Chapter Fourteen: The Secrets of Talismans
The Supreme Mystery Cave!
After two months of tireless effort, he had finally refined the first layer of innate prohibition on the Central Xu-Yi Apricot Yellow Banner! A sigh rose in his heart; to achieve this, he had even forgone breaking through the shackles to advance his cultivation.
In truth, with Qingxu’s current realm, forcibly ascending to the mid-tier Earth Immortal stage was not difficult. Yet, should he rush into it, his foundation would inevitably be unsteady. With Primordial’s protection, he feared no danger.
Within the Wilderness, the realms of immortality were divided thus: Earth Immortal, Celestial Immortal, Profound Immortal, Supreme Celestial Immortal, Golden Immortal of the Great Law, Loose Immortal of Primordial Chaos (Quasi-Saint), and Golden Immortal of Primordial Chaos (Saint).
Setting aside cultivation and magical power, improving one’s realm was arduous. Earth Immortal and Celestial Immortal belonged to the same level—collectively known as the Lower Dao Fruit of Immortality, while Profound Immortal was the Upper Dao Fruit.
Comprehending the Lower Dao Fruit as an early Earth Immortal brought twice the results with half the effort.
For the moment, he paid no mind to the affairs of cultivation. Qingxu was now preparing to refine an external incarnation—a second primordial spirit.
With the first layer of innate prohibition refined, he could now draw a portion of the innate Xu Earth essence from the Central Xu-Yi Apricot Yellow Banner for his own use.
The Innate Five Element Spirit Banners were treasures of the highest order, their mysteries endless. Born in chaos, they were conceived at the dawn of creation, evolving from the innate sources of the Five Elements. They harmonized perfectly with the Wilderness, capable of suppressing fate.
Under Qingxu’s primordial spirit, the surface of the Apricot Yellow Banner surged with thick, earthy-yellow currents. Controlled by the talismans surrounding him, the flows converged, slowly forming a human-shaped shadow, resembling Qingxu by seventy or eighty percent.
The innate Xu Earth essence seemed inexhaustible, and who could say how much time had passed before the Xu Earth body was fully formed. At that, Qingxu ceased drawing the essence.
He gazed at the Xu Earth body before him: over seven feet tall, handsome and sturdy, with hair tied in the Daoist style and donned in a soil-colored Dao robe that imparted a sense of weight and solidity.
Once the Xu Earth body was complete, one hundred twenty-nine thousand six hundred innate talismans instantly detached from Qingxu’s side, flocking to the Xu Earth body like tired birds returning to their nest. As talismans fused, a vast, profound, and ancient aura spread forth, the earthy-yellow glow illuminating the entire cave.
Refining the first layer of innate prohibition on the Apricot Yellow Banner, Qingxu had also gained insight into the innate talismans therein—not mastery, but at least a thorough understanding of their mysteries.
Before, the Xu Earth body possessed only the strength of an early Transformation stage cultivator. With the blessing of innate talismans, its power soared.
Transformation stage, mid-level!
Transformation stage, late-level!
Peak of Transformation!
...
Boom!
The barrier between mortals and immortals was shattered, and immortal might swept forth.
Earth Immortal, early-stage! The Xu Earth avatar had attained early Earth Immortal cultivation in an instant, equivalent to a hundred years of Qingxu’s arduous training.
“Whoever created the second primordial spirit and external incarnation must be a being of unimaginable power! They have unraveled the mysteries of fate and seized the workings of heaven. To have an Earth Immortal avatar within such a short time—how much hardship did I endure to reach this stage?”
Swish! Crack!
His primordial spirit soared from the Mud Pill Palace atop his head. Amidst golden light, form and spirit were as one, clad entirely in mysterious golden robes.
Daoist cultivators harmonize their three souls and seven spirits with essence, energy, and spirit, forming an internal primordial spirit with the aid of heaven and earth’s spiritual energy. At first, the primordial spirit is but a newborn, reliant on the physical body. If the body is destroyed, the primordial spirit collapses and returns to reincarnation—this is the Transformation stage.
Unlike Transformation, the primordial spirit of an Earth Immortal matches the size of the physical body. Even if the body is lost, forging a new one is no challenge, and some even seize another’s body by force, relying on the strength of their primordial spirit.
Qingxu’s primordial spirit emerged, and at a thought, a portion of his essence—about one-tenth or one-twelfth—flashed into the Xu Earth body.
This was a considerable loss; a cultivator’s power resides in the primordial spirit, and any injury to it diminishes their strength.
He had been at the peak of early Earth Immortal, but now had fallen to the early stage!
“From now on, I shall be known as Xu Earth Daoist. The wonders of creation are truly beyond mortal comprehension!” In that instant, form and spirit were one, and the external incarnation was complete. Only now did Qingxu realize the marvel of the second primordial spirit. It was not a second independent self as he had expected, but far superior to any magical treasure.
In future battles, this second primordial spirit incarnation could aid him, more formidable than two Earth Immortals, for they shared a mind and acted in perfect concert.
Just as Qingxu had finished refining the Xu Earth avatar, a strange feeling stirred in his heart—a sudden intuition prompted by his own blood, and he was startled. He hastily calculated the cause.
“Must I descend the mountain to seek opportunity?” It concerned him directly, and since Primordial Heaven Venerable had not obscured the heavenly secrets, the matter became clear in an instant.
At that time, the Wilderness was fraught with danger; the conflict between witches and demons grew ever fiercer, countless beings perished, Earth Immortals were everywhere, Celestial Immortals less common than dogs. Only those who had attained Profound Immortal were considered minor experts. For safety, one needed at least the cultivation of Supreme Celestial Immortal! For Qingxu, an Earth Immortal, venturing into the Wilderness was exceedingly perilous. But with a Yuqing Immortal Talisman, it was a different story.
The Yuqing Immortal Talisman was crafted by Primordial after attaining sainthood, containing three heavenly talismans: the first for movement, the second for defense—able to withstand a blow from a Great Law Golden Immortal—and the third, the most terrifying of all. When the talisman is destroyed, it can summon Primordial’s avatar. With this talisman in hand, no matter how vast the Wilderness, Qingxu could traverse it freely.
Meanwhile, White Crane Daoist, obeying Primordial’s command, made his way toward Supreme Mystery Mountain. Upon approaching, he saw Qingxu waiting outside the cave.
“First Senior Brother is truly miraculous!” White Crane was secretly amazed, admiring Qingxu’s ability to foresee his arrival.
“White Crane greets First Senior Brother!” Landing, he quickly bowed, not daring to show the slightest negligence, for Primordial valued propriety above all.
“I already know your purpose. Hand over the Immortal Talisman bestowed by Master.”
Suppressing his astonishment, White Crane produced the Yuqing Immortal Talisman and handed it to Qingxu, then performed a courtesy and departed without further delay.
Watching White Crane return to Jade Void Palace, Qingxu cradled the talisman in both hands, respectfully facing Jade Void Peak, bowing repeatedly and calling, “Disciple thanks Master for his great kindness!”
Having finished his thanks, he entered the cave to begin refining the Yuqing Immortal Talisman and to comprehend its three heavenly talismans.
Talismans were divided into innate and acquired. Acquired talismans were created by ancient sages and powerful cultivators, who, through comprehension of the Dao, formed the basic laws of heaven and earth, using simple symbols and their own cultivation to wield them, borrowing the momentum of the world for extraordinary effects. As for innate talismans, no living being could possess them—they were the fundamental components of the Dao, the laws of heaven itself. To bear innate talismans was to be one with the Dao.
The three heavenly talismans within the Immortal Talisman were not true sources of the heavenly Dao, but Primordial’s own comprehension, yet they were talismans of a Saint—exceedingly precious, not to be underestimated even by Quasi-Saints.
Fortunately, Primordial’s gift included the method of refining the talisman; otherwise, Qingxu would have spent many days mastering it.
He refined the Immortal Talisman into his primordial spirit. Upon inspection, he sensed an immense, boundless world within, where three gigantic, purple-glowing talismans floated—grand, ancient, vast, deep... A hint of heavenly Dao was concealed within, the Yuqing Dao penetrating straight to the source.
【Supreme Saint Talismans: Created by Primordial Saints through comprehension of the heavenly Dao, possessing immense power and profound mysteries.】
【The Investiture of Gods System is beginning to upgrade!】
【Level 1, 1%...】
Qingxu was surprised to find that, upon refining the Yuqing Immortal Talisman, perhaps due to the influence of the Supreme Saint Talismans, the Investiture of Gods System began to upgrade. Only now did he realize his system was at the lowest level.
Astonishment gave way to excitement. With only a level-one system, he could already probe others’ information—how powerful would a level-two system be?
Unimaginable!
In the time it took to drink a cup of tea, the upgrade completed—100%, and the Investiture of Gods System advanced from level one to level two. The total number of levels was still unknown to Qingxu.
Just as he was about to eagerly check what enhancements the level-two system offered, a system message left him dumbstruck.
【System upgrade complete. Host receives 1 point of innate merit, 10 points of acquired merit, 100 points of Yang merit, 1000 points of Yin merit, and may use the three Supreme Saint Talismans via the Investiture of Gods System.】
【Task initiation: 1%...】
【Yang and Yin merit activation: 1%...】