Chapter 688: Remaining Symbol

**Volume Five: Renowned in One Region**

High-level talismans, particularly those for Five-Element spells, were nothing special. The power of most high-level spells was, in fact, inferior to that of magical treasures. Consequently, most cultivators would abandon the continued practice of Five-Element spells once they formed their Gold Core.

However, this did not mean that high-level spells were completely useless. Han Li knew of several immensely powerful Five-Element spells that, once cast, even Nascent Soul cultivators wouldn't dare to face head-on. Yet, these spells were not only difficult to cultivate; even after mastery, casting them was exceptionally cumbersome and troublesome. It was simply more efficient to attack directly with a magical treasure.

However, Han Li had vaguely heard other cultivators mention that the Mulan Spell Sages seemed to have overcome this limitation. They had developed numerous powerful "Spirit Arts" that could be cast instantaneously. This allowed lower-tier Spell Sages to effectively contend with ordinary cultivators without the need for magical artifacts or talismans, holding their own with ease. Furthermore, higher-tier Spell Sages, utilizing magical treasures in conjunction with Spirit Arts, were like tigers with wings, undoubtedly able to decisively defeat cultivators of the same stage. This was precisely why the major forces in Tiannan, even when united against the Mulan people, could only manage to defend themselves, unable to truly crush their opponents.

Since forming his Nascent Soul, Han Li, with a clear understanding of his strengths, had begun studying some of the more rudimentary high-level spells. He had managed to comprehend three or four types, though their casting speed was truly abysmal. He was certain that if he were to genuinely use these spells in combat, unless his opponent possessed an unbreakable defense, he would have been defeated seven or eight times over by cultivators of the same stage before even completing a small portion of the spell.

However, the sudden use of high-level talismans in conjunction with magical treasures during combat proved to be incredibly potent. If he could unleash twenty or thirty high-level attack talismans at once, much like casting low-level ones, even cultivators of the same stage—or even late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators—would immediately flee in panic. After all, such an assault would be equivalent to being struck by dozens of Nascent Soul cultivators simultaneously. Even if the attacked cultivator possessed extraordinary cultivation techniques and protective magical treasures, as long as their cultivation remained within the Nascent Soul stage, they would be utterly incapable of withstanding it directly.

Yet, such an attack remained merely a hypothetical thought. A single such assault would consume tens of thousands of spirit stones, a luxury no one dared to afford. Furthermore, high-level talismans were practically priceless in the cultivation world, often having a stated value but rarely being available for purchase. Most of them were also primarily for auxiliary purposes.

As Han Li pondered these thoughts, he walked along the market streets, continuously glancing at the larger magical artifact and general stores. Typically, only large establishments would stock top-tier talisman-making brushes. There was no need to inquire at the smaller shops; nine times out of ten, they wouldn't sell such specialized magical artifacts, let alone those of top quality. While it was possible that a rare treasure might be hidden in an occasional small shop, Han Li was unwilling to waste time searching each one individually. Given the sheer number of shops in Tianyuan City, it would take him at least ten days to browse them all, even if he did nothing else.

Aside from Han Li, other cultivators moved in and out of the shops lining the street, each with their own demeanor as they bought and sold desired items. The majority were Foundation Establishment cultivators, with a few Gold Core cultivators occasionally appearing. As for Qi Condensation cultivators, aside from those native to Tianyuan City, visiting practitioners were exceedingly rare.

Han Li had once again concealed his cultivation to appear as a mid-stage Gold Core cultivator. Therefore, despite encountering numerous cultivators, he only drew a few respectful glances from those in the Foundation Establishment stage. Unfamiliar Gold Core cultivators merely gave him a passing look. In this manner, Han Li avoided drawing undue attention, leisurely browsing through one large establishment after another.

As Han Li emerged from yet another pavilion, once again disappointed, he realized that most of the day had slipped by unnoticed. Observing the darkening sky and the moonstones gradually illuminating the various shops, Han Li felt a pang of hesitation. He pondered whether he should return to his lodging or check two more shops before heading back.

Just then, a commotion erupted not far ahead. It sounded as though a dispute had broken out, and several nearby cultivators gathered out of curiosity. Han Li frowned, immediately clasped his hands behind his back, and turned away expressionlessly, intending to return to his lodging. But before he had taken more than two steps, a harsh and angry voice boomed out.

"What, are all you Falling Cloud Sect cultivators so brazen? You break something and then expect to leave without paying?"

"It's not that I won't pay," another younger man's voice retorted, clearly annoyed. "It's just that I've just purchased other items and truly don't have that many spirit stones on me. And this is merely a low-tier, mid-grade Fire Cloud Talisman; how can it possibly cost three hundred spirit stones? At most, it should be a little over one hundred. Besides, haven't I left my sect token here as collateral? I'll return to the inn, borrow some spirit stones from fellow disciples, and come back."

Han Li, who had taken two steps, suddenly paused. The man's voice sounded somewhat familiar, as if it belonged to someone he knew from the Falling Cloud Sect. Han Li stroked his chin, and after a moment's consideration, he turned and walked towards the shop where the commotion originated. Regardless of who it was, he felt he should investigate. After all, he was now one of the three Grand Elders of the Falling Cloud Sect; it would be inappropriate to feign ignorance and simply walk away.

Moments later, Han Li spotted it from a distance: over a dozen cultivators had gathered in front of a small general store, where several cultivators appeared to be in a standoff. One of them, dressed in black and looking dashing, with an angry expression, was none other than Sun Huo of Fire Cloud Peak, whom he had previously encountered at the Sword Trial Assembly. In the short span of twenty years, the young man Sun Huo's appearance had not changed significantly, but his cultivation had advanced considerably. Facing him were three ill-tempered local cultivators, who seemed to be the shop owner and his assistants.

At that moment, the central figure, a cultivator with a short beard who appeared to be the shop owner, rolled his eyes and addressed Sun Huo: "A worthless token—what good is it to me? What if you abandon this token, return, and immediately flee back to the Falling Cloud Sect? Am I supposed to chase you thousands of miles to Xi Kingdom? Enough idle talk. Since you lack spirit stones, take out items from your storage bag and leave them here as collateral. As for that Fire Cloud Talisman, do you truly believe it's an ordinary mid-tier talisman? It is the work of a master talisman crafter from our Tianyuan City! How can it be compared to a common Fire Cloud Talisman? Charging you three hundred spirit stones is already a concession. Are all Falling Cloud Sect cultivators beggars?"

Having spoken, the owner glanced at the wooden box held by his assistant, a look of genuine heartache on his face, as if he had truly suffered a significant loss.

"Fine!" Sun Huo exclaimed, so enraged that he let out a bitter laugh. "The goods are yours, so you can say whatever you like! A common Fire Cloud Talisman, and you claim it's crafted by a master!"

"What, can you tell if it's a master's talisman?" the owner sneered, threateningly. "Or do you genuinely not wish to compensate our shop for its losses? In that case, don't blame me for notifying the city's enforcement officers."

Upon hearing this, Sun Huo's face alternated between pallor and flushing. He knew without a doubt who the Nine Nations Alliance's enforcement officers would favor if they arrived. Furthermore, the situation was truly ambiguous. It seemed he was destined to suffer this loss!

After his expression flickered between gloom and anger for a while, Sun Huo stomped his foot and abruptly slapped his storage bag at his waist. Instantly, a stack of various talismans appeared in his hand, mostly low-level ones of elementary to mid-grade.

"Although these talismans aren't high-grade, they should be enough to cover two or three hundred spirit stones for now," Sun Huo said through gritted teeth.

The owner, hearing this, relaxed his expression and said: "That's more like it!" He then reached out to take the talismans.

"Wait, not this one!"

Before the owner could take the talismans, Sun Huo's gaze swept over the ones in his hand, his expression abruptly changed, and he quickly withdrew them. He immediately pulled out a yellow talisman paper that was nearly half-torn from the stack, and then extended the remaining talismans forward again.

"Hmph! A blank talisman paper, torn like this, and you're so protective of it? Your Falling Cloud Sect truly must be quite impoverished!" the owner scoffed, a mocking expression on his face after a brief moment of surprise. He then reached out with one hand again, attempting to seize the talismans.

But at that very instant, a figure flashed, suddenly interposing itself between them and snatching the talismans. Sun Huo was startled, and the owner quickly retreated several steps, crying out in alarm and fury: "Who are you? What do you want?"

"Nothing," the intervening cultivator said coldly, his face expressionless. "I merely heard you repeatedly disparaging our Falling Cloud Sect. Would you care to repeat those remarks in front of me, Han?"

No sooner had he spoken than an astonishing aura erupted from his body, a tremendous spiritual pressure descending from above. This instantly caused the nearby cultivators to blanch and involuntarily retreat several steps. Some cultivators with shallower cultivation felt as if Mount Tai were pressing down on them before they could even steady themselves, dropping directly to their knees. The two Gold Core cultivators who happened to be passing by fared slightly better, though their bodies swayed violently. One of them, visibly alarmed, cried out: "A Nascent Soul cultivator! Senior, you..."