C18 Madness

Wang Fei hastily glanced at the object in Xiao Yu's grasp, ready to unleash a sneer. To him, a Talisman, while valuable, was hardly a treasure among the scions of noble families.

Yet, upon closer inspection of the Talisman in Xiao Yu's possession, Wang Fei's pupils shrank in shock, his derisive comments lodged in his throat as he fixated on the item.

"Good heavens! Is that a Spirit-gathering Talisman?"

"It truly is a Spirit-gathering Talisman!"

"Tianming Pavilion only recently began to sell these Talismans, and they're priced at 30,000 crystals each. They're said to have been lost to time until now. As soon as they were available, the elders snapped them up for research, leaving none for the average person!"

"I've heard that this Talisman can boost cultivation speed by tenfold. Tianming Pavilion also mentioned they'd only release a hundred each month. I bet there are no more than three young folks who have managed to acquire one, right?"

When Xiao Yu revealed his Spirit-gathering Talisman, it ignited an intense fervor among the onlookers.

Not long ago, Xiao Yu had delivered a hundred Spirit-gathering Talismans to Tianming Pavilion, securing a hefty down payment of 500,000 crystals. The Talismans, with their astonishing properties and having been long forgotten, were eagerly snapped up as expected. Even esteemed elders were unable to contain their excitement, eager to procure them for study.

This frenzy meant that the hundred Talismans were quickly claimed, with the elite progeny of the three major families unable to secure even one for themselves. To have a chance at obtaining one, they would have to wait until the next month's batch, and with only a hundred to go around, not every family was guaranteed to receive a significant share.

Though these Talismans might be of limited use to the older generation, they would undoubtedly end up in the hands of each family's most exceptional talents, far beyond the reach of ordinary individuals.

But now, one of these coveted Talismans was in Xiao Yu's hands. Could he truly be just a servant of the Lin Family?

"My friend, I am willing to offer you thirty thousand crystals for that Talisman. Would you consider selling it to me?"

"Thirty thousand crystals? You've got to be kidding me. Tianming Pavilion might list it at that price, but who's actually able to purchase it? Listen, I'll offer you fifty thousand crystals. How about you sell it to me?"

"Brother, wait! Esteemed sir, I'm willing to trade a mid-grade weapon for it!"

"Over here, I've got a Spirit Condensation Pill that can accelerate the formation of the Spirit River. Brother, let's make a trade!"

Suddenly, the crowd around him lost their composure, swarming Xiao Yu and clamoring to make their offers.

The Talisman he possessed was incredibly potent. Though its effects lasted only a month, it could potentially increase cultivation speed tenfold, equivalent to a year of training!

For cultivators, forming the Spirit River sooner rather than later meant a higher chance of ascending to greater realms, an opportunity priceless beyond any number of crystals.

This explained the commotion the Spirit-gathering Talisman caused upon its unveiling.

Despite the obvious tension between Wang Fei and Xiao Yu, and the risk of displeasing Wang Fei, the urgency of the moment overshadowed any concerns.

Wang Fei's brother might be at the Imperial City Martial Academy, but how many could claim the same in three months? The Spirit-gathering Talisman, on the other hand, promised immediate breakthroughs and long-term cultivation benefits.

Moreover, while the Wang Family held considerable influence, not every clan was inclined to ingratiate themselves with them. The inter-family dynamics were complex, with many standing in opposition to the Wangs.

"A Spirit-gathering Talisman? How on earth does this kid have something like that?" Wang Fei watched the frenzy unfold, his face contorted with displeasure.

He couldn't have imagined Xiao Yu producing a Spirit-gathering Talisman right off the bat.

Such an item was beyond comparison to ordinary treasures. Even as the son of the Wang Family head, he hadn't managed to acquire one.

One Talisman could reduce a year's worth of cultivation. What about two? Or three? The mere thought was enough to send shivers down the spine. It was no wonder everyone was going mad over it!

Moreover, he had just haughtily ridiculed Xiao Yu for his inability to produce any treasure, yet Xiao Yu nonchalantly presented such an item. It was as if a resounding slap had been delivered to his face.

"What exactly is the relationship between this so-called cripple and Tianming Pavilion? Could he truly be the esteemed guest they claim?" Wang Fei's face darkened further as he recalled the previous encounter at Tianming Pavilion.

The fact that Xiao Yu could produce a Spirit-gathering Talisman was a clear indication of his extraordinary connection with Tianming Pavilion. Such Talismans were not accessible to the average person.

If this were indeed the case, even Wang Fei would have to think twice before taking any action against Xiao Yu. Yet, the memory of the previous humiliation he endured filled Wang Fei with a sense of resentment.

"Spirit-gathering Talisman?" Lin Xuehan was taken aback, her gaze upon Xiao Yu filled with complexity.

She was increasingly puzzled by this childhood friend. Previously, he had been utterly ineffectual, incapable of summoning a Spirit River, and nowhere near her level. But now, not only had he swiftly formed two Spirit Rivers in a short span, but he had also produced a Talisman that even the most prominent families coveted!

A touch of regret flickered in her eyes. If she could secure that Spirit-gathering Talisman, Lin Xuehan was confident that, with her talent, she would make significant strides in no time, bolstering her chances in the upcoming Imperial City Martial Academy selection in three months.

However, having just treated him so poorly, indirectly aiding Wang Fei in his mockery of Xiao Yu, and even contemplating a public confrontation, Lin Xuehan realized that the Spirit-gathering Talisman was now beyond her reach.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this Treasure Exchange Meeting is meant for trading treasures, and it hasn't even begun. Please, there's no need to rush," Ye Wenxuan interjected, his demeanor radiating confidence.

He was convinced that he had struck gold this time, more certain than ever that Xiao Yu was no ordinary individual.

Could an average person so effortlessly reveal such a Talisman? Ye Wenxuan was elated, feeling as though he had truly stumbled upon a treasure!

He stepped forward, parting the crowd, and announced, "If anyone desires my brother's Talisman, you'll have the opportunity to bid on it or trade for it during the upcoming Treasure Exchange. Since my brother has offered it, he's certainly willing to part with it in exchange."

Upon hearing Ye Wenxuan's words, the crowd simmered down and ceased their scrambling for the item.

Many now regarded Ye Wenxuan with newfound respect. Had they known Xiao Yu possessed such treasures, his status as a mere servant would have been irrelevant. Befriending him was clearly a smart move!

"Well, in that case, Elder Brother Xiao, we shall await the auction to place our bids!"

"Exactly, Elder Brother Xiao, there's no need to linger at the entrance. Let's head inside, and we can discuss the Talisman later."

Several scions from noble families were eager to mend fences and cultivate a favorable rapport with Xiao Yu.

With only one Spirit-gathering Talisman available, could its possessor be just an average person?

Besides, even if he were ordinary, the fact that he had a Spirit-gathering Talisman suggested Xiao Yu had some tricks up his sleeve. Who's to say they couldn't leverage his connections to secure a monthly supply of a hundred Talismans?

At this juncture, the crowd was practically venerating Xiao Yu, clustering around him, reluctant to part ways, all vying for his favor.

The situation mirrored how they had abandoned Ye Wenxuan earlier to ingratiate themselves with Wang Fei. Now, Wang Fei stood aside, largely ignored.

"Hehe, Young Master Wang, I trust the treasure my brother has presented is sufficient for entry. May we proceed?" Ye Wenxuan's tone had shed its earlier courtesy. Previously subdued, he now reveled in his newfound leverage, his demeanor turning brash.

Wang Fei scowled, tight-lipped in response.

Admitting Xiao Yu was a bitter pill for Wang Fei, especially after his earlier declaration that Xiao Yu lacked the credentials for entry. To retract his words now would be somewhat humiliating.

Given the circumstances, any further denial of Xiao Yu's entry would not only be a direct affront to the crowd—hadn't they shown how much they valued the Spirit-gathering Talisman?—but would also squander their chances of obtaining it.