Chapter 21: The Greedy Wolf and Seven Slaughters—The Sword of the Dark Talisman

The group of Qi-training Daoists could only serve as followers to this man, a testament to his immense power and influence.

“Brother Li Du, it’s been a long time,” the refined gentleman greeted with a cupped fist.

The steward of the Alchemy Hall was named Fang Su, with the Daoist appellation Dian Su.

“This must be Lu Qian? Truly, heroes emerge in youth,” Fang Su smiled, pulling a slip of paper from his robe. “I’m not sure what you need, so take these thirty Dao achievements.”

“Thank you, Uncle Fang,” Lu Qian accepted the stamped slip.

The Alchemy Hall steward was indeed generous—his single gift equaled several years’ worth of Dao achievements for an ordinary Daoist.

An ordinary Daoist earned one achievement per month; it would take nearly three years to accumulate thirty.

“Steward!” Li Du returned the gesture with a smile.

“Ah, Brother Li, we are peers, no need for such formality,” Fang Su replied courteously.

The crowd inwardly marveled.

They had known Li Du and the steward were close, but hadn’t expected a connection through their sect.

It was said that when Fang Su first entered the sect, he joined alongside Li Du.

Though time had passed, the bond remained.

Lu Qian now understood why Li Du had said he would solve this matter for him.

One of the eight chief stewards had spoken; a minor patrol steward naturally wouldn’t dare to interfere.

With the Rite of Capping complete, Li Du did not rush to teach, instead instructing Lu Qian to rest for a few days.

Taking advantage of this time, Lu Qian hurried to concoct the promised medicine for Wang Ming.

The Ghost Market.

Still as eerie and bustling as ever.

At a nearby stall, someone wrapped dumplings with bamboo leaves and other oddities.

There was dark green rice and eyeballs from unknown creatures, pitch-black and glistening.

“Fellow Daoist, what are these?” Lu Qian inquired.

“Spirit food. Would you like one? One coin each.” The vendor looked up, grinning wide, revealing a large white tooth.

“Is it tasty? What’s its purpose?” Lu Qian was curious.

Spirit food was similar to medicine, but more like medicinal cuisine.

“Yin-yang rice with black fish pearls—not for the living, but for ghosts,” the vendor explained.

Many in the temple raised ghosts; these dumplings were delicacies for spirits.

“Boss, ten dumplings,” a Daoist with a cap and sash approached.

After a while, someone patted Lu Qian’s shoulder.

He turned to see Wang Ming.

“Sorry, I’m late... uh.” Wang Ming’s words caught in his throat.

He stared at the cap on Lu Qian’s head, eyes wide with disbelief.

He knew very well what it signified.

The swordsman behind Wang Ming was equally astonished.

“Brother Lu, could it be…” Wang Ming murmured.

“That’s right, I broke through to Qi-training just recently,” Lu Qian admitted, nodding to the swordsman beside him.

The man wore a Primordial Cap, his brows sharp and eyes bright, exuding the aura of an unsheathed sword.

He was none other than Yu Ci, the most gifted member of their old circle.

“It’s enough to make one envious—a pharmacist and now a Daoist. How do you manage to get all the benefits?” Wang Ming said sourly. “By the way, you remember Yu Ci, don’t you?”

“Of course. Here are the medicines I made: twelve portions of Qi-invigorating powder, six of Turtle Shell pills. Please check them.”

“No need; we trust each other,” Wang Ming unpacked his bag, muttering, “Qi-invigorating powder, two portions for one coin, six coins total. Turtle Shell pills, three portions for two coins, four coins total. Ten coins altogether; here are the ingredients. Next time, we’ll need more than ten portions.”

“No problem,” Lu Qian accepted the bag.

In less than the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, he earned another Dao achievement.

“Pharmacists are truly wealthy—unlike us, working ourselves to death for nothing,” Yu Ci commented, watching with envy.

He had always looked down on everyone in their small group except Wang Ming, who had connections.

Yet Lu Qian, whose aptitude was lower than his, had caught up in cultivation.

And possessed such remarkable skill.

Yu Ci’s feelings were complicated.

“You see others enjoying themselves, but forget the hardships they endure,” Wang Ming said, half in jest. “The medicine hall—nine out of ten never walk out alive. You’d never want to go there.”

Yu Ci wholeheartedly agreed.

All medicine is three parts poison.

That place rarely produced a Daoist in a year; the rest met untimely ends.

“Brother Lu, I have a monster-hunting mission. Would you join me?” Yu Ci asked.

“Perhaps next time. I’ve just broken through and need to recuperate,” Lu Qian declined politely.

Having just advanced and not lacking funds, he saw no reason to risk his life for a bit more achievement.

...

Mist shrouded the mountain, hazy and obscure.

Moonlight poured down, seemingly drawn into a certain manor.

Lu Qian sat with eyes closed, absorbing the essence of sun and moon.

Threads of phosphorescence seeped into his body, the pitch-black true water circulating with true Qi, refining his flesh in a slow, steady manner, strengthening him.

Suddenly, Lu Qian’s eyes snapped open, a dark gleam bursting forth.

His figure turned into a shadow, darting out the window like lightning.

Bang!

A sweeping kick sent wind whistling.

A tree, thick as a bowl, snapped cleanly.

Lu Qian landed firmly, his breath calm.

The Taiyin True Water Guidance Method, which refines true water from sun and moon essence, indeed tempered the body.

With Li Du’s guidance, Lu Qian had avoided many pitfalls.

He contemplated the panel in his mind.

Taiyin True Water Guidance Method (Beginner: 26/1000)
Primary Alchemy Technique (Proficient: 100/1000)
Yin Soul Paper Folding Technique (Mastered: 70/500)
Yin Fiend Blue Scale Serpent Transformation Method (Mastered: 70/300)
Green Flame Poison Fire Technique (Mastered: 100/100)
Breath Suppression Technique (Mastered: 3/50)

His offensive arts included Paper Folding, Serpent Transformation, and Poison Fire.

The first two also offered some defense.

Poison Fire was a fetal-breathing spell; its power was limited during Qi-training.

Paper Folding lacked flexibility, Serpent Transformation was weak at range.

Lu Qian now had fewer powerful offensive methods.

“Luckily, I have thirty Dao achievements. Tomorrow, I’ll visit the Lecture Hall.”

The next day, Lu Qian stood once again within the Lecture Hall.

Before him was a dazzling array of jade slips.

Epiglottal Yin Fire Method: Cultivate yin-poison fire in the throat’s epiglottis. In battle, spit forth the yin fire; effective for both distant and close combat, endless ways to subdue foes. Dao achievement: 10

Ear Spirit Child Method: Seek a fetus that died in the womb, refine corpse oil; carve a three-inch wooden talisman of a child, drip oil onto it, bury for three days, recite the incantation three times; summon the spirit child. The child can burrow through earth and sky, capable of killing enemies or serving as eyes and ears. Dao achievement: 25

Willow, Locust, and Banyan Tree Spirit Methods: Seek a corpse, bury it beneath the chosen tree... Each spirit possesses unique abilities. Dao achievement: 15

This must have been the method Xie Te used against him.

There were also arts for corpse-driving, beast-taming, ghost-summoning, fire-breathing, water-spouting, and so on.

The first yin art was appealing—usable for both long-range and close quarters, and unpredictable.

Its drawback was clear: those who practiced it ended up with hoarse, grating voices.

Lu Qian searched for a while and finally found something suitable.

Greedy Wolf Seven-Kill Yin Talisman Sword: Seven-Kill Talisman Sword, forged from talismans; the blade is intangible, composed of yin fire; wielded by will, suited for offense and defense. Seven layers: One-Kill, Two-Kill... up to Seven-Kill. Extremely difficult to cultivate, approach with caution. Dao achievement: 25.

“This is it,” Lu Qian decided immediately.