From the Silver Dragon Sword Sect, a silver sword light tore through the sky. It was Cao Yan, the Silver Dragon Sword Immortal. Dressed in a white short shirt, he arrived with a long sword on his back, landing tens of meters away from the old Taoist priest. He dared not show any disrespect. This Sword Immortal of the twelfth realm even hesitated to probe the old Taoist's origins with his spiritual sense, intimidated by the immense pressure of the Great Dao. Without any probing, he knew that the person before him was undoubtedly of a higher cultivation realm than himself.
"Neishang Tianxia, Silver Dragon Sword Sect, Cao Yan, pays respects to the senior. May I ask, senior..."
Just as Cao Yan was respectfully inquiring, the old Taoist suddenly took a step forward, leaning on his walking staff, as if he had run into a wall. But in the next moment, Cao Yan stumbled forward, took a step, and as he turned, he saw that he was no longer on Qingqu Mountain. All around him was a scene of a cold, icy, and snowy plain. In an instant, he had been transported a thousand miles to the north by the other party.
What divine ability was this?!
"..."
As Cao Yan, a twelfth-realm Silver Dragon Sword Immortal, had been unable to react at all in that fleeting moment, it meant that if this old Taoist wished to kill him, it would likely be an instantaneous matter.
A chill ran down his spine. He quickly clasped his hands towards Qingqu Mountain in the south and respectfully said, "Please, senior... spare the Silver Dragon Sword Sect. Cao Yan and my disciples have truly never committed any transgressions. Please see with clarity!"
"I know!"
The old Taoist narrowed his eyes and smiled, "Cao Yan, just be your Silver Dragon Sword Immortal. You don't need to concern yourself with me. As long as your Silver Dragon Sword Sect doesn't overstep, this old Taoist won't bother with you."
"Yes, thank you, senior!"
Cao Yan trembled, fearing he might anger this old Taoist of unfathomable cultivation. After all, he was a human, and as a cultivator of Neishang Tianxia, any transgression could cost him his head. It was fortunate that a Taoist great cultivator with a less aggressive aura had appeared. If it were a military great cultivator... if the Sword Saint Ding Muchen had appeared before him, would he have been able to walk away without being struck by a sword? He would have been itching for a fight.
...
The Mountain Peak Villa.
Lin Zhao arrived at the peak once more, placing a pear wood desk on it. Then, he assumed a stance for the "Nine Fists of a Farmer" and cultivated his fist intent. With one hand, he grabbed the "Thousand Riders Rolling Snow" brush, drawing swift talismans, one after another, all of them full and lustrous military talismans. As each talisman was completed, the military intent within its core was already substantial. Lin Zhao was now a ninth-realm sword cultivator, so the spiritual energy he inscribed into the talismans was naturally abundant. This foundation was not for show.
"Young Master."
At noon, Dong Cang arrived with food again. A martial artist's practice of boxing consumed a tremendous amount of energy, so Dong Cang timed her deliveries precisely each day, lest her young master go hungry. Lin Zhao happily accepted her kindness, turned, and sat by a rock, eating heartily. Dong Cang stood by him, waiting. After Lin Zhao finished eating, she tidied the bowls and chopsticks, then carried the basket and demurely descended the mountain.
Lin Zhao wiped his mouth and looked down at Dong Cang as she descended. He thought Dong Cang was a truly good girl. Whoever married her would have a lifetime of fortune; it would be a great blessing!
Dong Cang carried the basket down the mountain, her pretty face flushed. She had just seen her young master practicing his boxing, already possessing the demeanor of a fist technique grandmaster. Her young master's boxing stance was truly beautiful, far more so than Mu Ya's or Chen Ben's. Those two looked too fierce and domineering when they practiced, unlike her young master's elegant and handsome style, yet his fist technique intent was still incredibly profound.
Her cheeks grew redder. If any girl were to marry her young master, it would truly be a great fortune! As for herself, she dared not even dream of it. Being able to stay by his side to serve him already made her very happy. How could she dare to overstep her bounds!
Dong Cang pursed her red lips. It wasn't that her state of mind was truly so good, without any greed. In fact, Dong Cang was also greedy, but she had experienced too much, especially the hundred years she was a mere concubine. Compared to those days, wasn't the current life a heavenly one?
In the afternoon, two graceful figures ascended from the Mountain Peak Villa.
It was Leng Yan and Shen Xingchen. Both were confidantes of the Mountain Lord and were very familiar with everyone, so not only Tang Guangjun, but also Wu Zhi, Chen Ben, Chu Yu, and others would not stop them from ascending.
"Xingchen, A'Yan, you've arrived!"
Lin Zhao said with a smile as he continued to draw talismans.
"Mm."
Leng Yan walked to the edge of the cliff and sat down on the precipice. The scenery here seemed even better. Unlike the northern mountain cliff where one could only see a sea of snow and very little green, it was different here at the Mountain Peak Villa. The Confucian intent that Mr. Qin had left to warm in the Snow Domain Heavenly Pool still lingered, so even though the weather outside was freezing, the Mountain Peak Villa itself was like spring all year round. Looking down from the peak, one saw lush mountains and forests. Further north, one could see connected snow-capped mountains.
Shen Xingchen tilted her head and glanced at the swift talismans Lin Zhao was drawing. They were very complex, especially the core part, which required combining text and drawings. Just remembering the entire pattern was quite difficult. So she said, "Impressive, truly impressive..."
"Naturally!"
Lin Zhao did not pretend to be humble, smiling as he continued to draw talismans on his own.
Shen Xingchen joined Leng Yan, sitting side by side on the cliff's edge. The two of them kicked their snow-white legs, and their arrival added even more spring to the already eternally spring-like scenery.
"Is there nothing to do today?" Lin Zhao asked.
"Yes, there is."
Leng Yan turned back and looked at him. "The guild has organized an expedition to a level 135-140 map in Baidi City to level up. A heavenly-tier Boss will refresh in three hours, so I have three hours of leisure time."
"What about Xingchen?"
Lin Zhao said while drawing talismans, "Do you have nothing to do?"
"Yes, I do."
Shen Xingchen pouted her small lips. "The work that certain hands-off shopkeepers don't do falls on me and Chen Xue. Can I have nothing to do? This is stealing a moment of leisure. Even a donkey from a production team needs to catch its breath, right?"
Immediately, Leng Yan covered her mouth and chuckled softly.
Lin Zhao's old face flushed. "You've worked hard, worked hard. I'll give you some talismans to use later. I've produced quite a few recently. A'Yan, I'll give you 100 swift talismans, 100 immobilization talismans, and 100 clarity talismans for your Boss fight."
Leng Yan immediately stood up. "Great! Thank you!"
"Xingchen."
Lin Zhao gave Shen Xingchen ten times the number of talismans he gave Leng Yan. These were for everyone in the Scarlet Moon Knights. Chen Xue, Roman, Ding Chi, Mo Chenxue, and others would all get some, so Leng Yan didn't think much of it. After all, Lin Zhao still had to consider his own guild more. Take the Queyu Lake battlefield, for instance. The guild that held back the most demonic cavalry was the Scarlet Moon Knights. In that battle, each member of the Scarlet Moon Knights lost an average of 3 levels. What did that signify? Other guilds couldn't achieve that.
After receiving the talismans, the two sat by the cliff edge again, gazing at the distant beautiful scenery, wishing they could even set up a bed here and sleep. The gentle breeze would surely be very comfortable, and with Lin Zhao drawing talismans nearby, they felt completely secure.
"How has it been lately?" Lin Zhao asked.
"Nothing much."
Shen Xingchen replied, "More and more people are entering the Golden Core realm recently. In our guild, Ah Xue, Xiao Xue, Ding Chi, Roman, Zhang Jun, Lu Han, Bu Su Liren, and a whole group have entered the Golden Core realm. Although their overall strength hasn't increased much, after fighting in Endless Mode many times, they understand when and where each Boss appears and their characteristics. So, as long as their strength and operational skills keep up, reaching the eighth realm is generally not a problem."
"Indeed."
Leng Yan said, "Our Shengtian also has at least 20 Golden Core realm cultivators. It's as if the Golden Core realm has become worthless overnight. However, it's strange that, in the national server so far, it seems Lin Zhao is still the only ninth-realm player. For other players, even people like Su Xinghe, Guoke Wuming, and Ding Chunqiu, the Nascent Soul realm seems to be a distant prospect."
"Naturally."
Lin Zhao smiled. "The eighth realm can be achieved by playing Endless Mode, but to enter the ninth realm, one must break through the state of mind. Without breaking through the state of mind or encountering suitable opportunities, it's impossible to enter the ninth realm."
Leng Yan's delicate mouth parted slightly. "Does that mean I have no chance of reaching the fifth realm in this life?"
"Not necessarily."
Lin Zhao smiled. "This game is dynamically developing, and anything is possible."
"Mm!"
Shen Xingchen and Leng Yan nodded in unison, deeply agreeing with these words. Thus, the two simply lay down on the cliff, enjoying the spring breeze and sunlight. Lin Zhao glanced over and couldn't help but notice their curves. He quickly looked away, lest it disrupt his state of mind, and focused all his attention on drawing talismans.
...
In the evening, twilight descended.
Lin Zhao drew talismans one after another, his entire body radiating military intent. When Leng Yan and Shen Xingchen sensed something unusual, they both stood up and turned to look at Lin Zhao. They saw him leaning on the desk, raising his "Thousand Riders Rolling Snow" brush, with the demeanor of a great literary master splashing ink. From his brush, a swift talisman was drawn in almost one stroke. Immediately, streaks of deep red military intent began to surge around him, and even golden lightning crackled around him with a "zizi" sound. His eyes shone with golden lightning, and he looked as if he had entered a trance while drawing talismans.
In the sky, the clouds rolled, and streaks of golden lightning flashed. Within those clouds, it seemed as if legions of military cavalry were present, and a golden aura of warfare, with swords and sabers clashing, began to emerge. Accidentally, the military aura had been triggered again!
"Ding!"
System Prompt: Congratulations on successfully comprehending: [Spears Like a Forest Talisman] (SS-class)!
"Ding!"
System Prompt: Congratulations on successfully comprehending: [Iron Cavalry Killing Formation Talisman] (SS-class)!
...
Qingqu Mountain.
The old Taoist priest, wearing a patched gray robe, had been wandering around the foot of the mountain for several days, looking furtive. When he got tired, he would take down the green gourd from his waist and take a drink. When he had energy, he would lean on his walking staff and wander around the Qingqu Mountain area. It seemed as if he was leading something in his hand, but the Silver Dragon Sword Immortal Cao Yan could not see it at all. It seemed to be something that had surpassed his twelfth-realm perception.
"Hoo..."
Cao Yan squatted on a peak, daring not to disturb him. He quietly watched the old Taoist busy himself. It didn't matter. As long as this old Taoist predecessor didn't flatten the Silver Dragon Sword Sect with a single palm, he could do whatever he pleased. They would absolutely not commit any transgressions.
But at this moment, two Golden Core sword cultivators descended from the mountain on their swords and landed at the foot of the mountain. They were Ghost King Jiang Chong and Flying Dragon in the Sky. Jiang Chong looked at the old Taoist wandering around in front of him and frowned. "Old Taoist, what the hell are you doing loitering around the foot of our Silver Dragon Sword Sect's mountain every day? Have you taken a fancy to one of our Silver Dragon Sword Sect's junior sisters? What are you looking at? Believe it or not, I'll kick your butt in half?!"
"Hm?"
The old Taoist turned to look in the direction of the mountaintop, his face filled with confusion.
...
"Ah!"
Cao Yan suddenly slapped his thigh, his face filled with shame and anger. "This scoundrel! He's infuriating me to death!"