’re not unfamiliar with it?”