Chapter 255

"Alright, alright, looking at your smug face, I guess it's done."

"Of course! Who do you think I am? This kind of trivial matter is a piece of cake."

Lu Ye hummed a tune, skipping out. Before leaving, he didn't forget to glance back, seeing Su Ziqing staring at him, and couldn't help but flash a brilliant smile.

Seeing this, Su Ziqing rolled her eyes.

Couldn't this guy be a little more modest?

For the past few days, Su Ziqing had been trying to create various talismans under Lu Ye's supervision.

It must be said that Lu Ye's teaching over these past few days had been very effective.

Su Ziqing's speed in crafting talismans was now much faster than before, and her success rate had also significantly increased.

However, while there had been some progress in talisman crafting, the inheritance of the Talisman Dao had not yet been found.

"Junior Brother Lu, where exactly should I look for the inheritance of the Talisman Dao lineage?"

Lu Ye stopped, turned around, looked at Su Ziqing, and said mysteriously, "The inheritance of the Talisman Dao lineage is far away in the sky yet right before your eyes."

Hearing this, Su Ziqing frowned slightly.

Far away yet right before my eyes?

What does that mean?

"Do you have any clues?"

Lu Ye shook his head. "No clues, but while I was wandering around the sect these past few days, I did discover some interesting things."

"What things?"

"You'll know if you follow me."

Lu Ye said, then walked out.

Although Su Ziqing felt a bit puzzled, she still followed him.

The two walked out of the room one after another, then headed straight towards the back mountain of the sect.

The back mountain of the sect was rarely visited, as there was nothing special there apart from ordinary trees.

However, Lu Ye led Su Ziqing deeper and deeper, eventually arriving at a hidden valley.

The valley was surrounded by lush, verdant vegetation, appearing quite ordinary.

But Lu Ye stopped, then pointed to a giant rock in the center of the valley and said, "Look at this stone."

Su Ziqing looked in the direction Lu Ye indicated and saw that the massive stone was entirely azure, etched with peculiar, ancient-looking patterns.

"Is there anything special about this stone?"

Lu Ye nodded. "This stone is called the 'Talisman Stone,' and it is an artifact of the Talisman Dao lineage's inheritance."

Hearing this, Su Ziqing's eyes widened.

Talisman Stone?

An artifact of the Talisman Dao lineage's inheritance?

"Are you sure?"

Lu Ye nodded. "I'm sure."

"Then how can this stone be activated?"

Lu Ye shook his head. "I don't know, but I think you might be able to."

Su Ziqing froze upon hearing this.

Me?

How could I?

"This stone is an inheritance artifact of the Talisman Dao lineage; only a successor of the Talisman Dao lineage can activate it."

Lu Ye looked at Su Ziqing, a glint in his eyes. "And you are the successor of the Talisman Dao lineage."

Su Ziqing's mouth dropped open at his words.

I'm the successor of the Talisman Dao lineage?

How is that possible?

"How could I be the successor of the Talisman Dao lineage?"

Lu Ye smiled. "For the past few days, I've been teaching you how to craft talismans. Did you think I was just playing around?"

Su Ziqing fell silent at his words.

Lu Ye was right; for the past few days, he had been teaching her how to craft talismans, and he had been very strict about it.

She had initially thought Lu Ye only wanted her to learn more about talismans, never imagining he was actually grooming her.

"But how could I be the successor of the Talisman Dao lineage?"

Lu Ye explained, "The inheritance of the Talisman Dao lineage is not passed down through bloodline; it's chosen by the Spirit of the Talisman Dao."

"The Spirit of the Talisman Dao?"

Lu Ye nodded. "Exactly. The Spirit of the Talisman Dao is the foundation of the Talisman Dao lineage, and it chooses the most suitable successor."

"Then why would it choose me?"

Lu Ye replied, "Because you have a unique understanding of the Talisman Dao, and the talismanic energy within you is also extraordinary."

Su Ziqing frowned slightly upon hearing this.

I have a unique understanding of the Talisman Dao?

The talismanic energy within me is extraordinary?

How come she didn't know?

"What should I do now?"

Lu Ye said, "Place your hand on the Talisman Stone, then inject the talismanic energy from within you into it."

Although Su Ziqing felt a bit confused, she still complied.

She placed her right hand on the Talisman Stone, then circulated the talismanic energy within her and injected it into the stone.

As the talismanic energy was injected, the Talisman Stone immediately emitted a dazzling light.

Within the light, a faint, illusory figure slowly emerged.

The figure appeared very ancient, yet it exuded a vast aura.

"The Spirit of the Talisman Dao?"

Seeing this, Lu Ye's eyes lit up.

Su Ziqing also gazed at the figure, her heart filled with shock.

This is the Spirit of the Talisman Dao?

"This junior greets Senior Talisman Dao!"

Lu Ye quickly cupped his hands in a respectful bow.

The figure glanced at Lu Ye, then turned its gaze to Su Ziqing.

"You are the current successor of the Talisman Dao?"

The Spirit of the Talisman Dao's voice was ancient, yet full of majesty.

Su Ziqing felt a surge of nervousness upon hearing this.

"Indeed, this junior is."

The Spirit of the Talisman Dao nodded. "Very good. It seems the Talisman Dao lineage has finally awaited its successor."

"Senior, do you have any instructions?"

The Spirit of the Talisman Dao said, "I have been trapped here for countless years. Now that my successor has finally arrived, you can release me from here."

Su Ziqing was stunned by these words.

Release the Spirit of the Talisman Dao?

How to release it?

"Senior, what should this junior do?"

The Spirit of the Talisman Dao said, "Inject your talismanic energy into my body, and I can use your energy to break free."

Although Su Ziqing felt some doubt, she still complied.

She injected her talismanic energy into the Spirit of the Talisman Dao's body.

As the talismanic energy was injected, the figure of the Spirit of the Talisman Dao immediately became much more corporeal.

"Haha, I can finally break free!"

The Spirit of the Talisman Dao burst into laughter, then transformed into a stream of light and merged into Su Ziqing's glabella.

Su Ziqing instantly felt a massive influx of information in her mind.

This information was none other than the inheritance of the Talisman Dao lineage!

"Thank you, Senior!"

Su Ziqing quickly expressed her gratitude.

"No need to thank me; this is what you deserve."

The Spirit of the Talisman Dao's voice resounded in Su Ziqing's mind: "Now, you have received the inheritance of the Talisman Dao lineage. From this day forward, you are its successor."

"In the future, you must diligently cultivate the Talisman Dao and make its lineage flourish."

Hearing this, Su Ziqing nodded solemnly.

"Senior, rest assured, this junior will not let you down!"

The Spirit of the Talisman Dao was very pleased with her reply.

"Very well. I have now merged with you, and your talent in the Talisman Dao will also be greatly enhanced."

"In the future, if you encounter danger, I will also lend my aid."

Hearing this, Su Ziqing's eyes lit up.

The Spirit of the Talisman Dao merged with me?

My talent in the Talisman Dao will be greatly enhanced?

It will even help if I encounter danger?

This is simply too good to be true!

"Thank you, Senior!"

The Spirit of the Talisman Dao said, "No need to thank me; this is what I should do."

"Alright, I shall now go into a period of slumber. I will reappear once you have achieved some success in the Talisman Dao."

The Spirit of the Talisman Dao's voice gradually faded away.

Su Ziqing only felt a vast amount of Talisman Dao knowledge now present in her mind.

She knew that the Spirit of the Talisman Dao had truly merged with her.

"Congratulations, Junior Sister Su. You are now the successor of the Talisman Dao lineage."

Lu Ye looked at Su Ziqing and said with a smile.

Hearing this, Su Ziqing couldn't help but sigh.

She had originally thought she was just an ordinary cultivator, never expecting to become the successor of the Talisman Dao lineage.

However, this could also be considered a good thing.

"Junior Brother Lu, thank you."

Su Ziqing looked at Lu Ye, her face filled with gratitude.

Lu Ye waved his hand. "No need to thank me; this is your own destiny."

"However, I must remind you that while the inheritance of the Talisman Dao lineage is powerful, it is not so easy to cultivate."

"In the future, you must diligently cultivate the Talisman Dao and not disappoint the expectations of the Spirit of the Talisman Dao."

Hearing this, Su Ziqing nodded solemnly.

"Junior Brother Lu, rest assured, I will definitely cultivate diligently."

Lu Ye was very pleased with her reply.

"Alright, let's go."

Saying this, Lu Ye led Su Ziqing out of the valley.

Upon returning to the sect, Lu Ye bade farewell and departed.

Su Ziqing, meanwhile, returned to her room and began to comprehend the Talisman Dao inheritance in her mind.

...

On the other side, Lu Ye returned to his residence.

Instead of resting immediately, he sat cross-legged and began to cultivate.

Currently, he was at the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage, only a step away from the Core Formation stage.

He needed to break through to the Core Formation stage as quickly as possible, and then head to Kyushu.

Only by going to Kyushu could he find more opportunities.

Time passed day by day.

Lu Ye's cultivation also steadily improved.

Finally, half a month later, Lu Ye's cultivation reached the threshold of the Core Formation stage.

He was not in a hurry to break through but continued to consolidate his cultivation.

Three more days passed, and Lu Ye's cultivation was completely stable.

He opened his eyes, a sharp glint flashing within them.

"It's time to break through!"

Lu Ye whispered, then began his attempt to break through to the Core Formation stage.

Breaking through to the Core Formation stage required undergoing a lightning tribulation.

Lu Ye was well-prepared; he took out a talisman and affixed it to his body.

This talisman, named "Lightning Evasion Talisman," could weaken the power of the lightning tribulation.

After affixing the talisman, Lu Ye began his assault on the Core Formation stage.

The sky immediately became overcast with dark clouds, accompanied by lightning and thunder.

Bolts of lightning, as thick as arms, struck down towards Lu Ye.

Lu Ye sat cross-legged on the ground, fully circulating the spiritual energy within him to resist the lightning tribulation.

With the help of the Lightning Evasion Talisman, the power of the lightning tribulation was significantly weakened.

Even so, the power of the lightning tribulation was still not to be underestimated.

Electrical sparks flickered intermittently across Lu Ye's body.

His face also gradually turned pale.

However, he did not give up.

He knew that as long as he overcame the lightning tribulation, he would be able to break through to the Core Formation stage.

Time passed by minute by minute.

The power of the lightning tribulation also grew weaker and weaker.

Finally, half an hour later, the lightning tribulation completely dissipated.

Smoke rose from Lu Ye's body.

His clothes had also become tattered.

However, his aura had become even stronger.

He had finally broken through to the Core Formation stage!

Lu Ye stood up, feeling the surging spiritual energy within his body, and an excited smile appeared on his face.

"Core Formation stage, I've finally broken through!"

Lu Ye clenched his fists, his eyes gleaming with confidence.

Now, he was a cultivator of the Core Formation stage.

His strength had greatly improved.

Next, he could travel to Kyushu.

However, before heading to Kyushu, he still had one more thing to do.

That was, to visit Su Ziqing.

After all, Su Ziqing was now the successor of the Talisman Dao lineage.

He wanted to see Su Ziqing and find out what the Spirit of the Talisman Dao had told her.

Thinking of this, Lu Ye walked towards Su Ziqing's residence.

When he arrived at Su Ziqing's residence, he noticed a strong surge of talismanic energy emanating from her room.

Hearing this, Lu Ye raised an eyebrow.

The inheritance of the Talisman Dao lineage was indeed extraordinary!

He did not disturb Su Ziqing but waited quietly.

After about an hour, the fluctuations of talismanic energy in the room gradually subsided.

Seeing this, Lu Ye pushed open the door and entered.

Su Ziqing sat cross-legged on the bed, an enigmatic aura emanating from her.

"Congratulations, Junior Sister Su. You have fully grasped the Talisman Dao inheritance."

Su Ziqing opened her eyes, saw Lu Ye, and smiled.

"Thank you, Junior Brother Lu. If it weren't for you, I might never have known how profound the Talisman Dao lineage's inheritance truly is."

Lu Ye smiled. "This is all your own destiny."

"What did the Spirit of the Talisman Dao tell you?"

Su Ziqing fell silent for a moment upon hearing this.

Then, she slowly began to speak: "The Spirit of the Talisman Dao said that the inheritance of the Talisman Dao lineage is related to Kyushu."

Hearing this, Lu Ye's eyes lit up.

Related to Kyushu?

"How so?"

Su Ziqing said, "The Spirit of the Talisman Dao said that the inheritance of the Talisman Dao lineage originated from Kyushu."

"Furthermore, the Spirit of the Talisman Dao also said that in Kyushu, there is a place called 'Talisman Sea.'"

"The Talisman Sea contains countless Talisman Dao inheritances, and only those recognized by the Talisman Dao lineage can enter it."

Hearing this, Lu Ye frowned.

Talisman Sea?

The Spirit of the Talisman Dao actually knows about Kyushu?

"Did the Spirit of the Talisman Dao say where in Kyushu the Talisman Sea is located?"

Su Ziqing shook her head. "The Spirit of the Talisman Dao said that the location of the Talisman Sea can only be sensed by a successor of the Talisman Dao lineage."

"Moreover, within the Talisman Sea, there is also the ultimate treasure of the Talisman Dao lineage, named 'Talisman Sky Pagoda.'"

"The Talisman Sky Pagoda is the sect-preserving treasure of the Talisman Dao lineage, and only those recognized by the Talisman Dao lineage can obtain it."

Hearing this, Lu Ye's eyes widened.

Talisman Sky Pagoda?

The sect-preserving treasure of the Talisman Dao lineage?

That's an incredible treasure!

"What else did the Spirit of the Talisman Dao say?"

Su Ziqing said, "The Spirit of the Talisman Dao also said that the inheritance of the Talisman Dao lineage isn't just about crafting talismans; it also includes rune carving, talisman array arrangement, talisman treasure refining, and so on."

"The Talisman Dao lineage is vast and profound."

Hearing this, Lu Ye nodded.

The Talisman Dao lineage was indeed vast and profound.

"Did the Spirit of the Talisman Dao say if there are any other opportunities within the Talisman Sea?"

Su Ziqing shook her head. "The Spirit of the Talisman Dao only mentioned the Talisman Dao inheritance and the Talisman Sky Pagoda in the Talisman Sea."

"However, I believe there must be other opportunities within the Talisman Sea."

Hearing this, Lu Ye's eyes lit up.

It seems that a trip to Kyushu is absolutely necessary.

"Junior Sister Su, thank you for telling me all this."

Su Ziqing smiled. "Junior Brother Lu, you're too polite."

"Since you have received the Talisman Dao inheritance, I won't disturb you any longer."

Saying this, Lu Ye stood up to take his leave.

Su Ziqing did not try to keep him, knowing that Lu Ye had many things to do.

Lu Ye returned to his residence. Instead of resting, he began to research the Talisman Sea that the Spirit of the Talisman Dao had mentioned.

Talisman Sea, Talisman Sky Pagoda.

It seems that the journey to Kyushu is becoming more and more interesting.

A gleam of anticipation shone in Lu Ye's eyes.

He knew that Kyushu was a place full of opportunities and challenges.

He had to cultivate diligently and strive to make a name for himself in Kyushu.