Chapter 513: Three-Level Talisman Paper and Ink

This Blazing Flame Sword Art is a cultivation method from the Heaven Burning Purifying Land.

However, after the Heaven Burning Purifying Land's Soul Transformation cultivator fell, their foundational technique, the 'Heaven Burning Purifying World Scripture,' was fractured during the scramble among various factions. The Blazing Flame Sword Art is a cultivation method derived from a remnant scroll of that scripture.

It has eighteen levels, allowing cultivation up to the perfected Core Formation stage.

It also records six types of talismans from the first to fourth ranks: 'Blazing Flame Sword Talisman,' 'Purple Fire Sword Talisman,' 'Azure Sun Fire Sword Talisman,' 'Azure Blazing Sword Talisman,' 'Golden Flame Sword Talisman,' and 'Great Sun Sword Talisman.'

Beyond the Sword Fiend stage in sword mastery, it details two additional realms: 'Sword Training to Orb' and 'Sword Fiend Thunder Sound.'

Among these, 'Sword Training to Orb' signifies a complete and effortless mastery over the power of the Sword Fiend. Only with such proficiency can one harness the immensely potent and high-temperature force of the Sword Fiend and condense it into a Sword Orb.

Strictly speaking, it's not considered a sword mastery realm itself, but rather a mark of grand completion for the Sword Fiend.

Upon reading about 'Sword Training to Orb,' he opened his mouth and exhaled an Azure Blazing Sword Fiend.

With a flick of his spiritual consciousness, it instantly condensed into a thumb-sized Sword Orb, flowing like a blazing flame.

He had already achieved this step much earlier, back when he reached the perfected Foundation Establishment stage, thanks to his Fire Spirit Body.

He hadn't expected that something he took for granted was actually a realm only found in the Core Formation section of the Blazing Flame Sword Art.

This Fire Spirit Body is even more useful than he had imagined!

Chen Mobai nodded in satisfaction. He had initially thought his innate talent from the 'Enlightened Foundation Establishment' was quite ordinary, largely ineffective for the Pure Yang Scroll. However, for the Blazing Flame Sword Art, it was like adding fuel to a fire.

The Sword Fiend Orb, which normally could only be cultivated and wielded after Core Formation, was something he had already mastered during his Foundation Establishment stage due to his Fire Spirit Body. He had used it to dominate the Immortal Sect and the Eastern Wilderness, becoming invincible among Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Only 'Sword Fiend Thunder Sound,' which follows 'Sword Training to Orb,' is truly considered a sword mastery realm. It represents extreme speed in sword arts, a level even Mo Douguang had yet to achieve.

Chen Mobai merely glanced at it, not giving it much thought.

He certainly couldn't cultivate it.

After finishing all the content related to sword mastery in the Blazing Flame Sword Art, Chen Mobai shifted his focus to the talismans.

The copy he held was the original, featuring not only annotations from Patriarch Hunyuan but also insightful commentaries from Zhou Shengqing, a fourth-rank talisman master.

As Chen Mobai read, he felt a slight trepidation. He knew he wasn't a genius, and his current achievements were solely built upon an accumulation of resources.

Although the art of talismans was the cultivation skill he had invested the most effort into, his actual accomplishments were quite ordinary. He worried that, besides sword mastery, he wouldn't even be able to comprehend these sword talismans.

After reading through it once, the expression on Chen Mobai's face began to relax.

This isn't difficult at all!

He retrieved his luxurious talisman drawing tools, acquired from the Immortal Sect, and took out a precious third-rank talisman paper, then began to draw.

Although his talent in talismans was only mediocre, he had received extensive training from the Immortal Sect since childhood, giving him a solid foundation. Furthermore, this particular sword talisman was related to fire, seemingly activating his Fire Spirit Body and Heavenly Fire Spiritual Root. He surprisingly grasped all the key principles and techniques after just one read-through.

However, while he understood it, actually drawing it would still require time and practice.

Chen Mobai's first attempt to draw the Golden Flame Sword Talisman naturally failed.

Yet, he gained an insight, and quickly took out another third-rank talisman paper, picking up his brush to draw again.

This time, he quickly passed the obstacle that led to his first failure, but subsequently got stuck at another difficult point.

He looked at the talisman paper, which had burned to ashes, and took out the original Blazing Flame Sword Art beside him to reread it carefully. Sure enough, he discovered some ambiguities in the wording.

This was characteristic of the Eastern Wilderness: most inherited cultivation methods weren't written straightforwardly. Instead, they would deliberately complicate the explanations, ensuring that even if one acquired the method without a master's direct guidance, it couldn't be easily learned.

Chen Mobai shook his head, feeling helpless.

He retrieved the Golden Flame Sword Talisman that Zhou Shengqing had given him along with the Blazing Flame Sword Art. This talisman was personally crafted by Patriarch Hunyuan, using third-rank Golden Sun tree leaves as the raw material for the talisman paper, which had been soaked in a special medicinal liquid and air-dried.

Chen Mobai had initially thought he could substitute it with third-rank talisman paper from the Immortal Sect. However, after carefully reading the Blazing Flame Sword Art, he realized it would be better to follow the instructions precisely until he had completely mastered the talisman.

Besides the talisman paper made from Golden Sun Spirit Tree leaves, there was also a third-rank talisman ink called Blazing Flame Golden Ink.

Fortunately, although these were all third-rank spiritual materials, only the most critical steps required a Core Formation cultivator's intervention. The rest of the process, such as preparing raw materials, concocting medicinal liquids, and ink, could be handled by disciples.

As Chen Mobai was now an Ancestor of the Divine Wood Sect, he immediately summoned the Hall Master of the Hall of Merits and Rewards, who oversaw the sect's treasury.

When Luo Xue'er received the message from the newly promoted Core Formation Ancestor via the Celestial Communication Device, she couldn't help but wonder if she had ever given Chen Mobai a hard time when she was his superior.

After carefully recalling and confirming that she hadn't, she arrived at the Evergreen Wood Dao Field with a hint of trepidation.

“Greetings, Ancestor Chen!”

“Hmm, Hall Master Luo, there's no need for such formality. I benefited greatly from your care back when I was in the Hall of Merits and Rewards. If not for your suggestions, I wouldn't have been able to serve as the Guardian of Jian Country.”

Chen Mobai had a decent impression of Luo Xue'er, likely because when she rose to power, Chen Mobai was clearly a direct descendant of the Sect Master's lineage, and they had always treated each other with mutual respect.

“I am merely an acting Hall Master. Ancestor Chen, now that you've reached Core Formation, you automatically become the Hall Master of our Hall of Merits and Rewards. From now on, you can call me Junior Niece, or even Xue'er.”

While the Divine Wood Sect had no explicit written rule, Zhou Shengqing was the Hall Master of the Divine Wood Hall, and Fu Zongjue was the Hall Master of the Hall of Punishments. Before Meng Hong attempted Core Formation, preparations were already underway for his appointment as the Hall Master of the Hall of Merits and Rewards.

However, Meng Hong failed later, so the plan was shelved. Over the next decade, Luo Xue'er handled matters steadily, ensuring flawless logistics during two wars. With her merits and lack of errors, she naturally took control of the Hall of Merits and Rewards.

Although she was now referred to as the Hall Master of the Hall of Merits and Rewards by everyone in the sect, she had a clear understanding of her position.

After hearing the news of Chen Mobai's Core Formation, she had already proposed at the most recent sect meeting that the Hall of Merits and Rewards had long lacked top-level leadership and guidance. She argued that they were treading carefully in their duties and urgently needed Ancestor Chen to take charge and assume the role of Hall Master of the Hall of Merits and Rewards.

This would also achieve the Divine Wood Sect's goal of having all three Hall Masters be Core Formation cultivators.

This proposal was naturally passed unanimously. However, the agreement of Chu Zuoshu and others was not enough; it depended on whether Ancestor Chen was willing.

However, Chen Mobai had only returned two days prior, had just met Zhou Shengqing, and was currently in seclusion comprehending the Blazing Flame Sword Art. Therefore, Chu Zuoshu hadn't had a chance to come and consult him.

Luo Xue'er, on the other hand, was lucky to be summoned by Chen Mobai, granting her an early audience with the leader.

“Hall Master of the Hall of Merits and Rewards, you say! That works too.”

Chen Mobai pondered for a moment, then nodded in agreement without much hesitation.

He recalled that when he first joined the Divine Wood Sect, he had wondered if he would ever become the Sect Master one day.

Unexpectedly, over twenty years had passed, and he had inadvertently surpassed the Sect Master, becoming a sect Ancestor directly.

“Does the Hall of Merits and Rewards have any Golden Sun Talisman Paper or Blazing Flame Golden Ink in stock?”

Chen Mobai didn't forget the main purpose of his summons, asking Luo Xue'er about the spiritual materials needed to craft the Golden Flame Sword Talisman.

“Reporting to Ancestor Chen, there are still three hundred sixty-seven sheets of Golden Sun Talisman Paper in stock, but no Blazing Flame Golden Ink.”

Luo Xue'er spoke truthfully, a hint of apprehension in her eyes. She hadn't managed to fulfill the first request from her superior, and she wondered what punishment she might receive.

“Oh, why is there so much talisman paper, but not a single piece of talisman ink?”

Chen Mobai was a bit curious. Shouldn't third-rank talisman paper and ink come as a matched set?

“Within the sect, Ancestor Zhou is a fourth-rank talisman master, and the head and deputy head of the Talisman Department are third-rank talisman masters. However, they all cultivate the Evergreen Immortal Scripture and specialize in wood-attribute talismans. Therefore, the sect primarily stocks Azure Splendor Spirit Ink. As for Blazing Flame Golden Ink, Ancestor Zhou himself only refined a single batch many years ago, but that was thirty years ago, and I estimate it has long been used up.”

After listening to Luo Xue'er's explanation, Chen Mobai had a sudden realization.

It turned out it was because there were no third-rank talisman masters in the sect who practiced the Blazing Flame Sword Art.

Besides him, the highest-ranking practitioner of this sword art in the Divine Wood Sect was Xie Yuntian, the Head of the Sword Cultivation Department. However, he focused solely on sword mastery realms, barely even cultivating the Azure Blazing Sword Fiend. In terms of talismans, he was merely capable of using them.

“Go ahead and issue a task in the Spirit Treasure Pavilion under my name to gather the various spiritual materials for this Blazing Flame Golden Ink. Deduct the contribution points directly from my account. If it's not enough, let me know, and I'll personally supplement it with spirit stones.”

Third-rank spiritual materials had significantly higher prices in the Eastern Wilderness.

Furthermore, Chen Mobai intended to acquire these raw materials long-term. After all, he was now a Core Formation Ancestor, practically untouchable within the sect. Whether he took the raw materials to his own factory in the Immortal Sect for processing or purchased equipment to set up a factory in the Eastern Wilderness, he could handle it.

“Ancestor, you worry too much. You currently have over a million sect contribution points in your account, which is more than enough to acquire all the spiritual materials for refining Blazing Flame Golden Ink from the Giant Wood Ridge.”

“Oh? Why is that?”

Chen Mobai was puzzled after hearing Luo Xue'er's words. He clearly didn't have that many contribution points, did he?

Could it be a benefit granted by the sect to Core Formation cultivators?

“Ancestor, have you forgotten? When you handed over the spirit rice to the sect back then, you made an agreement with the Sect Master.”

Luo Xue'er's reminder brought immediate realization to Chen Mobai.

The sect typically acquired spirit rice at ten times its value in contribution points. However, due to the sheer volume Chen Mobai provided, they had agreed that he would only take ten percent upfront, with the remaining ninety percent held by the sect to be redeemed after he reached Core Formation.

After learning about the situation in Yan Country, Chu Zuoshu didn't even wait for Chen Mobai to return before directly adding this portion to his account.

In addition to that, because Chen Mobai had killed Nan Xuanjing, an enemy Core Formation cultivator, in Yan Country, he was credited with the highest merit. Chu Zuoshu then proposed adding another one million sect contribution points to his account.

Of course, as Sect Master, Chu Zuoshu didn't have such extensive authority. He could only approve expenses up to a hundred thousand points. Million-level expenditures required a meeting and approval from the Three Halls and Twelve Departments, followed by a report to the Core Formation Ancestors.

This process was naturally passed unanimously. The heads of the Divine Wood Sect's Three Halls and Twelve Departments were all shrewd individuals; who would dare to obstruct Ancestor Chen?

After Fu Zongjue returned, he saw Chu Zuoshu's proposal and approved it without blinking.

Thus, without Chen Mobai's awareness, his sect contribution points had already exceeded one million!

He was now the wealthiest individual in the sect, second only to the two elder Ancestors.

This was also considered appropriate treatment for a Core Formation Ancestor of the Divine Wood Sect. Chen Mobai knew that the sect, in fact, owed Zhou Shengqing a great deal.

This was because every time a Core Formation cultivator acted on behalf of the sect, it was a significant contribution, starting from at least one hundred thousand points. Accumulated over the years, the sect would naturally end up indebted.

Considering this, the Violet Lightning Sword was actually quite cheap.

After listening to Luo Xue'er explain the sect's contribution subsidies for each action taken by Core Formation cultivators, Chen Mobai compared it to the payment he had disbursed and nodded with satisfaction.

This time, when the Violet Lightning Sword acted in Yan Country, it had generously waived the spirit stone fee, having absorbed sufficient lightning essence.

After Luo Xue'er departed, Chu Zuoshu, having received the news, immediately hurried over.

“Greetings, Ancestor Chen!”

“Between us, with a friendship forged in life-and-death situations, such formalities are unnecessary.”

Chen Mobai personally rose and helped Chu Zuoshu up, but the latter appeared somewhat flustered.

In the Heavenly River Realm, seniority had always been determined by cultivation realm.

Moreover, the difference between Core Formation and Foundation Establishment was immense.

Chu Zuoshu understood the true value of the Core Formation realm most clearly, and he also knew that the war in Yan Country against the Southern Profound Sect concerned the very survival of the sect. Thus, he held Chen Mobai, who had slain Nan Xuanjing, in utmost respect.

“You're also getting on in years. I heard from Senior Brother Fu that the Golden Liquid Jade Return Pill has already been given to you. When do you plan to attempt Core Formation?”

When Chen Mobai returned, he had first visited Fu Zongjue and heard about this matter from him.

Mainly, Chen Mobai's successful return after achieving Core Formation had significantly boosted morale, so Fu Zongjue began to hope the sect could produce another Core Formation cultivator.

Chu Zuoshu had also dedicated his life to the Divine Wood Sect, following it since its days as the Five Elements Sect. Apart from the recent war with the Southern Profound Sect in Yan Country, he had spearheaded all other matters when no Core Formation cultivators were available, as he was a perfected Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Serving as Sect Master for the past twenty years, he not only expanded the sect's territory but also oversaw the rapid growth of talented disciples like Chen Mobai, Yin Qingmei, and Hong He, accumulating immense merit.

Giving him this Golden Liquid Jade Return Pill was also a way to secure everyone's approval.

“I was just about to seek Ancestor Chen's insights on Core Formation.”

Chu Zuoshu's mood was also excited as he spoke.

Cultivators in the Heavenly River Realm always prioritized the pursuit of breaking through to higher realms.

In comparison, desires such as the Sect Master's authority, beauty, and lavish living were mere distracting thoughts, inner demons that needed to be severed with a sword.

Therefore, with the Golden Liquid Jade Return Pill in hand and Chen Mobai's successful example, Chu Zuoshu was already looking for a successor as Sect Master, preparing to enter seclusion for Core Formation.

“I heard Hong He has also returned. Call him and Yin Qingmei over as well. I'll explain the key points of Core Formation to all of you together.”