Chapter 5: First Appearance of the Talisman Treasure

Above the Black River, black fog swirled like a sea of dark clouds. A giant flying ray emerged from the mist, breaking through the dense layers and hurtling forward at great speed.

After putting some distance between themselves and Black River Square, the people on the ray’s back finally relaxed and began to analyze the incident that had just occurred in the marketplace.

An elderly Late-stage Qi Cultivation cultivator was the first to speak:

"I reckon Black River Square is going to suffer a huge loss this time. But who would be so bold as to raid a marketplace? You have to understand, that place is full of businesses from all the major sects and clans. Isn’t this just a slap in the face to all of them?"

Most of the businesses in Black River Square were properties of the major surrounding powers. Being raided like this was an extremely serious matter.

Then, another Late-stage Qi Refining Cultivator offered his analysis:

"Could it be because Black River Square was holding that tournament recently? All the experts in the marketplace went out to compete, leaving it undermanned. That must be what attracted this group of Tribulation Cultivators, thinking they could make a big score."

"What you say makes sense, fellow Daoist. I think it’s not just Tribulation Cultivators. There’s probably a mole involved. The Vast Collection Pavilion has been acting way too greedily lately and must have offended countless powers. Someone might be sabotaging them from behind the scenes."

The three Late-stage Qi Refining Cultivators went back and forth, talking endlessly. Listening from the side, Fang Qingyuan was almost convinced by their arguments.

However, a voice suddenly broke into the discussion. A woman’s voice demanded:

"This ray’s back is so large. It clearly could have held all those cultivators from before. Why did you just leave them to die?"

Hearing this accusation, Fang Qingyuan furrowed his brow. He looked over and saw it was one of the Qi Yun Sect disciples.

This prized disciple of the Qi Yun Sect was no older than twenty. Her pretty face was filled with anger as she glared at Fang Qingyuan.

’Unbelievable. Biting the hand that feeds you. I only helped you all because I saw you were Qi Yun Sect disciples, and now you have the gall to blame me?’

’Besides, who I decide to save is my own business. If I tried to save everyone, never mind whether Yinbao could even carry them all or how it would affect its flight speed—just imagine the commotion. What if it attracted pursuers? We’d all be doomed.’

Fang Qingyuan had no intention of indulging someone like her. So what if she was a Qi Yun Disciple? He was from the Beast Taming Sect.

So, Fang Qingyuan said coldly:

"Who I choose to save is my business. What are you doing, criticizing me? Besides, you didn’t say anything when you were getting on. You only speak up now that we’re safe. Were you afraid I’d throw you off?"

At his words, the female Qi Yun Disciple’s face flushed red with anger. She was about to argue with Fang Qingyuan but was immediately stopped by her senior brother. He was a bit older and tried to smooth things over, saying:

"Please forgive her, fellow Daoist. My junior sister has only just left the Qi Yun Sect to gain experience. Her temperament still needs tempering. Please, pay her no mind."

Before Fang Qingyuan could say anything, the female Qi Yun Disciple became even more upset. She complained:

"Senior Brother, why are you siding with him instead of me? What did I say that was wrong? If you keep this up, I’m going to tell my dad when we get back that you didn’t take care of me on this trip..."

Hearing this, Fang Qingyuan and the others were left speechless. So she was a second-generation cultivator. No wonder she was so brainless.

’Huo Hu is a second-generation cultivator too, but the difference between them is just staggering.’

Fang Qingyuan decided he wasn’t going to bother with the female Qi Yun Disciple anymore. He made up his mind that if she dared to say another word, he would immediately kick them off.

However, before the female Qi Yun Disciple could settle down, her senior brother’s expression changed. A few breaths later, the three Late-stage Qi Cultivation cultivators also wore grave expressions.

Fang Qingyuan followed their gazes and looked behind them, spotting an Escape Light rapidly chasing after their flying ray.

Judging by the speed of the Escape Light, it was undoubtedly a Foundation Establishment Cultivator. Fang Qingyuan’s expression turned grave. He took out his Turtle Shell Spirit Shield and cautiously went on guard.

The other cultivators also took out their Magical Artifacts, preparing to face the enemy. A Foundation Establishment Cultivator flying from the direction of Black River Square was very likely hostile.

After all, a power from Black River would have no reason to pursue a group that had already left. The only exception would be Tribulation Cultivators, looking to take them all down in one fell swoop and make a huge score.

As the Escape Light in the rear drew closer, Fang Qingyuan could make out the person’s appearance. He made no attempt to conceal himself, his brutish face on full display as he brazenly gave chase, riding a golden blade.

"Duoluo Cheng?"

At that moment, someone called out the man’s identity. Hearing it, Fang Qingyuan grew even more worried.

A man is known by his reputation, and Duoluo Cheng was a well-known Tribulation Cultivator in the White Mountain Territory. He was very famous for his particular line of work.

This man had once robbed a business belonging to a Golden Core Sect. The sect’s Golden Core Ancestor was enraged and personally moved to take his life. However, Duoluo Cheng had set a trap. While the Golden Core Ancestor was hunting him, he used the "lure the tiger from the mountain" stratagem, teaming up with other Tribulation Cultivators to break into the sect’s headquarters and plunder it.

After this incident, the Golden Core Sect was so weakened that it couldn’t be bothered to seek revenge on Duoluo Cheng. The other sects were like sharks that had scented blood; they swarmed in and carved up the weakened sect among themselves.

Duoluo Cheng became famous after that battle. With his Mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation, no one short of a Golden Core Ancestor could do anything to him.

And with that precedent set, the other Golden Core Ancestors wanted nothing to do with him. As a result, Duoluo Cheng lived quite comfortably.

But now that Fang Qingyuan had run into him, he had a very bad feeling. Duoluo Cheng was a Mid-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator; even with their entire group combined, they were likely no match for him.

If they were facing an Early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, his group might have stood a chance. But the jump from that to the next stage was like crossing into a different realm—the gap in power was simply too vast.

What could they do? Seeing Duoluo Cheng about to close in, Fang Qingyuan simply shouted out:

"Elder Duoluo, wait! This beast ship is the property of the Beast Taming Sect, and we have a prized disciple of the Qi Yun Sect on board! I ask that Elder Duoluo please reconsider!"

Duoluo Cheng paused for a moment when he heard Fang Qingyuan’s words, but after a few breaths, a savage smile spread across his face.

"Then I just have to kill all of you, don’t I?"

Just as Duoluo Cheng finished speaking and was about to attack, a sigh was heard. The Qi Yun senior brother, who just moments ago had been helplessly trying to placate his junior sister, stood up straight. Instantly, the Spiritual Pressure of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator erupted from him.

"Fellow Daoluo, I urge you to reconsider."

Duoluo Cheng’s expression changed. He hadn’t expected to find a Foundation Establishment Cultivator on the beast ship. However, after sensing the Qi Yun senior brother’s cultivation level, Duoluo Cheng spoke again:

"One Early-stage Foundation Establishment and three Late-stage Qi Cultivation cultivators. Together, you’re still no match for me."

Duoluo Cheng had tallied up the combat strength on the beast ship. As for Fang Qingyuan and the others, he didn’t even consider them worthy of his notice.

The Qi Yun senior brother let out a soft chuckle and said leisurely,

"What Fellow Daoluo says is absolutely correct. But what if we add this to the equation?"

An object suddenly materialized in the Qi Yun senior brother’s hand. It was small and exquisite, made of a material that was neither gold nor jade. It was not a Talisman, nor was it a Magical Artifact, yet it radiated an astonishing aura.

"A Talisman Treasure!?"

After shouting this, Duoluo Cheng’s face filled with terror. He immediately turned and fled. A few breaths after his Escape Light vanished, the Junior Sister Qi Yun spoke up:

"Senior Brother, why didn’t you use the Talisman Treasure to hit him? Dad gave you that so you would use it, right? Senior Brother? Why aren’t you talking? Why are you ignoring me?"

Listening to his junior sister’s endless muttering, the Qi Yun senior brother, who had just scared off Duoluo Cheng, felt his expression fall. He glanced at Fang Qingyuan and couldn’t help but reveal a wry smile.