Several days passed in the blink of an eye.
Lin Zhao’s body recovered well, with the broken bones healing rapidly. Among the cultivators of the Fifth Realm, the saying "a hundred days to heal a broken bone" was merely a figure of speech. Lin Zhao felt he was almost ready to get out of bed and practice his boxing, but instead of practicing his martial arts forms, he would stand in a horse stance at the pear wood table, then dedicate one arm to practicing calligraphy.
The talismans for clearing the mind, tracking, courage, and demon suppression – these four military talismans were almost etched into his memory. He had practiced them to the point where he could conjure them with a mere flick of his wrist. Thus, he began to practice drawing the talisman of divine speed. This talisman of divine speed was one of Lin Zhao's most prized possessions. Once ignited, it could summon a military decree, causing the user's speed to surge to an extraordinary level for a short period.
After his life-and-death battle with two Sixth Realm death warriors, Lin Zhao gained a new understanding of his own skills. The Farmer’s Three Punches were indeed ferocious and powerful; otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to defeat two death warriors across realms. However, his own realm had its limits. For a Fifth Realm martial artist, breaking through in a short period was hopeless. Once he faced a powerful cultivator of a higher realm, their speed would inevitably be far superior to his own.
Therefore, Lin Zhao’s mind began to form a nascent idea: if he could push the "Arrayed Horses and Raging Winds" stance of the Farmer’s Three Punches to its extreme, the intent behind this stance could significantly boost his speed. If he were to then ignite a high-grade talisman of divine speed, what kind of state would he be in? Even when facing a cultivator of the Qi Realm, Lin Zhao’s speed would likely be a notch faster!
With speed and the formidable fist energy of the Farmer’s Three Punches, the possibility of killing enemies across realms would become much greater.
Thus, three days ago, Lin Zhao began to focus on practicing the talisman of divine speed.
...
On this day, a spring rain fell upon the small town, accompanied by rumbling spring thunder in the sky.
A group of four entered the town: Leng Yan, Xun Xian, Jian Huang, and a fourth, Yi Shi Cang Liang, walking at the rear.
The four sat in a tea house within the town, sipping tea.
"What do you all think?"
Jian Huang, with his sword in his arms, leaned lazily against the railing of the dilapidated tea house, gazing at the spring rain nurturing the land. He chuckled, "Su Xinghe, Shen Xingchen, and Yan Yu Han’s three-person team began attempting the Level 50 Golden Boss yesterday. It was a demon-type marshal. Although they didn't succeed in the end, with Shen Xingchen's planning abilities, it's only a matter of time before their three-person team defeats a Level 50 Golden Boss."
"Their combination is too good."
Yi Shi Cang Liang remarked, "One sword, one cavalry, one mage. There were no healers among the beta testers. Their lineup is already the best for tackling bosses."
"So we need to cooperate."
Jian Huang narrowed his eyes and smiled, "If we don't make a move soon, the top three spots in this beta test competition will definitely be taken by these three. As for you, Alliance Leader Cang Liang, even if you're the first player to obtain a Level 50 Golden artifact weapon, the bonus points might not be enough to secure a spot in the top three."
Xun Xian smiled faintly, "Cooperation it is. Our group of four isn't bad either: two swordmasters, one berserker, and one astral mage. One more person means one more effort, and we're not necessarily slower than them."
"Mm."
Jian Huang nodded. "Besides, Alliance Leader Yi Shi Cang Liang wields the Golden Sword, so our output should be a bit higher."
"Then it's decided."
Yi Shi Cang Liang nodded. "Beauty Leng Yan, what about you? What are your thoughts?"
"Huh!?"
Leng Yan was gazing at a budding peach blossom by the Baiyu Stream. Nourished by the rain, the peach branches were delicate and tender. She was lost in thought, her mind occupied by the Eleventh Realm rogue cultivator. If an Eleventh Realm rogue cultivator truly descended upon the town, could that young man named Lin Zhao still escape unharmed? Leng Yan was quite worried, and for some inexplicable reason, she deeply hoped Lin Zhao would survive.
"What were you saying?" Leng Yan blinked her beautiful eyes and asked a question that made everyone feel a bit dejected.
"Nothing much."
Xun Xian smiled. "The peach blossoms blooming in spring are beautiful, but not as beautiful as you, Leng Yan."
Leng Yan glanced at him. "Is this how you used to flirt with girls? Try a different approach, this one won't work on me."
"Alright, I'll think of something else. I'll come up with a new line!"
...
"Hey!"
Jian Huang grew a little impatient. "Everyone, be serious! Let me explain. Beauty Leng Yan, we're discussing forming a team of four to tackle Level 50 Golden Tier Bosses together. We can't let Su Xinghe and his group take all the first kills, can we?"
"Oh..."
Leng Yan pouted and smiled. "Xingchen asked me to join their team yesterday, but I was leveling up and didn't have time, so I didn't agree."
Jian Huang was aghast. "You're really going to join Su Xinghe's team?"
"I didn't say I definitely will."
Leng Yan smiled. "Look at you guys. If you're short one person, I'll join. It's no big deal, it's just a game."
"Great!"
Yi Shi Cang Liang slowly stood up and said, "It's settled then. We'll act separately and search the large map outside North Mountain for isolated Level 50 or higher Golden Tier Bosses. Be careful and don't get instantly killed."
"Okay!"
The group dispersed and left the town. Only Leng Yan, carrying her long sword, her armor looking quite heroic and spirited, her cloak fluttering slightly in the spring breeze, looked up in the direction of a dilapidated ancestral house deep in the back alley. She frowned, did not follow the others to North Mountain, but instead walked back to the inn alone.
She sat very demurely by the window and beckoned with her little finger. "Waiter, tea~~~~"
...
A few days later.
Lin Zhao had completely mastered the composition of the talisman of divine speed. Although the characters for "divine speed" within the talisman's core were oddly shaped, resembling a valiant cavalryman riding a swift horse with a spear, Lin Zhao could now inscribe them in one stroke, with one breath. Moreover, the divine aura contained within the talismans was already quite concentrated. While not reaching the level of a talisman master, it was already somewhat impressive.
Therefore, it was time to get serious. He couldn't keep playing house on yellow paper forever.
One morning, Lin Zhao arrived at Baiwei Xuan.
"Yo, third shopkeeper is here!?"
Jia Zhong, whose business was booming, was calculating with an abacus, a smile on his face.
"Mm."
Lin Zhao smiled. "Brother Jia, what's my commission for this month? I'm here to cash out today. I want to buy some things."
"Let me see..."
Jia Zhong gently traced a line in the ledger and smiled. "Our net profit this month is 1240 Qing Fu coins. Brother Lin takes two percent, which is 248 Qing Fu coins. How about this, I'll round it up for you to 250 Qing Fu coins?"
Lin Zhao applauded with a smile. "That's great!"
Shortly after, Jia Zhong came over with a heavy bag, filled with Qing Fu coins, and asked, "What are you going to buy?"
Lin Zhao took the money. "You don't need to worry about that, Brother Jia, ha ha~~~"
"Alright, alright!"
Jia Zhong continued with his abacus. Indeed, he was a businessman; apart from matters of money, he had little interest.
...
Lin Zhao tucked the bag of Qing Fu coins into his embrace and headed straight for the front street. Soon, he stopped in front of a magnificent shop: Ju Bao Fang. It was the only establishment on the Snow Domain Heavenly Pool that dealt in spiritual artifacts, treasures, and other cultivation world items. It was said that Ju Bao Fang had branches in various prefectures and counties across the land, doing extensive business. This particular branch on the Heavenly Pool Ridge was a place frequented by all cultivators on the Snow Domain Heavenly Pool.
The moment he stepped into Ju Bao Fang, a young girl in green approached him. She didn't recognize Lin Zhao, as this was Lin Zhao's first time in such a place. The girl in green smiled and said, "Hello, my name is Qing Qiu. What can I help you with, sir?"
"Talisman paper."
Lin Zhao got straight to the point. "The kind Daoists use for drawing talismans. I want to buy some high-grade ones. Do you have any?"
"Yes, we do."
Qing Qiu replied with a smile. "Please follow me."
"Alright."
She led Lin Zhao to a section of shelves. Along the way, there were guards armed with armor and weapons. Lin Zhao could sense that one of the guards was a Seventh Realm Yuan Invocation cultivator, his aura deep and steady. He couldn't help but sigh in admiration. Ju Bao Fang was a large and influential establishment, with deeply rooted business throughout the human world. To employ a Seventh Realm martial artist as security was a testament to their might, ensuring their business would continue to thrive.
Qing Qiu pointed to the shelves and said like a knowledgeable vendor, "All of our talisman paper is here. We have ordinary yellow paper, which is very cheap; ten copper coins can buy a pile. However, if you're looking for higher grades, you'll want to see these."
"This blue talisman paper,"
She held up a stack of talisman paper and smiled. "is an essential material for immortals on the mountains to draw talismans for demon suppression, rain prayers, and so on. The price is quite reasonable; one Qing Fu coin can buy ten sheets. And then there's this, silver talisman paper, soaked in spiritual spring water from mountain roots, rich in spiritual energy. It costs one Qing Fu coin per sheet. As for our highest grade."
Qing Qiu signaled for someone to open a small golden box. Inside lay a small stack of golden talisman paper. She smiled and said, "This type of talisman paper is refined by cultivators of the Upper Five Realms using the power of thunder. The material is extremely rare and expensive. It costs twenty Qing Fu coins per sheet. What do you think, sir?"
Lin Zhao couldn't help but take a deep breath. It was indeed expensive. He had thought that carrying 250 Qing Fu coins made him a wealthy patron, but now, it seemed entirely insufficient!
He pondered for a moment. He wanted to buy some of each type of talisman paper, just in case.
"I'll take five sheets of the golden talisman paper, fifty sheets of the silver talisman paper, and a hundred sheets of the blue talisman paper."
"Yes, yes!"
Qing Qiu's eyes crinkled into a smile; she was beautiful when she smiled, and her heart was also delighted. She could earn a one percent commission on this sale, so she was even more careful. She carefully packed the talisman paper Lin Zhao needed into an exquisite wooden box. "Sir, the total is 160 Qing Fu coins. However, since you're buying in bulk, according to our shop's rules, you'll receive a twenty percent discount. So you only need to pay 128 Qing Fu coins."
"Mm!"
Lin Zhao took the talisman paper, quickly paid, and said with a smile, "Also, I'd like to buy a good brush, and some cinnabar of a slightly higher grade. Do you have any?"
"Yes, we sell them in this section as well."
The girl quickly led Lin Zhao deeper into the room. On a large shelf, various brushes were displayed, making Lin Zhao's eyes swim. In front of the shelf, an old man was working an abacus. He looked up and squinted, then smiled. "Oh, isn't this Lin Zhao from the back street? What would you like to buy?"
"A brush for drawing talismans."
Lin Zhao respectfully said, "Old sir, I'd like to buy one that suits me."
"Certainly."
The old gentleman nodded and smiled. "Take your time and choose!"
...
Lin Zhao carefully examined each brush. Finally, his gaze fell upon one displayed on the brush holder next to the old gentleman. The brush handle was dark and straight like an iron spear from a battlefield. The tip was pure white on the upper part and a deep red on the lower part. Merely looking at this brush, which exuded a subtle aura of battlefield slaughter and possessed abundant spiritual energy, Lin Zhao was smitten!
The old gentleman's heart skipped a beat.
Damn it, this is bad!