C26 The Sword Talisman Was Formed

I see, Zhang Loong and Zhang Hu may have talent, but they've been stuck at the ninth level of the Astral Refinement Stage for years. Breaking through is no small feat. Yet, they managed to advance to the Qi Gathering Stage with ease, all thanks to the aid of Qi Gathering Pills.

Qin Fei finally grasped the implications of Zhang Hu's earlier words. Surely, the Inner Sect master he had crossed was the one trying to take his life, offering a bottle of Qi Gathering Pills as the price. "Such extravagance. A single Qi Gathering Pill could fetch at least a hundred thousand taels of silver. A bottle containing at least ten pills is worth millions! Is my life truly worth that much?"

Qin Fei's smile was tinged with bitterness.

Well, no use dwelling on it. At least I'm alive, and now the Qi Gathering Pills are in my possession.

Upon closer inspection, Qin Fei counted eight remaining Qi Gathering Pills in the bottle.

He had used two already, leaving the rest intact.

After a brief check, Qin Fei stowed the Qi Gathering Pills back into his Interspatial Ring.

He then turned his attention to finding items that piqued his interest.

Two things in particular caught Qin Fei's eye: weapons and the books on the shelf.

The books likely contained cultivation techniques and Profound Skills.

Although cultivating Profound Skills typically requires one to reach the Qi Gathering Stage, Qin Fei was confident he could achieve that given his current situation.

It wouldn't hurt to preview them.

Besides, which martial artist wouldn't be intrigued by Profound Skills? "These weapons are all crafted from fine steel, a notch above ordinary ones, but they pale in comparison to my giant sword. At best, they'd sell for a hundred taels of silver each."

Qin Fei dismissed the weapons without a second thought, uninterested in such mundane armaments.

What really intrigued him were the Profound Weapons.

These legendary weapons, infused with profound energy and intricate array patterns, could unleash formidable power and even emit profound energy akin to a living being.

Even an Astral Refinement Stage cultivator could defeat a Qi Gathering Stage opponent with a powerful profound weapon in hand.

Naturally, the cost of a Profound Weapon was astronomical. Even at its cheapest, it was far beyond what the average person could afford.

"Tang Family Saber Technique, Fish Dragon Sword Technique, Tieniu Fist!"

As Qin Fei's gaze swept across the bookshelf, a multitude of titles caught his eye.

He mentally browsed the books arrayed before him.

Most of these books were indeed about various combat techniques.

The issue, however, was that these were not Profound Skills.

They were merely ordinary fighting techniques.

What is a Profound Skill? It is a fearsome and potent ability created from the fusion of profound energy and skill.

If a typical sword technique could deliver five times the power, a Profound Skill could unleash it a hundred or even a thousandfold.

Thus, when compared to ordinary skills, Profound Skills were in a league of their own.

"What a load of rubbish. The Outer Sect's library is brimming with such tomes. Zhang Loong actually had the audacity to hoard these things."

Qin Fei's initial curiosity quickly waned.

It wasn't that he looked down on these saber or sword techniques.

Rather, they were of no use to him.

Years ago, when he first joined the Feather Sect, he might have found these techniques appealing.

But times have changed. He was now striving for the Qi Gathering Stage and a place in the Inner Sect.

He had no intention of remaining a paper tiger or a waste of space in the Outer Sect forever.

"Sword Talisman Manual?"

A particular book soon captured Qin Fei's attention.

Recalling the Sword Talisman that Zhang Loong had unexpectedly produced, Qin Fei had always been puzzled. A Sword Talisman, drawn by a swordsman channeling vast amounts of sword qi, would fetch a fortune if sold.

Yet, how could someone of Zhang Loong's stature come into possession of a Sword Talisman?

The sight of this Sword Talisman Manual took him by surprise.

"It appears that Zhang Loong had his own stroke of luck. Not only did he acquire a Sword Talisman, but he also got his hands on a Sword Talisman Manual?"

Qin Fei eagerly thumbed through the book, absorbing every line of text that came into view. The first page detailed the existence of the Sword Talisman, which was crafted using sword qi as the base and yellow paper as the medium. The Sword Talisman primarily consisted of sword qi, among other components, all described with meticulous detail.

The words on the second page, however, took Qin Fei by surprise. "Sword Talismans are categorized into five levels: One-star Sword Light Talisman, Two-star Sword Qi Talisman, Three-star Sword Force Talisman, Four-star Sword Intent Talisman, and Five-star Sword Dao Talisman." Qin Fei was astounded. "There are rumors of five grand realms within the Sword Dao: Sword Light, Sword Qi, Sword Force, Sword Intent, and Sword Dao. It's fascinating that the Sword Talisman shares these same five realms."

Filled with excitement and joy, Qin Fei realized that he would need to refine and merge powers from the various levels to create the talismans. "What a waste for such a gem to end up with someone as unworthy as Zhang Loong. I'm curious about the identity of the master who left behind such an extraordinary book and a two-star Sword Qi Talisman."

From the explanations provided, Qin Fei understood that with the right materials, he too could forge a One-star Sword Light Talisman. The sword light from his Sword Soul had already been integrated by him, ready to be wielded at will. "To craft a Sword Light Talisman, one must blend sword light, yellow paper, beast blood, cinnabar, purple mud, and leather. Only by mastering the control of one's mental focus over the brush can one create a Sword Talisman..."

The primary benefit of a One-star Sword Light Talisman was its light, swift as a sword's shadow... The Two-star Sword Qi Talisman boasted an edge so sharp it could kill unseen... The Three-star Sword Force Talisman could overwhelm with its might... Each Sword Talisman was accompanied by a thorough introduction, with each one possessing unique abilities. Qin Fei could discern that as the levels ascended, the power became increasingly formidable and fearsome.

Having already experienced the formidable nature of the Sword Qi Talisman, which left him utterly defenseless, Qin Fei could only imagine the overwhelming strength of the Sword Force Talisman, Sword Intent Talisman, and the ultimate Sword Dao Talisman.

The Sword Talisman, renowned as the world's sharpest weapon, undoubtedly possesses a unique allure. Its legacy is steeped in countless legends. Yet, Qin Fei was well aware of the formidable challenge that lay in creating such a magical talisman. The rarity of swordsmen who had mastered the art of sword light was telling; within the Feather Sect, fewer than ten experts had achieved such a feat. And swordsmen who had grasped the essence of sword qi? They were even scarcer, perhaps less than five throughout the entire Flame Mountain Range, not to mention those who had delved into the deeper realms of sword force, sword intent, and sword arts.

But even for those who had attained such knowledge, the question remained: without proper guidance, how could they craft a Sword Talisman? The process was notoriously arduous, which explained the scarcity of these talismans in the world.

Qin Fei had spent time in a cave, meticulously studying the Sword Talisman manual, scouring it for any additional treasures before finally emerging to continue his journey.

Three days later, at the base of the One-Pun waterfall, a towering figure with bulging muscles sat in meditation, a massive sword laid out before him. He was enveloped in a radiant glow reminiscent of a sword's edge, his hands busy with a brush dipped in cinnabar, beast blood, and other exotic ingredients, as he painted on a sheet of yellow paper. With each stroke, the character for 'sword' took shape, and a gleam of sword light began to infuse the drawing. But within a minute, the paper ignited, disintegrating into ash.

Undeterred, the man reached for another sheet and resumed his work. Failure was met with persistence, a cycle that had defined Qin Fei's existence for the past three days.

After departing the cave, he had visited a small town on the outskirts, casually acquiring yellow paper, leather, cinnabar, purple clay, and beast blood. Though these materials were easy to come by, the refinement process was anything but. Qin Fei had come to realize that the endeavor demanded not just a mastery over one's spirit but an impeccable level of control, leaving no room for error.

The control of the sword light was crucial; any lapse in concentration could result in the destruction of the delicate yellow paper.

Through his numerous failures, Qin Fei had developed a deep understanding and learned valuable lessons. His mastery over the sword light and his mental focus had become incredibly strong.

"Buzz!"

"Boom!"

As Qin Fei's brush touched down, he became shrouded in a brilliant sword light.

In an instant, the sword light flowed into the Sword Talisman he had just finished, infusing it with power.

"Buzz!"

A sharp surge of energy trembled through the air, making the Sword Talisman before him seem not just a simple talisman, but a gleaming, sharp sword pulsating with intense light.

"Success!"

Joy filled Qin Fei's heart.

A smile spread across his face. The small talisman, inscribed with a single character for 'sword,' should not be underestimated. It was the fruit of three days and nights of effort, achieved after countless attempts.

"Though the One Star Sword Light Talisman doesn't match the Sword Qi Talisman in terms of presence and power, it boasts its own strengths: speed and agility, striking the enemy when they least expect it."

As Qin Fei tenderly held the successful Sword Talisman, it seemed to him as alive as any creature.

"Now that I've mastered the art of refining a One Star Sword Light Talisman, my offensive capabilities have multiplied. With more time and practice, I'll be able to produce an abundance of Sword Talismans. Then, my power..."

Qin Fei's excitement grew.

He envisioned a sky filled with myriad sword shadows, all under his command—a truly fearsome prospect. "Yet, the Sword Light Talisman is merely the beginning. True terror lies in grasping sword qi, sword force, and even sword intent. Only by crafting such talismans can one evoke real fear."

A One Star Sword Light Talisman excels in speed and agility.

But even a hundred of these cannot match the might of a single Two Star Sword Qi Talisman.

"Now, I just need to break into the Qi Gathering Stage. Once I do, I'll earn my place to speak within the sect."

Qin Fei carefully stowed the Sword Talisman and let out a determined laugh, "Xin'er, wait for me. I'll be entering the Inner Sect before you know it."

Given Qin Fei's current prowess, passing through Dummy Lane to enter the Inner Sect would be a breeze.

But that had never crossed his mind.

After all, joining the Inner Sect at his present level would only lead to disdain and ridicule from others.

It made more sense to wait until he was more powerful before seeking admission to the Inner Sect.

Moreover, Xin'er's engagement to Huang Shi was only a month away.

The thought pierced Qin Fei's mind like a steel needle.

He understood that only with greater strength could he win Xin'er back.

"*Boom!*"

"*Roar!*"

Just then, a thunderous explosion and a wave of formidable residual energy erupted, scattering a fearsome presence and wild currents in all directions.

"A Demonic Beast?"

Qin Fei hesitated, then realized, "No, it's someone battling a Demonic Beast."

With that thought, Qin Fei dashed swiftly, heading out of the valley.

Whoever could unleash such potent offensive might and the presence of a Demonic Beast, be it beast or human, had to be a master in their own right.