Volume One, Chapter Twelve: Venturing Out for Experience (Part Two)

Gu Mingxi addressed several young members of the Gu family gathered around her. “You all know the basic strokes and gestures of talisman crafting, so let me share a bit of my personal insight on the art.”

“Before I draw a talisman, I first memorize its strokes and flow. Then, I take a blank sheet of paper and practice the movement repeatedly. Only once I have mastered it do I draw it onto the talisman paper. This greatly increases the success rate. You should try this method yourselves.”

Following Gu Mingxi’s advice, the other disciples began practicing talisman drawing and found their success rates did indeed improve. One disciple, who had a natural talent in talisman craft, even managed to create a high-grade talisman for the first time, much to his delight. Until now, he had never produced a talisman of such quality.

This gifted disciple was named Gu Qingfeng. His name alone evoked a sense of freedom, and he was indeed lively and free-spirited, true to the essence of his name.

Gu Qingfeng would become, alongside Gu Mingxi, the most talented and accomplished talisman master in the Gu family—the only two to reach the prestigious ninth-grade talisman master rank.

Meanwhile, Gu Mingyue, after demonstrating alchemy techniques, shared some subtle tips on hand seals with the disciples. The results were gratifying, as many saw an increase in their success rates for concocting pills.

That evening, Gu Mingxi said, “Tonight is the first watch. Mingyue and I will guard together. From now on, the two of us will alternate the night watch to ensure fairness. Does that work for everyone?”

“Yes!” “No problem!” “Sounds good!”

Seeing no objections, Gu Mingxi turned to Gu Mingyue and said, “Mingyue, you take the first half of the night watch, and I’ll take the second half. Does that suit you?”

Gu Mingyue nodded decisively, not contesting Gu Mingxi’s proposal, recognizing that Gu Mingxi’s cultivation was indeed higher than his.

“Good,” Gu Mingyue replied. “Mingxi, you get some rest now. I’ll call you when it’s time to switch.”

Gu Mingxi nodded in agreement and went inside to rest.

The first half of the night passed uneventfully. Gu Mingyue later roused Gu Mingxi, who smoothly took over the second half of the watch.

No incidents occurred, much to Gu Mingxi’s relief. In the original story, the heroine suffered great peril during her first outing, proving that being a chosen one was no easy fate.

At dawn, as everyone woke, Gu Mingxi gathered them and said, “Today, we will explore the shadowed areas as planned. Maintain constant communication and send word immediately if any danger arises.”

“Understood!” “Yes!”

Gu Mingxi set off in a random direction alone to scout. As she searched intently, a sudden tiger’s roar made her frown. She quickly expanded her spiritual awareness to investigate.

Though still in the Qi Refinement stage, Gu Mingxi’s spiritual perception had advanced to the Foundation Establishment level due to her recent breakthroughs.

Her awareness covered a broad range and soon revealed the source of the roar.

It was a third-level tiger demon!

In the cultivation world, demon beasts are ranked from level one to nine, corresponding to the cultivators’ realms.

A third-level demon beast equates to the Golden Core stage.

The Golden Core stage!

All ten of them were at the Qi Refinement stage—completely no match.

Gu Mingxi hurried toward the tiger demon’s location, and the other eight Gu family disciples followed her lead.

Arriving first, Gu Mingxi saw Gu Qingfeng struggling to hold the line. She quickly cast a binding formation and shouted to the others arriving, “Follow me into this trap! However, a level-three formation can’t hold this tiger demon for long. We must leave quickly!”

Everyone hurriedly followed Gu Mingxi, fleeing aimlessly for an unknown length of time before finally coming to a stop.

Gu Mingyue, panting, said, “I don’t hear the tiger demon anymore. Have we lost it?”

Gu Mingxi concentrated and scanned the area, then said, “We’re safe. Let’s rest here for a moment.”

They had run in a random direction and had no idea where they were. After resting, they began to explore the surroundings.

At that moment, Gu Qingfeng’s hushed and excited voice broke the quiet: “Everyone, come quickly! I’ve found traces of the Swiftwind Hare!”

His words stirred a wave of excitement. The Swiftwind Hare?

Everyone gathered near Gu Qingfeng, who was staring with gleaming eyes at a pile of droppings.

Gu Mingxi lowered her voice, equally excited: “This is the feces of the Swiftwind Hare. If we search around here carefully, we should find its trail.”

Soon, they followed the droppings to discover the hare’s lair. After a thorough scan, they found no other demon beasts nearby.

This made sense, as demon beasts are territorial. Since the Swiftwind Hare had claimed this area, it was unlikely others would be present.

After the investigation, they regrouped and discussed their plan.

Gu Mingxi said, “We’ll select eight people to distract the Swiftwind Hare while the other two gather Swiftwind Grass.”

Gu Mingyue added, “Si Ju and Si Lin, since you two are brothers, your coordination should be better than the rest. You two go pick the grass, and the eight of us will handle the hare. Sound good?”

Gu Sijun and Gu Silin exchanged a glance and nodded.

With everything arranged, they began their mission. Their method to attract the hare’s attention was quite direct.

Gu Mingxi fired an arrow straight into the hare’s lair. Enraged, the Swiftwind Hares poured out, furious to find a group of young cultivators invading their home.

Outraged, they swarmed and attacked the group.

Gu Mingxi and the others fought while retreating, drawing the hares away from the cave to allow Gu Sijun and Gu Silin to gather the Swiftwind Grass.

Once the hares were lured a fair distance from their den, Gu Mingxi and her group ceased holding back and began to slay the hares.

Though the Swiftwind Hare was only a first-level demon beast, their pack-hunting nature made them formidable in groups. However, since many of their personnel were in their sensitive period, this particular nest wasn’t large, and they could handle them.

For now, they were keeping the hares at bay, preventing them from returning to their lair.