A Loose Cultivator's Path to Longevity

Chapter 47: Chapter 46: General’s Tomb

The talisman foot usually appears in the form of a pattern.

The Seven Profound Talisman Scripture mentioned that for a Low-Tier Talisman, the talisman foot is completely meaningless. It’s essentially optional; leaving it out won’t affect the talisman’s efficacy.

The reason the talisman foot is said to affect one’s ability to learn new talismans is because on High-Tier Talismans, the foot often serves as a form of ciphertext. In other words, a Talisman Maker uses the talisman foot to encrypt the talisman.

Once encrypted, one must spend a great deal of time decrypting it before they can possibly learn how to make it.

The lower portion of the Seven Profound Arrow Avoidance Talisman’s core could, in fact, be considered a form of encryption.

Because the Arrow Avoidance Talisman is a relatively Low Tier one, the Seven Profound Sect dared to boldly add this encryption to the lower part of the Talisman Core. Furthermore, to avoid affecting the talisman’s activation, they deliberately placed it far from the upper part of the core.

This encryption method is extremely difficult to use on High Tier talismans.

The Talisman Core of a High-Tier Talisman is incredibly complex and precise, making any modifications to it virtually impossible.

For talismans of that caliber, encryption is accomplished using the talisman foot.

As for the specific encryption methods using the talisman foot, Lü Zhong saw no detailed explanation in the Seven Profound Talisman Scripture. This was likely because it was merely an introductory text, so any knowledge pertaining to High-Tier Talismans was only mentioned in passing.

Flipping further into the book, he found the six fundamental skills of a Talisman Maker.

They were: mastering Runes, the ”Eight Methods of the Character Yong” and brushwork, making Talisman Paper from Talisman Grass, preparing Beast Hide Talisman Paper, and the art of concocting Talisman Ink.

’So these are the so-called fundamental skills?’ Lü Zhong thought as he read. ’They really are quite fundamental.’

However, mastering these six skills was indeed necessary.

By mastering them, a Talisman Maker could be said to control an entire production chain by themselves.

They could become completely self-sufficient, no longer needing to worry about being at the mercy of others for supplies.

Flipping further, he found only damaged pages with blurred and illegible content.

Scorched by fire and gnawed by insects, it wasn’t hard to imagine what the Seven Profound Talisman Scripture had endured over the years.

A few pages in the middle were intact. Lü Zhong took a closer look and saw that they detailed the creation method for the Seven Profound Arrow Avoidance Talisman.

’So his Seven Profound Arrow Avoidance Talismans really did come from here!’

Having finished the Seven Profound Talisman Scripture, Lü Zhong felt he had gained a great deal.

There was no doubt that once he settled down and thoroughly mastered the six fundamental skills, Tier One Talismans would no longer pose any challenge.

There was no time to waste. He immediately began studying Runes.

...

Early the next morning, Lü Zhong went out, heading straight for North Street.

When it came to gathering information, the Tongfu Tea House was his only real option.

The moment he stepped inside, several pairs of eyes turned toward him.

Some recognized him as Lü Zhong. Sensing his Qi Refining Fourth Layer cultivation, their expressions shifted slightly as they immediately connected his presence with Lin Zhongze’s disappearance.

Many people were interested in the matter of Lin Zhongze’s disappearance.

The Loose Cultivators who had profited from the situation were especially concerned.

Rumors had been circulating. Some said Lin Zhongze had been snatched by a Demon Beast while out at night and was now missing, presumed dead. Others claimed he’d been entranced by a wandering Yin Soul in the wilderness and was still lost somewhere out there. The most outrageous rumor was that he had died of exhaustion in the arms of a courtesan at the Yichun Courtyard.

As for Lü Zhong, plenty of people suspected the Talisman Maker as well.

After all, the story of him killing the Red Lake Assassin had spread throughout Qingliu Square.

But suspicion was one thing; no one was going to undertake the thankless task of reporting Lü Zhong. There was nothing to be gained from it, and it would mean offending a Mid-stage Qi Refining Talisman Maker.

If someone actually did, they might just find themselves ambushed one day—their head taken as a gift to curry favor with Talisman Master Lü.

The motive? Probably just for a few free Talismans.

Such incidents weren’t unheard of. The enemies of Artifact Refiners and Alchemists, in particular, were always in high demand as targets.

”If it isn’t Talisman Master Lü! Forgive me for not greeting you at the door... truly, my apologies!” The teahouse’s Shopkeeper, who rarely made an appearance, now emerged, bowing with his hands clasped in a polite gesture.

In Qingliu Square, a Mid-stage Qi Refining cultivator was a person of status and couldn’t be treated with the same casualness as an Early-stage Qi Refining cultivator.

”You’re too kind, Shopkeeper Tong. I’ve only come to ask about some news,” Lü Zhong replied, returning the gesture.

”Of course!” the chubby Shopkeeper Tong said with a broad smile. ”This way, please! To a private room upstairs!”

THUMP THUMP THUMP. They went upstairs, and the two of them soon arrived at a tea room.

A pot of fresh tea was brewed, and its fragrant aroma instantly filled the room.

”Talisman Master Lü, please, have some tea!”

”Then I won’t stand on ceremony!”

Lü Zhong gently lifted the lid of his cup and took a small sip. His eyes lit up, and he couldn’t help but praise it. ”Excellent tea! The aroma is fresh and elegant, and the taste is crisp and mellow. Truly, this is excellent tea!”

To be honest, even though this was a mundane tea, it tasted so good that its price probably rivaled that of Cyan Jade Spirit Tea.

”Good tea needs a connoisseur to be truly appreciated...” Hearing Lü Zhong’s praise, Shopkeeper Tong’s face bloomed into a wide grin. After all, he had grown this tea himself.

After some time spent sipping and appreciating the tea, they finally got down to business.

”Information about the General’s Tomb?” Shopkeeper Tong’s brow furrowed at the question. He thought for a moment before replying, ”I do have quite a bit of information on that, and some of it is rather confidential. I can have someone make a copy for you and send it over later. Let’s say... Five Spirit Stones.”

Before Lü Zhong could respond, he added, ”But that’s not a good place. I’d advise you not to go, especially near the main tomb. The Qingyang Sect seems to be after something there. Hmm... consider that piece of information a gift, from me to a fellow tea lover. I hope you’ll come back for tea more often when you have the time... I’ll say no more. You can make your decision after you’ve reviewed the information.”

Lü Zhong listened in silence.

From the information Shopkeeper Tong had just revealed, the General’s Tomb was most likely a truly perilous place.

The involvement of the Qingyang Sect made it especially so.

Whatever they were plotting, it couldn’t be anything good.

”Thank you for the warning. I will consider it carefully.”

...

Not long after he returned to his courtyard, someone sent by Shopkeeper Tong arrived with the information.

After paying the fee of five Spirit Stones, Lü Zhong sat in his reception hall and began to read it carefully.

First was the origin of the General’s Tomb. It was actually a relic from when the Human Race was first settling the lands of the Southern Barbarians. According to the records, a great war between humans and Demon Beasts had taken place, leaving behind a massive number of unclaimed bodies.

Thus, a large burial ground was established to inter the dead.

The name ”General’s Tomb” was actually just a rumor.

In truth, it was more accurately described as a mass burial site.

Since many of the deceased were cultivators, the burial ground was divided into several distinct zones.

There was the main tomb area, built to the highest standards, featuring a magnificent Underground Palace constructed specifically to entomb the bodies of cultivators. Then there was the secondary tomb area, consisting of auxiliary halls branching off the Underground Palace’s main passageway, where mortal generals and soldiers were interred. Finally, there was the mass grave, a separately dug pit for burying laborers, conscripts, and other casualties.

After reading this, Lü Zhong had a general understanding of the General’s Tomb.

Clearly, the most dangerous area was the main tomb.

The secondary tomb area was the next most dangerous.

As for the mass grave, its danger level should be the lowest.

The information also detailed the strength required to explore each zone.

Tier Two Zombies had been sighted in the main tomb area, and other troublesome creatures like ghostly Yin Souls could also appear. Therefore, exploring it required either the strength of the Foundation Establishment Stage or a team of Late-stage Qi Refining cultivators.

The secondary tomb area was slightly safer, home mostly to common ghouls. Still, exploring it alone required a Late-stage Qi Refining cultivation, or a team of Mid-stage Qi Refining cultivators to ensure a safe escape if danger arose.

The mass grave, on the other hand, was comparatively safe.

The documents stated clearly that it was almost exclusively filled with skeletal monsters. As long as one possessed basic combat skills, there should be no major issues.

’I wonder how credible this information is...’ Lü Zhong decided he would talk to Li Dong again tomorrow. If Li Dong was willing to limit their exploration to just the mass grave, then there would be no harm in agreeing.

At most, he’d just have to prepare a few more Evil Exorcism Talismans.

But if they wanted to go to the secondary tomb area, or even the main one...

...then he would have to decline.