Chapter 152: Arrival of the Spirit Crossing Envoy

"Miss Zhuo, long time no see." Chen Mobai approached the yellow-clad woman, who was seated on a small stool at her usual talisman stall in Nanxi Market, selling some low and mid-tier talismans. He greeted her as he walked up.

"It's you! I didn't expect we'd meet again." Hearing the voice, Zhuo Ming looked up, surprised to see Chen Mobai. She nodded in response.

"Well, Miss Zhuo, didn't you mention you're a talisman crafter? I actually have some questions about talisman crafting and was hoping you could help me out." Chen Mobai didn't directly inquire about Lu Shu; instead, he chose a subtle approach.

"Oh, it seems you're also planning to join the Divine Wood Sect." A hint of wariness entered Zhuo Ming's eyes as she listened to Chen Mobai. At this time, nearly all talisman crafters remaining in Nanxi Market had similar intentions. Since she also wished to join the Divine Wood Sect, they were naturally competitors.

"It's like this: Brother Lu Shu gave me this 'Divine Wood Sect Talisman Crafting Guide.' He said that once I mastered the basic talismans described within, it would be more than enough to join the Divine Wood Sect. However, I'm quite slow; despite numerous attempts, I can't successfully draw them according to the strokes in the book. I was hoping, Miss Zhuo, you might be able to help me understand why." Chen Mobai's statement neither betrayed his suspicion of Lu Shu nor inappropriately raised his concerns about potential errors in the talisman strokes within the guide.

He possessed an innate talent for such subtle communication. His maternal grandfather, Tang Lu, often said that it would be a great loss to the Immortal Sect if Chen Mobai didn't pursue an official position.

"This book..." Zhuo Ming's gaze flickered when she saw the 'Divine Wood Sect Talisman Crafting Guide' Chen Mobai held, as if she knew something about it, but she ultimately shook her head.

"You should ask Lu Shu yourself. I haven't seen that book, so I can't answer your questions.""Oh, so the talismans you're selling at your stall, Miss Zhuo, aren't drawn by you after all?"

Hearing this, Chen Mobai pointed, quite surprised, at the Revitalization Talismans, Renewal Talismans, and Rebirth Talismans displayed on Zhuo Ming's mat—all basic talismans for recruiting rogue cultivators into the Divine Wood Sect.

"I have other matters today, so I'll be closing my stall now." Zhuo Ming, not having a thick skin, flushed slightly with annoyance and embarrassment after being called out by Chen Mobai. She promptly packed up her mat and talismans, picked up her small stool, and retreated to her cave dwelling.

Chen Mobai didn't stop her. At the very least, Zhuo Ming's demeanor indicated that she was aware of issues with the 'Divine Wood Sect Talisman Crafting Guide' in Lu Shu's possession.

"I'll take my time. Once I'm in the Divine Wood Sect, I'll have plenty of opportunities to get her to talk." Chen Mobai was not in a hurry.

He had just observed the talismans Zhuo Ming crafted. If the Divine Wood Sect had indeed suffered significant disciple losses in Yunmeng Marsh this time, someone of her skill level, provided her spiritual root talent wasn't too deficient, should also be accepted.

Once they became fellow disciples and spent more time together, Chen Mobai believed that, through empathy, Zhuo Ming would eventually reveal the hidden truth.

Chen Mobai didn't let this brief encounter spoil his mood. Since he was already out of his cave dwelling, he decided to visit the Divine Wood Sect's spiritual medicine shop again, where he chatted with the shopkeeper for a good while.

While he was enjoying his leisure, the rogue cultivators who were tailing him in the market were growing a little anxious.

"Didn't you say he would leave soon?""It's because the Divine Wood Sect's Spirit Ferrying Envoy departed early and is about to arrive in Yun Country. He likely wants to join the Divine Wood Sect. After getting that news, he decided to stay."

In the same alley, He Qun, facing the two rogue cultivators who practiced the Golden Light Art, wore a very impatient expression.

"So what do we do? He won't leave the market, and we can't make a move here.""What else can we do? You just have to wait for him to leave the market."

After saying this, He Qun waved his sole remaining left hand and turned to leave.

"You..." One of the rogue cultivators, enraged by He Qun's attitude, was about to make a move but was held back.

"Brother.""We can only wait. If the opportunity doesn't arise, then so be it."

With a sigh, the two vanished into the alley.

After leaving the alley, He Qun made a few turns and entered a cave dwelling.

"Old Seven, what did those two remnants from the Xuan Guang Sect say?""What else could they say? They don't dare to make a move in the market; they can only wait for that kid to leave."

"It's a pity; that kid is too cautious. He never left the Luo family's Spirit Camel on his way back, so neither of us found an opportunity."

Besides He Qun, two other individuals were inside the cave dwelling. If Chen Mobai had been there, he would have recognized them instantly: they were the two rogue cultivators who had fought alongside him against the demonic beasts on the Liu family's icebreaker.

Chen Mobai had thought that only one member of He Qun's team had survived, unaware that they had actually dispersed and gone into hiding.

"What if he genuinely joins the Divine Wood Sect?" one of the grim-faced middle-aged men asked.

"As for the two brothers who will make the move, once they get their hands on the item, we'll kill them. That way, we'll be avenging that kid, and even if the Divine Wood Sect investigates and traces it back to us, they'll have to reward us."

The other individual, who appeared to be the youngest, stated calmly.

"Ingenious." Chen Mobai remained entirely oblivious to the hidden schemes brewing against him.

After leaving the Divine Wood Sect's shop, he learned that the Spirit Ferrying Envoy for this period was one of the top three masters among the Divine Wood Sect's twenty-four true disciples.

It was said that this envoy had already acquired a Foundation Establishment Pill but felt his mental state still had a minor imperfection. Thus, he had voluntarily undertaken this session's Spirit Ferrying mission, seeking talented individuals for the sect while also making a final summation of his Qi-refining career.

Three more days passed, and Chen Mobai noticed an increasing number of unfamiliar faces in Nanxi Market.

Qi Er informed him that these were rogue cultivators from various parts of Yun Country who had emerged from seclusion to try their luck after hearing that the Divine Wood Sect's Spirit Ferrying Envoy had set out.

Chen Mobai attempted to approach a few individuals but discovered that some of them couldn't even draw a "Revitalization Talisman."

Those who possessed Zhuo Ming's level of talisman crafting were considered exceptional among them.

He only realized after asking that such was the reality for rogue cultivators.

They were preoccupied with earning spirit stones, cultivating, and engaging in conflicts; they had no time to delve into advanced immortal cultivation arts like talisman crafting.

While once again lamenting the harsh cultivation environment of the Heavenly River Realm, Chen Mobai also understood why these rogue cultivators so desperately sought to join major sects.

Cultivation techniques, elixirs, and the hundred arts of immortal cultivation! Among rogue cultivators, these were all incomplete; only within sects and prominent families could one find their complete inheritances.

Furthermore, for inheritances of third-tier immortal cultivation arts or methods to reach Foundation Establishment and beyond, only the Seven Great Sects across the entire Eastern Desolation possessed them.

While contemplating the preciousness of knowledge in the Heavenly River Realm, Chen Mobai also felt fortunate that within the Immortal Gate, knowledge was freely accessible; what he truly lacked were resources.

Two more days elapsed. The Divine Wood Sect's Spirit Ferrying Envoy finally arrived at Nanxi Market, after much anticipation.